Went to MDA yesterday and saw my surgeon and did therapy again. My surgeon said that everything looked good so she expanded me a little to see how things would do, then she will take the stitches out Friday if everything is ok. I started having some leaking from a stitch last night. Please pray that this will not turn into anything serious again. God is on the throne and He is in control. I know that all these little things that have been happening is all part of His plan. It has given me more of an opportunity to be a witness to my doctors through this, since I have had to go so often. It has also given a friend of mine who has taken me to MDA the opportunity to witness while she is waiting for me to get out of the Dr. office. She has been faithful. I thank God every day for the dear friends He has put in my life.
I was talking to my younger children and thinking about what God has done in the past ten months and it brought me to tears. His love and grace is so amazing. During this whole time He has never left our side and He has poured out His grace upon us in so many ways, that it is so humbling. He has blessed time and time again in so many ways that it has just been overwhelming to experience. We don’t deserve Him, Heaven or anything from God. But because of His wonderful grace and love for us, He chooses to bless us, even when we don’t deserve it. Day after day we sin against a Holy God, and He is always faithful to forgive us. When I see the wretched person that I am and how often I fail Him It grieves me so, but He is always there to forgive me and pick me right back up. Once again, His grace so amazes me. I have drawn so much closer to the Lord and have truly seen things in a different way than before the cancer. Parts of His word has become so real to me, whereas before I would just read it. I am grateful that the Lord gave me this cancer, because of all the things He has shown me through this and to have seen all the blessings and miracles He has done. Even if He chose not to heal me, I would still be grateful and I still would not have changed a thing. It has been worth it all!
I go two days every week to MDA for therapy. The pain as far as the therapy goes has gotten much better, it is still very painful, but nothing like before. So, thank you all so much once again for your prayers. I also, will remain going to do the herceptin every three weeks for about eight more months. Pray that it does not damage my heart. The # 1 side effect of this drug is it can damage the heart. Love you all and listen carefully to this song. It will bless you. God’s grace is truly amazing!
Got back today from two long days at MD Anderson. Saw my surgeon again yesterday because my incision opened up again. I put butterfly band-aids on it Saturday. This worked. I took them off Monday morning. In the middle of the night my incision opened up again. This time it was a lot. Looked like someone took a knife and sliced me open. Well, my surgeon was going to admit me to the hospital, but decided to do minor surgery instead. So, I had a small surgery yesterday that took about 45 minutes. They cut out the old incision completely and took out all the exposed skin. The main thing I have to worry about now is infection, because the skin was open and exposed to the air for awhile. If I knew this I would have gone Saturday. But, the doctor gave me strong antibiotics and said she got all the old scar and tissue out.
I am so glad that I don’t have to depend on the doctors, but God. The Lord is still the one in control here. So, I am asking you guys to please join me in prayer that He will protect me from getting an infection.
As far as the pain, it is a little better, but not much. Thank you so much for all your prayers.
I am sending out a plea for more prayer. I am still in a lot of pain, Like barely moving pain. I talked to my surgeon and she said because of the type of cancer I had, the size of the tumor, and being in the lymph nodes, she went very deep into the chest wall cavity. This is the reason for the pain. She said I will have this for another month or two. Then I will continue having some pain for about six months. Why no pain meds at this point, I’m not sure. It is so difficult to try to get out of a chair and out of bed. I know one day I will look back on this and laugh,because it is comical to watch me get up. : )
On another note please pray for my therapy sessions. I went Wed. and it was really bad. They continued to make my arm move ways it hasn’t moved and my ligaments or tendons started popping. The therapist said that was good, that this is what I want. The arm with all the lymph nodes gone is so tight and it is all balled up underneath that it feels like bone. It is suppose to be soft like muscle. So I have a long way to go. The reason it has gotten so bad is my left side does not want to heal. It keeps opening up and oozing and bleeding. So I have not been able to do anything. So please pray that I will heal and it will stay closed up. Also, pray that my therapy will go better. I almost threw up Wed. because the pain was so unbearable. I go tomorrow morning.
Just continue to pray for healing of the incision, decreased pain, and help getting through therapy. I have to go to therapy two days a week for four weeks right now. Then continue at home three times a day. I also still have to do the chemo herceptin every three weeks for about ten more months. Appreciate your prayers!
God is so good all the time, even when times are rough. This is what He uses to draw us closer to Him. 2 Cor. 12: 8-10 ” For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” This is so very true. I know He will stand with me during the therapy, as He did through the cancer. Love having an awesome God!
