When the “Re” gets kicked out of Remission

Yesterday we met with our doctors at Mayo.  My Gynecological Oncologist decided to re-run the biopsy samples from my surgery because it was so unusual to have positive wash and a negative biopsy.  The revised results were that 2 of the 8 biopsies did in fact test positive for microscopic cancer cells.  At this stage I do not have any tumors, but I do have these cells in my pelvic area.

So like us, I’m sure your immediate thought is to ask, “So what does that mean?”

Both doctors told us that medically we would no longer be fighting for a cure, only trying to extend life.  It is so unusual to catch a re-occurrence before it develops into some type of tumor.  Therefore, they don’t have any data or expectations as to life expectancy without treatment.

The Tumor Board did come up with a plan of action.  They suggested that I have a procedure in 4 weeks where they would basically open me back up, warm up some chemo, put it into my pelvis area, leave it in for 90 minutes and then remove it. This would be in attempt to kill these cells.  The problem with this treatment is that I could be sick anywhere from 1 to 4 months with chemo symptoms.   It could also cause kidney and liver problems and it may cause me to become septic.  Also, there is no guarantee or even any scientific data that suggests how long or even if it would extend life.  Ben and I have great peace with saying, “No” to this treatment.

We talked in great detail with our oncologist about the desire to have quality of days, not quantity of days.  Ben shared with her about us not having fear of death because of our relationship with Jesus, but that we felt like the solution for the heated chemo may leave me worse than I am now.   She acknowledged our faith and said that she believed there was a higher power that could control this if it wanted to control it.   We know this higher power, his name is Jesus.  If he chooses, he can tell this cancer to leave my body and it will.

So this is what we are choosing to do.  We are choosing to live life with complete trust in Jesus.  We are going to try a radical eating plan that we have been researching.  Basically, for 90 days I will only eat fruits and vegetables and eat nothing made by man.  So if food has been processed in any way, I will not eat it.  No cans, no preservatives, nothing, nada.  I will be juicing some of these foods, cooking some of them, and making smoothies.

We will give the results to God.  We will also be using some of the organic essential oils in addition to eating this way.  My verse today was Philippians 4:16, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory and Christ Jesus.”  How fitting for the day—the Lord will supply my every need.  We have been reading about this plan since last September, and yesterday he announced his program would be free for 10 days in the month of August.  Don’t tell me that God doesn’t orchestrate things with perfect timing.

We are also choosing to live life with great purpose.  We want to spend whatever days we have serving Jesus, spending time with family and friends and having fun in the process.

We realize that God may choose to heal me by taking me on to Heaven, but we know this—it will be on His time table.  It will be on the day that he ordained before the foundations of the world were even laid.   

Now, back to the title—When the “RE” gets kicked out of Remission.  What do we do?  We stay on Mission with God.  We keep trusting in Him, we keep our faith in Him, and we keep looking to him for wisdom. 

I’ve had several people ask what they can do.  I actually have some ideas.

1. Pray, keep the prayers going to God.  Three very specific things you can pray about: (1) complete healing, (2) wisdom and discernment as we filter through the vast amount of information available about this approach to healing, and (3) for the doctors to come to know Jesus in the way we know him.
2. Come visit!  I’m having to stay close to home while I’m healing from surgery.  One of the most important things I need to not do is become isolated.  Also, laughter is supposed to help promote good health.
3. Redeem the moments in your own lives.  Not one of us are promised another day – make sure every day gives God the glory he deserves.

We thank you for your prayers and encouraging letter, calls, notes, etc.  God has already done a lot of miracles and we are confident that he is not done yet.

Love y'all,

Julie and Ben