Side Effects
I mentioned it in an earlier post . . . when you receive a diagnosis like ovarian cancer and then are set up with a treatment plan, this comes with a variety of possible side effects. You need to be prepared for just about anything! And while some of those lovely complications showed up after my first treatment, a few new entries joined the list after round 2. I have to say that this past week has been much more debilitating than after round 1. Gratefully, I’m now getting my strength back, and starting to feel more “normal” again (it’s a new normal, but I’ll take it!). Fatigue was a major hit this time. It’s hard to even explain how tired I have been. Lack of appetite, discomfort, some nausea . . . plenty of struggles that haven’t been a lot of fun.
If you google “side effects”, here’s the definition you might find: a secondary, typically undesirable effect of a drug or medical treatment. But one definition I found added another sentence: Side effects can be harmful or beneficial. Hmm, a side effect can be beneficial?
As I consider my journey, I am finding that to be true. While many of my issues would fall under the category of undesirable, there are definitely others that are proving to be not only beneficial, but actually life-giving. Here are a few that come to mind:
With the announcement of a difficult diagnosis, the body of Christ comes forth with great support, tender love, and specific obedience of Galatians 6:2 – “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” The encouragement I have received from many of you in your comments, from texts, from phone calls, from quick visits, from cards and surprise Amazon packages . . . I truly have never known this kind of compassion with the front row seat I now have. It is beautiful, it is humbling, and it is motivating. When the time is right, I will bear the burdens of friends in a deeper way because of how I have seen it modeled to me.
On my birthday, I knew there wouldn’t be a big soiree this year to gather with friends or family (except my sweet hubby). So Dick and I came up with a wonderful idea: I pulled together a Zoom birthday party with some of my friends through the years. I was celebrated by my two daughters, my sister, friends from elementary school, friends from high school, long time Nashville buddies, friends from ministry, new friends in Bowling Green, young friends, older friends . . . you get the picture. Well actually if you need a picture or two, here you go:
What did we do on this call? Everyone had about 2 minutes to share – first telling about how they met me/knew me and then offering a scripture the Lord had laid on their heart for this season. My sister, Missy, wrote everything down so I could just concentrate on hearing these dear ladies minister to me with their encouragement through God’s word. What a night it was! One of my best birthdays ever.
Another positive side effect happened as a result of how quickly the Lord knit Dick and I into a local church here in BG. We’ve only been members about 2 months, and when my diagnosis was shared, our pastor said, “Something we do for members that are dealing with illness is to offer a time for our elders to anoint with oil and pray over them for their healing.” Dick and I said, “Yes! How soon can we do this?” The following Sunday (we probably had had the news for only a few days) we met in our Pastor’s office with several elders as well as some of the ladies group I had already begun to meet with. What a special, powerful time that was, following James 5:14-16. “Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord . . . The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” So think about it, this “side effect” would never have happened unless I had something to be healed from, right? What a privilege to have this group of men and women gather around me, believing God is able to heal, and walking out these verses in obedience and by faith.
A friend expressed another positive side effect. She told me that because of the vast changes in my nutrition over these last weeks, she has been encouraged to eat with a more intentional, healthier approach. Juicing, organic food, specific supplements, no sugar . . . these are a few of the ways I’m helping my body fight back against this disease. And I’m convinced it is doing just that. I’m definitely no expert! But if I can be an encouragement or a motivation to others in this new resolve, Lord let it be so.
The final positive side effect that is certainly the most important is this: God’s word, which has always been a light in my life, is shining brighter than ever before. Scriptures that I have known since I was a child are awakening in my heart in fresh ways as the Lord uses His Word (which is the Sword of the Spirit I have thrust ahead as I run to this battle) to encourage me, minute by minute. Here’s an example: The first verse God laid on my heart after receiving the news of this illness was Joshua 1:9 – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Several fresh gleanings from this:
- This is a command, not a suggestion. Have I not commanded you?
- In my particular battle, I need the exact words that were commanded: strength and courage. As well, God has commanded me to not walk in fear or discouragement. And those two things are often knocking at my heart’s door. Could there be more perfect words to meet my needs during this season? And while they were originally spoken to encourage Joshua’s heart, they are a balm to mine.
- Finally, how is any of this possible? It comes from recognizing that the Lord . . . my God . . . is with me always, WHEREVER I am, whatever I face.
You have probably heard the phrase, “Every cloud has a silver lining”. This comes from a John Milton poem named “Comus” that I would never pretend to completely understand. But this one line makes sense: Was I deceived, or did a sable cloud turn forth her silver lining on the night? This symbolizes hope in darkness and this phrase has evolved to signify that there is a positive aspect to every negative situation.
(And yes, this is another view from our front windows).
So is there a silver lining in a cancer diagnosis? Through Christ, absolutely. Even with the side effects? Certainly, there are some I am not enjoying (to say the least).
But God gives beauty instead of ashes,
the oil of joy instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. (Isaiah 62:3)
Moral of the story for this week? When you’re facing trials, don’t miss the positive side effects. Yes, there is always a silver lining to be found.
