Cancer has been a big part of our lives. My father and father-in-law passed away from cancer. A very close friend – I’d call her my sister in everything but blood –passed away from cancer. My wife Chris has a rare pre-cancerous disease called Paget’s disease for which there is no cure. She has been under constant doctor’s care for the last 9 years.  

I was a Licensed Vocational Nurse and have worked in the Oncology Unit. I usually cried every time one of my patients died.  And I’d feel the pain of the family who was left behind.  Last March I received the most devastating news in my life. What a surprise to me when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. 

Shortly after graduation from high school I joined the US Merchant Marines.  During this period, I commenced smoking cigarettes, drinking whiskey and cursing like the sailor I was. Several years past, then I met and married my beautiful wife, Lorraine.  I remained in the Merchant Marines, still smoking, drinking, and cursing.

Except for the long separations, Lorraine and I were doing fine.  Finally, because the hardships of the long separations were making life so difficult for my family, I retired from the Merchant Marines and accepted employment with Duke University.  Things were much smoother, but I kept on living my old 
sailor lifestyle. 

Five years later, life changed again, Lorraine accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior.  That didn't change me though, I still continued my old ways.   Lorraine changed.

“FAITH, the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not yet seen.” Hebrews 11:1

This verse is often referred to as the verse that teaches us what faith is, something we cannot see and yet we know exists. This story refers to my Abuela (Spanish for mother-in-law) and my Abuelo (Spanish for father-in-law) which blessed me by allowing me to “See” faith.