First, my apologies for not updating last night, I know that many of you are out with your families right now!
I had my radiation consult yesterday afternoon, as you know. It went rather well, honestly. He went over the side effects of radiation (losing your hair, nausea, fatigue). And then a strange thing happened. He used the “cure” word! My mom asked him if he expected a cure for me, and he said verbatim “Thats what she is here for, is it not?” We smiled, and agreed that we liked him alot!
I was fitted for the mask, and had a ct scan done, which wasnt bad. He said that he would take my mri’s from the local hospital and pin point the margins from that, if he could. If not, I will have to have another MRI next week. He said that I should expect to start not this week, but next, which is good because Emma has transplant clinic in Gainesville next Thursday. He said that the treatments would be 6 weeks (for 5 days) and last 15 minutes.
So we left there a little lighter, and with smiles on our faces. I really really like this oncologist and his staff.
Then Mark and I went on a double date with Shay and Michelle from Marks work. We had dinner at Applebees, followed with Icecream from ColdStone. We decided to walk around, because our movie wasn’t starting for 45 minutes. We ran into a group from a Non-Denominational church and started talking (well, they started talking!) They were there witnessing to the teens around them. Towards the end of the conversation the man pulled out his cell phone and said “Mark, let me ask you a question, You have 3 minutes to lead me to the Lord because I have a knife in my back. Can you do it?” I stood there in awe of my husband, and his knowledge of the bible and the salvation story. He presented the gospel so very well!
We then went to the Movie “Pirates of the Carribean, At Worlds End” were I slept thru the entire thing, honestly!
It was good to get out, and do normal things. It was good to be with friends. It was good to not think about my situation for an evening. Today I woke up with a new resolve, for lack of a better word. The consultations are behind us, and we have a game-plan. I am very well versed in my care, I have my family around me, and most of all I have my Savior beside me.
Who could ask for anything more…
Heather,
I’m so glad your appointment went well. The doctor sounds great.
Glad you had a date night. I know you enjoyed being out with friends.
Hope you have a great Saturday! Praying for you!
You have everything. I am smiling for you today. You are so blessed!
Stephanie
What a great doctor! Sounds like you had a great evening too. God is good…all the time.
You are such an inspiration to so many people.
Shelley
Heather,
I’m so glad your appointment went well. I know you have your moments but I must tell you – You Rock!
Blessings!
Bonita……………
So glad you had a fun evening, I could hear the smile in your voice. It’s really nice when you have an oncologist you like. Is he good looking? I teased my daughters that if you have to have cancer, get a good looking oncologist. Mine is good looking and fun.
Have a blessed week.
What a blessing!! Also glad you had a cool date night! ((hugs))
Sounds like you had a good day yesterday. I’m glad! Before you know it, you’ll have your treatments behind you. Summers always seem to fly by too fast.
Have a great Memorial Day weekend!
Yay!!! It is so nice to have a doctor with such a positive and helpful attitude!!
Thank you for the update! Praising God with you for the good news, the good care, the great husband and your fun evening together!
What a blessing to have found this Dr. I shouldn’t say “found” it should be that God led you to!!! Is he a Christian? We have a lot of Christian Dr. here in Tulsa that are not bashful about praying before their procedures. So thankful for the good news and that you had a nice night out.
Susan
http://penlesswriter.blogspot.com
Praise the Lord! I’m so glad you were able to have a great time yesterday. Keep lifting your eyes, God loves you so much!
Blessings,
Julie in Texas
Heather this is SUCH amazing news. Wow. I’m so glad to hear this. Glad you had a good date night
It is so good to hear you sounding so well! Date night was important-continue to have those-regardless.
Take care,
BeccaM
Oh the blessed-ness of a “normal” day. I am very thankful you had one!
Blessings to you Heather.
Louise in MI
nice to meet you heather! i am a fellow blogger on leroy seivers web site npr. your own web site is amazingly beautiful! you are a truly AMAZING woman! your gift of script is lovely to read. you and your family will be added into my daily prayer. i just finished 7 weeks of rads for breast cancer. after 4 months of chemo (dose dense) . it was all rough but hey…i am a fighter and you are too! YOU WILL BEAT THIS I AM POSITIVE!
you can view me on caringbridge.org visit marianne
have a wonderfully blessed weekend!
