God is in the hearts of all,
and they that seek
shall surely find Him
when they need Him most.
~Louisa May Alcott

James and I both loved the Oncologist, Dr. Pham. She explained everything so well and then based on the info below gave me two options for further treatment. I realize this is far more than any of you would want to know, but I didn’t know any other way to tell you of the findings and recommendations of the oncologist, and my choice of treatment.

Characteristics of my Cancer:
1) Stage; 1A
2) Grade: 2 on a scale of 1-3
3) Estrogen and Progesterone Receptors: ER+ PR-
4) Rate my cancer grows on a scale of 0% to a 100%: 5-10% (low)
5) Her-2-Neu: +

**Cancers that are ER+ may or may NOT benefit from chemotherapy

Option 1: low dose chemo + antibodies that target the Her-2-neu (this would require a port and the chemo would be injected once a week for 12 weeks and the antibodies would go on every 3 weeks after that for the rest of a year. Some side effects would be fatigue, infection, hair loss, etc. Possibility of clots from inserted port.

Option 2: Endocrine therapy: 1 pill once a day for 5 years. Possible side effects: Menopausal symptoms

As for the nodules in my lungs she is 90% sure there is no cancer there but she will obtain my results from 2012, when they were first noticed while I was having a stroke and compare them with the results from last week’s PET Scan. This may take about 2 weeks. If at that time she sees something worrisome which she does not expect to find, she will do a biopsy. In the mean time, I am NOT to worry or even think about it.

Important things we had to consider when making the decision about which option to choose: my age, my health issues, my exercise regimen, and especially the fact that it was stage 1A cancer, my estrogen reception is ER+, and that the cancer’s growth rate was only 5-10% aggressive. Option 1 would lower the risk of the cancer repeating to 5%. Option 2 would lower it to 20%. Option 1 would further compromise an already altered quality of life situation. Option 2 would probably not.

So, James and I agreed to go now with Option 2 knowing that I will continue to be closely monitored and can go with Option 1 at anytime it becomes imperative or simply a better option.

Again thanks for all the prayers, well wishes, and healing thoughts. They DO make a difference. Love, Natalie

**The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. ~Excerpt from Zephaniah 3:17 ✝

“Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy— think on such things.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:8 ✝️

I just want to thank everyone for the prayers and loving thoughts that were sent in response to my post last night about the latest startling news in this saga that began nearly a month ago. As they say it ain’t over yet but I know the Lord is close at hand and and is in control over this storm and the world at large. I wish my flesh were not so weak but I have to admit tonight that I am weary and frightened about what I may hear tomorrow in the meeting with the oncologist. Nevertheless I’ll lie down to sleep with gratitude for our Lord Jesus Christ!

**Image found on Pinterest