Down the path

Just stopping in for a brief update. I had my mammogram @ lunch on Friday with "normal" results (except for scar tissue). This is good, but not really too meaningful to me, since nothing showed up any other time on a mammogram. MRI in 6 months. I did get a call back on Wednesday that my blood work was all good. The CA27.29 (breast cancer specific indicator) was 18. It needs to be under 37, so they said that was very good (had been 26+ range in 2 previous tests, March & August, the results of which I not seen before).

The other thing that I've discovered recently (and mentioned in the previous posting) is the significance of "triple-negative," which my results were. I've learned that there is even a specific foundation to support research in finding targeted therapies for this particular sub-category of breast cancers (TNBC). Reading through some of the website http://www.tnbcfoundation.org/index.html caused me to feel pretty "down" last night. It is more aggressive and likely to recur than other subgroups, but it does respond well to chemotherapy.

I guess learning this information now was better than all during treatment (or before), because I think I would have experienced more anxiety than I did. After facing & digesting it more, I've become more determined to continue with all the healthy changes I've made, and perhaps even increase some of them. And there is a point where I have to trust God (pretty much ALL the time!) and not my own efforts or those of the medical profession. He knows what I think and feel before I tell Him. I think I'll be bending His ear quite a bit....

Church was a blessing today! We've had 4 weeks of "Family Quest" which meant more time with the kids & less time in the "big church" hearing the message. I've missed it!

Mike and I also went to the new movie, "Fireproof" starring Kirk Cameron. http://www.fireproofthemovie.com/ It is a Christian movie made by the same church that created "Facing the Giants." The CG Fire Dept gave all the volunteer firefighters 2 free tickets. I thought it was excellent! It was all about saving a marriage and making Christ the center and strength of it. I, of course, was crying throughout, as I do at touching scenes! But that was a good thing! :O) The boys hung out with Grandma and Aunt Colleen & Jessica and made a trip to the apple orchard. We've been eating a lot of apples! Hope they keep the doctor away! Or us away from the doctor, rather!

It's time to shut down for the evening. Just wanted to keep everyone up to date. Less than a week until the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk. Right now, the forecast is rain, a washout. Hope the weather forecasters are wrong! But that never happens! :O)

Have a fantastic week & I'll report back with results from the walk! I love you all! You are huge blessings in my life & the life of my family! "A sweet friendship refreshes the soul." Proverbs 27:9