REGARDING LAURIE'S FIRST PET SCAN, CANCER IS STABLE

After having had numerous CT scans, I was scheduled for my first PET scan. The results show that my cancer is stable and no change in treatment is necessary. Although not "In Remission", I remain stable "In Partial Response" (hot spots show up on scans but are "frozen" in their tracks). The PET scan lit up areas in the chest, liver and abdomen in keeping with lymph node metastases from breast cancer as shown on previous CTscans; seven nodes in the chest, two nodes in the abdomen and two "stable" spots in the liver remain unchanged in 6 months and are most likely the result of liver metastasis. My cancer is a managed situation for life unless God intervenes and brings about complete healing. The lymphatic system can act as a cancer highway where breast cancer cells navigate until they exit and grow into tumors. Prayers for healing of my Lymphatic System are greatly treasured by Mike and me. Healing has already begun, just by the fact that my cancer is stable. God is greatly to be praised for the miracles that He is doing in both of our lives as well as the lives of those who are encouraged by our story.

I'm convinced that God is doing something supernatural through "our" cancer! God is using this difficult time in our lives to stir up the Jesus inside of us! Mike and I are experiencing a kind of living transformation taking place in our lives because of the scope of our suffering. Daily, we run to the cross as the source of our strength. We surround ourselves with God's word through the Bible and christian books, sermons podcasts and deep theological discussions with each other and friends. And, the more we behold the brilliant light of God's truth, the more we can't help but reflect back its rays. Mike and I are living our lives in a constant state of transformation, moving and changing constantly from glory to glory on our sanctification road. As Mike and I endure under the thumb of this trial, we look into our spiritual mirrors and see ourselves transforming from one level of glory to the next increasing in wisdom, knowledge and many more areas of godliness. We are experiencing the suffering that purifies the believer and glorifies the Father as we share in the suffering of Christ that we may share in the glory of the kingdom of heaven. We are not the same Spirit filled Christians as we were the day we first came to know the Lord. Throughout our cancer journey, because we are abiding in Christ, we can't help but shine with the glory of God. Until that day that we lay down our tents and go home to heaven, we will be forever changed by our "Damascus Road" experience. "Our" suffering has moved us to take a step in obedience in a way that we might not have otherwise done. And, whether I am healed or not, God is worthy to be praised because the freedom found in the blessings of obedience far outweighs the pain that accompanies cancer.
Joy Amidst the Storm, Laurie and Mike Lanter

Proverbs 4:18 says; "The road the righteous travel is like the sunrise, getting brighter and brighter until daylight has come."

Chemo Curls are beautiful

2 TIMOTHY 1:7

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

PRAISE FROM LAURIE LANTER REGARDING STAGE FOUR METASTATIC BREAST CANCER

 









YOU, MY DEAR INTERCESSORS, HAVE PRAYED DOWN A BLESSING FOR ME!  MY CANCER IS STABLE!!!  PRAISE GOD!!!  I'M OFFICIALLY OFF CHEMO!!!    
MY ONCOLOGIST SAID; "YOU HAVE A BEAUTIFUL CT SCAN AND IT WOULD BE REMISS NOT TO TAKE YOU OFF CHEMO."  I KNOW THAT GOD IS PILOTING MY CANCER EXPERIENCE AND I FEEL AS THOUGH MY CANCER PLANE HAS BEEN TAKEN OFF AUTO PILOT AND PUT ON MANUAL!!!  IT'S A LITTLE SCARY AND ALOT PRAISEWORTHY!!!  MY CANCER CAN REMAIN STABLE FOR TWO MONTHS OR TWO YEARS OR LONGER!!!  I'M ON AN ANTIBODY TREATMENT, CALLED HERCEPTIN, THAT HAS STOPPED MY CANCER IN IT'S TRACKS.  ALTHOUGH I AM NOT CONSIDERED "IN REMISSION", I AM CONSIDERED "IN PARTIAL RESPONSE" AND HERCEPTIN ACTS LIKE A DAM TO HOLD MY CANCER BACK FOR SUCH A TIME AS GOD ALLOWS.  I AM SO HAPPY!!!  I WANT TO SING AND PAINT AND RIDE BIKES AND THANK MY DEAR INTERCESSORS FOR YOUR INTERCESSORY PRAYER.  BECAUSE OF YOUR POWERFUL PRAYER LIVES, YOU HAVE PRAYED DOWN A BLESSING FOR ME!!!  AND BY YOUR EXAMPLE, I WANT TO BE ELEVATED FROM PRAYER BEGGAR TO INTERCESSOR, JUST LIKE YOU.  

