On June 19, 2008, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Just over a year later, I am thrilled to be able to say that I am cancer free. I want to thank the Lord for His faithfulness to me through this very difficult journey. His presence has held me and sustained me through some of the darkest and most difficult days of my life. He has been and continues to be faithful. I still have a ways to go with treatment, but it is so encouraging to look back at all that has been completed and accomplished.
I also want to thank each of you! You have been a constant source of prayer and encouragement to me throughout this journey and I am so very, very grateful to you and for you! I could not be where I am today without your help and partnership. You are awesome!!
with a heart overflowing with love and gratitude,
Leslyn
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Finished another week of hyperbaric treatment
Just got home from hyperbaric treatment. Last week, after finding out I had a fever, I went and saw my doctor. He discovered that I still had a sinus infection and put me on another round of antibiotics. That seemed to take care of the infection. Today, I finished up another week in the chamber and I am feeling fine.
Just in case you've been wondering, here are a few little known facts about hyperbaric treatment:
- At 33 feet of pressure or 2 atmospheres, it is really hard to whistle
- After being at 2 atmospheres of pressure for 2.5 hours, you get really, REALLY hungry!
- Joints pop very loudly at 2 atmospheres of pressure.
In case any of that comes up on Jeopardy, you'll be set!
I get to take a few days off from treatment and I am so excited. They are closed over 4th of July weekend. Being in that very small tube day after day gets to me after awhile. It is definitely making a difference though! The wound continues to get smaller and is completely scabbed over, which is pretty amazing. I have had an open wound since the early part of April! The doctors are all encouraged. I asked the wound specialist if he thought I needed to continue with hyperbaric since the scab had formed and he said very clearly that he thought it was necessary. He said more directly than ever before that I had "severe radiation necrosis" and that I needed to keep up hyperbaric treatment until it was completely healed. So that is what I will do!
Thank you for praying for me. I can tell that this week I have had an increase of grace to be in the chamber. I am a far cry from enjoying it, but at least I don't feel so frustrated while I am burning up half a day, 5 days a week. God's grace is enough!
Hope all of you in America have a wonderful 4th of July! God bless our nation!!
Just in case you've been wondering, here are a few little known facts about hyperbaric treatment:
- At 33 feet of pressure or 2 atmospheres, it is really hard to whistle
- After being at 2 atmospheres of pressure for 2.5 hours, you get really, REALLY hungry!
- Joints pop very loudly at 2 atmospheres of pressure.
In case any of that comes up on Jeopardy, you'll be set!
I get to take a few days off from treatment and I am so excited. They are closed over 4th of July weekend. Being in that very small tube day after day gets to me after awhile. It is definitely making a difference though! The wound continues to get smaller and is completely scabbed over, which is pretty amazing. I have had an open wound since the early part of April! The doctors are all encouraged. I asked the wound specialist if he thought I needed to continue with hyperbaric since the scab had formed and he said very clearly that he thought it was necessary. He said more directly than ever before that I had "severe radiation necrosis" and that I needed to keep up hyperbaric treatment until it was completely healed. So that is what I will do!
Thank you for praying for me. I can tell that this week I have had an increase of grace to be in the chamber. I am a far cry from enjoying it, but at least I don't feel so frustrated while I am burning up half a day, 5 days a week. God's grace is enough!
Hope all of you in America have a wonderful 4th of July! God bless our nation!!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Got the boot from hyperbaric treatment today
Well, I'm not sure what is going on at the moment. I went to my hyperbaric treatment today, they checked my vital signs like they always do and found out that I had a fever of 101 degrees. I knew I felt kind of weird today and thought it was hot, but didn't realize it was me! I think it might be that my sinus infection did not clear completely with one round of a Z-pack. I will see my oncologist tomorrow for a scheduled appointment and I guess I'll see what is going on then. I'll keep you posted. Please pray for healing! Thanks!!!
On the amazing side, I got to go to our church, Lighthouse Regional Church, yesterday for the first time in a year. It was WONDERFUL!!! I LOVED getting to see everyone, I was overwhelmed by everyone's love and care. There were many tears of joy. The worship was heavenly, the teaching was wonderful and we had a couple who were visiting that were very prophetic and encouraging. We got to pray over a dear and precious couple who are moving to So Cal and send them out from our fellowship. We will miss them deeply. All in all it was a fantastic day. The Lord blessed me more than I could have asked or even imagined.
On the amazing side, I got to go to our church, Lighthouse Regional Church, yesterday for the first time in a year. It was WONDERFUL!!! I LOVED getting to see everyone, I was overwhelmed by everyone's love and care. There were many tears of joy. The worship was heavenly, the teaching was wonderful and we had a couple who were visiting that were very prophetic and encouraging. We got to pray over a dear and precious couple who are moving to So Cal and send them out from our fellowship. We will miss them deeply. All in all it was a fantastic day. The Lord blessed me more than I could have asked or even imagined.
