The Journey
It was getting late as my friend and I finalized details of our meeting. I excused myself to go to the bathroom when I heard a small still voice say, “place your hand over your left breast.” I knew something was wrong as I felt the lump. Anxiety began to rise up from my soul. I knew that without a professional examination, my thoughts, emotions and fears would overwhelm me and I did not want to enter that place of emotional turbulence. But, the unknown soon became known. The words “suspicious” and “abnormal” were the ones that stuck in my mind as the day of reckoning revealed that both breasts had lesions or tumors. I felt weak. I knew that this was serious. Though additional tests were necessary to determine if they were malignant or benign, I asked myself, “is this really happening to me and why in this season of my life?” After the prescribed tests, I came face to face with the re-direction of my life. How could one life situation alter and radically change my perspective about life and faith? The doctor confirmed it – “you have a tumor in your left breast and the next step is surgery.” What was she saying? The words carcinoma, mastectomy, lumpectomy did not mean anything to me. But, time would reveal that I was on a journey to a higher level of faith.
The Author: Alfreida Edelen
In her newly released book, Confronting Breast Cancer, A Believer’s Journey©, Alfreida Edelen shares how some of your greatest challenges can lead to your greatest joys. Alfreida is a National Associate member of Sisters Network® Inc. (SNI), a leading voice and only National African American Breast Cancer Survivorship Organization in the United States. Alfreida is a licensed and ordained minister and received her ministry training at Jericho Christian Training College and formal training in pastoral counseling through the American Association for Christian Counselors. She has served in core ministerial leadership capacities for over 13 years. Her public speaking and ministerial pursuits include workshops, conferences and services for family and women. Alfreida is married to James P. Edelen. They reside in Upper Marlboro, Maryland with one of their 4 children. The Edelen’s are faithful members at the River of Life Church in Marlow Heights, Maryland under the leadership of Pastors Charles & Cheryl Whitaker.
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