August 19, 2009

• The Truth I Didn't Tell You

  Okay, it's time for the whole truth.  I didn't tell all of the details about my cancer diagnosis up front. I wanted to keep the ugly part hidden and left to a few prayer warriors and my immediate family, as this was taken to the Lord in prayer and as I exercised my faith.  I needed lots of prayer for a BIG healing in a BIG way!  It was much more serious than I let on in the beginning of my journey.

  I couldn't take a chance on doubt or comments against what I was REALLY believing God would do.  I don't want to offend anyone, but this is the same way I handled my lower back diagnosis in March of 1998. 

  About the 1998 diagnosis:  I was diagnosed (I even saw the x-rays) with "severe degenerative disc disease" as my spine was collapsing - vertebrae on top of vertebrae.  The spaces that should have been between my lower vertebrae were almost totally non-existent.  The x-rays were scary and the doctor's advice was to "get my things in order quickly" because I would soon be in a wheel chair and probably dead by the time I was 60 years old.  Hummmmm . . .  not a pleasant thing to ponder.  Surgery was out of the question because it was too risky and would, most likely, cause paralysis.

  On July 19,  1999 my back was suddenly and miraculously healed.  The old x-rays of March 30, 1999 along side the new ones (only 3 1/2 months later) were remarkably different.  There were *huge* spaces between my vertebrae and the head of orthopedics at Oklahoma University Medical Center had no explanation.  They ran a second set of x-rays and they were conclusive, my lumbar spine was more youthful than my age at the time! 

  A MIRACLE!!!

  ===============

  So what was the result of my tests from last Thursday and Friday?

  I HAVE NO BREAST CANCER!  I HAVE NO LYMPH GLAND CANCER! 

  NONE!!!!  NADA!  ZIP!!!

  I am completely healed of breast cancer and the radiologist's report started in capital letters, "DRAMATIC CHANGE FROM PREVIOUS MRI . . ."

  The surgeon confirmed the report yesterday.  I was still waiting for my upper and lower body CT scans of my organs.  All of them are clear.

  The part I told no one?

  The cancer had metastasized to my bones.  My thoracic vertebrae were involved with tumors from T-2 down to T-9 and spreading rapidly.  My breast tumor was attached to the chest wall.  It was massive and growing at a VERY alarming rate of speed.  They said they would TRY to do the best they could with chemo and they said we "hopefully" will see *some* shrinkage.

  The last time I was at the oncologist's office (I think I had already written here) she said the tumor in my breast and the ones in the lymph nodes felt like they had totally dissolved to nothing.  Well, it has not only dissolved to nothing but has disappeared completely on the MRI images - a very detailed picture.  The gal who did the thoracic MRI on Thursday actually ran the test a second time - I guess because things looked so different from the previous report and that isn't usual.

  The oncologist's nurse called today and said there was nothing noted on the scan of my organs (the scariest part when there is cancer) and my backbone tumors have all shrunk.  Even the worst one at T-2 has been reduced greatly, but they will blast that one with radiation.

  This cancer spread quickly and reached my blood stream.  I will need to be monitored and take hormone suppressant drugs for at least 5 years, but because my tumor is estrogen fed, they have a very good prognosis for me - "decades of life" is what I was told, more than once by the oncologist and surgeon also confirmed that, yesterday.  The oncologist DID tell me that this type of TOTAL disappearance (in the breast and lymph nodes) happens to maybe 1% (or less) of cancer patients.  HIGHLY UNUSUAL!

  Same with the reduction in my spine - not usual, at all.

  So, I stand here today praising God for once more taking my pitiful medical diagnosis and befuddling the medical profession.  I believe He led me to an excellent doctor and her nurse.  I believe it was no accident that I ended up in the hands of a Christian (who believes in miracle healings and stood in agreement with me) in the chemo room (thank you, Pam!) and a front desk nurse in the chemo room who also whispered healing Scriptures and encouragement in my ear (thank you, Linda!)  - especially these last few weeks when the collection of chemo was taking its toll on my energy and body.

  The last 24 hours has been hell on earth for me.  Yesterday, the devil whispered repeatedly in my ear, "The chemo has moved to your organs and they are eaten up - that's why you are having so many digestive upsets.  The chemo didn't work and neither did all of your prayers," and all other types of devilish, negative thoughts.  Yesterday morning, I called someone who stood with me against the wiles of the devil and we prayed together.  Once more, I was strong in the Lord and not believing the lies the devil fed to me.

  There will be no surgery.  The surgeon glowed when she talked with me yesterday and said she would monitor me carefully (every 3 months with either an ultrasound or mammogram) and she is as amazed as the oncologist at the lack of tumor in light of how aggressive, mean, and ugly the first diagnosis was in March/April.

  Anyway, I've told my husband and I've told my sister . . . so, now, I can tell everyone else!

  HALLELUJAH and glory to GOD!!!!!

  Be Blessed  ~

  • 7:42 pm
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