The Joy: In My Journey with Cancer

By Sandra R. Jolla

Finding joy in the midst of turbulent times is not always easy. When you get disappointing news, how do you turn tragedy to triumph? How do you make the bitter sweet? How do you transition from chaos to calm? The author makes her journey with cancer a faith walk filled with excitement and joy as she embarks upon one of the most challenging times of her life.

I learned that even though I had mapped out a plan, God had a different plan for my life. This is my story of how I chose to make my journey with Cancer a JOYFUL walk. Sandra

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Dec 18, 2017
• ISBN: 9781546218203

Book preview

AuthorHouse™

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.authorhouse.com

Phone: [phone]

© 2017 Sandra Reese Jolla. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 01/27/2018

ISBN: 978-1-5462-1819-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5462-1821-0 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5462-1820-3 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017917898

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

King James Version (KJV)

Scriptures are taken from the King James Version of the Bible - Public Domain.

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

Contents

Acknowledgements

Foreword

Chapter 1 - Finding Joy along My Cancer Journey

Chapter 2 - Walk with Me, Lord!

Chapter 3 - We Shall Overcome

Chapter 4 - Tedious Journey!

Chapter 5 - It’s Another Day’s Journey! The Process

Chapter 6 - Draw Me Nearer! Dealing with Hair Loss

Chapter 7 - I Will Trust in the Lord!

Chapter 8 - This Little Light of Mine

Chapter 9 - This Is the Day!

Chapter 10 - Every PRAISE!

Chapter 11 - Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!

Chapter 12 - More Than Conquerors

Chapter 13 - Hold My Hand, Lord

Cuteness with Cancer!

A Survivor’s Message

Scriptures That Comfort (KJV)

Tips and Techniques

Acknowledgements

From my heart!

Giving honor first to the Lord and Guide of my Life, Jesus Christ—thank you for choosing me for this extraordinary journey and to be able to share a message of hope to those who are walking this journey now or who may in the future and for the assurance that whatever life’s experience, we have an eternal life which goes beyond our mortality. This process has drawn me so much closer to You and comforted me in the Power that you have given within me!

To my dear husband, Pastor and friend, Rev. Dr. Michael Angelo Jolla, there are no words that can BEGIN to express my love, appreciation and gratitude to you. Wow! Every step along the way, you were there! Every appointment, every diagnosis, every laugh and even when I wanted to shed tears you were there. Your faith, love and nurturing spirit embody the template for husbands that Paul, through the Holy Spirit prescribed in Ephesians 5:25 when he writes husbands love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her. For the homemade soup, EVERY TIME I came from Chemo, THANK YOU! For driving me to EVERY appointment, you did not miss ONE! THANK YOU! For popcorn on a whim to delightfully shaving my HEAD—you made it a delightful experience, THANK YOU! For giving me strength through the delivery of God’s Word which strengthened me, THANK YOU! I appreciate and love you more than you will ever know.

To My dearly departed mother, Gloria Grant Reese Philpot, whom I believe was the strongest and most persevering person I have ever known I want to acknowledge for the strong sense of family, tradition and elements of being a woman and beyond that, a woman of God. Your love and spirit lives on within me and I felt you holding me sometimes as I sat on the sofa and reminisced of times past, or glanced at one of the beautiful arrangements which adorn my home or glanced at your picture when I needed strength to push on! You are an angel that heaven captured much too soon for all of us who love you so dearly. And to my father James Reese, Sr. whose strong sense of family embodies all of my family and our being.

To my beautiful daughters Brasha and Brianna, how I thank God for the beautiful young ladies you are becoming. I know there were times you asked God why as I know how much each of you adore me as your mother. Just know that God always knows best and He orders our path. It’s the strength that He has put in you that will propel you when you cannot move yourself. I appreciate you, your love and support throughout this journey. Continue to be the loving ladies you are becoming.

To my family! Thank you for your calls, prayers and some of you, your guidance through this unfamiliar path for me. There is nothing like family and you strengthened me with your words of accolade and encouragement. A special thank you to Drs. Celeste Reese Willis and Jada Reese Sheriff - Your direct involvement in researching and helping me to understand medically helped me to understand medically what was happening and what to look out for.

To my friends, Randi, Evelyn and Vantrice, I call you my posse. I am so blessed to have friends like you. Each of you have a unique value that you bring to strengthen me as a friend. Randi, our diligence in researching propelled me to push! Evelyn, your tender and caring spirit encouraged me to press on and Vantrice, your commitment to service is plausible. You nursed me back to health and for that I am so grateful!

To my San Antonio family and friends, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! To the Exciting West End Baptist Church thank you for your prayers and encouragement. My St. John Church family, your ongoing love is evidenced and you will always have a special place in my heart. To my sisters in the finest Sorority in the world, Alpha Tau Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.- thank you for your cards, flowers and out bursts of love.

To the team of doctors, PAs, nurses, surgeons and staff - Thank you for your service and for caring for me! All of you were fabulous!

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

Sandra

Foreword

As an Oncologist, you have the opportunity to meet a great many people who face one of the greatest challenges that a person may ever face in one’s life: a diagnosis of cancer. One of the most common cancers that an oncologist manages in the practice is breast cancer, which has become the