How an Ottawa woman turned a cancer diagnosis into a devotional time

Jenny Burr
Spur Ottawa Correspondent

Martha Marentette’s life changed dramatically in 2014. She was diagnosed with mouth cancer, but her experience is far from the doom and gloom so often heard. Together with her family, she says it was a time to draw nearer to God, living in total trust.

“It was never ‘if I get cancer,’ more like ‘when,’” Marentette explains. Years of family members and in-laws dying from cancer and other illnesses prepared her for the diagnosis. “I skipped all the steps in the grief and thought process. Yes, I was sad, but I told God that if this was my time to go home to heaven, I was okay with that.”

The first warning signs came as she prepared for her daughter’s wedding, in July 2014. Marentette discovered a growth under her tongue.

“I made it through the wedding, but by August the growth became quite painful. By the third week, it stopped me from being able to eat solid food.”

Despite the pain, Marentette experienced a sense of peace. In September, a biopsy indicated that she had an aggressive form of malignant cancer, but by the end of October the tumor had been removed. Although the healing process had only begun, God’s hand was clear in how many potential complications never materialized.

“Most of the time I was not finished praying before my treatment was done.”

Half of her tongue needed to be removed. Doctors made her a new tongue by taking skin grafts from other areas of her body. Yet Marentette says God’s peace only deepened during her recovery time.

“I spent each day meditating on verses which had been given to me and listening to Matt Redman.”

To the amazement of the hospital staff, Marentette’s recovery progressed so well that they released her on day eight, rather than the predicted 20 days. She had 65 lymph nodes removed and they all tested clean—more proof of answered prayer.

Next, she had 30 days of radiation treatment, five days a week. She also needed a special mouth guard, a formed mask (covering her head and part of her body), and a Tomotherapy machine.

“I spent my time under the mask meditating on a Bible verse and praying for others,” Marentette says. “Most of the time I was not finished praying before my treatment was done.”

Again, she amazed hospital staff. She could talk, eat solid food, and she maintained a sense of humour throughout the ordeal.

What is the best way to cope when trouble comes?

“Praying God’s Word is the key,” Marentette shares. “As in all things, attitude is everything. Turn it all over to Him. He will reveal the verses you need and remind you of His faithfulness.”