I witnessed hope with substance in a most vivid and unexpected way last Wednesday. I took our daughter, Rene’, to Mayo in Rochester for her chemo treatment. Afterwards, Rene’ and I got into the elevator on the 10th floor to go to the subway level to the parking ramp. There were five of us in the elevator. I had Rene’s black bag embroidered with the small letters NOCC, sitting on my walker.
A woman standing next to me asked, “Do you have ovarian cancer?” Before I could reply, Rene’ answered, “I do.”
It seemed odd that she would ask specifically about ovarian cancer, so I asked the 50-ish year old, pleasant woman, “What made you ask about ovarian cancer?”
“I saw the letters NOCC (National Ovarian Cancer Coalition) on her bag, and usually only other women with ovarian cancer would pick up on that,” she explained, with a warm smile to Rene’.
We introduced ourselves, and I knew there was an immediate connection between Rene’ and Terri. The conversation continued after the elevator doors opened, and we stepped out. The talking became more serious as they discussed ovarian cancer, BRCA mutation testing, and treatment. I knew that testing positive for a BRCA mutation determined whether or not a woman can receive certain treatments. I remembered hearing Rene’s oncologist explain that if there is a BRCA mutation, that type of ovarian cancer is not in the woman’s DNA and responds differently to chemo. Both Rene’ and Terri had a BRCA mutation. Rene’ leaned into the conversation.
They shared very similar stories of their journeys with ovarian cancer and chemo treatment.
Terri explained that her cancer had returned three times over a 9-year period, and that the longest she was “cancer-free”, was four years, but then it returned. Currently, Terri is on maintenance chemo meaning that she is on monthly chemo to keep the two tumors that cannot be eradicated at bay. I could see Rene’s hope began to soar.
Rene’ asked Terri about the maintenance chemo. Terri told us the chemo did not cause her to lose her hair, and that she could lead a near normal life style.
While their interaction continued, I thought how amazing that God would cause Rene’ and Terri to cross paths. But, it was ordained to be – that particular elevator at that precise time for His intended purpose – to rekindle that dynamic confidence called hope in Rene’s soul. But the Lord did more than give Rene’ hope; He gave her hope with substance!
I believe the Lord orchestrated this ‘chance’ meeting of two women with ovarian cancer. Terri encouraged Rene’ in a way that only another woman with ovarian cancer could. One woman had joy in encouraging another by sharing her story; the other woman had hope with substance as she received the intended encouragement.
Hope with substance is hope unbroken ~
Hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. Romans 8:24-25