Hello, my name is Lisa Fassett. I’m 59 years old and I’ve been married 27 years to my husband Stan Fassett who is retired from the US Marine Corps. We have three children, a daughter Jaszmyne Elizabeth (32), Stanford William II (26), and Steffon Rynell (24), and one grandson Aiden William Fassett (8) with another grandchild on the way in March 2020. My story actually begins in March 2001 when a cyst was found in my right breast during a routine mammogram.
At the time of this diagnosis, I was 41 and our children were 13, 8, and 5. In October 2001 after having a second mammogram I was told the words no woman ever wants to hear “YOU HAVE CANCER.”With God’s help I went through the entire process which consisted of a lumpectomy, lymph node dissection, radiation and chemo. Life was good because I made it through chemo which was very hard and was cancer free! Fast forward to February 2019, during another routine mammogram a tumor is found in the same right breast. I was in total shock because I’d been cancer free for almost 18 years.
This time I’m diagnosed with invasive papillary carcinoma which is very rare form of breast cancer. In April 2019, I had double mastectomy and I just had the DIEP flap surgery in August. Having cancer affects everyone and everything in your life. I’ve had to push graduating from Baker University in December 2019 to hopefully May 2020. I wasn’t prepared for the difference almost 18 years makes in how slowly my body bounces back from surgery.
Dealing with fatigue and insomnia have been my greatest challenges so far. I thank God every day for His peace that passes all understanding and knowing that He has already gone before me. My husband Stan has been my rock and makes me laugh every day. To my siblings, extended family and my EC church family I want to say THANK YOU for your prayers, encouragement, love and support. I couldn’t have made it this far without each and every one of you. It’s your prayers that have literally pulled me through the rough times, especially when I couldn’t pray for myself.
If it wasn’t for my faith in God and knowing that He has a plan for me I don’t think I could’ve have made it this far. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV states “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” I tell my youngest son all the time that he has to allow God to write his story so that’s what I’m doing now, allowing God to write my story. While cancer is a part of my story, cancer does not and will not have the final say. Only God has the final say and He says in Exodus 15:26 KJV “I am the Lord which healeth thee” and since God said it, I believe it and know He will bring it to pass!