Cancer Sucks, Jesus Saves: A 6-week Summer Series Showcasing Stories of Hope and Healing

Cancer Sucks, Jesus Saves is a six-part podcast series that tackles the raw reality of cancer while shining a light on unshakable hope in Christ. In today's episode, Annie and Davenia kick this honest and faith-filled journey off as they dish it out about their personal connection to the topic.

Then stay tuned for five more episodes each Thursday between July 31st - August 28th. Each episode will bring a different perspective to the conversation:

• an oncologist offering insight from behind the scenes, humanizing the provider
• a survivor whose life's work has been shaped by the diagnosis,
• a caregiver walking the hard road alongside a loved one,
• someone who is currently battling cancer, and
• a therapist/counselor who helps navigate the emotional and spiritual toll.

Together, these voices remind us that while cancer is devastating, it doesn’t have the final say—Jesus does.

And as always, Annie and I would love to hear from you. Have you or a loved one been impacted by cancer or another illness? How are you coping? How can we pray for you? Please email us at mazuri@mazuriministries.org, or share your story with us on IG @davenialeawrites, or on FB @annieraney

And if you know someone who might benefit from this series, please share it with them. Your share might just be the hope they need!

Finally, your reviews mean the world to us, and they also assist us in spreading God's message of hope and victory across the globe! So please leave us a review on your favorite podcast player or on our Podcast Webpage 

🔗 Again, don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review to keep the conversation going!

Today's episode songs are (yes, you're getting two today) Hold On To Me by Lauren Daigle and Even If by MercyMe. Please note these songs are for your listening enjoyment only and cannot be downloaded or shared.

Thanks for listening! From our hearts to yours!!

Transcript

Annie: Welcome to the Didn't Ask to Be a Hero podcast.

I'm your host, Annie Raney. In each episode, we will get an opportunity to see how ordinary women are now living amazing, abundant, and extraordinary lives with God's help.

May their stories serve to encourage and inspire you. Let's get started.

Happy summer, listeners.

You know, speaking of summer,

summer starts with an S. So Divinia and I thought we'd do a new summer series about a topic that I think touches, unfortunately touches all of us in some way, shape or form, and everybody can relate to it.

And it is the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad, big C word of cancer. Did you know that A statistic from 2022 says that there are almost 20 million survivors of cancer in the U.S.

all of us seem to know somebody with cancer.

Either we are,

you know, a patient going through cancer or a survivor who's made it through. But there's so many other people involved in this journey of cancer.

A caregiver,

a doctor, a nurse,

somebody else who's a medical personnel, a child of somebody who has cancer.

All of us seem to be connected to it.

Now, the Bible says Philippians 4:13. I'm sure a lot of you know this verse. I can do all things through Christ,

which strengtheneth me.

So does that mean we can fight cancer?

Divinya, what do you think?

Do you think that we can do all things through Christ and that this relates to any role related to cancer?

Davenia: Annie?

Yes. Yes,

because the Bible says that we can. Then I believe that we. We can. But I think that that doesn't mean that it's not hard and that it's not a challenge and that we won't grow weary, and.

And that at times our hearts won't break.

But,

yes, I believe that through God's strength,

we can. We. We. We can support,

we can love,

we can endure through his strength.

And so,

yeah, you, like you have shared cancer seems to be touching more and more and more of our lives.

Whether it's experiencing it like you did,

whether it's supporting a loved one through it,

whether it's providing the care to someone who has cancer,

just seems to be more pervasive these days. And so,

yes, I'm looking forward to this summer series,

our first ever.

Do you know this will be, I think, our 54th episode.

So I want to say yay us.

Annie: Yay.

Davenia: All right.

And,

and. And so we're gonna shake things up just a little bit,

you know, with the summer come especially for us educators,

where we have a bit of a break and so I thought, wow,

what can we do to share stories of those who may sometimes suffer in silence?

How can we share different perspectives from. From what we typically hear?

And also,

it's a great reminder for us about why we started this podcast in the first place. And so,

you know, if you go all the way back to the beginning, to that first episode,

that was you sharing your journey and your story,

the first or second episode,

you were sharing your story, your journey.

