3/09
Dear friends,
My final radiotherapy session was on Monday and Phil, Luke, Mady & I went out to dinner Monday night to celebrate!
Now I continue on with the hormonal treatment for the next 5years, possibly decide to have my ovaries removed but otherwise it's wait & see. A few people have asked me whether there is a test I can now have to see if I'm cured -the answer is no. There are statistics which tell me I have about a 90% chance of being disease free in 5 years but there is the other 10% and so you never know about the future ... But then none of us knows about the future much as we might like to which is all about us wanting to be in control of our lives. As Christians we know God is in charge not us and our uncertainty about the future with regard to the cancer is a good reminder of this. God's answer to the question 'am I now healed?' is : ' Trust me, whether the cancer is gone for good or whether it recurs, trust me to be working out my good purposes for you.' Focussing on this truth is a huge relief and blessing: "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." 1Peter 5:7
The more important question than 'Am I healed?' is 'Am I right with God?' because that affects our future for all eternity. There is a wonderful classic book called 'Knowing God' by Jim Packer which I have been reading through - a real gem which was first recommended to me when I was at university. I can thoroughly recommend it.
This will be my last blog entry so thank you to all of you who are still reading! Thank you for your interest, your care and your prayers for me-I have certainly felt very upheld and loved through this whole ordeal.
Love Jill
Wednesday, 3 September 2014
Monday, 25 August 2014
1 week to go
25/08
Dear friends,
I finished my 3rd week of radiotherapy today so only one week to go and the rest of the sessions are only directed to the tumor beds.
Side effects of redness & itch have been more prominent the last few days, one side worse than the other ( I was testing 2 different creams - at least I can recommend one over the other to others!)
Hot flushes continue to wake me at night but at least it is winter & flinging off the doona brings some relief.
I will update once more in a week once treatment is finished.
Love Jill
Dear friends,
I finished my 3rd week of radiotherapy today so only one week to go and the rest of the sessions are only directed to the tumor beds.
Side effects of redness & itch have been more prominent the last few days, one side worse than the other ( I was testing 2 different creams - at least I can recommend one over the other to others!)
Hot flushes continue to wake me at night but at least it is winter & flinging off the doona brings some relief.
I will update once more in a week once treatment is finished.
Love Jill
Monday, 18 August 2014
Radiotherapy halfway
18/08
Dear friends,
10 sessions of radiotherapy down, 10 to go! So far few side effects. We'll see what happens the next 2weeks. Actually it's only 5more days on the whole breasts then 5 days focused on the tumor beds.
I wrote the editorial for the church outline for last Sunday and Phil suggested I also post it on the blog, so here it is:
What is it that you fear? What are the things that fill your prayers?
I remember as a child being fearful of dying - I would have times when I would start thinking about death & about not existing anymore for ever. It would scare me so much I just had to decide to stop thinking about it. I remember my prayers as I walked to school consisted of asking God to look after my family & keep them safe.
Our deepest fears are usually tied up with the fear of bad news. Something awful happening to someone in our family, something awful happening to us. Cancer. The diagnosis strikes fear in us. It was my initial reflex response when I was diagnosed . Fear of how bad this might be, fear of what this means for me, for my family.
But for us as Christians we do not need to fear.
Psalm 112 says about the one who fears The Lord : He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. (Psalm 112:7 ESV)
Yes there will be bad news because we live in a fallen world and as Christians we do not escape the fallenness, but we are not to live fearing bad news.
Our initial response to bad news may be fear, but as we remember the one in whom we trust, fear is replaced by trust. The key to not fearing is not how great our trust is but rather how great is the One in whom we trust.
Fear dissolves as we focus on the greatness of our God, the one who has called us to know Him, the one who loves us so much He sent His only son to die for us so that we might be able to find forgiveness & eternal life, the one who cares for us so much in this life that He has his good purposes for us in everything we go through. I cannot know all of what God's good purposes are in what I am going through but I do know that part of it is to refine me & change me to become more like Jesus, preparing me for an eternity of life with Him forever.
