Melissa's Journey

23/01/2022

When the battle rages... LOOK UP!
by Melissa Titus

It's been a while since I've shared. We go through so many battles and often just give it to God and keep moving forward. Today I'm sharing for someone who needs to hear it!

Last year praise God we overcame covid. My whole family being it simultaneously and my health made many concerned but God faithfully brought us through.

One day while cooking food at home , I feel this tingling sensation ( crawling) in my chest , so I pat my chest to get it away. As I carry on cutting I notice my wrist swell up almost twice the size as my other arm.

Now let's backtrack...

When have mastectomies they tell you to exercise immediately because you can get lymphedema. ( Let me just say at this point, that I have been mildly exercising since my operations 2017 haha!! )

Definition of lymphedema- localized swelling of the body caused by an abnormal accumulation of lymph.

I was told this could happen at any randon time but 4 years later mmmmm ok! So due to the pandemic & lack of stock at our local hospitals I waited 7 months to see a specialist. My first appointment was Monday 17 Jan 2022.

Since I have no glands under my one arm ( and only sweat under the other lol ) , the lymphnodes flow into my arm but cannot leave. Instead of a flowing consistancy... they become like custard. Now because I have done radiation & chemo, there are blockages too so the treatment has to be to squeeze it out of my arm.

Hence, the elastic bandages & compression stockins. 7 of them tightly wrapped around my left arm for possibly 2 to 4 weeks depending on the progress. This will be to shrink my arm closest to the other and finally wear an arm wrap on a more permanent basis. The wrap will not be painful, just a new look haha.

The swelling ( normally) is not painful. But the bandaging has been on my joints especially I feel it most at night, I took tramadol monday night but ended up feeling sick at the dr's office the next day so i told myself NEVER AGAIN!! I will stick to mild pain killers. Anyway so quite an interesting situation. Walking around looking like my husband beat me or like a mummy.

My main concern obviously was work , but I can still function normally. The only difference not lifting anything tooooo heavy. So yes, why am I sharing this... IT IS NOT to make you feel sorry for me ( pls dont) we all have our battles to overcome because as we push through them, the ANNOINTING of God becomes that much more stronger in our spirit as we pray and trust Him.

For those who had cancer and or experiencing what I'm going through, these were the tips the Specialist gave me:

-Keep the arm moist at all time

- Avoid cuts ( which leads to infection and more swelling)

- You may remove compression sleeves when bathing or swimming as the water acts as a pressure garment.

- treat any insect bites to avoid infection which may trigger swelling

- avoid very hot water ( especially jacuzzi's)

And remember, it is VERY NORMAL for cancer patients so dont feel like an alien ( even though sometimes I do. Lol... sometimes I must decide do I wear my Prosthesis breast or not, depends on how I feel and what I wear.)

Most times I struggled ( if I'm being honest ) to feel fully myself without Prosthesis to look similar to my natural form.

However, recently at work we done a workshop called " Kintsukuroi" which means repairing the shattered. Kintsugi is the Japanse art of putting broken pottery back together with gold. I will show you my broken cup. It truly highlighted all the cracks in my life. I asked myself... how to I continue to allow God to use my brokenness and turn it into gold????

So, HERE I AM! Sharing my story again because someone out there needs it! Someone's battle is far worse than mine but if I have overcome so many giants... cancer 2017, cancer 2019, covid 2021, etc ... Does it not point to HOW BIG GOD IS???? He is the one holding us, filling us with His power to overcome every attack if we do not lose focus... IF WE KEEP OUR EYES ON HIM!

Lately I've been better at embracing my not so womanly form a bit more. I also have been hearing God speak prophetically about my arm in relation too His Bride.

I will share the revelation I had on fb wall.

This post has been to highlight or inform but also encourage.

This morning in church it was a bit difficult to lift my hands and worship dance with thick bandages ( I normally do this by my seat). But I did not focus on the restrictions... I just focus on My Fathers face.

One of the ladies I work with surprised me with a drawing of a time I worshipped unrestricted. I was so touched. She said God was covering me with His garment of glory.

I want to say that you... as you FOCUS on God amidst your storm... HE IS CLOTHING you in the garment of His glory!!

You will come out as gold because God is orchestrating every step.

TRUST IN HIM!

Wait on Him.

