Many of you have been waiting for an update on my health, and I know your prayers have been with me this week. On Tuesday, I met with my Oncologist and we talked about all the medical tests, my pain, and what that means as we go forward. The MRI of the Thoracic and Lumbar Spine is showing some advancement. My white and red blood count has been slowly decreasing over the past 6 month, which quite possibly means that cancer has entered my bone marrow. The third marker is, of course, that I am in constant leg pain. All this combined leads my doctor to the conclusion that my current medication is not blocking the cancer very well anymore, and we need to move on to something stronger. Dr. Chung described the cancer as being very smart and over time it will find a way to get around the hormone blocker. I have been on Tamoxifen for two years.
My first prayer request has to do with the change of medication. Arimidex causes joint pain in 30% of patients in a clinical trial, and since I already have pain, it is likely that I will feel like a 70 year old (sorry Dad), until I get used to the meds (which could be two weeks). My doctor also gave me some slow acting morphine to help with the pain.
I also met with the Radiation Oncologist, and I will be doing 4 weeks of radiation starting on April 27th. They will be radiating a large area that includes both hips and the pelvic region. I have been told that because it is such a large area, I will feel the effects much more than I have the last two times I went through radiation. I am anticipating that by mid May my energy level will be gone. I need to find a way to stay positive on that bit of information (the mind tells the body what to do).
As if that were not enough, last night I had another major mid/lower back episode that caused such intense pain, Jon was on the phone with COH Triage trying to get advice on pain management at 11pm. I talked to my Oncologist today, and she thinks that we need to look at widening the area of radiation to include this part of my back.
Of course, the news of cancer advancing is not a fun thought to have. Sensing my anxiety growing, my doctor said, "Sandy, this is a small bump in the road. We knew this day would come, and once we take care of your pain, you will be back doing the things you love. This is not unexpected, and we are still treating your cancer the same as we have the past two years."
When I walked out of COH on Tuesday, I felt peace and hope for many more years of feeling good once I get past the radiation. This Sunday will mark the two year anniversary when Jon and I were told by Dr. Woodward that our life was about to change forever. It seems like yesterday in many ways.
When I reflect back on those two years, the first thought is, "God is downright amazing!" I believe that I would not have survived the past two years if not for the voice of God telling me that He was going to walk this road with me. He has been so close, there are times I have felt his very breath. There have been other times when God has been silent and I wondered what is in the works, and how long I have to wait to get a glimpse of His big plan. As I read God's promises from His Word, I am hopeful every day that God will continue to use my life for His purpose. There is a lot at stake here, and I want to be purposeful and intentional about everything I do. This is my time to shine my light for God, I will not let Satan talk me into crawling into a corner and being scared.
But happy is the man...whose hope is in the Lord his God...the God who made both earth and heaven, the seas and everything in them. He is the God who keeps every promise. Psalm 146:5,6
The prayer support that we have is indescribable! Jon and I are so thankful that we are covered every day by people's prayers. Our prayer is that we can continue to shine for Christ and show those around us that we have an awesome God who loves us unconditionally. If we could get just a few to rethink their relationship with God, we have done something meaningful in this life.
We know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who are called accoring to His purpose. Romans 8:28
Love to all,
Sandy
