Wigs, Chemo, Second Opinions— Oh My!
We were shot out of a cannon again this week with more appointments leading up to treatment, but we're finding that the Lord is meeting us at each leg of the journey with manna for the day (Exodus 16). So we want to share some of those highlights with you...
Our appointments for second opinions at Penn with the surgeon (Dr. Rebecca Fishman) and oncologist (Dr. Amy Clark) were very helpful and clarifying. This is an answer to prayer—we were asking God for clarity and confirmation, not confusion! Their opinions affirmed staging (stage 2). Nothing majorly new was suggested regarding treatment. These appointments gave more clarity as to what type of surgery we can expect after chemo. Unfortunately, I'm likely looking at the more major surgery, but it's helpful for us to have a trajectory. These doctors also reaffirmed that while the road will be hard, this is a survivable, “curative” cancer with a good prognosis. Those few simple words were an encouragement to us. The doctors were glad to hear that we're taking this seriously and getting started with chemo soon.
We found that second opinions are good on many levels. They certainly give you more confidence on your path forward. And they also allow you to take in the information again at a different phase of your journey. With the first opinion, as you hear the info for the first time, you literally feel like you are being slammed by a bus. You're in a state of shock. The details coming at you are so startling and overwhelming that it's hard to take it all in and process it well. With the second opinion(s), while the info was still hard, we were at a better place emotionally and mentally to wrap our minds around the way forward, and able to ask clarifying questions. This, too, was a gift as God is helping us "gear up" for what's ahead.
Another answer to prayer is that my genetic testing came back, and there is NO cancer mutation, so it's not hereditary! That was a huge weight lifted for all of us.
On another note, I bought a wig today! (Yet another detail of life I never thought to expect.) I was so grateful for a compassionate "wig coach," Ellen, who walked me through the process. It was sweet to have my mom and one of my sisters, Anna, with me for support.
My first chemo appointment is set for this Monday, 3/11/24. While I'm nervous about the unknowns of what treatment will bring, at this point, I am ready to start fighting this stuff! My confidence is that I know the God who holds everything together will never let go of me. He keeps showing us in big and little ways that he is navigating each step, and while I can't see the road up ahead, I know He's already there. This is my comfort in life and in death.
A couple of scriptures have meant a lot to us recently...
One morning this week, I woke up with Psalm 27 in my head. As I opened my eyes, literally, my first thought was, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” I haven't thought about that passage in forever! But the Holy Spirit brought it to mind, and I've held on to it through this week.
Anthony and I have both been encouraged by Psalm 77—”Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters, yet your footprints were unseen. You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.” We feel like we are walking through a sea of great waters, and even though we can't always see God's footprints, we know he is with us, leading us through the unknown.
Prayer Requests…
A "green light" from the cardiologist tomorrow to start chemo
Health so I can get going with treatment (we'll send another update before chemo starts with more specific requests)
Sleep