Yesterday, our church friends were such a blessing. Everyone made us feel surrounded with love and care. We went to sleep listening to a CD given to us by a friend, and we listened to another one this morning right after we got up. Thanks for all the comfort you all are offering us.
The significant happening of the day was that THREE of our children lost teeth (Cara, John, and Eliana). The tooth fairy, who has taken up permanent residence in our home, slept late this morning. Recently she has been somewhat overwhelmed at the possibility of becoming the fairy for additional lost body parts. Anyway, she had to quickly recruit help to reach the recently de-toothed children in our home. Everything was cared for in good time.
my experience with breast cancer and other life events
Amy and Gilead
True Breast Cancer Awareness
November 2010
January 2008
A Little History
I was diagnosed with stage III, metastatic breast cancer in October 2008. At about the same time, we discovered I was pregnant. Initially, the prognosis was bleak, but after detailed analysis of the cancer, successful surgery, and treatments, the picture brightened considerably. I completed nine rounds of chemotherapy, twenty-five radiation treatments, and took Tamoxifen until October 2010.
After the fifth round of chemotherapy and various other treatments and tests, Gilead Victor was born six weeks early on Mother's Day, 2009. He is a healthy littly guy and a joy to us all.
In October 2010, tests showed that the cancer had returned in my liver and bones. This is now considered stage IV, terminal cancer.
Jon and I have lived in Colorado since 1997. We have seven children - four boys and three girls.
After the fifth round of chemotherapy and various other treatments and tests, Gilead Victor was born six weeks early on Mother's Day, 2009. He is a healthy littly guy and a joy to us all.
In October 2010, tests showed that the cancer had returned in my liver and bones. This is now considered stage IV, terminal cancer.
Jon and I have lived in Colorado since 1997. We have seven children - four boys and three girls.
How You Can Pray
Please pray for Jon and the kiddos - this is much harder for them than it is for me. I would appreciate prayer that my pain would be insignificant. Even more than that, please pray that I will be able to think clearly all the way to the end of my life. And even more than that, please pray that I will accept the grace from God to deal with anything He chooses to bring my way. You may also pray for my healing, but I have to be honest - I am more mentally and emotionally invested in seeing Jesus right now than I am in being healed. If God chooses to heal me, He'll give me the grace to wait a little longer to meet Him "whom having not seen, [I] love."
19 comments:
I became friends with your sis in law over the internet.
I will be praying for you and your family.
I'm so glad you are being well taken care of by your church family. I'm also glad to see that you haven't lost your sense of humor! Praying.
Hi Amy! I spoke with my dad's sister this evening. She is a two time breast cancer survivor. Anyway, she said to let you know she is praying for you. Love you! Bonnie
Amy,
I must say, you are a funny girl. You say in your post the tooth-fairy slept late, but she also posted this at 7:42 AM! Unless this was the first thing you did, I don't believe your sleeping late story. I hope you are able to sleep late tomorrow too!
Let me know if you need any pointers.
All our Prayers,
Tracey Bryant
Amy, I will be following this blog faithfully. Thank you for being willing to post through this difficult time. You will be an amazing testimony of faith! It's always hard to understand God's plan in a situation like this. Is it so He may be glorified? To enhance your witness? To demonstrate His delivery and sustaining power? To further your spiritual growth? To demonstrate to Satan that God's grace is sufficient? To see if you'll trust Him? To help you understand the suffering of other's to expand your ministry? It could be all these things and more! God is doing a great work in you, Amy. Will be praying all through the day tomorrow...
Hi Amy,
I just wanted to let you know that God has his people praying for you.
There is nothing to hard for God and there is nothing that He doesn't know. I pray for you and your family strength, perfect peace, which only God can provide.
NO matter what is going on at any given moment remember that GOD is more than enough. He promised that He would never leave us or forsake us. Take Him at His word. He is our healer, mind regulator, strong tower, peace, the list goes on and on.
Enduring
SDA
Wow! the tooth fairy is busy at your house. I find it hard to keep up with Caitlin when she loses a tooth. She tries to sell hers to the highest bidder, and is indignant when I only offer her a quarter. I have offered to let her pay me for some of my teeth, but that did not go over well. Obviously, I never win the bidding war. What kind of grandmother am I anyway??
You remain in my prayers, Amy, as do Jon and the children too. I love you. Aunt Sarah
Amy,
A woman in our church (also named Amy) sent me this email after I asked for prayer for you...