Love yourself and DONT STOP WORSHIPPING!

God will fight for you.

Melissa Titus
23.01.22
15:00

18/05/2021

Cancer may have taken my young cousin, but it will not take away our hope. God is fully aware of times and seasons... it's our prerogative to intentionalise our moments on earth. We only have this time to celebrate LIFE and celebrate each other here before we transcend to the next life... but we will meet again so CANCER CANNOT TAKE AWAY OUR HOPE OF RESTORATION whether on this life or the next!

Today we mourn with you Claire , tomorrow we bury you... FOREVER WE CELEBRATE your life,
Your legacy,
Your fragrance in our lives.

Your heart lived on in us. We promise to keep little Faatimah, Zaakira & Umer in our prayers and to be here when they need us.

Precious Aunty Heather, Suni, Megan & Graham and family ... though the suffering only lasts a moment... the glory that awaits us is everlasting.

Rest in peace Beloved Claire,

Yours forever,

Melissa

26/02/2021

Are you through a battle RIGHT NOW?

FIGHT TO STAND by Melissa Titus is a book that will empower you to preserve!

This tool will help you to OVERCOME PHYSICAL & SPIRITUAL CANCER and hear Gods voice in the face of your storm!

Order Now..

11/12/2020

Meet EUNICE!

I just have to share her remarkable story because we overcome by the power of our testimony!

I met this amazing woman of faith whilst in hospital. When she told me she overcame cancer 4 times... I WAS SPEECHLESS!! Breast cancer, bladder cancer, hip cancer, throat cancer .... COME ON SHE IS STILL STANDING!!! I saw the JOY in her eyes as she spoke saying : " DOCTORS STILL CANNOT BELIEVE IM STANDING!!" She is alive because serve a MIGHTY GOD!!

When the doctor says no... HE SAYS YES!!
When your body says no... HE SAYS YES!!
When the report says death... HE SAYS LIFE!!

I salute you Eunice! Daughter of the Most High! She is so keen on sharing her story with others. We trust God to get her voice out so the world can know... JESUS SAVES & RESTORES!! Death has lost its grip!

Truly amazed at how God orchestrates our paths! Continue to keep her in prayer for full recovery.

We will OVERCOME!

22/11/2020

Hi all,

Orders will be placed soon.

Free delivery in Cape Town area.

Email proof of payment & below order form to : fireofjudah@gmail.com

13/11/2020

From ashes... to beauty!! Tessa Van Der Schyff has poetically captured precious moments along my journey with cancer. Her awesome work is displayed in my book.

Thankyou Tessa & Joey for holding my hand through the process!!!

You have done more than I can express.

FIGHT TO STAND: Photo Credit : Exquisite Photography

01/07/2020

The battle prepares you for greatness dont run... STAND
YOUR PRAISE IS YOUR BATTLE AXE! … By Melissa Titus

We all have scars

Some scars are visible from external wars fought either for your country or for your families. Some scars are able to be seen by the naked eye but they have forever engraved a mark on our souls. These scars have made us stronger. Some battles have built capacity in us through which we have grown in faith, endurance and character. Soldiers proudly wear their scars as a sign that they have fought against their enemies and regardless of the outcome they are victorious just for taking that step of BRAVERY for their country.

For those who dont know me , here's a brief intro ...

My name is Melissa Titus. I am a 36 year old mom of 3 beautiful kids now aged 13, 16 and 7. My family regarded me as the vibrant, full of energy and passionate, always reaching out to others through prayer and community involvement. If there was ever a need for encouragement...I was there! Always strong, active and able to support. In October 2016 I had started a new job at an organization that was intently involved in an impoverished community. This was my passion!!community upliftment. My mind was set for 2017… ' get my drivers license, push myself to greater heights at work, courses etc. ' In the beginning of Feb 2017 I was finally at a place where I was challenged to excel. This joy however was short lived and cancer invaded my journey.

I recall sitting in the waiting room after all tests were completed and hearing a soft whisper which I knew was the Holy Spirit. I heard, “Stand in authority.” I later discovered the true meaning of those words. I believe God always sends A SPECIFIC WORD of equipping for each battle. This word (besides all the other promises of God) was sent as a direct instruction from heaven to undergird my spirit throughout turbulent times.

