We were relieved this morning to have received a surgery date of February 8th. Now we can move forward with our day-to-day life "planning", God willing, as many family birthdays (my nephews, father, Ava, Matthew, mother-in-law, and my own) and anticipated vacations approach.
The pre-op appointment, the day before, is expected to take nearly all day, as they complete paperwork, blood work, and various scans/tests to prepare for surgery. Right now, we don't have a surgery time - and won't have a time until the day before. He will also have his first of every three-month scans to check for cancer that may have spread or come back. His recovery time is dependent on how the surgery goes, but he is expected to come home on February 10th - with at least two weeks to recover completely.
There are still many unknowns... continuous reminders that it is all in God's hands. The most capable and loving hands.
Cast all of your cares on Him, for He cares for you affectionately. 1 Peter 5:7
Friday, January 21, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
The Beginning of the End of Liposarcoma
Jeremy finished up radiation therapy Friday of last week. He's thankful to be done with the daily reminder of cancer. It was hard for me to visit once a week and see all of the other cancer patients - in evidently far worse shape than Jeremy, I know it was certainly not a happy daily visit for him. Regardless of how well his treatment was going. But, God carried us through the battle of radiation therapy. Now we joyfully shout praises to God for all the miracles we've seen through this trial. We have renewed strength and faith as we prepare for surgery and removal of cancer from our lives. Understandably, Jeremy is eager to finish surgery. We don't have a surgery date yet and again, find ourselves in a test of contentment, patience, and peace. We look back on all of our past trials for encouragement and peace, and patience in the waiting again.
We have much to rejoice over. Thank you Heavenly Father, for clearing the path before us, revealing your healing power, shaping us into looking more like your children every day, lighting a fire within us to share the promises we have in you, and being our gracious, merciful Abba Father.
"But he said, 'If they kept quiet, the stones would do it for them, shouting praise.'" Luke 19:40
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Monday marked the last week of radiation treatment for Jeremy. We have had so many blessings to rejoice over in the last month. We will never forget everything God has done for us.
On Sunday, I was thinking of beginning our final week of treatment the next day; the surgery to remove the cancerous tumor; the next three years of quarterly body scans; two years of semi-annual scans, and annual scans from then on if we make it five years cancer free. Feeling overwhelmed, I thought to myself, "we'll be worried about this forever." I spent the next 24 hours praying fervently for Jeremy. I prayed, pleaded, that God would continue and complete the healing He's already begun in Jeremy's body. I believed. And then prayed God would help my unbelief. On Monday, during my quiet time, my Abba Father, My Comforter, my Redeemer, my God revealed the words I needed to know. Luke 10:18-20 (The Message) "Jesus said, 'I know. I saw Satan fall, a bolt of lightning out of the sky. See what I've given you? Safe passage as you walk on snakes and scorpions, and protection from every assault of the Enemy. No one can put a hand on you. All the same, the great triumph is not in your authority over evil, but in God's authority over you and presence with you. Not what you do for God but what God does for you -- that's the agenda for rejoicing.'"
I rejoice today, not only in knowing Jeremy is ending his treatment with nearly perfect results, but in knowing the authority God has over our lives and His presence with us always.
When we call on Him, like I did on Sunday, succumbing to old habits and strongholds of fear and doubt, he listens the split second I call to him and replies with direct answers and grace! (Psalm 1-4)
As for Jeremy, I think emotionally, his strength remains astounding and inspiring. Physically, there is no change in the size of the tumor from last week. However, Jeremy has noticed it has become more firm and tender to touch. We've been told this is to be expected and is even more evidence that the radiation is doing everything they hoped it would do.
We hope to have a surgery date scheduled this week for three to four weeks after Friday's final treatment. We've been warned that for about the next two weeks, Jeremy may feel even more exhausted and "sunburned" than he has up to this point, as the radiation continues "working" for a couple weeks after the last session.
Once he has recovered from radiation, he will have surgery. Once he is recovered from surgery, we begin our journey of remaining cancer free for the rest of Jeremy's long life.
