Saturday, October 29, 2011

Wow- what a week!

Hey guys! It is Aly again and we are on our way home- praise God! So thankful Josh has kept you all updated so that you can be praying specifically each day. I will fill you in on some more details, or I will try. We just got so much information, and it can be very overwhelming.

Oh by the way, I am writing to you all and Josh has been writing on our new IPad 2. It has been an absolute gift from God. Someone anonymously donated it to us, and to say it has been a blessing to us is an absolute understatement. We have gotten Internet everywhere which has helped us with directions, Josh being able to post to the blog, email, Facebook, etc... The most helpful thing has been being able to use it for my mymdanderson.com This is a website that each patient gets that has their schedule on it, along with messages and reminders. To be able to pull up this information on the iPad in a quick way has made a very hard and overwhelming thing become quite easy. To whoever did this, thank you. God has used you to help us feel connected and have a tool that makes this process easier and even fun at times. We are blown away at how God gives us exactly what we need when we need it.

When we got to MD Anderson, all we knew was that we were having a few tests run Wednesday and we would meet with the surgeon Thursday. We had absolutely no idea that we would be doing test after test, literally from 8 in the morning till 7 at night, and definitely did not think we would be doing chemo before we headed home. So, to say the least, it has been completely different than we expected it to be, but we know God goes before us and he determines our steps.

Thank you to all who prayed for my mammogram...little to no pain at all!!!!!!! God is so good and he heard the prayers of his people- thank you to all who prayed for that specifically. After my mammogram, I had an ultrasound and figured it would just be a routine ultrasound, only to find out they saw inflamed lymph nodes, and literally did a needle biopsy within 15 minutes. It was a blessing to have it all done so quickly, but just caught me so off guard and that was very emotional for me, and as you know already, that biopsy came back positive for cancer. Of course, this was not good news but so thankful to have it, because this is just the information the doctors needed to know how to treat me in the most effective way.

We met with a physician's assistant (Pier Tansey) and our surgeon (Dr. Babiera) the following day. All along, we thought I would first have surgery and then chemo, but because of finding out that cancer was in my lymph nodes, the wanted to go straight to chemo to kill as many cells as possible and see how I react to chemo. They got us in to a fertility specialist since there is a chance that chemo can affect fertility and wanted to start chemo right after creating embryos. After chemo would come surgery (bilateral mastectomy), then possible radiation, then reconstruction. So, needless to say, a lot of information in one sitting! For the time it would take to do all of the fertility stuff, it looked like I would start chemo around November 17. We obviously were overwhelmed, but felt like a plan was in place. The surgeon scheduled an appointment with the medical oncologist that very same day to go over what would be involved in chemo.

So, we meet with the medical oncologist who is an absolute God-send. Dr. Morrow is amazing with such a gentle and kind spirit, and she is the one who diagnosed me at stage 3 breast cancer because of the spreading to my lymph nodes. Also, by looking under the microscope, it scared her because by running a test, with 100% being the highest on the scale for the propensity of the cancer to grow, mine showed a 98% and this scared her. Because of this, she felt like chemtherapy needed to be done right away; however, we had just set up appointments with the fertility specialist. We were faced with the question of do we wait for the chemo to have our fertility taken care of, or do we take the doctor's advice to start immediately? Um, yes, the hardest and most difficult decision thus far. Josh and I cannot wait to have children and this was breaking our hearts. We prayed, cried, prayed, and cried some more and finally decided to start chemo immediately. We are trusting God with our future and our ability to have children. He tells us not to worry about tomorrow, but pray about everything and this exactly what we did and are doing. His promised always prove true. Psalm 128.

So, we started chemo yesterday with many, many other tests. I felt great as it was being administered and am still feeling great. God is proving himself to be who He says He is time and time again. Aside from a headache, I am feeling wonderful!!!

I hope this gives you all some more detail. I pray that every time I cross your mind, you pray for us and my complete healing. It is odd for me to post things like this for the whole world to read, but if I know that every person that reads this is praying for me, I will post anything:) Thank you for the specificity in your prayers and truly being the body of Christ to me- hurting when I hurt, crying when I cry, rejoicing when I rejoice, and crying out to the Father on my behalf.

3 of my best friends in the entire world have been with me this entire week (Kel, Ainsley, and Margot), and they have been the biggest blessing I could imagine. Of course, my mom and Josh's parents have been here too, and all they are doing for me and continue to do are amazing.

Once again, thank you for every message, call, and text. I could never express how much it means to me. Also, many funny things happened I will share at some point to have some posts that wil make us all smile. God gave us laughter and joy among the craziness. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! We will keep you updated!

19 comments:

Julie Brown said...

Aly, I'm so amazed at God's goodness. I was really concerned about how the 1st round of chemo was going to effect you. Thankfully, God heard our prayers and answered them. We had so much fun today pinning all of the CC team with Aly ribbons and painting their faces. You are loved by us all and you helped some of our runners have their best times all year, because they were doing it for you!

Anonymous said...

Hi Aly - you don't know me but I happened upon Josh's blog and let him know that I, as a sister in Christ, am praying for you and your complete healing. I am praying that our Mighty God will do a miraculous work in you as you and your husband travel together on your journey. I wanted to share a story with you that I pray will fill you with hope. I had a dear friend that had cancer several years ago. Many, many years before that her doctor told her that she could never have children. After God healed her from the cancer and about a year after her last chemo treatment, she found out she was pregnant and God blessed her with the most beautiful boy. Our God is a God of miracles and nothing is impossible with Him. Praying for you dear sister in Christ.

