10/13/20 - Frightening discovery - Livia discovered abnormal lump and immediately called our family doctor. During COVID-19, the appointment was virtual, via telephone. Dr. immediately scheduled further testing.
10/27/20 - Testing - Livia got an ultrasound and mammogram, followed by a couple biopsy procedures in the following few weeks.
11/23/20 - Dreadful news - Livia received the devastating phone call from our family doctor confirming our worst fear that it was early onset of cancer. We tried to be at least thankful that Dr. told us it was caught early - we were hoping and under the impression that it was stage 1. While devastated, we tried to encourage each other that at this stage it can be overcome thru medicine, life style changes and obviously thru much prayer.
2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
12/2/20 - Dreadful news plus - We met with our general surgeon who plainly and casually told us the cancer (ductal carcinoma, triple negative and node positive) has spread to lymph nodes - it was now classified at least a stage 3. Further testing was ordered to confirm if it has spread to bones and/or organs. Our hopes of overcoming this disease was drastically cut back as doubt and fear flooded our lives. So many questions of why? what did we do? what didn't we do? More questions than answers. Then God kindly showed us its not important to know why...but to know HIM.
John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
12/8/20 - More dreadful news - Livia personally met with the oncologist who informed us that the CAT scan showed small spots on the spine, on the skull and on the liver. The oncologist successfully removed what little hope was left in us by saying there is no cure if the cancer has spread beyond the lymph nodes. She ordered more testing to confirm those spots, scheduled surgery (to install port) and ordered chemotherapy/radiation after new year. Hearing this news our hope of medical help was abolished...however, we knew that God's hand is not short and that he can easily heal this disease...but would he? Our dependence on God became more apparent than ever.
Lamentations 3:22-24 It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
12/19/20 - chemo chemo chemo - in the last 2 weeks all we talked about and even what we thought about was chemo. It was very challenging to focus on our everyday responsibilities. Thankfully Livia continued to stay very strong and positive as she braced herself for chemo. Ashamed to say, she often lifted me up when I let myself be overcome and fall. We read story after story of others who had chemo...until one night before falling asleep she asked the question, 'what if there is another form of treatment?'
1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
12/22/20 - New Hope! - We believe the Lord's hand had led us to a simple and basic Christian website showing positive results of an alternate form of treatment for cancer. New hope filled our hearts and doubt and anxiety was very quickly pushed away. We were extremely thankful and hopeful that God was answering our prayers and honoring our times of fasting. We consulted with several brothers and family members...we postponed chemotherapy...before we knew what was happening, we had a reservation at a clinic in Mexico and travel arrangements solidified. We travelled to Tijuana, Mexico on Dec 26th for 3 week Immunotherapy program.
Psalm 34:4 I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
We would like to take this time to thank all those who sent encouraging cards/texts/emails, those who sent us packages, those who dropped off food/snacks, those who have offered to watch our boys in our absence and those who have included us in their prayers. God showed us time and time again how good it is to know someone is thinking and praying for us. These moments have been encouraging beyond words. Thank the Lord and each one of you. May God richly send blessings your way.
We are also very thankful that this storm in our life has truly brought us closer together as a couple, and more importantly closer to our almighty maker and creator God. We have spent more time in God's word and together in prayer than ever before. We do acknowledge there is still much room for improvement in our lives.
We now humbly ask of each one for your continual prayers to our God. Please pray for God's healing hand on Livia, his mercy and grace on the family, his leading and guidance for the doctors/nurses administering the treatments, his blessing on the treatments and overall that our trust and confidence of him would not diminish but rather grow in measure.
Hello everyone. Just wanted to inform you of some last minute updates. As a result of a consultation the doctors had at the ITC clinic in Mexico, they concluded it would be best for Livia if she came to Mexico to get a procedure done called Mononuclear Cell Activation (MCA). The results from last weeks PET scan showed this would be the optimal time to perform this procedure. So after prayer and careful consideration we accepted the doctors recommendation and made our travel arrangements. Lord willing, we are scheduled to travel to Tijuana Mexico tomorrow for a duration of 7 days. We hope we can attend Tecate Church on Sunday.
At this time we really don't know a lot about this MCA procedure, even after the doctor explained it multiple times. I hope to gain a better understanding and explain it in basic terms in the near future. We do know that Livia will be at the clinic for 6 hours per day to prepare for the procedure while undergoing detox therapies. The procedure will be performed after four days of preparation, so on Tuesday next week.
We are thankful to God for his goodness and many blessings. Also thankful that we had multiple families offer to watch our two youngest boys during our absence. And, that my boss at work is so very flexible and understanding for letting me take this time away from the office with such short notice.
Please do continue to pray for us, specifically for 1. safe travels 2. God would bless the procedure and it will be effective 3. Livia would be spared of any negative reactions so we can visit Tecate on Sunday.
O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever Psalm 118
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