PRAYER REQUEST ~ my surgeon (Dr. Mazurka) called today to say that one of the biopsies from the tumor came back positive for micro-scopic cancer cells, so he wants to start preventative chemo treatments in 2 weeks at Owen Sound hospital. I will have 6 treatments over 18 weeks (once a week/every 3 weeks) -- so that doesn't sound too bad.

I would appreciate your prayers about this that these treatments will zap anything that may be in my body to make sure nothing is there. Thanks so much. Any tips from my fellow C patients would be appreciated.

DH was very upset -- and panicked at bit at first, but he is feeling better now. Interesting how you feel when you first here that: I actually had some odd pain in my back with a tiny bit of anxiety for a few minutes. I asked the LORD for help and it abated right away. I kept remembering something GOD had told me before all this took place ...

"No matter what happens, and no matter what is said -- TRUST ME! Everything will be OK!" I am standing on His awesome promises for this part of this journey as well. My family are so supportive here, and it is so close to where we are that I have decided to stay and have the chemo here (DH wants to as well).

I had been praying about this last night (what GOD wants us to do and when); and today I have my answer. GOD knows what is best for both of us. So I guess we are staying until spring ...

Prayers for my family would be appreciated too; thanks, friends!

Praying for your swift, cancer free recovery, Rosebud!

rosebud, there are so many different kinds of cancer and so many different treatments, there is no one size fits all. This is where I am, don't know if it compares with what you are experiencing. I have Metastasized Breast Cancer, that means it has spread from the original site. In my case it has spread to my bones, my oncologist thinks it is good that so far that is as far as it has spread, I agree with him. I have had surgery, radiation and now take an oral medication and once a month I have lab work followed up with an Intravenous medication. The purpose is to slow down the advance of the cancer and to keep it from spreading to other organs,, so far it is working and I actually feel quite well except for getting tired. I had heard of people battling cancer for years and I scoffed at that saying it would kill you before that. Be careful what you say because I am in that position now. No telling what kind of chemo your Doctors have in mind or how you will react. Gary's experience is different than mine, but then we have different cancers.
I pray this will not be too hard on you and that those cancer cells will be stopped in their tracks.

Rosebud, sending good thoughts and prayers.

Rosebud-Prayers will continue, with emphasis on strength, healing, good results from the chemo, and few side effects. Your positive outlook and the support from you family will be a huge help through this, as well as our Lord's power working in you. God bless you, friend

Gary-Praying for strength for you also, as well as complete healing. You've always been such a supportive & helpful ally here and I hope you feel all the prayers going up for you daily from all of us you've helped along the way.

Bargoo-Like Gary & Rosebud, you're in my prayers every day. I'm glad to know your treatments are working and you feel well. Now, i know a little more to pray more specifically.

ronni, thanks for the prayers they are appreciated, but I am so fortunate as I have the peace that passes all understanding. Philipp1ans 4:7

THANKS, EVERYONE -- all your prayers and support are so very appreciated ...

YES, I have felt a special peace all during this situation, and I still feel good about it. I actually feel worse for my family than for myself. DH was very upset and we had to explain to him that this chemo is just to be on the safe side; just to make sure there isn't anything in my body. We think he understands better now; and are praying for peace for everyone.

My BIL did some research on the net and found out that Microscopic C-cells can be in your body your whole life and not be active. THey are very small; and very well may have been contained only in the tumor itself. We are praying that this is the case, but my surgeon recommends the chemo treatment just to be sure. I think it's a good idea.

My sister was upset that my hair may fall out, but it may not. The meds they have today are very different than in the past. I hope it doesn't becuz it took so long to grow it this long, but if it does, it does -- it will grow back in again and my health is more important.

BARGOO -- thanks for sharing with me what you know. I have always paid attention to all that you and GARY have shared about this subject here; and I know that it will be helpful for me too.