John 14:12 says; "The works that I (Jesus) do shall he (you) do also; and greater works than these shall he (you) do."  WOW!!!  Jesus is our example of intercessory prayer.  He came to do God's will and to reveal God's power.  This power was not something that Jesus possessed but rather Jesus had to pray for this power and to receive it from above. 

INTERCESSORS - YOU GLOW FROM YOUR TIME IN YOUR PRAYER CLOSET!

THANK YOU, MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST INCLUDING HUSBAND AND FRIEND-MIKE LANTER, DAUGHTERS AND SON-IN-LAWS CHRISTY & LARRY YOUNG AND SHAYLEN & JASON DIXON, CHRIS FRUITTICHER'S CLASS, GARY OCKWELL'S CLASS, PASTOR MERRIT, JONATHAN MERRITT, CROSSPOINTE DEACONS AND MEMBERS, MARK MAYNARD, MUSIC WORSHIP TEAM, ABBA'S HOUSE IN CHATTANOOGA, UGA WESLEY, CANTON FIRST UMC, SHADOWBROOKE CONDO ASSOC-ST. SIMON'S ISLAND, WEBSITE FRIENDS AT SECOND PONCE DE LEON BAPTIST CHURCH DURING RUSSELL DILDAY PASTORATE, MOUNTAIN TOP COMMUNITY CHURCH IN B'HAM, FACEBOOK & BLOG BUDDIES AT http://keepingthemainthingthemainthing-la.blogspot.com/ FRIENDS & FRIENDS OF FRIENDS-N-FAMILY-N-NEIGHBORS-N-TONS OF OTHERS.  LAST BUT NOT LEAST, MY HEARTFELT THANKS GO OUT TO MY HOLY SPIRIT, WHO PRAYS FOR ME WITH YEARNINGS WHICH CANNOT BE UTTERED (MRI BUDDY, I COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU!).

SUFFERING WITH JOY SHOUTS TO THE WORLD...

Be joyful in your suffering and remember that God ordains suffering.  Suffering unhinges us from the things of this world.  WHEN WE SUFFER WITH JOY AS WE CONTINUE TO SEEK OBEDIENCE, IT SHOUTS TO THE WORLD THAT WHAT WE HAVE IN JESUS IS GREATER THAN ANYTHING THE WORLD HAS TO OFFER AND THAT GOD IS WORTHY TO BE PRAISED ABOVE ALL THINGS!

"OUR" CANCER JOURNEY

It is praiseworthy to say that God is responding to everyone’s prayers.  Laurie's test results are remarkable.  God is hearing our plea for healing and is answering our prayers one day at a time.  God is allowing Laurie's cancer to be reduced to a manageable level.  She is now able to manage her disease, for a time, as if it was a chronic illness.  The next CT scan is expected to show continued improvement which will allow Laure to rotate off of a chemo plan onto a hormone treatment plan.  The hormone treatment plan will provide improved quality of life for "us" for as much time as God allows.  Each day, Laurie and I are amazed at how God brings people into our lives who need  to hear "our" and "His" story.

Thank you again for your continued prayers.  Mike

A FIVE DOLLAR PONYTAIL!!!

I am so excited to find a synthetic ponytail.  This ponytail is one of the original synthetic ponytails that first came out twenty years ago.  It has just been sitting on the shelf unopened for twenty years.  The wig saleswoman gave it to me for $5.00 just to get rid of it.  I LOVE IT.  I safety pinned the hair to my ball cap aftr pulling some of the hair to the front to make whispy bangs and...VOILA....WHADDAYATHINK???? Synthetic hair is like Barbie doll hair.  Just don't bet me to close to a match.  HA LA

THE NEUPOGEN SHOTS WORKED TO BOOST MY WBCs, THANK YOU LORD!