What a blessing it is to not be the one in the driver's seat of our lives but rather to have a much better driver who knows the best direction for our lives to take, for our good and the good of others.
The well known verse in Proverbs 3:5-6 keeps coming back to me : Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:5, 6 ESV) . We so often live as if we are in charge of our lives therefore it is a blessing from God to be thrown into situations outside our control which direct us to the One who really is in control, and to be challenged to put our trust in Him no matter what the future holds.
As I reflect on my response to what I have gone through so far it has brought home to me the importance of knowing God's word. The years of sitting under faithful Bible teaching, of pouring over God's word preparing for Bible study, of spending personal time with God in His word, have stood me in good stead to face hard times because I know God's counsel on this. It makes sense and it has strengthened & encouraged me through it all.
Through the diagnosis and ongoing treatment for cancer I have been immeasurably blessed by God. My trust in Him has been strengthened as He has reminded me through His word which I have read & others have brought to me, of His great promises. We have been blessed by the love & care of friends & family & especially God's family who have upheld us in many ways but especially through prayer. Thank you to all of you who have been a part of that.
Love Jill
Dear friends,
10 sessions of radiotherapy down, 10 to go! So far few side effects. We'll see what happens the next 2weeks. Actually it's only 5more days on the whole breasts then 5 days focused on the tumor beds.
I wrote the editorial for the church outline for last Sunday and Phil suggested I also post it on the blog, so here it is:
What is it that you fear? What are the things that fill your prayers?
I remember as a child being fearful of dying - I would have times when I would start thinking about death & about not existing anymore for ever. It would scare me so much I just had to decide to stop thinking about it. I remember my prayers as I walked to school consisted of asking God to look after my family & keep them safe.
Our deepest fears are usually tied up with the fear of bad news. Something awful happening to someone in our family, something awful happening to us. Cancer. The diagnosis strikes fear in us. It was my initial reflex response when I was diagnosed . Fear of how bad this might be, fear of what this means for me, for my family.
But for us as Christians we do not need to fear.
Psalm 112 says about the one who fears The Lord : He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. (Psalm 112:7 ESV)
Yes there will be bad news because we live in a fallen world and as Christians we do not escape the fallenness, but we are not to live fearing bad news.
Our initial response to bad news may be fear, but as we remember the one in whom we trust, fear is replaced by trust. The key to not fearing is not how great our trust is but rather how great is the One in whom we trust.
Fear dissolves as we focus on the greatness of our God, the one who has called us to know Him, the one who loves us so much He sent His only son to die for us so that we might be able to find forgiveness & eternal life, the one who cares for us so much in this life that He has his good purposes for us in everything we go through. I cannot know all of what God's good purposes are in what I am going through but I do know that part of it is to refine me & change me to become more like Jesus, preparing me for an eternity of life with Him forever.
What a blessing it is to not be the one in the driver's seat of our lives but rather to have a much better driver who knows the best direction for our lives to take, for our good and the good of others.
The well known verse in Proverbs 3:5-6 keeps coming back to me : Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:5, 6 ESV) . We so often live as if we are in charge of our lives therefore it is a blessing from God to be thrown into situations outside our control which direct us to the One who really is in control, and to be challenged to put our trust in Him no matter what the future holds.
As I reflect on my response to what I have gone through so far it has brought home to me the importance of knowing God's word. The years of sitting under faithful Bible teaching, of pouring over God's word preparing for Bible study, of spending personal time with God in His word, have stood me in good stead to face hard times because I know God's counsel on this. It makes sense and it has strengthened & encouraged me through it all.
Through the diagnosis and ongoing treatment for cancer I have been immeasurably blessed by God. My trust in Him has been strengthened as He has reminded me through His word which I have read & others have brought to me, of His great promises. We have been blessed by the love & care of friends & family & especially God's family who have upheld us in many ways but especially through prayer. Thank you to all of you who have been a part of that.
