The journey continues

I had two doctor's appointments today:

1. My surgeon, Dr. Bonaventura ~ I did not get my drain out--sigh--but Dr. Bonaventura promised either Friday or Monday. The surgery site looks great, and I have no pain, just weird tingly/numb sensations. She is wonderful, as is her staff. Her assistant, Pat Taylor, is a fantastic person. Magee-Womens Hospital staff do everything they can to make your experience as convenient and easy as possible.

2. My first opinion with a Magee medical oncologist regarding my chemotherapy ~ Dr. Priya Rastogi is delightful; chemotherapy is scary. [When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you. ~Isaiah 43:2b] I have the choice to participate in a trial, and would be assigned one of three protocols, all of which Dr. Rastogi would be comfortable with. If I choose not to participate in the trial, she would prescribe a cocktail of 3 chemo drugs (one of the protocols included the trial) once every 3 weeks X 6 sessions.

I have to have a MUGA scan to be sure my heart can tolerate the chemo. I just looked it up--it is a non-invasive test (whew!) that produces a movie of my heart beating!

One part of my pathology report I was anxious to learn about was my HER2 results. Tumors that are HER2-positive tend to grow more quickly than other types of breast cancer. Praise God, my cancer is HER2-negative!

I have also requested a second opinion at Laube Cancer Center at Armstrong County Memorial Hospital. I did some research, and heard wonderful things about the oncologists here. They are to call me to schedule an appointment, but I have not heard from them, yet. I will call tomorrow to see if they need anything else before they can see me.

I am planning a special fundraiser to fight breast cancer in about a month that should be a hoot--I'll keep you posted.

Through the fire

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they will not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be scorched,
Nor will the flame burn you [Isaiah 43:2].

Two friends have sent me this scripture, Lorrie particularly for my upcoming chemotherapy. While I was thanking God the other day for this promise, He reminded me of Nebuchadnezzar's fiery furnace into which Daniel's friends had been cast. As I was reading Daniel 3, I thought how God does so wonderfully more than I would ever ask--I would have been happy to escape the fire singed, sooty, and stinky, but He is so much more gracious: And the satraps, the prefects, the governors and the king's high officials gathered around and saw in regard to these men that the fire had no effect on the bodies of these men nor was the hair of their head singed, nor were their trousers damaged, nor had the smell of fire even come upon them [Daniel 3:27]. And, while the friends were in the midst of the furnace, a 'fourth man' (Whom I believe is the pre-incarnate Christ), was right there with them. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me [Psalm 23:4].

But, wait! God had more to show me. (I love it when he takes scripture that you think you know really well, and He still shows you something new...) As I was thanking Him that the men were not damaged at all by he fire, He reminded me that they were tied up when they had been thrown in! But these three men, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, fell into the midst of the furnace of blazing fire still tied up [v. 23]. They were BETTER when they came out than when they were cast in--Nebechandnezzar said, "Look! I see four men loosed and walking about in the midst of the fire without harm . . . ." [v. 25].

Who is the King of glory?
The LORD strong and mighty [Psalm 24:8].
HALLELUJAH!

My Golden Calf

My friend Shirley asked me a few weeks ago, "So, what are you learning?" At the time she asked me that question, I knew one thing for sure--that I was learning the "care receiver" role, rather than the "care giver" role that I like much better. It is a lesson I knew the Lord would teach me ever since I accepted the challenge to be a Stephen Leader at Harvest Community Church.

Rafael

Last week, He showed me something else--that my health was an idol in my life, and I hadn't realized it. I thought that because I was grateful for my good health, and did attribute it to God, that it wasn't an idol. But when the Lord showed me that I trusted in my health, it was like a knife in my heart. Our God is a jealous God, and He does not want us to trust anything or anyone but Him.

The February 12th morning devotion in Spurgeon's Morning and Evening says, "Once the idols are gone, we are compelled to honor Jehovah. Trials and afflictions bring us to God, and nearness to God is great happiness." Amen.

Answered prayer & grateful heart

Got my pathology report already--my surgeon was shocked! YAY--clean margins, so no more surgery. Tumor size 2.8 cm (pretty big), and 3 of 29 lymph nodes had cancer. I will need chemo + radiation, which I already pretty much knew. Thank you, Lord, and praise God for praying friends!