NEUPOGEN SHOTS BEGAN 8/20.  AFTER THE FIRST TWO SHOTS, MY WBC COUNT SHOT UP FROM 2,400 TO 1300.  SO, I WILL TAKE ONLY ONE SHOT WEEKLY, WHICH I WILL ADMINISTER MYSELF AS LONG AS I TAKE THE CHEMO, TAXOL.  THESE SHOTS WILL SATURATE THE BONE MARROW TO RELEASE PREMATURE WHITE BLOOD CELLS THAT WILL FIGHT OFF INFECTION IN ORDER TO ALLOW MY CHEMO TREATMENTS TO CONTINUE.

JAMES 4:2 SAYS; "YOU HAVE NOT BECAUSE YOU ASK NOT"...DEAR HOLY SPIRIT, I ASK YOU BELIEVING THAT YOU WILL BREATH ON THESE NEUPOGEN SHOTS TO STIMULATE MY BONE MARROW TO INCREASE MY WHITE BLOOD CELL COUNT.  I LOOK FORWARD TO TREATMENT AND CAN'T WAIT FOR YOU TO BREATH ON MY MEDICINE.  THANK YOU FOR GOING SHARING PERSONALLY ALL OF MY EXPERIENCES.  YOU ARE TRULY THE BEST COMPANION ANYBODY COULD HAVE.  LA 

MARK 11:22 & 23

"Have faith in God.  For verily I say unto you, whosoever shall say unto the mountain; 'Be thou removed and be thou cast into the sea' and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass, he shall have whatever he saith." 

A NEW DOCTOR AND A NEW CHEMO REGIMEN SPECIFIC TO MY NEEDS.

My new doctor is Jan Galleshaw, a specialist in Breast cancer.  She ordered a CT Scan that revealed that my cancer is sensitive to chemo and is responding significantly to "first line treatment;"Taxol, Carboplatin & Herceptin. 

Specific to my needs, Dr. Galleshaw prescribed a monthly IV of Zameta, a Boneva like drug to build back the three areas in my sturnum that show cancer mass in the bone.  Because my cancer is responding extremely fast to Taxol, I am continuing to take Taxol until it causes the inevitable numbness in extremities at which point, I shift to Taxotier, a lighter Taxol.  I am no longer taking Carboplatin because it does not "dance" with the other drugs to enhance their potency.  I will at some point take an anti hormone drug to combat my Estrogen and Progesterone cancer compoment.  Because I am positive for the Her-2 gene, I am taking weekly doses of Herceptin. which specifically targets the Her-2 receptor to prevent the cells from dividing so quickly

THE JOY OF THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH

WELCOME TO MY BLOG. Psalms 116:15 says; "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." Now, I don't know if I am on the last leg of life's journey or if there are a few more battles to fight. But, I do know

that this period of time in my life is precious. I have my game face on and I am ready to rumble. I am armed and fortified to glorify God through my disease. Whatever God asks of me, he supplies. He has put me in the eye of my storm and I feel grounded and safe. I invite you to share my journey and to feel my joy amidst my battle that you might find strength. 

I like what Andrew Murray says about joy; "There is nothing so attractive as joy.  Gladness is such a mighty element in the christian character;

there is no proof of the reality of God's love and the blessing He bestows as when the joy of God overcomes all the trials of life.  Jesus promised us His own joy; "My joy."  Paul understood the paradox of the Christian life as the combination at one and the same moment of all the bitterness of earth and all the joy of heaven.  'As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing.'

(2 Cor. 6:10)-the joy of Christ can overrule the sorrow of the world, can make us sing while we weep, and can maintain in the heart, even when cast down by disappointment or difficulties, a deep consciousness of a joy that is unspeakable and full of glory...Be happy.  Culivate gladness." LA

TIME OUT FOR HUMOR: I FEEL AS THOUGH I AM PLAYING A THEATRICAL ROLE AS THE MAIN ACTRESS IN A STAGE PLAY?

