The Rest of the Story

Remembering my Great Grandma Vivian in my last post had purpose for me. You see, it's been a tough week and I needed some encouragement. I needed to remind myself that in the midst of trouble and turmoil, God is right there with me. Great is His Faithfulness.......morning by morning.

On Sunday, I'd developed a UTI and my temperature rose to a near-'critical' level for chemo patients (which could have sent me to a midnight trip to the ER for blood draws). I found out on Wednesday that there were some concerns with my right breast which meant I needed some core-biopsies taken on Friday. (I was dreading that procedure.) I received my chemo treatment on Thursday this week, so I had one less 'good day' to recuperate and to top it off, I had an allergic reaction to the Taxol. Feeling my throat swell up as I attempted to take in a breath was more than just a little scary....let alone seeing my skin and my sister's face turn green (which no one else saw.....so apparently, my reaction affected my vision temporarily as well). When the nurse restarted the medicine fifteen minutes later, every fiber of my being (and my sister's being) was on alert. On Friday, I went in for my biopsies. Thankfully, the 7mm mass on my right breast (from last week's breast MRI) was undetected under the ultrasound, but they did need to biopsy one of the lymph nodes in my axillary area. I find out those results next week. And depending on those results, they may need to re-look at the mass in my right breast with a breast MRI directed biopsy. In the meantime, I'm bruised, swollen and tender.

So I've had a lot of good reasons for 'throwing in the towel' this week. And the truth is, I felt like it a few times. But, as Paul Harvey would say, 'You need to hear the rest of the story......'


At church on Sunday, three wonderful ladies came up to see how I was. When I mentioned that I felt like I was getting a UTI, they didn't hesitate, but said, "Let's pray." And right there they held my hands and prayed a mighty prayer over me. I was comforted.


On Sunday afternoon, I was able to get an antibiotic for my UTI by making a couple of phone calls to the Oncology Physician On-Call....No trips to the doctor. I was relieved.


By Sunday night, as my temperature rose to 100.2, I asked Sean to pray for me. (When you're on chemo, you are not allowed to take medicine that may mask a fever). I slept well and my fever was down in the morning.


On Monday day, my mom came over to help me do school with the boys. That night, we were blessed with a meal from a friend. I felt loved.


On Wednesday, Sean was out of town when I got the results from the breast MRI. My mom and dad, sensing my fear, came over right away. I was strengthened.


That night, another friend brought us another yummy meal. And later, another friend dropped off some frozen goodies (cookies and pies) that I could have ready for whenever. With all of the unexpected stress that had popped up that day, it was such a blessing. I was blessed.


On Thursday, my friend Connie came over to do school and play with my kids. My sister Kris switched her work hours so that she could spend the day with me during my chemo treatment. (Sean was still out of town) . The day was much longer than it was supposed to be....and the experience was not at all as it had been up to that point (remember....my swollen throat and green skin!!!). But my kids had a blast with Miss Connie and I was well cared for by my sister Kris and my nurses. We were safe. We were loved.


On Friday, while waiting for my biopsies, I knew that many people were praying for me. I felt God's peace.


Also on Friday, while waiting for my biopsies, all I could think about was Sean's comment to me. He'd told me that, if it would help me at all, I could squeeze his nipple as hard as I wanted while they were doing my biopsy. Just the picture of that in my mind, made me laugh in the midst of my circumstances. And I felt treasured. (Of course, the room was too small for Sean to come in during the biopsy, so I've yet to follow through with the squeeze.....).


Now here I am on Saturday. My birthday. And my husband is playing an assortment of songs through his computer to cheer me up...."Today it's your birthday......", "Michelle, my belle", "I've got sunshine on a cloudy day...talkin' 'bout my girl", "Let me tell you again, and again, and again...I love you.....ya, ya, now and forever".........I am loved.

Yes, it was a pretty tough week. Yet, it really was a remarkable week, too. I like the comment Monica left on my last post. Life happens in the journey. Even in the tough times, there are treasures with which God has blessed us. I'm so glad to have so many friends and family who are taking this journey with me. I truly am blessed.

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Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:17b-19