A Great Verse
A friend of mine who is valiantly fighting cancer right now shared a verse that was really encouraging to me. I wanted to share it with you!
Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us (Rom 8:17-18).
Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us (Rom 8:17-18).
Facets of Humility
Humility is an interesting issue. I am beginning to realize that a life of humility has facets to it, somewhat like a diamond. As you move a diamond around, light catches on the different facets and a new view of the diamond is possible, nuances and dimensions that were unseen before come into view. Through this cancer fighting journey, I have thought a lot about humility as well as experienced deeper levels of it than ever before.
I really thought that during the time when I had no hair, to say nothing of having no breasts, and still was able to go out in public, smile and look people in the eye, that God had done a pretty deep work of humility in me. I was willing to be known for who I am, even without hair or breasts. That was a really difficult part of my journey emotionally, but I got through it and was content. Then the diamond moved, light caught the facet and another dimension of my life was exposed. My eyebrows and eyelashes fell out. I prayed, gave up my rights to look normal, dug down to my source of value and worth that is not found in my outward appearance but in who I am as a person and who I am especially as a daughter of the Living God. I know that in Jesus I am loved and accepted completely just for who I am. I struggled for several days, prayed, had some weepy moments and then found a new and deeper place of humility and contentment.
So, you might think, like I did, that I had pretty much hit rock bottom in the journey toward humility. I thought that surely light had hit every possible facet of that diamond, but apparently not. It seems so silly in comparison to what I have already gone through but I am having yet another lesson in humility. Perhaps I should call it an opportunity for humility. With these hyperbaric treatments, on the day of treatment, I am not allowed to wear any makeup, I can't wear any hair products, no deodorant or perfume, not even lotion for my skin that has gotten so dry from the treatments. I can use a very mild soap and that is it. (These treatments are 5-6 days a week.) I think I was so ready to get back to normal, now that my hair is growing slowly back and my eyebrows and lashes have returned, that this new set of circumstances took me off guard. I can feel myself settling into being content and comfortable out in public again au natural, but it has been a struggle. I have prayed, felt frustrated and have been a little self conscious out in public, that is usually my barometer so to speak for where I am in the humility department. Do I think about myself when I am out in public, am I wondering what other people think of me, am I consciously aware of my appereance when I look at someone, can I look people in the eye and smile at them to bring them joy and encouragement or am I thinking about what they will think of me? Those are some of the ways I can practically gauge how free I am in the area of humility. That is the wonderful thing about humility, it frees us from self. It frees us from being self-conscious to that we can be God-conscious. It also frees us to be able to give of ourselves freely to others. So, though these opportunities have been challenging, I really do welcome the light shining on the various facets of my life where I am in need to deeper humility, exposing the nuances and dimensions of which I was previously unaware. This life is a journey, I am grateful that I do not walk alone.
I really thought that during the time when I had no hair, to say nothing of having no breasts, and still was able to go out in public, smile and look people in the eye, that God had done a pretty deep work of humility in me. I was willing to be known for who I am, even without hair or breasts. That was a really difficult part of my journey emotionally, but I got through it and was content. Then the diamond moved, light caught the facet and another dimension of my life was exposed. My eyebrows and eyelashes fell out. I prayed, gave up my rights to look normal, dug down to my source of value and worth that is not found in my outward appearance but in who I am as a person and who I am especially as a daughter of the Living God. I know that in Jesus I am loved and accepted completely just for who I am. I struggled for several days, prayed, had some weepy moments and then found a new and deeper place of humility and contentment.
So, you might think, like I did, that I had pretty much hit rock bottom in the journey toward humility. I thought that surely light had hit every possible facet of that diamond, but apparently not. It seems so silly in comparison to what I have already gone through but I am having yet another lesson in humility. Perhaps I should call it an opportunity for humility. With these hyperbaric treatments, on the day of treatment, I am not allowed to wear any makeup, I can't wear any hair products, no deodorant or perfume, not even lotion for my skin that has gotten so dry from the treatments. I can use a very mild soap and that is it. (These treatments are 5-6 days a week.) I think I was so ready to get back to normal, now that my hair is growing slowly back and my eyebrows and lashes have returned, that this new set of circumstances took me off guard. I can feel myself settling into being content and comfortable out in public again au natural, but it has been a struggle. I have prayed, felt frustrated and have been a little self conscious out in public, that is usually my barometer so to speak for where I am in the humility department. Do I think about myself when I am out in public, am I wondering what other people think of me, am I consciously aware of my appereance when I look at someone, can I look people in the eye and smile at them to bring them joy and encouragement or am I thinking about what they will think of me? Those are some of the ways I can practically gauge how free I am in the area of humility. That is the wonderful thing about humility, it frees us from self. It frees us from being self-conscious to that we can be God-conscious. It also frees us to be able to give of ourselves freely to others. So, though these opportunities have been challenging, I really do welcome the light shining on the various facets of my life where I am in need to deeper humility, exposing the nuances and dimensions of which I was previously unaware. This life is a journey, I am grateful that I do not walk alone.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Becoming a Wellsphere Health Blogger
I have been in conversation with Wellsphere, a network of over 2,000 health writers on the web (including doctors, nurses, healthy living professionals, and expert patients). After reading my blog, I really don't know how they found out about it, they invited me to become one of their health bloggers and awarded me the designation of being a "top health blogger."
