Lecture Notes on Personal Experience with Stage IV Cancer

Introduction

• Speaker shares personal story regarding cancer diagnosis
• Transition from a fulfilling life to facing a terminal illness

Life Before Diagnosis

• Age 35, living a fulfilling life:
  • Married high school sweetheart
  • Gave birth to son, Zach
  • Secured dream job in academia
• Started experiencing unexplained stomach pain

The Diagnosis

• Received call from physician's assistant with stage IV cancer diagnosis
• Initial reaction focused on being a parent: "But I have a son"
• Confronting the irony of writing a book called "Blessed"

The Prosperity Gospel

• Explanation of the prosperity gospel:
  • Belief that God rewards good people with health and happiness
  • Personal interest in the theology and its cultural impact
• Speaker's research background in the prosperity gospel
  • Interviews with televangelists and megachurch pastors
  • Observations of the cultural phenomenon of being "#blessed"

Personal Beliefs and Realizations

• Acknowledgment of personal investment in the prosperity gospel's teachings
• Reflection on the misconception that virtue leads to success
• Realization that hardships can happen to anyone, regardless of character
  • "My life is built with paper walls"

Impact of Cancer Journey

• Struggles with pain and numerous surgeries
• Experience of profound love and support from others
  • Connection with those who have suffered
• Reflection on the desire for reasons behind suffering

Community Response

• Thousands of letters received after writing about diagnosis
• People seeking explanations for suffering
  • Desire for a reason behind the pain and hardship
  • The need for assurance that everything happens for a reason

Understanding Life's Contradictions

• Acceptance that life is both beautiful and hard
• Advice from friends and theologians on the transient nature of love and support
  • "When the feelings recede, they will leave an imprint"

Current Status and Outlook

• Current health status: responding well to immunotherapy
• Hopes for the future:
  • Desire to live long enough to witness life events with family
• Emphasis on living and loving without needing to count the cost

Conclusion

• Reflection on the dualities of life:
  • Beauty in darkness, love in suffering
• Belief in a different kind of prosperity gospel
  • Finding beauty and love amidst hardship

Closing

• Thank you and applause from audience.