He was wearing his Susan G. Komen T-shirt.
I couldn’t take my eyes off the shirt. It was from our celebration a couple of weeks ago.
It read: September, 2016. Survivor.
Suddenly I was lost in time. It was 25 years ago. I was a young mom in a sterile hospital room. A team of doctors had just left, and we were stunned by their news.
Richard slid down the wall, his head in his hands, weeping. I sat in the bed stunned, my left side wrapped in gauze. A tube in my side.
We found something, they said.
They had already found a large tumor. It was cancerous. Then they found malignant lymph nodes. Now they found a suspicious shadow on the MRI.
Every time the doctors came in to the hospital room, the team got larger. We quickly realized that more doctors meant more bad news.
We started with one doctor.
This time there were five.
They told us that my odds weren’t great – even with chemo, radiation, and two surgeries. My odds of surviving five years, even with treatment, was 10%.
The thought that I might be here 25 years later wasn’t even a dream.
In the beginning, I lived as if I held my breath. I was afraid that the next day might not come. I watched over my babies like they were sheer gold.
I watched my husband, loving him with all my heart.
Over time, I started to breathe again. The lessons started to emerge.
Twenty-five years later they are a part of me.
Here’s the crazy part. I wouldn’t want to go through that battle again, but I’m thankful for it.
Here’s what cancer taught me about living
Life is fragile. Don’t take one day or one person for granted.
Wrinkles are a gift.
Birthdays — no matter how many candles are on the cake — are amazing.
Dreams shouldn’t be delayed until tomorrow.
Real friends are the ones that you see face-to-face, especially in the hard places.
The things that matter aren’t what we have, but who we love.
Be nice to people that you care about.
Faith is a Rock that can’t be moved by our circumstances.
Now that I’ve shared what cancer taught me, I’d love to invite you to share in my 25th year celebration. Here’s some pics just for you.
Thanks for sharing in this celebration.
Will you do me a favor?
Read through these lessons one more time. Live them today. Don’t wait for something tragic to be your teacher. Live them right now.
Which life lesson do you want to begin living today?
How will it change you?
Suzie
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Lesson. Inspirational. Beautiful. Thank you, Suzie.
Life is fragile. Don’t take one day or one person for granted. The past is over, the future is not here yet. All we have is today and the people we share it with and we don’t know how long they will be with us or we with them so we need to cherish those we love, show them that love and enjoy each day to the fullest.
I just read your post. I am a cancer survivor of 34 years. I cried the first Christmas after surgery because I was still alive. I didn’t think it was going to happen. God brought some friends into my life that helped sustain me during that time. Thank you for writing this and the lessons.
I have chills reading this post, Suzie. What a beautiful inspiration you are to so many! So thankful for you and for the lessons God has taught you in your journey. Happy 25 years of being cancer free! Here’s to 25 more! <3 <3
Love this and you Suzie! You are such an inspiration to so many! ❤️
Suzie, Celebrating with you!! Wonderful lessons we all need to live by. Many blessing on you and your family.
Congratulations! God is good! I’m celebrating 10 years this year. I’ve often said the same thing. So many good lessons and blessings came with the cancer battle! Forever thankful it brought me back to Jesus for a meaningful relationship.
Beautiful! Thank you, Suzie! Congratulations!
What a remarkable story Suzie! It left my eyes watering. Thankful that God has kept you on this earth to inspire and encourage women. Coming up on my 30th and most especially love this: birthdays — no matter how many candles are on the cake — are amazing.
Dear Suzie, I am rejoicing with you – right here in my little study!! To God Be The Glory……and… thank YOU for being faithful in the hard. 2015 it was discovered I have low-grade non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. What a shock. With God’s help, I am trying to be wise in ways that this may be kept low-grade. I want to print your eight sentences and place them on my fridge – may I do that please? I am so thankful our Heavenly Father gave you the blessing to be with your family for these extra 25 years!!!! One more thought – I am on page 164 in your book, “Come With Me!” It is on my quiet time shelf and I am enjoying/being challenged so very much. A beautiful thought to see myself as Jesus’ 13th disciple. Thank You, Suzie. My love, Cordy
**P.S. I would encourage all your friends to read this book.**
Of course you can!
Thank you, Suzie.
How encouraging and beautiful especially as I began the cancer journey with my dad last month. I love the lessons you shared today. Your story is inspiring and beautiful and so are you! Hugs! And glitter as we celebrate with you this month! God is amazing!
Suzie,
Thank you for your post today, God’s timing is always perfect. I am sitting with my Mom in a hospital room, she just came out of surgery. She found out two weeks ago she has breast cancer and had a mastectomy today. I also just finished Come With Me (I have it here with me at the hospital in my bag!😀) I have hi lighted my way through it & brought it today to read through passages that touched me. I thank God for your gift of speaking & writing and for your willingness to share. Blessings to you & your family
Prayers for you and your mom, Susie.
Thank you Maribeth! They are pretty sure they caught it in time & it hasn’t spread. Praise God!!
Lord, bring peace to this mama and her daughter’s heart. In Jesus’ name.
So happy for you, Suzie Eller. I’ve been receiving your blogs along with those of many other Proverbs 31 speakers. What a blessing these posts are. I am completing my 2nd online Bible study: Amy Carroll’s Breaking Up With Perfect in Aug and now Lysa TerKuerst’ s Uninvited. How wonderful as a 2+ year Christian living in Mexico that I can learn from such godly women in ENGLISH down here in Oaxaca, Mexico. Thank you for sharing your journey with us.
Maribeth, I’m so glad you joined us! I hope you come back.
One word – INSPIRING
wrinkles ARE a gift – and be nice, period. a wonderful list and life and celebration. you have so much to give. thanks, suzie.
I love this Suzie! I am so thankful for you and the inspiration you have been in my life! Love you! ❤
Wow…I had no idea that your cancer prognosis was so grim. I mean….to see you and know the lively woman you are now I would never guess that you’d been through THAT much desperation. I’m so thankful that God spared your life to glorify Him. You’ve been a blessing to sooooo many women, myself included. I can’t imagine having never had the opportunity to experience your beautiful demeanor and heartfelt teachings. Thank you for all you do, and PRAISE GOD that you are still with us!!!