His power has been evident through the GIANT support system He has placed around us right now. People have been unimaginably supportive and encouraging to my family! Ryan, Gracie, Hattie, and I have been the recipient of an entire village of generosity. People are reaching out to us to offer prayers, cards, cash, care packages, meals, childcare services, gift cards, and so many other things. A sweet friend from church shared her collection of essential oils with me, along with a diffuser to help me through the anxiety I was struggling with. A new friend through Gracie's school offered to take our family's pictures before I lose my hair, for free. A thoughtful friend from work sent us a large check to help with medical expenses. The list goes on and on. A caring friend at church designed t-shirts to rally support for us and to help offset the medical expenses. Another wonderful friend from church provided a large sum of money to help with medical expenses. My sister, also known as "my agent", setup a meal train and other donations for our family. Dozens and dozens of people have signed up to support us because of her hard work. Ryan's work family spoiled us with paper goods to last us for weeks! Family and friends have offered to attend appointments with me so that I don't have to go alone and Ryan doesn't have to miss work. To be on the receiving end of such generosity is humbling and reassuring. God has always been in control and He can use anything, good or bad, to reveal His glory.
Check out our family pictures! These are just a few of my favorites! Text me if you want his contact information. He was awesome and quick! We're so grateful!
Another way God's power and plan have been evident over the past few weeks have come in the way of answers. The genetic testing results came back clear for all major genetic abnormalities... including those responsible for breast cancer! I didn't even realize how heavy that burden was until it was lifted. I do have one "variant of undetermined significance" but it is something rare that presents before age 20. The geneticist does not believe I have that abnormality. For now, I'm going to take his word for it! I also received the MRI results (I survived it, by the way... barely), which indicate no cancer in the left breast. Thanks be to God. The MRI results showed that the mass in the right breast is larger than they thought, 11.5 cm, but the treatment plan is still the same. So for now, I still have to decide what option I want to pursue in the fall for surgery. Single or double? Reconstruction or going flat? There's a lot to learn and think about on that topic, so I plan to cross that bridge later.
I have also seen God's power clearly through His word, the Bible, these past few weeks. It is simply amazing how God allows Himself to be found. He doesn't play games with me or send me weird signs to decipher. No. He can be found in the Bible. It's so amazing that every time I open my Bible to read, He reveals something to me that brings me comfort. Every time. Psalms. 1 Peter. James. Proverbs. Exodus. Isaiah. 1 Corinthians. Hebrews. John. Acts. Jeremiah. I've been all over the place in that book and His word is always pertinent. It's right what I need, right at that moment. When we seek God, He is found. God has moved me, through this trial, to desire to be molded into His likeness. He has given me a deeper understanding of His word than I have ever had before. All because of this trial, I am closer to God. And oddly enough, I'm grateful to be here. It's a blessing to be "worked on" by God. It also sucks. But it really is a comfort to know that the Creator notices me and cares enough about me to "work on" me. Through this trial, I am learning to find comfort in His sovereign plan. I'm not there yet, but I'm learning.
As for the treatment plan, here's what I know. I'll be getting my port installed on Monday, June 11. I was supposed to begin chemo that day, but due to a series of unfortunate events, I will not begin chemo until Wednesday, June 13. That day actually works better for me anyway, so I'm gonna roll with it! I am very ready to begin treatment. When I had my chemo consult with the nurse practitioner, I learned about all the side effects and such. It wasn't as scary as I was thinking it would be. I know this is too much information for some, but it's likely that my biggest struggle will be diarrhea. Lovely. Although I really, really hate being constipated, so if I had to choose, I'd go with diarrhea. She also said there's a pill for everything, so just call if I'm feeling super icky and they'll help me out. Sounds like a good plan to me! I'm just ready to start killing the cancer. It's kind of a yucky feeling when you know something bad is growing right inside you and you have to carry it around as it continues to grow and become a bigger problem. It's time the cancer goes away. I'm done sharing space with it.
So for now, here are new prayer requests.
- Pray that the cancer has/does not spread to my lymph nodes, blood, or other body parts (we won't know the answer the this question until after surgery)
- Pray that I do not require radiation
- Pray that my faith and the faith of my family is strengthened during this time
- Pray for happiness and normalcy during treatment
- Pray that I do not experience side effects of the chemo (it's worth a shot, right?!)
- Pray that I do not have an adverse reaction to the chemo and Neulasta shot (given the day after chemo)
- Pray that the chemo does not cause any longterm damage to me
Again, we are so grateful to all of you who have taken the time out of your lives to support us and pray for us. You have shown us such love and care and it means the world to us. Please keep praying!
3 comments:
Love your attitude! Goo is working on is all the time and we're lucky to be chosen.
I am praying for you, Kristy. You know my stepmom went through this. Her faith may not be as strong as yours, but I know that God was watching out for her, too, because she had to reschedule her mammogram and the doctor said if she had come in when she was supposed to, it would have been too small to detect, but it was agressive,a so if she had come in later, it would have been worse. I know she would be happy to talk to you if you need support from someone who gets it completely. I can give you her # if you want it. I know that she had something that helped her not lose her eyelashes from chemo. She has some scarves that she wore that I know she would be willing to loan you. Let me know if you want her number. I will keep praying!!!
Love love love these pictures Kristy. Your family is so beautiful. Your faith and strength is awe inspiring, yet no surprise, you are such a fighter and woman of God. I know you will beat this and only be stronger for it. My prayers are with you and your family.
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