Treatment, Bus Trips, and "The Survivor's Creed"

I was hesitant to post this update too soon for fear of jinxing myself, but I think I'm in the clear now.  It has been about a week and a half since my last treatment and I feel FANTASTIC!  I have experienced very few side-effects.   A bit of fatigue and a big 'ole bruise at the infusion site, but other than that it's been relatively smooth sailing.  I am praying that the bruise heals before my next treatment and that no permanent damage was done to my vein. 

 

This treatment is a combination of two drugs:  Gemcitabine and Carboplatin.  This combination is affectionately called "GemCarbo." 

• Gemcitabine is a nucleoside metabolic inhibitor" which means that it works by stopping the process that cells use to divide and repair themselves, leading to cell death. 

• Carboplatin is the only platinum-based chemotherapy approved to treat breast cancer.  It weakens or destroys breast cancer cells by damaging the genetic material in the cells and making it hard for cells to repair any genetic damage.

I don't fully understand how they work, but am very optimistic that they will work! I will have three weeks between treatments to allow my blood cell counts to recover.  We expect to do three cycles and then scan to determine how well it's working.  Depending upon the results of the scan, I may be able to discontinue the drug or I may have to stay on a "maintenance" dose for a period of time.  It will totally depend on how effective the treatment is with knocking out those pesky cancer cells.

Four days after this treatment, I boarded a bus full of very excited ladies and headed to Philadelphia for a Women of Faith conference.  This year's theme was "Believe That God Can Do Anything."  A very appropriate theme if you ask me!?!


We were also excited to find out that Women of Faith had recently partnered with the National Breast Cancer Research Foundation.  In support of that, they held a "pink out" at the stadium where everyone wears their pink attire and accessories to show their support.  During the opening remarks, they asked for everyone who has been effected by breast cancer to stand so they could pray for us.  Let me just tell you - I would have never expected so many people to stand.  What a blessing to see all of us being covered by prayer upon prayer upon prayer. 

Heather, Carla, Karen, and Missy all "Pinked-Out"

To add to our pink t-shirts, we were all able accessorize with matching pink leather bracelets that are embossed with these encouraging words from scripture...

 "In this world you may have trouble,

but fear not I have overcome the world."

~John 16:33

 



 All of the speakers at the conference were fantastic, but Max Lucado shared some ideas that I'd like to share.   He is talking about what to do when you are in a pit.  ..a pit of despair, of hopelessness, of poor health, of depression,   ....whatever pit you are in, here are some things to help you climb out:  

1. "Lay claim to the nearness of God."  In times of difficulty you have to allow God's Word to trump your emotions.  Hebrews 13:5 says "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."  We may lose sense of His presence, but He is always there.  He is near no matter what our mood or circumstances are.   He is near even if we don't "feel" like He is.
2. "Cling to His character" Think about everything you know to be true about God and make a list!  He is faithful, eternal, sovereign, majestic, unchanging, merciful, patient, He still knows my name....  Keep this list on-hand so that you can refer to it when you need to be reminded of God's character.
3. "Pray your pain out."  This is a time for honest prayers.  Scream it out if you have to, but let it out!   The entire book of Lamentations is Jeremiah's raw and honest prayers to God.  Part of healing is going deep and getting real with God.  Let him into the darkest, most fearful and angry corners of you heart.  I promise you that He will meet you there! 
4.  "Lean on Gods people." This is not the time to run away to become a hermit.  Max Lucado says to "be a barnacle on the boat of Gods church."  As much as we may want to run away, in reality we need community, we need His people, and we need His presence.

"The Survivor's Creed."

by Max Lucado 

---------------

You will get through this.

It won't be painless.

It won't be quick.

But God will use this mess for good.

Don't be foolish or naïve.

But don't despair either.

With God's help, you'll get though this!

 

  

 

 

Soon to come..... Lazarus!  There is so much packed into that little story.  I'm unpacking it bit by bit and can't wait to share it with all of you!  Until then, cling to His character and always allow His Word to trump your emotions!