When we last left you, Susie made an appointment to have the lump on her left breast removed as soon as possible. While she awaited her surgery, she met Eileen, a woman who had battled breast cancer for three years, yet had a very cheery personality. Listening to Eileen’s testimony took away all fear and doubt from Susie’s mind, and Susie was willing to go into surgery with great faith.
And now, Part Four of Susie’s Testimony.
“Mrs. Douglas, we’re ready for you,” the doctor said.
Just before Susie walked in with the doctor, Eileen said, “Lemme give you my phone number before you go in. I already know that it’s already done, but I want you to call me and tell me the good news. But look, you get your rest first after you’ve had your surgery, then you call me and tell me all about it.”
Susie took Eileen’s phone number and promised that she would call.
Well, Susie had a very successful surgery, but aside from that, she received some great news: the lump on her breast was benign. Susie was so excited that she shouted “Thank You, Jesus!” over and over again. And the good news kept on coming—she was able to go home whenever she felt up to it. Susie wasted no time in calling Bret and telling him all of the good news. She chuckled when she heard Bret, Howie, Sarah, and Nikki cheering in the background.
Susie was discharged that Saturday afternoon, but before she left, she thanked her doctor and the nursing staff for taking such good care of her. The doctor was quick to inform Susie that the surgery was a success because he prayed that all would go well, and it did. He further commended Susie for her early detection and quick mindset to go have her lump checked out.
Later that evening, Susie was queen for a day when she got home. Bret cooked her favorite dinner—sirloin steak with french fries and a broccoli/cauliflower medley, Sarah and Nikki tended to her every wish (fluffing her pillows and giving her a manicure), and Ms. Vivian made a special strawberry seven-up cake with Susie’s name spelled out with sliced strawberries and pineapples. In light of the celebration, Susie was still sore from her surgery, and she was advised to take a few days of rest and not do anything strenuous. She hated that she would have to miss church, but she asked Bret and the Jr. Douglases to say a prayer for her while she recuperated.
This was the very first Sunday that Susie ever missed, but she understood the ramifications and consequences if she did not adhere to the doctor’s orders. Then again, Bret would tell her about the sermon when he got home from church. Susie laughed at her “duh moment” and went into the living room to watch television.
As soon as she sat down, Eileen crossed her mind. Susie remembered the promise that she made, so she went ahead and called Eileen to tell her the good news.
“Hello?” a man said with a very somber tone.
“Hi. May I speak with Eileen Smith, please?”
“Whom may I ask is calling?”
“I’m Susie Douglas. I met your wife at the doctor’s office just a few days ago. She asked me to call her and tell her about my surgery. I wanted her to know that my tumor was benign and my surgery was a great success.”
“That’s good to know—congratulations to you,” the man said, still somber. “I’m Eileen’s husband, Gary. I’m sure Eileen would love to hear that, if she was still here.”
“Well, I trust that you’ll give her the message when she gets back,” Susie chuckled.
“She won’t be back for a while, Mrs. Douglas—Eileen died last night.”
TO BE CONTINUED ON OCTOBER 7, 2011
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