My experience with Recurring Metastatic Stage 4 Breast Cancer is surreal!  I feel like I'm an actress on a stage playing the leading role of the dying lady part. 

Act One is all about "fact finding" as doctors identify the illness through test after test.   Act Two is very different from Act One with highs and lows in the form of procedures & still more tests; discrepancy's of tests and differences of opinions, changing predictions about life expectancy due to breakthrough modern medicines.   The main actress, me, is a "real cartoon character" in every sense of the word and the audience is rooting for the dyng lady as they sit on the edge of their seats. They want to see more humorous yet remarkable coping skills as she deals with her cancer experience.  The atmosphere in the theater is kinetic with energy and the audience senses that there is a surprise ending.  The play is a whopping success and there is hope for a sequel.  The actress who plays the dying lady part is hoping for another role.  It helps that she is a child of the Producer.   Humor Helps, La 

THE SECOND OPINION

Today, Mike took me to see this awesome, zany, christian Oncologist to get a second opinion.  The enemy did not want us to make this appointment because Atlanta traffic made us 1&1/2 hours late for this appointment across town. I called to cancel but she said to come anyway. Four doctors have discussed my unusual case and she wanted to study me and follow my journey. This Christian Oncologist works entirely with Jewish Oncologists and she has a real sense of humor about her cohorts. She gets along beautifully with all of her Jewish comrades and she humorously said; "Hey, we can't help it if they got confused somewhere along the way." Anyway, she poured herself lovingly over all my information, "working as unto the Lord", making a time line of my recurring cancer to take home to study, taking home my CD's of my bone and CTscan to show her radiologist husband. I am an odd case. She has seen two patients in her practice that have my situation. About 1 in 700 cancer patients find themselves in my situation. She highly suspects that both my mother and I were/are positive for the BRCA gene which is a mutation in cells that greatly increases cancer risks. This BRCA test, a simple but expensive (@ $3,000.00) blood test, is forthcoming for me and my daughters.

I told her to give it to me straight, that I could handle anything because I was grounded in Jesus. That is when she laughed because she knew that all my doctors, surgeons and GP were Jewish. Anyway, after looking at my file, she said; "Man, you've got lots of cancer." She also said; "Man, I don't see how you look so good for being so sick." Upon reflection, her words helped the gravity of my illness sink in a bit (just for 5 minutes and I got over it and put back on my coat of Praise). Now, having said this, her overall demeanor was extremely positive. She said that although I am stage four, because I tested positive for the Her2 Gene and am Estrogen Positive, my type of cancer responds best of all to herceptine. Herceptive and Taxol and Carbo Platine in some combonation is the standard treatment. Not to sound trite, but I thanked the Lord for giving me "Cancer for dummies" since the treatment is so status quo. The only kink in the day was discrepancies in my bone scan and my CTscan which went undetected since I had the procedures performed at different out patient surgical centers and comparisons were not made. My CTscan says that I have cancer in my sternum. My bone scan says that I'm clear. This second opinion revealed the possible need to add Zamata to my chemo mix to take care of the bones. Praise God for this "God" day with an Oncologist who "loved on" my information to the point that I just might have a new medicine specific to my needs. LA

CHEMO MAKES MY HAIR FALL OUT

"I have lost most of my hair.  My bangs look plentiful simply because I am combing them "Donald Trump style" combing all the way from the back.  My colorful ball caps

and ponytails look cheerful. My doctor said that I would loose my hair but his nurse said that it would simply thin out. She said that since I take weekly treatments, there is less chemo given per time. So, it is very possible that my hair would not completely fall out. So, I decided to let my hair tell me what I should do rather than shaving it to be done with the issue. I have always had enough hair for three people. So, thinning isn't a problem.  I still look plenty fine enough.   I am so hopeful that I don't have to get a wig.  More than anything, it aggravates me that in order for insurance to pay for my wig, my nurse has to write a prescription for a wig based on the psychological distress that loosing my hair is supposedly causing. Well, I am grounded in Jesus and I'm not distressed over my hair.  Anyway, whether I loose all of my hair or just half of it, I will glorify the Lord in all things. LA

SHARE COMMENTS!!! CLICK THE PENCIL IMAGE BELOW TO SHARE BLOG COMMENTS!!!

