After enduring pain all summer that recently started to escalate even more, I called my Oncologist and she set up some tests for me. Thursday I had an ultrasound of my liver, stomach, and kidneys. I received the wonderful new that there is no evidence of cancer in any of these areas.
My great news on Thursday night turned into disappointing news Friday afternoon.
My bone scan (which has been stable the past two years) came back with an increase of bone metastasis in my right arm (where I have been having pain), and my right leg (also pain). Because of the slight increase they are seeing, my Oncologist has to be pro-active and put me on new treatment. Fortunately, it is an oral chemo, and one I have taken before and know the side effects. It will be paired with a recently approved drug, that hit all the news channels and newspapers, and has people quite excited about it's effectiveness.
The other disappointment was that I might have to have radiation on my arm. I will be getting an x-ray (don't know when) next week and it will be sent to a Radiation Oncologist for review. If he thinks that a tumor is hitting a nerve or causing any stress fractures, I will need to have radiation.
So, my two biggest nightmares were changing medication and the unknown of the side effects (lethargy, upset stomach...), and having my calendar filled with daily trips to City of Hope which will take away time and energy from other things, like family and ministry.
The bottom line is that it is still very good news that we are catching this early before cancer finds a way back into my liver, or other places. I am very thankful for that reassurance. We just need to pray that healing will reflect on the x-ray so that I won't have to go through radiation. Most of you know that I have not had pain in my shoulder since our healing prayer group over two weeks ago. I guess the tests have not caught up with the healing that God has done.
I feel like I had everyone (and myself) watching the front door and Satan snuck in the back. Fortunately, I have a great security system in God, and I know He will take care of all of this according to His will and purpose for me.
When I was praying this morning and talking to God about my sadness, He reminded me that He has used every single situation, like this, over the past five years, to His glory. I have never been disappointed looking back. Ever. As much as I don't like this news, I take great comfort in knowing that once again my God is bigger than any treatment or test or sneaky evil that wants to derail my energy and love for serving the Lord. Satan apparently keeps forgetting that my prayer warriors are ready to shoot him down at a moments notice. Ready, Aim, Fire....
I know the prayer switchboard in heaven is lit up!
Love you all,
Sandy
