Thank you, all for the Prayers, they have been answered

       We spent the day, Tuesday March 25, 2014, up at Huntsman Cancer Hospital.  We met with our medical oncologist, Dr. Anna Beck.  She went over the results of the surgery, and testing on the tumor & lymph nodes that were removed.
       The kind of cancer I have is a rare one. So there is no set protocol for treating it. There have to be a lot of tests done, so they know what treatments it will respond to.  Well, we got extremely good news. I guess if you have to get breast cancer, this one is the one you want to get, because even though it is a very rare one, it also is a very treatable one, if all the results of test come back good. Mine did.
      The entire tumor was removed, it was 2.1 cm. The surrounding tissue that was removed, had no cancer in it.  The Lymph Nodes removed had no cancer in them.  The receptors were positive for estrogen and progesterone, which is a good thing. My her2 was negative, which is also good. So because of all this good news, I do not have to have Chemo at this time.  In fact, the kind of cancer I have, with its unique characteristics, does not respond well to Chemo, so no chemo.  What a sweet blessing, I know that is because of all your prayers. Thank you, Thank you.
       Now for my treatments, I will start Radiation treatments next week, I will have them 5 days a week for 4 to 6 weeks. I have been told  I really won't notice much the first week or so, and then if all goes well, I will only have extreme fatigue. There are other side affects that could happen, but for right now, I am going to think positive. I have been told that the last week, I won't want to do much, except sleep and go to radiation treatments.
       After Radiation, I will start on a medicine that will also treat the cancer, it is called Tamoxifen and I must be honest, the side affects from it scare me more then the side effects of Radiation or Chemo., But my particular cancer will respond well to this treatment and it has a much higher rate of total remission, then if I did not do it. So I will do it and hope and pray for no bad side affects.
      I also will be participating in a Study, so there can be more information to help other cancer survivors, for long term good quality of life.
     I know the reason, things have gone so well, is because of all the prayers that have been offered in my behalf. I am so grateful for all the wonderful friends, family, and even strangers who have offered prayers for me. Your Faith has strengthened mine. I know God lives, I know HE is in control and I know, that all things will work together for our good, when we put our Trust in HIM.
    Thank You, so much for all your goodness, kindness, thoughts and prayers in our behalf.
     Now onward, to treatment and more learning experiences.

Pictures

We had the opportunity of seeing Sis. Siola and her companions
while we were in California. We had a great visit while we all
had lunch together.

Part of the Grand kids, making cookies for Christmas

Opening presents

Had an unexpected visitor, Elder Loveless, we served with him
on Pohnpei, until he was transferred to Saipan, he came home
a week after us.

Rootbeer Floats and Ice Cream, to quote Enzo " It's a Party"

Yummy, Happy Sunday dinner.

Where to begin???????

     Well, we have been home from our mission for almost 4 months and my goodness how life has changed.
We arrived home from the Micronesia Guam Mission, after serving on the Island of Pohnpei, in Micronesia from Dec. 5, 2011 to Dec. 1, 2013. We came from lovely 90 degree, 90 percent humidity weather to - 0 degrees. We were freezing, still are, but I guess we will adjust.
     We had a wonderful Christmas with our family, ( pictures to follow, if I can find them on this computer), went to Disneyland in January with the whole family, except Kammie ( she was to close to delivering there baby, so the Doc would not let her go) ( also Pictures to follow) and found out that I have Breast Cancer.
      So you see we have not been idle since we got home, between family, friends, Doctor appts. & surgery a couple of weeks ago, we have been very busy.
       We were blessed with a beautiful grandson, on March 2, 2014, Tate William LeFevre, took care of my father through 2 hand surgeries, had our son James and his family, Stephanie, Enzo & Ada move in with us for about 6 - 7 weeks,  were blessed to see the Pohnpei District be created into the Pohnpei Stake via live feed from Pohnpei.
        We have had so many blessings, I really have a hard time naming them all. It really is true, when you start counting your blessings instead of complaining about the things in your life that stink, or the world around you that seems to be falling apart, you can't count them all. The Lord has been so good to me, and I am profoundly grateful.
        After having several requests to start another blog and share our experiences, now that we are going through the dreaded "C" word. I decided, o.k., maybe something I share will help someone else.
        Now, I can tell you right now, I probably will not be complaining and sharing any gory experiences, as we start treatments for cancer, but I would ask you to please forgive, me if I do have some bad days and murmur a little.
       And above all, I want everyone to know, that I know, without any doubt, that the Lord is fully in charge of this adventure in my life. From the moment, we heard those words, " Melanie, you have breast cancer, the biopsy was malignant", I felt a calm peace settle upon me. All my Dr.'s have said how amazingly well I am taking all this, but it is because I have that calm assurance, that my life is totally in HIS hands, and I know that there are no hands I trust more than HIS.  I know that no matter what the end result is, HE is in charge of this one, and I am o.k. with that. For the first time in my life, I can say I have totally turned it over to HIM, and it feels so wonderful.
       When I have had those moments of fear, I have heard those gentle words, BE STILL, and I have felt peace.
      So tomorrow, we will spend the whole day up at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital, more Dr.;s and preparations for radiation and possibly Chemo, in fact we will find out tomorrow if we have to do the Chemo route.
       I have been so blessed with the most amazing Doctors and staff, we have even had experiences where we have already shared the gospel and our experiences on our mission with many. I pray that through this experience, I can help someone else Come unto Christ.
      So here goes the journey. Hopefully, I can figure out how to post pictures on this computer and how to set the blog up a little better.
    Stayed tuned !!!!!