Doctor Paul, MD

A small-town doctor working to preserve the art of old-fashioned primary care.

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Cautious optimism (a miracle in progress)

March 27, 2016 by Paul Williams 29 Comments

Thank you again for your continued prayers, up holding us before our loving Father. Thank you Father for answered prayer, sustaining us, encouraging us and for your favor resting on us.

Last week the roller coaster was going down hill, but this week we are going up. We were concerned about Theresa’s profound fatigue, though I also was pretty fatigued this week and couldn’t seem to get enough sleep. We were concerned that Theresa had either become more anemic, her thyroid was off, progression of disease, or delayed side effects from the Chemo. That morning she had started to feel better though. After seeing her Oncologist on Thursday, we were assured that her symptoms were probably Chemo related as her blood tests were stable. She should expect 2 weeks of fatigue after her chemo with improvement that last week before the next dose. In addition, there was more good news, from a clinical standpoint her exam Thursday showed no evidence of a breast mass or axilla mass, despite being beyond obvious in the preceding months, no mass can be palpated any more. Theresa has had a huge response, such that surgery and even radiation therapy will probably not be needed at the end of her Chemo. With this dramatic of a response, it is believed that her liver will be free of metastasis as well, when it is re-imaged at the conclusion of the Chemo in June.

Why cautious optimism? I guess it is how you look at it. God’s favor has rested upon us for sure and for that I am overwhelmed, humbled, and grateful beyond measure, for we deserve it not. God intervened for sure. In the past surgery and radiation where the mainstay of treatment, with Chemo used to go after the cells that had spread. But in Theresa’s case, it looks like the cancer is responding exceptionally well to the treatment she is undergoing, either divinely in spite of the Chemo, or the hand of God working with her treatment. It really doesn’t matter to me which way it is, because God is in control period! This was part of His plan, this outcome He knew, and only He knows these answers. From my perspective, going from a massive, very aggressive cancer that had metastasized with 6-8 weeks to live, to a potential of complete remission with very high percentage chance of living 10 years or more, is a miracle in and of itself. From despair to hope in just 3 months. I’m sure there will be bumps along the way as the chemo and Theresa don’t get along, but we have experienced the presence of God, His comfort, His people praying and blessing us in so many ways. The cautious part, is my analytical side, the wait and see, time will tell side. Yet it is really about the journey, being obedient accepting what ever comes our way and allowing God to use it to mold us, prune us, refine us and use us – no matter the outcome -good or bad from our perspective. “All things work together for good for those who love Him” that is what brings optimism and hope in dark times. Maybe I’m not cautiously optimistic but more overwhelmed by the favor of God upon us, and it is taking me time to process it. May you have a blessed Easter tomorrow.

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Filed Under: Breast Cancer - our new normal

Comments

  1. Dianna and Rod Samuelson says

    March 27, 2016 at 2:23 am

    We are so happy ànd blessed by your report You are so special. Keep looking up. We continue to pray. ♡♡Dianna and Rod

    Reply
  2. Steve & Barb Freeman says

    March 27, 2016 at 2:45 am

    We are so encouraged by this posting. Barb said that you answered several questions she had while she prayed for you as she drove by your place last week. We are so thankful for God’s favor on you both at this time. The praying continues! Steve & Barb

    Reply
  3. Denise Anderson says

    March 27, 2016 at 3:15 am

    So, so, so thrilled to read this! Pray for you guys daily. Happy beyond measure!

    Reply
  4. Pearl Moltz says

    March 27, 2016 at 3:47 am

    Such amazing news about God’s love and healing power. We couldn’t be happier for you and your family. Prayers will be continuing for total and complete healing. Love to you and your family.

    Reply
  5. Jenny Matthews says

    March 27, 2016 at 3:48 am

    Awesome! You are experiencing God’s healing hand. Thank you for letting us participate in prayer with you!!

    Reply
  6. Linda & Jack Braun says

    March 27, 2016 at 4:07 am

    We will continue to keep your family in our prayers. Your news is wonderful. Have a blessed Easter.
    Jack and Linda Braun

    Reply
  7. Annette Eaton says

    March 27, 2016 at 4:11 am

    Great news. I am so happy for your whole family. Praise God.
    May you have an wonderful Easter.

    Reply
  8. John Eiland says

    March 27, 2016 at 4:24 am

    Paul-
    I’ve been following your blog and Theresa’s progress. I’m happy to hear things are stable and treatments are going well. Think of you and your family often. Let me know if you need anything.

    John

    Reply
  9. Priscilla Christenson says

    March 27, 2016 at 4:39 am

    This is awesome Dr Paul, thank you Lord for answered prayers! So blessed by your update, hopefully you can all get some rest now. Continuing to pray everyday!

