Tehani Hodge Tehani's Journey

Back in April of this year, I began experiencing a lot of pain in my lower back from what I thought had been from a torn muscle. After a few weeks and onto months, I just thought I hadn't recovered from a pulled muscle.  I began to realize that this pain wasn't from a muscle, but from something else entirely. On August 9th, 2015, I was admitted into Valley Care Hospital in Pleasanton, CA. I went in with severe pain in my lower back. I remained in the hospital for a week, while many different tests and procedures were performed. I was released from the hospital with the tentative diagnosis of 'Multiple Myleloma', which is a form of bone cancer. Since my discharge, they have continued with my diagnostic testing, in hopes to get a sure diagnosis. One of these tests was a PET Scan, which showed multiple tumors and lesions on various organs and bones. At this time, we are proceeding with further testing and appropriate treatment for Multiple Myleloma. 


I look back and am thankful that I hurt my muscle. It was such a blessing that I hurt my back, or we might not have found the cancer. I have been so blessed to have family and friends around me, walking this journey with me, and helping in my care. I have an amazing church, with an incredible family within it, that has shown so much love and support. They have brought meals, visited me, and prayed for me endlessly. I am so lucky to be an employee at an amazing company who has shown such support and care for my daughter and I. Most of all, I am blessed to have a God who is bigger than this disease. He has given me strength beyond all understanding. He has put so many prayer warriors and angels in my life. I could not imagine facing this journey without Him.


"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4: 6-7