It was my doctor who thought that my tumor was benign becuz no C-cells or illness showed up before. We were praying that he was correct, but knew that it was possible (that's why I asked for prayer about that). We found out from our research that those very tiny C-cells can be there one's whole life without being detected. We sure are learning a lot about this disease. All in all, I am very glad that my doctor is being so aggressive about this matter by recommending chemo treatments.

Regardless, I will continue to TRUST GOD, and stand on His Word and His loving promises. Once again, thanks for your prayers for my family and myself. That has been so helpful to me in many ways; more than you can know ...

I first had cancer over 20 years ago amd thought I was home free and was told so by doctors so it was quite a shock to find that it had spread after all these years . It is not a new cancer , but the same old cancer cells I had before and that is a good thing, preferable than a new cancer.Have those cancer cells been laying dormant in my body all these years ?
No one knows. I am grateful in the advances made in cancer treatment over the years. BUT I give God the glory.
Rosebud, I will continue to hold you up in prayer, Praise God that the tumor is gone and now treatment can start.
PS I have been lurking on the Ideal Protein Forum and I notice that there are a lot of complaints of losing hair on that diet, so you see it isn't just chemo that causes hair loss.
I understand about losing one's hair, though after growing my hair for 6 years I fell and broke my shoulder resulting in only partial use of my left arrm, that means I can't reach the top of my head or the back of my head. I couldn't do my hair any more and reluctantly had it cut. I am still sad about that but I am learning to live with it.

UPDATE - Well Prayer Warriors, Angie and I did not get the news we were hoping for meeting with my oncologist on Monday. If you remember, afyer chemo #3 the tumor was down in size and intensity by quite a bit. Well, after chemo #6 it was up...dang! I was pretty sure that was the news we were going to get since I am having real difficulty eating again, just like before the tumor started shrinking. Back to Ensures....yummy....not! But blessed to get and keep anything nutrious down!

We were supposed to hear from my surgeon today, after he saw the results of the scan, he was gone all week. That didn't happen but he and my oncologist spoke. We will try again Monday to make an appointment to see if his options are the same as my oncologists.

Thanks so much for your kindness and prayers!

My back is still killing me but my oncologist gave me a liquid that may start helping soon. He thinks the tumor is putting pressure on my spine.

Again, I can't thank my Prayer Warriors enough!

Heavenly Father, I an coming to you The Great Physician and
asking that Gary will be free of pain and restored to health.

We are sending so many prayers our for you Gary, through so many prayer chains, Bible studies and just everyday. Sending good thoughts to you.

So sorry I've been MIA guys. I tried to post the other day and lost the post and had planned to come back and then my enternet was knocked off by the thunderstorm that came through here Wednesday night.

Gary Prayers continue going up to our Lord for your strength and healing. And I am also praying for your wife as she walks this journey with you.

Rosebud Praying for you to be healed. You are so blessed to have your sister and family to be with you through this.

Prayers continue for everyone. Thank you for praying for us.

GARY ~ Yes, wish the news were better too, but still continuing to send up prayers that the tumor can/will be removed as soon as possible; that the pain in your back is relieved; and that you can get enuff to eat to sustain your health as well. Also lifting ANGIE and your family up in prayer too ...

TRISH ~ THANKS, we are still praying that TONI's back surgery goes well for him too (without complications, not too much pain, plus quick and complete recovery). Glad for you that things at home are starting to return to some semblence of normalacy again ...


TO EVERYONE ~ THANKS for your prayers for us. Still sending up ^PRAYERS^ for you and yours, whatever the needs may be ...

Prayers for Gary, that your tumor will shrink and disappear and that your pain will be abated.

Prayers for Bargoo, and Rosebud, also, for your healing.

I read and don't post much.
I am sending a prayer for you all.

Update on Randy, I heard over Christmas that he had been diabetic due to his pancreas being damaged last year during his extensive hospital stay and near death illness, but it has healed "itself". I know the Lord has done this. It is a wonderful praise, and I thank all of you who prayed with us for his full recovery. It will be a year this month when he first got ill.