I am very excited and grateful for this opportunity. There are approximately 5 million people who visit Wellsphere every month and read the blogs that are posted there. They will take posts from my blog and use them in their entirety in their cancer community forum. Each post of mine that they use will have a link back to my blog. Amazingly, it takes no additional work from me. I see this as an opportunity to encourage others who are fighting cancer and hope that my life and honesty will show many the love, hope and help that is found in Jesus. I also hope that the power of prayer and a loving, praying community will encourage many.
If you'd like to find out more about Wellsphere you can go to: http://www.wellsphere.com
It is free to sign up and there is an outstanding wealth of information on living in health. It is really a pretty cool website. I checked with my doctors before giving my consent to be part of this website and they have only heard good things about it. I hope you find it helpful!
I am very excited and grateful for this opportunity. There are approximately 5 million people who visit Wellsphere every month and read the blogs that are posted there. They will take posts from my blog and use them in their entirety in their cancer community forum. Each post of mine that they use will have a link back to my blog. Amazingly, it takes no additional work from me. I see this as an opportunity to encourage others who are fighting cancer and hope that my life and honesty will show many the love, hope and help that is found in Jesus. I also hope that the power of prayer and a loving, praying community will encourage many.
If you'd like to find out more about Wellsphere you can go to: http://www.wellsphere.com
It is free to sign up and there is an outstanding wealth of information on living in health. It is really a pretty cool website. I checked with my doctors before giving my consent to be part of this website and they have only heard good things about it. I hope you find it helpful!
Monday, June 15, 2009
Making lemonade out of lemons
In the spirit of making lemonade out of lemons, Ron and I decided to head up to Bodega Bay and spend several days at the beach. Since my sinus infection and bulging eardrums are keeping me from receiving hyperbaric treatments for my radiation wound (see previous post below), we thought we would just make the best of it and enjoy ourselves.
Someone asked me if I was worried about the effect that not being able to have hyperbaric treatments would have on my wound. My answer was, "No, not in the least." They then said, "Do you think you should ask your doctor what might happen since you can't have your treatments?" My answer was simply, "No." I am aggressively pursuing every possible treatment option that will help to give me the best possible prognosis in my fight against breast cancer, so I am not into denial nor am I advocating it. However, one thing I have learned through this process that seems very elementary and yet profound is that you can't change what you can't change and so there is no sense wasting one moment of life worrying about it. Worrying about what I cannot change only makes me miserable. Worry changes nothing. Each moment I worry is a moment of joy that I have lost. It is not worth it. The Bible has much to say about worry and none of it is good. One of my life sayings is, "Why worry when you can pray!" I would rather pray, which can and does change things, and trust in my loving Jesus who has my life securely in His hand than spend my energy with worry that changes nothing.
So in that spirit, we are enjoying the beauty of the Pacific Ocean, yummy seafood and fresh salt air. When my ears clear, I will return to hyperbaric treatments and will be all the more refreshed and rested for having enjoyed this time rather than worrying about it! God knows what He is talking about when He tells us not to worry! I am grateful!!
Someone asked me if I was worried about the effect that not being able to have hyperbaric treatments would have on my wound. My answer was, "No, not in the least." They then said, "Do you think you should ask your doctor what might happen since you can't have your treatments?" My answer was simply, "No." I am aggressively pursuing every possible treatment option that will help to give me the best possible prognosis in my fight against breast cancer, so I am not into denial nor am I advocating it. However, one thing I have learned through this process that seems very elementary and yet profound is that you can't change what you can't change and so there is no sense wasting one moment of life worrying about it. Worrying about what I cannot change only makes me miserable. Worry changes nothing. Each moment I worry is a moment of joy that I have lost. It is not worth it. The Bible has much to say about worry and none of it is good. One of my life sayings is, "Why worry when you can pray!" I would rather pray, which can and does change things, and trust in my loving Jesus who has my life securely in His hand than spend my energy with worry that changes nothing.
So in that spirit, we are enjoying the beauty of the Pacific Ocean, yummy seafood and fresh salt air. When my ears clear, I will return to hyperbaric treatments and will be all the more refreshed and rested for having enjoyed this time rather than worrying about it! God knows what He is talking about when He tells us not to worry! I am grateful!!
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