Praise

Aug 30

Sometimes blog posts are eloquent and wordy and deep.  Other times, the writer has to leave for surgery in three hours and is too tired to be eloquent, or wordy, or deep.

But sometimes, the message is such that it doesn’t need eloquence.

At my PET scan review last week, Dr. Wonderful ordered follow-up MRIs of my spine and my liver; I had the MRI’s on Tuesday and Wednesday this week.  The goal of all of these tests is to ascertain whether or not my breast cancer has spread to other parts of my body.  These are weighty and important tests.

A whole series of random events took place that sent my brain into a tizzie about the MRI results, and caused me to call him at home.  Tonight I spoke to Dr. Wonderful about my test results.  Yes, I called my oncologist at home.

“Hi Dr. Wonderful, I’m so sorry to bother you.  I got a message from Nurse, and I don’t really understand what she said, and I was wondering if you could explain the MRI results to me.”

Dr. Wonderful, “Well.  They look great.”

Me, spluttering, “They do?  Both of them?  What does that mean?”

“Yes, they are completely clear.”

Me, still spluttering, “Nothing at all?  On the liver?  Wait, didn’t the PET scan show liver spots?”

Dr. Wonderful, carefully explaining, “Yes, the PET scan showed activity, and that is why we did the more anatomically accurate MRI.  The MRI is the more specific test, and we go with the MRI results.  Your MRI is clear.”

He continues, “This is great news.”

Me, “OhmygoshIcan’tbelieveit.  Dr.Wonderfulyouaresogreat.  Thankyouforworkingsohardtogetridofallthecancerinmybody!”

Him, smiling.  (Probably.  We were on the phone after all.)  “As far as I’m concerned this means you have a clean slate heading into your surgery tomorrow.”

Me, standing on tippie toes, twirling.  I blubbered on.  There was more conversation.  We laughed.  I didn’t feel stupid for calling him for non-urgent test results.  It was a happy call.  I got off the phone and spread the news.  There was squealing.

After my PET scan, I had held fiercely to a sliver of light, of hope, that I could still be cancer free.  Tonight, with these results, that door that was a sliver is now wide open.  The final analysis will be next week, when we review the complete surgical pathology.  (And then of course there is a lifetime of follow up, of maintenance, of preventions, of tracking, of assessing.)

I have a clean slate heading into tomorrow’s surgery.

It is a blessing, an answered prayer, I dared not hope for.

It is an honest-to-God miracle.  Holy moly, our God is a good God.

Tomorrow is still a big day: it is Dr. Awesome’s turn to have a swift and strong hand as she cuts out the tissue that once had cancer.  Please keep me and my family in your prayers.  Brad and I will both try to update the blog as much/often as we can.

Let all that I am praise the LORD; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me.  –Psalm 103:1-2

Thank you Jesus.

 

 

 

35 comments

  1. Marty /

    That is so wonderful!! I am dancing with you! All the very best for your surgery tomorrow and I will be praying for you.

  2. Fantastic news! I am praying for you & your family, dr.s & other supportive people. Lots of love headed your way from many places.

  3. Michele Weaverling /

    Such amazing news, girl!! Sending lots of love for your big day tomorrow!!

  4. Kelly /

    crying tears of joy!!!!

  5. What an amazing gift to receive before your surgery – the gift of hope renewed – the reminder of the Healer and His power. Praying that His presence will not only surround those who wait, but will fill to overflowing the operating room so that somehow all in it will sense the holiness of the place and will be empowered for the role they will play in the next step of your healing. Claiming His promises for you!

  6. Michelle /

    Sitting here smiling through tears (good ones) for you! It’s so important to be able to go into the surgery feeling positive and good. So, this is such great timing for such great news. Congratulations!!!!! I will be thinking of you all day tomorrow!

  7. Sharon Hajek /

    Truly God holds you in the palm of His hand. Celebrating your joy, praising God, believing. The peace of the lord is with you. You radiate that and witness that with each breath.

  8. Eloise OMara /

    What completely wonderful news!! I am thrilled! What a great mindset to be in entering surgery – your doctors, nurses and specialists are delivering on the goal of being cancer free! Brett and I will be thinking of you during surgery – buoyed by this fantastic progress report.

  9. Katie /

    You are absolutely amazing. Your strength is an inspiration. Please know that you and your family will remain in my thoughts and prayers as you continue on this journey of healing.