And so, yeah,

just want to highlight some of those heroes who may sometimes often be overlooked.

Annie: You know, it's funny divinity, because I can't believe it's been 54 episodes. Wowzers. But, yeah, I remember having that conversation with you before the podcast, before we started it, and we were just talking as friends, and I was talking about how,

um, I don't know, somehow it came up about a podcast. I said, I would love to do that.

And I had just finished Radiation when we started having this discussion. And I was saying, you know, Divinia, some topic I've always wanted to discuss with people is during my can't baby battle with cancer,

so many people would say, annie, I'm you. You amaze me.

And you're my hero. And I was like, what are you talking about? Like, I'm nobody's hero. I'm not doing anything. I'm just trying to survive. I'm just, you know, going through treatment and, and working and just trying.

So I wasn't, like, out there trying to save the world or, or do anything. I was just being me and, and, and all of this. And I was like, how could I be your hero?

And then they would explain to me,

you know, why they thought so.

And then I was like, but I didn't, I wasn't trying to be. I didn't ask to be your hero. And then that's how Divinia came up with this title. She's like, well, let's, you know, entitle our podcast.

And what's the title of it?

Didn't Ask to be a Hero. And through that,

we thought about how there are so many. Our focus is women, since we are women,

and how there are women who just are living their lives and doing things, achieving goals that they may set on their own, their own personal goals, and inadvertently,

they end up being a shining light for someone else. They end up being a hero, even though they didn't ask to be a hero.

I mean, and so right now, when we're doing this series about cancer, it's like a lot of us think of the Person going through cancer as a hero, there's no question about that.

Because when you endure chemo and radiation, I mean, it's hard on your body.

And the fact that you just keep going back, even though you don't want to, and knowing it's gonna be a painful journey and you keep fighting through it, it is, I guess, an act of heroism, if you will.

But then, Divinia,

do you think the people that aren't necessarily going through the cancer, but they're somehow connected to it, are also heroes? And how so?

Davenia: Yeah, well, actually, I've been looking at some quotes about what it means to be a hero. And so here's one.

A hero is some is anyone who finds their way through this life. And that's from the movie Unsung Heroes,

which I thought that was an excellent movie. If you haven't watched it, check it out.

Another one is hardship is the birthplace of heroism.

But, but to me, the real,

the real definition is dependence upon God makes heroes of ordinary people like you and me.

And so I think that's what our podcast has been highlighting. Like,

our guests are all ordinary people.

You and I, we're ordinary people.

And there are days we don't want to give,

get up in the morning. There are days where we don't feel like fighting.

There are days we don't believe we have the strength to fight or to go on,

but because of whatever situation we're faced with or whatever challenge that comes our way,

we do, we somehow get up and we fight another day.

But that fight comes from the verse that you started with was,

we are able to do those things through our. Our faith in God and, and our dependence on him.

And I think that's what makes the true hero. So, yes, those who are walking alongside a loved one who has cancer,

they too are heroes.

That person who gets up every day to conduct research and look for new ways to fight it, to cure it, hero.

And so, yeah, through this series, I'm hoping we can celebrate, extend our celebration of the heroes who are in this fight against cancer.

Annie: So I know. Okay, so as listeners, if you heard Divinion, if you've listened to any of our previous episodes,

I am just saying the word is kind of awesome and,

I don't know,

emotional breast cancer survivor or survivor of breast cancer,

and doing well right now still on what they call hormone therapy. So I take medicine that kind of affects my body and all of that. So obviously, I am impacted by.

By cancer.

And so I have personal experience with it.

You know, I'll Tell you, one of the funniest things, though, that happened to Vinya is that sometimes when people see you. So, like right now, if you saw me,

I look, I guess, normal, if you would.

And so people don't see the physical scars. I cover them up. I had a double mastectomy,

but there's still some emotional stuff left over from that. And definitely physical effects of the surgery, the radiation, like my arms, I can't stretch them without pain up high. And all this other stuff has happened to me.

