Monday, November 28, 2011

We have SO much to be thankful for.....Happy Thanksgiving 2011

The last month has been filled with much joy and many tears. Becky is finished with chemo and on the road to recovery--YEAH. She has also started down the path to Genetic Testing. Yale New Haven Hospital has a special clinic which has approved Becky for genetic testing for the BRCA 1, BRCA 2 AND P53 gene mutation aka Li­Fraumeni. Becky and Matt will be getting the results in early December. Becky has chosen not to receive radiation which actually has been advised by the Genetic Clinic. If the P53 mutation is present then "Cancer patients... who survive the first neoplasm are prone to develop second cancers, particularly within the field of radiation therapy". The p53 gene mutation is suspected in families who have early onset breast cancer, childhood leukemia (Ava @ 2 1/2 yr) and adolescent sarcoma (Phil's birth sister- Karyn age 13 yr). Fortunately the testing has been approved by the insurance company.

After much prayer and with Becky's blessing I have returned to Florida to be with Phil. He has been at our house in Bradenton since October due to work requirements at the River Strand Golf and Country Club. Laura and I drove to Florida last week with our dogs Calvin and Stetson (cocker spaniel and yorkie). Leaving my family and home in Ct has always been difficult. When I walked into my bedroom in Florida and saw my robe and pajamas hanging where I had left them 6 months ago I remembered the pain I felt when Becky called to tell me about her "lump". I am so thankful that is now in the past and we can all get on with living. Arriving in sunny warm Florida was refreshing and soothing for the months of stress we have lived through. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner with my sister and her family and my nephew and his family who live here.

Laura left yesterday for CT and left an ache in my heart for my daughters and grandchildren. As much as I miss my family the time Phil and I have is precious. I am so thankful for this special opportunity we have to be together. We have the best of both worlds and we embrace every moment.

Life is a gift and we all need to embrace every moment. We praise the Lord for His mercy and grace which lifts and carries us through all trials. Recently I heard someone ask where is God during the suffering. He is right there with us comforting and crying as we cry just as He did when His Son gave up His life for us. Give thanks!!

3 comments:

  1. I am so glad you were able to be with Becky when she needed you so much. Hurray for "family" nurses who get paid with love!! I am so jealous that you are out of this icky winter weather. My California years left me a really grim view of winter, but here is where I am. Do enjoy your time with Phil down in the warm sunny Florida home. One is never certain how life will go on this side of eternity and you are wise to enjoy the good and know that God is always with us. Blessings and Love Theresa

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  2. You are sweet and kind, gentle and strong, what amazing strength that has pulled you all through this! God bless you and your family!

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  3. Thanks again, Deb for your open discussion of cancer and genetic testing. And great to have you back down in Fl- hope your Ct. family gets a trip down soon! I asked you, "why genetic testing?"- makes sense to do it when Ava and Becky struggled with health issues, and medical staff can get a heads up for quick treatment with predisposition for cancer based on family genetics. It is wise for medical insurance to cover this as early cancer treatment is best/less cost for them. So happy Becky is done with chemo! Thank you both for your openness on this journey- time for fun and R&R for you all! love and hugs

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