When I was diagnosed with lymphoma at the end of 2004, I was stunned. I
couldn’t imagine that a young person like me would have cancer. I read
up on my own disease (through some books and the Internet) and learnt I
had to be treated by 6-8 cycles of chemotherapy which would take almost
one whole year. I had to go through many tests and scans like biopsy,
MRI, CT scan, (Muga) heart scan, lung test etc before and after
chemotherapy. I have been terrified of needles and medicine since I was
a young girl. Worse still, I had to be poked almost every day and take
so much medication every day.
However, when I went for all my tests, I had peace in my heart. I knew I
was not alone and that many people were praying for me. I knew that the
Lord was with me and I was not afraid.
Heb 13:5
“I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
The following verses encouraged and strengthened me to fight the battle.
Though I had a catheter inserted into my right chest, I did not feel
much pain.
Psalm 91:4 -5
“He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,”
Psalm 31:6-7
“But I trust in the LORD.
I will be glad and rejoice in Your mercy,
For You have considered my trouble;
You have known my soul in adversities.”
I thank God for many ‘angels’ like Pastor Charlie, Pastors Mitch and
Mark, Lily, Shirley, Carol, Geraldine, Michelle, Mabel, Evelyn, Su Yin,
Nancy and the list goes on (some not from Bethany). They ferried me to
and from hospital, cooked for me when I was home, visited me in my home
and hospital etc. My mum was also ill at that time.
Each time I went for treatment, I knew that the Lord was with me and
that He wouldn’t give me more than what I could endure.
John 14:1
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in
Me”.
Psalm 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear.”
I was sad when I was in pain and happy when I finished each chemotherapy
cycle –
Psalm 30:5
“Weeping may endure for a night,
But joy comes in the morning.”
Ps 30:11
“You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,
To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever.”
Isaiah 53:5
“And by His stripes we are healed.”
I have become increasingly aware that I am just a small and vulnerable
person in the universe. I started out here as a helpless baby and in
time will return to the earth as a few grains of dust. This awareness of
the fragile nature of life and of the enormity of space has made me more
consciously aware of the reality and importance of God in my experience.
I sense God’s reality and presence. I am more confident that, whatever
happens, God will be there to help me find a sense of balance and get on
with the next thing for my life. This faith in God is a deep and
important part of my life, and it affects my attitude in a very positive
way.
1 Corinthians 6:20
“For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and
in your spirit, which are God’s.”
I was spared from death so that my life might have a higher purpose in
serving God. It doesn’t matter how long or how short one lives. It’s the
QUALITY, not the QUANTITY, that matters. So I learn to live one day at a
time.
I share my testimony in the hope that it will encourage your heart.
Veronica Ang
Aug 2008