Jeanne had been having some symptoms that wouldn’t go away. She visited her doctor several different times, and he told her the symptoms were due to menopause. But over a period of time, her symptoms became worse. When she began having doubled-over abdominal pain, she visited a different doctor who performed several tests. The tests showed a large mass, but even then it still seemed to be benign.

Jeanne was scheduled to have a hysterectomy. While preparing her for pre-op, the surgeon thought the tumor might be cancer, but they wouldn’t know for sure until the surgery. The tumor, in fact, was cancerous, and now my sweet friend Jeanne is fighting for her life. A young, vibrant woman who just a few months ago was walking three miles a day is now so weak that some days she can’t even get out of bed.

As a believer with a tender love for Jesus, Jeanne is remaining strong in her faith. She knows the Lord has a plan for her life, even in the suffering, and she wants to honor Him above all else. And her friends who love her are banding together to lift her to the One who can heal.

Friend, please know your body. Know its ways. Pay attention. If you are experiencing something that is different for you, don’t ignore it. And please don’t let your doctor ignore it either. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, don’t be afraid to seek help. God our Healer gives us doctors and medical technology to help us. So don’t wait! Take care of yourself. You are “remarkably and wonderfully made” (Ps. 139:14).