A FRIEND, ROLE MODEL, AND HERO
I was very appreciative to have a friend who was willing to walk through this journey together with compassion and understanding. My friend called me regularly to find out how I was doing. She offered her support and shared her own struggles. We both shared prayer requests and were committed to pray for each other. I always looked forward to her phone calls. They lifted up my spirits and gave me hope. She taught me about taking care of my body, researching/using discernment with choosing alternative healthcare, and trusting God in all things. Her example encouraged me to be brave, to lean on Christ's strength, to live more fully for God's glory, and to reach out to others in need. She inspired me to start blogging again and to use my experiences as a testimony for others. As her condition began to decline about a year and a half ago, I observed how she clung to God's word and trusted in His hope. Her faith in God became stronger as she approached the last months and days of her life. I was in awe of her strength-- strength that wasn't her own but came from God. Her example taught me about living with hope and about God's love that surpasses life and death.
Recently, my 14-year-old daughter wrote a school essay about her hero. She wrote about the woman she believed had saved her mom's life. That woman was Kelly Peterson, a dear friend and sister in Christ who battled cancer victoriously and was fully healed the moment she entered eternity on October 9, 2013.
THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF A WOMAN OF FAITH
"It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." Deuteronomy 31:8 (Kelly's life verse)
Humble, selfless, compassionate, hospitable, bold, and full of life are a few of the many characteristics that Kelly Peterson exuded as she embraced living with confidence and joy. Kelly was very committed to her husband, Jim, and her family. She was extremely involved in the lives of her three children, Cori, Trevor, and Caleb. Kelly dedicated her life to help those in need. She opened her home to accommodate traveling missionaries, homeless teens, sick family members, and she sheltered Somalian refuges. The Peterson family enjoyed using their back yard and swimming pool for social gatherings and church baptisms. Kelly had a servant's heart and always put others before herself. Kelly was passionate about helping teenagers, and worked with troubled youth at the Stillwater, MN, school district. She was actively involved in pro-life ministries and openly ministered to the needs of pregnant girls. Kelly also mentored children and teens through Youth Group, Vacation Bible School, Children's Church, and she started a local Bible Quizzing group for teens. Teenagers looked up to her as she modeled authenticity and an unwavering faith in Christ. Kelly loved music and singing for the church worship team. She also enthusiastically led worship at Children's Church. A few years ago, Kelly relished the opportunity to share Christ's love with children during a mission trip to Ethiopia for Compassion Ministries.
Kelly's daughter, Cori, described her mom as being spunky, outgoing, bold, and full of faith. Cori recalled, "She had a 'don't take no crap' personality!" At age 50, Kelly fulfilled two goals on her bucket list when she went skydiving and took a mission trip to Africa. Last summer, she also fulfilled her dream of having grandchildren as she held her precious granddaughter, Ellie, for the first time. Throughout her life, Kelly demonstrated courage and bravery by her hope in God's promises. Kelly's memory and legacy will be cherished by her family, friends, and all those who loved her.
KELLY'S CANCER STORY
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9
Kelly discovered that she had breast cancer in July of 2010. After her diagnosis, Kelly and her husband, Jim, carefully researched their options and decided to decline conventional cancer treatments. Instead, she chose to utilize holistic therapies to treat her cancer. She made this informed decision despite the overwhelming fear, scorn, and opposition from doctors and other people in her life. Kelly's husband, children, and her sister, Lori, were 100% supportive of her choice to use holistic cancer treatments. Kelly spent hours researching the latest information about cancer and related health care strategies, using resources from books and the internet. She was diligent about eating healthy, using quality supplements, experimenting with recommended holistic therapies, and doing her best to take care of her body. For two years, she was on a healthy path. Kelly looked and felt better than she had in years.
Kelly maintained a positive and victorious attitude regarding her cancer journey. She researched the potential effects of emotional trauma on the progression of cancer and strived to keep her stress level at a minimum; however, in the spring of 2012, multiple unforeseen stresses compounded her life. That summer, Kelly began to notice a change in her condition. Although she worked hard to get back on track with her diet and holistic therapies, the cancer was becoming very aggressive and she began to experience weakness, nausea, and physical pain. Kelly also suffered from severe lymphedema in her left arm and struggled with an immobilized left shoulder. That fall, Kelly and Jim decided it was time to seek other options, and she researched various integrative cancer clinics that offered alternative therapies. Kelly then contacted a reputable Christian cancer center called Oasis of Hope, located in Irvine, California. Oasis of Hope offered a combination of the latest conventional and alternative cancer treatments, showing tremendous results for stage 4 cancer patients.
