I've talked with 4 doctor's offices during the past 2 weeks, and from the sound of it, most of them are surprised that I'm taking time, moving slowly through this process. From what I gather, the standard progression is: diagnosis, then quickly surgery, chemo, radiation, etc, a whirlwind of care. And I get that. The very first time I heard the words, "This is what we thought it is," I wanted it out. Just get it out, kill it, eradicate it; waiting was the last thing on my mind. I also understand that waiting for some is not an option and I view this waiting as a blessing from God. A blessing that has given me space to wrap my mind around this, research, pray, and look at my options. More on this waiting later.
Here's the update from my last doctor's visits:
1. According to surgeon, Dr. Murley, the cancer is Stage 1, Grade 2, HER2+, estrogen and progesterone +, and given it's size, doubtful that it spread. YAY! She believes the treatment plan would probably look like this:
- Chemotherapy first to shrink or kill off the tumor entirely - not sure how many rounds
- Surgery to remove anything left and remove the location marker inserted during biopsy
- Radiation
- 5 years of Tamoxifen
- Chemotherapy
- Double Mastectomy
- 5 years of Tamoxifen
2. My second appointment this week was with Miesse's, a naturopath out of Springfield. Not only did he know about the Budwig Protocol that I've been following, he also added some supplements to my plan as well. For those of you who are curious about what I am doing it is as follows:
- Budwig Protocol including raw vegetarian diet
- Apricot Kernals
- Supplements
So, that's the update to what we've been doing thus far while we wait. I see an oncologist on March 30, who will order the MRI and genetic testing. Until then I do my alternative therapies and wait. That's the message I've been getting; wait Les, just wait. Wait for the alternative treatments to do their work (hopefully the MRI will show it shrinking), and wait until the 30th to see the oncologist. This waiting hasn't been easy, patience is not one of the things I'm particularly gifted at and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared from time to time; but it's been good. God is good!
I know that many of you have been praying for miraculous healing and I know that whatever treatments I need, I will be healed. I have felt that since the first day I felt the lump. However, how that healing comes is not for me to decide. In other words, do not be discouraged if it takes time.
I think many times people think that if healing takes time then it's not miraculous. We expect all miracle healings to occur like most do in the bible, instantaneously; like when He healed the leper, the blind, the infirm, etc. These kinds of healings do occur and we hear about them even in the present day. But if it turns out I'm not healed instantaneously that does not mean it's not miraculous; merely that God chose my healing to take time.
Why He would choose that approach is not for me to argue but to accept. Accept that He has a greater purpose in the taking time process than through the instantaneous process. That His purpose is greater than me, my schedule, my life. What that purpose is I know not, but nevertheless it's there and it's His.
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do." ~ James 2-8
Thank you for your prayers, your thoughts, and your love!
~Les
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