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I slept well last night and was at peace as we walked into the doctor’s office.  (Although I did tear up as Tom and I prayed before we went into the office.)  Thank you to everyone who was praying for this!

Talking with the Dr. this morning, he asked how I was doing.  I told him about my cough that’s annoying and won’t go away.  His response after listening to me breathe was, “I don’t think we need to treat it with antibiotics since your lungs didn’t show an infection and since your scan was good.”

“Wait.  It was good?  How good is good?”

“As good as we could have hoped for.”

Sigh of relief!  Praise God!

The PET scan showed scar tissue and some swelling from healing, but no active cancer cells in my breast, lymph nodes or sternum.  Woohoo!!

Tom and I both went into the appointment expecting the worse and were so happy to hear the best!

Even with that good news, there is still a long road ahead of us.  Since the cancer had already spread, it’s likely it will return at some point.  So we’ll be monitoring with blood tests every few months and another PET scan in 6 months.

A mastectomy is scheduled for April 14th.  2 weeks after that, we will meet with the oncologist again to determine whether radiation is necessary for the sternum, breast or lymph nodes.  This decision will be based on how surgery goes.

We also have to shut down my ovaries since they produce Estrogen that feds the cancer.  I have 3 options – a shot every 3 months for about 10 years, we can use radiation to shut them down, or I can have them surgically removed.  We’ll make that decision after surgery.  I’ll also have to take a hormone blocking pill (can’t remember the name of it) for the rest of my life.

Lastly (is that a word?), I’ll need a bone strengthening infusion every 6 weeks for the next year.  Since the cancer was also in the bone, we are going to get my bones as strong as possible in hopes that no cancer cells will be able to invade my bones again.  My first question about this was of course about the side effects.  They are similar to the Neulasta shot I received after my first set of chemo drugs – bone and joint pain and achiness.  Ugh!  As least I have dealt with it in the past and have a plan on how to manage the pain.

Praise God for answered prayer and for these scan results.  On top of celebrating what Christ did for us on the cross today, Good Friday, it’s a good Friday because of these results!

As we look to the upcoming weeks will you please pray:

  • For a time of rest before surgery
  • For peace about these results and not worrying about if and when the cancer will return
  • For peace and patience as we await surgery

Thank you for praying and praising with us and for all the emails, messages, calls and texts.

Psalm 34:1-4
I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul will make its boast in the Lord;
The humble will hear it and rejoice.
O magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt His name together.
I sought the Lord, and He answered me,
And delivered me from all my fears.

So much to be thankful for . . .

Jennifer

 

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