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Praise God from whom all blessings flow

July 25, 2016 by Paul Williams 10 Comments

Father, thank you for the good week, for the rest that is in You. Thank you for answered prayer and that as your children You completely surround us. Thank you all for your continued prayers and support.

This week has been a mixture of emotions, our definition of remission ended up being a much longer time than was supported by the studies. At the last visit with her oncologist, the oncologist referred to the CLEOPATRA study that came out in January 2012 discussing that the best outcome from metastatic breast cancer was using Perjeta, Herceptin, and Taxetere, which is the reason he used those medications on Theresa. This study (with 808 women) and a review about metastatic breast cancer treatment published June 30,2016 discussing 4 ongoing studies related to this treatment and three studies looking at new anti-HERS treatments are where his comments to Theresa came from. In addition the survival rates for breast cancer, separated by stage, have been relatively the same for years, with metastatic breast cancer having only 22% of women making it 5 years (while 2-5% are long term survivors). How long her remission will be is uncertain. From a data perspective, all metastatic breast cancer patients will eventually develop resistance to the treatment she received. That is why there are two points they look at, progression free survival and overall survival. The progression free survival in the CLEOPATRA study was 18.5 months, while over all survival actually is yet to be determined, but is felt around 56 months or 4.5 years. And this is for breast cancer that is HERS-2neu positive for over expression, which was not the case for Theresa’s cancer. Hers was equivocal. Yet, her oncologist told her that 30% of patient’s without over expression responded as well.

So, as we don’t know the mind of God, and we don’t know how long a miracle he has given her. We have to use what we know clinically, but also balance that with the dramatic results Theresa obtained when the odds were she shouldn’t have responded, thus the hand of God intervening. Could it be that God intervened so her cancer would respond and give her the longest disease free survival expected? Did He intervene so she will be a 2-5% long term survivor? Or did He intervene and cure her outright? I won’t presume upon God what He had in mind, and what He has planned. He has given us a reprieve, an unexpected summer, and a future together that may possibly see our kids established on their own.

What I do know is that the anguish of the past months have passed and are finished. Other than the fatigue and nausea every three weeks from the Herceptin which she will get for the next 12 months, I have my wife back. We can make plans together, take a few of those trips we have put off, take care of those things that are important but put on the back burner. I am grateful for the extra time, and will try to make the best of it for both Theresa and the kids. The miracle is that it isn’t over yet, I was taken by surprise with her diagnosis, a whirlwind of regrets (should have’s) filled my mind. We were blindsided by this sudden severe diagnosis. But God heard all of our prayers, intervened, and blessed us with time to work all of this out and to love on each other.

We are waiting on a consultation with an oncologic surgeon to discuss if Theresa should have surgery this summer. As always we covet your prayers and your continued walking with us.

From my reading this week: “sing…to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything (Ephesians 5:19-20)” “No matter the source of the evil confronting you, if you are in God and thereby completely surrounded by Him, you must realize that it has first passed through Him before coming to you. Because of this, you can thank Him for everything that comes your way. This does not mean thanking Him for the sin that accompanies evil, but offering thanks for what He will bring out of it and through it. May God make our life one of continual thanksgiving and praise, so He will then make everything a blessing.”

“I once saw a man draw some black dots on a pice of paper. Several of us looked at it yet saw nothing but an irregular arrangement of dots. Then he also drew a few lines, put in a few rests, and added a treble clef at the beginning. Suddenly we realized that the dots were musical notes, and as we began to sound them out, we were singing, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise Him all creatures here below”. Each of us has many black dots or spots in our life, and we cannot understand why they are there or why God permitted them. But when we allow Him into our life to adjust the dots in the proper way, to draw the lines He desires, and to put rests at the proper places to separate us from certain things, then from the black dots and spots He will compose a glorious harmony. So let us not hinder Him in His glorious work! ” C.H.P.

“Many people owe the grandeur of their lives to their tremendous difficulties.” Charles H. Spurgeon

May you have a blessed week.

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Filed Under: Breast Cancer - our new normal

Comments

  1. Candace Wilber Horch says

    July 25, 2016 at 4:21 am

    Your praise and thanksgiving is teaching us all the importance of giving thanks through everything… because of everything He did for us. We will pray without ceasing for the decision that the oncological surgeon will be making with you… and we pray for the coming months and years ahead for Theresa, and your family!

    Reply
  2. Dianna and Rod Samuelson says

    July 25, 2016 at 3:17 pm

    We thank God and praise Him for all He is doing in your lives. May He continue to give you clear direction in the decisions you have to make ahead. ♡♡♡

    Reply
  3. Mitch & DeLynne Dietz says

    July 25, 2016 at 5:20 pm

    As always I read your update with joy. Your absolute trust in God is so evident and your love for Theresa and your family is heartwarming. DeLynne and I will continue to pray for God’s leadership and direction as you travel down this uncharted pathway. Love and prayers to all of you!

    Mitch & DeLynne Dietz

    Reply
  4. kimberly bennett says

    July 25, 2016 at 7:12 pm

    Praise The Lord❤ i am so happy for you all. You have a strong lady. Continued Prayers For You All. i would like to share this writing with you. It was written anonymously & i found it in my car which had just been cleaned inside & out. i then locked all the doors. The next morning i found this writing on a small laminated card in my car….this is what was written:
    “i said a Prayer for you today and i know God must have heard, i felt the answer in my heart although he spoke no word.
    i did not ask for wealth or fame i knew you wouldn’t mind. i asked Him for treasures if a far more lasting kind. i asked that He be near you at the start of each new day. To grant you health and blessings and friends to share your way. i asked for happiness in all things great and small, but it was for His Loving Care i Prayed for most of all”.
    Bless You All❤

    Reply
  5. Bill land Nancy Fox says

    July 26, 2016 at 12:15 am

    God bless you and Theresa and your family. Remembering you in prayer.

    Reply
  6. Pearl Moltz says

    July 27, 2016 at 8:55 pm

    Praise God for all his blessings for you and Theresa and your family. No regrets…from here on….just enjoy each other to the fullest and give God praise and thanksgiving every day! Love you!

    Reply
  7. Doris and Bill Brumsickle says

    July 28, 2016 at 5:09 am

    Our hearts are full of joy for your ongoing blessing of love-filled days filled with ordinary, every day life lived fully!

    Reply
    • jennifer says

      July 30, 2016 at 9:15 pm

      well said!

      Reply
  8. Geri Wiese says

    July 28, 2016 at 8:28 pm

    Such wonderful news – Thanking the Lord for this blessing in your lives.

    Reply
  9. jennifer says

    July 30, 2016 at 9:28 pm

    This is so wonderful to read ~ The reality of our work in caring and planning, mixed with God’s supernatural actions, the analytical and the heartfelt…miracle of life and communication.
    I am grateful for your godly upbringing, and learning curve of faith.
    The black spots ~ The reverse can be true as well ~ when the backdrop is already black, it is the white spots that link together to create the music.
    Grateful, and happy for the peace in your hearts and family! May God shower many blessings over you and through you!!

    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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