PRAISE GOD! To God be the glory for the great things He hath done! Many of you already have heard, but I wanted to tell you myself. I went to see my doctors and surgeons this week. My pathology reports came back showing no cancer at all anywhere. Even the lymph nodes and what was left of the tumor showed that it was no longer cancerous. So, praise God, He did a wonderful miracle in taking it all away. My radiation oncologist talked to us and said protocol is to normally do radiation. But he said I responded so well to the chemo and herceptin that there was absolutely nothing to go after so he saw no need at all to do any radiation. So, the huge surgery that I was suppose to have with my latissimus dorsi muscle does not need to happen now. Praise God again! Every Dr. from the beginning even to the end said I will have to have radiation, even with the good report. But I did not feel comfortable this whole time with radiation so I just prayed and prayed that God would show the doctors if it really was not neccessary, that they would say I didn’t need it. That is exactly what happened, everyone was shocked. I thanked God this whole time through all of this and never took my eyes off of Him and I believe because of this He gave me the desire of my heart.
PSALM 37:4″Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” I delighted myself in the Lord and so did many of you when praying for me, and because of this, God gave us the desire of our hearts and healed me. When life throws you a curve, run to God and trust Him, your miracle may be just around the corner as mine was. Phil.4:6 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication WITH THANKSGIVING let your requests be made known unto God.” I thanked God from the beginning for this journey He was sending me through and I would not change it for anything in the world. It has been exciting, humbling, adventurous, and a great growing experience. My love and reverence for the Lord is so much stronger than before. His goodness that He bestows upon us is amazing, even when we fail Him and do not deserve His goodness, He throws it upon us anyway. His goodness leads us to repentance. I will never be able to show the Lord how grateful I am for all He has done for me and my family through this time. I will be looking for ways He wants me to minister to others and do whatever His will is for me from this point on.
I will still be needing your prayers. I still have a lot of minor surgeries to go through for the reconstruction process. I am not sure how long all that will take. I will find out Wednesday. I will also try to get on to try and give a word of encouragement from time to time. If any of you all need prayer,are going through a hard time and need someone to talk to please do not hesitate to get in contact with and I will do whatever I can to help you, even if it is just praying.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! I can not express the gratitude I have toward all of you for your love support and prayers. I am and will be eternally grateful.
Hello everyone. Thank you all so much for all your prayers. I have had some rough days. But that is to be expected. The last you heard was on the first. Well, I started throwing up on thursday night. Then I went to sleep and slept most of the night. Well, when I woke up on Friday I started throwing up again. Mark called the doctor and had them call out some phenergan. I threw up four or five times till I got the meds in me. Boy I was miserable. On top of that the pain has been pretty intense. When I eat it is hard to swallow, even drinks. It hurts for anything to travel through my esophogus. So, needless to say I eat very slowly. Yesterday, we drove home from Mark’s dads house. Today, the pain is a little better. The worse thing for me today has been energy. I am so weak, I can not even hold my head up. This is the weakest I have been since my surgery. All I have done is sleep since my surgery, so I should not be so tired.
Well, God is good, God is great and God is merciful. He will see me through this, just like He did the surgery. I felt His presence with me the whole time before, during and after surgery. We serve an Awesome God.
My next step is I go see my surgeons on Wednesday, July 7th. Then July 8th I go see the radiation doctor. Hopefully he will have some answers for me as far as how much radiation I will have to do. Then on Friday I will see my oncologist and start my herceptin every three weeks for a year. So, I have a long week after my surgery, forget about rest.
Please pray for my strength to come back soon. Love you all and Words can not express my gratitude that I have to you all for your prayers.
“This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.” Lam. 3:21-24
I thank God for hearing and answering the prayers of His people! Michelle is much improved this morning. The night was a little tense as she became nauseated and threw up about 2:30 AM (she threw up only one other time which was while she was still in recovery). She was given anti-nausea meds which put the nausea in check. The nurse and doctor suspect that the nausea was caused by taking a pill, meant to be taken with food, on an empty stomach. Lesson learned – she won’t do that again! Her pain fluctuated through the night (from 7 to 8 on her scale) but this morning she told the doctor that the pain was much more manageable. Currently, we are waiting to see the plastic surgeon who will give the final order to discharge Michelle from the hospital. I have read the material and watched the video on how to care for her five drain tubes (catheters) until they can be removed. Typical time for them to remain in the body is 7 to 14 days. They will be removed by the plastic surgeon when the discharge for each drain is less than 30 cc per day for two days in a row.
Michelle had a Starbuck’s Caramel Muchiato (spelling?) with a shot of caramel and vanilla (I told you she was feeling better!). She also ate part of an omelet which, according to Michelle, was good. She commented that each meal has been good. I continue to find reasons to be impressed with MDA.
