A lot of cancer centers have a bell that you ring when you complete your treatment. There is a large, bronze bell that sits on the desk next to my nurse. It has a big handle that is just begging someone to pick it up and give it a ring. A I-have-beat-this-thing ring! A week from today, I should be ringing that bell. Signifying another step complete. But, I will not get my chance…yet.
Last week the plan was to have surgery and then get back to more chemo. We had decided to just do the Abraxane, and not mess with the Adriamycin. It has risks on my heart that I am not willing to take right now and I can look back 4 years and say that I am not sure it really did its job on the cancer the first time. It is supposed to be the strongest, most effective on breast cancer, but mine is still here. We will continue with my doctors in Austin, however, I think my case is being presented to a team of doctors at MD Anderson through a connection that my mom made.
Then while enjoying lunch with my man, my surgeon called today. She has been thinking….
She is very concerned that she will not be able to get all the cancer out at surgery. The original MRI in March showed the depth of the cancer was alarming. It spans from my skin through to my muscle in the chest wall. The reason we chose chemo first was to shrink it to make surgery more successful. Since recent scans revealed that the cancer did not respond, she is still concerned about the depth that the cancer extends. In a typical patient, if surgery does not remove all the cancer, plan B is to kill the cells with radiation. I may not have a plan B. I have already received a high dose of radiation and they are not sure how effective they can be with another dose. I meet with the Radiation Oncologist on Wednesday to discuss this. The surgeon and my oncologist are discussing if we move forward with the new chemo drug to see if we can shrink the cancer before surgery. I would be for this because it would at least give us a way to measure the progress. But the oncologist is worried the longer the cancer sits, the more opportunity it has to spread. My guess is that this decision will be coming toward the end of the week.
There are so many of you who are following and praying with us. We thank you so much. I love Fight4Julie Mondays and I love seeing people I don’t even know following the story. We were kicked down a little lower today, but we are still fighting.
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
Praying for you and your family!
Julie–I am so sorry. Praying. Psalm 91:4-6
Praying it shrinks, praying for the doctors, praying for you in this fight to get your hand on that bell!!
Praying for you and your family Julie!!
Julie,
My heart hurts for you as you fight this battle. I pray for you often – for God’s healing power to be at work in you in every way. You are a precious woman of God and a beautiful example of faith.
Matt 6:25 tells us not to worry…but how does one prevent their minds from flooding? This much I know, you keep your eyes on the father who sees all and who’s will is perfect. Matt 6:34 says to stay in today without thinking about tomorrow. To me that means we trust, our doctors and our God.
So what can we do and do often…abide in his promises! I Thess 5:17 says to pray without ceasing. We all are ,Julie! Matt 21:22 says to pray believing. My prayer for you is, “Dear God, let Julie raise her children.” I believe God performed a miracle in the life of Kent Brantly, I remember how utterly bleak it appeared for him the first time we prayed, but I believe Jesus was glorified. “Father God, we ask you for a miracle – for you are the great physician. Every good and perfect gift is from you. Our hope is in you, Lord. We bow to your sovereign will and we pray Jesus be radically glorified. And Lord we thank you for loving us and bringing us to this day in Julie’s story. We love and pray for the Eller and Whaley family – cover them with your peace, your provision and your confidence. In Jesus precious name we turn to you, God.
John 1:16 says, “For from His fullness we have all received, grace up grace.” I’m calling on Jesus to flood you with that grace, out of His fullness of power, love and mercy. Julie you are fighting hard and many of us are standing with you and fighting with you in prayer – for God’s healing, His direction and wisdom for both you and the doctors, and for Him to go before you, even as He holds you by His mighty hand.
Isaiah 33:6 “and He will be the stability of your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is Zion’s treasure.”
Semding love and healing prayers your way, Julie! Thanks for the update. Let me know if you need anything. I can come babysit, bring you food, or whatever you need.
Sending many prayers for you, Julie! Thank you for sharing the update. I’ve been thinking of you a lot lately!
Sweet Julie, my heart is so heavy for you. Trusting God for your healing! You are an AMAZING young woman. We are praying for you!
We continue to pray everyday for you, your family and doctors. It is so hard to understand because none of it makes sense in my plan. I am so thankful we serve the same AWESOME God and I place my faith in Him. Please let me know what ever we can do! Hugs!!
Continued prayers for healing, comfort and blessings, Julie! I am so sorry to hear this update. I know God is a good God and our prayers will be answered. God bless you and your sweet family!
Thinking of you Julie and hoping that a plan comes together to at least give you an idea of what the next step is. I feel like the limbo phase in life is often the most difficult. I say a prayer for you each and every time I put on my Fight4Julie (which is often as it is so comfy!) t-shirt. 🙂
Thinking and praying for you all.