Lots of Updates

I have fallen behind on my postings.


I Didn't Catch Hannah's Cold!
I did make it miraculously through Hannah's cold without catching it. I think that is a first for me. God answers prayer!!


My Back Went Out:
I did however, have my back go out on me last Saturday and that put me flat on my back in bed. The last expansion that I had seemed to cause more pain and stretching in my back and chest muscles than the previous ones. I think that was the precursor to my back going out. Thankfully, my dear friend and chiropractor, Dr. Julie Souza, worked me in twice this week and was able to get me back up on my feet. Sitting at the computer, however, has still been too painful up until yesterday. So here I am with a bunch of news. I will try to keep each one short and to the point.


I Switched Physical Therapy Centers:
Last time I reported I had gone to a physical therapist (PT) that I liked, but after I got home and thought more about it and got some input from friends, I decided that perhaps that Physical Therapy center was not the best suited for my specific needs. I contacted my oncologist to ask for a recommendation for a PT that specialized in Lymphedema, which I am trying not to get and cording which I already have. There is actually a Lymphedema Clinic through John Muir Hospital! I was really encouraged. Ron and I went to the appointment and were so pleased with the level of expertise and education they were able to provide us with that I have decided to just go there.

Chemo #4 is Behind Me:
I went in for Chemo #4 yesterday, Thursday, and it went pretty well. I am feeling pretty nauseated tonight though. I also went in for my Neulasta shot today, besides stinging like crazy, the best part of the appointment was a divine encounter that I had with a dear lady who was just coming to the practice for the first time and seeing my doctor. She is hoping that Dr. Sherman can help her. I was able to assure her that he is a doctor of the highest caliber, she cried. She has been diagnosed with breast cancer for the third time. Also, her daughter is interested in missions, guess which one, YWAM! Of course, that is the mission group that Ron and I served in for many years. This list of connecting points with her was truly God. We are going to connect by phone and she wants to come by our church too. I have really been praying for God to use me at my oncology appointments and blood tests, etc., I really want to get the most out of this experience for God's kingdom as possible. As I have always said, why waste a good trial?? So I am giving thanks to God and to all of you who have been praying that along with me. Yea God.

Please Pray for my Liver and Pancreas Levels:
I found out yesterday that my liver and pancreas levels are elevated, thankfully not enough to keep me from getting my chemo treatment, but they are high. It essentially means that the chemo is stressing my liver and pancreas and could become a problem. Clearly, we don't want liver or pancreas damage so I wanted to write and ask you to please pray that these levels would go down, that my liver and pancreas would be strengthened and healed and this would not be a problem. Chemo is so toxic that it really takes a toll on the major organs, so please continue to pray for protection over my organs and healthy cells. Thank you!

I know there are a few other things I was meaning to tell you but I can't think of anything else right now, so this seems like a good place to close. Thank you , thank you, thank you for your prayers for me and for my family. We are so grateful! May God multiply back to you a hundred fold harvest for all that you are sowing into us in prayer. lovingly, Leslyn

Doing better

Though still a challenge, I must say that this chemo session was a bit easier than the previous two treatments. I am so grateful for your prayers, I know that God is graciously answering them! I am now down in the single digits with just 9 more treatments to go. I should be finished with the chemotherapy treatments the second week of February.

Hannah is still pretty sick with a cold that developed into a bacterial sinus infection. Her doctor is working with us and put her on antibiotics on Saturday. You just have to love a doctor that calls back in 5 minutes on a Saturday. Thank the Lord, I have not caught it. Hannah is being such a help, she wears a surgical mask whenever she is out of her room and has a little bottle of Purell in her pocket to keep her hands sanitized in addition to washing them a lot. Please continue to pray for her healing and that Ron and I do not catch what she has, thank you!

Finally, I wanted to let you know that my left side is now completely healed over. It has been for just over a week now. The scar is pretty significant but the tissue has sealed. That is a huge relief and it is so nice not to have to change dressings everyday.

