God's Warrior
|
Please pray for my sister, Gail.My sister Gail's mammogram (She got the second one to verify it) has found two lumps in one of her breast. One is about the size of a walnut and the other one is a little smaller. She is to have the needle biopsy tomorrow but the results won't be back on the tests until the first of next week The doctor says that he always waits for the second results rather than telling a patient anything when he gets the first one. Gail (White) lives in Houston and is 67 years old. My family has been hit by breast cancer before. My mother died at age 52 of breast cancer and my older sister has had breast cancer and all of the required treatments. As of right now, she is free of the cancer. Your prayers will be appreciated so much. I will report back here when I know something.
|
Mary
|
She will be in my prayers. I know it isn't easy on any part of a family while waiting for test results.
|
Carol7
|
I am so sorry to hear this news. My prayers are with your sister, you, and the rest of your family.
|
God's Warrior
|
Thanks my friends. I covet the prayers of you and anyone else who happens to read this post. It is a good feeling knowing that others are praying for this situation.
|
God's Warrior
|
Well, she does have cancer. She is making arrangements now and she has contacted M.D. Anderson there in Houston but hasn't heard back from them yet. They have some of the best cancer doctors in the world and we hope she can get into surgery there without a big delay. If the delay will be too long, she will have to go elsewhere considering the size of the cancer. Please keep praying for her and for a rapid surgery and good doctors.
|
Mary
|
I'll be praying that all goes well.
|
God's Warrior
|
Thank you so very much, Mary. This has really got us all torn up and it is going to take us a little while to come to grips with it. I talked to her last night and she is handling it well so that is a plus. She is a dedicated Christian so that is a blessing in cases like this.
|
Aloe
|
I am praying for peace of mind for you and Gail and your families. (((Hugs)))
|
God's Warrior
|
Many thanks, Kelli. All prayers are appreciated, believe me!
|
CajuninKy
|
I will surely be praying for your sister as well as the rest of the family. Cancer is such a horrible disease but our God is a Great Big God and nothing is too hard for Him. His word says He delights to give good gifts unto His children. When a child is sick the best gift is healing and it will be a delight to God to give the gift of healing to your sister. I will put her on our prayer chain at church.
|
God's Warrior
|
Thank you so much, Cajun. I am copying and pasting the replies in this thread and sending them to her. I know she will take great comfort in knowing that the Lord's prayer warriors are praying for her. I will keep this thread updated as I find out information. Thank you all.
|
Horseshoe
|
howdy Folks!
Elena, got your email and latest word on your sister.
Got her covered in prayers and good thoughts!
Keep us posted as to how things go!
Shoe.
|
Zanymuse
|
I will add my prayers for Gail and for a complete recovery from this insidious desease. May The Lord watch over and keep her safe.
|
gardenwife
|
My mom had a mastectomy in 1996 or 1997. She's been cancer-free since. I'm praying for Gail and your whole family. Love you!
|
God's Warrior
|
Thank you, Shoe, Zany and Kimberly. I will update here when I know something. Your prayers are greatly appreciated. Thank you so much.
|
texaspampas
|
I have been thinking about Gail a lot lately. This must be the reason. I'll continue praying for her and for the guidance of the surgeons and hospital staff involved, and for godly people to surround her.
|
God's Warrior
|
Hi there, Cousin. Thank you so very much for your prayers. I will copy and paste your message into an email to send her son Chris to let her know you are thinking of her and praying for her. I wil lupdate here on this thread and will also send family and friends emails telling about her.
Hugs,
Cousin Ellen
|
AnnieN
|
Elena,
I'm so sorry to hear about your sister. I posted to this when I first got your email. I don't know why it didn't show up here.
So I'm trying this again in hopes that you get this one.
I know exactly what it feels like to be told you have cancer.  [twice even] It literally stops your breath. But then as you absorb that words,[takes awhile] you get your mind wrapped around what you've got to do to get this gone, and the sooner the better.
I'm glad to hear [read] that she's trying for M.D Anderson. Excellent facility and the work they do is some of the very best there is...
I will continue to keep her in my thoughts/prayers. I've told my mother and she's also keeping her in her prayers.
You take care there dear and please keep us/me posted as to what's going on.
