Just when you think God has blessed you more than you can imagine He outdoes Himself yet again.
I went to Emory University Hospital yesterday (Thursday, June 2, 2011) and got another good report; but, let me go back and explain so you can feel the impact of the blessings of God in my life.
Earlier I had gone back to see my oncologist, Dr. Mark Vrana on May 9 for the results of my latest PET Scan. I was put on a new prescribed drug protocol called Tamoxifen (hormone therapy) in November 2010, after getting a second opinion from the head oncologist at Emory University Hospital, Dr. Ruth O'Regan. She felt that I responded well to these types of medications, and wanted to begin immediately.
Dr. O'Regan also suggested for me to have a bone biopsy after almost 10 years of surviving Stage IV Breast Cancer. The bone biopsy was a rough procedure, but thank the good Lord for His peace and pain medication. It reminded me of many surgeries I've endured. I was placed in a hospital room at Athens Regional Medical Center in Athens, Georgia, and remained there for 10 hours. Mom and Dad were with me as they have been so faithfully over the years. I must admit I was apprehensive about the biopsy. The surgeon drilled 2 holes in my hip, and I watched the whole procedure on a monitor screen while he did it. Amazing!
God went before me and comforted me in "the holding room" prior to surgery. He spoke softly in my spirit telling me everything would be fine, not to worry. I didn't.
Dr. Vrana said the PET Scan showed my bones were improving. However, there were abnormalities in my liver. He wanted me to have an MRI as soon as possible to see the extent of it.
Here is my response from an excerpt from my journal:
Today, I went into battle again. But I was not alone. I had two choices: focus on the crisis and face defeat or focus on Christ, the Master of the Universe, Who is the answer to every prayer I've ever prayed and gain the victory. I chose the latter.
Battles are not easy, but with the Good Lord going before me I ultimately win!
Dr. Vrana said the MRI showed the cancer covered my liver.
Did that shake God? Absolutely not! He knew every day of my life before the first day of it began (Psalm 139). I look to Him, the Author and Finisher of my faith. He is at the Center of my life, exactly where He should be.
He's brought me too far to fail me me now. I've learned that nothing really is impossible with God. I am humbled and honored that He would choose me to show His mighty healing power in and through my life.
I told Dr. Vrana that the news did throw me, but that God was not surprised by any of it. He is still in control and I trust Him.
Dr. Vrana said that I would need to start chemotherapy soon and he was hesitant to tell me so because he didn't want me to have the side effects. He added that he was too emotionally involved with me. He suggested that I should go back to Emory University Hospital to see Dr. O'Regan again for a second opinion. I knew immediately in my spirit that I should see her.
We scheduled the appointment for a week later which was this week, Thursday, June 2, 2011.
Meanwhile, as I waited for the day of my appointment I spent the time in prayer and worship. I told my dearest friends, my pastor, and others with whom I work as a school teacher, including my principal who is a Christian.
Pastor Scott Sheppard, my pastor at Cornerstone Church of God in Athens, asked if he could have the whole church pray over me. We have three services (one on Saturday nights and two on Sunday mornings), and he had each of the congregations to pray for my healing as he laid his hands on me and prayed the "prayer of faith." Those were awesome moments for me! God is moved by our faith.
I had great difficulty at night and early in the morning when I woke up. It was a heavy anxiety I couldn't seem to shake. I spent hours in the Word. My pastor's wife, Elizabeth Sheppard, sent me Dodie O'Steen's healing Scriptures. She is the mother of Joel O'Steen. God miraculous healed her of cancer years ago.
I gained strength from those Scriptures as I read them out loud over and over again.
My best friend, Laura Revells Allen, suggested playing praise and worship CDs in my home 24/7 to calm my fears. This idea proved to be a life savor for me as I listened to the music and sang along with the songs.
Mom gave me a Word that God had given her for me in her devotions one day. He told her that "this would not be a sickness unto death." Praise the Lord.
Dad encouraged me by telling me the story of "glowing health" that Daniel thanked God for in Daniel 2:23 in The Living Bible; and the woman from Canaan who asked Jesus to heal her daughter.
Here is the account recorded by Matthew in his Gospel in The Living Bible.
Matthew 15:22-28
22 A woman from Canaan who was living there came to Him (Jesus), pleading, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, King David's Son! For my daughter has a demon within her, and it torments her constantly."
23 But Jesus gave her no reply--not even a word. Then His disciples urged Him to send her away. "Tell her to get going," they said, "for she is bothering us with all her begging."
