January 22, 2010

• Praise God!

  I have more good news.

  The fact God loves me so much, and is full of grace and mercy, makes me want to shout from the rooftop what He has done for me.  I want to tell my story over and over to people who have been given a bad medical report, or any other bad news. 

                                   

                                       (A black, leather watch I bought with some Christmas money.)

                                       

  GOD LOVES EVERYONE and He doesn't have favorite people.  He doesn't arbitrarily do more for one person, than another.  In His eyes, we are equal.  His love for us is equal.

  Yesterday's physical exam lasted about 2 1/2 hours.  I was checked from head to toe.  I took the paper copies of my cancer history from when they found the tumor, to when they found it had metastasized to my bone, to the recent reports of no tumors seen.

  I had lab work done and even ear wax removed from my left ear.  I hadn't been able to hear out of my left ear and assumed it was just a slight hearing loss due to my getting older.  It was an embarrassingly, HUGE plug of wax and took the nurse quite a while to work it loose with a warm water irrigation.  What an amazing difference!  I had crisp, clear hearing, after the plug was removed.

     

                                                            (Two dogs and a cat!)                               

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  They did an EKG AND tested my lung power with some sort of a machine that measured the force of air you use when blowing.  The EKG report looked just fine and they said my lung power was better than what someone my age, weight, and whatever, was predicted to register.  So, I'm *definitely* full of hot air!   The chemo therapy doesn't appear to have damaged my heart.  I had lab work done and it will (later) tell if any other organs were damaged.

  I had to fill out the usual reams of paper questionnaires - everything from childhood diseases to my current mental state of mind.

  After several hours, I went to the doctor's office to hear his "verdict."

  He came in, sat behind his desk, while I sat in a chair across from him.  He looked over my lab work, took off his glasses, and looked at me across the desk.

              

                                                (Chirper loves "his" bird, Tango!)

   

  Shaking his head in disbelief, he said, "You are one VERY lucky lady, in more ways than one.  Looking at you when you walked in with your story, I'm very surprised by what I have found and can only say, you are one incredibly lucky person."

  I was a little confused about what he was measuring me against, so I asked, "You mean coming through chemo and getting some of my energy back?"

  He said, "Well, yes *that* and also the fact your blood work shows you have EXCELLENT good cholesterol levels - almost 50% higher than we like to see in women.  Much of this isn't due to eating right, but simply your genetic make up.  You inherited some VERY good genes for a long healthy life."

  I said, "I'm glad my blood work looked so good.  I've had a rough year."  

  He discussed other things that all looked okay and said he could get me in next Monday for a bone density test, rather than wait until April, when the cancer place had me scheduled.  He also said they would give me a hearing test on Monday, now that the wax was gone!!

  Then he stood up and walked around the desk to me, so I stood up, too.  He put his hand on my upper arm and squeezed it and said, "You know, your response to chemo and radiation is very rare?"

  I told him I was aware of that fact.

  He continued, "For a woman who *just* has a diagnosis of breast cancer, it isn't as amazing that her tumors would shrink; and, every now and then, we see them go away and surgery isn't necessary.  But, your breast cancer was H-U-G-E and had metastasized to your bone.  When a woman's cancer metastasizes . . . well, you NEVER see that person completely tumor free, NEVER.  You are one very lucky lady."

  So . . .

  I had to tell him about God!!!

                                

                                                              (Muffins Rissy made this morning.)

   

  It's with such pleasure that I tell my story to people and give God the glory.  I want everyone to know the work God has done in me and I want to give God recognition.  I want to encourage and give people a reason to hope.  A reason to pray.  A reason to not give up in a difficult situation.  A reason to ASK God for what you want and a reason to exercise your faith.  Children ask parents for the things they desire, and we may ask our heavenly Father - it's Biblical to ask (Matthew 7:11). 

  I'm not just talking about someone who receives a report of cancer or any other debilitating disease (like I received); but, I'm talking about using faith when given ANY bad report.  Financial fear when it comes to paying your bills.  Loss of a job.  Death of a loved one.  Divorce.  God is here for us - ALWAYS.  We have to exercise our faith and believe His Word is ALL true.

  God is right here with us and, during these "bad report" times, He can teach us (better than ever) to stay close to Him and trust Him.  I *had* to trust Him with my life - completely.  I had to pray, "Lord, this is so big, YOU are the only one who can fix this.  I can't.  The medical world can't.  Men and the world of medicine have limitations, but you have no limitations.  Nothing is impossible for YOU!"

                               

                                             (Sun shining on this beautiful January morning.)

  ***********************************

  After receiving the good report on the status of my whole body, my back began to hurt.  It hurt BAD last night.  Pain pills, a heating pad, and staying on  my back in bed did no good.  The pain continued.  Then, I put a CD of hymns in the CD player by my bed, took out a hymnal, and read the words as the choir sang.  I soon became more comfortable and the pain relaxed its hold on me.

  I will NOT let the devil rob me of my joy.  I will NOT give up and quit praying for myself and others.  I will NOT let the devil whisper in my ear things like, "God can't do what you think He has done.  It didn't really happen." 

  I praised God again last not for the gift of life he gave me at birth, and I praised Him for the life He gave back to me last year.  There isn't a day that goes by that I'm not keenly aware of the miracle that has taken place in my life. 

  My heart's desire is to praise Him and tell others there is a reason to have hope. 

   

  Be Blessed  ~

   

  • 12:31 pm
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