God bless you my dear friend 
AnnieN
|
God's Warrior
|
Thank you dear buddy of mine! She is scheduled for testing on the 21st and 22nd and the surgery on the 25th. My heart is up in my throat just thinking about it. Her spirits seem good, however, unless she is just trying to fool me. Guess I need to send her a teddy bear to take with her, huh? Only you and I know about that? Wow! That was a long time ago wasn't it?
|
Zanymuse
|
Still praying and will be waiting for the good news that is certain to come in the days ahead. Because God does answer prayers!
|
God's Warrior
|
Gail called me a few minutes ago and told me that they called her from M.D. Anderson concerning her tests that will take place the 21st and 22nd. They said that the surgery won't be on the 25th as she believed, but rather that will be the appointment date with her doctor. She was rather discouraged with that reply as her son had thought that was her surgery day when he made arrangements for her. She doesn't have a clue now when the surgery will occur and she is getting concerned about it being put off too much longer. Please pray that they will schedule the surgery soon so she can get the dreaded event behind her as soon as possible and she can have peace of mind once again.
|
Zanymuse
|
What a stressful thing that is.  To expect to face the demon and prepare for it emotionally and then discover the time has been delayed and you must wait longer to get past it! Bless her heart, I'll pray they set a new date soon!
|
God's Warrior
|
She is stressed NO END! She had done pretty well until she was faced with the fact that the surgery date is still off in the distant future somewhere. The stress is getting to me badly too. I am trying to talk her down out of her stress but it is taking a huge toll on me too. We are trying to get ready to go out of town this weekend and I don't really have the strength to get ready. My fibromyalgia is kicking up big time and the old fibrofog (mind just won't work right) has set in. We are still planning to go but it may be a big mistake to even try it the way I am feeling now. Please say a little prayer for me too as I really need this break. (The first little trip of the year for me since I have had a really bad year with fibro and low blood pressure and haven't felt up to going anywhere or doing anything for fun. Hubby has done almost everything around here since Jan. This is nothing compared to cancer but it is something that I want to overcome long enough to take a short relaxing trip.
|
Zanymuse
|
Pack up all your cares and woes and get ye out of town! Drop off your worries in route at the foot of the cross and arrive relaxed and ready to enjoy this opportunity God has offered you to fellowship with friends. 
|
Aloe
|
I'm sorry to hear that things have been so rough for you. I have been praying for you.
|
God's Warrior
|
Thanks ladies. It is beginning to look like we might just actually make it. My dear hubby has been "busy as a beaver" all day long getting ready. He says we ARE gonna make it.... so I will take his word for it. I will miss you guys as it will seem strange going away from the website for even a day. "Hold down the fort" while I am away, please. Love you guys and don't know how I would ever make it without you.......
|
AnnieN
|
Elena,
Yes, it was along time ago for sure. Do you realize it's been 7 years since I was dx the first time. 
And that little bear has a place of honor on my book shelf [near my desk] here in my sewing room. She's still a very treasured gift from a wonderful and dear friend.
And I feel good as well. I do have some arthritis that I didn't have prior to all the chemo crud  they stuffed in my veins.
But I probably wouldn't be here to feel the crud from the arthritis if I didn't do what I did.
Life is a series of trade offs, and you have to take the bad with the good. I've always thought that perhaps we wouldn't appreciate the good times, if there weren't any difficulties along the way.
Everyday is a gift and we need to be greatful for those days whether it rains or the sun shines.
They are still days we're here to live and love and appreciate the little things that take place.
Take care there dear friend, God bless you REAL GOOD!
annieN
P.S get going and get her that teddy bear...
|
God's Warrior
|
Your post was full of words of wisdom. Praise the Lord for your good health and for the fact that you know and appreciate the fact that you wouldn't even be here if the good Lord hadn't looked down on you and protected you through the "deep waters" times.
I know that if your little bear could talk he would have quite a story to tell. He went with you through it all and so did our wonderful Lord and so did my love and prayers. You are a walking miracle and I know that you know that. My sis is "fixin' to" go on the same journey that you went on and I know that you will be praying for her as I prayed for you. I will post her "situation" in just a few minutes. Yep, I will go buy her a teddy bear right away cause she loves them too.
|
God's Warrior
|
Gail goes for some more tests next week and then they are going to start her on chemo. They say she is in stage 2B or 3A. Also they say that there are 2 quadrants, whatever that means. She has two tumors in that breast and a lot of calcification.
