Shhh..
I am in general a private person. I don't share my business without a purpose. I really don't enjoy talking about myself or broadcasting my troubles. So when I was trying to figure out how to share that I had breast cancer I didn't know what to do. I understand that it is a delicate situation and I didn't want people to feel the sorrow, be discouraged or change their ways towards me.
After telling a few people, I decided to not tell anyone else until I had talked to someone about this. You see, one person I told gave no response, they really kinda brushed me off. Another person ran down the list of people they knew that had died from cancer. Boy oh boy! Despite the fact that I was considered to be in a "good position"" with the cancer being in stage O, didn't help people see past the big "C" word. At some point, I heard a "shhh..." in my spirit. After talking to some healthcare professionals and doing some research, I decided to tell only the people who would be directly affected by my illness.
I read somewhere about having a safe place. I would call it a free place. Somewhere that you would not have to talk about it, because no one new about it. I am grateful for that suggestion. When I went to this place I could freely be myself, although some days people would ask me was I feeling okay (looking fatigue can do that). I was able to avoid the attention be it positive or negative that comes to someone who is fighting cancer.
As a single woman, I do have family, friends, church members and prayer warriors that walked with me but it was mainly me and my God in the Pink Valley together. I would not change a thing. It was the most intimate and precious time in my life. The Holy Spirit would comfort me, remind me that I am God's child and softly whisper, "Shhh...you are not alone, I am with you."
"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." John 14:26
Being in Pink Valley was the safest place. I could freely let out all of my emotions, feelings and frustrations. I could trust God. The response I received in return could not come from man. There is no replacement for God's love and compassion towards us.
"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God." Psalm 20:7
Now as I continue to share my testimony of the goodness of God in my life, it is richer and filled with a desire for woman going through breast cancer to have the experience I had in Pink Valley. To know and have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and a safe place to be free, to heal and become whole again.