{"id":5610,"date":"2024-02-09T09:17:06","date_gmt":"2024-02-09T15:17:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/gso\/?p=5610"},"modified":"2024-02-09T09:18:48","modified_gmt":"2024-02-09T15:18:48","slug":"tammy-cravens-journey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/gso\/2024\/02\/09\/tammy-cravens-journey\/","title":{"rendered":"Tammy Craven\u2019s Journey"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>A lot has happened this past year<\/span> – a<\/span> lot of changes, for sure.<\/span><\/p>\n

M<\/span>y journey started with a devastating doctor report of malignant breast cancer, <\/span>following a <\/span>routine mammogram. N<\/span>umerous painful biopsies, MRIs, ultrasounds, first-time surgery, scary chemotherapy<\/span>, and<\/span> equally scary <\/span>radiation<\/span> were all part of the process<\/span>. <\/span>The day before<\/span> the chemotherapy was scheduled to begin, I was diagnosed with possible COVID. <\/span>The side effects <\/span>of my treatments <\/span>included extreme hip and leg bone pain, bad stomach pain, hot, burning eyes, a sore mouth, altered taste buds, nausea, and more.<\/span> At one point, <\/span>I had a severe reaction to the chemotherapy drug. The medical team rushed over to disconnect the IV<\/span>,<\/span> and after a bit, <\/span>they <\/span>started it back at a slower drip.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another difficult aspect of my journey was <\/span>being<\/span> told I would lose my hair<\/span>, and<\/span> i<\/span>t wasn\u2019t long before<\/span> it<\/span> started falling out in clumps<\/span>. <\/span>This was <\/span>especially <\/span>devastating. I felt out of control!<\/span> A dear friend of mine suggested getting my shoulder-length hair cut short<\/span>, thinking it would<\/span> be easier than having long hair fall out. She scheduled an appointment<\/span> and went with me for support. I thank God for such dear, caring friends. The day after having my hair cut, it started falling out even worse. I <\/span>began<\/span> wearing a hat. I decided, with the advice of family and friends, to go ahead and shave my head. I felt so vulnerable. A few weeks earlier, I had set up an<\/span>appointment<\/span> with the Healing Boutique. After being fitted, a wig was purchased.<\/span> With the advice of family and friends, I chose a short style so that when I finished with the chemotherapy treatment and my hair started coming back, I could stop wearing the wig.<\/span> I felt so much better without a hat and with hair on my head, even though it wasn’t my own.<\/span><\/p>\n

There were times I felt like this couldn’t be happening to me. I felt that the energy just left my body, leaving nothing behind but excruciating fear.<\/span> I found myself on my knees, calling out to Jesus. How can this be? I have too much to do. I am the caregiver of my elderly, sweet, <\/span>85-year-old<\/span> mama<\/span>. And what about <\/span>my family<\/span>?<\/span> I felt alone, even in a room full of people. <\/span>During times like this, fear wants to take <\/span>a hard grip<\/span>. <\/span>All of this was just so hard to accept. <\/span><\/p>\n

I began to <\/span>remember:<\/span> I hav<\/span>e<\/span> already <\/span>been through a lot of hard things in my life. I am a<\/span> fighter, a warrior! The words “I give up” are not even an option. <\/span>I would speak these words out loud: \u201c<\/span>Jesus, by your stripes, I am healed. There is power in the <\/span>name of Jesus<\/span>;<\/span> healing through<\/span> the blood of Jesus<\/span>; <\/span>forgiveness of sins by the blood of Jesus.<\/span>\u201d<\/span> I communed with Jesus every day, believing <\/span>for<\/span> a miracle.<\/span> 1 Peter 5:7 <\/span>reminds us, \u201c<\/span>Cast all your anxiety on the Lord, because He cares for you.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>After chemotherapy, I rang the bell hard and loud!<\/span> After radiation, I rang the bell hard and loud<\/span>again<\/span>! <\/span><\/p>\n

I met some wonderful people during my journey<\/span>, and I know they<\/span> will be lifelong friends<\/span>. Throughout this time, <\/span>Jesus never left me! Without him, I could not have done this. I praise him! I give him glory and honor! Hallelujah!<\/span><\/p>\n

Here is a poem I wrote<\/span> during this battle<\/span>:<\/span><\/p>\n

Fear <\/span>M<\/span>eets <\/span>F<\/span>aith<\/span><\/p>\n

The devastating words crippled me with fear.<\/span><\/p>\n

It had to be a bad dream\u2014words no one wants to hear!<\/span><\/p>\n

The unknown future, like a lion, began to roar<\/span>–<\/span><\/p>\n

like a ship without an anchor or a canoe without an oar.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fear took a hard grip; this could not be so.<\/span><\/p>\n

run to my Savior; I knew I must go.<\/span><\/p>\n

During the times I felt all alone, I drifted away from Him.<\/span><\/p>\n

He never left me, even when life looked grim!<\/span><\/p>\n

Refuse to let fear win; faith without works is dead.<\/span><\/p>\n

Raise your head and get up off that bed!<\/span><\/p>\n

God will come through, there’s no doubt.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lift your hands, run, jump, and shout!<\/span><\/p>\n

Prayers have answers: sometimes yes, sometimes no.<\/span><\/p>\n

We must trust Him; to Him we will go!<\/span><\/p>\n

Bloom where you’re planted; let your light shine.<\/span><\/p>\n

Encourage, support, and love those to whom you’ve been assigned!<\/span><\/p>\n

Keep pressing <\/span>on<\/span>, even <\/span>through<\/span> a rough day.<\/span><\/p>\n

Don’t be discouraged; you’re going to be okay!<\/span><\/p>\n

Fear met Faith today. Faith stood tall and proud.<\/span><\/p>\n

Keep your head up, Victory in Jesus, and sing it loud!<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Written by: Tammy L. Craven <\/span>04-25-2023<\/span><\/p>\n

I<\/span> became a member of the IPHC about twenty-seven years ago, <\/span>taking<\/span> membership with Moncks Corner PH Church.\u00a0With much prayer and God’s guidance, <\/span>I have<\/span> been attending Hickory Grove PH Church for the past six months.<\/span> I am a daughter, wife, mother, mother-in-law, daughter-in-law, aunt, cousin, niece, and last<\/span>,<\/span> but <\/span>definitely not<\/span> least, <\/span>Memaw<\/span>. <\/span>I love my <\/span>\u201c<\/span>honey buns.<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

I want to thank my mama, husband, two sons, daughter<\/span>s-<\/span>in<\/span>–<\/span>law, grandchildren, bonus children, dear friends<\/span>,<\/span> and last<\/span>,<\/span> but <\/span>definitely\u00a0not<\/span> least, Jesus<\/span> Christ, my Savior, for being there for me during a very hard battle with my health.\u00a0<\/span>My story is a long one<\/span>, <\/span>and <\/span>I<\/span> am in the process of writing a book, with God’s help.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thank you for this incredible opportunity to share <\/span>a <\/span>part of my story.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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