Keeping the Right Perspective

What’s your outlook on life today? Do you wake up every morning ready to embrace the day? So many people allow their circumstances to dictate their attitudes; they don’t realize their attitude is a choice…Remember we all face difficulties. We all have obstacles that seem impossible to overcome. The difference between those who are able to rise above their adversities and those who get stuck in them is their attitude.

These are the words that I read yesterday (and again this morning) that have been ringing in my spirit (from the book Love Your Life: Living Happy, Healthy, and Whole by Victoria Osteen). Yesterday I didn’t have the greatest attitude. I began to focus on the negative things from our appointment on Tuesday, which left me in a state of worry and frustration. But this morning, I woke up and made a choice to focus on all the wonderful things of my life and to find something to be thankful for so that I may have a grateful heart for all the things that I failed to recognize yesterday that were going right in my life.

Now for the grateful news that we received from our appointment! Dr. Yung (I misspelled his name the other day) stated that my MRI looked great and said that Dr. Comair did an excellent job in resecting my tumor (didn’t I tell ya…I have the best of the best working on my brain…now that is something to be grateful for !). Therefore he didn’t see any reason at this time to begin any type of treatment. He mentioned because of my age (being so young :) ) that it would be best that we waited until MRI’s showed there were cancerous cells coming back…and then, IF they did, we would treat at that time. He stated that because there are side effects from chemo and radiation that can be both short and long term effects; he would rather wait.

We also asked about chromosomal deletions. It is a lot of technical medical stuff, but from what I (Tina) had been researching. It was found that people who had brain tumors with chromosomal deletions (meaning you don’t have these chromosomes) of 1P 19Q…they tended to have longer life spans and better chances of survival because they tend to respond to chemo better. We originally asked the neurosurgeon’s office about the deletions…they said that I had the deletion (meaning I didn’t have the chromosomes which was great news to us), but Tuesday we asked the neuro-oncologist and they said that the chromosomes were still intact. We went back and read the report from pathology and the way it was worded it was said that I was “negative for the deletions”…long story short…we were originally told incorrectly and the report was read incorrectly…so I still have those chromosomes. Which in essence…having those chromosomes basically means, from a medical standpoint, …and in the words of the neuro-oncologist…I may not be as “sensitive” to chemo or radiation. Ultimately if the tumor came back… I may not respond to those types of treatments as well as if I had not had the chromosomes.

We then asked about having other children and how all of these things would affect that process including the medication that I am currently taking to prevent seizures. As far as the medication I am taking…originally I was told that I would only have to take it for six months following my last seizure, which was right after surgery…given that I didn’t have another seizure in that time period. When I asked the neuro-oncologist how long I would need to take these medications he stated “for years.” That was disappointing to hear for the fact that there really isn’t much medical research on how this medication affects fetuses…which I can see why…who would want to risk their child’s well being and development. Anyhow, given that we want four children that was a little discouraging. Something else that was mentioned by the neuro-oncologist was that what he had seen over the years (I don’t believe there is much medical research on this either) was that women who had children after having a tumor were more likely to have their tumor come back and it grow quicker…he said not necessarily during their pregnancy, but afterwards. He mentioned he thought it might be due to all of the hormonal changes a woman has after childbirth.

Ultimately we continue to rely on God and really and truly he has the FINAL say so in what happens with our lives…not to say that we don’t need to use wisdom and heed the advice of wise counselors that surround us, but God directs our paths.

Today I look at this as just another opportunity to bring my faith to another level and rely on my God more and more. I remind myself (as I write this entry) that this just “another opportunity God has given us. He could have given this to many other wonderful people, but He chose to give it to us.” (another quote from Victoria’s book).

We thank you for continuing to read our updates and check up on us. We appreciate all of your love and support and the comments you leave on the blog…this encourages our hearts to move forward. Thank you!

Always Faithful...

We just received a message from Dr. Comair's office stating that we got an appointment for May 19th at 10:30 a.m.! Oh how God always exceeds our expectations! He truly is always faithful to His word.

Just wanted to let you all know the awesome news!!!!

Hmmmm...

Well here is some news in our end of the world. We received a phone call today from the neuro-oncologists office. They basically said that the oncologist that we were referred to was booked up until June 11th and we were asked if we wanted to wait or if we wanted to go with another neuro-oncologist. We opted to call Dr. Comair's (our neurosurgeon) office for advice. Dr. Comair called us (it was really great to hear from him) and asked me (Tina) how I was doing. He was excited to hear that my foot was moving up and down. We talked to him about our concerns with the neuro-oncologists office. He stated that he had already spoken to Dr. Jung (the neuro-oncologist) about my case and that he would give his office a call tomorrow (Wednesday) or by the latest on Thursday. Lord I just pray for favor! I just have faith that we will get an appointment sometime by the end of next week and we will have made decisions by then! In Jesus name.

I know that I am not any better than the person before me, but what I do know is that I am the apple of my Daddy God's eye...and I take refuge under his wings and I rejoice. I know that because I honor him...He wants to give me blessings and bring me favor in the eye of those around me. Ultimately, I pray for favor for an appointment next week and ask humbly for you to stand with me in this prayer.

Thank you for those that continue to pray for us and stay with us on this journey. For we know that because you are praying for us...God is honoring our prayers.

We love you. We'll keep you updated as we get news about our next appointment.

Following-up...

Well just wanted to update you as to what has been going on with us. I (Tina) am doing well and continue to go to rehab twice a week at Mentis. I have OT, PT, and speech. On occasion I have groups for communication and executive functioning skills. I have made some progress with my foot. It is beginning to move both up and down...still no movement from side to side, but I continue to work on that. So please continue to pray that SOON those functions will come back. I continue to have weakness on my left side...I think I notice it more when I have to push or pull on things. At times I get frustrated, but I know that with time I will continue to get stronger and stronger.

We heard from the neurosurgeon's office yesterday...they said that the neuro-oncologists office received the tissue samples from pathology, but we continue to wait for an appointment to be scheduled with the neuro-oncologist. The lady from the neurosurgeon's office said that if we didn't hear anything from them by the end of today that we should call her back...and she would talk with them. I guess patience is just a virtue we work on all the time. LOL.

Thank you all for your continued prayers and support. We love you all!

Decisions, Decisions...Never Forsaken

Today we received the news from the neurosurgeon's office that within the next two weeks we should have an appointment with the neuro-oncologist. Please keep us in your prayers about the decision we have to make as far as what Step Two should be. Like I said in my last entry we have three options…we will be praying about where God will lead us.

Right before we left St. Luke’s hospital I knew that this decision would be coming; I didn’t exactly know when, but I knew it was coming. Now that it is here…even though all we have heard is great news…probably the best news you could hear if you had the type of brain tumor I HAD…and even though all the neurosurgeon wants to do is to take preventative measures…It really frightens me to think that we have to make a decision (tears are streaming down my face as I type this) about “cancerous cells” that may or may not be there…and although I know that My God and all those who surround us are 100% behind the decision that we make…it still scares me (I’m human right…and I am allowed to have fear). Know you who are reading these words… that I know My God will NEVER leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5)…sometimes we allow the enemy to fill our thoughts with doubt and fear, but ultimately My God ALWAYS reminds me that He is always there for us.

Thanks for allowing me to be real and for hearing my heart…for although I am not perfect…my God continues to love me where I am.

Good Night and Sweet Dreams.