Cries in the Wind: God's Answer

By Vanessa A. Jackson Austin

"God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble..." (Psalm 46:1, HCSB).

Being a breast cancer survivor, author VANESSA A. JACKSON AUSTIN knows firsthand that God works miracles; when cancer could have swallowed her whole, God intervened and carried her.

To her surprise, cancer was not detected during her annual mammograms during the years of 2007 and 2008 at a local health-care facility. But she knows that God heard her cries in the wind and bestowed His grace and mercy upon her.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Apr 18, 2012
• ISBN: 9781449739553

Vanessa A. Jackson Austin

Vanessa A. Jackson Austin is a poet, writer, greeting card designer, and jewelry and stained glass designer. She has published two poems & quotes books entitled, Live On and Refreshments for the Heart. Vanessa received her undergraduate degrees in marketing with a minor in management from Jacksonville State University, as well as an accounting degree from Athens State University. She holds a master’s in business education from Alabama A&M University. In addition, Vanessa owns and manages CABBIT Designs, where she handcraft s and sells a variety of one-of-a-kind, inspirational items. Vanessa lives with her husband and three sons in Harvest, Alabama.

Book preview

Contents

Chapter 1

As I Fall on My Knees…

Chapter 2

For I Need You…

Chapter 3

Because I Know Nothing …

Chapter 4

For I Know with You …

Chapter 5

Because as I Continue…

Chapter 6

For You Promised Never To…

Author’s Final Words

What readers are saying about Cries in the Wind

"Cries in the Wind is an emotional, spiritual testimony of Mrs. Austin’s struggle to face her breast cancer diagnosis and surgery. It outlines how her cancer experience reshaped and changed her life forever, how her medical circumstances caused her to become totally dependent on Almighty God. It is inspiring; moving with words of encouragement for any sorrow, trial, or disappointment one might face in life. Its bottom-line message is that God is the answer to any and all of life’s problems. It is a must read for all cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers."

Deacon James E. Hatchett

Union Hill Primitive Baptist Church

Huntsville, Alabama

"Mrs. Austin has allowed God to use her in a mighty way to encourage others who may be experiencing difficult situations. Mrs. Austin’s openness about how she dealt with fears, frustrations, and failures after being diagnosed with breast cancer will help others activate their faith in God. Cries in the Wind presents God’s Word in a powerful, very impactful manner that will provide strength and comfort to cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers."

Vairy Spencer

General engineer

US Army Space and Missile Defense Command

Huntsville, Alabama

"Vanessa, thank you so very much for giving me the opportunity, as well as the honor, to be a reader and responder to your book Cries in the Wind. I think Cries in the Wind is inspiring, heartfelt, and answers many questions people may ask themselves, whether they are cancer patients, survivors, or caregivers. I also see this book as a tool to help a person or support group who seeks faith and spiritual knowledge, or a road map to help them on their journey."

Charlotte Strong

Circle Project administrator

Huntsville, Alabama

"Vanessa’s strong faith shines through with each of these heartfelt thoughts and poems. I personally had a family member experience cancer, and I wish I would have had this message to help me during that difficult time. It would have been a comfort in a time of extreme stress and uncertainty. Anyone needing a little hope and inspiration during a difficult time in their life should read this book."

Darinda Thompson

Office manager

Dr. W. Timothy Brooks, DMD

Huntsville, Alabama

"We are blessed to have this talented author put her effort into such a work!"

Dr. John M. Waples, M.D.,

Board Certified Diplomate – American Board of Internal Medicine

Medical Oncology/Hermatology – Clearview Cancer Institute (CCI)

Huntsville, Alabama

In loving memory of my mother,

Elzater L. Jackson,

and my brother, Glennford L. Jackson,

who lost their battles with cancer.

I know you all are in heaven, but

you will always be in my heart …

To my family of caregivers:

my loving husband, Frederick,

my caring sons, Brian, Andre’, and Cedric,

and my kindhearted sister, Doris.

