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Update #1: Dec. 11, 2021

Dear Family and Friends,

We want to share some medical news with you.

As of yesterday, December 11, Linda has been diagnosed with Stage 2 invasive lobular carcinoma breast cancer.

Here’s the back story.

In early September, Linda noticed a breast mass, and saw a PA in Antigo as her PCP wasn’t available.  She then had a mammogram (early for her annual typically in November) and an ultrasound.  Results for both came back with no suspicious findings, but a note of dense tissue that is fairly common

A yearly appointment with her PCP scheduled for October 30 had to be rescheduled by the clinic for November 24.  At that time, her PCP referred her to a breast specialist, Dr. Stroede, with whom she was able to get an appointment in Rhinelander on December 1.  Dr. Stroede pre-diagnosed it quickly in her office as malignancy, and this week Wednesday and Thursday Linda underwent a MRI and Ultrasound Guided Needle Biopsy.  This cancer is known to be tricky and tends to hide from imaging, and doesn’t show up well.  It is low grade and slow growing.

This is all shocking and surprising news to us, but we know that isn’t so to God.  We are trusting in God and clinging to His promises, and we know that He is faithful and He is with us and before us each step of the way.  God has a plan and knows each of our days.  We know that this doesn’t change our purpose---to glorify Him--and we seek to do that through this unexpected way.

The song, “Be Still My Soul,” was the first song that came to Linda as she pondered this news.

Here are the words to the first two verses.

Be still my soul, the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently, the cross of grief or pain.

Leave to thy God to order and provide.

In ev’ry change He faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly friend

Thro’ thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still my soul; thy God doth undertake

To guide the future as He has the past.

Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;

All now mysterious shall be bright at last.

Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know

His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

We will be continuing to schedule more biopsy, oncologist, specialists, and surgeon appointments to make a treatment plan, and take life one day at a time, grateful for each new day.  At this point we already have appointments in Wausau and Antigo 3 days this next week (Dec. 14-16).  We have appreciated the speed of the schedulers in making these appointments in such a timely fashion. 

Thank you for joining us in committing this journey to God, and praying for God’s will, for healing now or in Heaven.

Thank you for your role in our lives.  For now, due to COVID and other germs, we are going to try to isolate as much as possible in order to stay healthy for the many upcoming appointments and procedures.  Our preferred method of communication would be through email or text.  (Linda.Wager@silverbirchranch.org or Dave.Wager@silverbirchranch.org or our text numbers.)  (Please do not share on social media.  Thank you!!)

We love you!

Linda and Dave


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