Inspiring Breast Cancer Story: Sandra Anderson credits the ‘Holy Spirit’ with discovering cancer early
Article By Donna Brown-Kilpatrick // EEW Magazine // Breast Cancer Awareness
Nobody wants to hear, “You have breast cancer.” But in 2018, Sandra Anderson was diagnosed, and she credits the “Holy Spirit” (and a family member) with helping her discover the disease early.
“My journey started with a conversation with my sister-in-law Annette while visiting in Houston,” said Sandra who first shared her story with the Susan G. Komen organization. “Until this day, we can't remember how we ended up talking about mammograms. We believe it was the Holy Spirit. I mentioned to her that it had been a couple years—or so I thought— since I had my last exam.”
Sandra’s sister-in-law told her, “Girl you know those are important. You need to make your appointment when you get back home.”
Sandra listened to Annette’s advice, called to make her appointment and was shocked to learn that nine years had passed since her last formal breast exam—since 2009!
After Sandra was examined, she said, “A few days later, they called me to say they think they saw something in my right breast and wanted to see me.”
But according to her, she assumed it was “no biggie” because she’d had past scares that turned out to be nothing. The medical team repeated the mammogram on Sandra’s right breast, then performed an x-ray, followed by an ultrasound. “As soon as that was done, the doctor came in and said, ‘We see a mass that was not there from your last exam. We are not sure if it is cancerous or not. We need to do a biopsy,’” she remembers.
A couple of days after Sandra’s May 22nd biopsy, she said, “I received a call at work with the words no one wants to hear: ‘Mrs. Anderson, unfortunately your results show you have breast cancer. It’s Invasive ductal carcinoma. It's the most common breast cancer.”
According to Johns Hopkins, Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), also known as infiltrating ductal carcinoma, is cancer that began growing in a milk duct and has invaded the fibrous or fatty tissue of the breast outside of the duct. IDC represents 80 percent of all breast cancer diagnoses.
Despite receiving upsetting news, Sandra said, “For some reason, hearing that news, I never went into a panic mode. I said, ‘What's the next step?’”
After being told what to expect in the early days of the process, Sandra hung up and immediately placed a call to her husband. She said, “He also was not in a panic mode.”
Instead of panicking, prayers started to go up.
“I remember hanging up with my husband and praying at my desk, ‘Now Lord, we've not been married two years yet, and they say I have this. If it be Your will, can it be minimal?"
By minimal, Sandra was requesting an early stage diagnosis. She was still a newlywed and wanted to enjoy marital bliss. Not only did Sandra get the surgeon she wanted, but her oncologist also explained that she had a Grade 1.1 tumor—low grade and highly treatable.
“When I heard that, I knew God had heard my prayer and answered it! I knew God was in every decision that was made. When telling my family and friends, my first words were, ‘I'm OK. I've just been diagnosed with breast cancer.”
After assuring everyone that all was well, there came a twist. Before surgery day, Sandra had another MRI done and got some unexpected news.
“I was told they saw two more spots on the same breast in a different location from the cancer. So, my surgery had to be cancelled.”
An MRI-guided breast biopsy was scheduled, and her surgery was rescheduled. Sandra said, “I had my Scriptures that I meditated on every day, and I prayed, ‘Now Lord, I just don't believe these spots are cancerous. If it be Your will, let them come back benign.’”
She continued, “Let me tell you how good God is: I received a call on Tuesday, July 3rd and Dr. Malak, that performed the biopsy, said, ‘Mrs. Anderson, I have good news. Both spots are benign.’ I started praising God over the phone! My faith never wavered. I believed the word of God for my healing!”
Sandra’s surgery was successful, and she has been praising God for victory.
“I can't believe I'm a breast cancer survivor,” she said.
After many years of donating and participating in breast cancer walks and races, she has joined the ranks of a legion of other courageous warriors like her that have beat this awful disease.
“Ain't God good,” said Sandra.
Yes indeed. He is good all the time.
