JoAnne's Blog

Hello and Welcome!

"You Have Cancer!"  No one wants to hear these three words.  No matter what you may or may not think, your life is about to change.  From this point on, you will be faced with many decisions.  It is important for you to have people around you to support you with whatever you decide.  Never forget that it is your life and you need to choose what is best for you.  I know because I have had cancer twice, cervical cancer and non-hodgkins lymphoma.  I have had natural and conventional treatments.  I learned about many things to support my healing and this blog tells about some of these things.  My biggest advice to you or anyone you know who has cancer is to not be afraid.  Stay positive.  Live your life.  Be quick to forgive and love those around you.  Laugh.  Cancer is not the end; it is just the beginning.

Our Current Situation

This is what I wrote over a year ago. but did not publish.  Still something to think about.

Wow!  What can I say about these times, last year and now 2021.  Families are being torn apart.  I am apparently not 'loving' in the things I say and post to my family members.  Really?  Wanting them to know what is going on is not being loving?  But alas, we see things differently, they say.  Many people have woke up to the fact that there is something going on that does not make any sense.  But not my family!  I am basically being told that for a smart person I am not very smart.  I wonder where I have heard that before.  Oh yeah, that is what my oncologist told me over 20 years ago and boy was he wrong.

People are asleep, blindly following exactly what they are being told - wear the mask, stay home, don't hug, no family get togethers, social distance 6 ft., take the vaccine, and on and on.  Where is this pandemic?  If this were a real pandemic, we would not be questioning it.  But many very knowledgeable doctors and scientists are questioning it.  One has to ask why?  Do they know something that we don't know?  Do we not owe it to ourselves to find out?  

Are there any real thinkers out there?  I wonder.  People are either too afraid to really research what is going on or just too busy to really care.  Or, they are fact checking anything that does not agree with what they are being told by our trusted health officials and government leaders.  So, who runs fact checker sites, oh, right they are funded by the powerful elite, those who have a vested interest in, for one, the vaccine.   Interesting!  

I have been told that our elected officials, etc. would never lead us astray.  Really?  Are they capable of telling lies?  Do they always act in our best interests? 

• Taken to quarantine 'hotels' at a personal expense of thousands of dollars, being exposed to many people, when one can isolate safely at home, alone, is in our best interest.   Really?  Why?
• Allowing people to congregate in places like Costco and bars is better for us than congregating in a church.  Really?
• Decreasing our lung power by wearing a mask 7-8 hours a day is better for us than breathing fresh air.  Really?  
• Taking a vaccine that is not really a vaccine and is experimental is better for us than letting our immune system fight it.  Really? 
• Not allowing people to visit our loved ones in nursing homes is better for them?  Really?  Even if they are dying?  Why?
• People being fined and dragged off to jail is better for us than letting them stand up for what they believe.   Seriously?
• Need I say more?

No wonder there is more suicides, depression, abuse, mental illness and just plain lack of hope in so many people that things will ever go back to normal.   Is this anyway to live?  Where is the Canada I used to know and love?

It can be very disheartening and not very encouraging to keep thinking like this.  That is why I am so very thankful for our church leaders and the prophets who draw our attention to God and what He is doing.  This is a spiritual battle between good and evil.  And we have a part to play, in all of this.  What is it?  To pray and keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.  He will always be with us, this battle belongs to him.  Our job is to worship Him.

 

 

 

Thoughts on Faith

People say I have a lot of faith.  Well here are some thought that I have about faith.

• Faith knows what the Word of God says.
• Faith is your response to what God has already done.
• Faith acts.
• Faith can only operate when the will of God is known.
• Faith sees the Word of God as more real than what you see.
• Faith does not consider the alternative.
• Faith does not elevate natural circumstances higher than the Word of God.
• Faith has an attitude.
• Faith takes a stand.
• Faith is voice activated.
• Faith speaks.
• Faith works through love.

