In Novenber of 1994 I attended a communal Annointing of the Sick. I was diagnosed with bilateral breat cancer after the phathologist found cancer in both breast from my breast reduction in Nov.4, 1994. I remember after recieving the oil on my forehead that when I returned to the pew I began to cry. It was the first time that I had cried since hearing the devastating news. The tears relieved my tension and the Anointing prepared me for my surgery which was on Nov. 22, 1994. My Oncologist let me have Christmas with my family and my shunt was inserted for chemotherapy on Jan. 4, 1995. I feel that the time between the Anointing and the surgery gave me a positive attitude about my situation and allowed me to realize that my circumstances were a blessing. The cancer would have gone unknown for years. As it is, it will be 15 years as a breast cancer survivor this November 2009. I just had my 70th birthday on June 1st. I am truly blessed and I was blessed by the Anointing. God used me as an example to educate other women about breast cancer and to have their mammogram every year. Also, not to take the Radilogist word that the X-ray is to dense to read. They have to insist on another test. Today, hopefully the digital mammogram is a big improvement.
Lorraine
Arroyo Grande, California
Friday, June 26, 2009