Freida Trucksis of Troy found out she had ovarian cancer three years ago. Her physician is John Maroney, an oncologist at Miami Valley Hospital. He’s part of William Nahhas’s team at the MVH Gynecologic Oncology Center. Though it’s been a rough few years, a book that is helping her cope with her disease is “The Face of God: Reflections of a Cancer Surgeon,” written by Nahhas.

“I just got off from my chemo yesterday, so I’m not feeling my best today,” said Trucksis, 88. “But I’m about halfway through the book. It is fantastic, and hits you in so many different ways. It goes right to the spots where you need the most help.”

Trucksis plans to pass the book along to her pastor at First Baptist Church in Tipp City.

The book is a compilation of monthly articles that Nahhas wrote for his patients over a span of 20 years. The articles were first published in his monthly Living Proof newsletter that was sent to all of the center’s patients. SunnyVille Publishing in Kennewick, Wash., produced the 190-page softbound book in July.

“A long time ago, I discovered that taking care of the physical part of a patient’s cancer wasn’t good enough,” Nahhas said. “A lot of things were still bothering them. They would ask, ‘Why did I get this? Why is God punishing me?’ ”

Those questions needed to be answered, and Nahhas started writing short articles for the newsletter to address their confusion. A Living Proof support group was started. They would take short bus trips, have monthly meetings and get into spiritual discussions. In 2006, the group disbanded because of a lack of funds.

“I am interested in mostly reform theology, and the articles were spiritual or religious in nature,” said Nahhas, who also is professor emeritus, department of obstetrics and gynecology, Wright State University’s Boonshoft School of Medicine. “When I semi-retired a few years ago, I found a folder where my secretary had filed my articles. That’s when I got the idea to put them into a book.”

The book includes articles about the concepts of sovereignty, omnipotence and providence. Among the issues that Nahhas addresses in his book: Why does a sovereign God allow all of the evil and suffering in the world?

The book is not only directed at patients but also to caregivers and physicians.

Part of the chapter dedicated to doctors explains, “Just as I realized that incurable cancer was not a reflection of my personal failure, I also knew that I could never again take credit for success. God was in control, and to Him went all the glory and honor.”

Nahhas is originally from Beirut, Lebanon. His father’s family was Catholic, and his mother’s background was Greek Orthodox. His father later became a Presbyterian.

In 1983 he joined the staff at Boonshoft and established the Gynecologic Oncology Center at MVH, and has been directing it since that time.

Contact contributing writer Pamela Dillon at pamdillon@woh.rr.com.