They will do chemo once a week for 6 months and then perform the surgery. After surgery they will do radiation. Please put her on your long time prayer list as this thing is going to be with her for a long time. Her spirits are still good and she is trusting the Lord to take care of her and to guide her doctors in their decisions. She thanks all of you for your prayers.
|
texaspampas
|
Prayer RequestsHow is Gail? I have been praying for her.
|
God's Warrior
|
Thanks Fran. I will tell her. Her attitude is great. I just hope it can remain that way once she gets into the nitty gritty of the treatments. She has always trusted her life to the Lord, so I don't forsee any problem on her part as far as her attitude. Please remember her in your prayers over the "long haul".
|
Zanymuse
|
I am happy to hear that Gail is facing this challange with courage. I will continue to pray for her and all the family as they go the distance on this long haul.
|
God's Warrior
|
I am so thankful for great prayer warriors like you and our other good friends here at TGP. Thank you so, so much.
|
God's Warrior
|
Gail White Update:
My sister, Gail, will have tests all this week at M.D. Anderson in Houston. After they finish the testing they will proceed with the chemo therapy. After 6 months of once a week chemo, she will have the surgery and following that will be the radiation. Please continue to keep her in your prayers. It is going to be a long and tiring road for her to travel and she needs all of our prayers. She and I both thank you for all of your prayers.
Ellen/Elena
|
God's Warrior
|
Well, the tests are all concluded for the moment. Gail called last night and I am still trying to digest the news. She has stage 4 cancer. They aren’t going to operate or give chemo or radiation. They will give her a shot every month and medication (a pill daily) to hopefully contain the cancer. It is in her breast and her bones. They can’t cure her but can hopefully keep it from spreading or growing. It had not made it to any of her major organs, thank the Lord. She will need prayers and encouragement for a long time. Hopefully for years! She is seemingly taking it well! Thank the good Lord she is a patient at M.D. Anderson and will have the best chance possible with their wonderful doctors there.
Thank you all for praying for her. Please continue!
|
AnnieN
|
Elena,
First off I'm SO sorry it turned out this way. 
I've been following the posts to keep up on what's going on with your sister.
Now...Why no surgery or chemo? Don't get me wrong M.D Anderson is one of the very best there is for medical care, and everyone's condition is different, but I still can't understand why they're not starting with surgery or chemo and THEN go onto the shots and pills afterwards.
Does Gail perhaps have other health issues that would make chemo or radiation a problem for her?
There are plenty of women that are your sisters age or older that have gone through treatment such as they had been suggesting.
The "shot" I think *might* be for the bone mets.  There is one they were going to give me if Jan 04 had turned out to be the real deal. You remember I told you about that scare I had that turned out to be an idiot rad doctor reading the films wrong, didn't I? That was when they found the fractured ribs, which happened as a result of thr radiation I had to that side.
The shot I think is called Zometa, it's to strengthen the bones and I think it promotes bone growth, where bone loss has been seen.
The pill might be Tamoxifen or Aredia. Was she [if you know] ER/PR positive? That only means her tumor [s] were estrogen fed.
If there's anything I can do to help you get through this, Please don't hesitate to asak me, do you hear me.
I want you to know that you all continue to be in my prayers and I will be here if you need me.
Take care there dear/God bless
annie
|
God's Warrior
|
Hi there, Annie,
Thanks for your continuing support. I have been a basket case with my concern for Gail. She is taking it well, however. She seems to be more optomistic than all the rest of us in the family and that is really good considering the fact that it is her condition that is the great concern. Her faith in the Lord is fantastic and I know that she will lean on Him for support throughout her continuing health problems. I have been having long phone conversations with her almost daily and I know that helps her greatly.
The daily pill she is taking is Femara. I don't know what the shot is but the way she described it, it is probably the med you mentioned. I don't know if the cancers were estrogen fed or not. I will ask her. I know that my other sister, Bobbie, did not have an estrogen fed tumor but I don't know about Gail.
Please continue to pray. I am so glad you are doing well. I didn't know about your last scare. Bless your heart, that just seems like such a pity for you to have to go through such a scare for nothing. MAN!!!!!!!
|
AnnieN
|
Hey Dearie,
I hope you are trying to rest yourself, so you don't get run down. Or am I too late? 
