[Oral Cancer] My husband with tongue cancer - I thought the cause of cancer was food [Personal Experience]

"They say it's tongue cancer... apparently, he needs to have surgery soon."
"Wasn't it just a mouth ulcer!?"
I was stunned by my husband's report when he returned home from the hospital.

"I thought it was strange that I had a fever, but I never imagined it would be cancer..."
Moreover, it was stage III, and according to the doctor, it was quite advanced.
Even if the surgery is successful, they say he won't be able to eat or talk normally.

My husband seemed to quietly accept the reality that had befallen him, but I was in a state of panic.
I couldn't help but think of the worst, and everything went dark in front of me.

After informing his company about his condition, my husband spoke to me calmly.

"You know I've been reading Happy Science books open_in_new for a while. I want to take this opportunity to visit the branch and join open_in_new."

For a moment, I was taken aback.
Until now, I had a strong image of "religion being a gathering of strange people," and I had opposed it for ten years.

"Why do you read only these kinds of books!"
"I want to read them, so what's wrong with that!"

We often had such verbal fights.

Whenever I found Happy Science books or magazines at home, I couldn't help but feel angry, thinking, "You're doing this behind my back again..."

However, at this point, I felt it was too cruel to oppose him. Besides, I also wanted to understand my husband.

"If that's what you want, I won't oppose it. But can I also go along with you to learn about Happy Science?"

"...I see. Thank you."

A few days later, I visited the nearby Happy Science branch open_in_new.
When I opened the door, a surprisingly quiet space unfolded before me.

"What brings you here?"

The branch manager kindly spoke to us, who were feeling nervous.
He seemed sincere, and I felt relieved.

"Mr. M, your daily mental state can create or attract illness. Illness is deeply related to the mind."

The branch manager's words were very refreshing.

He suggested that if there are conflicts in the heart or pessimistic thoughts, it might be good to check the mind.

I had always believed that "cancer is caused by food."

So I had been very particular about selecting ingredients and insisted on no additives. We even took supplements that claimed to prevent cancer.

"Then why did I get cancer?" I wondered.

The branch manager's words felt correct, and I thought maybe I should learn here too.

"Um, can I also join with my husband?"
My husband looked stunned. It's no wonder, as I had been opposing it all along...
That day, I joined Happy Science open_in_new with my husband.

Thus, having joined Happy Science, my husband and I went to the branch almost every day for a week until he was hospitalized.
We spent time chatting with senior believers and listening to talks about faith.
At my husband's request, we made our first visit to the main temple, Shoshinkan open_in_new in Utsunomiya.

When I offered a prayer in the worship room, it felt like my whole body was wrapped in warmth.
"From now on, I can live my life based on my faith in Buddha."
My husband looked genuinely relieved.

In the midst of this, my husband made a face as if to say, "Oh?"
"It's strange. My body feels warm, and the affected area seems to be healing. The swelling of my tongue seems to be getting smaller little by little."

It seems that his condition was clearly different.
I thought it was a mysterious thing.

Finally, hospitalization—.
First, I requested treatment with radiation. If no effects were seen, we agreed to proceed with surgery.
It takes three hours one way by express bus to the hospital. I decided to quit my job and go to the hospital.
When I see him, my husband seems to feel relieved.
Although his body must be suffering from the side effects of radiation, his expression was very calm.

In the hospital room, he spends time reading Happy Science books and listening to tapes and CDs of President Ryuho Okawa's teachings.
Seeing my husband like this, for the first time I thought, "Maybe I should read too..."

Our home bookshelf is packed with Happy Science books. However, I had never opened a book.

I started taking them out one by one and began reading them on the bus to and from home and the hospital.

One day, the phrase "Life is a problem set" jumped out at me.

In life on earth, the necessary problems for each person are always given. If they are not solved, there is no growth of the soul—.

I was taken aback. I intuitively realized that my current problem was my husband's illness and understood that I must not run away.
I also wanted to take this opportunity to properly reflect on my relationship with my husband.

While talking with the staff at the branch, I received this advice.
"It would be good to reflect on 'the love that gives.' Why not compare what your husband has given you and what you have given him?"

It's called the love balance sheet. When I got home, I immediately started writing it down.
My children and I have lived without any inconveniences... It was because my husband had worked for decades that we could buy this house...
Looking around, every single thing in the house, from a glass to a pair of slippers, was thanks to my husband being healthy and working.

