Maria’s Journey – Fighting cancer

In June 2019, we received unexpected news, which came as a total shock, I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in the colon, lungs, liver and ovary. By God’s grace, I survived 2 x 5-hour procedures, wound sepsis, a punctured lung and a number of other minor procedures.

I am a wife, mother of 6 and also a granny. At age 51, I have been self-employed for over 25 years.

I have responded well to the chemotherapy treatment and the latest CT scan showed a significant reduction of all tumours, except the ovary. The recent ovarian biopsy has confirmed that the cancer has metastasised from the Colon to the Ovary and that it is the same cancer that we are dealing with. In light of the positive response to treatment so far, this is encouraging. The oncologist has confirmed that I need to continue indefinitely with my chemotherapy treatment. Unfortunately, my oncology benefits on my healthcare plan have been depleted requiring a 20% member co-payment in excess of R10 000 per month for further treatments until June 2020.

Despite staying positive and believing for a full recovery, the fight against cancer has adversely affected my ability to function at full capacity. The chronic tiredness following my bi-weekly chemotherapy sessions lasts approximately seven days and I have not been in the mental or physical condition to run my recruitment business with the same vigour and energy that I did before. That said, I am trying to slowly get back into the swing of things.

This has put extreme pressure on the family’s finances and the funds that we have had available are now very close to being depleted. We need additional finances to survive and manage our commitments and expenses until we can regenerate our income again.

My paradigm is that God is the Master Surgeon, the Doctors are His instruments and I am His vessel. Supernatural peace that surpasses all understanding has dominated my life throughout this time and our family are truly grateful for the support of multiple prayer intercessors and prayer warriors locally and internationally. Victorious breakthrough has already been observed! Through faith and God’s grace, I am showing positive progress in working through this process!

My hopes, dreams and aspirations? The chance to give testimony of God’s sovereignty and His promises of supernatural healing, to spend more time with my husband and to be a part of our children’s lives as they grow older and to offer guidance and counsel during this time.To be blessed with the privilege of celebrating important family life experiences such as marriage and grandchildren.

As someone that has been told repeatedly that my biggest gift is caring for and helping others, wherever I can, it is not easy for me to reach out for help from potential sponsors.However, my logic says that this is voluntary and not obligatory and therefore, those that are willing and able to assist, will generally do so with a happy heart. Therefore, I have decided that rather than be too proud to ask for help, I will humble myself and gladly accept help from anyone willing to be part of this funding project.