SISTERS BLOGGING AGAINST BREAST CANCER: I NEED A VACATION PROJECT FOR BREAST CANCER SURVIV...

SISTERS BLOGGING AGAINST BREAST CANCER: I NEED A VACATION PROJECT FOR BREAST CANCER SURVIV...: I NEED A VACATION PROJECT FOR BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS THIS CAMPAIGN IS DESIGNED TO RAISE MONEY FOR RESPITE/TRAVEL FOR WOMEN BREAST CANCER...

I am back in Atlanta going through radiation treatment. Tests indicate that the cancer is gone, in spite of biopsy reports. God is not a God of confusion. Please pray for clarity, so we can move on into what God has planned. I am at the Hope Lodge while going through radiation treatments, should be finished in a week or so, total of about 6 weeks. I'm grateful for the opportunity to stay here for the duration of treatment. I am grateful for my doctors at Piedmont and even the second opinion at Emory. Everyone there is thorough and professional. I have a new oncologist, Dr. Tran, who is great. She has started me on herceptin and also I should be starting a hormone blocker that will be injected every 4 weeks. Dr. O'Reagan at Emory, Windship said that since chemo has not worked in the past I shouldn't start with it again. So we will be working on the 'triple positives', for hormones and Her2. No one can explain the discrepancy between the biopsy and pet/ct scans. Finally, the girls are looking out for a car for me, Kat & Lilah. Please keep this in prayer. If I get a car and no one breaks into my apt, I won't have to move. I don't mind driving. Wilma J. Johnson, MSW, Ed.D. EDUCATIONAL CONSULTANT/MISSIONARY

I NEED A VACATION PROJECT FOR BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS's

I NEED A VACATION PROJECT FOR BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS THIS CAMPAIGN IS DESIGNED TO RAISE MONEY FOR RESPITE/TRAVEL FOR WOMEN BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS. This campaign will receive all of the funds contributed by Tue Dec 04 at 11:59PM DONATIONS IN THE $25 RANGE RECEIVE A POLYMER HEART PENDANT DONATIONS OF $100 OR MORE - QUILTED PILLOW CASE PERK - A HANDMADE LAP QUILT FOR DONATIONS OF $1000 OR MORE http://en.indiegogo.com/projects/197513

BEREAVEMENT AND CANCER TREATMENT

My mother was killed in a car crash 6/6/12.  She was driving, my father was in the passenger seat.   My father has always loved to drive, he can't anymore.  He brags that one year he drove across country, from California to Tennessee, over 3,000 miles, twice.  Now his eyesight is failing from cataracts and glaucoma. He cannot even read anymore, something else he loved to do. 

My mother was killed instantly, my father got a serious cut on his knee.  We had a memorial service at the church 6/16/12. She will be cremated this week. She was well loved and will be missed.

I returned to Georgia 6/19/12.  Kat, my daughter,  picked me up from the Atlanta airport and brought me home to Greensboro.  I had left my parakeet, Petie, home alone and was relieved to see that he was doing ok.  I had left him plenty of food and water, but I didn't know how long I would be gone, and if it would be enough.  He was fine, maybe a little peeved with me for leaving him.  They are very social birds. 

Before I left I was referred to a surgical oncologist, who suspected a recurrence of the breast cancer, this was the day I left for California (6/7/12), and referred me to a radiologist. The surgeon did a biopsy (6/26/12), should have the results soon.  In either case, they want to do radiation treatments beginning 7/10/12.  The nurse navigator, at Piedmont, is trying to get me into Hope lodge, please pray.

This isn't suppose to be happening.  My mother is also not suppose to be dead.  She was healthy, nothing physically wrong with her.  Reminds me of a song by Mandessa, He is with you.  One line says, 'God, what you do that for?'

BREAST CANCER TREATMENT PLANS

I am currently at a point in my treatment where the experts do not agree on how best to proceed.  I have had two rounds of chemo, mastectomy, and I am now on a hormone blocking drug.  I was referred to a plastic surgeon, who agreed to start the reconstruction.  During the process of putting in the breast expanders, he discovered cancer cells, which he took out and sent to pathology.   The plastic surgeon informed me over the phone a couple of days later and stated he wanted to take out the left breast expander and start radiation.  He had previously talked to the radiologist.  I was devastated.  This was not suppose to happen.

