Thursday, February 17, 2011

No Way!

You’ve got cancer said the doctor to me.
No way! I said. This just can’t be.
I fell to my knees.

Lucifer taunted me, you’re gonna die.
No way! I said. God is on my side.
Get thee behind me Satan.

You’ll lose your hair, just wait and see.
No way! I said. It won’t take it from me.
I’ll beat this thing by shaving my head.

You’ll burn really bad with your fair complexion.
No way! I said. I have great protection.
God words are the balm protecting my hide.

The nurses said I breezed through the therapies,
No way! I said, considering the calamity.
It was God that got me through it all.

Cancer is vicious, it may come back to haunt.
No Way! I said. I will not daunt.
I trust in God and won’t worry for tomorrow.

Matthew 6:34 tells me I am not to worry.
Excuse me a moment my eyes are blurry.
My battle and blessings are still fresh in my mind.

This month I am a one year survivor.
No way! I said. I am praising with fervor.
God please use my battle to help others.

Mindy Howell


For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. NIV…Jer. 29:11

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Happy (Really Happy) Anniversary

I am a ONE year SURVIVOR!
February 3, 2010 was the date of my last radiation treatment and the begining of being a survivor. I am looking forward to a bright future.  It has been a long journey that isn't completely over, but I have come out the other side stronger than I went in. Funny how God uses our dark times to allow us to see our great need for Him.

Let me re-cap for anniversary sake:

March 16, 2009 - Biospsy and diagnoses of breast cancer, stage 1 non-aggressive.  Radiation and 5 year drug therapy were suggested therapies.
May 21, 2009 - surgery to remove tumor and 3 lymph nodes. Discovered cancer in one of the lymph nodes. Chemotherapy now added to the therapies.
June 19, 2009 - PET scan
June 24, 2009 - MUGA scan
July 1, 2009 - began 4 months, 6 cycles of chemotherapy of Adriamycin, Taxotere and Cytoxin.
July 9, 2009 - got my port implanted
October 13, 2009- finished chemotherapy treatments!!
December 21, 2009 - began 31 daily radiation treatments.
February 3, 2010 - last radiation treatment!!
February 25, 2010 - Port removal!!
June 2, 2010 - 1st PET scan and 1st mammogram since surgery
December 17, 2010 - 2nd PET scan

Almost 2 years have passed since I was diagnosed with breast cancer and as you can see, they have been event packed. I continue to follow up with my oncologist every 4 months and for now PET scans every 6 months as well as daily drug therapy for another 4 years.

This journey was not of my choosing but I am grateful for the lessons I've learned, friends I've met, relationships strengthened and most of all growing closer to God. Had I not been forced down this path I would have missed out on some massive blessings.

Happy Anniversary to me!