Diagnosis on August 12, 2010

16 Aug 2010 4 Comments

by Carolyn in breast cancer, family, prayer, update Tags: breast cancer, faith, family, prayer

I have cancer.

I also have great peace.

I’m told I have the most treatable type of breast cancer: invasive mammary carcinoma with dual (ductal and lobular) differentiation. Evidently, “ductal” is quite common; “lobular,” not so much. The tumor is in my left breast, undetectable without a sonogram, virtually undetectable via mammogram. This week, I have appointments with all sorts of specialists to help me decide about treatment. I’m also having an MRI to see if the cancer is anywhere other than the identified tumor.

Paul and I are on the same page–What’s the next step? and Let’s move forward with treatment. Lily, our rational, level-headed 12 year old, doesn’t seem to be worried. She understands that this type of cancer is very treatable. It’s not that she reacted without any concern, but more like, “Thank you for the information. I’ll process these facts and get back to you.” Initially, we thought we’d avoid the c-word with Silas, our anxiety-prone 10 year old, but I blew it when I handed Lily a booklet entitled When Your Parent Has Cancer: A Guide for Teens. Silas, who was sitting right beside her in the car, glanced at the title, and probed, “One of my parents has cancer?!” We spent the next 30 minutes discussing how I wasn’t going die; how not all cancers are fatal if treated early and aggressively; how my doctors are working hard to keep me healthy.

My God who loves me far more than I can comprehend is in control. He loves my husband and children more than I could ever hope to. I may not understand why I have breast cancer, but I know I can trust the one who created me and who went to a whole lot of trouble to redeem me. He could heal me today, or He could use the hands and wisdom of human doctors over the course of weeks and months, just as He faithfully and completely healed Silas’s heart in 2001. And if the cancer is worse than initially thought? He is still in control, and He still loves me. I’ll worry about that scenario later, if necessary. I have no reason to fear.

Prayer requests:

• continued calm and peace
• peace and assurance for my family
• the logistics of getting to all these appointments, the first week of school, volleyball try-outs, soccer practice, and more
• wisdom as we gather information and consider treatment options
• total healing
• for my doctors
• that I would be an encouragement to others–my friends and family, the medical professionals with whom I interact, other cancer patients

Be strong and courageous.
Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed,
for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9

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