I had a follow up visit with the oncologist and he scheduled a pet scan to determine if it had spread.  The pet scan report came back a few days later, during which time I prayed  a lot, and asked others to pray with me.  This was a test of faith.  This Scripture came to mind, I couldn't remember ever having read it before, but I looked it up and it states,
           "What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God's faithfulness?
             Not at all! Let God be true, and every man a liar..." (Romans 3:3, 4)

I went in to see the oncologist.  He asked me what would I do if the pet scan came back negative for cancer.  I told him I would celebrate.  So, he told me that the pet scan showed no cancer.  But he said he still believed that I should have the radiation treatments because it could spread in the future.  This was different from his advice earlier right after I had finished the chemo.  I knew he had talked with the radiologist who was adamant that I have radiation before plastic surgery.  He actually badgered me and called me several times before I had the plastic surgery.  Before I talked to him, the plastic surgeon and the oncologist were fine with not doing the radiation treatment.  They seemed to think that it was  not really necessary.
.
So, I left the oncologist's office promising to think about this.  I talked with the case manager with the insurance company, and a patient advocate with the American Cancer Society.  They both advised me to get a second opinion.  I talked to a few doctors, but no one could determine who I should go to for a second opinion - a radiologist, oncologist or plastic surgeon?  I finally talked to a breast cancer navigator at a cancer center in Augusta.  This was a nurse who looked over my file and she determined that radiation treatment was not advisable at this time.  There were two reasons, one it was too long after the mastectomy and two, I was on hormone blockers which would hamper the effect of radiation.

The only question left was why was there a discrepancy between the pathology report and the pet scan.

I think that I should get another oncologist and plastic surgeon to finish the work the other surgeon started.  The plastic surgeon stated he would not finish the work, even after the pet scan showed no cancer.  He actually got angry with me for requesting the pet scan.  We are all human.

So, keep trusting God...

FAITH

Hi family, well I had surgery last Thursday, and I'm still alive! All glory to God! Seriously, I feel great. I literaly fought for 3 months, with the 'old surgeon' and two radiologists, to get this reconstruction surgery done. They wanted me to go through more cancer treatment, when I do not have cancer! They did not understand that God had cured me, and that I did not need to put my body in more ...jeopardy. I fully appreciate & am thankful for the treatment and care I received, but I realized that if the cancer didnt kill me the treatments would. Im trusting God. HE said that if I believe I would see His Glory (John 11:40) Im looking for His Glory in me and around me. HALLELUJAH! In the meantime I'll rest my body, spirit, and mind and get out of His Way so He can work, He knows the plans He has for me (Jeremiah 29:6-14). HALLELUJAH!!!

OVERCOMERS

Revelation 2:26 
 ²⁶And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

We sisters who have been through the trial, breast cancer treatment, are called 'Survivors', yes, but we who believe, are also 'Overcomers', and our reward is with the LORD.

I have had a mastectomy and the second round of chemo, I am finished with the 'treatments', and been deemed 'cancer free'.  Now, I am waiting for the 'clean up' (implants), but most importantly, I am waiting on the LORD, to see what He will do next in my life.  Now we will see what the LORD will do.  This has been all for His Glory.  I am not so vain that I am making plans, because like I tell my daughters, "If you want to make God smile, tell Him your plans", or like my daughter, Kathryn elaborates - "If you want to make God roll on the floor laughing, tell Him your plans".

When I started this journey back in January 2011, this is the Scripture that the LORD gave me -

John 11

 ¹Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.
 ²(It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
 ³Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.
 ⁴When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.

So, now I can say - be glorified LORD, be glorified...

"...DWELL IN THE SHELTER OF THE MOST HIGH..."

Psalm 91

 ¹ Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
   will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.^[a]
2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
   my God, in whom I trust.”