UPDATE: The plastic surgeon came by a few moments ago (9:30 AM) and said the incisions look good, her pain meds (prescriptions for home use) will be the same as she received in the hospital, her drain tube reservoirs will be replaced with smaller ones (the five she has now are about four to five inches in diameter), and she will be discharged! Praise the Lord!
The plastic surgeon said she could go home now if she wanted to but we are still going to stay at my Dad’s house in Houston tonight. We will go home some time tomorrow. We still have to wait for the discharge process before we can leave but it shouldn’t be long now.
Most folks reading this update are no doubt family, friends, or part of an incredible network of people who love the Lord and have blessed us by praying for Michelle since she was first diagnosed with breast cancer in November, 2009. Some readers, though, may not really know the Lord Jesus or have a personal relationship with Him. To those readers, I recommend the following:
Allow me and/or Michelle the opportunity to tell you about our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. We are not “religious” or simply have a membership at a local church. We have both come to a point in our lives where God, through His Holy Spirit, has convicted us of our sin (anything that is not of faith or any transgression of God’s laws [like the 10 commandments, for instance, as found in Exodus 20 - who hasn't told a lie, or taken God's name in vain? Who has never stolen anything - regardless of the value of the item? Who has always honored his father and mother? Who has never coveted or lusted for things that don't belong to him/her? etc.] and convinced us that we are indeed sinners in need of salvation from the penalty of sin. The penalty of sin, according to Scripture, is death. This death is twofold. Because of sin you will one day die physically. And, if you die in your sin (i.e., you have not believed on the Lord Jesus and trusted in His blood atonement on the cross as full and satisfactory payment for your sin) then you will experience what the Bible calls the second death – Hell [a place of no second chances, a place of eternal judgment where you will forever pay for your own sins. Jesus talked more about Hell than He did Heaven in order to warn people to flee from the wrath to come.).
Once you realize that sin is your cancer and that Jesus is not A cure but the ONLY cure then you will understand the need to cry out to Him for mercy. Jesus told of one tax collector that, having humbled himself before the Lord, cried out, "God, have mercy on me, a sinner". Jesus said that man was justified, that is, made in a right legal standing with God (i.e., his sins were forgiven and God had given to him eternal life - he would still experience physical death but he would never be subject to the second death because God has promised [and He cannot lie!] that the one who believes in, trusts in, relies upon Him IS passed from death into life and will NEVER come into condemnation – See John 5:24). That’s why it’s called the Gospel, which means “good news”.
Everyone is afflicted with the cancer of sin. Scripture says that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, that is, missed the mark. Everyone needs the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. And, God is not willing that any should perish but wants everyone to come to a point of repentance (i.e., changing their mind about sin, themselves and the Savior). The Bible says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved (see Acts 16:30, 31). Our hope and desire for you is that you will be saved (which put another way is to be safe with Jesus forever!).
Read the Gospel according to John and the book of Romans for starters, both of which are found in the New Testament. You are already experiencing God’s mercy as you are still alive with opportunity to receive Christ. God has proven His love for you by sending His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to die in your place on the cross to pay your sin debt. His grace is freely poured out for you to experience. Jesus has done everything to secure your eternal salvation. Now He simply asks you to trust Him! You know the disease and you know the Cure . . . trust in the Lord Jesus this very moment and you will belong to and remain with Jesus Christ forever. Hallelujah!
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 1 Peter 3:9-13
PS Obviously, it’s impossible to encapsulate the greatest story ever told in a few short paragraphs so I encourage you to read the Bible for yourself. Call us if you want to talk about how to know the Lord or if you have questions about how to become a Christian. We love you – Mark & Michelle
The current number is “7″ on a scale of 1 to 10. Praise the Lord! Once the additional pain medication prescribed by the surgeon today gained a stronghold in Michelle’s body, the pain began to lessen. Today her catheter was removed and her IV fluids were discontinued because she was drinking enough fluids and was able to ”go”. She sat up in a chair and got a sponge bath, a new gown (yes, one of those gowns), and fresh linens on her bed. All of this was done by 1:oo PM this afternoon.
Michelle entertained some company this afternoon and her visitors proved to be the best medicine she’s received so far (thanks, ladies!). Michelle also appreciates the calls from concerned family and friends throughout the day. (Note: Don’t hesitate to call at this point as she is willing and able to talk.)
Michelle and I took a stroll this evening around the nurse’s station. The view was incredible; flowers, medicine carts and an ice machine and then the same flowers, medicine carts and ice machine again…. She did very well considering all she’s been through.
