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Update #12: July 28, 2022 Each New Day!

 July 28, 2022 This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.  Psalm 118:24 Hello praying friends and family, Just wanted to update you after my routine check-up appointment yesterday, July 27, with my medical oncologist.  He is the one who now oversees my case (until my surgeon appointment towards the end of the year), and is the prescriber of my hormone meds that are working to prevent any remaining cancer cells from invading and growing. Thankfully, it was "routine."  All seems well, and my body is handling the meds well as far as side effects, and I am not experiencing any concerning symptoms. July has been an interesting month in that I tested positive for COVID (finally--after 2.25 years of avoiding it!) on July 8.  What I didn't know is how sensitive my lymphatic system seems to be now in alerting me to oncoming illness or need for its defense and protection of my body, as I had noticed some feelings different than ever before p...
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Update #11: April 7, 2022--Radiation Therapy Treatment Complete!!

  Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!  Praise Him, all creatures here below!  Praise Him above, ye Heav'nly host!  Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!  (Doxology) Our hearts are rejoicing and praising God for the completion of the 33 radiation treatments.  We are thankful for so many things along the way---safe travels daily on often snow or ice covered wintery roads (especially in late March and April!!), docs, nurses, reception personnel, and radiation therapists to daily attend to the treatment---often also travelling a good distance, a reliable vehicle, a cancer center relatively "close" to home, modern technology and machines, and most of all, our sovereign, good, and faithful God watching over all and guiding in His loving care.   We continue to be thankful to you who have joined us on this unexpected (to us!) path, and who have prayed and encouraged us in so many loving ways along the way.  Thank you so much! What's next?  I ...

Update #10: April 2, 2022 Radiation End is in Sight!!

 Just a quick update!! The countdown chain is definitely getting smaller!!  The end of 33 radiation days is in sight!!🎉🎉🎉 We are so thankful!! The original end date was yesterday, April 1--but I guess that was just a joke!! 😏  Due to a couple of times when the Tomo machine (see pics below) was broken and needing repair (and parts), including twice this past week, I have 3 more days, and our new target celebration end date is Wednesday, April 6!!  We are looking forward to that!! The burn side effects have caught up with me the past couple of weeks, and the doc projects to expect continued increased side effects for 2 weeks post end date--just a bit past Easter!!  But the prescribed creams are helping to control the itch and burn. What's ahead?  We'll find out more on Wednesday at my final radiation day appointment with Dr. Platta, but I do have a scheduled appointment with the oncologist (Dr. Peterson) on April 27, I believe to probably check on any sid...

Update #9: March 12, 2022 -Celebrating Half Way Through Radiation!!

 Family and Friends! We are celebrating half way through radiation!  (I say "we" as you have joined us in this journey, too!) God has been faithful as always, and we have seen Him provide safe trips, trained medical personnel, modern equipment, and so far, minimal side effects.  There was one day when the equipment was down, and a repairman travelled from Appleton to fix it, and thus, I didn't have radiation that day, but got my visit with the doc in still. So we are 17 days completed and 16 remaining.  The doc reports that all is going according to plan, so that's good, too!  April 4 is my target finish date!!   The morning trip to and from town has become "routine," with extra time to listen to podcasts, and I even don't "mind" the radiation time---as it has been a "relaxing" time to pray, recite Scripture, and meditate on the Christian music lyrics ringing through the room. (A correction to previous blogs---regarding the stage of t...

Update #8: February 25, 2022--Treatment Continues!

Dear Family and Friends- We just wanted to check in and let you know that treatment has begun and we celebrate 1.5 weeks completed!  5 weeks to go! All is going well!  We haven't had to miss a day yet in spite of some snowfalls and roads that asked for caution!  I am feeling great so far, and side effects could start appearing at the 2 week mark.  We are taking it one day at a time! It is a relatively quick daily procedure.  A CT scan is taken every day that is reviewed by the radiation oncologist prior to the following day's treatment to make sure everything is as it should be.  I meet with the doc every Wednesday after treatment, but otherwise the tech girls take care of me daily for the 20 minutes or so I am with them.  After the CT scan, they then check and recheck positioning, and ride me into the "doughnut" for the 7 minute treatment time.  The machine sounds like either galloping horses or popcorn!  I've been told it makes that noise f...

Update #7: February 12, 2022--Treatment Details

  Family and Friends-- "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you...."   Isaiah 43:1b-2a Radiation begins Wednesday, February 16 at 9:30am daily for 6.5 weeks in Antigo--40 minutes from home.  The expected side effects are fatigue (progressive as treatment continues) and sunburn/blisters throughout treatment and for some time afterwards. We are trusting God for effective treatment and safety in travel, as well as minimal side effects/capability to manage and endure the side effects, and opportunities to represent Him well to others.  We are thankful for His promise to be with us as we walk through these next months. I (Linda) am feeling great going into the start of radiation (6 weeks post-surgery), and might even get an "approved" short c-c ski in before treatment begins.  (The lifelong risk of lymphedema post surgery requires a slow, gentle build up to any activity usi...

Update #6: January 26, 2022--A Treatment Plan!

  Update #6 1.26.22   A Treatment Plan! Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord .  (Jeremiah 17:7) Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God .  (Psalm 20:7) There is a plan!  As we approached the treatment options, we reminded ourselves that ultimately, we trust in God .  God may use doctors and treatment methods as tools to heal or to prevent recurrence, but He alone guards our health, our days, our time on earth. Linda’s treatment plan will consist of 5.5 weeks of radiation (5 days a week—in Antigo, thankfully!!) and then Hormone Therapy (a daily pill) for 10 years. We continue to be grateful for the surgeons, docs, therapists, and all who work besides them, and for the speed of appointments in such an uncertain time with so many shortages existing. Psalm 90:12 says this:  So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom . That should always be our ...