My Cancer Journey

Linda Gilbert-Family
Picture of Linda Gilbert
Linda Gilbert
I am 48 years old and have been happily married to my husband for 25 years. We have two beautiful daughters and a wonderful soon to be son in law. I love to spend time with my family especially at our cottage. In my spare time you will find me working out, kayaking, cooking healthy meals and snacks and reading. I’m very grateful that my parents took me to church every Sunday and taught me about God’s love and that I can now share God’s love with others.

December 3, 2015, is a day that I will never forget; it was the day I was told I had breast cancer. Now I am cancer free. When I reflect on this journey I can see the positives that came from fighting cancer and how God was with me every step of the way—God is so good! He showed me many times throughout the journey how He was with me and how He was in control. But I had to put my full trust in Him.

A Second Opinion

God’s presence was made very clear to me even before I received my diagnosis. You see I detected a lump and immediately went to the Doctor. I typically don’t go to the doctor but something made me go. I also don’t tend to ask for second opinions but when the first radiologist suggested I wait for six months and come back something made me say,” I’d like a second opinion and possibly a biopsy.” This was very out of character for me, so I know God was providing me with those thoughts and giving me the words to speak. I’m grateful the second radiologist did the biopsy and that I was so preoccupied with developing and delivering a national conference that I really didn’t have time to worry or stress about the results. Again God had all of this planned for me.

second-opinion
I really didn’t have time to worry or stress about the results. Again God had all of this planned for me. Share on X

The Results

I knew the results would be shared over the phone while I was delivering the national conference downtown Toronto. I was also informed that if the receptionist was calling all would be good but if it was the doctor, the news would not be good. During the conference I kept my phone with me on silent. On Thursday I saw the Doctor’s number come up but I was evaluating presentations so was unable to leave. As soon as I could, I told the participants to take a break and I found a quiet space to listen to the message…..it was my Doctor asking me to call her back, I really didn’t need to, I knew I had cancer. But again, God planned this, He let me have a few minutes to prepare myself for the actual diagnosis so that I could clearly ask the right questions and understand what my doctor was saying. He continued to show His presence in those first hours because the only other colleague I was working with I’m very close to and she is a breast cancer survivor—such a great support in those early hours.

be still and know
He continued to show His presence in those first hours Share on X

Be Still?

I drove home that evening and that is when the very real presence of the Lord fell over me, like it never has before. Traffic was ridiculous, the news on the radio was depressing and the reality of the past few hours was beginning to sink in. I was dreading telling Mike and my girls and I started to panic, my heart was racing, I was crying and I just wanted to get home but the traffic wasn’t moving so I switched my stereo to CD. The very first song to play was Be Still , sung by The Salvation Army’s Divisional Youth Chorus. As that song played I wept and held out my hand. God was right there with me. I felt an immediate sense of calm, a peace like I’ve never known before. My heart stopped racing and I knew I was going to get through this with Him. These lyrics were exactly what I needed to hear at that exact time!

“Be Still and know that He is God, Be Still and know that He is holy, Be still oh restless soul of mine, bow before the prince of peace, let the noise and clamor cease, Be still and know that He is God. Be still and know that He is faithful, Consider all that He has done, stand in awe and be amazed and know that He will never change, BE STILL”.

I’m in His Hands

Once I was still I asked for strength, one of the first verses that brought me comfort was Psalm 18:32. “He fills me with strength and protects me wherever I go.” And Psalm 27:1 “The Lord is my light and my salvation; he protects me from danger….” And Psalm 37:5 “Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him to help you do it and he will.”
There are so many ways that God not only showed His presence but he planned and allowed things to fall into place. Don’t get me wrong, everything didn’t always go as I had hoped but I always knew I was in His hands and He sent me little reminders all the time. For example:

  •  It just so happened that both of my girls were coming home from school for the weekend so that I could tell them in person.
  • Telling people was exhausting and after we had told our families we told our church pastors. I was dreading telling all of our friends at church and this too was taken care of for us. After we prayed with the Colonels they asked if we wanted to keep it private. My response was, “I believe in the power of prayer and the more people praying the better.”
  • I had a very uneasy feeling about the first surgeon and thought I should go to Sunnybrook only to find out that I would need to wait until mid February for surgery; I was devastated but God provided yet again. I called my nurse navigator, shared my concerns and requested a female surgeon. She booked me with a wonderful surgeon and the surgery was done December 30—so much sooner than Sunnybrook and all my treatments would be local
  • While on the surgery table I had that same sense of peace that I felt in the car on Dec. 3; I knew God was right there with me and I also knew I had so many people praying for me—I’m such a fortunate person and so grateful for the support from our church family.
God was right there with me. I felt an immediate sense of calm, a peace like I’ve never known before Share on X

Positive Outcomes

God was so good throughout this journey. I’d like to share some of the positive outcomes.

  • First of all and most importantly, my relationship with the Lord and my knowledge of His word has deepened so incredibly and I am so grateful for that.
  • Secondly, our family was always close but as my daughter says, we are weird close now!
  • God has helped me to support two other people currently fighting cancer.
  • And lastly I’m very grateful for the very strong Christian friendships that have deepened and developed through this journey.

