David Knighton

I’ve been dealing with cancer a long time, since the mid-90s. Most times I don’t even realize I have it.

It’s amazing, because even though I started with prostate cancer, then found I had colon cancer which then metastized to the liver, the cancer doesn’t make me feel bad. I think that’s God’s blessing to me in all of this. The treatment often is harder on me than the disease. But even that hasn’t been too bad. The Lord has made it possible for me to fulfill my duties and responsibilities all along the way. I’m pastor of East Star Baptist Church in McAlester, Oklahoma, and I’ve been out of the pulpit very few times.

My journey with cancer began in the mid-90s with some urinary problems, but when I consulted a physician, the first tests and biopsies that were run revealed nothing. I went to another doctor for a second opinion, and this time, a biopsy revealed prostate cancer. That revelation brought the world down for me. I thought it was all over. It was pretty devastating. My father died of prostate cancer.

I opted to have a radical prostatectomy in November 1999, followed by radiation, and thought things were fine. Then, in 2000, I started having some rectal bleeding. My physician did a colonoscopy and found cancer in my colon … a polyp the size of a baseball. He recommended surgery right away, but the surgeon he recommended was leaving town and wouldn’t be available for a while. I wasn’t sure what to do next.

But the Lord was at work. I was watching TV one day when a commercial for Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) came on. I called the number on the screen and the person I spoke with told me she’d send me some information. After I went through the literature, I called and made an appointment, and within five days, Dr. Greef had surgically removed the cancer in my colon. That was in December 2000, and I’ve been coming to CTCA ever since. It’s a great place. God’s people are here. You can tell that by the care and concern they have for the patient.

In February, following surgery, I started fractionated dose chemotherapy. That ended in July 2001. Tests in November that year showed the cancer had moved to my liver. Since then, I’ve undergone a number of rounds of chemo. In fact, I jokingly tell people I’ve had at least 20 gallons of chemo. I’ve also had three chemo embolizations, where they inject chemo directly into the liver. At this point, Dr. Simeon Jaggernauth, my oncologist, has suggested we do a combination of radiation and chemotherapy to retard the growth of my cancer.

Throughout this journey, I’ve dealt with a number of personal matters as well. My first wife died in a car accident. I’ve remarried, and my second wife has health problems. I’m a father of two, grandfather of six and great-grandfather of four. So, my life is pretty busy and full.

I think the Lord has used the cancer in my life as a teaching for me to totally depend on Him. I look at others I’ve known with cancer since I was first diagnosed. Some have gone into remission; some of them have been cured; and some of died. I’m not in remission yet, but I’m still here. And, in the back of my mind, I don’t believe I’ll die from cancer.

I also think the Lord has used my cancer as an encouragement to others. I’ve had many people in church tell me God has used my problem to encourage and inspire them.

Sometimes, Satan, the enemy, comes and tries to tell me to give up. I keep telling him he’s a liar, and that the Jesus who lives in me is greater than all the demons in the world.

I believe Jesus when He says He’ll never leave me nor forsake me. Whatever comes my way with this cancer, I just give it to Him. It’s His will that needs to be done.

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