I believe that God has given us all the faith we need to be victorious.  We can speak to the mountain and tell it to move, if we do not doubt.  We must believe what we say and proclaim it.   Faith in God is how we win the battles of life.  We believe because we know our God.

God is Good!

Wow!  So much to be thinking about these days and so much to be distracted by.  It seems we are seeing so many signs of the end time being fulfilled right before our eyes.  There is so much lawlessness, wickedness and deception all around us.  We can scarcely take it in, let alone try to understand it all. 

These are tough times for everyone, but especially for people who thrive on close relationships; those who love to hug and spend time with their friends and family.  Science has proved that a hormone called oxytocin is realeased when people interact with one another, especially through hugs.  It is produced by the hypothalamus and secreted by the pituitary gland.  It has been called the "love hormone" or "cuddle chemical" because of its importance in human behaviours. We are being deprived of this day after day.  Depression, suicide and drug overdoses have increased in the general populations according to articles that I have read.  If you have cancer, more than likely, you are also feeling the effects as people avoid you, because of Covid.

To add to that, how sad it is that during Covid, so many elderly people are being denied this very important hormone. Many in nursing homes have just given up and are dying of broken hearts.  They are missing the human touch. 

My mom is 93, and has a type of dementia.  She is very confused about what is happening these days.  I live on the west coast and she lives in Ontario.  She says she is very lonely.  No one comes to visit her anymore; but she doesn't understand why. She has lots of family close by; but no one wants her to get sick.  She loved a day program at a local nursing home; but of course it was stopped because of Covid.  She tells me sometimes, she doesn't know what she has to live for.  She has a housekeeper who comes and also brings groceries; but she wears a mask and keeps her distance.  Usually, I fly out and spend a couple of weeks with her around her birthday; but of course that did not happen this year. 

You may be wondering why I entitled my post God is Good!  That is because He is, of course!  In spite of everything that is happening, God's love for us is undeniable.  I look around me and I see His goodness, everywhere!  Our vegetable garden has yielded a lot of food for our freezer.  We have a fig tree, apple tree and pear tree.  All of them have produced a good crop this year.  I have been able to be home more and have actually enjoyed retirement.  My husband and I have both enjoyed some quality time together.  I call my mom, everyday and sometimes twice.  I have enjoyed long walks with my dog.  My husband and I both enjoy good health.  My mom's program is starting up again.

But more than that, whatever the future brings, I know we are not alone.  God will never leave us or forsake us.  I know God is for us, so who can be against us!  His mercy and grace follow us every where we go.  I know He wants us to live an abundant life, a life that is full.  Just what does that mean, well, I believe it is internal, certainly not external.  And because it is internal, no one can take that away from us.  He gives us the fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control and against these thing there is no law.  (Galatians 5:22-23)  No matter what happens around us, we can be satisfied in Him. 

Our lives may be falling apart but this one thing is true, God is good.  Everything God does is for our good and His glory.  We were made to know and love Him.  He delights in us.  He delights in you. 

I just listened to a beautiful song tonight that someone sent to me, entitled "Belovedness" by Sarah Kroger.  Here are the words to the chorus!  "You're mine. I smiled when I made you.  I find you beautiful in everyway.  My love for you is fierce and unending. I'll come to find you, whatever it takes.  My beloved.  It's time to own you're belovedness."  Check it out!

God is Good!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Be Encouraged!

I have not written for quite a while, I'm not sure why.  I have no excuse.  Life just kind of gets in the way, especially when everything is going smoothly, not really thinking about the blog and not really having anything to say.

But lately it seems there is a lot to talk about.  This covid-19 has everyone talking, many are living in fear and wonder about the future; what does it hold for our children and grandchildren?  Will this virus ever be stopped by a vaccine and will it be mandatory?  Will this 5G network of towers be harmful as some say?  I don't know.  Are we going to remain a free country or are we going to be subject to rules and regulations by a government of which we have no say?  Freedom of speech is under attack, freedom to worship in our churches has been curtailed, the right to raise your child as you see fit is under attack, and on it goes.