20 Comments
Sheryl Cook
Thank you so much for your updates with all that God is doing. Praying for you! Love you!
Sheryl
Becky Eaker
Love your words! You have always had the gift of writing. Many of your thoughts and emotions I have felt and been through and I thank our sweet Lord for being all we need! Love you!
Linda Leathers
Thank you for sharing how God is faithful in all seasons of life. It is obvious that He is your strength. You have a massive tribe of people praying for your healing.
Missy Clements
So profound and beautifully said. It is truly a gift that Christ gives us when we come to know Him, that we are to help and serve those in need. You are on both sides of that right now- receiving what others are blessed to be able to give you(such as those things you listed) but to also be the giver as you are giving life to all of us as you tell of God’s provision in this very difficult time. You are truly living out 2 Corinthians 1:3-4- God comforts us in our troubles so that we can comfort others in their hardships. You are such a blessing!!
Tere Gardner
You are amazing, Mel. God is so good!!!
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️ We are continuing to keep you covered in prayer.
Peggy Hughes
Mel, I’m so thankful you have been ministered to by so many people. What a blessing. The Sunday before Jesse had quadruple bypass surgery, the elders of our church prayed over him and anointed him with oil. Even though we don’t attend that church anymore, that moment and the men who gathered around him will always hold a special place in my heart. I love you so much and am praying for your healing. 💗
Micki Thurman
Mel, you are a blessing, an inspiration, a light!
I pledge to walk to the top of this mountain of victory with you. I will hold up your arms in prayer. I will praise for you when you can’t.
You’re gonna make it! You are the healed of the Lord!
Psalms 118:17! What a marvelous story you will tell how He brought you through.
I love you.
Micki
Cherry Hill
Beautiful! You have always been one to think and read between the lines and capture every opportunity of positivity for the good…God has blessed you with incredible talents, one being spreading His word in ALL that you do…in sickness and in health…
You have been blessed with many friends and family, including an incredible husband that is 100% in this with you!
And what a fun birthday zoom!
Keep trusting in Him and leaning on your army my friend! You got this! Much love, Cherry
Cristy Ludwig
Even when the journey is long, do not grow weary. God is strengthening you for every step, and His grace will carry you through. Galatians 6:9
Praying for you and Dick every day 💛
Jim Van Matre
Mel….you don’t know but I was diagnosed with terminal cancer at 23 yrs old-in college at the University of of Mobile
Doctor shook his head and said ..”I’m sorry…I can offer you no hope of your survival”–I had the largest, blackest, worse stage 5 Malignant Melanoma They had ever seen…it even oozed blood down my left chest wall that I would just dab through out the day…thinking it would get better
IMMEDIATELY SURGERY WHERE they took out a third of my left chest wall-some lymph nodes malignant too.
My Godly Baptist mama looked at doctor and said….”we serve a miracle working God at our house and HE has a plan for my ONLY SON’s life!
I could tell you more and will someday to say…GOD WALKED with me through it ALL ( I was so desperate to find God…HE REMAINED SILENT to see if I would trust him…I even lit candles in a GREEK CHURCH trying to find HIM) more later-Karen and I are praying for you!!
Michael Adler
JIM!
Connie Edwards
Continuing to pray for you, your husband and family. It can be hard on them too. Thanks for the update on all that God is doing. I love the positive side effects-that’s so encouraging! I do remember my oncologist at TN Oncology tell that the chemo side effects are
cumulative and they build on each treatment. I found that to be true unfortunately during my 10 chemo treatments. Continuing to pray for you and your complete healing! God bless you.
Beth (Wilson) Simonds
Wow, how expressive and moving! I hung on every word and felt the gratitude in your spirit. It reminds me to always be looking for God’s positive moments in everything that happens in this life. You are so loved! My prayers continue for you every day.
John Jacobsen
My wife Karen and I are keeping you in prayer. She survived ovarian cancer 18 years ago. We are now facing an undetermined health crisis for her again but falling back on the same promises God made us back then.
Marlene E Davis
I love that you can see the silver lining. God is blessing you in the midst of one of the hard parts of your journey. Praying for victory.
Wendy Joseph
Beautiful words as always Mel. It’s amazing how you bless others in your insights through
this difficult journey. You always see the silver lining and it helps us to see it as well. I’m glad you also get to see God’s picture of goodness and the silver linings as you look out your front windows every day.
I’m so thankful that as you bless us, that God is blessing you through your friends and family. 🩷
Jan Markowitz
Praying every day for you sweetie. I am so sorry you have had to suffer through these side effects. Lord, I pray You give Melody strength and please keep her from being sick. Let these treatments do their job and kill all cancer but not harm Melody’s organs or bones. Protect her Lord and bring her complete healing in Jesus name Amen 🙏🩷
Vondell Arledge
Mel, your journey is an encouragement to so many! We are praying for you and Dick as you go through this trial. The Lord laid on my heart this verse I would like to share with you, 2 Corinthians 4: 16-18, Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. You are greatly loved by Him and so many.
mel.tunney@gmail.com
Yes! Perfect scripture, Vondell. Truth!
Debbie Noble
That’ll preach!! Good word, Mel!