When I woke up this morning, you came to my mind and I prayed. I’m so glad yesterday went well for you and you were able to get out and about.
So happy for you. Isn’t it the best feeling to leave a doctor’s office with a good word and confidence in your doctor?
Praise God!
God is so good!
May the peace of God wrap itself around your mind and heart this weekend. May you have a wonderful time with your family and have a joy filled weekend.
God is with you mighty warrior!
YEY!!!! The LORD is so AMAZING!!!! CURE??! Yippee!! Oh, and that Cold Stone Creamery!! Oh my goodness!! There is NO better place than Cold Stone!!!!!! mmm…
Heather,
I would love to chat with you via email sometime and encourage you. Thanks first of all for leaving a comment on my blog. It has been a journey since last fall for me and the diagnosis of stage 3 brain cancer. God has truly shown his faithfulness in mulitple ways. Truly more than I could count.
Please email me and I would love to tell you what my husband and I have researched in regards to treatment of brain cancer if you are interested. We have met with a nutritional biochemist in regards to the natural compounds I am taking. As you have probably read I did complete the 30 treatments of radiation on February 9, 2007. I am waiting to see if any growth reappears on my every 2 -3 month MRI scans before deciding on taking the Temodar (chemo). My oncologist is totally fine with that as I was given a median life expectancy of 4 years even with the chemo. So our philosophy is why not try the natural compounds first and see how far we can get?
Caring about what you are going through,
kate
davekate410@sbccglobal.net
What a great doctor! And I’m glad that you got to go out and do “normal” things last night– sleeping through a movie sounds good to me, LOL. You’re still in my prayers!
Christian Testimony of Kate Snodgrass
I wanted to share with you on how God has been working in my life. My hope is that you will be blessed by God’s story in my life.
I am the middle of five children with a mother who loves the Lord. Growing up my mom was faithful in taking all five of the kids to church every Sunday. One spring evening, our church had a fun night with a puppet show. During the show my heart was convicted about knowing Jesus personally yet I went home without asking questions. Later that summer when I was 8 ½ years old I went to a week of Bible camp. During an evening chapel session the speaker shared on how to know whether or not I would go to heaven or hell. He had a target diagram on the board. On the target rings were as follows:
Starting with the outer ring . . .
1). I am good – I do good things
Next ring . . .
2). Go to church every Sunday
Going in furter . . .
3). My parents are Christians
Getting closer to the bulls eye . . .
4). Obey the Ten Commandments
5). Bulls eye = Believing that Jesus Christ died on the cross for my sins and asking Him into my heart as my personal Savior.
I knew none of these marks were right for me and I definitely wasn’t hitting the bulls-eye. I was very troubled by that fact. After chapel anyone could stay after to talk with the speaker or a counselor. I was prompted to stay. I John 5: 10 -12 was shared with me, “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.†I knew I didn’t have the Son in my life so at that moment I asked Jesus Christ into my heart.
As for my school years I grew in my faith. I held firm through the peer pressure of the teenage years with I Corinthians 15:33, “Do not be misled, bad company corrupts good character.â€
On May 4, 1996 God gave me the love of my life, Dave. In the eleven years of our marriage he has been and continues to be a man of Godly character, loving, committed and just a great friend. He has stuck by me in the deepest pits in the past few months. God has blessed me with an extraordinary helpmate. I love him so. We have 3 boys. Carter turns 9 in June, Cole is 7 and Stuart is 2 ½. They are the joy of our hearts.
Now jump ahead in my life to this past fall of 2006.
On October 19, 2006 4 days after my 33rd birthday I had an intense headache that lasted all day. Each day after October 19 episodes of intense headaches would occur lasting 10 –15 minutes in duration. Within 1½ weeks a CAT scan showed swelling in my brain. Immediately my primary care physician called and told me to go see a neurosurgeon. The surgeon proceeded to tell my husband and I that there is significant growth in the right section of my brain. After a MRI is was concluded that I will need to have surgery to remove this growth sooner than later. On November 7 brain surgery was performed to remove the growth. Later to find that the 4cm. growth was grade 3 brain cancer. Whew!
