Fourteen Years Later: Why December 1st Will Always Be My Miracle Day
If you’ve been around me for more than five minutes, you know I love Jesus, I love people, and I love celebrating life — loudly, joyfully, and unapologetically. But December 1st hits differently for me. This day isn’t just a date on the calendar. It’s my personal “God-showed-up-and-changed-everything” anniversary.
Fourteen years ago today, I sat in a doctor’s office in Sarnia hearing words nobody ever wants to hear — the “C” word. The moment I heard it, my life shifted in ways I could never have predicted. And today, 14 years later, I can tell you with full confidence that God not only brought me through it… He healed me, strengthened me, rebuilt me, and put me back together with more purpose than I ever had before.
So buckle up — I’m about to take you on the journey.
My journey.
My testimony.
My miracle.
And hopefully, your boost of hope today.
The Day I Thought My Life Was Over
Let me take you back to December 1st, 2011. It was a Thursday. I sat in the specialist’s office, and I honestly thought he was going to tell me everything looked fine. After all, my doctor in Sarnia had followed me for over two years and kept reassuring me, “Oh, you’re good, everything looks okay.”
Well, apparently it wasn’t okay.
The specialist started talking, and I could see his lips moving, but it felt like they weren’t attached to real words. It was like the room turned blurry and someone hit the slow-motion button on my life.
His actual words?
“Let’s pray it hasn’t spread to your bones or your brain… and if you wait for a second opinion in London, you might not be alive in three months.”
Ummm… thanks?
Super comforting.
Exactly what every terrified woman wants to hear.
I was diagnosed with a type of breast cancer less than 5% of women get — aggressive, invasive, and almost impossible to detect unless by MRI or ultrasound.
I felt like I had been punched in the stomach and run over by a train all at once. I cried for a minute. I panicked for a minute. And then I did the only thing I truly knew how to do:
“Jesus, take the wheel.”
That was my prayer — small, quick, desperate, but sincere.
And do you know what?
He grabbed that wheel.
Singing in the Car Like My Life Depended on It
When I got into the car, something rose up inside me. I started singing, “It Is Well with My Soul.” Not because I felt well. Not because anything was well. But because sometimes your spirit knows what your mouth needs to say before your mind catches up.
My mom was with me. Seeing her cry broke me in ways the diagnosis couldn’t. She tried to be strong, wiping tears, and then — God bless her — she jumped in on the harmony.
Even in shock, the woman stayed on pitch. A true queen.
We sat there, singing through tears, and I felt the presence of God wash over me. I can’t explain it. It wasn’t dramatic. It wasn’t loud. But it was steady. Peaceful. Strong. Like God whispered straight into my soul:
“I’m not finished with you.”
Jeremiah 29:11 — The Verse I Had to Live Out
I used to speak Jeremiah 29:11 over Madison all the time:
“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord…”
Well, guess who needed that verse now?
Me.
The girl sitting in a car singing worship songs through tears.
The girl who suddenly had to stare fear in the face.
The girl who felt the rug pulled out from under her.
I had to remind myself that God is not a liar.
If He says He has plans for me — He has plans.
What Battling Cancer Taught Me REAL QUICK
Let me tell you something:
When you have to fight for your life, you stop entertaining things that drain it.
I cut off toxic relationships.
I stopped compromising.
I stopped worrying about what people thought of me.
And I stopped trying to impress anyone.
Cancer has a way of snapping things into focus.
Life got simpler.
Clearer.
Holier.
Stronger.
I realized that the approval of God far outweighs cheers or criticism from people.
Galatians 1:10 says it best:
“If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
Preach, Paul.
Say it louder for the people in the back.
Mark 9:24 — The Verse That Carried Me
There’s a verse that lived in my heart that entire year.
Mark 9:24 — “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.”
Let me be real:
I believed God would heal me…
but some days, fear still tried to whisper.
Some days I was a warrior.
Some days I was a puddle.
But faith is not the absence of fear —
Faith is moving with Jesus while your knees are shaking.
And guess what?
God honours shaky faith just as much as bold faith.
God Didn’t Just Bring Me Through — He Healed Me
Fourteen years later, I am standing here, cancer-free, alive, thriving, and testifying.
Jesus didn’t just walk me through the valley —
He brought me out of it, rebuilt me, and set me on a path filled with purpose.
It’s why I wrote my book.
It’s why I share my story.
It’s why I pray bold prayers for other people.
And it’s why I believe in miracles like I believe in air.
I have seen too much to ever doubt Him again.
Revelation 12:11 says we have overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony.
Well… here’s mine.
And I’m going to keep sharing it.
When You Survive Cancer, You Stop Living Small
Something changes inside of you.
You don’t sweat the small stuff.
You don’t care about petty drama.
You don’t let people’s attitudes shrink your joy.
You celebrate more.
You pray deeper.
You laugh harder.
You love stronger.
You go all-in on the things God asks you to do.
Life isn’t a dress rehearsal —
and I realized I don’t want to waste one single day.
Psalm 118:24 says,
“This is the day the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it.”
Keyword: will.
I choose it.
Daily.
Being Jesus With Skin On
One of my greatest joys since that season is encouraging others.
Praying for strangers.
Sharing hope.
Loving people back to life.
There’s nothing like being God’s hands extended.
Nothing like walking into a room and shifting the atmosphere.
Nothing like being a little “Jesus with skin on.”
It makes life richer.
Deeper.
Fuller.
And let me tell you — there is no life like a Kingdom life.
God Sees Every Detail — And He Goes Before You
Looking back, I see God’s fingerprints all over that season.
His protection.
His provision.
His power.
Even in the moments I didn’t understand.
Psalm 139 reminds us that God knows every detail.
Every tear.
Every fear.
Every unspoken prayer.
He went before me then.
And He still does now.
My Prayer for You Today
If you’re going through something scary…
If you’re waiting for healing…
If you’re holding onto hope with tired hands…
I want you to know:
You’re not alone.
God is not finished.
Miracles still happen.
And healing is still real.
I am living proof.
Jeremiah 30:17 says,
“For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds.”
Hold onto that.
Speak it out loud.
Pray it over yourself.
Write it on your mirror if you have to.
Because God’s Word does not return void.
Fourteen Years Later — I Celebrate LIFE
Today, I celebrate:
God’s healing
God’s faithfulness
God’s protection
God’s leading
God’s mercy
God’s plans
God’s power
And the gift of one more day
I am a child of the King.
I am grateful.
I am alive.
And I am walking in miracles.
And like I sing over and over…
“Little is much when God is in it.”
If this encourages you, share it.
Someone out there needs hope today.
And if God could do this for me — He can do it for YOU.