My prayer for you is that even in the dark times, the hard and challenging times, you will be able to see God’s hand at work―that you will feel His presence as I did and that you will be able to see positives come out of every situation.

“Jehovah himself is caring for you! He is your defender. He protects you day and night. He keeps you from all evil and preserves your life. He keeps his eye upon you as you come and go and always guards you”. Psalm 121: 5-8 TLB

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Code of Conduct for all Mission Partners of The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda

1. Purpose
To provide mission partners with guidelines regarding their expected behaviour while undertaking work on behalf of TSA. The code of conduct states TSA’s commitment to operating in an ethical and legal manner that aligns with TSA’s mission, vision, values and Orders and Regulations. The code of conduct serves as a foundational standard for other conduct-related operating policies.

2. Basic Principles
All mission partners are expected to behave in ways that are aligned with TSA’s mission and values.

2.1. Mission Statement:
The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.

2.2. Vision Statement
We are an innovative partner, mobilized to share hope wherever there is hardship, building communities that are just and know the love of Jesus.

2.3. Core Values:
Hope: We give hope through the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Service: We reach out to support others without discrimination.
Dignity: We respect and value each other, recognizing everyone’s worth.
Stewardship: We responsibly manage the resources entrusted to us.

3. Conduct Expectations
The code of conduct provides guidelines for mission partner conduct. The code of conduct cannot cover every possible situation; mission partners are responsible for considering each issue in the context of TSA’s mission and values, recognizing that individual conduct may be understood as a reflection of TSA’s values, image, integrity and public trust. If a mission partner is unsure of a situation and needs guidance about their conduct or has concerns about the conduct of another person, they should speak with their supervisor or HR/officer personnel representative.

Mission partners will:
3.1. Comply with TSA policies and procedures.
3.2. Follow all applicable laws and at no time participate in, or assist others to participate in, any illegal, criminal or unethical activities.
3.3. Conduct themselves at all times with honesty, integrity and transparency.
3.4. Perform their defined duties to the best of their ability.
3.5. Treat others, including other mission partners, funders, clients and the public, with respect, dignity, fairness and courtesy.
3.6. Promote and support a work environment that is inclusive of all people and respects their unique abilities, strengths and differences.
3.7. Identify actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest and disclose them to their supervisor to help minimize or eliminate the impact of such conflicts, which could influence or appear to influence their judgment and actions. Refer to GV 01.003 Conflict of Interest policy for additional direction and requirements.
3.8. Collect, use and disclose confidential information only in accordance with TSA policy and applicable privacy laws. Ensure all records, documents and communications are accurate and that privacy is maintained as required by GV
01.009 Privacy.
3.9. Conduct all business, service and ministry activities in a responsible manner, consistent with TSA’s values of hope, service, dignity and stewardship.
3.10. Always strive to create and maintain the highest health, safety, wellness and environmental standards in all facilities and work areas.
3.11. Take every reasonable precaution to protect the safety of oneself and others and report accidents (however minor) and near-misses (accidents that almost happened), risky behaviours, and instances where equipment and/or building
deficiencies could compromise the safety of a workplace.
3.12. Use information technology, including internet and email, in a professional and appropriate manner, in accordance with TSA policy (IT 02.001 Computers and Information Technology Acceptable Use).
3.13. Ensure they are fit to work and able to perform assigned duties as required by their job description safely, satisfactorily and in compliance with HR 10.002 Substance Impairment in the Workplace.

TSA expects mission partners will not:
3.14. Act in a discriminatory, harassing or violent way toward others.
3.15. Use their position in order to gain an advantage over or exploit the vulnerability of others.
3.16. Destroy or take for personal use any items belonging to or safeguarded by TSA without prior written approval.
3.17. Solicit (money or goods) from clients, donors, vendors, contractors or any person in a position to benefit from their association with TSA. Mission partners will adhere to the requirements of HR 04.002 Gifts, Speaking Fees, and Testimonials policy.
3.18. Give the appearance that they are speaking on behalf of TSA when not authorized to do so or engage in any activity that would negatively impact TSA’s reputation, brand or public image, including the use of personal social media
accounts.
3.19. Initiate contact with the media or respond to their inquiries, and instead will refer all media inquiries to their supervisor, their public relations representative or TSA’s communications department.
3.20. Use, abuse or misuse paid time, TSA resources or the equipment assigned to them.
3.21. Misuse their authority, abuse power, act irresponsibly, retaliate against someone who reports misconduct or exclude others from workplace events.

4. Officers: Orders and Regulations
In the event of a conflict between the provisions of the code of conduct and Orders and Regulations, the latter shall take precedence.

5. Violation of the Code
If a mission partner believes the law, the code of conduct or TSA’s policies may have been violated or are about to be violated, they should inform their supervisor or report their concern through the Whistleblower hotline (see GV 01.008 Whistleblower policy).

Violation of the code of conduct is a serious matter and could result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.