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Well, I guess it’s past time to share here the season our family finds us walking through.
This post will be lengthy. I’ll keep additional updates short.
This September, we received a diagnosis that shook our world and turned it upside down. I went in for a mammogram the beginning of September and left needing to receive biopsies in 3 spots and a lymph node.
The month of September stretched slowly while we waited to be scheduled for biopsy, receive results back, and find our way step after step.
Results came in Invasive Lobular Carcinoma, breast cancer, in the right side, and in my lymph node as well.
The next step was a trip to Mercy to meet with our Surgeon. Dr. Gauri Bedi was extremely informative and gave us a full list of tests to complete to determine full spread of the disease. She also directed us to an amazing oncologist local to us for a chemo regimen, Dr. Giffi. Our schedule was about to get busy!
Blessedly, Aaron and I are both self-employed and were able to adjust our schedule to allow for the multiple tests and trips.
I don’t know how much more difficult this would have been without my team at Act II, our parents on child duty, and Aaron’s extremely supportive client base and flexibility at work. I’m beyond blessed by my husband’s abundant determination and ability to keep going on with limited sleep. Calling on God for every bit of energy to keep persevering! And thanking God for the blessings of people surrounding us with support.
During this busy time of testing and additional appointments, we received victory after victory. Wins that have helped boost our faith and given us opportunity to testify of the goodness of God in all things. Along with friends and family, we prayed for limited spread of this cancer. It was in the lymph node, which means it could have spread further.
A detailed MRI was done and showed nothing in the left side of my chest, and that it had not invaded the skin or chest wall of the right.
Bone scan was done showing no evidence of metastatic spread.
CT scan showed a small spot on my liver, more likely a cyst than evidence of spread. Something that will be further tested in the future.
CT also showed good lungs, no metastatic spread.
Echocardiogram showed a good heart able to proceed with treatment.
Treatment started quickly October 24th. The plan is to shrink the lymph nodes and mass (measured 10cm before treatment) as much as possible before having a bilateral mastectomy to prevent future recurrence.
I have just completed round #2 of my chemo regimen and have been able to tolerate it well so far.
No nausea.
No bone pain.
The biggest hurdle has been the weariness that comes and extends for about days after treatment. I’m told this will compound each treatment until I take the majority of weeks to recover.
Also, some symptoms of acid reflux that will hopefully be handled by simple Pepcid.
Friends, we have felt God’s presence walking with us through this hard season. We have drawn closer to Him and have been actively exercising laying our cares and burdens at His feet. We have been lifted and encouraged by His Word, and by the generous acts of those around us serving as His hands and feet. There are tears at times, but there is great joy knowing we serve a God who is able to accomplish all that we ask and more.
He is my Jehovah Rapha “The Lord Who Heals”.
He is my Jehovah Jirah “The Lord will Provide”.
He is my Jehovah Nissi “The Lord is my Banner”.
He is all these things and more to those who call upon His name.
Thank you, friends, for all the cards and words of encouragement, the little gifts that brighten our day, and the meals that have been provided to nourish our family.
Sweet friends of ours have taken action to organize a meal train. If you feel led, you can reference the calendar at the link below to see when we may need support.
I know groceries are expensive, a simple side is received with gratitude to help Aaron throw a meal together on days I am too drained to help. The good Lord had us stock up our freezer with chicken for the grill.
Please continue to hold our family in prayer.
Specifically, that our children would feel peace through the many changes they are experiencing and seeing their mother experience. May they have the same assurance that God is in control, and His plans are always perfect.
Pray for a continued strong heart. This chemo regimen can be particularly damaging to the heart.
Pray that our family will continue a shift in our priorities in life. And that we would have opportunity to enjoy time together.
Pray that God would be glorified through this season. That His Majesty would be on display in our lives. And that He would give us the words to testify of His mercies and goodness in all situations.
Ephesians 3:20-21
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen
Old timers, young bucks, whipper snappers and country bumpkins alike are welcome to come be a part of the GSA community.