Well, I found a home, after two years living all over the world with family, friends, and associates.  God is good.  I had looked at several senior citizens places, as I was considered a senior on my last birthday in June.  I had originally planned to retire out of the country - Belize was my last choice, if I did not make it to the Peace Corps.  Well, I did not get a chance to make that decision, I was diagnosed with cancer, and here I must stay.  But God - I am living in Greensboro, Georgia.  It turns out that this is where my family, on my mother's side of the family, originated.  Every other door was closed, and a window was opened here. 

I have made friends who suggested that I check out the Senior Center in Greensboro where I wanted to learn how to quilt.  I had no plans on joining, but like most of my plans, that was overturned.  I joined and started learning about quilting and mentioning that my great-grandmother was a midwife in the area fifty years ago.  One by one as I met and started talking to some of the seniors, I discovered women whose children were delivered by my great-grandmama, Annie Smith.  One of the Directors, also believed that she was delivered by my Grandma Annie. Then, by doing research on historic preservation projects, I discovered a program for African American historical research and resources.  Someone that I talked to there is going to check out Grandma Annie's house and help me in researching my great-grandmama.  I couldn't have planned it better if I tried. God is in control.

My new home is not a senior's apartment, but it is an affordable place with credit given for utilities and tax credit given to the landlord.  It is a townhouse, 2 bedrooms and 11/2 bath.  Enough space for a office/library, and guest room, so I guess I'll stay here for awhile. 

 

GOD IS GOOD - "...He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."

"...through the valley of the shadow of death..."

Psalm 23:4 Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me.

I have been fighting this battle, through Christ who is my strength, for over 6 months. Every pathology report up to this point has been negative from the original biopsy to the surgical report after the mastectomy.

But, God.  As I started the second round of chemo, the doctors sent me in for a PET scan.  I got the report a few days later.  They couldn't find any cancer anywhere in my body! 

The doctor reporting, who was suppose to be impartial, but I felt, there was some enthusiasm in that report.  He Stated - NO CANCER FOUND!

So as I declared in the beginning, but more importantly as God promised - I will not die but live....

Psalm 118:17 I shall not die but live, and shall declare the works and recount the illustrious acts of the Lord.

 I was only close to the shadow of death, not death itself, just the shadow.  Praise God, be encouraged.

Psalm 23  (AMP)

A Psalm of David.

 ¹THE LORD is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack.     ²He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters.^{(A)
    3}He refreshes and restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him--not for my earning it, but] for His name's sake.
    ⁴Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me.
    ⁵You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with ^[a]oil; my [brimming] cup runs over.
    ⁶Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place.

MY CASE MANAGER

I was thinking that there should be more case management in cancer treatment, that's just my opinion. 

I have learned alot about cancer treatment, been to several hospitals, talked to Social Workers, Navigators, and various organizations, but it would be nice if there were someone who knew my situation, followed me through and provided resources as I needed them. 

For instance, I was diagnosed with two different cancers, and one the doctors did not even know about until I asked them to also remove the right breast along with the left one.  They knew a cancer existed there, but they did not think cancer was in the right breast, but they followed my request and they did it.  It turned out that there was cancer in the right breast also.

Then when the Oncologist stated that my treatment would entail a chemo, Gemzar,  and also Herceptin, because the new cancer was a tumor that overexpress the HER2/neu protein.   I thought great.  They did a heart scan first because, Herceptin can affect the heart, and they wanted to be sure my heart could take it.  Everything was fine until Medicaid said Herceptin cannot be used in my situation, regardless of what the doctor recommends, and they denied treatment.  So my Oncologist recommended that I appeal.  So I'm contacting a legal aid attorney to have this done.  I don't know what I'm doing.

But it's all a learning process.  Learning to keep trusting God.  He knows how much I can bear.  A Social Worker asked me the other day if I were stressed or anxious about anything, such as my car broke down, I have to move and especially this cancer.  I thought about it, and I knew I should be stressed, but I'm not. 

It was then that I realized that God is my CASE MANAGER - I know He sends Angels to guide the surgeons hands, overlook my case, and the Holy Spirit comforts and counsels me, and then Jesus is the best Friend, Priest, Brother and Supporter anyone could have.  Jesus is my BFF...

It's all in His Hands.  I'm declaring that I will live and not die -

 IT'S PROMISED - I BELIEVE

LIFE ETERNAL - LIFE ABUNDANT