And interestingly enough, I said to somebody once,

this is like last year. So my battle was in 2020, so 2024. I said to somebody once,

I forgot I was. My memory's really, like, depleting. And I said something and I said, oh, it's chemo brain. And I. And then I moved my body and I said, yeah, it's the effect of chemo.

And they looked at me and they said, you did chemo years ago. What are you complaining about now?

And my jaw dropped, and I started to think that's how others may perceive me. So I'm very careful with what I say, because when people find out I'm almost five years out from the treatment, of course they don't know that I'm currently under these hormone pills that affect me as well,

but I don't get into that. But I realize that when people see you and you, quote, unquote, look pretty normal,

like you can't see my obvious pains, I realized, whoa, I have to be careful. Even though if anybody has gone through cancer treatment, let me tell you,

chemo fries some of your cells that never. You don't grow them back like normal.

So, yeah, my brain has been affected. My body, my nerves, my.

And anybody who's gone through chemo, Even though it's five, even though 10, 15, 20 years,

your body never fully returns to what it was before or never regenerates like a starfish, it doesn't.

You still have the after effects. And radiation has scarred me from forever in terms of my. My movement. It's very tight in my chest and my arms.

So that's like. My perspective now, though, is I don't want to burden anybody with that.

So I don't. I joke about it. I don't talk about it. And. And I get body cramps all over. And I just. I joke about it, but it's very painful.

But I'm now reaching out, like, from my perspective to say those.

Anybody who's not gone through it just. I'd like people to just recognize that even though the person is still alive and they quote, unquote, look great, their hair has grown back is a big sign.

So people think because the hair has grown back, everything's honky dory. I don't like to use it to gain anything. Like, I don't tell people my pain. You know what I mean?

But just kind of remember that, that for the rest of their lives, their body is never, ever the same, and they have some physical and most likely also mental and emotional scars from it.

And, you know, just to be kind of mindful not. Not to pity them. So I don't know where I'm going with this. Divinia, help me.

Davenia: Thank you for sharing that, because I think that from being on the other side. So a friend of someone who has gone through cancer or, you know, praying for someone. And so a lot of times we think, okay, get them through, get them through, get them through.

And so we're showering,

you know, that person with the love, covering them in prayer and. And helping and supporting.

And then they ring that bell,

and we're like, yes, praise God, now I can move on to the next person who needs me. And. And again, thank you for sharing that, because I didn't even know that about those residual feelings and effects that occur physically,

mentally, emotionally.

And so I do. I think it's something that we need to be mindful of.

And maybe it's the same for you. But I know for me, when I'm going through something,

I have the energy,

the stamina,

the courage, the.

And I do everything to push through. And then when I get through, then it's like I crash because my body's like,

I gave you all that I had to get you through,

and now we're depleted.

And then it's in that space where it would be nice to, like,

I still could use those prayers right about now, or just someone to reach out with a. Hey, so how are you doing? You know,

so maybe. Maybe that's a great lesson for us.

Annie: And, you know, you mentioned something, one of the. My. I guess I don't know if it's favorite or most humbling responses that I had when I was going through the battle.

And even now,

some people have reached out and said, hey, Annie,

you know, how you doing? I'm still praying for you. And I was like, thank you. Honestly, hearing those words was better than somebody giving me a check for $10,000. By the way, if anybody wants to give me one, I'll take that, too.

But honestly,

more than money or something like that, when somebody said that, I get emotional because while I was, you know, battling it, I would hear my. When I heard my name on the prayer.

Like, they'll read some names on a prayer list, right? They would say my name. And it was weird because I'm used to praying for so many other people on a list.

I've never had my name on a list.

And then people would tell me from all over the. They were like, my cousin is praying for you in,

I don't know, some other. They name some other country.

I had people praying for me literally all over the world,

on practically every continent except for Antarctica. I don't know, maybe the penguins were. No, I don't know.

Davenia: But I almost made it to Antarctica, and that's when I found out about what you were going through. And so technically.

Annie: Technically, that's an. You were headed to Antarctica.

Davenia: And by the way, listen, let's count that as a win.

