Prayer Update October 16,2015

This has been a whirlwind of a ride thus far for me and my family. From the day I got the phone call that I had breast cancer, to tonight, letting the thought sink in that I have stage IV breast cancer and my plan of treatment has been altered. My pathological report initially stated that I had stage II breast cancer.  Thankfully at the end of our initial meeting the Oncologist did an exam where he felt a swollen lymph node in my armpit.  He pushed for me to get a pet scan which revealed the swollen lymph node near my right lung.  Everything hinged on the most recent biopsy, which I got the results from Thurs. morning. The fact that the results revealed cancer there, as well, changed the whole picture from what we were expecting.  Thankfully I have a thorough and clear diagnosis now that we can work from.  The goal right now is to block what is driving this cancer and the main driving force is estrogen. I will essentially be doing a form of chemotherapy (which basically means chemical therapy) by shutting down my body's ability to make estrogen, putting my body into a menopausal state. Right now I'm just taking this one step at a time, as we wait and watch to see if these drugs will work.

There is this strange relief that I don't have to start hard core chemo, but also this heaviness that the cancer has spread to a degree that traditional chemotherapy would be prohibitive. But despite this news I still have a peace and joy in my heart and I'm learning that even though this situation seems bleak, I know that NOTHING is impossible for my God. He still holds me and he is still working. He has given me a team of people to help fight with me and for me, not just traditional medical care but holistic, herbal, physical exercise, nutrition, and spiritual. We have prayerfully, and humbly made every choice thus far feeling led in this direction. This is not an easy thing to try and navigate but we are doing the best we can.

I understand the seriousness of what is going on, but I also understand that every day I live is a gift and there is no illusion that I am in control of my life. I take great comfort in that thought, because for so long I have tired to control everything I could and it was wearisome. I was holding on too tight and I was losing everything around me. I've decided to let go and it seems as though I'm getting my life back. Cancer has changed me, it has made me see what is truly important and what is not, putting things into their proper place and helping me and my family refocus. It has been a blessing and I can say that I am thankful for what has been and what will be.

Please continue to pray as you have been. Don't ever underestimate the power that we all feel from your prayers!!

~Pray against fear and discouragement.

~Pray that this current course of treatment and all the supplemental things we do would be effective.

~Pray that our home would be filled with joy and peace and that we can figure out how best to do life together as we continue to navigate this journey we are all on.

~Pray for a miracle of complete and whole healing!  :)

Love,

A