MAKE A COMMENT!  I 'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!!!  ENCOURAGING WORDS ARE LITTLE THINGS THAT MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE.  PLEASE CLICK ON THE PENCIL IMAGE BELOW TO SHARE "WONDERFUL WORDS OF LIFE.

"BerBet says; "Thanks so much for sending me a copy of your testimony and your poem. Both are keepers,

and I am copying them and I'm making sure that both my adult children read them. Laurie, you should write a book! I love feeling your joy, your happiness, your strength to meet this problem head on...and not cave in to it!! All this comes through as I read your words, your message. There's a verse that I keep trying to pull from memory and I just can't. Anyway, we are NOT to speak negative words...and you certainly have that right! The only verse that keeps coming to me over and over right now is Psalm 19:14 "Let the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord , my strength and my Redeemer." And negative thoughts and words are not acceptable to our LORD. Your words certainly have a positive message. (I just gotta find that verse.) And Laurie, I so feel for Mike. My husband had his first battle with cancer when we were so young....our son was 13 months old...and our daughter was about 4. I still remember keeping my composure and my smile all day and crying most of the night. Truly, God's is so good at supplying exactly what we need for whatever situation we are in. His Grace is sufficient. Again, thank you for sharing the poem, the testimony, and your note. My prayers join the many others who are praying for your healing and we know and believe that God does heal. Oh, and I do think you should keep that journal so you can write that book. May the Presence of Jehovah-rapha The LORD Who Heals be with you."

Bill Heyser says; "Welcome to Second Ponce de Leon Baptist Church During Russell Dilday Pastorate website!! I'm sure you don't remember this, but I still remember a very moving talk you and I had sitting on a staircase when I was no more than 8th or 9th grade while on a mission trip in New Hampshire... you gave me some great perspective.... Hope all is going well...".

Gary and Linda Ockwell say; "Hi Laurie, I just wanted you to know that the ladies in our Life Group have organized a two day fast and prayer for you Wednesday - Friday this week.. I just thought you should know that we love you. It was good to see you and Mike again Sunday.

Have a great week. God Bless."

Gary and Linda Ockwell say; "...Still, through this trial you have a beautiful spirit. We are your extended family in Christ. We love you."

Rick Lanter says; "Laurie, I am astounded at your bravery, positive attitude, faith and trust in the Lord Jesus. You have conquered more than half the battle that is before you. We love you and are committed to praying for you daily. Mike, we love you and will be praying for you too. None of us knows what the future holds, but knowing the one who holds the future gets us through." Isaiah 43, 1-2

BerBet said;"This is the most beautiful letter...Thank you for sharing it with me. What a remarkable lady! I pray God will decide she is needed here....and will pour out on her his amazing healing power. Betty Lanter, I mentioned to you this afternoon that we have been listening to Dr.Jeremiah on Sunday morning (and I have certainly learned to appreciate good preaching/teaching that is on TV.)... He is preaching from the book of Job.....and I don't think I have ever heard lots of preaching from the book of Job. One of the scriptures that has stood out so much to me was Job 2:10. This is where Job answered his wife when she suggested that he just "curse God and die"....... In verse 10 after Job told his wife she was speaking like one of the foolish women, he said 'SHALL WE INDEED ACCEPT GOOD FROM GOD , AND SHALL WE NOT ACCEPT ADVERSITY?" After reading Laurie's letter to you, my thought was "This sounds like something Laurie would write." Again, thank you for sharing this beautiful letter. My thoughts, prayers, and love will be with you , and with Laurie and Mike during this time.

