Suzy went home to Jesus on September 17, 2013.
(The following is the entire 10/2/10 post from the blog "Update on Suzy." It was penned by her husband, Barry. I will read this many, many more times. -- Tracy)
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Testimony
"You have clearly handled the treatment well and have come through the challenges on a high note. To where do you give credit for this success?"
The question stunned me. It was greater than my dreams or hopes. It was a perfect set-up allowing a perfect answer.
Suzy was invited to speak to 50-60 physio-therapists at Royal Surrey County Hospital today. They held a day of training and the topic was brain tumors. The clinical nurse specialists made a presentation in the morning describing all the technical details and information. Then they wanted to hear a patient's story. So they arranged 2 weeks ago for Suzy to do this. We waited and prayed that she would be well enough to go. She was.
Suzy was slotted for 30 minutes. They told her that if she didn't take the whole time that was ok. We both laughed knowing that she would have no trouble at all speaking for 30 minutes! The organizer of the event told her to just share her story - from diagnosis through treatment and up to today. She had complete freedom to speak and so she shared about her faith and how it has been a source of strength. She spoke about the support of the church community, both in Surrey around the world. She mentioned the hundreds of people who are praying for her. The audience attentively listened to Suzy as she shared her story.
Then the floor was open for questions. A few questions about symptoms and treatments and the reactions of family and friends. And then came the incredible question: "You have clearly handled the treatment well and have come through the challenges on a high note. To where do you give credit for this success?"
Suzy responded, "I believe in and have faith in God and that has helped me through everything. Because Jesus died on the cross to forgive my sins I believe that I will spend eternity in heaven with Him. And so death is not a scary or frightening thing for me. It is just the time when I will get to meet Jesus face-to-face. Right now I feel like I am being held in the palm of his hand. And as long as I am on earth, as long as I have breath, I want to experience the joy of living as He wants me to live and doing what God put me on earth to do."
Already one of the therapists in attendance has asked to meet with Suzy to explore faith issues further. Earlier this week Suzy had the privilege to talk with a friend here in England who was recently diagnosed with cancer. Each day we continue to pray for opportunities to tell others about God's abundant care and love for each person, and to share the truth that the fullest expression of that love is found in Jesus.
"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." I Peter 3:15
Posted by Suzy and Barry Gaeddert at 8:04 PM