Love in Him,
Janet Werdowatz

mark white said...

aly, you are one amazing woman. as i sit here and read this i think to myself why does a thing like this happen to such a great person and i can only figure its because it takes someone as strong as you to turn this into a positive and be an inspiration to us all. You have changed peoples lives for as long as ive known you and you continue to do so each and every day. To say that i am blessed to be friends with both you and josh and your families is an understatment. You two single handedly make this world a better place and God put you two together for times just like these, because it takes the kind of mental and spiritual strength that the two of you have to run this race. Josh Taylor is a man amoung men and the best team mate you could have ever choosen to fight this fight with you. You both are in my prayers morning and night. with all my love, mark

Terri said...

I am amazed at your courage! I know that God is our strength and I pray for Him to continue to strengthen you in every way, all the way through this battle. Thank you for sharing your faith with all of us. God is using you and Josh in a mighty way and His ways are higher than our ways.
Praying without ceasing,
Terri

Sharon York said...

Aly, I knew a week ago you were going to take me on a very inspirational journey as I pray you to victory! You and Josh are touching so many lives and ministering with your journal as you give us your updates. You are in my heart everyday. Seeing God through your eyes and feeling your faith is a truly amazing experience. And Josh! What an amazing husband and partner. I am so glad you have a wonderful support team with you in Houston, I know that helps. Please know my family and I are praying for you daily. We love you! Sharon

TJ said...

What a blessing you are to so many. I loved meeting your friends. They are sweet and precious. Safe travels, and I am waiting for your return. I AM HERE AND AT YOUR SERVICE.
Much love,
TJ

God is so good said...

Thank you for keeping us posted! We are praying continuously for you.

Ginny Evans said...

Aly, I just want you to know that our prayer team is praying diligently for your total and complete restoration and healing and I know it is coming!!! This team consists of about 150 prayer warriors all over the country and many of them pass the requests on to their lists, so be assured you and Josh are being covered as well as both families. You truly are an amazing young couple and I know God is going to use you in mighty ways!!! Love to both of you!

Rick Dawson said...

Aly, know that Mary and I are praying for you and Josh as you go through this journey. You and Josh are such an inspiration to everyone you have contact with,

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. Jeremiah 29:11

Ashley Kent said...

Praying for you Mrs. Aly (still)! I have something to give you but would rather give it to you in person so ill wait to give it to you when i finally move (back) out to Louisiana here in the next month <3 I hope it brings you smiles and much love! "Love is patient.." this spoke to me when i was reading 1 Cor. 13:4 the other day. It made me think of you and how PATIENT, STRONG, and LOVING you are! God has been loving you through this struggle because you have been/are being patient with him :) I thank you for all your encouraging words that you have givin me that have made a HUGE impact on how i live life! So thank you thank you THANK YOU!!!!! Love you very much and will always keep you in my prayers til the day you are 100% healed <3 I look up to you Mrs. Aly and mean that from the bottom of my heart <:) We are all going through this with you! So keep strong and NEVER GIVE UP HOPE! Not for one second ;)

xo Ashley Kent

Anonymous said...

Hi Aly,
I came across your blog from a friend's recommendation. You and your husband sound to be an incredible couple of God with so many people loving and supporting you. I am from LA but live in Houston. I worked at MDA for 7 years, and I have to assure you that you are in capable, compassionate, and competent (love the alliteration?) hands. If I were faced with your situation, I would be no where else. Nevertheless, our God is bigger and empowers everyone there to administer His healing. Your ministry to the staff there is already being felt, I promise--even as a Christian, I was often more touched by my patients than they were by me. God bless you both--will continue to pray.
Lisa

Anonymous said...

Hey, Aly. I have never posted a comment on a blog, but I have been deeply touched by the incredible calm God has given you in this storm. Your mother is a friend and someone whose strength and character I have admired over the years. Clearly the apple did not fall far from the tree. Please know that I pray for you continuously, specifically and by name, and like so many of your friends I believe in the power of prayer. So many have had a full recovery from the very illness you now battle, and I have great peace of mind when I pray about you. You literally have thousands lifting you up daily, people whose names you will never hear and faces you will never see. But you are our sister in Christ, and we are daily following your progress.

Mike Sanders

The Heart Mom said...

Chuckles

Doctor Doctor I swallowed a bone.
Are you choking?
No, I really did!

Doctor, Doctor my son has swallowed my pen, what should I do?
Use a pencil till I get there

Doctor, Doctor I think I'm a bell?
Take these and if it doesn't help give me a ring!

Anonymous said...

Aly, I am a friend of your mom's. I pray you feel God's healing arms wrapped around you and pray for a full and complete recovery. I also pray for strength and encouragement for you and your family. I pray that this is only a bump in the road that will only serve to strengthen your testimony of God's awesome power. Remember to praise Him in the valley.

Terry, Betty, Cody, and Alecia said...

We luv you Aly and are standing in agreement for complete healing to your body.

Cindy Acree said...

Aly, we are thinking of you and Josh continually. You are in our prayers. WE love you both so much, and are here to fight the fight with you along with everyone else. Please know we are here for you both.

Whitney Bell said...

Aly, I sit here trying to find all the right words to say and yet all I can do is cry. You are the MOST amazing person I have EVER met. You are the sweetest, most compassionate, gorgeous, and godly woman I know and God will reward you for your faithfulness. You are strong and you WILL beat this. You are part of the reason my daughter's name is Ally (spelled different but still the same! haha!) At the time you were the only Aly I knew, and when Ricky and I agreed to name our first born "Ally" we knew she had some BIG shoes to fill! heehee! :) We are all praying for you daily (especially my Ally)and we love you so much! You are an inspiration to me!

The Rainers said...

Aly, I love how you write, "The body of Christ" because that is what we are. I have been praying for you the past couple of days and will continue every time the Lords bring you to my heart, you are definately one strong lady!

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