Laurie said in her letter to BerBet forwarded by her in-laws; "Hiya Hal & Betty Lanter - My biopsy and CTSCAN revealed lots of doom-n-gloom but don't count me out as of yet. I am surrendering myself to the great physician and remain happy, bouncy and full of great expectation. My tests show that I have recurring metastatic breast cancer spreading into the lymphatic system, neck & sternum & diaphragm areas with hot spots on the liver. Brain and bone tests are forthcoming. Boy, that'll be a hoot if it goes to my brain cause I'll have all of you making origami. There is fluid in the right lung that will dissipate with chemo treatments. Weekly chemo treatments begin on Wednesday. Realistic scenario - median survival rate is 2 years with best scenario being 5 to 8 years and worst scenario being that I do not respond to chemo due to liver failure. (hey, we could all be in a 9-11 attack tomorrow) Now, having said all of that doom -n-gloom, I must say that I feel like a fortress and am pretty unshakable so far, armed and ready for this battle. This illness has thrown a spotlight on me and I am holding a mirror in my hand so the light of God's love ricochets onto my husband, my family, my prayer warriors and right back to my Lord Jesus. I am amazed at the strength, humor, fortitude that God supplies. Pray for Mike because he is somewhat of a patient, himself. God is doing a work in Mike with his tears of love and surrender to God's will in this matter. Truly, I know what love looks like just to see Mike trying to get his arms around this trial as he faces the possibility of loosing the companionship of his pal. He has planted a shrine of flowers to me and my yard looks like a slice of heaven. He is running with all his might to the source of his strength. Thanks for your continued prayers. LA

debbie lanter says; "So glad you have Michael with you on this journey. Remember that you have more helpers just 'waiting in the wings' ANY time. Just call or e-mail, and we'll be right over! Love you!" Praying! debbie

Laurie said; "Hiya Debbie! Welcome, welcome, welcome!!!

I am soooooo excited to welcome you to my blog keeping the main thing the main thing which is to glorify the Lord through my journey with recurring metastatic breast cancer. I am anxious to start chemo tomorrow. I have fluid on my right lung and chemo will cause it to dissipate. I am "clothed in praise," armed and ready to do battle. However, this morning, for the first time, I let my guard down and my imagination ran amuck. I felt nauseous and lost hope for five minutes as Mike and I reviewed treatment centers and options. But, Mike had read a great scripture verse found in Isaiah 61:3; "[He has sent me] to provide for all those who grieve in Zion, to give them crowns instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of [tears of] grief, and clothes of praise instead of a spirit of weakness. They will be called Oaks of Righteousness, the Plantings of the LORD, so that he might display his glory. Debbie, I proceeded to do an academic exercise and I began to praise God for Mike, for my girls, my son in law, my dog, God's word, my prayer warriors, my life, etc... It was not long before my strength in the Lord returned and my zeal was back. I am not going to let my guard down again! Again, thank you for joining my blog. This journey should be an interesting one with a few twists in the road that just might prove to be miraculous. On the lighter side, donchajuslove the full length picture that cuts off my head whenever it gets attached to my e-mail." Ha LA