Love Jill
Sunday, 10 August 2014
Radiotherapy
11/8
Dear friends,
Finally radiotherapy has started. I have had 4 sessions so far, 16 to go. The first session was the worst as I had to lie still for 30 min with my arms in stirrups above my head, and my arms went numb! Now each session should only take about 15 minutes. No side effects so far. The hormonal treatment has kicked in so I am now waking up with hot flushes several times a night, but feeling ok through the day.
As we hear the news of the suffering of Christians in Iraq who have been driven out of their homes and many killed it brings perspective to anything we are going through. We certainly have nothing to complain about with the comforts & security of life here and the very best of medical care.My heart goes out to them . Let us all keep them in our prayers each day, that God will be their comfort & strength, that they will keep trusting Him to direct their paths. May we all remember that what is lost or suffered in this life does not compare with what is gained in the age to come.
The trial of Mady's HSC trials finished on Friday and her health only caused one of them to be delayed . She is enjoying a few days of no study!
Love Jill
Dear friends,
Finally radiotherapy has started. I have had 4 sessions so far, 16 to go. The first session was the worst as I had to lie still for 30 min with my arms in stirrups above my head, and my arms went numb! Now each session should only take about 15 minutes. No side effects so far. The hormonal treatment has kicked in so I am now waking up with hot flushes several times a night, but feeling ok through the day.
As we hear the news of the suffering of Christians in Iraq who have been driven out of their homes and many killed it brings perspective to anything we are going through. We certainly have nothing to complain about with the comforts & security of life here and the very best of medical care.My heart goes out to them . Let us all keep them in our prayers each day, that God will be their comfort & strength, that they will keep trusting Him to direct their paths. May we all remember that what is lost or suffered in this life does not compare with what is gained in the age to come.
The trial of Mady's HSC trials finished on Friday and her health only caused one of them to be delayed . She is enjoying a few days of no study!
Love Jill
Friday, 1 August 2014
Ultrasound results
1/08
Dear friends,
The ultrasound revealed 2 larger cysts which I then had drained . This was what I expected but it was good to have it confirmed and dealt with.
So now I can get on with radiotherapy which will start Tuesday.
It is all in God's hands and He has His good purposes in it all which He may or may not reveal to me, but it is a blessing to know our Great God who is so trustworthy and directs my path at every point.
For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. (Psalm 62:5-8 ESV)
Love Jill
Dear friends,
The ultrasound revealed 2 larger cysts which I then had drained . This was what I expected but it was good to have it confirmed and dealt with.
So now I can get on with radiotherapy which will start Tuesday.
It is all in God's hands and He has His good purposes in it all which He may or may not reveal to me, but it is a blessing to know our Great God who is so trustworthy and directs my path at every point.
For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. (Psalm 62:5-8 ESV)
Love Jill
Monday, 28 July 2014
Radiotherapy delayed
29/07/14
Dear friends,
Just a brief update to let you know radiotherapy has been delayed as I found another breast lump that needs to be investigated. It is almost certainly benign but still needs to be investigated before I start radiotherapy. So that's happening tomorrow. I will update after that.
Love Jill
Dear friends,
Just a brief update to let you know radiotherapy has been delayed as I found another breast lump that needs to be investigated. It is almost certainly benign but still needs to be investigated before I start radiotherapy. So that's happening tomorrow. I will update after that.
Love Jill
Monday, 21 July 2014
Preparing for radiotherapy
21/07/14
Dear friends,
I had my radiotherapy planning session last Wednesday. This involved a scan and getting 5 tattoos-never imagined I would get a tattoo let alone 5! Mind you they are so small you can hardly see them.
The first dose of radiotherapy is scheduled for Wednesday, then each day apart from weekends, for 4 weeks.
The night sweats have started but so far not severe or disabling, just waking me up. Otherwise I'm feeling well.
Love Jill
Dear friends,
I had my radiotherapy planning session last Wednesday. This involved a scan and getting 5 tattoos-never imagined I would get a tattoo let alone 5! Mind you they are so small you can hardly see them.
The first dose of radiotherapy is scheduled for Wednesday, then each day apart from weekends, for 4 weeks.
The night sweats have started but so far not severe or disabling, just waking me up. Otherwise I'm feeling well.
Love Jill
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