Good Morning,
I forgot to mention yesterday, by way of encouragement, that my sister was diagnosed with breast cancer and a pregnancy (twins) also 2 years ago. She went through the chemo and all other measures while pregnant, and then had the radiation therapy after she delivered. The medical staff said that they believed the high levels of pregnancy hormones actually aided her ability to withstand the negative effects of the chemo better. Her boys are now 18 months and appear to be perfectly normal and healthy, hitting the expected milestones and cognitive abilities for twins.
Just wanted to let you know so you can encourage your cousin.
Amy,
I'm praying much for you and your family. Although you are never far from my thoughts, I will be especially thinking of you tomorrow as you go for your appointments.
Mama sent me some pictures of your children from your visit to South Carolina in 2005, and it was so nice to see them! (Yeah, I know they're 3 years outdated by now, but I'll take what I can get!) :P Mama, also, keeps me updated some on what goes on with you guys, and it's always a blessing to hear how the Lord is using you.
With much love and continuing prayers,
Cynthia
Hi,
I am friends with the other Amy and I just want to let you know that there are some in Oregon who are praying for you and your family during these coming months.
Hey guys!
I just got this e-mail from Michele Finck. Thought you'd appreciate it.
Chère Amy,
Je suis désolée pour ces mauvaises nouvelles. Dieu sait, et Il prendra soin des siens.
Il y a 10 mois, j'étais à l'hôpital à Paris et les médecins pensaient que j'allais mourir. Dieu a permis que je resorte de cet hôpital vivante et capable de continuer à m'occuper de ma fille et de reprendre mon travail. Rien est impossible à Dieu.
Nous allons prier pour Amy, Jon et leurs enfants,ici à Elancourt.
Prends bien soin de toi.
Toutes mes meilleures pensées à Jon et Amy.
Michèle
Hello!......another friend of the "other Amy" checking in to say that we are lifting up you and your family and have been joined in prayer by our Small Group friends and many others from our congregation in Alabama/Tennessee.
... Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour....(Isa 43:1-3)
You don't know me - I am a friend of Cynthia and Joel's and she called me Sunday and told me about you and gave me your blog address. I have passed the information to the prayer chain at church. I cannot imagine what you are going through; but please know that people in Manteo, NC are praying for you and your family. God bless you. Brenda Outlaw (fondly known as Granny B by the Dickens family in Brazil).
Amy,
I just wanted to let you know that we here in Shelby, NC are praying for you. Mom Carter let us know last night. I am praying for your children as well. I know they will have lots of questions as little ones always do. I know:)
God Bless You,
Tammy Carter
HI, Amy and Jon!
I just want to let you know that we are praying many times each day for you and your family. The appointments today have been bathed in prayer, by me and many others. I am praying for wisdom for the doctors,and peace for the two of you as you learn about treatment options. We love you, and we praise God for how He is using you! We love all 9 of you! Love, Ruth Bustamante
Amy,
I am sorry for this difficult time you are facing. I know it is a real trial. I had some real health challenges this past year and a lot of unanswered questions and fears. The Lord gave me so many verses. I know He will do the same for you.
I will be adding you to my prayer list daily.
May God give you great grace and comfort and peace.
Love, your friend
Tina Rains
Ps. 71:20
"Thou which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth. Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side."
Dear Amy, John, and Kids,
Our hearts have been so heavy for you since we received news of the cancer. We have been to the Lord many times on your behalf and will continue to do so. We have put you on our prayer list at church, and we have also contacted many prayer warrior friends requesting prayer for complete healing. Our Mighty God is in the healing business. We are also praying for strength and peace for the family through the storm. One of our favorite verses is Isaiah 26:3 - "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." We know His way is perfect; and although we could never understand why all this happens, we will trust Him because His ways are higher than our ways. A verse that has recently brought and immense amount of encouragement to us is Psalm 3:3 - "But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head." Wow!!! The Creator of all things and the One who reigns victorious is our shield and loves us to the point that He reaches down and lifts our heads when life beats us down. How we praise Him for His never ending love and the assurance He brings His children through His word. We love you, Sweet Bixby Family!!! We will continue to take you to the Father daily in prayer. If there is anything we can do, PLEASE let us know.
You are loved tremendously.
Love,
Uncle James, Aunt Phebe,
Trae, and Erin
Jon and Amy, I sure enjoyed our time on Friday. It really meant alot to me that you stopped by. We are praying daily for you and your children (all 7!). I know God is going to glorify Himself through this--thank you for allowing us to see how He will do that! We love you!!!!
Marsha Landry
I will put you on our church prayer list.....We will be praying.
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