Tip #4 HOPE Anchors the Soul

Faith is important to many people daily and people tend to turn more closely to their faith in times of need and uncertainty.  Faith offers a person comfort and reassurance especially when being diagnosed with breast cancer.  If you are not a religious person, it is ok to reconnect with your faith during this trying time in your life. HOPES are that you will stay connected to your faith when your breast cancer journey is over.

I myself have been really leaning on my faith during this time in my life.  I prayed and asked “why me?”.  I just could not get over the fact that I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  I decided instead to question the diagnosis, I would learn to accept the diagnosis and would do that with the help of my faith.  I started praying a lot more and started reading a daily devotional that my friend, a breast cancer survivor, recommended to me.

Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence

My friend sent me a picture of the devotional for the day of my surgery on May 21st.  The first line read, “TRUST ME AND DON’T BE AFRAID, for I am your Strength and Song.”  The devotional continued to talk about not being fearful and having strength.  The devotional sent chills down my spine.  I truly believe that devotional was written for me on that particular day and I thought about the devotional right before I was given anesthesia for my surgery.

After my surgery, my friend was going to send me the book in the mail, but I told her that I had already purchased it.  Reading the devotionals daily has really helped me to focus on each day as I navigate my way through breast cancer.

When people found out that I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I was added to many, many prayer lists.  It really meant a lot to me that St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School in The Woodlands added me to their prayer list.  I worked there for a few years and it warmed my heart when I had been added to their prayer list.  Also, I know that I have had many individuals praying for me and I know that it has helped me each day.

We received ashes on Ash Wednesday in between appointments at MD Anderson.

This was taken before my breast cancer diagnosis at one of my favorite stores, Dogeared, located in Santa Monica, California. http://www.dogeared.com/   Dogeared believes good things happen.  My friend and breast cancer survivor sent me a pair of Dogeared anchor earrings in the mail and I was wearing them within five minutes of opening the box!