On Sunday, I was thinking of beginning our final week of treatment the next day; the surgery to remove the cancerous tumor; the next three years of quarterly body scans; two years of semi-annual scans, and annual scans from then on if we make it five years cancer free. Feeling overwhelmed, I thought to myself, "we'll be worried about this forever." I spent the next 24 hours praying fervently for Jeremy. I prayed, pleaded, that God would continue and complete the healing He's already begun in Jeremy's body. I believed. And then prayed God would help my unbelief. On Monday, during my quiet time, my Abba Father, My Comforter, my Redeemer, my God revealed the words I needed to know. Luke 10:18-20 (The Message) "Jesus said, 'I know. I saw Satan fall, a bolt of lightning out of the sky. See what I've given you? Safe passage as you walk on snakes and scorpions, and protection from every assault of the Enemy. No one can put a hand on you. All the same, the great triumph is not in your authority over evil, but in God's authority over you and presence with you. Not what you do for God but what God does for you -- that's the agenda for rejoicing.'"
I rejoice today, not only in knowing Jeremy is ending his treatment with nearly perfect results, but in knowing the authority God has over our lives and His presence with us always.
When we call on Him, like I did on Sunday, succumbing to old habits and strongholds of fear and doubt, he listens the split second I call to him and replies with direct answers and grace! (Psalm 1-4)
As for Jeremy, I think emotionally, his strength remains astounding and inspiring. Physically, there is no change in the size of the tumor from last week. However, Jeremy has noticed it has become more firm and tender to touch. We've been told this is to be expected and is even more evidence that the radiation is doing everything they hoped it would do.
We hope to have a surgery date scheduled this week for three to four weeks after Friday's final treatment. We've been warned that for about the next two weeks, Jeremy may feel even more exhausted and "sunburned" than he has up to this point, as the radiation continues "working" for a couple weeks after the last session.
Once he has recovered from radiation, he will have surgery. Once he is recovered from surgery, we begin our journey of remaining cancer free for the rest of Jeremy's long life.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Count Down
As if we weren't already, we're counting down to the last day of radiation - which will be completed on Friday, January 14. We remain in awe of God's healing power. Despite the doctor preparing us to expect no further shrinking, the tumor is smaller still than it was last week!
Jeremy is experiencing more discomfort after treatment with each passing day. The skin on his back is beginning to burn and his nausea has become more severe. So thank the good Lord the end of treatment is near and the nausea medication is allowing Jeremy to continue eating and drinking normally. He's also been blessed to continue working throughout his radiation therapy.
I am so impressed with Jeremy's strength, both physically and emotionally. Each day, I see evidence of amazing changes God is making in Jeremy. He has an impressive strength and perseverance, but at the same time, a more tender and intense love for me and our children. If nothing else comes out of this trial, the man Jeremy has become is worth everything we're facing, and I know he would agree. We are different. We would have been different, with or without God, after going through this. I am so thankful that we have Christ within us, allowing us to come through this trial looking more like Him, instead of being left to come out of this trial looking more like ourselves - affected by Liposarcoma.
2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"
Jeremy is experiencing more discomfort after treatment with each passing day. The skin on his back is beginning to burn and his nausea has become more severe. So thank the good Lord the end of treatment is near and the nausea medication is allowing Jeremy to continue eating and drinking normally. He's also been blessed to continue working throughout his radiation therapy.
I am so impressed with Jeremy's strength, both physically and emotionally. Each day, I see evidence of amazing changes God is making in Jeremy. He has an impressive strength and perseverance, but at the same time, a more tender and intense love for me and our children. If nothing else comes out of this trial, the man Jeremy has become is worth everything we're facing, and I know he would agree. We are different. We would have been different, with or without God, after going through this. I am so thankful that we have Christ within us, allowing us to come through this trial looking more like Him, instead of being left to come out of this trial looking more like ourselves - affected by Liposarcoma.
2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"
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