    Reply
  10. Kathy Spencer says

    March 27, 2016 at 4:48 am

    Rejoicing with you two! Great and Mighty is the Lord our God!

    Reply
  11. Doris and Bill Brumsickle says

    March 27, 2016 at 6:29 am

    A time for tears of joy and thanks. May Easter be a loving family celebration for all of you.

    Reply
  12. Philip Plaza says

    March 27, 2016 at 6:56 am

    Praise the Lord brother!!!! That is awesome news…

    Reply
  13. Val & Terry Whippie says

    March 27, 2016 at 7:16 am

    What an uplifting report. Happy Easter to you and your dear family.

    Reply
  14. Jennie Brandt says

    March 27, 2016 at 1:04 pm

    We are so very glad to hear things are looking up. You both deserve the best.
    Ray and Jennie

    Reply
  15. Dan Pink says

    March 27, 2016 at 2:42 pm

    This is good news… So glad to hear things are looking better. We will continue to pray for you and your family. Thank you so much for the updates.

    Reply
  16. Susie Batchelor says

    March 27, 2016 at 6:39 pm

    Our God is an awesome God , He reigns from heaven above!! Such a special day for good news like this!! Love you guys Larry and Susie!!

    Reply
  17. Debbie says

    March 27, 2016 at 7:32 pm

    Happy Glorious Easter Friends! Yes, God is always in charge! This can be so easy to forget. I love your examples of faith. Tiring and exhausting it may be, chemo is allowing our Angel to live…it is killing those awful tumors as God is polishing us all up. I am so blessed to have you all in my life.

    Reply
  18. Shelli says

    March 28, 2016 at 3:57 am

    Our God is an awesome God, praising Him with this awesome news!!

    Reply
  19. Edna says

    March 28, 2016 at 7:38 am

    We continue to pray for healing. Thank you, Paul, for continuing to keeping your friends informed via this blog.

    Reply
  20. Charlotte says

    March 28, 2016 at 2:19 pm

    Praise God! Praise God! Glory to Your name, Holy God! You are the Healer! You are the Lifter of our head! You are the Comforter, our Strength! You are forever Faithful!! No other Name, no matter what, Jesus! Praying ♡

    Reply
  21. Bill and Jan Bearse says

    March 28, 2016 at 4:01 pm

    “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is withing me; bless His holy name!” What a journey of faith this is for all of us who have wept and rejoiced with you as we’ve followed your blog. Thank you again for allowing us a window into your darkest days as well as your times of grateful joy.

    Reply
  22. Glenn Palmer says

    March 29, 2016 at 2:03 am

    This is such good news!
    Still going to keep praying.

    Reply
  23. Ginny Eddy says

    March 29, 2016 at 2:17 am

    Prayers and miracles – God’s tools.

    Reply
  24. Candace Horch says

    March 29, 2016 at 2:34 am

    What a wonderful hopeful Easter blessing! May God continue to work His miracles and to heal… I so appreciate participating in prayer for your journey, as so many did for mine. Your whole family continues to be in our prayers from our house.

    Reply
  25. Christine Fossett says

    March 29, 2016 at 2:57 am

    Still praying but such wonderful news!

    Reply
  26. Julie Wilber Gamewell says

    March 29, 2016 at 8:09 pm

    “it is indeed a miracle in progress”–to God be the glory

    Reply
  27. Doug Gribble says

    March 30, 2016 at 2:09 am

    So excited for you and Teresa. I’ve known since I first met you that you are a special man and that God will bless you and your family. Wish I could do more for you. You’ve done so much for me. Doug Gribble

    Reply
  28. Christina Frias says

    March 30, 2016 at 9:04 am

    God is Good! So happy to hear things are improving we will continue to lift you all! Love and hugs to you all ❤️

    Reply
  29. lewis Parnell says

    April 1, 2016 at 3:52 pm

    So happy to hear this news,GOD is so amazing and beautiful..

    Reply

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About Doctor Paul

Dr. Paul Williams, MD is a small-town family practice doctor working in Centralia, Washington. He works from the same office where his primary care practice was established by his father over 38 years ago. He believes strongly that the art of the old-fashioned primary care doctor is an important feature of our medical system that should be preserved and protected from excess interference from insurance companies and government regulation alike.

Due to changes in the health care industry and regulations affecting it, and in an effort to preserve the art of old-fashioned primary care, Dr. Paul has shifted his practice to a Direct Care model, meaning that patients pay an affordable monthly fee to purchase primary care health care services directly, rather than having their services billed through an insurance company.

This blog is intended to help Dr. Paul's patients (and anyone else!) understand the changes the medical industry is going through, and to provide information about the Direct Care model of primary care.

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