Cathy Lamica’s Story

Site created on November 5, 2019

In August 2018, I began a journey that we all endeavor to take... retirement! For more than a year prior, I worked diligently to set into motion all the effort required to pull up stakes and return to my home state of North Carolina. In 1982, I relocated from there to Florida and was ready to return home. It was an exhausting effort but one that came with rich rewards.

I spent nearly 37 years as a Floridian... some of the best and worst times of my life.  What stands out the most for me is discovering a deep and personal relationship with God. Oh, I received salvation long before but I stopped at salvation and never learned that a real relationship with God could be so life changing. That all changed during late-Summer 1998. Construction of Raymond James Stadium in Tampa had just reached completion. The very first event booked for that stadium was the Billy Graham Crusade. My former husband and I attended one night and rededicated our lives to God. That led us on a road of discovering the very real nature of God and began a spiritual growth journey that unfortunately was cut short due to our own weaknesses and lack of sustaining faith. However, the experience sparked true love in my heart for such a loving God and exposed me to abundant life through Jesus Christ. In my weakness, I fell away from my walk with God and began wondering through the wilderness, relying on my own self-sufficiency. It was a very lonely and difficult road filled with bad choices.

Now back to August 2018. Such an exciting time! With my worldly possessions carefully packed and on their way, my pooch and I set out to find our new North Carolina home. Within the first week, our new home was under contract and by late-October 2018 it was ours. The remainder of 2018 was filled with nesting activities and celebrations of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and a very promising New Year. Life was good.

The Winter of 2019 was tough for this former Florida girl. I blamed my lack of energy and ambition on the thermometer. As Winter changed to Spring, I began indulging in my favorite gardening activities. Something was amiss. I began feeling weakness in my legs. An injury to my lower back was the presumed culprit. A flurry of physical and medical therapies failed to resolve the problem. By July 2019, my physical abilities had become significantly impaired. 

It would be late-October 2019 before the mystery would be solved... Lambert Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome, aka LEMS, a very serious and rare neurological disorder. LEMS is an autoimmune disease that developed in response to a malignant tumor in my body. It attacks the communication between the central nervous system and the muscles, primarily affecting arms and legs but capable of interfering with respiration and other vital functions. The disease robbed me of my independence... a not-so-subtle irony for a woman steeped in self-sufficiency. A very worthy reason to have a colossal pity party and believe me, I did.

The fact that LEMS was even diagnosed is a miracle... there are only an estimated 400 patients in the United States. Having the illness diagnosed as early as it was is another miracle... some patients take years to reach diagnosis.  Yet such an ominous diagnosis has also saved my life because it brought timely attention to an aggressive cancer rarely found in Stage I condition as was mine.  A cure is possible... yet another miracle.

This new reality has been an overwhelming roller coaster ride of emotions. The process of treating my diseases has been brutal. In response, God has opened my eyes to His amazing presence and grace. These events have not been a surprise to my Creator. Long before my awareness, He began putting into place everything I would need for this stormy season. I do not lack anything... not one single thing. Family, friends, and even strangers have stepped up to meet every need. Their love, prayers, encouragement, and deeds lift me up, provide for me, and sustain me. I am so very grateful for their faithfulness. The depth of His preparation cannot be measured but I can testify that He has left no stone unturned.

A very wise cousin once said “if God brings you TO it, it is His responsibility to bring you THROUGH it.” The journey has brought the bravest and most amazing people on the planet into my circle of influence. My perspective is forever changed... I so clearly see what truly matters.. The experience has brought me out of the wilderness and returned me to a nurturing and loving relationship with the Father, the Son, and the Spirit.  I know that I cannot stand alone and was not created to.  I have learned to give it to God and leave it with Him. At a time of such great tribulation, my faith, peace, and joy are restored. God is carrying me through in the palm of His mighty hand. My cup runneth over.  These are such rich rewards for this prodigal daughter. Now I have but one desire, one purpose... to bring glory to God all the rest of my days. Hallelujah!

Newest Update

January 10, 2021

Journal entry by Cathy Lamica Watson —

Isaiah 41:10. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

 
Dear family and friends,

It feels like a lifetime since I last wrote to you and, in a sense, it has been. The world has drastically changed from what we’ve known in just a matter of months. From COVID-19 to civil unrest to political strife and everything in between. We’ve seen neighbor pitted against neighbor, family against family, friend against friend, and a severe decline in humanity. We’ve watched family and loved ones die alone in hospitals. We’ve watched our nation’s leaders unable to come together to develop a cohesive plan for addressing the pandemic that recklessly devours our nation. We watched in horror and disbelief the violent attack on our nation’s Capitol. All around us is hate, chaos and confusion. The divide in our country is overwhelming.
 
Regardless of the gloom and doom that permeates our awareness, my faith does not rely on human authority. I rejoice in the knowledge that God remains in full control. He is the Ruler over the kings of the earth (Revelation 1:5). All authority in heaven and on earth remains with Christ Jesus (Matthew 28:18). All knees will bow before Him. The dark forces that feed the chaos would have us believe otherwise but I have assurance that the Creator of the heavens and the earth and the billions of galaxies that make up the universe is still the Ruler and Authority over all. He is always working on our behalf. He is always with us, especially in stormy seasons. Even in the darkness that envelopes us, amazing miracles are happening. God’s people are in the trenches everyday ministering to the sick and broken-hearted... you just don’t see it on the evening news.
 
I am witness to God’s miracle-making and Divine Presence. The month of January is the first anniversary of my completing chemotherapy for a very aggressive cancer. For the better part of two years I have been on a roller coaster health journey... not at all what I had planned for retirement! Yet God continues to surround me with His love, peace, comfort, and everything I need.
 
His preparation for this season goes wayyy back. I met my BFFs (Nancy, Jayne, and Kathy) while we were still in junior high school. Words could never describe how their presence in my life has blessed me. Most of us left the area for a number of years but God’s Divine Providence brought us back together again in the same geographic location where our friendships began.  Their endless love and kindest deeds cannot be measured.
 
God’s Providence also planted me in the middle of beloved cousins (Kathy, Phil, Frank, and Ann) who moved here from upstate New York not so very long ago. Their beloved mother (my beloved aunt) was also here until she passed in the summer of 2019. We all live only moments from each other. Together, they have given so very generously of their time and efforts to insure my needs are met.  
 
God’s Providence also surrounds me with family, friends, and loved ones (YOU) who have so faithfully supported me with love, prayer, and encouragement. The depth of my gratitude fills the universe.
 
Three months ago, I was told the cancer had probably returned. A CTScan showed a mass in the general vicinity as the original cancer.  My oncologist said I would require more chemotherapy to extend my life one or two years. Two more biopsies, two more CTScans, and a brain MRI later, the mass is shrinking with no additional therapy. All other diagnostics are normal. My oncologist believes the anomaly on the scan is probably scar tissue and should continue to reduce over time. I continue to believe it is God’s healing hand. I inquired if I was high risk for COVID. He said “No. You don’t have cancer. You have been cured. You’ll have to wait in line with the general population to get the vaccine.”  As much as I would like the vaccine now, this was the best possible news. I remain disabled with LEMS, but have no doubt God is behind the scenes making more miracles happen!
 
Even in our darkest moments, a miracle is coming. May all of God’s blessings be with you. We are so loved.
Read More of the journal titled "January 10, 2021"
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