Terri Yanke of Scottsbluff was diagnosed with breast cancer 12 years ago. She said she made it through that difficult time, however, thanks to the tremendous love and support she received from God and her family, friends and community. Looking back, she said battling cancer changed her life in many positive ways, including strengthening her desire to live each day to its fullest.
JEFF FIELDER Editor
SCOTTSBLUFF – Terri Yanke of Scottsbluff is about as tough mentally as anyone you’ll find. She credits that to her faith in God.
“I have a strong faith in God, and when you have a foundation where you have a heavenly father who’s there for you no matter what, it helps you get through anything,” she said.
Her faith – and her positive, upbeat attitude – grew even stronger in 2005, when her husband, Jerry Yanke, was diagnosed with renal cell cancer. Jerry has battled cancer off and on since then, and he currently has Stage 4 terminal cancer.
“Jerry’s motto has always been, ‘You can live while you’re dying, or you can die while you’re dying,’” Terri said. “He’s never wanted to live being sad and feeling sorry for himself. He’s always been out there doing good things while trying to make other people laugh and smile. He showed me and many others that even with cancer, it’s possible to live and laugh and love through a difficult time. He’s been an inspiration to many people, including myself.”
That played a big role for Terri when she herself was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2007 – just two years after her husband had been diagnosed with cancer.
“Jerry was with me the day I found out I had cancer, and we both kind of took the news stoicly,” said Terri, who’s 56. “There was no screaming or crying or asking, ‘Why me?’ I just said, ‘What do I do next?’”
The full story is in the October issue of Nspire Today! magazine. A one-year subscription (12 issues) is only $15. You may sign up for a subscription by sending $15 to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363, or you may pay with a credit card by calling 308-220-8865. If you would like to increase your subscription to $20, Nspire Today! will donate the extra $5 in November to the Veterans & Military Families Emergency Relief Organization.
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