My Journey Through Cancer With Christ

This year we welcome a new contributor and an old friend. May God Bless her as she now endures her time on the cross.

Editor’s Note: I first edited Catholic commentator and pro-life activist Lisa Graas when I served from 2009-2011 as managing editor for NewsReal Blog, the media criticism site founded by the late David Horowitz, who died last year. We have been friends ever since and I adore her.

Upon learning that Lisa was battling brain cancer, I invited her to write about the experiences she was going through. I knew that God would speak through her and indeed, He is doing just that. Please listen with me. She is an extraordinary woman and great writer. I am so blessed to be able to edit and publish her once again. - David Michael Swindle 🪬🌀🟦

---

I hear a lot of choice remarks about cancer. No one likes it. I’m not sure anyone hasn’t been touched by it in some way. I’m not sure what my story has to offer more than the average cancer journey but I can promise one thing you will hear about. Jesus Christ. He has given my suffering value and that is something to write home about.

I sit here tonight on my computer looking like I’ve been through a cage fight. I have a large, purple/black eye and a foot-long bruise on my right forearm. These are side effects of the biopsy I had on my brain today. Confirmed: Neuroendocrine cancer in the brain.

I’m told that neuroendocrine cancer is rare. I’m also told that it never goes to the brain. At least, that’s what my oncologist told me. He wanted a biopsy to confirm that it’s cancer even though the neurologist said that’s what it is and even though it’s already been in my bones, liver and a lymph node since at least 2022. He got his confirmation today... and I got mine. Prognosis? None, really, because this type is rare, ya know. It’s already defied expectations by going to my brain. The oncologist today seemed to want me to know that five years would be the most I could hope for and it’s possible that I could go downhill fast. That’s the impression I got. I didn’t press it.

To be “precise” there are five tumors in the brain that they know about. The largest was the size of a grape until they did the biopsy today. There could also be microscopic tumors, too small to see. For this reason, I am going to have “whole brain radiation.” Nice. I hope the right things are fried.

You might want to know how it is that I keep my spirits up. Well, I’m a Christian. It’s kind of what we do. Specifically, I’m a Catholic Christian and we have a wonderful secret that many of us -- particularly Passionists like me -- like to tell the world about but unfortunately few want to listen. I’ve known about this secret for many years and have been a Passionist oblate associate for many years, but it’s hitting home now for real. I have to walk the walk now and not just talk the talk. I am suffering... and it is redemptive thanks to Christ.

So, what do we Catholics know about suffering that others don’t? For the Catholic, suffering can be turned into an act of worship. In fact, for the Catholic worship is sacrifice. When we go to Mass, we are there for the Sacrifice of the Mass which is the very suffering of Christ on Calvary made present again on the altar. In the process, we bring our sufferings to the altar with us to offer up in union with the sufferings of Christ.

As St. Peter said, “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” (1 Pet. 2:21) That means a great deal, to follow in His steps through the Cross.

We learn in the Catechism of the Catholic Church that suffering entered humanity through the Fall of Adam in the Garden. It was not through God’s desire for us that it came into the world. It was through man’s disobedience to God that suffering entered the world. Thankfully, though, God has made all human suffering redemptive because He humbled Himself to become a member of mankind, thus uniting Himself with all humanity. Now, redemption comes with His suffering and with ours offered up in union with His. Don’t believe me? Do a word study for the word “suffer” in the New Testament.

Here are some examples:

Our sufferings become a channel of grace through the suffering of Christ.

“As the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so, through Christ, does our consolation overflow. When we are made to suffer, it is for our consolation and salvation.”
— 2 Corinthians 1:5–6

In Romans 5, St. Paul says that suffering produces endurance, character and hope.

Paul also says powerfully:

“I fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ for the sake of His body, the Church.”
— Colossians 1:24

The only thing “lacking” in Christ’s sufferings is our participation in them. In fact, the Church teaches that Christ’s Sacrifice on Calvary offered up a superabundance of graces surpassing what was necessary to redeem us after the Fall. When we participate in the Cross with Christ, God is allowing us to participate in His redemptive work.

God doesn’t want us to suffer, so stop asking why bad things happen to good people. The answer to that is the Fall of Man. God took that and used it for something wonderful. Now, as with Christ’s sufferings, our sufferings are redemptive provided that we offer them up in union with His. But wait, you may ask. What about sufferings that are not offered up in union with His? Well, those sufferings are wasted. Only through Christ can our sufferings be redemptive.

Now it is my turn to walk the walk. I will need lots of prayer for this. I’m very weak and like to complain. I don’t like to take my proverbial medicine, but it’s that or death, and as a Christian, I believe in life after death. So let’s do this, Jesus. Me and you. I’m here for it. And may God have mercy on me.

Lisa Graas

---