Dear Miss Laurie--One of my foremost memories of you will always be having a terrible day at work at the Olive Garden when you and Mr. Lanter came in, and there you were, wearing your reindeer antlers, offering to give them to me to cheer me up. The joy that you have my friend, is remarkable to say the least. If only I could express what a blessing, inspiration, and encouragement your faith and attitude are to not only myself, but so many that have heard your story. I continue to pray for you, and shared with my co-workers at The Mission Society this past week to pray for you during our daily devotional and prayer time. I met a woman not long ago who, this past December, came home from years on the mission field, diagnosed with Stage 4 Terminal Ovarian Cancer. She was a nurse by vocation, so she knew quite well that not only was the end near, but that it wouldn't be pretty or pleasant in the least. She shares her story and says that when she heard the diagnosis, she felt the Lord told her to not pray for her healing, but to pray that God would be glorified, regardless. And so in obedience, such is what she prayed for, preparing herself emotionally and mentally to be with Jesus, spending time with her family, and never once asking for her own healing, while hundreds around the world prayed for her and with her. Shortly after doing more tests over the next few weeks, she spoke with her doctors who basically derided whoever diagnosed her with Stage 4 cancer as an idiot...because when they did more testing, it turned out in fact, that she only had Stage 1. They removed the tumor, went through the normal treatments, and she's cancer-free, 6 months later. What amazes me most though isn't simply the miracle of how the Lord healed her physically. It was hearing this woman in her late 50s who served as a missionary for ~15 years in Central Asia speak of how as a little girl, she never could believe that God really and truly loved her. And how, even despite everything she saw Him do and experienced on the mission field, there was still that latent doubt that God truly loved her. But Miss Laurie, tears well up in my eyes when I think about her sharing that it was through that experience of dealing with cancer and drawing nearer than she ever had to the Lord and being healed that she realised that God really, really loved her. Oh my friend, may you, even through this season not only continue to share the incredible joy in your heart and give life to others...but may you just know in a greater measure than ever before in your life, the depth, the height, the breadth, and width of Jesus' love for you. May you taste the richness of His love in a way you haven't yet, even through this season...“And now to Him who is able to do ever more (immeasurably) abundantly than we could ever ask (or dare to think, hope, imagine, or dream) according to the power that works within us [which is the same power that raised Christ from the dead!] to Him be all glory in the church and in Christ Jesus for all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” -- Ephesians 3:20-21
With love in Christ, Alex Jason Gapud

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

Something just does not make sense about the pattern of my disease to anybody but my sovereign God. My Breast Cancer first surfaced in swollen cancerous lymph nodes that had metastasized

into the lymphatic system and popped up in my tissues in multiple areas. My Breast Surgeon feels that it is quite unusual for Metastatic breast Cancer to "present itself" in this way. But, the pathology report strongly suggests that recurring breast cancer is the proper diagnosis.

The first times that I battled Breast Cancer at age 38 and again at age 40, it was diagnosed as being contained in the ducts rather than an aggressive & recurring type of cancer. This fact has my Oncologist scratching his head. He thinks that in all probability my original cancers were, in fact, tiny but aggressive cancers that were undetectable and undiagnosable fifteen years ago.

Another odity for me is that the point of origin does not seem to be in the breast. I just had a mammogram that showed no change since eight months ago. I have to scratch my head because although my cancer is recurring metastatic breast cancer, I manifest or have manifested many symptoms of lymphoma including swollen lymph nodes, "the Hodgkin's itch," breathlessness, fatigue, weight loss & night sweats & fever.

I appreciate and praise God for my growing team of doctors who are contributing towards my well being. The cancerous lymph nodes in my neck are visibly shrinking with each chemo treatment. God is Sovereign over my Life, LA

The Echo-cardiogram Technician's Prayer

In order to be approved by insurance for my "miracle drug," Herceptin-sp?, I had to get an Echo
-cardiogram. My Echo-cardiogram Technician, a Born Again Christian, prayed for my healing. WOW!

On another note, a friend and I from high school reconnected after hearing of my cancer journey. Hear Anna Estes Henderson's beautiful prayer and words of affirmation in her comment below.

My first Chemo reaction

I am so excited about my miracle drug. I am taking somewhat of a miracle drug called Herceptin-sp? which can turn a deadly terminal disease into a chronic

illness. I asked God to breath on Herceptin as it entered my disease. My breast cancer is very aggressive. I tested positive for the Hertoo-sp? gene. But, it is treated with a very specific drug that is proven to control the cancer for a time. I had my first side effect. One minute I had no symptoms and the next minute, I had the flu and chills. It was as sudden as turning on a light switch. I slept for hours in a coma like sleep and awakened with no symptoms at all. I had two episodes of this flu like reaction and that was that. This morning, I felt full of zeal and ready to take on the day. Praise God. I must admit that I said a few choice words to my invisible enemy like come and get me or give it to me if I'm getting whipped, my cancer is getting whipped $#@%&*. Ready to Rumble, LA

