Guess whose Cancer-free?

Yesterdays PET scan results came back quick today, they called to let me know they saw NOTHING in my lungs, so that, with yesterday's MRI results on "the girls" show NO CANCER!!!!!!!

I can't thank each and every one of you enough for each prayer, meal, ride for my kids, babysitting/playdates for my kids, taking care of my sick kid, beautiful card or gift, HUGS lotsa lotsa HUGS, text, email or phone call, walks, every little and big thing each one of you did, THANK YOU!  It's been a rough road, and we're not quite done yet (surgery in January, and then 6 wks of radiation to follow after healing from surgery), but we are thru what I've been told is the hardest part, chemo and learning if the chemo had been effective.  I'm both so grateful for the chemotherapy and I pray I NEVER have to do that again in life, ever.   

Of course, we need to pray that cancer stays gone and we will pray for that, but today we 🎆🙌 CELEBRATE!!!  🌟

5 months 2 days after diagnosis, this is such great news to hear!  

As we've been approaching this day, the day where all results would be revealed, it's been bittersweet, because we have all prayed for this result, and yet I knew that it was possible it could have just as easily gone the other way.  Either way, God is still good and on the throne and He knows what is best.  How to convey that to my kids?  But I truly believed it to be true, I still do.  And so the faith journey continues... 

Schedule

Wanted to update specifics on appts. for those of you who would like to know.

12/22/16-3 scans MRI, echo-cardiogram and bone scan

12/27/16-PET scan

1/3/17-meet with oncologist Dr. Paul to learn results of above scans

1/10/17-Lumpectomy

That's what is on the calendar currently.  Thank you for your prayers over these days, thank you for the emails, notes, texts, etc.  You are some of the most amazing people I know.  THANK YOU! 

Lots of change this week

chemo buddy Debbi embellished the sign, cuz she's artsy that way <3

My chemo buddy today, Debbi, such a blessing

Nurses extraordinare Shanna & Angela

Wow, as I look at last week's post, can't believe how much has changed.  I'm sad to report my sister has moved back to Pueblo.  We will really miss having here here, watching her do so well.  We love her so much and will continue to pray her back to health.  Thank you friends who have and will continue to do the same.  Grateful for the memories and time we did have.  Trying to stay focused on the blessings.

Today was the last day for currently prescribed chemo, praying forever.  It was a good appt. with the oncologist.  Dr. Paul tells me that since the tumor has been virtually gone by physical exam since the 1st chemo treatment, he's encouraged that the breast cells in my lungs would probably also respond in kind.  He said there was a 98% chance that all the breast cancer cells in all 3 places in my body should be gone.  Praying that's the case and when they do the PET, MRI, & Bone Scan they will find no evidence of any cancer anywhere.  I have one of these scans scheduled for 12/27, awaiting insurance authorizations for the others and then they'll likely be scheduled before the year is out.

January 3, we will meet with Dr. Paul again to find out the results of all the scans as well as an Echo Cardiogram to determine how my heart has endured the chemo.  Our family asks for your prayers for peace and the ability to leave the results with the Father.  And to stop taking them from him in that seemingly endless dance we like to do with Him.

I'm hoping to schedule a lumpectomy when I meet with a surgeon this Friday 12/16.  This surgery will likely occur in January.

3 weeks recovery from surgery and then to start 6 weeks of M-F radiation treatments.


The kids continue to handle okay, they are being loved on well by many of you, extra grace and hugs.  Thank you for loving on us this way.

So now you are up to date and fully informed as I am, will update when I know more.

Thank you for caring, loving, supporting, praying, feeding, hugging, helping etc. etc.  We continue to feel so very supported and loved by so many and keep thanking God for ALL of it.

Below is the verse I shared with you all when I announced our diagnosis, seems to still speak to me today, so I thought it bore repeating.  So grateful that this is ALL in His hands and He has overcome the world. 



“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”   —John 16:33

Blessings and Heavy Hearts

This season of life feels like the Dragon Boat ride at Elitches.  When we enjoy that tummy-tickling ride to the left, it's exhilarating!  When we swing to the right, it's heartbreak/devastation, and then back to the left again.  Bizarre this life we all live.

I am enjoying the tremendous, miraculous blessing of having my sister back in our lives again for the first time in many, many years.  It's been such a gift from Father.  We laugh, talk thru things, support each other, pray for and encourage one another.  For almost a month now.  It's been amazing.  Last night, much of our family were able to gather to celebrate a 70th bday party.  It was so great to all be under one roof again, laughing, eating and being together.  Did my heart so very good.  All of ours, really.  While we missed those who couldn't be with us, we truly enjoyed our time together. This pic is of my sister and 2 of her kids, me and our 3.

Then on the other hand I have friends in crisis, marriages struggling, a child dies in a terrible accident, mental illnesses wreaking havoc, custody issues, more diseases and medical issues.  Such hard, hard stuff people I care about are walking through, and we walk alongside them as much as we can.

Life is just flying by and it's hard to take it all in.

And then there is the future, that great BIG unknown.  While at our small group the other night, a precious friend was sharing fears she had.  I get those, fears.  And in hearing her talk of hers I remember who the author of fear is and it MAKES ME ANGRY.  Because he is robbing peace from her, from me.

2 Timothy 1:7 English Standard Version (ESV)⁷ for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

My friend and I exchanged a couple emails later and here's where we landed.  Whenever I get consumed in my fearful thinking about the upcoming future, I'll STOP and pray for her struggle with her fears. And when she does the same, she'll pray for me and my fears.  Today that is really helping me.  I pray it continues to do so.  I believe it will.  

The last currently prescribed chemo is a week from tomorrow, 12/13.  My family and I are happy to say that and pray that we will be able to hold to that FOREVER.  But if not, His Grace will be sufficient.  It'll need to be.  Physically, I'm holding up pretty well.  Feeling a little less than, but overall can do much of what I want/need to most of the time sans chemo week.  I'm grateful for the health I do have, which is a lot. 

Scans will be scheduled after we get next week completed.  Then to meet with surgeon in January.  
We thank you for praying over it all, so many of you have been so faithful since we began this journey last summer.  We never take for granted your faithfulness, we appreciate every prayer uttered on our behalf.  And we're managing thanks to each of them and God's sustenance.  Love to you all, will update when there's something to share.  MUCH love to you all.