Cancer & the Story of Your Life: Yvonne Ortega
January 14, 2008 | Interesting People
Today’s Topic: What happens to the story of your life when news of a serious illness disrupts your life?
If you have experienced this, or know someone who is facing it today, I hope you’ll take the time to hear Yvonne’s story. It’s powerful.
Suzie: Hi Yvonne, I’m excited to hear your story. I’m also a cancer survivor. When I found out that I had cancer, I was only 32 and it changed the direction of my life immediately. Can you share with our readers your story? How did you find out that you had cancer?
Yvonne: In December of 2000, I stood in front of the same bathroom mirror I always did. However, that time my left breast was contorted and turned to the right. A lump protruded from my breast. It felt hard as a rock, and I knew it was cancer.
I raced to the telephone and called the doctor. I insisted I be seen the following morning. After all, two of my cousins had died of breast cancer. The next day when the doctor examined me, she seemed quieter than usual. She ordered an immediate mammogram and ultrasound and scheduled an appointment with the surgeon. As is sometimes the case, the mammogram showed nothing, but the ultrasound did.
The radiologist said he couldn’t rule out cancer and recommended an appointment with the surgeon as soon as possible. I saw him the next day, and two days before Christmas I was in the hospital for surgery. The doctor called January 3, 2001 and gave me the news every woman dreads, “The tumor is malignant.
Suzie: You describe a process called “hope” for the journey through cancer. What does that mean?
Yvonne: The hope is in God himself and his Word. At first, I struggled to believe anything good could come from cancer. Then I prayed God would use it for good in my life and the lives of others. I never dreamed he would do that through the publication of a book, much less through TV and radio interviews and speaking engagements. Romans 8:28 (NIV) says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Suzie: You speak to many survivors. What is the one thing you want them to “take away”?
Yvonne: Be honest with God. He knows how you feel anyway. He loves you and can handle your thoughts and emotions without falling off his throne.
Suzie: That tells me that you have a close relationship with God. You trust him. What is your faith story?
Yvonne: I attended church as a child but my faith centered on church traditions. I knew nothing about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I believed in him the same way I believed in George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.
After I married, my husband and I moved to Florida. Our neighbors invited us to the Officers Christian Fellowship, a nondenominational Bible study for officers and their wives. Until then, I had never read the Bible. The group discussed the book of Romans. After the first session, I searched the entire Bible to find something that would justify my beliefs. I couldn’t. A few weeks later, I acknowledged Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.
Suzie: So, faith was an integral part of your life before and after cancer. That was true for me as well. No matter the outcome, I knew that God was with me.
You wrote a book for cancer survivors. With all the books on cancer survivors already out there, why did you chose to write this book?
Yvonne: Cancer shattered my world. I wanted a book full of Scripture, prayer, and hope that would assure patients and their families that God would never leave them or forsake them. I also wanted a book that, with honesty and boldness, would address the emotional roller coaster ride that cancer patients, even Christian ones, endure.
Tomorrow I’ll continue talking with Yvonne about what she learned through her journey of cancer, humorous moments, and more about her faith story through illness.
Also, we’ll give away an autographed copy of Yvonne’s book to one person who comments or sends an e-mail to Suzie about this interview in the month of January!
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Yvonne is a friend of many years, from before her diagnosis. I have watched her grow as a believer and a writer, and am thrilled at the release of her devotional book. She has a sweet spirit, a loving heart, and a message for us all.
January 16th, 2008 at 10:24 pm