Cancer Freedom

By Melanie Jongsma

What do you say when someone you love has been diagnosed with cancer? How do you show your support? Start by reading this first-hand account of the cancer experience and all the emotions that go with it.

Cancer Freedom is the honest memoir of Beatrice Hoek, who found a lump in her breast at the age of 42 and is still a survivor today, more than 25 years later. Her cancer diagnosis launched her on a journey she never wanted to take, a journey that ended in healing and freedom.

Through candid recollections and journal entries, Bea shares her journey through depression, fear, and pain. Along the way she offers hope, Scripture, and practical suggestions to fellow cancer patients and the people who love them.

Another reader wrote, "Thank you so much for responding to my prayer request. I read the first 2 pages, and I felt like I was having coffee with her—the way it was written was so lovely. I ordered 2 print copies from Amazon. I will read one and give the other to my mom. ...Thank you so much for your words of encouragement, for I am comforted tonight. Thank you SO much. God bless you as you have blessed me."

Perfect for the waiting room, or those post-treatment days when you're tired but can't sleep.

• Language: English
• Publisher: LIfeLines Publishing
• Release date: Jun 11, 2009
• ISBN: 9780980027075

Book preview

Cancer Freedom

one person’s journey of faith

by Beatrice Hofman Hoek

as told by Melanie Jongsma

What readers have said about Cancer Freedom—

I just read the book today—I was too scared before. It was perfect timing and a WONDERFUL book—everyone who knows someone with cancer should read it!

–Jan K, cancer patient

I read this book as I was in the surgery waiting room, sitting through my husband’s cancer surgery. It was like walking with someone as they journeyed through their experience with cancer. It was good to hear the encouraging things along with the struggles. I’m planning to purchase copies to have around to give to friends who are struggling with cancer.

–Mary J, administrator

This story is from one who has been there, through the dark valley and the uncertain future. I wish it had been available when our family was experiencing these depths several years ago.

–Alexander D, author

One of the difficulties that I encountered in searching for reading material while I suffered with cancer is that much of it is so superficial that it lacks the candor and honesty that this book includes. I’ve been through the experience of dealing with cancer three times in my own life, and I found much in this small book that is realistic, practical, and helpful.

–Howard V, pastor

I was impressed with the strength of the writing.

–Betty D, editor

What Bea and Melanie have produced here should really be a great help to a lot of people.

–Bill V, professor

Cancer Freedom

one person’s journey of faith

by Beatrice Hofman Hoek

as told by Melanie Jongsma

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2009, by Melanie Jongsma

This book is also available as a paperback from Amazon.com or Lulu.com.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. Quotations marked KJV are from the King James Version, public domain.

Melanie Jongsma has helped other people share their stories—to view samples, visit lifelinespublishing.net. If you’d like help sharing your own story, email Melanie at [e-mail].

Smashwords Edition, License Notes: This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Contents

Foreword by Rev Joel Nederhood

Introduction by Dr Nicholas Vogelzang

1—A Glimpse of How It All Turns Out

2—A Normal Life

3—The Shock of Diagnosis

4—Responding

5—The Journey Begins

6—That Doesn’t Mean It’s Easy

7—Not a Lonely Battle

8—Kind Words from a Friend

9—Fighting Back

10—What Can Family and Friends Do?

11—Depression

12—Brought Low

13—Scenes from the Radiation Waiting Room

14—The Problem with Support Groups

15—Setback

16—Finding Freedom

17—God’s Answer

18—Living with Uncertainty

19—Easter

20—Thank You, Lord

Dedication

To Jim, whose faith, love and compassion encouraged me daily

and my children, parents, and friends, whose love made me want to live

BHH

To my mother—who always tells me I can do it

and my father—who always tells me not to argue with my mother

MJ

Foreword

THOSE OF US WHO KNOW BEA HOEK are pleased that she has taken the time to share her cancer experience with a broader circle. This brief and touching book will enable many to benefit from the way she has handled the terror and depression that accompany the cancer battle. Each of the diseases we are prey to has its characteristic impact on its victims. Heart patients are often quite tense and even rebellious because their disease requires that they change their lifestyle. Cancer patients, in contrast, seem to develop a resignation, even a sweetness about themselves. The disease of cancer requires those who have it to think totally differently about their bodies than they did before. It's not just that one organ is diseased, but cancer serves notice that the entire organism is fundamentally flawed. Cancer announces that these precious bodies of ours cannot cope with whatever it is that is causing cell growth to run amok. It is very, very humiliating. Even embarrassing.

Bea Hoek talks about this. And she talks about the loneliness. It is a peculiar kind of loneliness, experienced, in her case, while her husband and children and church family loved and cared for her. It is the loneliness that comes from realizing that you must carry on the battle all by yourself.

In this book we learn that the cancer experience has its good side. For Bea Hoek it brought her to the point of total surrender, a surrender that enables her now to deal