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
THANK YOU GEORGIA CANCER SPECIALISTS: Dr. Szabo, Dr. Vollas-Redd, Dr.Galleshaw
I appreciate all the hands that contributed towards my well being; especially those that first got my symptoms under control. Thanks to Dr. Stephen Szabo who presented the facts of my case in a very palatable manner, forthright but believably reassuring packaged in a calm and kind demeanor. Many thanks go to Dr. Szabo, Connie, Trish, Dana and the rest of the GCS team, from Emory at Johns Creek, for intellectual decision making, jovial environment and careful handling of my port. I came to Dr. Szabo at the advice of my GP because I was extremely symptomatic of what we originally thought was Lymphoma. A biopsy revealed that I had Recurring Metastatic Breast Cancer. I praise God that my cancer was sensitive to the first line of treatment. Dr. Szabo, through the use of Taxol & Carboplatin & Herceptin, caused tumors that were originally measured in centimeters to now be measured in millimeters. The tumors in my neck that had involvement in my jugular vein are now virtually non existent. And, what was once a large pleural effusion in my lungs in now a small pleural effusion. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Dr. Stephen Szabo!!!
Thank you, Dr. Gina Volas-Redd, for your second opinion and for sharing so much of yourself and your time with my case. Dr. Volas-Redd is all about patient care. She was genuinely interested and challenged by the facts surrounding my illness. Energetically, she "worked as unto the Lord" pouring over my information, making a time line of my cancer history to take home to mull over. She noticed a discrepancy in my tests and brought that fact to light. I praise God for using her to bring the facts of my case to the light of day.
As I transition now to Dr. Jan Galleshaw, a Breast Oncologist whose specialty in Breast Cancer, she will implement a cancer management plan to monitor and keep my cancer in check using as few meds as it takes. Since, I am in this for the long haul, I need to save some ammo for down the road. My Breast Cancer is made up of three components: Estrogen receptor, Progesterone receptor & the Her-2 gene. One of these components will be in the driver's seat of my cancer at all times for the rest of my life. The Her-2 Gene is aggressive and will always require Herceptin to keep it suppressed. I'll be monitored to see if either of the harmones, Estrogen or Progesterone, is ever driving my cancer. If so, Dr. Galleshaw will add an anti- hormone treatment to Herceptin. I will be getting three brain MRI's annually since the Her-2 gene portion of my cancer likes to make a bee-line to the brain. If and when that happens, I will get pin point radiation. I do, apparently, have cancer in the Sternum and ribs and, once approved, will get Zamata added to Herceptin. A CT scan on Monday will confirm this diagnosis and I'll be on my way to my second line of treatment that is unique to my needs. Praise God for great Oncologists at Georgia Cancer Specialists. May God continue to bless your practices Dr. Szabo, Dr. Volas-Redd and Dr. Galleshaw.
CANCER HISTORY:
I have Recurring Metastatic, Stage 4, Breast Cancer. I have tested positive for the Her-2 Gene and am Estrogen Positive and Progesterone Positive. I had Breast Cancer that was contained in the ducts resulting in a lumpectomy with radiation at age 38. At age 40, I had Breast Cancer that was inconclusive as to whether it was contained in the ducts resulting in a Simple Mastectomy with no reconstruction and was in remission for 14 years. Apparently, aggressive Cancer cells lay dormant before awakening and growing in my lymphatic system after menopause at age 53. I've had bi-annual mammograms since age 38 but my cancer did not originate in the breast. I do not know the actual point of origin. But, what I do know is that I serve a God who not only knows the point of origin, but He knows every minute detail even down to the number of hairs on my head (which isn't too many right now). God is sovereign over my life and I am not afraid because I trust Him completely. I am proud to be one of His Saints with all of who I am, in life and in death. And, if God calls me to walk this walk, I'll do it to the best of my ability with all the grace that He bestows for as long as He bestows it. LA
2 comments:
Dr. Szabo gave me the official word that my brain looks "phenominal"!!! Mike laughed out loud. I did mental carwheels. Dr. Szabo was beaming as he said that these results extended my life expectance to 5 to 7 years with the probability that I beat the odds. Dr. Szabo shook my hand and hugged me and my Holy Spirit. LA
Hi Laurie,
I hope you don't mind but I had two friends add you to their church prayer list as I did as well. One can never have too many. Soooo glad to hear the awsome news on the testing results.
Loads of love to you,
Stacy and Nicholas
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