That November, Kelly, and her daughter, Cori, traveled to California for alternative cancer therapies. After two weeks of treatments, she experienced relief from her symptoms and was very satisfied with the results; however, several weeks later the pain returned as the cancer had metastasized to her bones. At that point, the pain had become intense and unbearable. Kelly's daughter, Cori, remembered watching her mom suffer from attacks of intense pain for hours at a time with no relief. This was one of the hardest emotional experiences Cori had to face. "My strong mother was so sick, weak, and in so much pain. It is so hard having to watch someone in that much physical pain for so long, knowing there was nothing I could do to make it go away besides praying that God would heal her. Where did my lively and outgoing mother go?"
In the winter of 2013, Kelly returned to Oasis of Hope for seven weeks of low dose chemotherapy and other integrative alternative therapies. This time, her sister, Lori, accompanied her. Kelly was in a tremendous amount of pain and weakness, which made the flight out there extremely difficult. Shortly after her arrival, Kelly went into shock and needed to be admitted into the hospital for a blood transfusion. Pain and weakness completely consumed her body, yet Kelly never gave up hope, and a few weeks later, her condition improved. During her stay at at Oasis of Hope, Kelly spent her time focusing on her wellness and ministering to the needs of others.
THE LOVING ARMS OF A SAVIOR
"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39
While, Kelly and Lori were in California, they experienced some incredible spiritual encounters. Kelly had a deep spiritual connection with the staff and other patients at Oasis of Hope. She was amazed that God had filled her heart with an immense compassion for a woman in particular who was suffering from chronic debilitating pain. Kelly believed it was God's sovereignty that she endured such intense suffering so that she could minister to this woman's needs. Afterwards, she tearfully shared with her family, "I would NEVER have had that kind of genuine compassion for someone had I not traveled the same PAINFUL road!" Kelly truly believed that God used her most painful and weakest points to fill her heart with compassion for others so she could share with them the ultimate joy and peace that comes from clinging to Jesus Christ.
When Kelly started getting her strength back, she wanted to attend church in California. Kelly and Lori began attending a Vineyard church near where they were staying. One Sunday, they both decided to go up for prayer. Lori recalled that while they were standing to receive prayer, Kelly was looking behind herself and touching her right shoulder. Then, she let go of Lori and moved away from her. She later told Lori that she felt someone touching her back, but when she looked to see who it was, no one was there. Then, she felt someone pushing her away from Lori. They both believed that that an angel was there holding onto Kelly and pushed her away because the angel wanted the sisters to be prayed for separately.
A couple weeks later, Kelly and Lori decided to attend a church that was recommended by one of the nurses at the cancer center. At a church service, they had a truly unforgettable encounter. While they were worshiping and singing the song "Forever Reign" Kelly was feeling tired and decided to sit down. As they were singing, "Oh I'm running to your arms, running to your arms... Nothing compares to your embrace...", Lori saw Jesus coming beside Kelly on her right side. Lori remembered that Jesus had on a white robe with wide sleeves and wore a white crown that appeared to be made of two different types of material twisted together, like a crown of thorns. Then, Lori starting rubbing Kelly's back thinking Kelly would probably tell her to stop because it wasn't something Lori would normally do.
Lori recalled, "When I saw Him, I was overcome and tears were flowing, but I wasn't making a sound. I could feel my heart racing, and it was like time stood still while I tried to continue singing the song. I wondered why He didn't come and sit between us. Why did He only sit on her right side? I didn't think about it for very long, though. Jesus had his arm around her shoulders and was holding on to her left arm, the one with lymphodema. As the song played, I was thinking about Kelly's arm and Jesus's arm. The song was about her running to His arms, and He was there to help her with her 'stupid arm' as she liked to call it."
Afterwards, Lori was stunned about the entire incident. She thought for sure if she shared it with anyone they would think she was either lying or crazy. She didn't tell Kelly what happened for a few days. When Lori finally did tell her sister the story, Kelly was awestruck and asked several questions about Jesus and what happened. They both cried together and then Kelly said, "Why didn't you tell me when it was happening?" When Lori explained her fear that Kelly wouldn't believe her, Kelly told her "I would have been like, Lou (Kelly's nickname for Lori), Jesus is right next to you right now!!" Kelly couldn't wait to call her family and share this amazing story. Kelly strongly believed that Jesus showed himself for Lori's sake to let her know that Jesus was holding on to Kelly and to reassure her that He had her sister. This experience made it easier for Lori to let go when it was time for Kelly to enter into eternity.
