Ingram uses faith, music to defy cancer | Denver Weekly

by Josh Carpenter

Bernetta Ingram uses the power of prayer and singing to get through her toughest days. Courtesy of Lucy Parker

LINCOLNTON ? Bernette Ingram never stopped believing. Not after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000 or when she was told she had inoperable thyroid cancer in 2009.

?I never doubted that I was going to be healed,? Ingram said. ?The people around me believed in the power of God, and they spoke strong words of encouragement to me. I never had a doubt.?

Ingram, a single mother of two boys, works part-time as a hair stylist at Shear Elegance Salon in Lincolnton and drives a bus for the Lincoln County Schools. After her first diagnosis 11 years ago, she endured a year of chemotherapy and radiation, and had a breast removed.

?It was a shock at first because no one in my family had ever had breast cancer,? Ingram said. ?But I made it through because I had a strong faith, and I had to believe that God was going to heal me.?

Ingram?s two boys, Curtis and Tevin, were young at the time but watched over their mother throughout the ordeal.

?They were worried about it but were very supportive,? Ingram said. ?They were really protective, but we sat down and talked with them about it. They handled it well.?

Finally, doctors declared her cancer free, and Ingram went about her normal activities, including singing in the choir at Greater Works Full Gospel Ministry.
Ingram has been singing all her life and used that gift as inspiration during her toughest times.

?It just brings a joy to my life,? Ingram said. ?I love singing on the praise team on Sunday mornings. It?s very soothing for me.?

Ingram lived cancer free until October 2009, when she found a lump in her neck. Doctors diagnosed inoperable thyroid cancer.

?They told me that if I survived for five years after the initial cancer, then I would be cancer free for life,? Ingram said. ?So I was kind of devastated in a way.?

Ingram immediately to the pastor of her church, looking for answers.
She got them.

?They gave me strength that I could make it through this because God had healed me the first time,? Ingram said. ?So I was kind of like, ?Ok God, if you could do it once, you can do it again.? ?

Ingram went through two surgeries and more radiation treatment to defeat the thyroid cancer, which had taken her father?s life nearly 20 years ago.

Today, Ingram isn?t cancer free, but that isn?t how she views things.

?I like to say I?m cancer free,? Ingram said. ?I feel great and just try to live life to the fullest.?

She?s still styling hair, driving a school bus and singing in the choir. She also became a minister in October 2010.

?I just want to live and do what God has called me to do. That?s to preach His word and sing His glory,? Ingram said. ?There?s nothing the doctors or I can do about this sickness. It?s all in God?s hands.?

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Source: http://denverncweekly.com/news/2011/08/ingram-uses-faith-music-to-defy-cancer/

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