Cancer is so big and so scary...  I'm not sure where to begin, but I just feel led to pour out my heart and tell you all about my sister, Cora. 

Actually she prefers for me to call her 'Sissie'.  I used to think it was kind of silly, but I don't think that anymore.  First you need to know that my Sissie means everything to me and I am so blessed because she is so wonderful, beautiful, kind and thoughtful.  We have always been close even though we live many miles apart.  Everyone that knows Cora loves her, she is a wonderful christian, always cheerful and positive and is uplifting and joyful.

One year ago she was diagnosed with gallbladder cancer that had already spread into parts of her liver and had wrapped around her portal vein, therefore she was not able to have surgery as it would have been too risky.   Her treatment consisted of chemo and radiation which she had done in Portland.  Cora's husband Dennis wasn't able to be there all the time so I flew out to be with her.  We spent so much time just talking, took a walk almost every day and took in the beauty all around us.  We had the most heavenly time I have ever experienced.  We were staying in the hills above Portland overlooking a beautiful canyon, with the sights of the city in the background.  It truly was like being on a mountaintop!  We prayed daily and we felt God's presence there with us. 

Almost every day Cora would receive anywhere from 3 to 16 pieces of mail.  There were cards, letters of encouragement, books, gifts and so many many prayers.  One particular morning Cora was in her bedroom resting and I was sitting on the sofa reading when I heard a familiar voice at the screen door saying rather loudly:  "flowers for Cora, flowers for Cora," I looked up and Cora came out and there stood Dennis with two large rose bushes for Cora.  That was a very special moment.  That shows you how much she is loved!   Every morning Cora woke up singing the hymn, "I've Got Peace Like A River", and she did!  She was a real trooper and I gained so much peace and strength from her.  The treatments lasted for 6 weeks and then I flew back home and she and Dennis went back home and she had more chemo treatments.

At Cora's three month check-up she was pronounced 'cancer free', wonderful and precious words to hear.  However, at her six month checkup in June cancer cells were detected from the scans which was followed by a biopsy and MRI.  The cancer had started to grow again.  It wasn't the news we wanted to hear but whatever the battle we were ready.

I am asking if you will join me in prayer for the healing of Cora's cancer if it be God's will.  She has been having a lot of pain and lost several pounds.  Thank you in advance for your prayers for Cora, and also please pray for Dennis, they are so in love and devoted to each other that I know his heart is broken in many pieces.

UPDATE:

It is now Wednesday, March 10, and Cora's PetScan in February showed a few cancer cells remain at the original site but they are stable.   She is feeling good and looks wonderful.  She will have another PetScan in June.   I praise God for these good results.

yes, cancer is big and it's scary...

but our God is all powerful, and 

HE IS IN CHARGE.