Peggy, a Medi-Share member in Tennessee, will never forget the day she was told that her body was riddled with tumors. “Too many to count,” the doctor said. But she knew what she could count on: our powerful God.
Peggy and her family joined Medi-Share in 2016. Prior to becoming a member, she had no health insurance due to high costs.
"I was never sick. I didn’t go to doctors,” she says. “When you’re healthy, you think maybe it’s a waste of money.”
Peggy’s husband heard an advertisement about Medi-Share, and when they looked into it, they found the share costs to be within their budget. They were pleased with the sharing model and felt like Medi-Share was a wise choice.
A few years later, in 2019, Peggy was at work and noticed a knot in her neck. She went to the doctor, thinking it might be an infection. The doctor prescribed a round of antibiotics and Peggy hoped that would be the end of it.
But the lump persisted, so Peggy decided to make an appointment with an ENT in the summer. The doctor did a biopsy immediately, and when the result came back, it revealed she had cancer. He sent her to the hospital, where more testing and scans indicated that she had tumors from her ears all the way down to her hips—so many that they couldn’t count them.
Though she was formally diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer, the oncologist said, “Let’s wait and see.” By that point, it was the holiday season, so waiting seemed reasonable. But Peggy felt a gnawing sense of worry and unrest about it.
She decided to call the Nurse Care Team at Medi-Share, in an effort to ease her mind. On the phone, the nurse told her, “I think you need a second opinion.” So Peggy found a cancer treatment center that would review her case. They did more tests and recommended treatment right away; her cancer was very aggressive.
“They told me it was a good thing I got there when I did,” Peggy recalls, and she’s glad that the Medi-Share nurse urged her to go when she did.
As Peggy was preparing for chemotherapy, the vice president of Medi-Share called early one morning and said, “I know you’re probably scared. And I know people don’t always get the medical treatment they need because they’re worried about what it’s going to cost. I want you to know that Medi-Share has your back.”
Peggy gets emotional as she remembers that phone call. During a stressful time of unknowns, those words brought an extra measure of peace and comfort. It was the reassurance that she needed to face the road ahead.
Chemotherapy eventually killed the cancer in her body, and Peggy is now six years cancer free. Praise the Lord!
“Medi-Share has been such a relief,” she says. “I could get the medical treatment that I needed.”
Peggy continues to live with the aftermath of cancer, however. Her immune system was compromised due to the chemo, and she needs ongoing infusions to keep her IGG levels up. In 2022, she was hospitalized and quarantined for COVID which led to double pneumonia.
“It about took me out, but God was with me,” Peggy says. “God gave me strength.”
Through it all, she’s grateful that Medi-Share has been with her as well. Beyond sharing in the financial costs, she appreciated the prayer and genuine care that she experienced when she spoke with anyone at Medi-Share.
“I’m glad I had the Medi-Share team with me along the journey,” she says.
We rejoice with Peggy that she’s free of cancer, and we pray for her protection from future illness. We’re so glad she’s a part of the Medi-Share community.
Looking for spiritual support? You’re not meant to walk alone. Stay connected with the Medi-Share blog for uplifting articles, useful tips, inspirational stories and helpful resources to support you on your journey with God.
Melissa Richeson is a freelance writer and editor based in Central Florida. Her work has been featured in places like The Washington Post, Florida Today,...