There are times I need to remember what God has done, to help me when my memory falters and my faith fades. This is what this post is all about. It's a testimony of God's faithfulness, his kindness and an answer to prayer. I 'm writing this today because I know down the road I will need to be reminded because I tend to forget when life gets hard. We need to constantly be reminded of God's truth.
I had an appointment with my oncologist this week, one I always dread, but this time in particular because last June when I saw him he told me in December I was going to have to decide whether I wanted to go back on some type of anti-estrogen drug. These drugs are used to help prevent breast cancer recurrence in estrogen positive tumors. They like you to be on these drugs at least five years after diagnosis with some doctors now suggesting up to ten years (my doctor is in that camp) I have been on a "drug holiday" for about eighteen months because I didn't tolerate the drug they had me on very well. Lots of side effects.
The oncologist mentioned a different drug he wanted me to try when I came back to see him in December, but first he wanted me to get a little healthier. If I decided I didn't want to take the drug, there wouldn't be much else he could do for me so I would be discharged.
Did I mention I have been cancer free for four years, with no evidence of disease recurrence.
December got here really quickly. I hadn't much time to think about it.
There wasn't a right or wrong answer, which for me made it all the harder. I weighed opinions, researched, talked to my husband and prayed. As I was driving up to his office I still didn't know what I was going to do. My prayer all the way there was a simple, Lord help me
You want to do what you can to prevent recurrence, but I was finally feeling well again. (and it has taken months to get to this place)
As it turned out I didn't have to be make a decision at all, I wasn't even asked. After evaluating how things had gone in the last six months, he told me that he felt going back on the drugs would not be a good choice for me. I would most certainly have side effects that would cause some of the same problems I was experiencing in the past. ( a silent thank you Lord). He had a natural alternative he wanted me to try, a supplement that has shown to have a mild aromatase inhibitor effect (anti-estrogen) He wanted me to continue with my anti-inflammatory diet (another silent thank you Lord) and to follow up in six months.
So lets see, I didn't have to make the decision, I was given an alternative treatment, and he wanted me to followup in six months, an answer to prayer on many levels.
I don't always see obvious answer to prayer like this, there are lots of things I am praying for that I haven't seen answers to yet. But this was a faith builder for current prayer requests and future needs, a reminder that the Lord continues to work in my life. He is faithful
I had an appointment with my oncologist this week, one I always dread, but this time in particular because last June when I saw him he told me in December I was going to have to decide whether I wanted to go back on some type of anti-estrogen drug. These drugs are used to help prevent breast cancer recurrence in estrogen positive tumors. They like you to be on these drugs at least five years after diagnosis with some doctors now suggesting up to ten years (my doctor is in that camp) I have been on a "drug holiday" for about eighteen months because I didn't tolerate the drug they had me on very well. Lots of side effects.
The oncologist mentioned a different drug he wanted me to try when I came back to see him in December, but first he wanted me to get a little healthier. If I decided I didn't want to take the drug, there wouldn't be much else he could do for me so I would be discharged.
Did I mention I have been cancer free for four years, with no evidence of disease recurrence.
December got here really quickly. I hadn't much time to think about it.
There wasn't a right or wrong answer, which for me made it all the harder. I weighed opinions, researched, talked to my husband and prayed. As I was driving up to his office I still didn't know what I was going to do. My prayer all the way there was a simple, Lord help me
You want to do what you can to prevent recurrence, but I was finally feeling well again. (and it has taken months to get to this place)
As it turned out I didn't have to be make a decision at all, I wasn't even asked. After evaluating how things had gone in the last six months, he told me that he felt going back on the drugs would not be a good choice for me. I would most certainly have side effects that would cause some of the same problems I was experiencing in the past. ( a silent thank you Lord). He had a natural alternative he wanted me to try, a supplement that has shown to have a mild aromatase inhibitor effect (anti-estrogen) He wanted me to continue with my anti-inflammatory diet (another silent thank you Lord) and to follow up in six months.
So lets see, I didn't have to make the decision, I was given an alternative treatment, and he wanted me to followup in six months, an answer to prayer on many levels.
I don't always see obvious answer to prayer like this, there are lots of things I am praying for that I haven't seen answers to yet. But this was a faith builder for current prayer requests and future needs, a reminder that the Lord continues to work in my life. He is faithful
7 comments:
Oh how wonderful to hear this! Praise God! Just the best answer you could have gotten, and I agree, as a direct result of prayer. My breast cancer was NOT estrogen positive so I have not had to take any medication. They only followed me two years and I was discharged (such a good feeling!) and I am just to always take a large amount of vitamin D. Never really understood why, but do completely what I am told. I guess I never even thought about side affects for the medication those who are estrogen positive have to the meds they are given. Naive on my part, because of course there are. I am soo glad you have been spared any more of that. I am a little curious on the anti inflammatory diet? Anyway, God is good all the time!! Enjoy your week-end!
I just had to shout! I know that He would have been there even if you had to decide, but this answer just ignited my faith. Thanks for sharing and letting me rejoice in this wonderful answer to prayer.
Praising God with you!!!! What a huge answer to prayer and a huge relief for you. My sister-in-law had some abnormalities show up in her uterus and they put her on progesterone-which turned her into a crazy woman(her words not mine)-she felt like she was pregnant. She is off it now, but thinking of a hysterectomy instead.
It is such a blessing to see His answers to prayer-especially when we desperately need them.
Hugs, Noreen
Wonderful testimony to the goodness of our Great God and His perfect timing in all things!! What a blessing to read this my friend. Hugs to you! Camille
Sharing your joy Mary Ann! Like Debbie, never heard of anti-inflammatory diet, very interesting. Blessings abundant to you!
So happy your dr. appointment went so well and you saw a clear answers to many of your prayers. :)
Praising the Lord for this my friend. God is good and He is so faithful to us. Even when we aren't faithful. Thanks for sharing. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
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