Promises Today

…breast cancer. I couldn’t quite believe it when I heard. I’m crying now whilst writing this. I remember it like it was yesterday. It’s one of those moments you will always keep with you, one of the not-so-good ones. I also remember the day I was diagnosed with a cancerous tumour in 2005. I hope that one day these kinds of memories will fade due to the amazing memories to come! 🙂

Whilst the consultant was talking me through the next steps I think I went onto autopilot. It’s a very strange feeling. I knew what was happening, I knew I was crying but couldn’t really say anything useful. I just nodded through most of it. That day I met Gill Hutson, the MacMillan nurse at Lister Hospital, Stevenage. The fact that her name was Gill (same as my Aussie Auntie!) was a God-moment for me. Coincidence? Nah!! God-breathed? Oh yes! She was amazing, truly amazing. Respect to the nurses who have to go through many “diagnoses” in a day.

Djerk and I had a good cry. It’s ok to cry. 🙂

We then had to share the news with our nearest and dearest. That for me was the hardest. To tell my Mum, who had been with me at the biopsy, who’d held my hand through so many other things during my lifetime, ouch. I thank God that a majority of my family members from both sides are Christians and know God in their lives. This is one thing that has featured greatly in my story. Hope! Hope for the future!

Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength, soar on wings like eagles; run and not grow weary, walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40

I made a decision that day: to publish my diagnosis on Facebook and to let everyone know. I have never been much of a private person so I wasn’t about to begin to be!

Hayley Geurts is very sorry to report that the results came back with a diagnosis of breast cancer. I will go for surgery on the 24th February and then only after that will find out what treatment will follow. I’m staying positive though! I still firmly believe that God is with me through this and we will continue to pray for healing. Please continue to pray for me, Djerk, my kids and my family. Thanks. :o)
11 February at 12:58

I then had the most amazing response from so many of my Facebook friends. Some people I hadn’t chatted to or seen in months were writing beautiful messages to me. I replied:

Hayley Geurts

Friends, this is simply overwhelming! Thank you all so much for your responses and love and prayers! I am truly blessed by friendships from all of you over the many years or only the few short months I have know you…

On an encouraging not…e to you all, God is really confirming his prescence in all of this. Graham, your message about Job was discussed by our church group just the other day! What a blessing to be reminded of it!

My wonderful mother-in-law wrote an email to me earlier with the lyrics to Hosanna which I was singing at the top of my voice in home group last night.

Carole, your note from Isaiah was spoken over me last night as they prayed about the appointment and need for sleep just last night!

I just want to share this with all of you! God is simply AMAZING!

11 February at 15:23

Emotional day or what!?!?

I remember this day very well, the 10th February 2010. I was so nervous about the results of the biopsy that I couldn’t sleep or eat!! Not eating is very unlike me. So, I decided to do something about it:

Hayley Geurts called the hospital on the off-chance that my results were in, they weren’t ready yet but she has now moved my results appointment to TOMORROW! The results will be ready then and I don’t have to wait until Monday!! Thank you God!!!!
10 February at 14:30

When I look back on this, I realised that within my spirit I knew something wasn’t right. I worked for a GP for a number of months and I know that results do not magically appear overnight. It was more likely that they had the results but they were the kind that couldn’t be revealed over the phone.

A couple of excerpts from Facebook:

Hayley Geurts wants the whole thing to be over now please!!!
08 February at 11:20

Hayley Geurts really needs to try to snap out of this feeling…
08 February at 21:16

Life was pretty much “normal” for a few days.

Jude Giles ‎”I can do all things through Christ, because He gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13
XXXX
03 February at 17:49

Hayley Geurts had a fab Indian meal with Sue Harrison, Jeremy Harrison, Angi Doyle and Dieter Doyle (who needs to get his be-hind on Facebook!!). They prayed for peace and healing for me and I feel truly blessed to have such friends.
03 February at 23:23

Hayley Geurts is off to London for a day out with Mum and sis. 🙂
05 February at 10:14

Hayley Geurts is at Cirque du Soleil! Awesome!!!
05 February at 16:09

Hayley Geurts has been watching too much Masterchef Australia and is now attempting a poached egg in clingfilm!
06 February at 10:39

Hayley Geurts is watching Chitty Chitty Bang Bang with her boys. A lovely end to a bit of a weird and emotional day.
06 February at 20:12

Hayley Geurts is looking forward to the mini-production of Jonah at Kids Club today! 🙂
07 February at 09:22

Another Facebook excerpt:

I have had a bit of a strange morning. I woke up, rushed around getting the kids to school, stressing most of the way. I was really nervous about an ultrasound scan I had to have this morning. A teacher from school phoned and said her laptop wasn’t working again. I went in, laid my hand on it, prayed that God would help me sort it out (as it took AGES last time) and within 5 minutes I had it working properly! Ok, not a huge miracle, but still gave glory to Him on the way back home!