"I took everything for granted, but it wasn't like that at all."

Also, I loved taking lessons and was constantly learning new things. No matter how much it cost or how often I went out, my husband would kindly say, "Oh, that's fine."

Being not good at human relationships, I struggled at work and poured my complaints about work onto my husband every single day. He listened without showing any displeasure.
I realized how blessed I had been. Since our marriage, my husband had been wrapping me in a generous spirit.

Yet, I couldn't think of what I had done for him.
What came to mind was my image of being a spendthrift and always complaining.
"This won't do!" I burst into tears.
Surely my husband wanted to convey to me the teachings of "life is a problem set" and "the love that gives."

However, I had not listened at all for 10 years.
I felt pathetic for having opposed without understanding my husband's feelings.

"Thank you so much, Dad. I appreciate that we have our current life because you worked so hard."

When I conveyed my feelings, my husband nodded shyly, saying, "Yeah, yeah..."

And I sincerely apologized.
"And... it might be my fault that Dad's health has deteriorated."
However, the unexpected words that came from my husband were, "No, this is a problem set given to me, so you don't have to worry."

From the day I first visited the branch, my husband seemed to be lost in thought.
At one point, he quietly shared, "I... criticized my boss quite a bit. Saying things like, 'That way of doing things is wrong' or 'He doesn't understand human hearts.'"
He also opened up about his habit of criticism since his youth.

My husband, who had a high pride, would criticize those in higher positions with less ability, thinking he could do better.
"...Since it was always coming out of my mouth, I think my heart was sick. I will work on correcting this tendency."
My husband's eyes were moist.
Despite being together for many years, we had never had such a conversation as a couple.

Since then, my husband and I began to talk about various things.
During his hospitalization, we both took time to reflect. It was a precious time when we could decide to start our lives over again.
With gratitude and joy for being able to gather in the Science of Happiness, we requested my husband's "strong prayer for healing from illness."

During his hospitalization, everyone from the Science of Happiness truly supported us.
Those who copied articles related to healing for my husband to read, those who prayed, and those who came to visit us from afar—.
We also received many heartfelt letters.
Surrounded by so much love, we felt incredibly supported.
Two months later, my husband was safely discharged.

The attending physician was surprised, saying, "The tumor is gone. Surgery is no longer necessary." He said that only regular check-ups were needed.

And after a month of recuperation at home, my husband was able to return to his original workplace. At the branch, everyone welcomed him with warm applause.
His face was shining with joy at being able to gather in the Science of Happiness again.

After a while, my husband began to take on the role of a community leader.
I also started participating in branch events and training at the temple open_in_new with my husband.

Days spent savoring the wonderfulness of walking together as a couple, looking in the same direction—.

In the movie 'The Golden Law' open_in_new, there is a scene where the monk Tendai Chigi expresses a passionate wish to the Buddha, saying, "If I am allowed to be born together with the eternal Buddha, even if this body is afflicted with an incurable disease, I will live my life with gratitude." When I saw this scene, my husband next to me was in tears, perhaps reflecting on his own battle with cancer.

I also felt my heart swell.
"We are so lucky to be born in this era when the Buddha is present together."
"That's really true..."
We shared this sentiment deeply together.

It has been exactly five years since the cancer was discovered. My husband returned from his regular check-up with good news.
"They said the cancer is completely cured. I was told I don't have to come for tests anymore."
My husband seemed to be reflecting quietly on the various events of these five years.
It felt like we were standing at a new starting line together.

Now we are filled with joy and hope.
My husband is leading a fulfilling daily life, engaging in activities of the Science of Happiness and serving as a community leader alongside his work.
Meanwhile, I have remodeled our home to open a shop selling additive-free bread.
I also want to live my life helping others from now on... I thought that my hobby of bread-making could be utilized for that.

Recently, the shop has become a gathering place for people through bread.
There are chorus, flower arrangement, and straw sandal-making—some people use it for their hobby groups, making the shop lively and bustling.

If I hadn't converted, I don't think I would have considered such things at all. I was initially opposed to faith. However, I was able to open a new life by converting due to my husband's illness.

In addition to recovering from illness, I believe I have received many things through this experience, such as the greatness of faith and the warmth of people.

Life is a collection of problems—.

From now on, we will continue to cooperate as a couple and strive together.