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My Journey Through
Cancer
by Pam
Hess |
| This book is based on my
personal journal and journey through my cancer experience. I
have attempted to share my experiences in a way that will be
honest, and probably not very traditional to the Christian
Community as to the way we “should” handle our trials. I
could find no book or resources that helped me share my feelings
and emotions…my anger with God to the point that I was not
“speaking” to Him, my thinking that I must be a bad person
and, wondering if I had done something to deserve this. If God
really loved me how could He allow this to happen to me? I was
trying to understand this in my confused and scared
mind….trying to make sense of it, when in fact I knew there
was no way to understand all the bad things that happen to good
people. I hope this account of my experience will help you
understand that being honest with your feelings, no matter what
they are, is “normal” and okay. God accepts and welcomes our
authenticity about our true feelings and emotions. Maybe you
will be able to go through your trials, medical or otherwise,
faster and without as many rough spots. I want you to know that
I understand and will love and support you for being YOU. |
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About The Cover
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During treatment I could not wear necklaces because
of my stitches and radiation. Jack bought me a bracelet and had specific
charms put on...each one representing something significant to me at that
time. Initially he bought the heart with the cross in the middle, which
represents all of my friends with Jesus being in the middle. Next was the
sign language symbol for "I love you". We would sign "I love you" all the
time because I could not talk for three months. The third charm, the year
2000, my children, Colby, Robin, and Melody gave me for Christmas.
After treatment was over I got the shamrock because my last day of treatment
was March 17th, St. Patrick's |
Day. My radiation team gave me a diploma for
my “graduation” from treatment so I have a diploma charm to
commemorate that. The last charm was a dog, representing Ginger, who
unconditionally and faithfully stayed by my side the whole time giving me
comfort and assurance when I was so sick. God used angels during the whole process, thus, the
theme of angels holding each of my charms.
The artist who designed and created the cover, Kathy Chambers, is also an
Oral Cancer Survivor. She is a very close and dear friend to me, and we
consider ourselves as "twin sisters"...our scars are even on the same sides
of our necks! |
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About Pam Hess
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Pam Hess is a cancer survivor – Less
than a month after she and her husband, Jack, had finished leading their
church wide Marriage Retreat, she was hit with the news…YOU HAVE
CANCER!!!
Pam and Jack were lay counselors in the Premarital Area of their church,
as well as, lay leaders in the Marriage Ministry for fifteen years. |
| Pam is now a patient/facilitator at Baylor
University Medical Center with SPOHNC (Support for People with
Oral, Head and Neck Cancer), and the Virginia R. Cvetko Patient
Education and Conference Center Self Help Support Group. She says that the
only way to make sense of the cancer is to help others on their journey.
Pam and Jack have lived in Dallas for 28 years and have three grown
children, Colby, Robin and Melody. They also have three grandchildren and
two step-grandchildren.
If all of this was not enough, two years after Pam’s diagnosis, Jack
was also hit with the news…YOU HAVE CANCER!!! He is a survivor and doing
great. Yeah God!!!
Pam’s life verse has always been important to her, especially in dealing
with her cancer journey. Philippians 4:11: “Not that I speak from want;
for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.” |
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Message From The Pastor
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Rarely will you find a book
as honest, open, and revealing as this one. THE BATTLE IS WON
Because Of Who GOD Is takes you on one woman’s journey through
the valley of cancer. In the book, which includes excerpts from
her journal, she does not share any pious platitudes, nor does
she offer any “get well soon” prescriptions. What she does
do is allow the reader to see her journey, and how she made it
through the pain, the anger, the questions, and the
hopelessness.
No doubt, your journey will be different than the journey
described in this book, but your destination can be the same.
Renewed hope. The God of the journey who wasn’t offended by
Pam Hess’ anger, won’t be offended by yours. His promise is
to be there with you and to bring you through even the darkest
days.
I highly recommend this book to any one walking through the
valleys. You will find this work to be a light helping to
illuminate the path to restored hope.
Dr. Gary Singleton, Senior Pastor
The Heights Baptist Church
Richardson, Texas |
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