  10. suenitz /

    Good in the middle of the night! I think God woke me again so I was prepared to begin my prayers at the right time! He is wonderful and I am filled with joy with you. Every time I woke up during the night tonight I said an Our Father for you. I prayed that you and Brad would have tender moments together and that the love you felt for each other was stronger than it ever has been. I prayed for the doctors that they would be ready to do the most important work of their life. I prayed that God would send His special Angels to look over your family during this time. Then God woke me up again and said it is time to get up. Now the real prayers begins. So if you drive by my house you will see my living room light on and maybe you will see my little head sticking up from the top of the couch. I am here storming heaven for you!! Go into the surgery filled with love and the peace knowing God is taking care of you.

  11. Woke up to your wonderful news. God is great! I am so happy for you and your family. Continued prayers for your surgery and recovery.

  12. Lisa M /

    Praise Jesus. Enough said. Fasting for you today.

  13. Tina Mathie /

    Thank GOD!! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! GOD is wonderful!! I cannot yell or jump for joy bc Connor is sleeping, but I am giggling and tears of joy are streaming!! I am so happy and thankful!! Whoop! Whoop! (With arm 90’s pump)

    Prayers and thoughts will continue for you and Brad and the doctors and the girls and your Mom and Dad and everyone who helping rid your body of cancer!!
    Love you Jen! You are amazing! XoXoX

  14. Shannon Kahrs /

    Oh Jen!!!! I am so happy!!! Oh I am so happy!!!! Thank you for sharing this so quickly!!! I woke up to read this – such incredibly awesome news!!!! We are praying for complete obliteration excision of you cancer today. Period. Love you!!

  15. This makes me tear up. I’m praying.

  16. KellyE /

    God is great. Prayers are powerful. And you are an inspiration! Continued prayers for you, your family and your doctors today.

  17. Bonniebj /

    You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace…the mountains and the hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Isaiah 55:12

    Jen, this is a verse that had been one of my all time favorite worship songs….i’m singing it now and thanking the Lord for His gifts toward you.
    What a delight to receive this marvelous news the eve before surgery – the Lords timing is perfect. Praying for

  18. Genora /

    PRAISE GOD!!!!!! FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW!! The BIBLE says”FOR I KNOW THE PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU DECLARES THE LORD. PLANS TO PROSPER YOU AND NOT TO HARM YOU. PLANS TO GIVE YOU HOPE AND A FUTURE”.

  19. Rebecca /

    Crying tears of joy for you. Praying fiercely for you today.

  20. Denise O'Mara /

    Yipee happy dance, hula, fist pump, high fives and all. Fantastic News good luck for surgery.
    Much Love
    Neecie and Beerwah team

  21. Woohoo!!! This gave me chills and brought me to happy tears for you and your family. Thinking of you all today and your doctor. Hoping for wonderful news of a successful surgery soon. – Amy

  22. Amy Wheeler /

    What fabulous news!!!! Praying for continued healing and strength for you tomorrow. Big love from Texas! XOXOXO

  23. Heather /

    Such amazing news! What an enormous weight lifted! Prayers for a smooth procedure tomorrow and of course, prayers of thanksgiving! 🙂

  24. Heather /

    Er, today. The surgery is today. Blonde moment, but I’m praying right now!

  25. Marion /

    Wonderful news! Thinking of you and saying prayers for you, your medical team and your family today! I think it is awesome that you got the news when you did…now you can rest and recover with a peace in your heart that you are coming to the end of this battle and that you are winning. We are thinking of you and are here if you need anything…we found out this week that we will be here this year after all, so bring on the play dates!

  26. I wish you could see my 🙂 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  27. I have goosebumps! so happy for you all!! will continue praying as you enter the next phase.

  28. Karen Almand /

    Just wanted you to know I share in your joy! Yipee! My thoughts are “The Lord has done great things for us, we are filled with joy!” A truly joyful day! Just prayed for you at mass yesterday (I’m Catholic). I will continue to pray for complete healing. Your friend from Memphis, Karen.

  29. Hallelujah!! Awesome!!

  30. I am not often the praying type but I am praying for you! Am so happy for you, for your girls, for your family.

  31. Reading all of today, this is what my heart sang,
    “Dance then wherever you may be, I am the Lord of the Dance,” said he, “And I’ll lead you all wherever you may be, And I’ll lead you all in the dance,” said he.

  32. Just getting caught up on all your news, and I’m so thrilled to read this. Truly. 🙂 I remembered this morning that your surgery was today (I had it written on a sticky note, stuck to the back of my book) and said a quick prayer for you and your doctors today, the day of your surgery. I will continue praying for those clean margins, and for that door of hope to remain wide open! Wishing you a speedy recovery!

  33. So thankful for this good news!
    And for the news that your surgery went well and your recovery is going well. Will continue to pray for you and your family!