Saturday, June 30, 2007

The Beginning of a New Chapter In My Life...

This is the beginning of my story with cancer for those of you who are still wondering how this has all come about. On May 16, 2007 I had a lymph node removed under my arm pit which had only been there for a few weeks. 2 days later the surgeon called to inform me that it was cancerous and that it was the secondary cancer and they still had not pin pointed where the primary cancer was coming from. For the next 2 weeks it was an incredible whirlwind of doctors appointments, tests, blood work and needles, needles, needles!!! Finally the results indicated the primary cancer was coming from the breast. The breast showed that there was not just one or two tumors but the whole breast was covered in a cloud of small cancer cells. The labeled this a stage 2 and aggressively began treatment with a chemotherapy called Taxol. I receive this chemo every monday morning for 12 weeks (this monday will be the 5th one). Following this treatment will be another treatment of 3 chemo drugs together called F.E.C. The names are so long everyone just calls it F.E.C. These are suppose to be the big guns. I will receive 4 of these treatments once every 3 weeks. Supposedly it can cause some pretty extreme nausea and tiredness, BUT God has already been very gracious to me and has minimized many of the side effects up to this point! I figure the week of Thanksgiving will be my last treatment. Then following chemo will be the masectomy and lympectomy. If all the cancer is gone when they test the tissue from the masectomy then no radiation will be needed. PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE RESULTS!! The surgery will probably be sometime in December and I will be sing'n "All I want for Christmas Is My One Left Boob" Sorry, just couldn't resit! That is what I know up to this point. This whole thing still does not seem real and there is no explaining it. However, what I have come to realize is that we all have been created by the Master with a purpose or "Masterplan" and this is the path He wants me to walk right now. I will walk this journey with His strenth and Might and I don't want to miss a beat with what He has in store for me and many others. I pray that this experience touches lives for Christ around the world. The Lord put Psalm 91 on my heart nearly a year ago and since then not knowing why have read it just about everyday. Finally when this took place the Holy Spirit reminded me of His promise in Psalm 91 specifically verses 9 -16. Please read them if you haven't already. It 's a promise of victory and long life! I know with all my heart a healing is in store and a huge story will be told. Psalms 118:17 " I will not die, but live and recount the illustrious acts and works of the Lord" He knows I will shout it from the mountain tops of His great love and mercy. God is Awesome!

5 comments:

mom said...

hi dana it's mom

mom said...

You are such an amazing woman, I am honored God appointed me your mom. Your strength and courage are beyond anything I can imagine. I love you so much, my doo-dah dandie!!!!

Hugs and prayers always,
Mom

Unknown said...

Dana-
Love the do, girlfriend! A little sassiness is good for the attitude! Your are AWESOME and are an incredible testimony to all of us!

Love ya tons!

Jodi

judy r said...

Hey, Dana, I'm here. I never thought I'd be using the computer like this at my age!!! I like your pictures. I think you look cute with short hair. Be sure you read my email I sent a while back on your regular address before you started this. I will watch frequently and talk to you often. Love, judy r (r just in case you know other judys)

shuree said...

Dana,
Just a note to say what an incredible woman and testimony you are! I was a pharmacy intern under your father-in-law, Harlan and ran into him after 11 years. I am praying for you and your family! Isn't it awesome to know you are already victorious in Christ! You go girl!!!!
Basking in His Goodness- Shuree