Did she tell you why no surgery or other treatment other then what you've mentioned? I don't get it, unless she didn't want to go through it. There are SO many successful treatments out there today.
I won't keep you. Take care there/God bless you real good
annie
p.s see you in the spring if everything goes as planned. I think the end of March. Can't wait to see you guys.
|
Zanymuse
|
I am sorry to hear that the cancer is stage IV. I know that her faith will give her the strength and comfort she will need in the days ahead. I will continue to pray for her and the family as they face this ordeal.
|
God's Warrior
|
Thanks Annie and Zany. No, she didn't request that they not do any treatment that we usually consider the way to handle the problem. This was just the recommended way that they told her they wanted to handle the situation. Considering that they are one of the top cancer hospitals (number # and only a close second) in the world, she just naturally assumes that they are correct in their treatment. I truly pray that is correct!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you so much everyone for your continued prayers.
We are going to Mt. View Arkansas on Wednesday and won't return till late Sunday night. Gail will arrive there on Thursday night and I look forward to having a great visit with her. She has given up her college math classes that she teaches for this semester and thankfully has some time off to meet me there. She does have plans to teach the winter semester since she isn't going to undergo surgery, chemo or radiation.
Watch the "Shop" for me while I am gone, please.
You can email Geoff privately on-site by clicking on his name if you see anything that seriously needs to be corrected. He will remove anything that might be "bad" for the site if he hears from any of you. Be sure to give him good directions to the page that needs correcting. Go to "memberlist" and find his name. Then click on email. Many thanks. Love you all............
|
AnnieN
|
Hey There Girlfriend
What's in Arkansas?
You take care of yourself, you hear? I hope you have a great visit with Gail. Give her my best thoughts and prayers as she moves through this journey. I wanted you to know that I'll continue to say prayers for your sister and wish her the best.
This is pain in the rear stuff she's going through, and I hope whatever she chooses to do it's the best for her. And may
God hold her in the palm of His hand and keep her safe.
Take care there dear friend.
God bless you REAL GOOD!
annie
|
God's Warrior
|
Thanks Annie. I will tell her you are praying for her. This is our annual trip that we take with Melody and Keith to the little town that is noted for having people sitting and singing all around the court square. We have a country music good time all weekend. Ya know, the pickin' and grinnin' kind of fun. We really love it. It is pretty much the only vacation that we take. See ya when we return. Love ya.
|
Mary
|
I hope that your trip to Arkansas helps you relax. It does sound like fun.
I'll be praying for your sister and also for you. The thought that came to me this morning was that you need to "let go, and let God". We've been praying for His will, so apparently this is it. He has the whole world in his hands, and your sister, too.
|
God's Warrior
|
Yes Mary! You are so right. If Gail can be ok with it, surely I can. It is just taking a bit of time for me. I am always slow at things. LOL! Big sisters always want to look out for their younger siblings and that is still the case with us.
I am just about to the point in my packing to have to leave the computer alone until I get back. I am just so BAD to want to just go on for a few minutes and that is just impossible for me. 
|
Mary
|
Elena, how is she doing? I have been checking this thread to see an update. Praying for all of you.
|
gardenwife
|
I'm checking back, too -- how is Gail and the family doing?
|
AnnieN
|
Me too, I've been checking, but nothing new posted. What's up with her treatment? recovery?
Here? We just lost Gene's grandmother on 1/12/07.
She was 94 [would have been 95 this 4/6]
She did have a good long live, I know. My Mom said "we should all be that lucky" but she will be missed for sure. She taught me a alot of great things that I will never forget. Gene and I have been married almost 34 years. It just seems like they'll always be there, you know what I mean? I lost all my grandparents before I was 22 years old. My dad's dad I didn't even know him, as he died when my dad was 14 years old. This was really cool getting another chance to have grandparents. Now Gene's are gone now also....
I hope everyone is well by you my friend. Can't wait to see you in the spring.
You take care down there you hear? God bless you.
annie
|
God's Warrior
|
She is doing well under the circumstances. I have intended to send out an email and update everyone here on her treatment. Let me get my notes together and I will try to get something posted here asap. Keep praying for her, please. She does have her daily struggles but her additude is wonderful, praise the Lord!
