Mary's Story from Georgia

In April of 1997, while doing a self breast exam, I found a lump on my left breast. Needless to say I was frantic. I did not sleep any more that particular Friday night. At 8:00 a.m. on Saturday morning, I called my primary doctor who was at a conference. He told me to be in his office on Monday morning. He referred me to a breast cancer specialist and we hit it off – she was great. She did a breast biopsy and it came back negative, which meant “nothing” was wrong. In my doctor’s words, “it’s a foreign object in your body and we need to remove it.” She scheduled me for surgery.

While we waited for the surgery date, my daughter Regina sent me and my best friend Kathy on a week long trip to Hawaii as our Mother’s Day gift. We had a wonderful time. It kept my mind off the lump and the surgery. I knew “everything” was okay because I know to Whom I belong.

On May 30, 1997, armed with God, Regina, and Kathy, we went to the hospital for surgery. I was scared but prayed up. As a divorced, single mom, thoughts of Tony, my 10 year old son at that time, my granddaughter yet to be born, church activities, baseball, basketball games, marching band concerts, first dates, proms, high school graduation, first day of college, and graduation from college all flooded my mind. What would my son’s life experiences be like? Regina’s career as a flight attendant had already taken off. She had established herself and found her niche. I had places to go, and people who depended on me for so much. All of these thoughts were going through my mind as I anticipated the surgery. What did I do in my life that was so bad to bring this on?

On May 31st, my daughter gave me the news: “It’s CANCER.” My heart fell to my stomach and I was numb. This is when my Seed of Faith journey began. Nobody in my family had ever been diagnosed with cancer. I was the first at 41 years young. The lump was removed. I met with the Oncologist and we bonded. I explained to her that I had no idea what chemo was. She showed me the “bag” and this red stuff that was actually the chemo. I thought to myself, “I can handle that old bag.” To this day – I do not eat jell-o of any kind. I had to have four treatments of chemo followed by six weeks of radiation. I lost all my hair after that first “jell-o” treatment.

In February 1998, I began My Seed of Faith Ministry. It is my testimony to cancer survivors and a tiny mustard seed, a real mustard seed. My faith and trust in God, and a positive attitude can survive anything. I give these “faith seeds” to survivors and their families along with three scriptures.

But my story does not end there. In April 1999, I followed up with my yearly mammogram. The doctor saw a spot on the ex-ray. He said, “We will follow up in a year and see if it’s grown.” I told him, “No, we will see in six months if it’s grown, this is my body and I don’t want to wait a whole year.” He did not argue with me. In October 1999, I had the second mammogram and it had grown. I cried – I just broke down and cried. I thought – what is God trying to tell me? What does He want me to do?

I made an appointment with my breast cancer surgeon and again she scheduled surgery for November 17, 1999. I had a partial mastectomy on the left side and started my four “jell-o” treatments again. Once again, my God, my family, and my friends helped me come through it all. My faith in God sustains me. My children, friends, family, and church family went above and beyond the call of duty. I did not have to worry about anything. They stood ready to make sure I got everything I needed.

In August 2001, my sister, Verta, was diagnosed with colon cancer. I was devastated. Then it hit me – God had chosen me to be an encourager. Verta was always afraid of everything. She needed me to help her with this fight, this journey, the road she was about to travel. God had already paved the way for her through me. I’m so glad He chose me to help my sister, my other best friend. She and I were always close but we grew even closer.

On one of my trips to Columbia, South Carolina where she lived with her husband and three sons, she told me, “God has not let me suffer.” Her faith in God grew and she became closer to Him. On April 5, 2003, I called to let her know I was on my way. She and I talked and laughed together and shared stories. Later on that night, she got up and asked me to “go with her.” I knew what she was talking about but I was not ready to let her go. The hospice nurse came on Sunday afternoon before I left, to speak with Verta, her husband, and myself. She asked me when I would come back. I said in two weeks – the nurse told me not to wait that long. I broke down and cried like a baby. On Monday morning April 7, 2003, about 10:00 a.m., I called and talked with my sister. She felt good and I told her that I loved her and I would check back on her. That was the very last time I talked to her. Monday afternoon around 12:30, I was standing in my kitchen looking out the window. I saw a beam of light hit the ground, and just as quickly as it hit, it was gone. At 1:30 p.m., I got the call, “Aunt Mary, Mama just passed.” My sister left me. We buried her on April 11th – my birthday.

I am very active with cancer walks, fundraisers, and offering encouragement to people recently diagnosed. In 1999, I co-founded the first breast cancer walk for the college where I am employed. To date, we have raised over $100,000 for cancer research. I am encouraging others in their faith walk and still giving away “My Seeds of Faith.”

On April 14, 2007, at 4:00 a.m. – God gave me a vision. Celeste and Connie, two great friends at church are going through chemo for breast cancer. Lynn, another great friend (my “other mama”) has been cancer free now for four years. I felt like something needed to be done to raise awareness in the surrounding community. I called my friends, told them about my vision, and they embraced it. The four of us put our heads together and The Mary Peaks Cancer Foundation and the 1st Light A Candle for Cancer Cure was born. We collected over $2,100.00. Some of the money raised will go to help cancer research and to start a cancer support group for the community. We all have family members and friends affected in some way by cancer. This will be an annual event, the last Sunday in July of each year.

I thank God, today I am cancer free. Cancer is not a death sentence. Matthew 17:20 (KJV) says “if you have Faith the size of a mustard seed…, nothing will be impossible for you.” My Faith in God is awesome. I know God is in control of my life. No matter what you’re going through, just know that you are not alone in your journey. Ask God to take your hand, walk in Faith, and trust Him. God will use you and bless your life in a way that only He can. God calls us to help and encourage each other. Our journey, our Faith walk is ordered by God Himself. He knows the beginning and the end. He chose us to carry out His will. We are His voice, His hands, His feet, His eyes. God is the anchor of my soul.

Tony is in his third year of college studying to get his dual degree in computer engineering and doing well. My three year old granddaughter Rhyan is the joy of my heart. She loves her “Nammy” and spends as much time as she can with me. Her mom, Regina is still flying.

As I reflect back over the last 10 years of my life and what it has meant, I think to myself how God’s Son Jesus Christ suffered on the Cross for me. I can suffer for Him to encourage others in their journey. The Will of God will never take me where the Grace of God will not protect me. God’s Blessings.

Morrow, Geogia