I have an appointment with Dr. Priya Rastogi, my Magee medical oncologist, at 10 am on the 28th, and I see my surgeon, Dr. Marguerite Bonaventura, at 12:15 the same day. I will also be making an appointment at Armstrong's cancer center.

Dr. Bonaventura says my arm swelling my be a permanent lymphedema, but maybe not. I would appreciate continued prayer about that . . . .

I am so thankful that I know God, for my family & friends, and for God's family.

Après Surgery

Après Surgery 2.15.07

Hello ~ I am home and doing great! The Lord is faithful, as are my prayer warriors--excellent surgery and recovery so far. I surprised all the nurses with my activity level and relative lack of pain, and had an opportunity to speak with several about how it was the Lord who was helping me. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

To my wonderful family & friends ~
I love you all so much, and I pray that God will bless each one of you with the love and grace you continue to show me. ". . . .and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort" [2 Corinthians 1:7]. My surgery is early tomorrow, February 15th. Please pray that I will be a good witness for Christ, for Burger & Morgan, for 'clean margins' (that they get all the cancer), and for a good pathology report afterwards (which I should receive within a week, maybe longer.) Thank you so much!
In Christ's great love,
Mindy

Postal Service fights breast cancer

My nephew Jason sent me an email about the USPS breast cancer stamp. You can purchase a first class letter stamp for $.45 (instead of $.39), with the extra six cents going to breast cancer research. You can buy them online, or check at your local post office.

Walking the world for breast cancer

I received this in an email today . . .
PLEASE KEEP HER GOING

This woman is walking the world for breast cancer prevention and awareness. Please pass her on so that she can reach her destination. Say a prayer for all those who are affected by this terrible disease. She's walking around the world - via e-mail!!

Breast Cancer Bandwagon

Look at all the pink ribbon breast cancer awareness products my sister Kay and her daughter Mandy found at Wal*Mart in Ohio . . .


This practice of using traditional commercial marketing to sell products and address a social issue at the same time is becoming more common, and I love it.


For-profit companies advertise for and contribute a percentage of sales to a nonprofit organization. The company makes sales and generates positive publicity, and the nonprofit raises awareness and gets contributions.

Everybody wins--the company, the consumer, and the cause.

Friday Night at the Movies

Friends (Sue, Lena, Lisa, Roni), Pizza, Movies, and Merna's cinnamon rolls. Fun.

What I REALLY want

What I REALLY want is a jester hat in pale pink . . . .

I promise not to wear it to work very often.

Mindy's Wish List

I'm conflicted about posting this, but I have had several people ask. Here is my Amazon.com Wish List.

Here are some wonderful hats (I wear a lot of blue and pink) that I would love to have for my "no hair days" [click on the photos]. These would make thoughtful gifts for any of your friends who have hair loss . . .

Buffalo "Krik"

View on my way home from work on Groundhog Day:

Blessing from Beaverdam, VA

A woman named Linda from Virginia has a wonderful ministry--she knits prayer shawls. This one was waiting for me when I came home from work yesterday.

Linda adds special touches like little charms tied onto the fringe . . . .

But most special of all is the prayer she knits into each stitch, and the lovely note she attaches. Thank you, Linda. May God bless your loving kindness richly.

A visit with Punxsutawney Phil

How cool to live so close to a phenomenon! Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog prognosticator, has made a little town in Jefferson County famous. My friend Sue (of Polar Bear/Pittsburgh Zoo blog post fame) and I visited Punxsutawney last year for our annual adventure. A giant groundhog welcomes you . . .

There are Phil statues throughout "Punxy," all dressed differently. We visited several (you can get a map of their locations at the Chamber of Commerce office on Rt. 119, which travels through the center of town.)

We had lunch in the Pantall Hotel, where Bill Murray stayed while filming the movie Groundhog Day in 1992.

"Don't drive angry."

Of course, we had to try on some of the groundhog outfits in the official groundhog store!

My kind of tests . . .

STARE INTO THE CAT'S EYES FOR 10 SECONDS

NOW STARE AT THE PUPPIES

Thank you.

Your CAT SCAN and LAB TESTS
are now complete.

When the people are away, the cats will play