A few months back, Melissa had a routine mammogram. All was well. In the spring, pain developed in her breast and she eventually went to see about it. They could find no lump but did another mammogram to be certain.
There it was. The size of a pea; aggressive and growing quickly.
Things got blurred from there. Extensive tests, non-stop appointments, new doctors, a surgical port, starting chemo and learning the ropes of a world most foreign to us.
Early one morning, I awakened just before our daily 6:00 morning coffee and simply prayed, “God, my sweetheart has cancer. Thank you for another day.” It has been my daily prayer ever since.
The next few months will include chemo, surgery and radiation. Nothing is certain other than the “counterattack” process against the cancer has already begun. Her hair will fall out soon and she has to wear a mask some, but that is a part of the journey. The irony that I will temporarily have more hair than her is not lost on us.
We have decided to voluntary enter into God’s peace each day, live in gratitude and simply enjoy our lives. We view the treatments as necessary inconveniences. This is not something to “get through,” it is simply another chapter.
Melissa is well because she was well before. Melissa and I are well because we were well before. Our family is well because they were well before.
Above all, we are grateful. Grateful for a wonderful marriage and the beautiful life we have built.
Today we will get some things done around the cabin. She wants me to move a heavy wooden chested drawers up a steep flight of steps (terrible). We will go to lunch, get a burger and fries and eat outside. It is going to be a great day.
Tomorrow will be great as well. And the day after. Next spring we will celebrate our Fortieth Anniversary. That will be the greatest of all.
When I awaken in the morning, I will remind God of what He already knows and offer my sincere thanks for the joy of sharing my life with Melissa.
“Dear God, my Sweetheart has cancer. Thank you for another day.”
-Rev. Shane L. Bishop has been the Sr. Pastor of Christ Church in Fairview Heights, Illinois since 1997.
Rev. Shane L. Bishop 
Praying along with you, asking God every day to give you and your Sweetie many, MANY, more years together!
Thank you.
God bless her and heal her fully. In Jesus name, Amen.
Thanks John.
prayers for Melissa, you and the family, and thanks also for a gracious and honest witness in a difficult time
Thanks Bob.
Adding you folks to our prayers.
God’s Blessings, Max
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Thank you.
Prayers for you both and that God gives you both many more years filled with many blessings. You both have allowed our Lord to use you in blessing so many.
Thank you.
I pray that your sweetheart and you continue to enjoy many many more years together! Cancer is a cruel disease that has stolen the lives of many members of my family and is still at work. My 28 year old granddaughter is battling Hodskin’s Lymphoma and my life long friend, who beat lung cancer, is now fighting Leukemia at 82. I will add your sweetheart to the list.
Thank you.
Praying for you both on this journey with God…. also praying you make your life as one together in Christ as great as ours has been for 53 years!
Praying for you both. Some days it is easy to say, others it is not. As you always say, my friend, “God is Good, All the time!”
I can say that it is a very tough battle & I’m very sorry she has to endure this. I’d love to talk with her and share my experiences, offer answers or knowledge I’ve gained during my battle. I also have a lot of very cute hats I was going to donate if she would like to have.
Thank you.
May you both feel the Lords loving arms holding you. Charlie and I have seen so many blessings during his cancer battle. Some days we have to look close, but they are there. We often say how blessed we are to have the Lord, especially on the tough days. Maintain a positive attitude, hold each other tight and find strength in our precious Jesus. You got this girl! I’m a call 📞 away.
Sorry to hear this news — praying that treatment will be effective. Hair, etc. is just a detail –your wife will always be attractive!
I am sincerely sorry you two are going through this. I lost my husband to cancer 11 years ago and am currently awaiting spread information on a recently diagnosed melanoma in myself. Life is hard sometimes. We just need to trust God to hold us in his arms! 🙏
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers…
Thank you for another day…🙏✝🙏
David Reed