Search This Blog

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Terminal

If you have ever seen the movie, Lemmony Snickets 'A Series of Unfortunate Events' you will remember that the movie starts with an elf scene and jolly music but very quickly Mr. Snicket lets you know that if that was the movie you were looking for you are in the wrong theater.   I feel the need to let you know before you read too far that this too, is not jolly.  Unfortunately, this post is a bit morbid.  

Andrew and I had our follow up visit with the oncologist today.  
I have to say, I was not expecting what he said.  Yesterday, a community of oncology surgeons,  oncology radiologist, and specialized(for liver, gallbladder, etc) oncologist reviewed my case to decide what exact type of cancer I have and what possible treatments are. I expected that the verdict would be the same as last week.  I thought he would suggest I take chemo to shrink the cancer, then surgery to remove the remaining. However, these are the facts;

1.  Chemo only has a 30-40% chance of shrinking my cancer.  It is currently covering every section of my liver. It has spread to some lymph nodes in my abdomen and some small areas in my lungs.  This is bad news because it is hard to get rid of this much cancer with chemo and difficult to biopsy some of the lymph nodes.

2.  If I did make it past step one, I would then have the hurdle of the operation.  Each of the surgeons on the panel were against it because of the amount of cancer that is there in multiple places and the statistics of it coming back.  
If they did operate and cut the remaining infected sections cut out, I would most likely be very sick and tired for at least a month while I recuperated and my liver regenerated and even then it is possible for the cancer to come back.
If they did operate, but did a liver transplant, it is possible that the new one would be rejected by my body.

3.  This is considered terminal cancer because even if all the stars aligned and I made it through step one and two- the statistics for surviving this route is approximately 5-10%.  
Our doctor has had a total of two patients ever make it to the 5-10% and both of them had a reoccurrence of cancer within a fairly short time.  For one it has been 6 months since her second surgery, and the other has passed away.

4. The average life expectancy for someone in this predicament, according to modern medicine, is approximately 6 months to 1 year. 


I have not swayed from my last blog post but I am going to stick to the facts today and I just want to ask again that anyone who is willing will pray that I would be healed.  We are in a situation where it will require a miracle of God.  I believe that Jesus Christ has all authority under heaven and the ability to heal me.  Please pray that he will. I have not decided on a day to fast yet but will post more on that as soon as I decide. 

Thank you all so much for such kind words and sweet messages.  We have been so amazed by the outpouring of love towards our family.  We have an army of friends and family doing our laundry, mowing our yard, bringing us dinners, offering all kinds of sweet things.  When we moved here 10 years ago one of our deepest prayers was that God would bless us with good friends and he definitely answered that.  Here is to hoping he will answer again just as abundantly. 



12 comments:

  1. Heather, I have to say that I am just as shocked as you at this prognosis. This is certainly not the news that we have hoped and prayed for. However, I stand with you in believing that God is able to heal you completely and I will continue to pray passionately for that miracle to happen.

    It seems to me that He has allowed your case to be nearly impossible to treat with medicine so that there will be no denying that it could only be His power that heals you.

    You have taught me so much about faith and obedience not with words but with actions. I am so thankful for the gift of your friendship.

    “Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment.”
    ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭8:13‬ ‭NIV‬‬
    http://bible.com/111/mat.8.13.

    Lord, please give us the privilege of proclaiming your glory and miraculous healing power to all of those who have heard Heather's story. You are the Great Physician and only you have the power to heal this illness. We ask you heal her body completely, Lord.

    In Jesus' name,

    Amen

    ReplyDelete
  2. Standing in agreement with you, and praying that the Lord's will is to heal you completely. In Jesus name, AMEN!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am so sorry, Heather. We will continue to pray for complete healing, and know that no matter what God is with you and Andrew and the kids.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Heather, your faith is glowing in the darkness. Know that our prayers are going up and that we too believe God can heal you. We love you. Gary and Mary

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am praying for you, for Andrew, and for your children. This is hard news to hear. May God touch you with his healing hand, so that you can live for many years to come.--Steve McLeod

    ReplyDelete
  6. Heather, we will be praying as well. Can begin to imagine what you are going through or why. Loads of blessings have come to y'all and hundreds of others through your deep faith and Christ mirroring attitude. May God continue to bless you and your family and heal you all the way past the microscopic level.

    ReplyDelete
  7. The building of the giant...
    I'm not done praying

    ReplyDelete
  8. Praying for you, Heather! You are an encouragement to so many right now. If and when the time is right, I'd LOVE to share about the GERSON therapy with you and Andrew. May the Great Physician direct your path and heal you fully!

    Julie Clement
    615-633-8336


    ReplyDelete
  9. May the Lord heal you completely! As our pastor's wife said to me last year when I was supposed to die and I told her, I was ready to go home, she said, "Meredith, the Lord is going to heal you, you let HIM decide how!"
    Praise the Lord, I'm still here and it's been over a year!
    I would be honored to share the blessing the Lord provided to us. As well, my husband is a cancer survivor! psalm112-survivor.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Heather, you and your sweet family are ever present in my thoughts. I am praying for a miracle. Sending love and hugs your way. xo
    Holly

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi Heather,
    I hope my prayers for you are answered. I recently went through a similar situation and I had faith every step of the way. My surgery went so well it was a miracle, my Dr. Was actuall shocked at how well it went, he prayed for me and his hands did things others did not believe were possible. If you need more support or a second opinion or just another option I strongly urge you to reach out to Dr. Rosemurgy of Florida Hospital if you are in the Tampa area. He performs miracles and is truly a blessing. I'm praying for you and your family, keep being strong <3

    ReplyDelete