When are your spring travel dates, Annie?
|
CajuninKy
|
SympathyI am very sorry to hear of your loss. Hold fast to all the wonderful memories you have made in the years you were blessed with her. Sending prayers your way.
|
God's Warrior
|
Thank you all for the many prayers for Gail. I can't remember what I have written in past posts but I will attempt to bring this thread up to date. Please excuse me if repeat myself.
Gail is a stage 4 cancer patient at M.D. Anderson in Houston, TX. The cancer is in her breast and back bone and hip. So far, because of the medication that she has been given, the cancer has shown no signs of spreading. She will have further tests soon to confirm that fact.
When they first started treating her they determined that she was too obese, was border-line diabetic, and her blood pressure was too high for them to remove a tumor that is about the size of two large grapefruits.
She has been dieting and exercising ever since and has now gotten her weight down a bit, has normal blood pressure and no sign of diabetes. She is in no pain whatsoever because of the cancer, by the way. All of the above are God's answered prayers.
The tumor began to press on her kidneys and it has been determined that surgery will be a total necessity at this time. Whatever the kidney levels are called....(duh) showed the doctors that the kidneys were in real trouble a few days ago. Her level was almost to 2 and that is really serious according to the doctors. After her Bible study teacher prayed with her, the level went back to almost 1 and we were able to relax a bit until surgery time.
She had 3 children by Cesarean Section years ago and over- healing scar tissue is going to be a real cause of concern for the doctors performing the surgery. That plus the weight accumulated in the area will make the surgery more difficult.
Her spirits are great and she has all the confidence in the world that the Lord will take care of the situation. Please pray that the doctors will be led by the hand of the Lord to accomplish the necessary things involved with the surgery.
Pray for Gail to stay strong and not have extreme fear concerning this surgery and for complete healing afterward.
She gave up her college math classes, much against her will, and is very much concerned about the students who need her help to be able to pass the classes. She goes in for the last class she will teach today. She and all the students were very sad last week so i know today will be a hard day for everyone. Wouldn't it be wonderful if all students and teachers could have such a great relationship?
She has her surgery tomorrow and they will perform a complete hysterectomy. I don't know the time yet but will post that later today or tonight. Please keep her in your prayers until this scary time if over for her. Thank you so much in advance.
Gail White in Mt. View Arkansas, Fall 2006
|
God's Warrior
|
To clarify some things that I didn't make quite clear......
Gail is still a stage 4 cancer patient at MD Anderson and will be as long as she lives. This medication doesn’t put you into remission but only hopefully keeps the cancer from spreading further. She is under watchful supervision at MD Anderson on a regular basis. Thankfully the wonderful hospital is in her city. Gail lives in Houston and not Mt. View.. That picture of her was taken last fall when we were there vacationing with her.
The message below is from my other sister who also lives in Houston:
Notes in dark letters are mine:
The surgery is at 11:00. I didn't ask, but I imagine it will be at least 2 1/2 to 3 hours. I forgot to ask what time she has to get to the hospital. She was pretty harried this afternoon making all her phone calls, etc., so I won't call her back unless I have to.
Tracy (Tracy is her daughter who lives in Austin) is coming, so she will be with Gail in the "holding room" before surgery. Only one person is allowed with the patient there. Brad (one of her two sons) will probably be in the waiting room at some point. She didn't mention Miller (her husband), and I didn't ask. I assume he will be there. I'll call you as soon as we get word. Some parts of the hospital don't allow cell phones. So I may have to go outside.
More as I hear from Houston..... Thank you so very much for your prayers.
|
God's Warrior
|
The update on Gail is that actual surgery began at 1:15 and will be over at about 4:00 pm. She is doing fine so far. I will keep you up to date as I find out more.
|
God's Warrior
|
Gail made it out of surgery ok. The doctor said it was the hardest surgery of that type he had done in the last year. She will have to stay in the hospital longer than planned but she is expected to be ok.
I have company now but will post details late tonight. Thank you for your prayers.
|
God's Warrior
|
They are keeping her in the intensive care unit over night so my other sister went back home. I just talked to her and she is going back to the hospital in the morning.