MRI Brain Scan

My Holy Spirit and I got an MRI. I must say that I had to get spiritually fit for this procedure. I sang all the wayto Emory at Johns Creek. I put on my coat of praise and accomplished the task. I felt like I was being transported to my Avatar body in that machine. They put an oxygen mask with eye openings over my face and pushed me into the machine. My nurse gave me a ball to squeeze that would stop the machine in the case of a panic attack. The noise ranged in sound from a cement drill to African drum beats to soft beats. Anyway, I assured her that I was grounded and had no intention of squeezing the ball. She told me that some patients squeeze the ball every 5 minutes. The nurse came in the room several times to check on me. Well, little did I know, I had dropped the ball on the floor and the nurse stepped on it thus stopping the machine. We laughed until she told me it would be an extra 15 minutes to recalibrate the machine. I spent so much time in that machine with my Holy Spirit that we are learning to tell (think) each other jokes. I nicknamed Him Hot Spot while in the MRI machine. I love my Holy Spirit and checked on Him often during this hour long procedure since He constantly checked on me. My Holy Spirit is the hottest spot inside of me. LA

Tuesday's Bone Scan with Radioactive Dye

God is sovereign over my life. Many times, His thoughts turn to me during the day. I love Him so much. Today, the Holy Spirit and I had a bone scan.

The nurse painlessly gave me radioactive dye in my vein and sent me off to lunch so that my bones could have time to soak it up and glow. After returning, the nurse informed me that the camera would get an inch from my face for the first few minutes. I decided to keep my eyes shut until my face was free and clear for fear of panic. Mike stayed in the room and sang to me and told me when to open my eyes. Then, this funny guy nurse appeared out of nowhere for no reason. I know that the Lord sent this wacky, guy nurse in my room at the end of this simple 25 minute procedure. He was a Hodgkin survivor and even though he had no authority to officially give me my results, he knew how to read the results of my test. He said that bright white hot spots on my skeleton other than the typical worn areas in my hips and shoulders and my full bladder would indicate metastatic regions of cancer. He asked me if I could see any hot spots. I said; "No, praise God." The next day, my oncologist gave me the official results that my bones looked great! I just sat there doing mental cartwheels. I'm sure that my Holy Spirit knew all along that my bones were fine. LA

HI-FIVE, MY PORT IS IN!

God fortifies his children for what lies ahead. Monday, my Oncologist scheduled my Port procedure. I received a heavy duty, "turbo"

port adaptable to CTScans as well as chemo. The procedure preparation seemed like a big deal but the actual procedure was very doable. The only thing that was compromising for me was the fact that the attendants covered my face and head while keeping me conscious during the procedure. My nurse opened up my breathing hole a bit to keep it from being so close to my face which made everything very tolerable. I never felt any pain. I kept a thought conversation going the entire time with my Holy Spirit. I gave my Holy Spirit this nickname; "Hot Spot." I love to converse through my thoughts with my beloved companion who never leaves me. The doctor couldn't put Him to sleep even if they tried. HI-FIVE, LA

The Journey Begins

Dear fellow bloggers, I had my first chemo treatment yesterday with no pain or negative reactions from Taxol. Taxol caused the fluid in my right lungto dissipate and, last night, I was able to exercise without huffing and puffing. As weird as it sounds, I can't wait until my next treatment!!! My oncologist, his support team, the location and the atmosphere feels "psychologically safe". My oncologist will soon consult with his cohort at the Mayo clinic in Jacksonville for the best treatment plan. Well, I can't finish without running to God's Word which is my source of strength. My verse to share that got me through yesterday's anxiety is found in Isaiah 61:3 which says; "...to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty ashes, the oil of joy for morning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees (oaks) of righteousness, the planting of the lord that he might be glorified."

THE OLD RUGGED CROSS

I thought it would be intriguing to paint a waterfall from a rear aerial viewpoint. I had no idea that the mountains would visually carve out a cross. I prayed for inspiration and Jesus emerged out of this painting. We are teaming up as co-painters in this painting entitled, The Old Rugged Cross. LA