24 Then He said to the woman, "I was sent to help the Jews--the lost sheep of Israel--not the Gentiles."
25 But she came and worshiped him and pled again, "Sir, help me!"
26 "It doesn't seem right to take bread from the children and throw it to the dogs," He said.
27 "Yes, it is!" she replied, "for even the puppies beneath the table are permitted to eat the crumbs that fall."
28 "Woman," Jesus told her, "your faith is large, and your request is granted." And her daughter was healed right then.
The Living Bible (other translations render the word "large" as "great."
Here is my last journal entry before seeing Dr. O'Regan on Thursday, June 2, 2011:
"I keep going in waves of anxiety and then peace. I dread tomorrow. I forced myself to write down questions I need to ask Dr. O'Regan. After writing the questions, I wrote down the promises God has given me about my health and future. God is true to His Word!
I keep listening to praise and worship music on my CD player. It helps to calm my nerves. Here's my favorite song so far:
"Hide me now under Your Wings
Cover me within your mighty Hand.
When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with You above the storm.
Father, You are King over the flood
And I will be still and know You are God."
I know this is more than just cancer. God needs me to minister and go where few can go to be a light for Christ. Why do I keep thinking of only me? God's Word hasn't changed in His purpose for my life and healing, for He will continue to use my healing to minister to others.
Now, for the good report:
Praise the Lord for a good report today. Dr. O'Regan came in the patient's exam room where I was sitting on the patient's examining table, and exclaimed that she was not concerned at all about my liver. She said that a lot of people think the worst when they hear there's cancer in the liver.
She expressed that this was just another metastasis of the breast cancer like my bones.
I asked her several questions and here are her answers:
1. Describe what you see in my liver. "A number of small areas (cancerous tumors), but your liver is in no danger and is functioning properly." Praise the Lord!
I then asked her my second question.
2. How long has this been in my liver? She said, "It may have been there all along because the PET Scans show your bones continue to improve. So, it doesn't make sense that your liver would worsen." Praise God!
Dr. O'Regan thinks that I should not go on chemotherapy, but continue Tamoxifen for the next several weeks. She, then, wants me to have another PET Scan during the week of July 4th. Then, go back to see her July 14. She said if there is a problem we'll see it. Even if there is one . . . we have many options to consider.
However, she doesn't foresee that we will have any problems. Hallelujah!
I knew this was going to be a good report, but I didn't think it was going to be that good.
God really does go above and beyond whatever we could ask or think. His Word is alive and active in me!
Thank you, Jesus for demonstrating your power in my body.
[Editor's comment: As Stephanie's father I can tell you that what you read from Stephanie is accurate and true to her life and relationship with Jesus and other people. Her mother, my wife, Melvine, asked Stephanie, "Why do you think they call the organ of our bodies a liver?" Stephanie came back, and said, "It's because I am a liver, and not a dier!"
Although Stephanie was diagnosed with Stage IV Cancer of the breast, it is amazing that they never found any cancer in her breasts. They did find a tumor on her spine and removed it almost 10 years ago. She did not have to have any surgery to remove her breasts, and she never lost her beautiful dark brown curly hair through radiation and chemotherapy. She is a walking miracle.
Stephanie is a female Joel Osteen. She can preach at the drop of a hat and quote Scriptures and tell her story and her personal walk with Jesus. She is one beautiful young woman, and I would describe her as having "glowing health." Her face and countenance radiate the brightest of the glory of God. I would describe her as having radiant health--it glows and it shows!
Stephanie was saved (born again) at the age of six when we lived in Stone Mountain, GA. Melvine led her to the Lord after church one Sunday evening.
We have been delighted to see her grow as a Christian and commit her life to Jesus. She is a graduate of Emmanuel College, Lee University, and Piedmont College. She hold an Associate of Arts degree in education from Emmanuel College, a Bachelor of
Science degree in early education from Lee University, and the Master of Arts in Teaching degree from Piedmont College. She has just completed her 20th year in teaching at Statham Elementary School in Statham, Georgia, near where we live in Winder, Georgia. She has taught 1st grade, and now kindergarten for all these years. She is a natural born teacher, and loves her church. She anoints every student's chair, and prays for them daily in her own private devotions. She sings on the special worship team at Cornerstone Church of God, is a member of the choir, and loves her church and Sunday school class. The Rev. Mr. Robert Sheppard is her Sunday school teacher.
Needless to say, Melvine and I are so very proud of Stephanie and her great faith. I am convinced that God responds to our faith when we exercise it in His Son, Jesus Christ. He is still the Savior of the world, our Healer, Baptizer with or in the Holy Spirit, and soon coming King. His return for the Bride of Christ, the Church, is our blessed hope.]