Yesterday, I met with the oncologist who will be performing my surgery on June 30. I learned that he will be making as small of an incision as possible, from his hand signals probably 4-6 inches, and part of that will be over my scar from last fall. Hopefully the recovery from this surgery will be quicker than the last one since it will not be as invasive.
If the surgery goes as planned, and they don’t find any additional cancer in my abdominal wall or in the abdominal fluid, then the plan right now is to have radiation and not chemotherapy. The radiation would be fairly rigorous — every day for a month — but it might not cause all of the more immediate side effects I had with chemotherapy. There could be greater long-term risks, though, which I will have to discuss with the radiation oncologist when that time comes.
If they do discover that there is further cancer activity that did not show up on either the CT or PET scans, which is still possible, then I would follow surgery with chemotherapy. The specifics of that have not been decided since it is only a possibility.
The suspicious lymph node that I mentioned in my earlier post actually is just below my collar bone on the right side. It’s much too high to investigate it with this surgery, and my doctor feels it is most likely not cancer. He will be keeping an eye on it, and if anything develops there, I may be undergoing another surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, etc. depending on what transpires.
In my discussions with various doctors over the past few weeks, they all have agreed that cancer that recurs is much more difficult to cure. However, they also have all agreed that this type of cancer can be managed somewhat, depending on each recurrence, and my oncologist said yesterday that he is still treating me curatively — in other words, he is still operating with the possibility that the cancer could all be removed and killed with this round of treatment.
I have recently begun praying that Jesus would heal me. I realize that He may not, but it is a deep desire of mine. And by asking, I feel I am saying to Him that I know He alone can do it. Either way, I know that He is completely good, completely loving, and completely powerful. And I trust Him.
Lord Jesus, You hear the cries of your children. I ask for your healing rain to fall afresh upon Charity who you love more than anyone could. I so appreciate her heart to live for you and serve. As your children, we know that your plan is perfect, so I ask for your perfect will for Charity. We know that our inheritance is in YOU…but we selfishly ask that Charity be healed. More importantly, I ask for your peace that surpasses all understanding to guard her heart and mind in Christ Jesus. In Jesus’ name, amen
I don’t know you, Charity, but I love you as a sister in Christ, and I ache to learn this news. Your journey and willingness to share touches me. Stay strong in Him, girl. You inspire me without trying.
Locking my faith in with yours, praying for you as always, and just know that God is a God who grants peace.
Hang in there Charity, here is where the Lord is asking you, have you learned peace in the last few months, can you have that peace while the road gets bumpy?
Peace and Grace to you today my friend.
Will pray with you that His healing power is made perfect in your weakness.
Amen, Charity. Amen. Am praying!
Tap, tap.
(In-laws in town this week.)
No words. Just an amen set quietly aside your prayers.
today we fly back to oregon.
that is ok that we did not meet.
we can continue to communicate and we will meet someday, God willing, either here or in heaven.
Nancy — Thanks for your prayers. I’m sorry we haven’t been able to get together while you are in Indiana. I am actually going to be out of town the rest of the weekend. Maybe on your next visit? Blessings to you.
i too want healing for you, charity.
i will pray for this.
and if you want me to pray with you before i leave indiana…i leave on monday.
but, either way…i will pray.
may God’s peace be with you all the time.
Praying with your for healing friend!