Annie: Yeah, I'm gonna count that as seven continents. Because debate was she. That's episode one or two. You and I are episode one or two of the first ones we ever did.

And I talk about my journey with cancer, and she talks about her journey during the beginning of COVID on a fun trip on that. And if you remember the news, there was this ship that was wandering all around South America and all this because nobody would take them because they had Covid on the ship.

And that was Divinia. And yes, she sends me this email because I had told her in a text or email or whatever that I got diagnosed with cancer. And she was like, praying for me.

That's so crazy.

Davenia: So there you go.

Annie: And I used to read,

ladies and gentlemen,

I'm telling you, getting a prayer from Divinia, she'll write these prayers out with Bible verses.

It's so encouraging. It was heartwarming and encouraging to know I could go back to it.

Davenia: And so when we say,

you know, yes, gonna pray without ceasing,

I don't even know if we believe that in this microwave society that we live in now. And. And so praying without cells, ceasing means praying for that person as they're going through,

but continuing to pray for them afterwards,

praying that their health is maintained and. And that they are restored and renewed and.

And praying for their emotional and mental journey that results.

And so,

yeah, we need to get back to that place where our time of prayer is more than just a prayer quickie,

if you will,

but where we spend concentrated time interceding on behalf.

Annie: Of,

you know, Divinia. I don't Know if this could take us to a whole different direction. But,

you know, I'm trying to work on my own spiritual relationship with Christ.

I'll tell you what,

there's nothing. Unfortunately for me, I'm speaking.

There's nothing like finding out you have cancer and associating cancer with immediate death is what I did in my head 247 constant. I was just talking with Jesus, praying,

and I didn't want to now, by the way, I love to binge shows. Divinia and I talk about that we love. We're like, what show are you watching now? I'm on Netflix doing this.

I'm on Hulu doing that,

always will trade shows. And Divinia reads so much like, oh, you got to read this book. And I love reading all this stuff.

However, when I got diagnosed, I didn't feel like it. I didn't even. Netflix wasn't. I was like, no, I don't feel like it. And all I would do was I would read the scriptures and I would just talk to Jesus and pray any waking moment.

And even in my sleep, I'd fall asleep dreaming about Jesus sending these little tiny horses with angels on it with swords going into my bloodstream and killing cancer cells. I'm just crazy.

I'm weird like that. But what I'm saying is,

during that time,

I have never prayed or communed with God. I'll say as much on purpose and joyfully as I did during that time.

And that's something I want to work on now, whether it's praying for others, praying for myself now that I'm over that major part of the cancer journey.

And that's why I sometimes don't feel like a hero, because I'm like,

yeah, no, I need to be better with communing with God.

Davenia: You're a hero, girl.

Go dig out those Superwoman socks I sent you and put them on to remind yourself you are a hero. And the cape, you got a cape, too?

Annie: I did get a cape, yes.

Davenia: Yes, yes. But sometimes it seems that for some of us, that's what it takes. Like,

it takes us being in a hard place in the midst of a trial or struggle to get us to our knees.

And I can recount several instances where I'm like, I'm not going to make it,

or, I don't see how this is going to turn around.

Annie: And.

Davenia: And that time in prayer and not only sharing my concerns, but just being still enough to also listen.

Those are some of the most memorable moments I've ever had.

But then what happens? Is God gets us through it. God answers our prayers. God performs miracles in our lives. And then we revert back to our lives of busyness and our lives of going and doing and being,

becoming something more and greater and always in pursuit.

And bit by bit, that time with God dwindles. But for me,

I do my morning walks for about an hour.

And during that time, I used to be on the phone with someone or listening to a podcast or listening to music.

Now I use that time to commune with God. And it has been transformational.

Annie: You know, I love that you said that, because during. I remember,

you know, of course, finding out you have cancer. The word that I would associate with that moment and much of my journey was fear. I was very fearful.

And anybody, even if you're like, if your loved one gets cancer, your friend,

you have fear, is this going to be my final time with them? Am I going to see? How are they going to get through this? How can I help? And fear is just so connected with cancer.