The cancer news jumpstarted many countless hours for Dave on the computer researching all we could know. Most everything Dave read was not good. The doctors all say that with my type of cancer I have a median life expectancy of 4 years.
Dave and I took a trip to MD Anderson in Houston, TX to get a second opinion on treatment options. It was decided that I would have treatment here in St. Louis. I started my 30 radiation treatments the last week of December. I currently undergo MRI scans every few months to monitor any signs of re growth.
There have been countless nights of all out weeping and thoughts of the unknown have been overwhelming. Each day I have counted on Gods mercies for they are new every morning. It has been a training of my mind to daily give this trial over to God. It is a process for I am not perfect and I try to hold on. Of course this is so big I don’t have any control over it. It is actually good that this is not something I can control.
Prior to cancer I had a severe grumbling spirit.
Philippians 2: 14 – 16 has been instrumental in my thought process and actions.
Do everything without complaining or arguing so that Kate may become blameless and pure, a child of God . . . in which Kate shines like the stars in the universe as she holds out the word of life in order that she may boast on the day of Christ that she did not run or labor for nothing.
I am more of a God seeker now than ever before. It is so great that He is an approachable God. He is worthy and continues to be. There is an unexplainable joy in the calling of the Lord during brain cancer. I truly am losing myself for the sake of Jesus.
And let me tell you it isn’t all that bad.
I am looking past the temporary comfort to the glorious reward in serving him now. God’s not dead and neither am I. My calling will cost me something. How about you?
God has taught me so much through this trial of brain cancer. He has taught me to trust Him more, believe His promises to me, step out in faith and obedience when He asks me to, lean on Him when I am in the valley of despair and rely on the faithful prayers of many who have lifted me up. As James 1:2 says
Consider it pure joy when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect reward, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.
God is continually working to make me mature and complete through cancer. He is teaching me again and again that I lack nothing when I trust Him for everything. I praise Him and thank Him for loving me.
I am forever grateful for the example my mother gave to me. How her sacrifice for all five children to go to church faithfully and raise me in the ways of the Lord was an utmost priority.
I am also thankful for my lover and friend, Dave. He truly is a blessing from the Lord.
Lastly thankfulness doesn’t even come close to describing my personal relationship with a holy God. It says in Isaiah 42:6 that God is holding my hand and let me tell you I am holding on so tightly to His. There is no letting go. My hair (what is still left from radiation) is getting blown around in this trial. I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for Him. I give Him ALL the praise and glory.
As for prayer requests:
1. Pray that I will live to see my grandchildren as that is the biggest heartache I continue to have. I know where I will be when I die I just don’t want my boys to grow up without me. I am praying specifically for 50 years. Will you do the same?
2. Also for wisdom and discernment.
3. Trust God more then in turn fear less. – I CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
4. Pray for the protection of our marriage. To stay strong as this is a going to be a long, long journey.
that is a four letter word to paste all over your house: cure, cure, cure, cure!~
I’m speaking it!!!!
a night of “normalcy” for you! that’s so awesome.
So glad you had a wonderful evening out with friends – and cure – that’s the best 4 letter word I’ve heard!!
I love your attitude and outlook. I am so thankful for the wonderful doctors and nurses you have found. I sleep through movies and have short term memory and no tumor!!
I pray for strength for you and your entire family as you face now only your CIP (Cure In Progress), but as Emma’s care continues. “He Giveth More Grace as the Burdens Grow Greater” – what a wonderful old, still very apropos song!
So, I’ve been asking everyone whether my 11-year-old, who is dying to see the POTC3 movie, should see it. Sounds like you won’t be able to help me there
I am so glad that you were able to just go out and have a night of fun! What a blessing your radiation consultant guy was! Cure is a great word!
I’m glad you all had an evening out and enjoyed yourselves.
Continuing to pray health and healing for you – and for Emma. May her appointment this week bring only good news.
