Overcoming with God: The Dreaded Yearly Exam -- By Melissa Henderson

Melissa Henderson, Christian Fiction Writer

The Dreaded Yearly Exam

by Melissa Henderson, Guest Writer

As a 12 years breast cancer survivor, I have visited many doctors and endured many medical tests over the years. Diagnosis, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and 5 years of anti-cancer medications are all part of my individual journey.

My doctor sends me to a beautiful, state of the art center for my mammograms. The outside surroundings show tall mountains and the beauty of history of long ago.

Each appointment, I feel God nudging me to notice my surroundings even more than usual. The beauty outside is breathtaking. There is beauty inside the building, too.

Yet, there is something very special about the room for people waiting to get their mammograms.

The first thing I notice is the “silence”. The next thing I notice is the lack of “eye to eye” contact. People walk into the room, fill out paper work and don’t look up. Maybe they don’t want to admit their fear of the test reports and the possibilities of a worrisome diagnosis.

I sit in silence and watch. The complimentary coffee machine makes a gurgling sound. The tapping and shuffling sound of shoes worn by medical personnel and patients traveling from room to room has a rhythmic beat. Elevator doors opening and closing with a beep each time gives wonder as to who will be called in next for their test.

Pausing to consider why there is such “silence”, I am reminded by God that we may afraid of the outcome of the tests. Everyone in the room is there for an annual visit or have been asked to return for another look at their test results. Either way the fear of the unknown has settled in this room. This has happened for all 12 years of my visits to the center.

Deciding to overcome my fear of the unknown and hopefully, help others, I look at the very next person who enters the waiting room. As she looks for an empty seat while holding on to her purse and hospital paperwork, I rise from my seat and say, “Hello, would you like some help?”

At first she is caught off guard and the fear shows all over her face. I do not know this woman, yet I know her fear.

She pauses, stops in mid step, looks around the room and whispers, “Yes, please.”

I hold her paperwork while she finds a seat. Handing the papers back to her, I find a seat beside her. I smile and begin chatting about the weather. Simple conversation, nothing major.

This stranger calms her breathing, fills out her paperwork and turns to me. “Thank you. I am so scared. I’ve never been called back for a return visit for my mammogram.”

“You are welcome.” Then, the conversation continues with talk of where we live, what we have scheduled for the day and other news.

Time passes and my name is called. Then, her name is called.

I am no longer afraid of what will happen. God has allowed me to help someone else by showing His love with a friendly smile and a simple chat.

Yes, the fear that can consume us when we await tests and test results can be overcome with God.

Question: How has God help you overcome a difficult test you've had to have done?