July 11, 2010

Well there is good news…and more bad news (or challenging news is a better word)
( Again I know this is a lot- this is also a journal for my children)

Here is what happened this past week! (July 4th-July 10th)
On Tuesday I had my appointment with Dr. Franklin-what an awesome doctor and person! When Dr. Franklin came in to meet me for the first time he said, “I all ready know so much about you.” he had four people tell him at the Cancer Center…”just wait until you meet Heather”. And he even said that he and Bro. Lawrence has been talking about me too. Dr. Franklin also attends Vaughn Forest!! Wow- that would make anyone feel good-especially since the center just shakes my nerves. I have a very hard time going in there even though you are treated so well. Dr. Franklin was impressed with my recovery from surgery and especially the pathology report. He too like Dr. Eaddy said that with the size of the tumor (2’inches) that they are still amazed that it was not in the lymph nodes. Dr. Franklin said GOD certainly is holding your hand! This appointment was just the initial consultation so nothing else was planned as part of my treatment. I will come back to him for 36 radiation treatments when I am finished with Chemo….

Speaking of Chemo…… I have really been on my knees with God about this next step. I itinally was told four treatments but after meeting with Dr. Davidson, (Love him too!) on Friday he said that since my tumor was the 2” that I need the eight treatments-even though it is not in my lymph nodes that they have staged me as a Stage 2 Cancer. This has been really hard for me to absorb…but as my mom has said- I would rather have you here going through this than not have you at all. This I can do this even thought the next 5 months is going to very tough. But I know that I my God is holding my hand (that pretty powerful to me) and my husband/best friend, my children, my family and the most wonderful friends and so many prayer warriors….are right here with me. The best news and encouragement is that Dr. Davidson told me to keep on doing what I love doing: keeping children and photography. They way we have scheduled my treatments is it will be every other Friday (so I can rest all weekend!) I start on July 30th. (just 8….I know that’s a small number but it is really huge to me!) I like that Dr. Davidson said that I will only have a 15% chance of having any nausea- they will give me meds for that. But it does look like I will loose some and maybe all of my hair (praying he is wrong) I think I can handle just about anything except this. I have cried for days about it. I don’t want my children to “see me sick” but then again I reflect what my mom said- that is it better to have less of me than not me at all. So everyone pray to give me peace about this!

This has been a very challenging week- I have really had to stay faithful~ We are going on 30 days of Mickey being flat on his back. He has had 2 epidural shots, been to a chiropractor several times, he has taking way too many pain med but thankfully we have meet with a Dr. Bradley who is a surgeon and he is having surgery on Tuesday July 13th at Baptist South. He will be there overnight and home to recover for two or more weeks. So many people have said this is all so “ unimagable” to them. Honestly me too, but right now no matter how much pain I may be in, how sad I may be going trough all this, no matter how weak I get some days that I will do just about anything to have my husband and best friend out of pain, able to walk, be with his family, and be able at my treatments with me. (he has not be able to go anywhere with me- even my surgery)
(Sounds a lot like what Christ did for us….he too took the ultimate sacfrice for US all)

I also want to say a special thank you to my mom. She has spent all her days and nights with us. She has taken her vacation and sick days from work-she has taken Mickey and I both to all our doctor appointments, taken care of the kids and the house (and so much more) despite of her own medical conditions she has. “ Thank you God for giving her the strength and really good healthy days!” She is so thankful –and so am I for all of you helping out too. ( JoJo, KK, MeMe, MA, BJ, Kathy, Joy, Bobby, Amy S, Courtney, Amy T, Janice, Sandy, Mrs. Hall, and ALL of you praying and walking through this journey with me) It is sometimes the littlest things you all are doing but is really a big thing to us. The biggest help is the meals. I can’t tell you how much worry and stress that takes off of Mickey and me. (www.takethemameal.com watts/2619)
The end of the day is the toughest for me- I try to give all I can for the kids/family each day. I am trying not to overdo even though I am able to drive now. Thank for those of you that have rescued my while being out and helping me with the kids. And it means so much for all of you who are calling/texting- please think you are bothering me. Hearing from you all each day is such encouragement! Thank You!

So here is what’s next for me- I will be having a PET scans, short for Positron Emission Tomography, can detect areas of cancer by obtaining images of the body’s cells as they work (making sure that there is no more cancer anywhere in my body) then I will have to have a Port implanted by Dr. Eaddy. (another surgery day) This will be used to have my chemo meds put into me. This part I really don’t want but it is not optional at this point. I just did not want any physical evidence. Please pray that this will be easier than expected- specific dates for the two procedures has not been scheduled.

Wheww-that’s all! Sorry for the long update. As you all know this is also a journal for my children. I will update next week and if anything comes up during the week.

I will keep PRAISING JESUS in this STORM- and I will LIFT MY HANDS for YOU are who you are- no matter where I am and every tear I’ve cried You hold in your hand You never left my side and through my heart is torn I will praise you in this storm!

Phil 4:13
THANKS FOR LOVING and PRAYING for ME!
Heather