You know as a Christian, it is no surprise to me, that we are reaping the results of a society that has fallen completely in love with the ways of the world and is bent on glorifying itself.  But I am here to tell you that God is still on the throne!

We need to be spreading the good news of Jesus Christ and what He has done for us and stop dwelling on what the world is saying.  God has forgiven us of all our sins and healed us of all our diseases through his Son Jesus and why, because He loves us!

In February, just before all this covid-19 started, I had an ultra sound that showed some type of mass in my stomach.  The doctor said it was quite possible that the cancer had come back.  I clearly remember something rising up in me and saying to the doctor something like You gotta be kidding me! Three times the enemy has tried to take me out; it's not going to happen. My doctor just kind of looked at me and said, well we'll just see what turns up.  He scheduled a CTC scan. 

I walked out of that office and immediately started speaking to the devil (not sure if I should really have been giving him the time of day, however) saying things like  'who do you think you are?  I'm a child of God, you can't mess with me!  You've already tried 3 times, give it up already. I don't care what that scan shows, you are not taking me out or making me sick.  I think I even said something like I can't wait to see your reaction when you see the victory that I will have again.  I will live to declare the works of the Lord.'  I had no fear, only peace.  I came home and told my rock (Wynn, my husband) who had no real reaction to speak of.  Together, we agreed and took authority over the supposedly cancer in my body and said that it had to leave, that it had no place in my body.  My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and it has to leave.  I started taking a little more care about what I was eating and doing;  but I was in a different place than the last few times when I was told I had cancer.  I was not in any kind of performance position, like other times.  I knew that there was nothing that I needed to do for God to heal me.  God is my healer.  I wrote a little chorus for Psalm 103:2-4 that I sang and I quoted other scriptures about healing.  I just felt the joy of the Lord and peace.  I believed that he healed me the moment I asked him to and I actually forgot about it most days. 

Because of covid, I had to wait several months and finally at the end of July when things were starting to get back to normal, re: hospital app'ts. etc. I received a date for the CTC scan.  I was so excited, I couldn't wait to see what it would show and the truth was I didn't care what it showed, because I know God is for me and not against me and He wants me well.  Jesus didn't just die for my sin but for my healing too.  The doctor called me 2 days later and reported that the scan showed nothing there, absolutely no sign of cancer anywhere.  Hallelujah, Praise the Lord, be encouraged!

God is never the author of sickness or disease; it is always the work of the devil to kill, destroy and take away our peace.  When we ask God for healing, it is His will and he answers right away.  We need to learn how to receive it and take it.  If you are standing for a healing, know that it is always God's will  to heal you.  Get into the Word and let God wash over you with his  amazing love, grace and healing power.

Alone

 

Now if you listen closely

I’ll tell you what I know

Storm clouds are gathering

The wind is gonna blow

The race of man is suffering

And I can hear the moan,

‘Cause nobody,

But nobody

Can make it out here alone.

 

This is an excerpt from a poem entitled "Alone" written by Maya Angelou.   It is the basic need of humans to have people around them that this poem stresses. To see the world slowly moving away from the value that others play in our lives is a very sad thing indeed.   God made us for relationship and of utmost importance is our relationship with Him.

For the cancer patient it is extremely important to recognize that he/she needs to have people who will come along side and be there for them.  This is not a time to be alone.  It is healthy  to verbalize what you are feeling and talk about it with someone you can trust.  I recognize that there may be times when you do not want to talk.  And that's okay!  There is always someone who is ready and willing to listen when you are ready.  Just having people around that care is extremely helpful to your well being and ultimately your healing.  Choose wisely and surround yourself with people who will encourage and support you in whatever you do. 

 

Do No Harm.. Love Yourself

I just listened to a cancer lecture by Dr. Francisco Contreras that I found intriguing.