We went out to eat with our friends from Ohio who arrived at 5:15. Then after we got back home, I have been on the phone all night with people telling them about Gail's successful surgery. It is late and I am worn out. I am going to bed and will post tomorrow about the difficult surgery. Our prayers were truly answered considering the fact that the doctor who performed the difficult surgery is a noted surgeon in this area and he was exhausted from it. Apparently someone without his knowledge could have met with problems that they were unprepared to deal with. The Lord provided the right man for the job and now Gail should be on the road to recovery from this problem. More tomorrow.......Right now, I just have to go to bed. It will be a restful sleep now that I can relax. Thank you for all your prayers. You will never know how much it meant to us knowing all the prayers that were being said for Gail.
|
God's Warrior
|
The doctor said the surgery was harder than he had thought it would be and that it was the most complicated one he had done in a long time.. It took 4 hours instead of the expected 2. The tumor had twisted around the uterus, attached itself to the bladder and intestines and was pushing far over to the right making it more complicated to get to the blood vessels. It was a dangerous situation. The tumor had to be removed in sections but he got it all. It was a fibrous tumor and not malignant.
We are praising the Lord for another miracle in her life at this time. She had one of the best surgeons in the world, a caring man who did his job well. He had made her feel very much at easy about the surgery from the start. The Lord and the surgeon did truly take care of her and we are grateful and happy people at this time. Thank you once again for all of your prayers and well wishes. It has meant so much to us during this time of concern and fear for Gail’s health and well being. 
|
God's Warrior
|
John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
|
Aloe
|
Praise the Lord that they were able to get out the whole tumor!
|
God's Warrior
|
Yes indeedie! We have all been rejoicing today. I haven't heard from any of the family in Houston today. I told them if things went badly for her to let me know. Since I haven't gotten any messages, I assume that no news is good news. Thank the good Lord! She will probably call me on her cell phone when she is able to talk to me herself. We will really have a "praise the Lord" conversation and I can hardly wait to talk to her.
|
God's Warrior
|
My other sister called a few minutes ago and she is doing well. They even had her up in a chair late this evening. She is still under constant watch in a ward and won't be put in a room until they are sure she is going to be ok.
|
God's Warrior
|
Gail sent me this message in an email to pass on to you.
Dear Friends,
I want to thank everyone for praying for me since I was diagnosed with stage IV cancer. There is no doubt in my mind that God has been involved with my health every step of the way. In fact I think I could be considered a walking miracle.
When I first went to the doctor, after doing a mammogram, they told me that I had breast cancer. The doctor wanted to do a mastectomy and then the usual chemotherapy and radiation. He even sent me to a breast surgeon.
I asked my Bible Study Group to pray that I would not have to have the mastectomy, chemotherapy or radiation. My family wanted me to go to MD Anderson so I applied there. They will not accept you there unless you have already been diagnosed with cancer. After I was admitted they run a number of tests to see if the cancer had spread. It had spread to the lymph nodes and a small area in the left hip bone. If I had continued with the first doctor I went to, I would probably not be here today to tell this story, plus I would have gone through the pain of the mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation. My treatment is to take a small pill (Femara) and get an IV treatment of Zometa once a month to strength the bones.
I found out that with breast cancer that spreads, it goes to the bone or lungs. The largest percent goes to the lungs. Months before I discovered the lump in my breast, my doctor sent me for a chest x-ray because of a cough that didn't seem to go away. The doctor said there was something on my lungs, so he sent me to a lung specialist. Before going, I asked my Bible study group to pray for me. The result was that they found nothing. At MD Anderson they told me that there had been something on my lungs but it had healed itself. As you can imagine, if it spread to the lungs, that would have been a much worse problem.
With all of the tests they ran they found some other problems. (High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar) They also found a fibroid tumor. So they spent some time treating these other conditions. They said for me it would be very dangerous to remove the tumor since I was overweight and had three C-sections. Also the high blood sugar and blood pressure were all against me. I was able to loose 35 pounds, which was a help, but they would not do the surgery unless my life were in danger. Guess what? The tumor was pressing on my kidneys and all of a sudden my kidneys were in danger. They have a measure for the kidneys that involves numbers. One is considered average. As it goes above 1 the danger of a problem increases. If you get to 2 you are in danger of loosing a kidney. Mine went from 1.1 to 1.2 to 1.5 to 1.7 over about a month. The jump from 1.5 to 1.7 was in one week’s time. After that the doctor wanted to put me in the hospital right away. I asked for a week to get my math classes in order to turn over to another teacher. I could tell the doctor didn't want to put the surgery off even that long. He said he would run some tests the next day, and if the test looked bad, he would put me in the hospital that day. I called my Bible Study teacher and asked her to pray that the number would go down. The next day the number was 1.1.
