Wow ... what a week ( or should I say couple of weeks)! Yesterday completed my radiation treatments- hip, hip hooray! I must say, the Drs., Nurses, Physicists and staff at MDA are amazing. Their tender care, love, compassion and humor took the "scary" right out of all this fun. They truly were terrific. I will miss their genuine smile and care ... but I'm not gonna miss the contraption that was inserted into my body on April 27th. Most unbelievable thing I've ever seen - for sure! I truly stand in awe at medical technology of today.
The definition of "contraption" is ... a mechanical contrivance, gadget, device. Yep ... I was sportin' a mighty contraption with me for 11 days! It's the latest and greatest type of radiation. It is truly the craziest thing I have ever endured in my body. A torpedo looking contraption inserted into my body that the Drs. hook up to the radiation. I was a "perfect" candidate for this partial radiation, which only radiates the area where the tumor was. Much easier on the body for the long term and a very high dose radiation attacking the cancerous area. We are truly blessed to live in a city that continues to improve the treatment and options for its patients. MDA is certainly "cutting edge."
Can I brag for one minute? Thanks. How do I even deserve the husband and children God gave me? I don't deserve them! They have been unbelievably"over the top" thru this little thing we've got goin' on! I simply would not make it without (The Lord first) and my precious, loving family. Thank you to my amazing husband and my beautiful girls ... I love you more than words can express ... you are my angels on this earth.
I have always been so healthy (and still am), never went to the doctor (until now)" but this past week reminded me so often of a quote from Beth Moore ...
"if I die suddenly, my gravestone might appropriately offer this insight into my departure: "God got tired." I require lots of work." I have prayed so fervently to the Lord, truly have laid all this at the Cross and have completely trusted God and His mighty plan since learning this diagnosis in February. I'm most certain my family would agree with Beth's quote ... I pray my precious family is not growing tired! I love them all so very much. Please keep them in your prayers. They may need a big dose of strength as I could be wearing them weary. Ugh!
A huge praise and note of thanksgiving to Our Lord God Almighty ... such a meek and humble offer of thanks. HE once again, met me at the door of MDA early Monday morning for my first radiation treatment. I have never felt the Lord literally carry me through what could have been a very difficult week. But it was far from it! We (God, my family and myself) blazed thru these 10 high dose treatments with joy and plenty of energy. The Lord was in that place. As I mentioned the staff was stupendous- treated me so tenderly and gracefully. AND ... HE brought Melinda there on Monday morning to begin her 10 radiation treatments. I was sad she had to walk this path, but I was so blessed to have met a new friend in Christ (and post cancer!!) Melinda and her husband John love Jesus with every fiber of their being. We became instant friends. You should have seen us trying to hug each other ... my contraption was on the right side of my body, hers was on her left side! But we quickly learned how to hug and not bother our hanging contraptions! I praise His Holy Name because Melinda is done with her cancer walk! Finished- History! She is cancer free and has no more treatment. I pray we will be friends for life ... thank you Jesus for bringing me a friend to endure every radiation treatment with! Just love her so much.
The previous post from precious Meredith shows the little celebration after we completed all our radiation treatments. They removed the crazy device from my body and I am good to go! I go back to MDA on May 20th to prepare for chemo. Richard and I met with the oncologist last Tuesday and she strongly recommended I do 6 months of chemo. It was our choice and after heeding her advice and seeking the Lords counsel ... it is best that I do it. My lymph nodes were cancer free, my margins were clear, tumor was 1.9 cm (still stage 1) ... but the type cancer I HAD (Drs. say I am completely cancer free now) was a high grade, fast growing type. So ... they feel chemo will kick it for the long haul of life.
I have a relatively positive approach to life and what is thrown my way ... but ... I am struggling with this chemo thing. I think we all know the side effects of this two sided thing called chemo (it saves lives everyday across the world, but it's one monster of a drug!) I have pleaded with God to humble me and let me gracefully accept the side effects. I am struggling with the hair thing ... there I typed it, but I can't even talk about it. Yikes! So, if you still have the energy to pray for this, I would be most appreciative. I may be wearing out my "prayer time" from you!
This journey could be very difficult, very lonely, very frightening walk. But it has been the absolute opposite because of you! Yes ... all of you! At 51 yrs. of age I've been thru some difficult moments in my life. I have trusted the Lord thru most of them. But I have never seen the footprints of Jesus walking before me and with me as I have in this current journey. I see Jesus in YOU. The love of the Lord is before me every moment of the day through YOU. We are turning into chubby little piglets over here from the delectable meals you have brought to us. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. My entire family has feasted on one meal after another ... from the most amazing cooks our big bellies have ever enjoyed. The cards continue to flood my mailbox, the emails, messages and outpouring of love and concern is a sweet taste of what heaven will be like. YOU have been the hands and feet of Jehovah ... Our Mighty God.
So I humbly Thank You ... "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
1 Chronicles 16:33-35. For it is thru the Lord that you have brightened this path we are on. YOU are amazing and so very precious to me and my family.
Love you all ... so very much,
Jill
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Been praying for you daily and it is so awesome that you are cancer free.
ReplyDeleteSince cancer is no stranger in my family- I have often played the what if game with it, and I came to the conclusion that the hardest part would have to be the hair loss. I know, it sounds stupid and petty, but I think you know where I am going with this.
The physical pain is terrible, and all, but one can smile through it, (as you have beautifully). :) It just stinks that you have to LOOK sick, ya know? Not only is your body hurt, but your pride is too.
Anyway, I just wanted you to know that the hair issue would be hard for any of us- don't feel petty or stupid for feeling bad about that- we totally understand. :)
Praise the Lord that the Chemo is only a preventative measure and not necessarily a life saver at this moment! What a great feeling knowing that after these next few months of hard times- you will be DONE!!!!! (as opposed to having to reevaluate the next step etc).
Will continue to pray for you, your fam, and you with all the side effects of chemo.
♥ TK
You are an amazing woman!
ReplyDeleteTruly, through your journey you have shown grace and mercy and humbleness (is that a word? :) )! You walk with the Lord hand in hand and you are such a wonderful example to everyone! I don't know if I could handle this situation as beautifully as you have!
Thank you from the bottom to the tip top of my heart for sharing your journey! I feel like you show me Jesus... I hope and pray that I can do that for others too!!!!
Still praying,
Tiffany
May you continue to grow in the love, peace and wisdom of the Lord Jesus Christ. May He do awesome works in you and use you as a vessel to proclaim His glory amongst the nations. You have been set on a path, which if you seek His face, He will raise you up. He will place upon your head a crown so glorious that you can only lift your brow with His help. Your lifesong is a testament of His majesty and your faith. I love you. Blessings...
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