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Sisters’ Journey Celebrates – Rhoda Gail Williams
Read her inspiring story (thanks www.sistersjourney.org)
It was one of the happiest times of my life. I had just celebrated my oldest daughter’s wedding. It was a proud Ma moment. I had felt some sharp pains in my left breast, but there was no time to focus on that. I was in Ma mode.
In February 2021, I scheduled a physical and a breast exam. To my surprise, she felt a small ball. Worried (but not worried), we scheduled a mammogram. I always had dense breasts, so I knew the pictures would not be clear. They did the mammogram and asked me to sit and wait for the doctor. That was a first. I began to feel anxious. The radiologist came in and asked me to schedule a biopsy. I literally felt faint, but my faith began to kick in and I started to process what was happening – still not concerned but following the doctor’s orders.
It was the day of the biopsy (April 2021) when I fell apart. I called my bestie, Paula, but could not get her on the phone. Then I called Bestie #2, Tracy, and cried profusely. Standing naked in the dressing room, I could not get my words together but to say, “I’m scared.” At that moment, I let doubt in. I accepted the report – breast cancer. From that moment, I just told everyone I was fine. It wasn’t until the chemotherapy was scheduled that I told my kids. I feared there would be significant changes in my body and they would notice. So, I did a video chat and told them what was ahead. First there was concern for me and how I felt. Then there was silence. Finally, those jewels of mine went into spiritual warfare. We prayed and took communion every night for 21 days.
I took steroids for two weeks as a part of my treatment. They made me so sick, I had to stop. I was experiencing dehydration often and had to get fluids on occasion.
My oldest, Tasche, took me to all my labs, was on every call (sometimes called the doctors herself) and came to every chemo session except two. Tierra and John Jr. filled in the gap, but I know it was very difficult for them. Tasche was confirming my prescriptions, checking my meal plan, ordering breast pillows and blankets, giving instructions to her siblings, etc.
She drove four hours every week to attend my appointments and meet with my team (surgeon, oncologist, radiologist). She was in charge of my medical journey. The others were in charge of my spiritual journey. I had an affirmation wall that showcased healing scriptures and a box of communion sets.
At every appointment, there was a noticeable change in my exam. Glory to God – after the 4th chemo infusion, they could no longer feel the ball. I continued for eight more infusions and then declined to continue. I agreed to go through with a lumpectomy and 20 rounds of radiation. In September 2022, there was no trace of disease in my body. In January 2023, I rang the bell.
I did not tell other family or friends what I was going through until after the surgery. I did not want to hear voices of pity or negative discussions. I did not want to have people call me more than they would normally call. I just wanted to get through it. I did talk to a therapist who suggested I allow my loved ones to be there to support me, but I felt that the extra attention that I would get would not be authentic.
I am so grateful that this organization exists to support women going through this journey or caring for a loved one that has.
“Excellence is an art won by training and habituation. We do not act rightly because we have virtue or excellence, but we rather have those because we have acted rightly. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.” – Aristotle
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