browser icon
You are using an insecure version of your web browser. Please update your browser!
Using an outdated browser makes your computer unsafe. For a safer, faster, more enjoyable user experience, please update your browser today or try a newer browser.

Blessings in Breast Cancer

Posted by on August 5, 2012

August 1st, 1998

August 1st is an important day in the Troup family.  First of all, August 1st 1998, I married Dale Troup, the love of my life, in a beautiful outdoor wedding in Manitou Springs, CO.  When we said our vows that day, we affirmed we would be together for richer or poorer, for better or worse, in sickness and in health.  We had no idea that in 14 years we would test every one of those elements, but also what blessings God had in store through those difficult times!

You see, there was another life-changing event that occurred on August 1st.  On that day in 2005 – out of the clear blue – I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  I was 32 years old at the time, weary from a difficult tour in as a weather officer in the U.S. Air Force.  We had just returned to Colorado from overseas, and I was on terminal leave for my last week on active duty.  We were staying with Dale’s parents in Manitou Springs until Dale found a house in Oklahoma and our household goods arrived from Germany (about 3 months).

It was a difficult choice to leave the military, but I wanted to have another child, and be a stay-at-home mommy this time, no deployments, no long training trips, no emergencies calling me in to work in the middle of the night!  Beyond that I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with the rest of my life.  I was ready to move on to something else, maybe teach science, maybe a management job…it was a little unnerving for me to be facing such an unknown, but I figured the answer would present itself.  And it did, much faster than I anticipated.

The morning after we touched down, a tiny pencil eraser-sized lump below my armpit (that a couple of months ago a physician had told me was nothing) had suddenly swollen to about an inch in size.  Thankfully I had the sense to realize that maybe I needed a second opinion.  After all, I only had one more week on duty – if it turned out to be something, at least it was documented in my military records and I could follow up with the VA.  The staff at Peterson AFB were wonderful, and got me in to see the doctor that day.  He was concerned, and had me booked for a mammogram later that week.

So I dropped off Dale at the airport that morning (he was flying to Oklahoma to house hunt and prepare for his teaching job at Carl Albert High School), then went to my mammogram appointment, expecting it to be nothing.  Then I had that dreaded callback for more images.  After quite a while I was called back to talk to the radiologist.  He showed me my films, and little tiny specks called micro-calcifications in an area far from the lump I felt.  They can be from dried milk in the ducts, but in the right pattern can also indicate cancer activity.  He wanted to watch it for 6 months, and take another image to see if there were any changes.  That didn’t sound too scary, and I was just happy it was documented.  I would just follow up with the VA.

The radiation technician I had was wonderful.  She was a Master Sergeant who was usually doing management duties, but was filling in that day for someone who was out.  It’s funny how these little “coincidences” can be God’s hand.  She probably had more experience than that young radiologist, and convinced him that since I was about to get out of the military, maybe they should just go ahead and check this out now.  So they made an appointment for a biopsy, which had to be done at the Air Force Academy.  The wonderful staff at the hospital got an extension to keep me on duty for another month to give us time to get back the results, which took an agonizingly long time!

I had a lot of sleepless nights waiting for those pathology results.  I had a growing sense that the results would show cancer.  I remember one night I was up long after everyone else had gone to bed, looking a the peaceful mountains, grappling with the reality that this could be cancer.  It didn’t seem like it could be real!  I had no family history, and had up to this point had been in near perfect health.  I had no idea how bad it would be, but had to come to terms with the possibility that this could take my life.  But I believed that God had a purpose, maybe as close as the next room.  Dale’s parents were as hard-set against God as Dale was before He softened his heart.  Mere words didn’t have a chance…but maybe seeing my faith through this tough time would speak to them.  Through my tears I offered myself as an empty vessel for God to work His will, even if it took my life.  When I looked at things from eternity’s perspective, my life seemed a small sacrifice.  Once I released the worst case into His hands, I felt an incredible peace and courage to face the news I received a couple of days later.

This picture was taken the day before my first mastectomy. I wanted one last picture in uniform, expecting to soon be losing my hair!

Long story short, I had a high-grade (aggressive) cancer, but miraculously it was still contained within the ducts.  However, there were at least 6 different foci, including the area where I felt my lump.  I am so grateful to the radiation tech that talked the radiologist into not waiting another 6 months…my situation may have been very different!  I had no choice but to have a mastectomy – the cancer was just too widespread.  My plans for another child were dashed when I had to go on a hormone therapy to reduce the risk for my other breast.  Even that therapy failed to prevent pre-cancerous cells from developing on the other side, and at my oncologist’s recommendation decided it was best to have a second mastectomy.

