The doctor casually said he did not want to spoil my Thanksgiving by telling me my cancer surgery on November 18, was malignant, stage 3, in my lymph nodes and I probably could live almost five years with chemotherapy. So, he waited to tell me now. He added, we all have to die from something. Needless to say, I was devastated!! Not again!! Really, God??? Three times!!! I gently smiled as my heart sank and that, I HAVE CANCER look, crawled into my eyes. My plans, dreams, and projects just slide into my mental trashcan. WTW??? It was time to go to the parking lot and tell my daughter who was patiently waiting in the car. She was my rock in 2002, when breast cancer was announced. She helped me carry the water from the well. We were younger and it was the first time we heard the dreaded C Word!!! I had things to do!! I had a doctorate at Clark Atlanta University to go back and finish. I wanted my obituary to read Dr. Georgianne Thomas. Lord!! Shameful and shortsighted. I earned my degree in 2006 , at the age of sixty-six!! I sailed along with life until that cancer wall popped up again and I found myself in colon cancer surgery on February 20, 2019. The doctor said, chemotherapy again but, this time no port!! Wow!! I was good. I restarted my sails
and this time, I launched a successful ONE WOMAN SHOW, STANDING ROOM ONLY, with the help of God’s Angels. Oh, HAPPY DAY!! Dr. Catherine Meeks, Director of the Absalom Jones Center for Racial Unity was a surprise angel. God set up the process for me to meet her and her staff, and this was the first step (THANKYOUBillKeenan andGNATION/EmoryGradStudent AstriaWilson) to liberating my worn down soul. Next, Dr. Alma Vinyard announced to me her good friend was an accomplished pianist. Please meet Nancy Westmoreland. God’s plan was working!! My Spelman Sister, Shon Walker; My AKA Friend, Dr. Wanda Spivey; My good friend, Archbishop, Dr. John Lewis; My Soror and friend, Dr. Tammy Simmons; My stylist, Dayatra Arnold Watts, My student, L. Cornell Pearson; My collegues, Atlanta Interfaith Broadcasters Television (AIB.TV) President, Audrey Daniels and Executive Producer, Audrey Galex; My CAU STUDENTS; and My daughter, Rev. Alvelyn Sanders Swafford, all showed me the love I needed to step out on FAITH and do it!! And do it, we did. FEBRUARY 13, 2020. God showed up and showed out!! GOD SENT ME TWO FILM MAKERS (see video at bottom). Let me add, Betsy Riley, Editor of THE ATLANTA MAGAZINE, January, 2020 edition, placed me on the magazine COVER and featured my story with a full-page picture (turned show logo) by Jonathan Kelso. Lord, I was on a roll!! JOY!! JOY!! JOY!! I finally released myself from self- bondage and sang thirty, twenty, and five year songs!!! Hallelujah!! AND THEN…THE PANDEMIC. I just wasn’t feeling well. Time to get a colonoscopy to see what was happening since the last surgery and chemotherapy by pills for six months. WHAT WAS COMING OUT OF HIS MOUTH!!??? A malignant tumor was on the other side of the little colon I had left???? UGH!! GOD!! ARE YOU THERE????? The all day pity party started at the doctor’s office and traveled with me to the salon, while getting my hair washed and attaching a new wig. TEARS!! TEARS!! MOANS!! PRAYERS!! UGH!!! THE GERMAN CHOCOLAT CAKE CAME COURTESY OF SOROR JANICE HULL AROUND TEN O’CLOCK P.M. OF MY PITY PARTY. IT WAS SO DELICIOUS!! ONE FAT SLICE PUT ME TO SLEEP. PITY PARTY SAID GOODNIGHT 🥰🙂😇 WHEN DO I GET THE PORT? GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE! http://https://youtu.be/qgktB6iX_2g
Love you, my sister!!!
Continued prayers are with and for your continued journey! Keep being and doing you, and God will and can do the rest! 💯❤️🙏🏾
Beautiful description of the horrific events that were added to a horrific year for you and everyone! God is with you; he didn’t bring you this far to leave you❣️I love you, Soror, and I’m praying for your healing on this leg of your journey. 🔺❤️
George, I was breathless until I read “2002.” Now where are we today?!! I don’t want to think about it.
You are an incredibly courageous woman and an amazing writer. I’m looking forward to seeing that one- woman show again. It was great!
Stay positive my love.
Joyce