A Harvest of Blessings

I am grateful today for so many things . . .

. . . for a day where I feel kind of "normal" after having a bad five day stretch.  Feels amazing to be out and not laying down every minute.

 . . . for a uterine sonogram that shows I shrunk my benign tumor by .5 cm.  Still have to have it removed as it causes many problems, but fun to know tumors are shrinking.

. . .  for another cancer free scan from Claudia, my holistic scientist and an amazing boost of energy after treatment.

 . . . for my dad going home today from the hospital.  Wow!  He has 15 lives . . . Seriously though, he has such a survivor, fighter spirit.  I love him and am grateful for the holidays with him.  Thank you for praying for him!

. . .  for a wonderful Feldenkrais class that stretched my chest muscle and loosened my spine.  I have been having a hard time standing up straight, but it is easier today.

. . . for my loving friends and neighbors who drive me to appointments, take me shopping and to lunch.  Who doesn't love girl time with good friends?  Thanks Christina, Lisa, Marilu, Dyanne and Sandra!

. . .  for Dawn, our helper at home, who schools my kids, keeps the house clean, makes the meals (and juice for me), takes the kids to practices and fun outings, who has stepped in to keep the Young household moving!

. . . for my kids who are just wonderful during all of this.  They are growing and learning so much.  As we thank God for times of difficultly, I know that the kids will take it into their lives to help others.

. . . for a husband who serves me and makes me rest.  One who slept in the hospital, who encourages me and loves me.  This trial has been good for our marriage.

. . . for the scale that read my first year wedding weight this morning.  I have lost 31 pounds.  Unbelievable!  I even had a carob/date shake today.  I am not starving.  I just love how God is allowing me to eat in the way that my body likes, but that cancer doesn't like.  I wonder where the scale will stop.

 . . . for being able to take a shower by myself in record time without crying.  Yes, that is something to be grateful for!

. . . for my birthday weekend coming up!  Looking forward to dinner at 118 degrees with friends and a movie.  I didn't think I would feel up to it, but looks like its all a "go"!

. . . for the Princess Parables series that is moving forward.  Zondervan has trademarked our brand and given us the green light for the Christmas and Easter stories to write.  The I Can Read series is being branded and covered this week.  They are thinking of doing an activity and doodle book.  I am overjoyed!

. . . for all of you for praying for me and supporting me!  Thank you for all of the love, calls, cards and meals!  Please contine to pray for the OncoDX test to come back LOW RISK.  I don't have to take the test, only my tumors do.  They are doing it next week.  I am glad it's them and not me!

"He provides for those who grieve in Zion - to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.  They will be called mighty oaks, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor"  Isaiah 6:13

Testing the "mystery"

I do not believe that things happen by accident . . .  I do believe each circumstance in our life is orchestrated by the Living God.

I also believe, sadly that there are so many people who don't believe in Him and reject His miracles.

But there is always that unexplainable silence . . . disbelief that comes with a miracle.  I know I experience it now often.

Just so you know, when you become a "medical mystery" they really aren't sure what to do with you.

Currently, the oncologists are requesting a test that costs us $835 to test the possible "recurrence" of the cancer elsewhere in my body.  Based on that test, I would get a rating 1-4:  1 being low risk (no chemo needed) and 4 being high risk (chemo needed).  I know that they are all covering their basis so that I won't sue anyone for being a "medical mystery" and them not knowing what to do with me.  Because in their words, "the cancer was so widespread (the four tumors and in situ/ invasive) that it should have been in the lymph nodes"  This would have made me a much high stage of cancer demanding that I have chemo.

Just when I was thinking I was off the hook . . .

 So my prayer warrior friends, please pray again.  Please pray that we make the right decision whether or not to take the test (doctor bills are piling up on my desk).  Please pray if I do take the test that it would come back at LOW RISK.  Thank you in advance!  While you are at it, please pray for my dad too in the hospital with pneumonia in ICU.  I can't get out there to see him . . .

Isaiah 26:3-4  "You keep him in the perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.  Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock"

"Medical Mystery" . . . God's MIRACLE!

Our pathology tests have been delayed.  Many of you were asking for the report, but there was none to give.  So Bruce and I went to the surgeon today to learn again that they have not been officially released . . .

The doctor walks in with a funny look on her face saying "I've never seen this before . . . it's a medical mystery . . . we have discussed your case in three different tumor reviews . . . it's going to take a while to figure it out . . "  While she is talking, Bruce looks at me and winks.  Thank you Lord - it is only YOU!

Here's the scoop:  the surgical pathology report showed only 4 cancerous tumors instead of 8 and smaller than originally measured.  My original biopsy showed two types of cancer - one slow growing and one fast moving (HER2).  I saw the three HER2 tumors (grouped together) that they biopsied on the screen, myself.  My pathology report AFTER surgery shows only one cancer - the fast moving HR2 cancer is NOT there at all!!!  Lord you are too good to me!

It is not a mystery to me at all - God healed me through your prayers and through the diet/ cancer cleanse that I have been on for two months.  Plain and simple.  God performed a miracle!  God says "I will restore you to health and heal your wounds" Jer. 30:17

So what does it all mean.  I saw three medical oncologists prior to surgery that told me I would most likely have to do 4 months of two different types of chemo: Andromiaxin and Carboplatin where my hair and nails will fall out, etc. and then I would have to do one year of Herceptin.  NOW with the "medical mystery" as it currently stands, no chemo is necessary.  Isn't that amazing?  All of you praying . . . thank you, thank you!  God, our sovereign, amazing God, answered YOUR prayers and mine.  It's awesome!