And I'll tell you what, it doesn't just go away. It's not like, oh, yeah, I believe in God. I'm a Christian, so I don't have fear.

But what you just said, like, when you were. You're spending this hour with just you and God.

And as I was spending time with God and talking to him, I was letting him know, I'm so scared.

I will tell you,

never in my life, and there have been times when I was troubled or things, you know, bad things happened in my life prior to cancer, but during that time,

and it is in that time when I was spending this time with God,

that through the fear, the fear was still there,

but it's almost like it was blanketed with this peace.

And during that time, I was scared of. Fearful of death, fearful of leaving my family and friends and this life that I have and how I want to do so much more.

But then this peace came over me over time, by the way, didn't happen in 30 seconds after a little prayer.

It was constant, you know, praying and communing with God. And I was like, you know what? I want to live.

I'm gonna do everything I can.

Going to all my appointments, doing what the doctors say, fighting, eating healthy, blah, blah, blah, to live.

But if I don't,

I'm okay with that.

Even if. But I didn't say that in my life before. I mean, I know my belief is,

of course, you know, when we die, we go to sleep. And if we have accepted Jesus, our Savior, and we live a Life like that Jesus is gonna,

you know, wake us up one day when he comes and take us home.

So I've always had that joy within me, but I didn't want to die. I was like, I hope I'm like 90 something or something like that.

But during that time I was like, you know, I could, this cancer could take me now within a few months, within a year or whatever.

And it didn't happen right away, but there was this peace that said,

please, Lord, I want to live,

but if I don't, I'm okay. I thank God that I'm still alive because I'm able to do the podcast. But you know, that's right. I can't explain. And you know what?

I can't explain that piece. And that's why it says the peace that passeth all understanding, because I cannot.

Davenia: Explain it to you exactly.

And yeah, and when it washes over you,

to me, yeah, that's the hero life, you know, that's. Yeah.

Walking it out like a hero because it's. You get this newfound confidence and a joy that you can't explain. And yeah, peace.

And it's phenomenal. And so, Annie, we could do this all day long chit chat. But yeah, I'm excited for this series.

And so our summer series will be for the next six weeks. We'll have episode that'll be live every Thursday for the next six weeks. Weeks. We're going to chat with a oncologist, Tina, a cancer survivor who as a result of her cancer, became a researcher in the field of cancer care.

And we're interviewing a caregiver, someone whose spouse has cancer and how it's impacted her,

her family.

And we'll be interviewing someone who recently received a diagnosis of cancer.

And then we will end with some words of wisdom from a therapist,

Counselor Weena Wise.

Annie: So I am so excited as we wrap this up today. Divinia,

you know, I know this is the word. Cancer just definitely has negative connotations for good reason.

There is nothing good about cancer at all. Do not mistake me, no matter what.

But as Divinia reads earlier,

hardship makes heroes.

And there is one of the greatest hardships in life is dealing with cancer.

And there's a song by Lauren Daigle where she says, when the best of me is barely breathing When I'm not somebody I believe in hold on to me Crying out to Jesus hold on to me When I miss the light the night is stolen When I'm slamming all the doors you've opened hold on to me and the sentiment of that song is all about how a hero is made by mistake.

I was a scaredy cat throughout my whole journey. I wasn't Hulk. I wasn't Iron man or anything, or Wonder Woman.

You know, I was human,

as all of us are.

And the Lord knows that. Which is why he says in Deuteronomy 31:6,

Be strong and of a good courage. Fear not nor be afraid of them. For the Lord thy God,

he it is that doth go with thee.

He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. And so we want to hear these stories, but we want to bring encouragement and joy to surround this topic of cancer. Because there is hope.

There is hope here on this earth for possible healing.

But the joy is, even if healing doesn't come in this world,

we know that Jesus saves. And we will all be healed from whatever sickness, from whatever hardship we have one day.

And as you live your life now, just remember,

you never know, Put a smile on your face, because whatever you're doing,

you just might be someone else's hero.

So from Divinia and my heart to yours,

this song's for you.