Dear Friends and Family – 

February 17th was my one year anniversary of being cancer free!!!!  Is that not amazing?!!  This journey started on August 21 of 2019 when I received the devastating news of stage 3, triple negative breast cancer.  At that time, I was told that my odds of dying from this cancer were greater than my chances of survival.  I can still remember physically shaking from the fear triggered by the doctor’s diagnosis.  But God’s work in my life over the last 18 months has been nothing short of astonishing.  From the miracle of being accepted as a patient at City of Hope within a couple days of my diagnosis to my last post-surgery, cancer-free mammogram…this journey has filled me with awe for the Creator who has walked with me every step of the way.  The lessons He is teaching this stubborn, prideful, selfish 65 year old woman could not have been learned any other way and I am so very grateful that He loves me enough to reveal the freedom and hope that only He can give.  

For those of you who have so faithfully prayed for me and followed my progress, here is where I am currently at with treatment.  I began the clinical trial I spoke of in my last journal entry on February 8th by giving 17 vials of blood.  Doesn’t that sound like a lot?!  I thought it sounded EXCESSIVE AND IMPRESSIVE but it is actually only 6 ounces of blood, much less than blood donations made by people all the time! I have finished half of the mild oral chemo required before I start 6 months of monthly vaccine injections followed by injections every 6 months for 3 ½ years.  After that, I will be tracked during my yearly check-ups and screenings.  It is a blind study conducted out of Mayo Clinic and I am hoping and praying that I receive the vaccine rather than a placebo. 

To say that I have been humbled by the outpouring of love and interest shown to me throughout this journey is an understatement and can only be explained by God’s goodness in my life.  Words can never adequately express my appreciation to my family, friends and the body of Christ…for the prayers that have been offered on my behalf.  I feel so undeserving but so very grateful.  A verse that has always comforted and challenged me is Philippians 1:6 “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Christ Jesus.“  Thanks for letting me be “a work in progress”…knowing that I still have so much to learn and overcome.  My desire is to make whatever days the Lord gives me count for Him.  Don’t ever hesitate to let me know how I can pray for you or if my “journey” can be of some help to you or someone you love.

To God be the glory!

Debby