On January 3, 2005, I thought my world had come to and end. Phyllis and I sat in the doctor's office and heard the doctor say, "I am sorry Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, I had hoped for better news, but the lump on Mr. Wilson's neck is cancer."
How do you respond to something like that? Our minds were racing, we couldn't gather our thoughts. Finally Phyllis asked, "What kind of cancer is it?"

"Squamous cell and it has invaded the lymph nodes." Silence again. The next thing the doctor said was, "I will be setting up an appointment for Mr. Wilson to see a specialist for further tests." We left the office in silence, went home and waited for a call to come that would be the first step on a very long and rough road.

Everything moved quickly. One doctor with more tests and biopsies, then another doctor. Finally we were referred to the cancer centre at Sunnybrook Hospital where we met the team of doctors that would take on my treatment program. We researched and read as much as we could about the type of cancer I had, but we were unprepared for what was to come.

The first step was to the dentistry department where all my teeth were removed. As I walked out of the office I realized I would never play my cornet again. What a powerful blow that was as my ability to make music with my cornet and use it as a ministry was always an important part of my life. I had been playing cornet from the time I was old enough to hold one and loved it. I thought that was what made me who I was. But I know now that God had other plans.

There were fittings or a radiation mask and I had to be marked with a tattoo. Then on March 14, 2005, the treatments began with chemotherapy and radiation at the same time. What a roller coaster ride. Phyllis got up with me in the night for constant runs to the emergency department when my temperature would spike. She would spend days and weeks with me in hospital while the doctors tried to stabilized me enough to continue the treatments. I lost the ability to eat, which caused a tremendous weight loss (a serious complication for someone undergoing the type of treatment I was having) and then there were times when the doctors and my family were unsure I would live through this. But God has proved His goodness and I can firmly and with all assurance claim the promise that He will never leave me nor forsake me.

Through all the months of uncertainty I learned to lean on God for strength and He has drawn me closer to Him. All of my life I thought music was everything, but God has opened my eyes to even greater things. I have learned to study His Word, something I had never done before because I was always so busy pursuing my own goals.

I still love music, but listen to it differently now with a new appreciation for the words.

October, 2006, marks two years since we first noticed the lump on my neck and I am still on an upward climb with battles to fight. But one thing has never changed. God's strength is sufficient and I know He will be with me all the way.

by Wally Wilson
Agincourt corps, Toronto