When we last left you, Susie tried to cope with the fact that she had a tumor on her left breast. Her life seemingly flashed before her eyes, and she was scared. Thankfully, Bret was right there to give Susie the comfort that she needed and assured her that everything would be fine. Despite Bret’s love and support, Susie was still scared.
And now, Part Three of Susie’s Testimony.
The next morning, Susie got a call from her doctor. He explained to her that after careful research of the tissue, he came to the conclusion that Susie needed a biopsy—the lump needed to be removed.
“The sooner the better, Doctor!” Susie stated emphatically.
After reviewing an opening in his schedule, the doctor informed Susie that he had a space available for the following Friday. Susie wasted no time in accepting the appointment.
That whole week, Susie received calls and visits from various well-wishers, from her neighbors to her co-workers, to Pastor and Mrs. Rich. Of course, Ms. Vivian paid a visit, but she didn’t show up until the day before Susie’s surgery. Ms. Vivian prayed that The Lord would work through the doctors, the instruments, and the anesthesia. She stood strong in her faith that Susie would receive “a blessing within her miracle.” The Douglases believed it to be already done, and they thanked Ms. Vivian for her prayer.
On the day of her surgery, Susie sat in the waiting room, her eyes closed and her head bowed. No doubt she was praying for a successful surgery, but she was also praying for Bret, Howie, Sarah, and Nikki. She didn’t know what would happen during the surgery, but she believed that The Lord was all up and through the situation. When she opened her eyes and looked up, the doctors told her that they would be ready for her momentarily.
The anticipation was killing Susie, no doubt. She looked around the room, her heart beating rapidly, still touching the lump on her left breast. While she waited rather impatiently, a frail-looking woman entered the room and sat next to her. She had to have been no more than 99 pounds, and all of her hair was gone, but she had a smile that lit up the entire room. Susie smiled back at the woman, then sighed impatiently and looked up at the ceiling.
The name’s Eileen,” said the frail woman.
“Nice to meet’cha—my name’s Susie.”
“You look a little jittery there, Miss Susie. Is everything okay?”
Susie said nothing, but nodded affirmatively, still feeling around the lump on her breast.
“You’re not foolin’ me one iota,” Eileen said, wagging her finger at Susie. “I’ve been on the other side of that face. I know what you’re goin’ through.”
“How can you possibly know what I’m going through?” Susie asked.
“I’ve been battling this thing for three years,” Eileen explained. “It started with a sharp pain in my chest. I thought it was a pulled muscle or a heart attack, but when I went to the doctor, he said that my heart was the envy of everyone else. And then, the pain got progressively worse. My husband took me back to the doctor, and on that fateful afternoon of May 19, 2006, I received the news that I had breast cancer.”
Susie looked like she was about to cry, and unbeknownst to her, she stopped feeling around her own lump.
“Obviously, I was scared, but I was not about to give up,” Eileen continued. “I told my doctor that whatever it took to get this disease out of me, I was willing to go all the way. I’ve been on chemo and radiation for three years, and look what I have to show for it: my hair has fallen out, I’m under 120 pounds, and I’m tired all the time. But have I given up? Hell, no!”
As Eileen continued to give her testimony, Susie’s worry turned into faith. She turned to face Eileen and said, “You know, Miss Eileen, I believe that The Lord has answered my prayer. I came in here scared as hell, but after listening to your testimony, I feel like going on.”
“Ah, so you’re a praying woman!” Eileen marveled. “I knew it was something different about you. And judging by that gorgeous ring on your finger, you’ve got a husband.”
“And three beautiful children, all grown up,” Susie added. “If it’s in The Lord’s will, then my husband and I will be married 30 years next year.”
Eileen smiled and said, “I’ve only known you five minutes, and already I can tell that you’re gonna make it. Look at me—I don’t know how much longer I’ve got, but I’ll be damned before I let this illness get the best of me. I may be sick in my body, but I’ve still got a life to live, a charge to keep, and a God in Heaven to glorify. I don’t care how tired I am—I will still make time for my husband, and I will still have imaginary tea parties with my two daughters. Heck, my youngest daughter is in a play at our church next week; she’s in the lead role, and I’m gonna be there to see it. My other daughter will be turning seven years old two weeks from now, and I’ve got her birthday party all planned out for her. As for me, my 25th wedding anniversary is this Saturday. I’ve got so much to live for, so until The Lord calls me home, I’m gonna do like that song by Rihanna and T.I. and just live my life.”
“God bless your heart, Eileen!” Susie said, with tears welling up in her eyes.
Eileen smiled, then she gave Susie a big hug and said, “He always does, and He’s gonna bless you too.”
TO BE CONTINUED ON OCTOBER 6, 2011
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