21 Days!

The doctor notified me today that it will not be necessary for me to have chemotherapy! I am both blessed and thankful. My GOD is so good!!!

My surgery was on Friday - Jan 22. The hospital further processed my tissue sample on Monday, Jan 25, and readied it for more testing. Early indications were that everything was removed successfully; there were clear margins in the tissue removal and nothing had spread to the lymph nodes. I was encouraged with the news. Some women with early-stage breast cancer do not benefit from chemotherapy. I was hoping and praying that I would not have to undergo chemo.

I soon learned that my oncologist was waiting on a test called Oncotype DX, used in early stage, estrogen receptor-positive and lymph node-negative breast cancer to determine the liklihood of the breast cancer returning. The outcome of this test would tell whether the doctor thought I would benefit from chemotherapy. While I was praying for a good outcome, I also became very aware that if the test indicated that I would benefit from chemo, that I would indeed be grateful to know that and would willingly and thankfully embrace that. My doctor informed me that the test results are usually back within 10-14 days. So the waiting began and the praying continued.

Last week, the company performing the test called me to let me know the cost of the test and my expected co-pay after insurance coverage. They wanted to make sure that was okay. After urging them to proceed as quickly as possible, they told me it could still take 10 to 14 days for the results to get faxed to my doctor. I implored them to move as quickly as possible, as I was waiting on this information before proceeding with any treatment. I continued to wait and pray. All the while, God granted me peace.

Today, Feb 15, my doctor informed me that he had gotten the test back and it looked good. He did not feel that I would need chemotherapy....PRAISE GOD!!! I will see the radiologist later in the week to determine when radiation will begin and I will meet with the oncologist to see if there are any other treatments indicated, such as tamoxifen. But right now, I am so elated and thankful that God heard my prayers and answered them in the manner that He did.

Today was the 21st day after the hospital started processing my tissue samples for further testing. I had resolved that whatever the test revealed, I would be blessed by the outcome. I would either not have to do chemo or learn that I needed it and be grateful to have the help that it would lend me in getting well. Again, I had peace because I knew God's best for me would be revealed, either way. To be quiet honest with you though, I was really praying hard that I did not have to do chemo:D I have many friends that have undergone that path of treatment and I know it is grueling. Of course, anyone, would rather avoid it if they could. I am so grateful that God has spared me that path of treatment.

In Daniel 10:12, he was told "Do not be afraid Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia."

I have always loved this story in the bible and have often prayed that God would dispatch his angels on my behalf to help me fight any battles that were waged against me. I've even prayed for Michael, the arch angel, to be sent on my behalf, on occasion. It's not a stretch for me to envision myself in Daniel's shoes and to beleive that God fights for me and lends me His army of angels to help in that battle, now and then.

This could have very well been one of those times. I have prayed and waited patiently for 21 days. The Lord has given me peace and I have trusted Him the entire time. I've said it before and I'll say it again...HE IS FAITHFUL!

My sould magnifies the Lord, for He has done great things for me!