The Battle Continues

"What if your blessings comes through rain drops?

What if your healing comes through tears?

What if a thousand sleepless nights is what it takes to know He's near?

What if trials of this life are His mercies in disguise."

These words penned by Laura Story have spoken to my heart these past several months. Yesterday I received news that I really didn't want to hear. The test results from my PET scan had come in and instead of two more chemotherapy treatments, I would need four.

I began to cry in the doctors office as he gave me the news. My doctor hugged me and assured me that he still had good news. He showed me the results from the latest PET scan and showed me how much of the cancer was still alive and how much had died. I started at a 14% and now the cancer is at 4% so that is impressive progress!

Although the doctor was pleased with my progress I was disappointed. My husband and I had planned to fly to the Smoky Mountains for our one year anniversary vacation and the doctor advised against it because he felt that I wouldn't be strong enough to make the trip. So we have delayed our plans, hopefully just to February.

Another part of the news that was a bit down heartening was the fact that my doctor gives me no hope of ever regaining full use of my right lung again. He said the upper and middle lobes are completely collapsed and I will more than likely function on one lung the rest of my life.

I can live with that. It's not the news I may want but in comparison to my life, that is a small thing to do without.

I am praying for strength for these upcoming chemo treatments. The last several treatments have been harder than usual and I've dealt with sickness, increased weakness and other complications. I pray that God helps me to be brave and strong to face what I have to face.

Once again, I must brag on my wonderful husband that God has placed in my life. He is wonderful beyond words. He just told me today "I know you can do this. You are my brave girl and you are strong. You will come through this and be ok!" I love him so much for his support and for loving me for ME. In a world so filled with multiple relationships, divorce and infidelity it is a rare thing to find a young couple that can withstand something so tragic in the first year of their marriage. I'm not promoting us, but I'm promoting the goodness of God. You want the love that your grandparents had? Commit your way unto the Lord and He will direct your path. Marriages that last 50 years and more is not the stuff of legends. A love for one another that goes beyond looks is not a thing of the past.

I have decided to add a new segment to my blog. I will be uploading before and after pictures of my fight against cancer. I have made the decision to do this because if you're reading my blog but you've never actually experienced any of this it can be hard to understand. A picture speaks a thousand words. I feel that my readers will better understand my journey and the journeys of others through the lens of the camera.

Keep checking back for more posts!

God bless

-Amy