Update on my Mother's health

We basically spent yesterday in Nashville at an appointment with Mom's new gynecologic oncologist. It was determined that Mom has a form of ovarian cancer. The good news is that the prognosis is good and that her condition was found while in Stage II whereas most ovarian cancers are not diagnosed until Stage III and all too often, Stage IV. Ovarian cancer is known as a silent killer of females because it is not easily detected and does not show-up on pap smears and often is very progressed before the individual begins to suspect a health condition.

The ideal treatment plan would be chemotherapy then surgery then more chemotherapy, however due to the fact that Mom has already received chemotherapy and radiation for lymphoma back in 2004, her bone marrow is not as strong as it once was. The oncologist, Dr. Numnum, is of the opinion that the best treatment plan would be surgery first then chemotherapy. He is afraid that if her body does not react well to the chemo, then he may not be able to do the surgery due to failing health, so this is why he is planning to proceed with surgery first. Mom is scheduled for a PET scan on Monday to see if the cancer has spread to any other part of her body. We were told by Dr. Numnum to expect a call from him on Tuesday with the results and a date for surgery.

The surgery will be rather extensive and as he termed it "very risky" because of the number of organs that could possibly be affected and/or in the way of removing the masses. We feel very confident in Dr. Numnum and most of all in the fact that he acknowledges that whereas he will do everything he can for Mom, there is another Physician who can do much, much more.

Dr. Numnum is rather confident that the size of the masses and the early detection will contribute to a great response in treatment. We feel at peace with the situation before us and know that God is in control. Back in 2004, when we were told of the lymphoma we were devastated. God has exhibited His strength and love in our loves so extensively and maybe it's just because we've grown in faith but we know that everything is going to be okay. We all acknowledge and respect that God is the giver and taker of life and that even if Mom's health doesn't improve as we all are praying so diligently for, then it's still going to be okay. You see, we are not only family here on earth, but we are also members of God's eternal family.

Call me crazy, say I was dreaming...it doesn't really matter but here's the way God has comforted me. The night after we heard that it was likely a reoccurrence of cancer, I tossed and turned and cried and prayed....it was a miserable beginning of what I thought was going to be a very long night. I was laying in bed with Ashton trying to get him asleep when all at once I felt a presence in the room. I had been praying for comfort and peace but wasn't feeling that way YET. Normally when I feel this way, my arm hairs raise and my heart beats fast until I realize that it is only Jason trying to check on Ashton. Well, none of these sensations occurred and it wasn't Jason in the room. I felt a soft but firm pressure on my shoulder and I opened my eyes. All I could see was darkness before me but it wasn't a darkness like the lights are out, it was more of a cloud/form of darkness. I heard the softest words, "Be still, my child, know Me." All at once the figure was gone and I could see out the door and into the playroom like usual. I have never felt such a sense of peace and tranquility in my life. It was as if I could actually feel the worries leaving my body and the heaviness in my heart lifted. I know, it sounds crazy and maybe you think I was dreaming... maybe I was, although I don't think so because I hadn't been asleep yet...the important thing is that whether through dream or reality, God granted me peace. I turned over and held my child and thanked God for life, family, and most of all His love. God speaks to us in different ways and according to our needs. What did I need that night? I needed to feel the reassuring touch of my Father.