Michelle is doing much better this evening so I fully anticipate leaving MDA tomorrow (Thursday) and heading for my Dad’s house. As I stated in a previous post, we will stay with him until Friday or Saturday, depending on Michelle’s condition. One of the surgeons recommended staying close to MDA for the first night or two out of hospital. That way if there was a problem we would not have to travel far for assistance or go to our local ER which may not be able to address her condition like her surgeons who performed the operation could.
She ate half of her lunch and about half of her supper but her appetite is good and, praise the Lord, there is no nausea!
Michelle is receiving medication to relieve the muscle spasms she was having in her upper chest area. The same medication makes her sleepy. I believe she will rest much better tonight than she did last night.
Thanks, again, to all who have been faithful to remember Michelle in their prayers. There is no way we can express enough gratitude for your love and care for Michelle so we humbly say, “Thank You, in Jesus’ Name!”
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
Michelle requested the title for this update (so this one is brought to you by M&M!).
Michelle was finally moved from recovery to her room about 8:00 PM last evening. When questioned by her nurse, Michelle responded that her pain was a “10″ on a scale of 1 to 10 last night. She couldn’t find a position of comfort. Her arms were cold to the touch and causing her discomfort. As a result, she was very tense which only seemed to make things worse. The nurses were providing pain medication as often as they could by the doctor’s orders. This morning her pain remains a “10″. Your prayers for the pain to subside (e.g., every breath she takes is painful) would be greatly appreciated.
At 8:00 this morning, the plastic surgeon checked on Michelle and found everything in order with the exception of her level of pain. She is ordering two additional medications to help with pain management. The doctor also said Michelle will stay in the hospital until tomorrow. She is in the main building (MDA Cancer Center), 11th floor (use elevator “E”), room P1122. Visitors are welcome. The cost to enter the room is a pint of Blue Bell (any flavor) payable to Mark at the door.
In order to prevent pneumonia, etc., Michelle has to do deep breathing exercises today (i.e., inhale/exhale using a Volumetric Incentive Spirometer – it sounds worse than it is). She is expected to do 10 repetitions each hour. Another goal for today is to get her up out of bed and have her walk around.
”Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Phil. 4:6
In other words, Worry about Nothing, Pray about Everything, Be Thankful for Anything!
PS Michelle asked me to read all of the comments folks have posted over the past few days to her this morning. She really enjoys hearing your words of encouragement. Thank you!
PSS Charles – With your track record – you keep the fire extinguisher!
Nana Dee and I got to see Michelle in the recovery room about 6:15 PM. As she tried to open her eyes when she heard our voices, she puckered her lips for me to kiss her. Unashamedly, that was one great kiss! When Dee and I told Michelle we loved her she held up the universal sign language for I Love You followed by two fingers (i.e., “I love you, too”).
According to the nurse, Michelle did become nauseated and throw up once. She was given something to curb the nausea and it seemed to be helping. She has drain tubes, three on her left side and two on the right. She will be relocated to her room after shift change (about 7:30 PM). She was experiencing some pain and still trying to wake up while we were with her. At the time of this post, I am back in the waiting room with Gene and Becky Muldrow listening for word that Michelle is being moved to her room.
Like you, I look forward to Michelle posting her own experience when she is able to do so. God has been so very good to Michelle and our family. Thank you Lord Jesus!
Praise the Lord! At 4:30 PM we spoke to the plastic surgeon who told us that Michelle went through the surgery well and everything went according to plan. Again, Praise the Lord!!! She will be in recovery for about 2 hours and then sent to a room. We were told that we can go in to see her in the recovery room at 6:00 PM. According to the plastic surgeon, she will spend tonight and possibly the next night at MDA. Afterward, she and I will stay the next night or two at my Dad’s house in west Houston. We should return home on Friday or Saturday.
She is not supposed to lift or strain, obviously, but the doctor does want her to move around as she is able. The breast matter and lymph nodes will be evaluated and a pathology report generated. That report will determine how much radiation Michelle will have to endure and how long she’ll receive treatments. She needs to recover relatively quickly, though, as I’ve got some tractor work I need her to do on our back three acres. Settle down ladies, I’m only kidding.
I can’t seem to say thank you enough to everyone who has offered up a prayer(s) for Michelle, prepared a meal for our family, called, visited, sent cards, emails, provided encouraging words on this website, etc. A special thank you goes the membership of North Belt Baptist Church. The love this body of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ has poured out in our lives is immeasureable. I also cannot thank God enough for His consolation and peace during this trying time in Michelle’s life. Praise the Lord!
For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