We casualy stepped into the doctor’s office and waited. The verdict came. Triple Negative Breast Cancer which is the most aggressive from of breast cancer needing immediate chemo therapy followed by a double mastectomy. Nothing quite prepares you for the shock nor the process to follow. Being strong in my faith I was not paralysed by the results. I declared that I am healed and would trust God throughout the process. Shock always comes afterwards. Yes I cried and cried. Having faced many battles in my life including a painful divorce, this was one battle that would truly test my faith to the core. Many say that it is not the end and that you make it through. Yes you do. Yet the impact on your life will forever change you.... it either cripples .. or enables you to soar. The defining moment of my character was fully uncovered in the heat of my pain

In the past I associated “Cancer” with “ pink ribbon" yet Nothing prepared our family for the traumatic experiences faced whilst combating this illness.

ONE THING kept me from falling apart... the decision that GOD WOULD GET GLORY THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS!

I Focused on encouraging others by sharing my journey through Facebook in the hopes that families facing any form of battle would continue standing on God’s promises for their lives and trust in Him regardless of what it looked like around them. That they would not let their circumstances stop their praise or stifle their faith!!

I drew strength from my relationship with the Holy Spirit. If at any time He told me to stop chemo I would. But He didn’t. He told me that I would go through the process as the process would building great capacity within me for His Glory. It was like Paul who begged God to take the thorn out of His flesh, but God told told him that His grace would be sufficient.
I may not have fully understood but had to quickly come to a place of complete surrender to prevent the bitterness and pain from crushing me to the point of severe depression. I surrendered the process to God and confessed with my mouth that I would praise Him through the storm.
Whether the Cancer was removed from my body by the doctors… or whether it would be through a miracle…. Whatever the process. My DECLARATION REMAINED THE SAME…. “I AM HEALED through His Blood.” The evidence in body does not determine the attitude of my spirit!!

I surrendered ... “Lord, not my will but your will be done. Direct my footsteps.”

I was brought into a place of REST in God. It surrounds contradictory because normally your soul is in turmoil throughout a life changing experience… but I commanded my mind, heart and emotions to become subdued to the word of God and take REST in Him who had formed me in my mothers womb and knew the plans He had for me. Plans to prosper… Not to harm. Plans for a HOPE and a future.

I finished with chemo therapy and had several operations. YET I PRAISED HIM!!! Through it all, the cry of my heart was... “Lord, draw me closer!!! And draw others to you through me!”. My situation caused me to be passive in my physical state whilst aggressive in spiritual state “ TO STAND AUTHORITY!”. I continued to speak God’s word over my life… declaring that I was victorious and that I was coming out stronger.

2019 I faced cancer once again... new giant... same strategy... STAND ON HIS WORD & PRAISE HIM TILL THE MOUNTIAN MOVES!! My body has taken several knocks and my soul never faced more turbulent times, but God kept us... He kept my marriage & family together... and He kept us focused on Him.

I dont know what tomorrow holds, the future seems much harder to face this year 2020 as we are confronted on every side with national pandemics and several plagues of race & violence infiltrating our communities. The enemy of our souls trying to steal our joy and faith. BUT WE DO NOT SUREENDER OUR HOPE AND WE DO NOT FORFEIT OUR PURPOSE! For this reason... I continue to share...

I want to encourage you that whatever you might be facing… know that God is busy building capacity within your spirit. TRUST HIM. STAND ON HIS WORD. DRAW CLOSER TO HIM.

You will come out shining and God will use you mightily! God is faithful and throughout my storm I have received several miracles & signs that God is with me through it all. When you look at the great big beautiful world it is impossible to deny that OUR GOD IS AWESOME , POWERFUL AND IN CONTROL!!! He orchestrates the universe so nothing is by any means too hard for Him!!

Be blessed. Do follow me on Facebook and join my journey.

Yours in battle.

Melissa Titus

12/03/2020

So many people are finding themselves FACE TO FACE with bad news, allow me to encourage you. I believe our journeys are keys to empower others no matter what they face. Your battle may not be cancer but fear can try to intimidate you either way... YOUR GOING TO MAKE IT THROUGH!

Share this video with a friend and share your story of hope in a hopeless place in the comments below. THE POWER OF GODS LOVE will overtake any challenge!!

Yours in battle.

