Seems quite appropriate to post a recent Twitter post by John Piper: No matter what. "I trust in the steadfast love of God forever" (Psalm 52:8).
I had an MRI about 2 weeks ago to see why I was feeling pressure in the right side of my neck. From the reading of the MRI, it must be from all the scar tissue. However, a couple of things did show up. There is a BB size spot higher up on the right side, like more in my hairline. It's too small to even feel. Also, a lymph node on the left side showed up as abnormal. Actually, I found the knot on the left the night before the MRI when I was doing a routine check of my neck.
I saw my dr. in B'ham on Thursday. He couldn't feel the small spot on the right side either. He said we will just watch it and do a repeat MRI in 3-4 months unless I start feeling it. He said it wasn't necessary to put me through a biopsy to check the knot on the left. He said he'd want to remove it no matter what a biopsy would show. So I will have surgery again on Tuesday, April 6.
Compared to my oral surgeries, this will be a quicker recovery. Just praying my husband can go with me as he's recovering from surgery that he had last Monday. We'll see what his surgeon says at his followup on Monday. Small world--his surgeon and my surgeon interned together!
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
Approach Your Future With Joy
Approach your future with joy. This was the title of our pastor's message on Sunday. His message came from Philippians 1:18-20. The main teaching from the passage: We should be confident that our future will be an opportunity for Christ to display His glory--that our future is an opportunity for Christ to be displayed as the famous, glorious One. Be resolute to live your life so that Christ is honored no matter what happens.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Oral cancer's toll, Cruel
Here is an article just put out by The Oral Cancer Foundation: Oral cancer's toll, Cruel. Truthfully, all cancer is cruel. This article just gives voice to those of us who have dealt with and are dealing with this kind of cancer.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Mercy Granted
"The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer." Psalm 6:9 (NIV)
I'm very glad to report today that it has been one year since my last surgery/recurrence. I am thankful that I have really been feeling well. I still continue my monthly treatments of Erbitux. I still have to deal with the bothersome, though not severe, side effects after each treatment. My doctor said it wasn't protocol to do it this way...but pretty much because my surgeon was insistent/desperate to find a way to slow down/stop this cancer, my oncologist agreed this might be a good treatment plan.
Who am I to say that over two years later, Erbitux might actually be doing what the doctors have desired to see. Though, my oncologist is fast to say that he believes God most definitely has a hand in recovery...and so do I! God has been so good, and I give Him all the glory that I can share this post...that I have come this far!
I'm very glad to report today that it has been one year since my last surgery/recurrence. I am thankful that I have really been feeling well. I still continue my monthly treatments of Erbitux. I still have to deal with the bothersome, though not severe, side effects after each treatment. My doctor said it wasn't protocol to do it this way...but pretty much because my surgeon was insistent/desperate to find a way to slow down/stop this cancer, my oncologist agreed this might be a good treatment plan.
Who am I to say that over two years later, Erbitux might actually be doing what the doctors have desired to see. Though, my oncologist is fast to say that he believes God most definitely has a hand in recovery...and so do I! God has been so good, and I give Him all the glory that I can share this post...that I have come this far!
Sunday, January 3, 2010
A quote
From John Piper's Twitter & Facebook posts on December 14:
"When you take a breath and exhale in sobs, fall against the chest of Jesus. He will hold you up till you can breathe again."
"When you take a breath and exhale in sobs, fall against the chest of Jesus. He will hold you up till you can breathe again."
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Woo Hoo!
Went to Birmingham yesterday for my scheduled check-up. My doctor said everything looked good and no lumps/knots being felt by him or me. I don't have to go back till April 4, well past the anniversary of my last surgery. It's been 10 months since my last surgery. I haven't gone that long between surgeries in a LONG time. PTL!!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Silent fellowship of love
From Streams in the Desert, October 31:
"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will." Romans 8:26-27
It is not necessary to be continually speaking to God, or always hearing from God, in order to have communion or fellowship with Him for there is an unspeakable fellowship that is sweeter than words. A little child can sit all day long beside his mother, totally engrossed in his playing, while his mother is consumed by her work, and although both are busy and few words are spoken by either, they are in perfect fellowship. The child knows his mother is there, and she knows that he is all right.
In the same way, a believer and his(her) Savior can continue many hours in the silent fellowship of love. And although the believer may be busy with the ordinary things of life, he(she) can be mindful that every detail of his(her) life is touched by the character of God's presence, and can have the awareness of His approval and blessing.
Then when troubled with burdens and difficulties too complicated to put into words and too puzzling to express or fully understand, how sweet it is to fall into the embrace of His blessed arms and to simply sob out the sorrow that we cannot speak! selected
"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will." Romans 8:26-27
It is not necessary to be continually speaking to God, or always hearing from God, in order to have communion or fellowship with Him for there is an unspeakable fellowship that is sweeter than words. A little child can sit all day long beside his mother, totally engrossed in his playing, while his mother is consumed by her work, and although both are busy and few words are spoken by either, they are in perfect fellowship. The child knows his mother is there, and she knows that he is all right.
In the same way, a believer and his(her) Savior can continue many hours in the silent fellowship of love. And although the believer may be busy with the ordinary things of life, he(she) can be mindful that every detail of his(her) life is touched by the character of God's presence, and can have the awareness of His approval and blessing.
Then when troubled with burdens and difficulties too complicated to put into words and too puzzling to express or fully understand, how sweet it is to fall into the embrace of His blessed arms and to simply sob out the sorrow that we cannot speak! selected
Run with patience
From my Friday Streams in the Desert devotional:
"Let us run with patience." Hebrews 12:1 KJV
Running "with patience" is a very difficult thing to do. The word "running" itself suggests the absence of patience, or an eagerness to reach a goal. Yet we often associate patience with lying down or standing still. We think of it as an angel who guards the bed of the disabled. Yet I do not believe that the kind of patience a disabled person may have is the hardest to achieve.
There is another kind of patience that I believe is harder to obtain--the patience that runs. Lying down during a time of grief, or being quiet after a financial setback, certainly implies great strength--the power to continue working after a setback, the power to still run with a heavy heart, and the power to perform your daily tasks with deep sorrow in your spirit. This is a Christlike thing!
Many of us could tearlessly deal with grief if only we were allowed to do so in private. Yet what is so difficult is that most of us are called to exercise our patience not in bed but in sorrows, not in restful activity but in active service--in our workplace, while shopping, and during social events--contributing to other people's joy. No other way of burying our sorrow is as difficult as this, for it is truly what is meant by running "with patience." George Matheson
"Let us run with patience." Hebrews 12:1 KJV
Running "with patience" is a very difficult thing to do. The word "running" itself suggests the absence of patience, or an eagerness to reach a goal. Yet we often associate patience with lying down or standing still. We think of it as an angel who guards the bed of the disabled. Yet I do not believe that the kind of patience a disabled person may have is the hardest to achieve.
There is another kind of patience that I believe is harder to obtain--the patience that runs. Lying down during a time of grief, or being quiet after a financial setback, certainly implies great strength--the power to continue working after a setback, the power to still run with a heavy heart, and the power to perform your daily tasks with deep sorrow in your spirit. This is a Christlike thing!
Many of us could tearlessly deal with grief if only we were allowed to do so in private. Yet what is so difficult is that most of us are called to exercise our patience not in bed but in sorrows, not in restful activity but in active service--in our workplace, while shopping, and during social events--contributing to other people's joy. No other way of burying our sorrow is as difficult as this, for it is truly what is meant by running "with patience." George Matheson
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