And to all cancer patients, survivors, caregivers,

oncologists, and cancer researchers.

And finally to my classmates at Gadsden High School,

class of 1978, who have fought

the battle with cancer.

"The one who lives under the protection

of the Most High dwells in the

shadow of the Almighty."

Psalm 91:1

Acknowledgments

Being faced with cries in the wind from my cancer diagnosis, I am reminded of God’s goodness and His healing power.

But I must say that I can never thank God enough for His grace and mercy and how He rescued me from being slaughtered from cancer. That is why Lamentations 3:22–23 is so fitting. Because of the LORD’s faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!

I am so grateful for my team of medical professionals, especially when I did not know my head from my toes.

Thank you for bearing with me, Dr. Michael Yates, my reconstruction doctor, because some days I was so startled by the changes in my body. But the concern and compassion of you and your staff kept me sane. God guided you all in my care!

Many, many thanks to my oncologist and main physician, Dr. John Waples. You are a very caring and concerned doctor. I thank God for you because you are in tune with your patients. May God continue to give you strength to endure such a challenging field: cancer.

I am thankful for my long-time gynecologist, Dr. Stephen Tygart. God intervened at the right time by allowing you to send me to another health-care facility for my yearly mammogram. The enemy was trying to destroy me, but God spared my life with His grace and mercy. God worked on my behalf through you!

Dr. Angela Sommerset, my medical doctor, thank you for your concern during my cancer surgery and for your kind and encouraging words. Blessings to you and your staff!

Dr. Robert Lancaster, you have been a blessing. God directed me to you, especially when my road had become bumpy. I am so thankful my cousin recommended you as my surgeon. May God continue to bless you and your staff!

Dr. Timothy Brooks, my long-time dentist, and staff, you all are like family. I am thankful you changed my appointment in order for me to have my teeth cleaned before my cancer surgery. I also thank you for the beautiful basket of fruit. I barely shared it with my family because it was so … good! We were blessed with your generosity and love. Blessings always…

Dr. Edward Behmer, my podiatrist, who is another long-time physician. Many thanks to you and your staff for bearing with me as I cried after finding out I had broken my left foot less than three months after my cancer surgery. You all squeezed me into your office and were concerned about me. I will never forget your kindness shown toward me, as I was still recovering from my cancer surgery. Many, many blessings!

Dr. Cobb Alexander and the Sports MED Orthopaedic Surgery and Spine Center staff, you all helped me in so many ways. I thank God for your empathy and compassion toward me, especially since I had endured so many medical situations. Many blessings!

The Women’s Pavilion Breast Center staff at the Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children—many, many thanks. How considerate and caring you all are. Your kindness will always be remembered.

The Governors Medical Tower staff—many, many thanks. How kindhearted you all were when I had to get a lesion removed from my left foot. Thank God it was not melanoma!

Sports MED physical therapy staff, especially my main physical therapist, Cathy McNeely. Thank you all for working with me through all of my pain and misery. God knows I had no idea about the severity of my frozen shoulders, but you all encouraged me in a lot of ways. I am deeply touched by your concern toward me.

Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children–Breast Care Center—many thanks to the nurses and staff who aided in my care in whatever way, especially the souls who prayed for my healing. May God continue to take care of you all!

Crestwood Women’s Center’s breast-care manager, Julie McCain, as well as Sarah, Susan, and staff, you all made the difference in my life. Thank you for diagnosing my mammogram and recommending I get additional testing. I will always treasure the love and care you all showed toward me. Many blessings to you all!

Clearview Cancer Institute staff, how professional, caring, and encouraging you all are. I am so grateful that you are local—Huntsville, Alabama—because traveling out of town can at times get exhausting. May God continue to bless you all!

Birmingham Breast Care’s—Dr. Susan Winchester and staff, thank you so much for seeing me on such