Those past 7 years since my diagnosis have held several ups and downs, scares, sleepless nights, and 6 surgeries, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.  When I look back, I see God’s hand through the whole process.  With God, the journey is every bit as important as the destination.  I grew so much over those years in faith, but also as a person.  I had no idea what I was going to do after leaving the military, and in a matter of months, it was like my next task was handed to me on a platter.  I co-founded a support group for young women (SHOUT), and have been able to minister to hundreds of women as they face one of the most difficult trials in their life.  Then I noticed a lack of information for cancer survivors and set out on several projects to change that.  I was hired to create a patient resources program for the OU Cancer Institute (now Stephenson Cancer Center), and soon discovered I really wanted the credentials to be able to write those resources in a language survivors could understand, so I set out to go to nursing school – that journey alone took several years, but now I’ve been an RN for a year.  Along the way, I had several opportunities that have developed me professionally – I helped coordinate state efforts to reduce cancer in Oklahoma, I’ve done breast cancer research in a biomedical lab, and now I’m designing research studies to improve quality of life for cancer survivors and other people living with a chronic disease.  That winding path helped me bump into Fridah Mubichi, which set my heart on fire for our next assignment – Africa!

The most amazing thing is that God provided the very way for us to go to Kenya without needing to wait for funding.  You see, the VA considers a mastectomy a form of amputation, and a special one since it’s a reproductive organ.  Combined with my lifetime risk for lymphedema and a handful of other ailments that just comes from being in the military long enough to age, I receive a disability pension that is just enough to meet our needs overseas.  In short, my cancer is sponsoring our mission!  If you told me all this 7 years ago, it would have blown my mind!  And really, I wouldn’t be ready for it…I had too much to learn first.

I hope this extremely long tale encourages a few of you facing your own impossible trials.  I was reminded today in reviewing Joseph’s story that bad things do happen, but God promises to be there in the middle of it with us, just like He was in the fiery furnace with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.  He promises to work those things for good for those who love Him, and submit themselves to Him to mold them and shape them into what He wants them to be, for the purpose He predestined them (Rom 8:28, Eph 1:11).  When he was in his teens wearing that technicolor coat, there’s no way Joseph was ready for the responsibility he would eventually face as the second-highest command in Egypt.  God used the tragedy of his betrayal to put him in the geographic location he needed to be in, and the ups and downs and long imprisonment to shape his character into an incredible leader that saved all of Egypt and his family.  Don’t lose hope when you face these storms…God is always in control, and if you let go and trust the Great Navigator to guide you through, you may discover he has something REALLY amazing in store for you on the other side!

5 Responses to Blessings in Breast Cancer

  1. Edna

    You my little artist continue to inspire me. From the first day you walked in my classroom, you have been in my heart, we had an instant connection. You think out of the box, beyond the easy, beyond the normal, your work ethics, goals and success have always been ultimate challanges to you. Quietly without fanfare and the need for applause you have always continued forward in life. You my little friend amaze me to this day. I have never told you I have 2 drawing you did for assignments and I keep them in my desk and pull them out with some others when I feel a lack of inspiration. God has always been with you blessing others through your courage and spirit. I can’t wait to hear how your family blesses Africa. Love you, Livy Stevens

  2. Shannon Rice

    I am inspired by your story Sandi! I am I such awe as I think of the work you & Dale will be accomplishing in Africa! I will miss my TSO concert buddies! I look forward to both of your blogs during this incredible journey you are about to embark on! Shannon

    • Sandi

      Thank you Shannon and Livy! We can’t wait to share too! I hope to get Riley going on his own blog, so hopefully he’ll have a few younger followers too!

  3. Donna Lady

    Sandi,
    What a blessing you and Dale are to me. I came to the church late and saw that special smile that you have for the newcomers. I wished that I had met you before your new journey was about to begin so that I had time to get to know you that much better. You have already taught me that if you persevere that God can bring you through those dark hours. With Faith all things are possible. I know that I will look forward to penning with you, Dale and Riley too.

    When you get settled, I am sure that you’ll let us know your conditions there and if you have needs that we can meet from back here at your old church home, please let us know and we’ll see what we can send your way. Care packages for any “American” wants/needs can be sent and we’ll see if maybe some little offering to your incredible spirits will be a small blessing to lift you on your path forward.

    God is so good and knows our needs before we even ask. Pease know that Richard and I won’t forget you and who knows, maybe we’ll visit some day. Richard would absolutely love it! As for me, I am more of an American on American soil-type lady. Not nearly as adventuresome. I love this country, but I have been blessed to see Jamaica and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (spelling??). What beauty lies in these other locations! God’s paintbrush is beautiful on the canvas of the earth! Amen.

    I’ll sign off, but know that you, Dale and Riley are near and dear to my heart. I love you, sis! Take care and we all know that God will take care of you all on your journey to saving souls, healing the sick, leading in teaching the children and adults the way of our Lord and Saviour. God’s speed you on your way to a new and lovely place. Say Hi to Fridah and tell her it was a pleasure meeting her. I hope you’ll all come back and visit again some day.

    Yours through Christ,
    Love,
    Donna Lady

  4. LIZ MUTHONI

    Sandi, Karibu Kenya! By now I hope you know what this means 🙂 . I hope everyone around you in this country of ours lends you their ears as you teach them the ways of our Lord. Moreso, I wish you strength as you embark on this special mission. On behalf of Kenya and my fellow Kenyans, I thank the Lord for you and for everyone out there playing their role no matter how small it might look to bring change, to revive hope, and to put a smile on those around us. Asante Sana. (Liz)

Leave a Reply to Edna Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.