Kelly was such a selfless person and used these inspiring experiences to point others to Christ. She called me a few weeks later to share her miraculous story. I remember her telling me that Lori was a very practical person and it wasn't like her to come up with stories like that. Then, she said, "Darcee, when your body is weak and you feel like you are barely hanging on, just close your eyes and picture Jesus holding onto you. Always remember He has you."
THE ULTIMATE VICTORY
"My heart and flesh may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and portion forever." Psalm 73:26
That summer, Kelly tried some other alternative therapies using a Soq1 bed that had Far infrared therapy. She also went on a Gerson diet of juicing and continued to do the coffee enemas recommended by one of the practitioners at Oasis of Hope. As she eliminated cancer cells, Kelly noticed more improvements, and her next scan showed that the tumors had reduced even more. Kelly purchased her own bed and was doing the therapy at home. In August, Kelly began to have a change of condition and experienced shortness of breath secondary to fluid build-up in her lungs. Kelly visited the Emergency Room on a few occasions to remove the fluid. Unfortunately, the cancer had become more aggressive and scans showed that the cancer had spread to her lungs and metastasized to the rest of her body. In early October, Kelly and Lori were one day away from returning to California for some new integrative treatments specific to her blood and cancer type; however, she was admitted to Regions hospital in St. Paul.
In the hospital, Kelly fought hard to live until her last breath. She never gave up and never lost faith in God. My husband and I visited Regions to pray with Kelly and her family the night before her passing. When we were there, we could feel the intense presence of God in the room and our hearts were filled with compassion for Kelly and her family as they bravely faced the end with hope that God would provide a miracle. I remembered Kelly once telling me that there was no reason to be afraid of death. She said that she would fight to live for her family because they needed her; however, she knew that if it was God's will for her life to end, He would provide a way to take care of them. She did not fear dying because she believed that Christ had conquered death. Christ was Kelly's ultimate victory. Even though we have struggled understanding why God chose to take Kelly home to her heavenly dwelling, we have found comfort in knowing she has been completely healed in the presence of God's glory.
INSPIRING HOPE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME
"Now to him who was able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, according to the power at work within us." Ephesians 3:20
Throughout Kelly's cancer journey, she always sought God's will in her life. He revealed to her many issues that He wanted her to bring to Him so He could heal and restore her. She brought all the past pains and struggles before Christ so that by His power He could heal emotions, experiences, relationships, mindsets, and false beliefs. Shortly before her passing, Kelly had the opportunity to mend some broken relationships as she reconnected with her birth mom and siblings, many whom she had not spoken to in over 40 years. She believed that Jesus Christ was the only one who had the power and authority to heal and mend relationships.
Kelly never indulged herself in self-pity or took on a "victim" mindset, even when the cancer was becoming aggressive. She was proactive and strong in her faith. As the disease intensified Kelly's pain and weakness, God intensified her faith. Kelly became more intentional about pursuing God through her daily struggles by filling her mind and heart with the truth of His word and with worship music. Her motto was, "I'm healed in Jesus's name, it is already done... I'm just waiting for the facts!" Kelly's steadfast faith was a testimony to those who walked the last leg of the journey with her.
At Kelly's funeral, numerous people stood up to express how she impacted their lives. Kelly shared the gospel with many people and lived out the gospel all the days of her life. Her life demonstrated the true nature of a woman after God's heart. She has inspired other generations to find hope and faith in Christ alone. Nothing was wasted--not her pain, her suffering, or her experiences with holistic health. All these things were used for God's glory to teach others His love and mercy. Kelly wanted to help people to be proactive with taking care of their bodies and to trust God no matter what. Her testimony of faith has led many to the hope of the living God. Kelly's legacy will continue to live on in the hearts and memories of the lives she touched.
RESOURCES
For more information about Oasis of Hope Cancer Center, you can visit their website:
http://www.oasisofhope.com/?gclid=CPatieOvw74CFXQ1MgodaQwAdA
To read more about Kelly's courageous battle with cancer, you can read her Healing Benefit page:
https://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/kelly-s-healing-benefit/39293
