Surgery

We knew by feel and looks that the tumor in the breast had shrunk. We were hoping for the same regarding the tumor in the lymph nodes. The Doctor's noted that upon "physical examination" the results of the chemo therapy were dramatic. Last Friday, Cindy had another MRI prior to surgery. These scans showed these hoped for dramatic results. The tumor in the sentinel node was gone and the tumor in the breast showed only a "hot spot" and the clip that was attached early on just in case the tumor disappeared so that the surgeon would know where the original growth was. During surgery this past Friday the surgeon removed the sentinel node and one or two other nodes. No cancer was found in these nodes! What was a 3+ centimeter tumor, (about the size of a golf ball) in the breast was now less than 1/2 a millimeter. They removed all the tissue left around this "hot spot" which ended up being about 3 centimeters or the size of the original tumor. They will slice this tissue and thoroughly test it in cross sections for any signs of live cancer cells. They do not expect to find much. Radiation will begin in about 3 weeks and it will kill off any remaining bad cells. Cindy is home and doing quite well. I suppose once you have the base line scale of how you feel during chemo therapy treatments, really yucky, everything else seems fairly good. In other words, the pain from the surgery, is low on the scale compared to the pain and side effects of chemo.

Cindy is ready to climb out of the valley and head for the mountain top. We are all grateful for her determination and fortitude. We feel so very lucky and recognize the Lord in all things. I am hesitant to use the word "blessed" because although we feel blessed by the Lord daily it does not mean that we are favored over another. During this final day of October - breast cancer awareness month - we pause to honor all those beloved friends and family members who have fought a similar fight with varying results. Each a winner although some have been granted the chance to linger longer here on earth.

Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called it the name of Ebenezer, saying Hereto hath the LORD helped us. 1 Samuel 7:12

Here I raise my Ebenezer

Here by Thy great help I've come

And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,

Safely to arrive at home.

Jesus sought me when a stranger

Wandering from the fold of God;

He, to rescue me from danger,

Interposed His precious blood.

(Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing)

The word Ebenezer comes from Hebrew and is actually two words pronounced together: Even Haazer. "Even" meaning "stone" and the root "Ezer" of Haazer, meaning "help" or Stone of Help. Jacob, Joshua, Samuel, and even Christ in Gethsemane, all found rest and help upon stone. With grateful hearts we too recognize that thus far the Lord has been with us. The way has been hard. But much has been learned. With warm hearts we welcome this coming season of thanksgiving and raise our own Ebenezer recognizing His helping hand and will in all things and pray for His continuing help over us all.