You all are just awesome. Thank you for your on-going encouragement and prayer. So grateful for you! Leslyn

Good News

Just had to share some good news with you. I found out yesterday that my BRAC 1&2 test came back negative. That means that the breast cancer I am fighting is random and not genetic. Though my girls will still need to have mammograms early, starting between 30-35 years old, they do not have to have major surgeries to minimize their risk. We are so relieved and so grateful!! Whew!

Chemo went well yesterday, thank you for praying. I am starting to feel myself sort of sliding down hill as the day progresses. I wanted to get this quick note off to you and then go get in my jammies and go to bed. Thank you for your prayers for an easier experience this time around.

I was really tired going into this round of chemo and found out yesterday that I am pretty anemic, which would account for the fatigue. Beef is definitely on the menu!

love to each of you! Leslyn

Please pray, Hannah has a cold

I wanted to write a quick note to ask you to pray specifically that (1)Hannah would be healed of a cold she woke up with today and that (2)I do not catch it.

It is imperative that I am able to stick to getting chemo every two weeks. Statistics show that getting chemo every two weeks for breast cancer improves the success rate by 30%, the converse is also true.

Though my blood counts are holding, my ability to fight infection is still somewhat compromised and so having Hannah sick with a cold in our home is a major concern. I REALLY need to stay well. Over the years, colds tend to drop into my lungs and progress to bronchitis and pneumonia. Please pray that I would miraculously stay well.

I also wanted to let you know that the physical therapy appointment went really well. I liked the PT and she seemed to be up on the related issues with lymph node removal. So thank you for praying, those prayers were clearly answered!

Physical Therapy Monday, Sept 6

Tomorrow at 10:30AM I am going to my first physical therapy session. It is my goal to regain all of the strength and range of motion in my left arm. The lymph channels, that are no longer connected to the lymph nodes that were removed, are pulling along my underarm and along most of the length of my arm. I have done all the stretches my doctor gave me and am still having problems, so it is time to take it to the next level.

When I finish all of my chemo, radiation, surgeries, etc., it is my goal to be able to run again as well as kayak, play basketball, etc. I have always loved sports, so full range of motion is a battle worth fighting.

Would you please pray first for healing of that arm and also that I get a good physical therapist that knows what they are doing or at least can refer me to someone who knows how to work with post-mastectomy/lymph node removal issues.

If you know of a good physical therapist in our area who knows about this, please let me know! Thank you so much!!

a vision from a friend

I want to thank you all for your prayers, for the Scriptures you are sending and for the encouraging words you have shared with me. You have been like Spring rain to my soul and I thank you.

A dear So Cal friend, Christina, sent me an email with a vision she had that was very encouraging to me today, so I thought I'd share it with you too. Here it is:

"Last night as I was at the gym doing my cardio workout, the Lord gave me a vision for you. In the vision I saw a road, it was the road you are on, and the road was straight. Alongside the road, at various intervals, though always placed on the right hand side, were packages, provision, the Lord had already placed there, placed IN ADVANCE, with what you need. The packages were all different. I saw financial provisions, I saw strength provisions, I saw anointings, I saw healings for you and for others, I saw divine encounters etc...Many Many packages were there, all very purposefully laid. A cool thing then happened, an expectation, a knowing it was all so, began to arise in me. He then told me again it had all been taken care of. "

This is particularly confirming to me because one of the subjects I love to teach about is God as Jehovah Jireh, our Provider. The picture in Hebrew of this name is exactly what is described in this vision, God sees our need ahead of time and places provision in our path just where and when we will need it. Through this vision, the Lord reminded me of His infinite care and grace toward us in our need. I am praying that this word would be an encouragement to you too as each of us are effected by the current economy, life struggles, etc. He is with you, He has provision already in place for you and He loves you intimately right in the midst of your need. lovingly, Leslyn