Melissa Titus

Finding yourself face to face with bad news, allow me to encourage you as I believe as I have overcome... so will YOU!

01/02/2020

Latest update on my journey...

Yes I'm in remission ( according to doctors) but according to the Word , IM HEALED!!

GOD has so faithfully and graciously carried me through. 2019 has been an intense year and an extreme emotional roller coaster but IM STILL HERE. I STILL BELIEVE. I CONTINUE TO LIVE FOR ADONAI. Let's catch up.

Over December I did 15 rounds of radiation treatment . It was such a breeze compared to chemo!! Yes half of me is alot darker. People could think I covered half of my neck with makeup!!!
But I'm almost feeling my normal self. Able to do quick sessions of fitness( a few sessions a week) seeing good results. I continue to pray for those fighting the GIANT OF CANCER ... the one whom I pray to had already GIVEN US THE VICTORY in Christ Jesus. He is a refuge, a hope in time of need.

He has strengthened me when I felt like giving up,.. picked me up when I felt depleted... rescued me when I was overwhelmed with my situation, and provided for my family supernaturally. Attacks came against so many areas of my life at once. BUT GODS SHIELD has dismantled every dark force coming against us. My marraige is still standing!! My kids... STILL STANDING. And I'm STILL STANDING. please keep my book in your prayers as I'm needing to know the way forward. It's on the verge of being released im just needing to finalize a few things. I know it will strengthen many lives who are under severe attack.

I'm not perfect. I cry, I scream, I feel afraid at times... I feel lonely at times.
But the moment I engage with worship , I engage with heaven. ALL DOUBTS AND FEARS WASH AWAY!!

Dont wait for others to engage on your behalf... YOU ENGAGE!! YOU WORSHIP!! YOU CALL HIS NAME... "JESUS".

At times I could only whisper... I could not pray , I could not sing... I just whispered.. "Lord I need you!"

Many places tore in my heart this past year. But I know the restoration that is coming is FAR GREATER than all my pain. I cant say that I liked every version of myself in the midst of the process ... but then again many dont! Unexpected situations can bring some things to the surface that you never realised still existed. Yet if not dealt with would hinder all that God wants to do through you. SO LET HIM SIFT YOU THROUGH THIS !! LET THE MUK RISE... DEAL WITH IT. GIVE IT TO HIM. Let His presence wash you as you yield.

My resistance to quitting had intensified this season. Though my hearts recovery is slower... my brain is being trained DAILY to control its thoughts and to overcome every lie of the enemy. AND THOSE LIES WILL COME!! But we dare NOT forget who our FATHER IS!! We have His full rights on the earth as His children. He did not leave us powerless.
LIFE OR DEATH IS GODS DECISION.
FAITH OR DOUBT IS OURS.

I had many friends, warriors , mentors speak into my life. You know you get it straight when your loved right???!!

So here's the lessons learnt...

There is NO GIVING UP
Love often means LETTING GO
There is POWER in the Name of JESUS.

Each moment of every day counts... do not waste the oxygen. Breathe deliberately.

We can handle more than what we ever thought we could.

Worry truly gets you nowhere.

Perspective keeps you going in the right direction

Cancer has NO POWER over me.

My scars have made me more beautiful.

And what I tell myself every day ..
" I LOVE TO EXERCISE !!"" (Nope nope I dont ... i dont love it... but I wont stop cos nothing good comes without pain.)

I pray for many fighting cancer every day. PRAYER IS THE HANDS OF GOD. So say a prayer for the people in your community or hospital.

I will continue to share on my journey moving forward. I cannot wait to have my long hair back again !!

2020 I AM CANCER FREE!! Thankyou Jesus!

"They held the torches in their left hands and the shofar in their right hands to blow, and they shouted, "A SWORD FOR ADONAI AND FOR GIDEON" Judges 7:20

Raise your swords in prayer and let's send this enemy of cancer a message...OUR GOD IS GREATER!!

Shalom Aleichem,

Melissa Titus

24/12/2019

You cant STOP! YOU just need to keeping pushing till your breakthrough comes!!!

24/12/2019

Radiation treatment going well so far by Gods grace. Next week only 3 more to go!! Thankyou to everyone for your prayers.

14/11/2019

Special moments as Melissa & Friends minister and share heart warming stories of grace and love.