Cancer Survivorship

The Silent Killer:  It is so easy today with a pill and treatment for every little health concern to believe that we are not at risk for major or life-threatening illness. Even physicians have been lulled into believing at times that there is no reason to be concerned for the patient. That is why it is so important for each of us to become our own, best health advocate. Since we are the ones experiencing the symptoms and recovery time and paying the bills, this makes sense.

Why then, women, would you listen to a physician who tells you that you do not need to have a pap smear every year anymore, because you have never had any problems in that area? Because they are supposed to know better than we do about health issues? Oh no, my friends. Listen to your own body.

During 2009 I began at some indefinable point to feel like I was suffering from a virus or infection that was not going away. I felt tired and irritable, but tests revealed nothing amiss. Several doctors' visits and bouts of antibiotics for sinus infections later, I asked my GP to do a pap smear, because it had been over a year since she had conducted the last one. She said it was unnecessary with no history of female problems, and new guidelines recommended having one every two to three years.

Weeks of nagging little tummy aches, belching, bloating and a smidgen of blood occurred and prompted me to contact my gastroenterologist. He examined me in the office and scheduled a colonoscopy. This had become routine for me to have every few years, so there was no reason for me to feel alarmed. Not until I awoke from the procedure to find my doctor standing away from me and telling me there was something pressing on my colon that probably was causing the bleeding. He told me that he would have the complete report within 24 hours and to be sure to call his office. He left right away and that was unusual. This was on a Thursday, the week before my 58th birthday.

I told my husband that something serious was wrong, because this particular doctor had never been so distant. He always held my hand and talked with me up close and at length about his findings. This time was very different, but my husband did not see it that way. Women, listen to the voice within. Pray to know its meaning and why it needs to be heard. God speaks to us in many ways. So often, we just know that we know what we know!

Recommended Reading

A Dynamic Husband and Wife Team: Bodie Thoene (pronounced Tay-nee) or Bodie and Brock Thoene. Brock provides the research support for Bodie to write alone or with him. Each story is built upon the next one within each series. Each series provides the foundation for the one that follows. 


They take place in the Middle East, Europe and America from Biblical times to pre- and post-World War II times. Their ability to keep us engaged rests largely in their integration of Biblical principles with every day people, national leaders, soldiers, non-Christians and Christians. The historical accuracy and the rich natures of their characters work in concert to bind generations of families  together so that you will want to continue to follow them from book to book and series to series. 

Are you looking for good fiction that keeps you intrigued and guessing at the outcome?  Do you need to relax with good fiction that applies your Christian values to the lives of believable characters and situations? Do you want something to bless and uplift you while you are convalescing from illness? Is your book club, church or small group looking for a good study? If so, we encourage you to check your local or church library or book store for books by Bodie and Brock Thoene, or order them online.