Joyce’s Story

Joyce is our cancer story for November.  She is a woman who can only be described as "lovely".  Truly lovely both outwardly and in character and nature, she is a woman of prayer and deep faith.  Joyce joined Central Oregon's Cancer with Compassion support group just before the pandemic and the surgery to remove her kidney and ureter February, 2020 (ureter is the duct that passes urine from the kidney to the bladder.)  She had been diagnosed the month before with Urothelial Carcinoma.  Chemo followed her surgery which produced some hearing loss.  After seeing that it had spread to the lymph nodes, she started on Keytruda, an Immunotherapy drug in August 2022.  It seems to be working, although, as with some people, it produces unwanted side effects like inflammation and adrenal insufficiency.

Joyce is blessed with a strong support system.  In addition to CwC support group meetings, she is quick to say that her husband Steve walks alongside her in her cancer storm, taking her to all her appointments and seeing that she was loved and cared for.  Her friends and family are also supportive, even giving her gifts after every chemo infusion.  And Joyce loves singing which helps her along her cancer journey.  Using the SMULE app on her phone, she joins her voice with people from all over the world.  "It is very uplifting," she says.  "I am slowly losing my ability and vocal range, but I keep on singing!"

Prayer and Bible reading have also been a lifeline to her.  She stays positive and says she pushes cancer out of her mind most of the time.  More than anything else, Joyce trusts that she is held in God's hands and that He is with her wherever the journey takes her.  "I remember that the day I will die was chosen before I was born ... cancer will not change that."   One of her favorite Bible passages is Psalm 112:6-8

"Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever.
They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes."

We appreciate your prayers for Joyce.  Pray that the immunotherapy continues to work and that she will remain with us on this earth for a good, long time!  And pray she keeps her singing voice!!