Events

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Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Pinktober

While many at Calvary Assembly know Cheryl Cope as the strong and supportive wife of our beloved Pastor George, not all know her story.

At the age of 14, Cheryl felt that the Lord was calling her into full time ministry. She decided to further her education by attending Bible college, where she met and fell in love with George Cope. This year, the Cope's celebrated 40 years of marriage and 36 years serving together in ministry. The last six of those years have been at Calvary Assembly of God in Winter Park.

Cheryl turned a new chapter in her life when she found a lump on her breast five years ago. Soon after the discovery, she went in for her yearly mammogram and the doctor also performed an ultrasound.

After the tests were completed, the doctor returned to the room where Cheryl was waiting and asked if someone had accompanied her to the appointment. With her usual quick-wittedness, Cheryl replied, "I don't normally take friends to a mammogram." The doctor gently broke the news that she had breast cancer, and that it had likely spread throughout her body. In fact, he was convinced that the cancer had been present for some time.

This news was a shock to Cheryl! How could the cancer have been there any length of time, given her diligence to schedule regular mammograms? As she discovered, lobular cancer cannot be detected through mammogram testing, only through an ultrasound. Cheryl remembers this as the most challenging situation that she had ever faced. After learning the facts about the cancer, she made an informed decision to have a double mastectomy. The diagnosis was announced to the congregation and their prayers requested on Cheryl's behalf as she faced the upcoming surgery.

The surgery went well and the doctors learned that the cancer had been contained to one mass in her breast. As previously predicted, it had not spread throughout her entire body. Cheryl believes that was her miracle from the Lord!

After the double mastectomy, the oncologist suggested that Cheryl undergo chemotherapy based on the advice of a computer program designed to give the most promising statistics for recovery. Firm in her faith, Cheryl declined the computer's advice, telling her doctor that the church was praying and that she would get back to him.

Through research, Cheryl learned that chemo would only reduce her chance of a reoccurrence of cancer by approximately 4%. Choosing not to undergo the chemo treatments, she believed that trusting in God and relying upon Him for a complete healing was her best option. "If it's my time chemo will not keep me here and if it's not my time cancer will not take me out" says Cheryl. This December will mark Cheryl's milestone of five years being cancer free!
Cheryl is grateful for the encouragement of her family and friends and drew strength from the prayers of the Calvary family. She also learned firsthand that hope gives one the strength to endure and that God created the human body with tremendous restorative powers.

Although there are still questions about what would happen should the cancer return, Cheryl does not allow those thoughts to linger. Instead she finds true rest in God and meditating on His Word.

When Cheryl is asked how breast cancer has changed her, her reply is, "It changes your perspective and teaches you to appreciate your life and those people in it." While overcoming cancer, Cheryl took refuge in God's Word and other encouraging books. Below is a list of books that she would like to share with anyone who may being going through similar circumstances.

Cheryl shared a few books she found inspriational on her journey. They are listed below:

How to Live and NOT die by Norvel Hayes
God's Creative power for Healing by Charles Capps
Healed of Cancer by Dodie Osteen