“In March of 2016 I was diagnosed with Breast cancer. That following May, I was diagnosed with Adenoid cystic carcinoma; a separate glandular cancer (ACC) in my neck. Yes, the second diagnosis made me ask “what?” I always believed God would heal me. It was too big for me, but not too big for God. I cast it upon him; therefore, I always felt incredible peace.
The most difficult part was telling my two children; at that point, they were seventeen and twenty two. My goal was to always make them feel my positive outlook and that God would take care of me. I told them I had Breast Cancer; at which point, I had not yet been diagnosed with ACC. What followed this was surgery and my first series of chemotherapy and radiation. In 2017, I was Breast Cancer free. What a feeling! I still had the ACC in my esophagus, but I rang the “Bell”. As I was ringing the “Finished with Breast Cancer” bell, I said to myself “I’m done with Breast Cancer and I’ll ring the bell again when I’m healed of ACC!”.
I was eventually led to Sloan Kettering. In 2020, I underwent seven more months of Chemo which gave me some relief. However, in January of 2023, my swallowing diminished significantly. I decided to go through Proton therapy in New York City. Getting this treatment was not an easy feat; however, one battle was won. The Insurance Company approved this expensive therapy. Another was affording to stay in New York City as an outpatient, being that this care is only done in New York City. I found I was eligible for free housing at Hope Lodge, which is an American Cancer Society facility. I was so grateful and felt such relief knowing I could receive this cutting edge treatment. This was going to be my bell ringer! After the first series of treatments, I could actually swallow. I believed God was healing me through Proton therapy. The tumor kept shrinking and my swallowing and breathing kept improving. In February of 2023, my oncologist told me to “go live my life because I can.” All that was left of a baseball size cancerous tumor, was scar tissue. I knew God would heal me, and I rang the Bell for the last time!”
– Tracey Kennedy
