Former Victoria's Secret model Nicole Weider has been sharing her faith for quite some time. However, recently, Nicole is speaking openly about her cancer diagnosis and asking for prayers from her social media followers and friends.
Nicole spoke with Billy Hallowell of CBN News Digital about receiving the frightening and shocking diagnosis on November 19, just prior to her 38th birthday.
Nicole Weider Is In Need Of Prayer
When Nicole Weider developed a bump under her arm, she wasn't too concerned. She figured the swollen lymph node was due to an infection and wasn't serious. So, when she visited urgent care to get an antibiotic, she had no reason to expect bad news-and certainly no reason to expect a diagnosis of stage 4 breast cancer.
RELATED: Shannen Doherty Gives Heartbreaking Cancer Update but Vows to Keep Fighting
The urgent care doctor told Nicole that the lump near her breast didn't "feel normal" and immediately requested a full body scan. Within ten minutes, the radiologist delivered the news that she had cancer in her breast, lymph nodes, and liver. In shock, Nicole struggled to comprehend the information.
The wife and mom of two had been feeling completely healthy. Nicole had two full-blood panels just weeks prior, and both had been perfect. Her blood pressure was fine. Furthermore, while breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women (second only to skin cancer), it's very unusual to be diagnosed before the age of 45. The median age for a breast cancer diagnosis is 62; doctors don't even recommend mammograms for women of her age.
Wanting to get Nicole in for treatment as quickly as possible, the doctor arranged for her to be admitted to Baylor University Medical Center. Her oncologist developed a treatment plan that included several rounds of chemotherapy with an off week after every two in order for Nicole's body to heal.
Nicole Weider Leans On Faith
Just weeks before Christmas, when Nicole received the diagnosis, she dealt with a myriad of emotions. "Obviously, with the Stage 4 cancer diagnosis, I've been feeling so many different emotions," she said. "Shock, at first, was my first emotion, and then I was feeling overwhelmed, and then I was feeling sad."
View this post on Instagram
Nicole found encouragement immediately from the hospital chaplain who prayed with her, the faith-filled nurses who treated her, the morning prayers shared over the hospital intercom and the kind words posted on social media. She shared, "What's so interesting about it is, even though I have this diagnosis, I have felt God's love like never before. Almost like I feel God comforting me in such a big way."
Along the way, Nicole has observed blessings. She was grateful that she'd already decorated her home before learning about her illness and beginning treatments. She shared, "It's been all these little God things that have happened to me that I'm like, ‘I feel God's presence throughout this process,'" she said. "And I'm just seeing God's love like pop up in all these different ways, showing me that I'm not alone."
Victoria’s Secret Model Changes Life For Jesus
Nicole Weider found Jesus when she was 23 years old. She was "knee-deep" in the modeling world and was successful by the world's standards. Instead of happiness, though, Nicole felt depressed and worthless. In addition to being criticized for her weight, she felt shame regarding her lingerie and swimwear photos. Nicole shared with CBN Digital, "I realized that being a model was truly not what it was cracked up to be. I felt degraded, that I was never ‘perfect' enough, and being judged only on my appearance was hurting my self-esteem."
RELATED: Tortured by Her Mom When She Was Young, Brooke Shields' Husband Saw Her True Beauty
Following the advice of a Christian friend, Nicole decided to leave modeling behind. Beautiful inside and out, Nicole Weider determined that she wanted to make "God proud." She now seeks to connect with and inspire girls in positive ways through her Instagram posts and Project Inspired.
In Project Inspired, Nicole shares tips for teen girls on staying true to how they were created. She offers advice on how to dress both fashionably and modestly, make a positive impact, and enjoy their teen years while standing firm in faith.
Nicole shared an update on her health journey in mid-January. Not only is her body responding to treatment, but the largest of her tumors has vanished! Nearing completion of her chemotherapy treatments, Nicole thanked all those who have been praying for her.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Mary Lou Retton Nearly Died And Now She's Opening up about ‘Facing Death in the Eyes'
Best wishes, beautiful Nicole! We are praying for you and cheering you on in your fight!
"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." Psalms 23:4
WATCH: Nicole Weider Gave Up Being A Victoria’s Secret Model To Follow Jesus
LISTEN: Dean Cain Is Leaving Hollywood Behind Because of His Faith | Story Behind ‘Mind the Gap' is Heartbreaking
h/t: CBN News
Featured Image Credit: Instagram/Nicole Weider