Taylor was diagnosed with breast cancer on May 23, 2023. In the days and weeks to follow (the "diagnostic days"), we learned that she had multiple tumors, each of which turned out to be malignant (invasive ductal carcinoma). After a full-body PET scan, her doctors also found a large tumor in her right adrenal gland (a hormone-producing gland situated between the liver and the kidney). Initial concerns were that the breast cancer had moved (or "metastasized") to another organ -- which would've carried a much worse prognosis. Thankfully, however, the biopsy results came back as something called a pheochromocytoma (or "pheo" in medical jargon). A pheochromocytoma is a rare, typically benign tumor that develops in the adrenal gland causing abnormally high catecholamine / hormone levels, and random spikes in blood pressure (think very strong, random jolts of adrenaline that cause heart palpitations, headaches, dizziness, etc.). These "diabolical" little tumors in the adrenal gland make certain everyday medications and otherwise routine surgeries more dangerous -- particularly if you don't know it is there and don't manage the blood pressure spikes. While the "pheo" certainly brought with it more complexity -- and a lot more doctors and specialists -- it is definitely a blessing that the doctors found it this way. Now, we know it's there and the doctors can deal with it surgically before attacking the breast cancer.
The first few months have been head-spinning for us, and Taylor's diagnosis, her recommended treatment plan, sequencing of treatments, and our grasp on of all of the above have been amended and revised a dozen times. With that caveat, it feels like the "diagnostic days" might be coming to an end. Taylor's expected treatment plan (chronologically) is: (1) surgery to remove the "pheo" and right adrenal gland; (2) double mastectomy surgery; (3) ~20 weeks of chemotherapy; (4) targeted radiation; (5) reconstruction surgery; and (6) ~5-10 years of continued hormone therapy (pills). With the tentative treatment plan in place, it seemed like a good time to create this CaringBridge site to have one place where we can keep all of our friends and family up to date.
If you are visiting this site, it is important to us that you know two things.
First, we have felt first-hand God's presence during this time. There have already been countless twists and turns, overwhelming signs of the Holy Spirit, and many little moments which have assured us more than ever that God is real, He is powerful, He loves us, He will provide what we need, and He is always working things for the ultimate good of His kingdom and for those that love Him. Since we are not God, we don't always know what He's up to, and we have certainly questioned Him before. But each day we are more and more convinced that we were designed to live in this posture: watchful and always ready for God to do His work -- whatever that is -- in and through our lives on this earth. Always listening for the Holy Spirit and creating space for God's presence in our life.
Second, please know that each of you -- through your prayers, your support, your love, your encouraging words, and sometimes just your good vibes -- have been and continue to be an integral part of God's presence we've felt as discussed above. We have felt your love and it has given us great strength and confidence throughout this season and as we look to the future. We are forever grateful for your kinship, and we love each of you. Please know it is not lost upon us that suffering abounds on this earth, and that many others are facing their own battles right now. Please know we are mourning your diagnoses/losses, emotional, mental, and physical pain right along with you. If we can help, or talk, or encourage you in any way possible, please let us know. We'd love to walk with you the way you have walked with us. Finally, while there have been difficult days, please know we've had a whole lot of laughter, fun, and joy at our house these days too.
Thank you for checking in. We appreciate your encouraging words, prayers, and support, and we will use this site to post additional updates along the way.
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 (NIV).
"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." Romans 8:18 (NIV).
"And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen." 1 Peter 5:10-11 (ESV).
" ' . . . for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing (as compared to Him), and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, 'What have you done?' " Daniel 4:34-35 (ESV) (context in parenthesis added).
" 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' ... That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, and in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NIV).
See also Job 2:1-10; John 9:1-7; Romans 8; 1 Peter 1: 3-9.
Finished my 13th chemo treatment today! 3 more to go! 🙌🏻🙌🏻 Next steps will be a CT scan in mid January and if everything is clear, I will have my port removed and then start radiation in February. Would appreciate prayers for clear scans!
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