Juliana Barker

Living in Hope with MBC

Early this year I noticed changes in the lumpectomy scar from the breast cancer I went through in 1999/2000. A biopsy confirmed that the cancer had returned.  A mastectomy was scheduled, proceeded by CT, Bone and MRI scans. Then news of the results from the scans came back indicating that the cancer had spread to my lungs and bones. The mastectomy was canceled and a lung biopsy confirmed that the spots on my lungs are the breast cancer metastisized to the lungs. 
 
The medical reality of Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) is that it is stage IV and that it is not curable. It is treatable. I am strong and in otherwise excellent health (for 58), the spots on the lungs and the bones are very small. Many people with MBC have symptoms before they are diagnosed. I have not experienced any of those symptoms. So we can hope and pray for good response to the treatment and many good years to come.  

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death… We all must face our own mortality—in this time of in-between—in these aging bodies we live in. But we hope in the restoration of all creation and an eternity with the Creator. I want to keep my eyes on Him, trusting and leaning on Him to help me to love and live well in these days ahead.