It was a day like any other or so I thought. I had risen early, preparing for work in March 2001. I stepped out of the shower as my hubby was in the mirror washing his face. Then, I felt it: a small lump in my left breast. I can’t quite explain it, but immediately within my spirit, I knew my life would never be the same.
I asked my husband to examine it just to make sure I was not overreacting, but he confirmed my thoughts. It would be a few days later that I would enter St. Paul Women’s clinic to request a mammogram. I was told that I needed a referral and that, based on my age, 29, it would probably be nothing.
Right then, I had determined in my mind that I was not going to leave that hospital that day without answers. I had to have a referring physician so I grabbed the directory that was handed to me and prayed for wisdom. I started dialing and was able to find a physician. And guess what? They had an opening, so I walked right on down there and got my referral.
When I returned to that women’s clinic, they did the mammogram and a few moments later, the “white coat” that said that it was probably nothing, now had a look of concern and wanted to do a sonogram, which eventually led to a biopsy.
The days turned into weeks as everyone waited for a word, any word. Finally, I picked up the phone to follow up and was asked to come into the office. At this point, I really didn’t feel like going anywhere; I just wanted to know the results. I was nice but firm about my position. Then, I heard the following words: “Mrs. Denman, the biopsy shows that the tumor is malignant.” I asked for further clarification and responded with a question, “So does that mean I have cancer?”
The answer was “Yes.”
The moment I hung up the phone, I heard a voice say, “This sickness is not unto death.” I believed that voice and in that moment, I shared with God that if He spared my life and revealed my purpose, I would spend the rest of my days fulfilling that purpose. This would begin a journey that I would not trade for anything.
I remember the rounds of chemo that made me so weak and the radiation that burned my skin raw. While all this was going on, I recall walking into the radiation center for my treatment and asking myself, “Did I just see what I think I saw? Was that a plane that just crashed into that building?”
That day is now known as 9/11.
A few months later, I celebrated remission and received a phone call that my father’s cancer had returned. So while I was thanking God for living, I was listening to my father share news that he was dying. We had months and if lucky, a year left to spend with him.
Fast forward five years.
My father had gone home to be with the Lord and I had gotten busy for the Lord. But then, more tough news followed. I soon discovered that the very drugs that saved my life also weakened my heart, resulting in Congestive Heart Failure. It got so bad I could barely take two steps without being completely winded. Talk about bitter-sweet!
2010 would prove to be my most challenging year with three hospital visits where over 20 pounds of fluid was drained from my body. The same year, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. In 2011, I had to have a defibrillator, which is a small device for patients at risk of sudden heart failure, but God is still on the throne.
In the midst of it all, my nonprofit organization, Girls Living Life On Purpose, Inc. served over 1000 teen girls in the DFW community through events geared toward teaching life skills and empowerment.
I was honored as an “Unsung Hero” by Ebony Magazine/Pine-Sol. We entered into a collaborative partnership with Dallas County Juvenile Justice to launch our re-entry initiative which provides life skills and mentoring.
I became a licensed minister and also launched my very own Christian Life Coach Certification (Girls Empowerment Coach Certification) with a target audience of teen girls and young women. It is the first in the nation and there is no stopping me. In two years we have certified 15 women across the US.
It is not what happens to you, but how you respond to what happens to you!
Eleven years later and counting, I am determined to finish my race and stand before my God with my cup emptied out, and every plan He has for me, fulfilled.
