When asked to write a blog
on queen Esther and how my story related to her, I had to stop and think a
bit. The very first thing you read about her is that she had a
pretty figure and face (Esther 2:7). Now for those that know me, I'm
sure you thought the resemblance to Esther's story and mine was beauty....now
that we are through laughing lets see what really is in common.
This year will mark my
eighth year as a cancer survivor. In 2004, I was having severe
allergies. I went to see my family doctor and he treated me with the
usual shot. While I was in his office I mentioned
a "minor problem" I was having. He agreed that my problem
was probably nothing to be concerned about, but he thought I should see a
specialist "just to be sure" all was okay. My visit to the
gastroenterologist resulted in a colonoscopy ordered. My scope
was scheduled for the next week. At the end of my scope, Dr. Patel
asked me to wait in the procedure room; he needed to talk to my husband, Terry
and me. When Terry came in the room, Dr. Patel told me that I
had colorectal cancer...there was NO DOUBT about it. It was cancer...
After the shear panic of
the news, Terry & I immediately turned to God and asked family and friends
to go to God for strength, wisdom, and direction. We started the
doctor process. Initially we did not find the doctors that fit;
their treatment did not seem to be what was needed. We continued to
pray and asked God to give us clear direction. A friend called and
asked if her sister, Betty, could come and talk to me. (Betty was 1
1/2 years ahead of me with the same cancer.) Her doctor was a
research gastroenterologist oncologist. It was obvious that
Betty had confidence in her doctor and the prescribed treatment. Terry and I
made an appointment with her doctor and knew immediately that God had sent
Betty to us with Dr. Figueroa's name. Dr. Figueroa told me that he
would make me well. I remember telling him that God would use him, but God, The
Great Physician, would make me well.
Before treatment started
we asked our elders to come and pray over me and anoint me with
oil. James 5:14-15 states that if anyone is sick, they should call
on the elders to pray and pour oil on the person in the name of the
Lord. (I actually had them pray over me and anoint me with oil
before each significant treatment that I underwent; chemo & radiation,
surgery, and chemo.) I believe that this was the most crucial part of my
treatment. I wanted God honored, even if He chose to use physicians to heal me;
I wanted Him to receive ALL credit.
Soon it was time for
surgery. There was a 4-week window for surgery. We
interviewed 3 surgeons. Each surgeon said I would have a colostomy.
I just couldn't believe that was the reality God had in store for
me. We prayed and asked our prayer warriors to pray specifically for
God to show us the right surgeon. "By coincidence"
(sarcasm there), two different people brought the same surgeon's name to us,
Dr. Jacobson. These people did not know each other! When I called Dr. Jacobson's
office, I was told that he could not see me or do surgery during the
"surgery window". I remember hanging up the phone and
crying. I was so sure that God had given me this surgeon. The phone
rang. It was Dr. Jacobson's receptionist. She talked
to Dr. Jacobson - He said he would work me in during MY time
frame. Coincidence? NO. God? YES!!!
How does my story tie into
Esther? Consider these please:
1) We were hit hard in
life. Both faced death. Esther 4:15
2) We listened to wise
council of others. Esther 4:12-14
3) We were bold in our
faith and trust of God. Both wanted His will done no matter the
outcome to our life. Esther 5:7-8
4) We watched God put
together a series of events to fulfill His purpose. Esther 6
5) We want(ed) people
know that GOD IS THE REASON the outcome took place. She set up the
feast of Purim, Esther 9. I love to tell "my story" of
what God did for me.
One last thing...After I
made my three year mark, Dr. Figueroa told me two
things: First, he had just attended a seminar that described my
treatment and surgical procedure as cutting edge - the treatment/surgery I had
done 3 years earlier. (Coincidence???NO!) Second, he told me
"Cherie, your Great Physician healed you.”
May God be honored in our
daily walk, as He was Esther's.
- Cherie Creech