I went to the QEII hospital in Welwyn for the scan and it wasn’t really what I had hoped for. The doctor said that it wasn’t a cyst but a mass that had to be investigated. He took a core biopsy (ouch!!) for testing. I then had to make my own appointment by phoning the Lister hospital on the way home. They first told me I had to wait for one to come in the post, but then she said she would call back but that it would be an appointment in 2-3 weeks at the QEII (a drive away from here). Madness! I am so angry at the whole NHS system! Grrrr….

Mum and I came home and had a cuppa. I was hoping this would have all been over today and he would have said “yup, it’s a cyst, go away!” but no. I have another waiting game to play. Mum took my hand and asked if we could pray. We prayed. We prayed for healing and we also prayed for the NHS, that somehow the results appointment would be “fast-tracked”. We prayed some more, thanking God for his father heart for both of us. We sighed and mum got up to go home. The phone rings… It’s the appointments dept at the Lister hospital (closer than the QEII) She has managed to get an appointment for the 15th February!!!! That’s only 12 days away! Priase God! I then realise that I have to be at the Lister on the 15th for an MRI at 10:50, perfect timing or WHAT???

So, what I would like to share with you all is that God is the God of impossibilities. What is your impossible situation at the moment? I would encourage you, even if you don’t believe it, to pray. Lift your eyes to God. He is simply incredible…

Thank you God.

After New Years celebrations in Holland, I came back to the UK raring to go. I was on track to start a new women’s group, going through the book Nurture by Lisa Bevere. There were new things on the horizon and I was so excited! I was trying to get an appointment for an MRI to check my neck. In 2005 I endured surgery and treatment for Acinic Cell Carcinoma, cancer of the parotid gland (saliva gland). The MRI appointment was repeatedly changed and I was getting very nervous about it. The ENT doctor had seen something during a routine checkup and just wanted to have a closer look.

I had also been to my GP on the 11th January to ask about a lump in my right breast. I had discovered it a few days before. The reason I found it was due to my Auntie Gill in Australia. Mum and I had visited Aus in December 09 to see my cousin get married. My Auntie Gill had been diagnosed with breast cancer and had had surgery just before we got there. She is an amazing woman and showed great strength and faith in God. She did a reading at her daughter’s wedding just a few days after surgery, looking gorgeous! What a woman! So, because of Gill and her story, I became more vigilent in checking my own breasts. I had never really checked before, cos why would a 29 year old need to?? Well, I’m SO glad I did!

So, to tell the story with a bit more accuracy, I have taken all my Facebook statuses (yes, I’m addicted!) and used them to map out my story. It starts on the 21st January.

Hayley Geurts just heard some annoying news from the hospital (delay in an appointment grrrr) but then God balanced it out with some INCREDIBLE news from friends. God, you are so faithful! Thank you Father.
21 January at 09:51

Hayley Geurts is a bit stunned… Last week it was annoying news from hospital balanced out by INCREDIBLE news from friends. Today it was great news from hospital (appointment for MRI confirmed) and annoying news from friends. Lord, thank you for your continued faithfulness and please help too!
25 January at 19:11

Hayley Geurts thinks God is incredible and amazing (and isn’t ashamed to say so!)
27 January at 17:10

Hayley Geurts is excited about the future…
28 January at 19:23

Hayley Geurts wonders what will happen next…
29 January at 16:53

Hayley Geurts knows there is nothing like having great friends together in her home for breakfast! Managed to spread it over 6 hours! Woo!
30 January at 16:22

Hayley Geurts is only an insy bit worried about her hospital appointment this afternoon, but would appreciate prayers from all. Thanks.
01 February at 08:21

Hayley Geurts can’t STAND hospitals!!! Why don’t they send you an appointment that actually happens when it says it does????? Now sitting for 45 minutes getting more nervous and watching other nervous women coming and going!! Arrrrrggghh!
01 February at 16:22

Hayley Geurts has an appointment at 10:30am Wednesday for an ultrasound. Madness…
02 February at 11:09

Hayley Geurts would like to apologise to all the ladies on the planet… I bagged the best hubby in the world!! Sorry…
02 February at 16:09

Hayley Geurts is looking forward to a night out with Rak Dimmock tonight! Bring on the laughter! ;o)
02 February at 18:51

So, the 3rd February was my ultrasound appointment…