My doctor said that my surgery was one of the worse he had ever done, and he has done a lot. The tumor seemed to be stuck to everything. It moved across my body and pulled my bladder with it. The surgery scheduled for 2 hours took 4 hours. I lost blood and had to be given blood. I found out later that my doctor had serious doubts that I would even live through the surgery. As good a doctor as he is, he had two other surgeons with him, plus a lot of high tech emergency equipment. If I hadn't had such a good doctor and been at a good hospital, I might not have made it. His main concern was that I would not be strong enough to make it through the surgery. He was afraid the bleeding might get out of control.
My wonderful doctor also had me get a colonoscopy to check for colon cancer. They found that I had one precancerous lump which they removed. Well, I think my life has been saved now about 5 times. He also checked for bone density, and found a slight problem. Now, I'm taking something for that.
Since taking new tests last month, my results are no active cancer. Also, the cancer in the bones is gone, and the cancer in the breast is greatly reduced. Also, some nodules seen on my lungs are now gone. My doctor admits that it is possible for the cancer in the breast to go away. He doesn't think that is likely. I talked to a patient the other day who took the same medicine I take and it didn't help her at all. So, I know God's hand is in this, and I expect to be totally healed from cancer. God seems to be working to correct everything that is wrong with me. Anyway, I do appreciate so much everyone’s thoughts and prayers. God bless all of you
Gail White
|
gardenwife
|
I've been reading about Gail's progress in your e-mails, Ellen. Thank you for sending them! I continue to keep her in my prayers for this cancer to be gone from her body.
|
God's Warrior
|
Thank you so very much, Kimberly. I somehow knew that you were still praying. She will need our prayers on a continual basis for a long time. God is so good and He is answering the prayers for Gail in unbelievable ways. She is giving Him the praise and credit too! The prayers that have been said for her and the caring doctors that she has taking care of her aren't just something that accidentally happened as we all know. I am reminded of your Howie's surgery and scary circumstances and how the Lord took care of you both through such scary times and know that you know the healing power of the Lord thought the right doctors and the prayers of friends.
|
gardenwife
|
Indeed, we do.
|
texaspampas
|
Pray for my sister, Gail I'm sorry for not checking in more often. I think of Gail a lot. I'm praying for her still and you all, too.
|
God's Warrior
|
Fran, I will tell Gail you are praying for her. She had planned to get on here and bring everyone up to date on her progress but hasn't quite made it yet. She has been teaching again since January and her daily schedule with all of her other obligations is quite full. It has not tired her out too much and that is a real blessing. I will tell you briefly that she is doing absolutely marvelously. So far she is one of the success stories at MD Anderson and the doctors are thrilled and so are we. We just pray that the medication that she is taking will continue working for her.
|
CajuninKy
|
Elena
How is Gail doing?
|
God's Warrior
|
Sorry I haven't posted lately. Thank you and everyone for your prayers. She is doing great. The doctors are optimistic that the cancer is going away completely. This medicine doesn't work on everyone but it appears to be working on her. We are praising God "all over the place". I have asked her to post here as her testimony is wonderful, but she isn't a computer person and just hasn't quite figured how yet. LOL! She says that she hopes I am thanking everyone for praying as she knows that is all important in her recovery. Please continue your prayers and once again, THANK YOU so much!
|
CajuninKy
|
Wonderful news!!!
|
God's Warrior
|
My sister just called and said the office at MD Anderson just called her. They said the doctor is pleased with the last report. She said they did see something that isn’t cancer now but that they are keeping an eye on it to make sure it doesn’t become cancer. They say if it does turn into anything they can change her medicine.
Please continue to remember her in your prayers because with cancer, you can't have too many prayers said for you.
|
CajuninKy
|
Still thinking of Gail and praying the Lord will keep her healthy and active.
|
God's Warrior
|
Thank you so much, Cajun. She is aware that some of you here at TGP are still praying for her. It is no accident that she is still alive. We credit the Lord for her still being alive. Prayers were sent up all over the country by precious prayer warriors and those prayers were answered. Some of those fine Christian warriors were members like you here at TGP.
|
CajuninKy
|
I will be looking forward to hearing a good report.
|
|
|
