With October recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we will highlight Susie Douglas’ testimony all this week. As a matter of fact, when we last left you, Susie was shocked to discover that she had a lump on her left breast. She was so concerned that she went to the doctor for an emergency check-up. Come to find out, the lump was a tumor.
And now, Part Two of “Susie’s Testimony.”
Susie felt her spirit crushed. She didn’t know whether to cry or scream, and she was too shocked to faint.
“We have to take a look at the tests some more, Mrs. Douglas,” the doctor said. “But I will tell you this—we will get through this together.”
Susie nodded affirmatively, sighing over and over. She thanked her doctor and requested that she didn’t want to take any chances—she wanted that lump removed right then and there.
When she got home that evening, she stepped on the porch and heard Bret laughing it up with Sarah and Nikki. Susie couldn’t let them know about the lump—at least, not just yet, anyway. She put on her bravest smile once again and started singing a Luther Vandross song. As soon as she opened the door, Bret greeted her with a sweet kiss and told her that he had just finished dinner. Susie went to wash her hands, but she looked in the mirror and checked out the lump on her breast—it was still there.
Before sitting down at the dinner table with Bret and her daughters, Susie wept a little. She knew that her family needed to know about her doctor visit, but because her family was in such high spirits, she opted not to tell. She looked at the wonderful dinner that Bret had cooked—turkey spaghetti, pork chops, green beans, and salad. It all looked delicious, but Susie was not hungry. Yet and still, she accepted the plate that Bret made for her. And how apropos was it that Susie volunteered to bless the food.
After dinner, the Douglases washed the dishes and split up to their respective rooms.
Later on that evening, around 11:30, Bret was working a crossword puzzle while Susie sat stoic in the bed. Bret finished up at least three puzzles before getting ready to turn in for the night. He took a look at Susie’s face and got curious.
“Something wrong, Susie-Sweetie?” he asked.
Susie broke out crying, turning her back so that Bret wouldn’t see her break down.
“Susie, what’s wrong, Sweetheart?” he asked, putting his hand on her shoulder.
Susie took a deep breath and explained to Bret the entire story, from the discovery of the lump to the diagnosis from the doctor. Bret inhaled quickly, then cradled a weeping Susie in his arms. Susie tried to weep quietly, so as not to alarm Sarah and Nikki. After calming down a bit, Susie finally said, “I’m so scared, Bret-Honey. I know I shouldn’t be, but I am.”
Bret continued to hold Susie in his arms and kissed her gently on her lips, assuring her that everything would be alright.
“We’re gonna beat this, don’tcha know,” Bret said confidently. “Remember, The Lord’s not gonna put any more on us than we can bear. And heck, I’ve a feeling that the lump is benign.”
“Thanks, Bret-Honey,” Susie smiled. “You really know how to cheer me up.”
“No prob, my love,” Bret replied. “And besides, you’re a survivor. You’re gonna kick this thing’s ass, don’tcha know.”
The next morning, Susie got a call from her doctor…
TO BE CONTINUED ON OCTOBER 5, 2011
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