The CURE word, huh?
This is one time where I will so enjoy being able to tell you, “I told you so!”
Normal and musdane can be a BIG blessing, eh?
Although, how “normal” is it to go out on a date and get put through a Gospel drill?!!
I’m clapping…really I am, well…between typing that is! Here’s to You Lord!! Yeah!
Praying for you Heather! We went to Pirate’s last night too and although I fell asleep a couple of times, too (3 hours is a long time for a Mom to be still in the dark), I really enjoyed it.
You have a cheeleader in Colorado, cheering for you, Girl! ALSO, I took time this morning to smell some of my Australian Gold suntan lotion. Count-down to Destin begins… 36 days!! Woohoo! It will be nice to be in your State, my favorite after Colorado and Texas
Love ya!
Holly
Heather,
You are blessed and a blessing. I am overjoyed that you had a “normal” night. I am gratefull for your willingnes to open up your life to others. “..if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one doesn’t have.” 2 Cor 8:12. Your willingness to share out of what you have been given…(good and not so good)is a testiment to your faith, and a gift to God. No wonder He is blessing you at every turn!!
In Love and prayer and hope,
michelle
I’m so happy for you Heather! Have a great weekend!
An exciting post! I’m glad that you’ve been able to have some fun during this time. Sounds like you’ve got a great husband & mom! And now a great oncologist.
I’ve been printing your posts for my MIL who has gone through breast cancer and the fear of a relapse. She’s enjoyed reading your post and reading of your testimony. D
I’m so glad the Lord provided an oncologist that is so positive and that you can feel so comfortable with. It is good to hear to you sound so good. I pray the Lord will give you bountiful joy!!
Go God, and go Heather!
Love and hugs,
Diane J.
Sounds like a good plan to me! I had 28 radiation treatments…wasnt too bad until the end I got tired…good luck!
Yay!! It all sounds as good as it can!
Praise God! I would imagine the radiation was God’s loving light healing me….I did not experience any side effects with radiaton to the skull. Keep the faith. God is definitely n charge!!!! Blessings to you and your family. And way to go, Mark.
Heather, I am so glad that you have a doctor who understands the importance of Hope! Glad you are keeping your hope up.
What kind of Ice cream did you have at Coldstone? I love adding Blak Cherries to mine!
I love that 3 minute tactic. Navigators has a 3 minute testimony in their studies. Hoora for your huby, I bet he made their day. So often you wonder if the Christians around you really know what they believe.
Because of Jesus, Bobbie
Hebrews 11:1 What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see. 2 God gave his approval to people in days of old because of their faith. 3 By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.
6 So, you see, it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
MAY YOUR REWARD BE GREAT FOR YOUR BELIEF IS STRONG!
How great you got an evening to forget it all for a while. You have such a great attitude it is so inspiring to me.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Julie
Glad you had a good appointment & date. What could be better than ColdStone?
Praying always.
What a great day, and evening. I’m so happy for you! I like the “c” word. So glad to hear that coming from your doctor’s mouth. 8^)
What a neat question that he asked your husband…still praying for you.
Heather
Keep the smile and the faith. You are a wonderful testimony for the Lord on what we should all do.
I have been praying for you since reading your blog right before your surgery. I admire your strength,courage and faith. I know you are going to do great and you have helped others who will no doubt face something similiar. Perhaps me. I will continue more of the same.
Rhonda
Oh Heather!
I’m so glad you and Mark got out last night for a date
Normal is soooooo very important, isn’t it!
I’m speaking CURE CURE CURE CURE all over you darlin’- from our mouths to God’s ears.
love you
Dear Heather,
I am so glad you got out and went on a date. I am more thankful for the encounter you had w/ the man. My husband uses a similar question when he preaches.PTL your husband knew the answers. Many do not.
I have been praying for you and will continue to. Now I know when the treatments will be and can pray more specific.
Love,
Lynn
Wow, Heather. It sounds like the Lord has sent you a doctor that will do everything he can to fight this thing with you. For him to use the “cure” word, that is wonderful. Maybe he knows that God is in control here….