Kathy Casner, Rotary President, with Ben
by: Esther SanidadThe recent news about cancer: Tony Snow, Press Secretary of the US President, is back to work!
Yes, I followed the news since his cancer had recurred, and Elizabeth Edwards, too.
This is what I think.
Is the cancer on both Snow & Edwards on remission? Are the good cells dominating the killer cells at this time? I really feel happy that both Edwards & Snow are doing really well. The first time I heard about Snow & Edwards, I felt for them. I felt their ups & downs. I felt their sadness knowing that the cancer cells had started to dominate the good cells. I felt sorry for them & their family, especially for Mrs. Edwards whose husband is running for the highest office of the land. But God’s mercy is all the same, whether rich or poor, whether one belongs to low or high places, etc., He is always there.
Yes folks, it made me think of my own journey.
Eleven years ago, Ben Arthur was in a hospital bed at this time in 1996. But today is different. He's standing before The Rotary Club of Zanesville, Ohio, who invited him to share his story about triumph over terminal cancer. The program is “Kick Cancer for Life.” The program was organized by Mr. Everett Jackson, who also invited the John Glenn String Ensemble to entertain the Rotarians. A vegetarian cuisine was also featured for the banquet.
For those who have known us and read about Ben’s book, “Choosing to Live,” you may be wondering how we are doing at this time. Folks, it was a challenging one. The diagnosis of terminal cancer of the esophagus did not end here. Trials and difficulties came about. Our eldest son became seriously ill. Financial devastation followed. Friends we thought were friends, and relatives we thought were relatives … they were not. But in spite of all these, we had a couple real friends (plenty enough) & a brother who stuck with us through happiness & pain, through good and bad times. Just having these few people made our life worth living and enough to sustain our joys. We also appreciated the thoughts & prayers of people who know & do not even know us well.
The Lord did not abandon us. God is always there when we are in our deepest need. What an awesome experience.
Today, we live a simple life. While in this world things are never enough, like money, attention, and fame ... we want more. To me, the simple lifestyle we have adopted & the natural remedies we have practiced are enough to sustain us, the best wealth we will ever have! Experiencing cancer, then trials followed by tribulations gave me a real life lesson. Live simply & put all trust in the Lord.
I am greatly blessed! Four years after suffering from terminal cancer, B came back to work. It was a healing miracle. God allowed B the job he enjoyed most and back to the place where he first started his practice. Above all B enjoys working with a couple who believed on him and gave him the chance to prove he can still work as Anesthesiologist.
After two years of provisionary hospital privileges, B got back his full-time credentials & became a full-pledged partner with this group. We owe our trust & thanks to the wonderful couple, Drs. D & I Madia. I have learned a lot since Ben joined them. I love their lifestyle. I find them wealthy and yet generous. They offer not only financial help to many but also their time & concern with their fellowmen and the community. Words are not enough to express our praise to God each day for this wonderful couple!
Since experiencing cancer in the family, I am always interested in knowing and wanting to hear more about others’ experiences. I don't exactly know the statistics of people who have taken chemo and radiation, proton therapy, etc., and comparing the people that have chosen the natural simple remedies. But I can only say or write about my own experience, the change of one’s lifestyle. For eleven (11) years that's what we have done, learning more about natural remedies, spending more time with God and family.
It's spring time again and as I drive along the country road remembering that it was He who filled the earth with beauty, and to breathe the country air is so refreshing while the sun's vibrant heat gladdens my soul and whole being. It reminds me of a phone call from someone who said that she felt good having some sunlight after a wintry day.
Driving through Zanesville, Ohio, a beauty indeed to behold the mountains with greening plants and trees.
"I trust in God ... I know He cares for me."
He is more than wonderful!