In it he emphasizes that any cancer approach should involve no harm to the patient and that one should love themselves.  We need to love ourselves enough to take care of our body.  He discusses eating healthy food, getting proper rest, exercising, taking time to enjoy life, and laughing more.

He said "There is misinterpretation when dealing with cancers.  95% of money and time is spent on getting rid of the tumour and 5% of money and time is spent on the patient.   The tumour is NOT the issue.  It should be 95% of money and time spent on the patient and only 5% of money and time spent on the tumour."

His key point through out was that it is more important that the spiritual and emotional needs of the patient are met first, because they are eternal.

He states, "Do No Harm and Love Yourself!"

 

 

Pause

Practice the Pause!

When in doubt, Pause. 

When angry, Pause. 

When tired, Pause. 

When frustrated, Pause.

When stressed, Pause. 

And when you Pause, Pray.

Why? 

Because in every encounter, we either give LIFE, or we drain it.  There is no neutral exchange.

                - from Toby Mac at Speak Life  

Such sound advice! I know that I have said things and then wished I hadn't, especially when experiencing some of the emotions mentioned above.  Let's take time to think before we speak.

To quote the words of King Solomon "Death and life are in the power of the tongue."

 

 

 

The Truth About Cancer

I have been watching The Truth About Cancer series with Ty Bolinger on the computer.  This is an amazing event happening in Florida and you can watch it live on your computer.  The most up to date information on cancer and alternative cancer therapies are being shared.  This is something you do not want to miss if you or a loved one has cancer.  Doctors from all around the world are participating.

Go to https://go2.thetruthaboutcancer.com/2017-live-event/watch/

 

 

Living With Cancer!

I have just recently read about a lady named Kris Karr who was diagnosed in 2003 with a stage 1V cancer of which there is no treatment. To this day, she is vibrant and healthy looking.  She is choosing to monitor carefully what she eats and how she lives.  What a testimony for those living with this disease!

I, too, am living proof that one can live a relatively normal and healthy life with cancer.  I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, Stage 3, aggressive, in 2001 and decided not to take conventional treatment.  For the next 2 years, I continued to teach kindergarten.  I had never felt better as I changed my diet completely, to an almost vegan diet, and altered my lifestyle to be less stressful and include more relaxation.  A 2nd CT scan, four months later, showed that indeed my tumours were shrinking. 

Then, I retired as an elementary school teacher and we moved to B.C. from Ontario. For the next 3 years, I worked in a preschool, travelled to Israel, and enjoyed the arrival of my four grandchildren.

In 2006, I did end up taking chemotherapy.  You can read more about this in my book "TWICE Lessons, Insights and Healing from Cancer.  The point of this blog is to encourage those who are or will be diagnosed with cancer.  Cancer is not always a death sentence.  Cancer can be beaten or at the very least you can live with it.  So never give up! 

 

 

Words Carry Power

“We are masters of the unsaid words, but slaves of those we let slip out.”- Winston Churchill

How many times have we said something and then wished we hadn't?  I believe it is especially important to watch what we say when we have a cancer diagnosis or any type of disease.   When we think and speak negatively, it affects how we act and view any situation.  Take for instance the person who has been told, after a cancer diagnosis, that he/she has only a certain amount of time left to live.  True to the doctors words, often people will die within the given time frame.  Why is that?   No one can really know; but I believe that they took those words "to heart".  Perhaps, they felt hopeless.  Speaking negatively about a situation just comes naturally to us because it is human nature. To speak positively about a situation requires a deliberate decision.  What we need to understand is that whatever we say is a reflection of our heart attitude.  In other words, our words are simply an overflow of what is in our heart.  If I am going to think poorly about my situation, I will speak poorly about it.  On the other hand, if I think positively about my situation, I will speak positively about it. 

There is good advice here as well for the person who is supporting someone.  Be careful that you do not speak negative thoughts that would place an extra burden on the one who is ill.  Be ready with positive words that will strengthen and encourage.