ZionMagazine-Final

Recommendations

Info

I’m Mallory Jenkins, a 23-year-old newlywed, born and raised in the Bluegrass. In October 2013, at the age of 20, I was shockingly diagnosed with a solid pseudo papillary tumor in my pancreas… a diagnosis which turned my world upside down in ways I could have never predicted. In the two weeks following this diagnosis I would withdraw from college at Western Kentucky University- for what I thought would only be a few months, yet never returned- to move back home and undergo massive all-day surgery called a “Whipple” to remove this very rare tumor amongst many other parts. My surgery was a success. I was declared cancer free and, after some time in the hospital, my parents brought me home to begin the long road to recovery. Less than two months later, I was struck by my first attack of acute pancreatitis. These attacks would soon become my body’s greatest enemy. This was thought to be a rare complication from my Whipple, yet, nothing that couldn’t be resolved with some medical attention. The inflammation seemed to go down after that first hospitalization, but unfortunately it didn’t stay that way for long. Thus, the cycle of unrelenting pancreatitis began– excruciating pain, followed by vomiting, calling the doctor, driving 45 minutes to the hospital, crying in the ER, FINALLY being admitted, spending some time in the hospital, back home for a few days, start again. Pancreatitis is treated through: (1) Lots of pain meds (2) Being declared NPO (no drinking or eating) until your pancreatic enzyme levels return to a normal range. Each time I had an attack I would spend several days NPO then slowly introduce liquids and solids to my system. But after a few days at home my pancreas would erupt again, more severely every time. My doctors determined that my pancreas needed a longer period of rest- this is when I got a PICC line in my arm and began TPN (IV nutrition.) After 31 days on TPN alone I took my first bite of food. I remember thinking, “Wow, I can’t believe I went that long without eating. Thank you Lord for pulling me How could my faith have grown leaps and bounds if it hadn’t been tested on the most intense level? through and for your healing! I hope I never have to do this again.” Unfortunately, about two weeks later I found myself back in the hospital, my pancreatitis not ready to let go. During this stay, I had surgery to place a feeding tube that would be my sole source of nutrition for, what we hoped, the next two months. Two months spiraled into three, then four and I ended up staying on 24/7 feeds, with nothing by mouth other than some clear liquids, for the next 8 1/2 months. My body was not healing the way we so desperately hoped and prayed it would, rather, things continued to get much worse. Even though this time was filled with miserable pain, constant disappointment, confused doctor’s appointments and great sadness, it was also filled with the peace that passes understanding, beauty from ashes moments, the comforting embrace of a loving Savior, and treasures that can only be found in the darkness. Isaiah 45:3 “I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I AM The Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.” On November 6, 2014, I underwent a total Pancreatectomy, Splenectomy, and Islet Cell Transplant to end the vicious cycle which had made me prisoner to a dying body, and give me a second chance at life. Nearly 2 years post op I’m still a sick person. My focus is 100% on healing, trying to teach my body how to eat and digest again (this has been a nightmare revealing further GI complications/disease), re-entering the world and regaining life while enjoying the blessing of marriage. We are working hard to get me better though this recovery is an entire lifetime in the 3
making. I am eagerly, painstakingly, and patiently awaiting the day I will discover my new normal. I’m ready to become truly independent, to go back to school, to start working even a simple job, to continue writing, to become a published author...to fulfill my dream of starting a ministry that allows me to travel the country doing speaking engagements and sharing God’s faithfulness. I have no idea what God has in store for my future, but whatever it is, I know it’s more incredible than anything I could ever imagine. He is showing me glimpses of ashes transforming into beauty as He continues to bring opportunities (like this magazine!) to me, even when I am not searching. GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME. I see how blessed I am, now, more than ever before. I feel the presence of a Mighty Savior, an Everlasting Father and His unconditional love in all that surrounds me. I realize the incredible gift it is to simply wake up in the morning with a fresh start and a second chance at life because I could have easily had it all taken away. Many days, through countless moments of suffering, the depths of my heart longed for that to be the case. Yet, by His grace, God continues to place upon my heart overwhelming peace, joy, contentment in who I am and, more importantly, WHERE I AM. When I consider all, by HIS grace, I’ve overcome in the last three years, I well up with a great sense of confidence, accomplishment and pride. Even though these sick years have been the most devastating, painful, depressing, excruciating, tortuous, hauntingly horrible times of my life, it has also been the most important. How could my faith have grown leaps and bounds if it hadn’t been tested on the most intense level? How could I truly understand how much I need My Anchor, if I hadn’t been thrown straight into the crashing waves? How could I grasp the fragility, the precious gift that life is, if I’d never had my tomorrow seriously threatened? How could I come to the realization that Jesus is the bread of life, God’s word can provide total nourishment, and the fullness of God is more satisfying than any meal could ever be, if I hadn’t been forced to give up eating for an extended period of time? How could I come to treasure my time with those I love, understanding the unmerited blessing they are, if I hadn’t had to FIGHT to be here with them? How could I come to the honest belief that God is always good, that when I am weak He is strong, and He turns darkness into light if my circumstances hadn’t forced me to rely on these truths just to survive from one minute to the next? How else could I come to understand what it means to leave my future up to God, allowing my faith to be bigger than my fears, if I hadn’t been trapped in the realm of total unknown? 1 Peter 1:6-7 “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” I absolutely would not wish my experiences on anyone. That being said, I cannot change the past. And I cannot control much of the future. What I can do, however, is choose to EMBRACE this testimony the Lord has laid upon my lap. I must use every ounce of what I’ve learned, am learning, as a vehicle to glorify the One who is holding me...to unabashedly witness for the God who is graciously healing, guiding, forgiving, and loving us all. There is a greater purpose behind this life than I can ever begin to grasp. I could be bitter in light of all that’s happened... the suffering, pain, loss, the nightmare my life turned into. I could be sad or exclaim “It’s not fair!” when considering all I’ve missed out on, the freedom that comes with youth, the memories, friendships, events etc. I could mourn and grieve 4
Page 1 and 2: Issue 01 Fall 2016 Women of Light A
Page 3 and 4: It was underneath the juniper tree
Page 5 and 6: Table Talk Contents Radical........
Page 7: He wants you at His feet. He wants
Page 11 and 12: With Each Step Kaci Nicole When we
Page 13 and 14: I wanted people to know the Jesus I
Page 15 and 16: of ALL of my hopes and dreams for K
Page 17 and 18: ... But it was clear to me in this
Page 19 and 20: Dolta Jo Morgan and The Buffalo Tre
Page 21 and 22: My brother Ryan….Ryan was special
Page 23 and 24: God allowed me to teach Pre-K where
Page 25 and 26: I now like to refer to as Holy Days
Page 27 and 28: entered my marriage. It was there I
Page 29 and 30: church. It was filled with men, wom
Page 31 and 32: Remember me not with mourning but w
Page 33 and 34: Kaci Nicole About Kaci: I’m a twe
Page 35 and 36: Glenda Pyzer Glenda lives with her
Page 37 and 38: Women of Light Seeking God Prayer J
Page 39: Seeking God: God, you are... Script

ZionMagazine-Final

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?