Love God Greatly

My faith is very strong; my spirits are very good. 

I was diagnosed with bladder cancer seven years ago.  At that time I was 60 years old and the youngest of our six children was 14.  When I was diagnosed, my first question to the urologist was, “Is this going to kill me?”  He said, “Probably not.  Let’s do what we need to do.”

During the seven years since my diagnosis, I have had eight different episodes of bladder cancer with surgeries.  Amazingly, I was cancer free for the two years that we did not have insurance.  Had I needed treatment during those two years, it would have broken the bank.

God is busy in my life.

Last summer I had chest pain late at night, and I thought I shouldn’t ignore it.  We went to a Level 1 trauma center and they scurried around ordering chest x-rays and a CT scan.  They found spots in my lungs.  A lung specialist was brought onto my case and they ruled out pneumonia, tuberculosis, and Valley Fever. They biopsied the spots, and determined them to be metastatic bladder cancer tumors.  It is very rare, and only happens to 2 percent of people with bladder cancer.  My urologist and his 20 partners had never heard of it and had never seen it in their practices.

I was referred to a leading lung surgeon, who said I wasn’t a good candidate for surgery.  He referred me to an oncologist who specializes in my type of cancer, who agreed.  My dad was a surgeon.  I was raised with the “cutter mentality.”  (If there’s a problem, cut it out!) I was a little surprised about their conclusion, but I knew they knew more than I did, and I was able to accept their recommendations.

I soon began chemotherapy.  It is the same protocol they use for ovarian cancer, and they walk a fine line between trying to kill the cancer while trying not to kill the patient.  I had a really rough time with chemotherapy from the beginning, but especially the last two rounds. I was hospitalized for the week prior to Christmas.  I determined that the negative effects of the chemo outweighed the positive; my quality of life with chemo was beyond terrible.  I was either flat on my back in bed, or in the hospital.  My doctors told me that once I suspended chemotherapy treatments, Hospice would be my next option, as it would be a matter of about six to eight months.

God has his hands on me all the time.

Although my tumors had shown a “miraculous response”, according to my oncologist, the negative effects of the chemotherapy worsened with each cycle. I felt I needed to consider another alternative.  I discussed this with my Bible study leader, knowing her husband is a cancer researcher who is getting very promising results with immunotherapy trials.  Her husband said I could be assessed for an immunotherapy clinical trial if I flunked out of chemotherapy.

The day after I spoke with my Bible study leader, I saw my oncologist.  We talked about my body’s  intolerance to the chemotherapy, and He suggested I consider immunotherapy instead.  He said he wanted to refer me to the research group headed by my Bible study leader’s husband for an immunotherapy clinical trial.  I laughed out loud because I know there are no coincidences!  I told him about my Bible study teacher and her husband.  My doctor made one phone call and within two days I was seated in the office of one of the physicians who administers the immunotherapy trial.  After my assessment, I was advised that I would qualify for immunotherapy treatment if I were free of chemo and intravenous antibiotics for one month.  My last chemotherapy treatment was early December; my last IV antibiotics were December 22.

My six children ask me, “Why are you not afraid?  Why are you happy?”  I tell them, “God’s got this.  I know where I am going and I know I am going to be fine.  I know I will be okay.”

I don’t know how people deal with hardships without God.

They must be overwhelmed, terrified.  If not for God’s strength, I would be overwhelmed and terrified, a basket case.  I am so grateful for the peace, joy, and happiness I have.  I give all the credit to God.

My Love God Greatly Bible Study Facilitator came over to see me today.  She reminded me I’ve been part of the group for about one year.  I lose track of time because my life has been whizzing by in a blur.  She sends out prayer requests on my behalf, and I have asked for prayer as well.  The extraordinary women in our group have been incredibly responsive and supportive.  I have so many incredible prayer warriors on my team.  It’s been a miracle for me, and I’m very, very grateful to be connected with so many extraordinary, strong women all over the world who are praying for my family and me.

The thing that really amazes me is that when I first joined Love God Greatly, I requested to be placed in a group.  After I was placed, my Facilitator asked me to introduce myself to the group.  It turned out that my fabulous Facilitator and I live about two miles apart and have mutual friends; again, there are no coincidences!  When I was in the hospital some months ago, I met my Facilitator for the first time when she came to visit me.

I hope to begin the immunotherapy clinical trial sometime around January 22.  I’ve always been told my cancer is not curable.  Hopefully the immunotherapy treatment will work and that will give us some more time.  We are always expecting a miracle, but if that’s not to be, it’s okay.  I know exactly where I’m going when I leave this earthly world.  I have so much peace, and I look for joy in every day.  God’s got me; He’s in control.  I know my husband and children will be okay because God’s got them too.  We are blessed and grateful!

God numbers our days, and we try to find the joy in every moment. 

2 Corinthians 12:9:

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Sandy Gercke, Phoenix, Arizona

LGG Community, let’s join together in prayer for our dear sister in Christ.  Please leave a prayer and/or a note of encouragement for Sandy in the comments!

Do you have a testimony you would like to share for the #WomenofLGG series? If so, please complete the form below!

Sarah

Sarah

Saved by grace. Army wife. Mom to two amazing boys. Team member at #LoveGodGreatly

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