I do believe that God took my body, the body that He made, His temple and He has made it so it wants to heal itself.  Then he got MY attention (yes much harder to do at times but a cancer shock will do it).  Next, He used the good organic (not sprayed with chemicals) vegetables He created as the tools to help me rid my body of cancer.  He used other holistic people to speak truth and help me cleanse my body of toxins.  Lastly, He used the surgeons to take out the final pieces.  God does not make junk - our bodies are amazing and by the grace of God, they want to heal.

Before we went to my surgeons office for the "good news",  I was at my holistic scientist doctor.  She said that my body does not show any cancer degeneration, even in the smallest form.  My cells were rebuilding normally and my energy flows were perfect (has not happened ever in the last three months with my visits with her).  So I was already excited before we hit the surgeon's place.

Some of you may be thinking that I should have waited to see if I could have rid the cancer completely on my own and not have had the surgery.  No, I heard the small still voice that said to do the surgery and I will not doubt it now.  I also believe God provided very sound and wise counsel.  I believe God has me just where he wants me; there are so many opportunities to give Him glory!  I know that I am right in His will.  Plus the blessings which are too numerous to count tonight have definitely made it worth it!

My surgery is healing and I am up getting around.  I still can't drive and do alot of things, but who cares??? I am cancer free and feel great (except for the pain in my chest :)  You can pray for healing on my right breast so that I will not have to do another surgery.  It seems like such a minor prayer for all you incredible prayer warriors, but lift that one up for me.

My husband (and father-in-law) want to thank everyone for bringing the delicious meals.  Also thank you to my in-laws have been a God-send this week too.

Thank you all again for praying - daily, hourly, every time you thought of me . . . our God listens and answers.  Thank you Lord Jesus "Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.  My soul clings to you, your right hand upholds me."  Ps 63:7

Just hours before the knife . . .

Whew!  Everything is done . . . all the things on the list are crossed off . . .

Well almost.  I have one person I was trying to track down to clear my conscience with.  I felt God convict me of something that happened 4 years ago.  I tried hard to get a hold of her and she had moved, but it will just have to wait for a little bit.  God knows that I tried to make it happen, but she didn't return the call.

I have a peace about tomorrow - maybe not the days ahead, the pain, etc.  But the good thing about me is that I live one day at a time.  Tomorrow morning, say 4:30 a.m. I may not be so jolly, but tonight life is good.  We had a wonderful dinner and a pillow fight with the kids.  I gave tickles to the kids at bedtime and told them all how special they were.  I made lunches for Elements tomorrow (the kids will go to class without me).  A normal night . . .

Today I took all of my verses that you all have texted me, written me in cards, emailed me, facebooked me and all the verses God has given me and put them on index cards to take to the hospital.  I asked for more today on facebook and 39 people sent verses.  I have close to 100 index cards that God will use to speak truth to me.  Truly a gift of his word accessible in a time of need.  Thanks God for the inspiration this morning.  I knew my Bible would stay in the bag.  It is too heavy and I won't be able to hold it after tomorrow, but the index cards will have what I need, when I need it.

I actually feel perfectly normal today.  I feel the best I have felt in years because of the diet.  I don't feel sick in the least bit.  I definitely don't FEEL like I have cancer.  So the thought of waking up at 4:30 a.m. to go and have surgery for something I don't feel like I have is a bit surreal.  Really incredible actually!

I think I am going to mourn these breasts that are part of my identity.  When I was in Jr. High all over my yearbook you can't find my name.  Only nicknames:  "Dolly" "Jugs" "Boobs" "JJ" and more.  I was a very early bloomer.  I have spent half of my life hiding them and the other half connecting with them in breastfeeding.  What a gift from the Lord to connect with my kids!  So trying to look on the bright side . . . I will get new perky ones that I won't be able to feel.  Some say I can even slam them in door and I would never know.  Not a pretty picture if you ask me.  But the years of breastfeeding did take their toll so they will be lifted, reshaped and reborn.  Ah, the blessing of modern medicine!

I ask those of you to pray for me from 7:30 a.m. - noon tomorrow -Oct 7th. for:

1.  For courage and boldness in the hospital.
2.  For the surgeons as they perform their jobs and for my body to respond properly.
3.  For all those who care for me, grant them wisdom to know what is needed and how to help.
4.  For my family and friends comfort as they wait for news.
5.  For the surgery to be successful and that nothing has spread to tissue or lymphnodes.
6.  For a quick recovery at home and the ablity to detox soon.

Thank you for standing with me, friends!  For praying for me and encouraging me!

See you on the other side of surgery . . . Blessings!

What Cancer Cannot Do

This was sent to me by my sister - in- law, Amy:

What Cancer Cannot Do
Cancer is so limited . . .
It cannot cripple Love.
It cannot shatter Hope.
It cannot corrode Faith.
It cannot kill Friendship.
It cannot suppress Memories.
It cannot silence Courage.
It cannot invade the Soul.
It cannot steal Eternal Life.
It cannot conquer the Spirit.

For all of my friends battling these nasty things, remember how limited cancer is.

The steps of a man are established by the Lord;
And He delights in his way.
When he falls, he sall not be hurled head long;
because the Lord is the One who holds his hand.  Psalm 37:23-24