I'm needing your Prayers

12/18/2007 Estreitta 1 Comments

Hello everyone. 

Sorry it has been a while since I wrote.

 I have been going strong and super busy at work since after my second surgery.  However, I am coming to the realization that I may have pushed myself a little too hard. today  I came home early  from work because I was in alot of pain.  And still am.

For the past few weeks, my wound has been draining fluid build up.  Initially I had been getting high fevers and feeling really fatigued.  Doctor Perry prescribed me some antibiotics which I took for a week then she prescribed me levaquin some really strong antibiotics. Just so I don't get an infection. and thankfully I haven't gotten an infection.

 We  have been praying that that the draining would dry up and stop, because if it doesn't Dr. Perry wants to put a drain in it.  Which I do not want to deal with over Christmas holiday. 

When I came home today, I took Pain Killers, Anti Nausea Medicine, and a benadryl.  I slept for 7 hours straight until Erik came home. 

I am still pretty sore and in pain, but atleast I got to rest well.

On January 4th  I will be meeting with a Radiation oncologist.

Kathleen L. Shide, M.D. specializes in radiation oncology and is certified by the American Board of Radiology in radiation oncology.

Memberships: Dr. Shide is a member of the American Society of Therapeutic Radiation Oncology, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American College of Radiology, American Medical Association, Texas Medical Association, and Tarrant County Medical Society.

Dr. Shide was elected a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.

Education: Dr. Shide received an M.D. from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in 1996. She completed her internship at Baylor University Medical Center and residency at the Mayo Clinic. She was appointed as Instructor of Oncology at Mayo Clinic prior to going into private practice in Fort Worth.

Hopefully my wound will be healed by the time I meet with Dr. Shide.

Thank you again for praying for me.  I will let you know how I am doing in a couple of days.

I’m Great!

11/17/2007 Estreitta 1 Comments

Well about 20 minutes ago, Dr. Perry Called and said I have Clear margins NO MORE SURGERIES!!!! Praise GOD!!!  God is Great!!!  I am an Overcomer of this cancer!!!

Next step is the Radiation.  Dr. Perry doesn't think I need to go to an Oncologis because the cancer is NOT invasive so she is looking for a good radiologist for me to go see here in Fort Worth.  I will let you know once all those details are finalized!

Thank you all SOOOOO Very much for praying with me and Agreeing for my speedy recovery and Good reports from the Doctors!

I am so grateful for the Loving God I serve who covers me with his grace and strength to go through any so called trial tribulation the enemy attempts to send my Way!

Psalm 145 (The Message)

The Message (MSG)

Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

.. ..

Psalm 145

David's Praise

 1 I lift you high in praise, my God, O my King! and I'll bless your name into eternity.

 2 I'll bless you every day,
      and keep it up from now to eternity.
 3 God is magnificent; he can never be praised enough.
      There are no boundaries to his greatness.
 4 Generation after generation stands in awe of your work;
      each one tells stories of your mighty acts.
 5 Your beauty and splendor have everyone talking;
      I compose songs on your wonders.
 6 Your marvelous doings are headline news;
      I could write a book full of the details of your greatness.
 7 The fame of your goodness spreads across the country;
      your righteousness is on everyone's lips.

 8 God is all mercy and grace—
      not quick to anger, is rich in love.

 9 God is good to one and all;
      everything he does is suffused with grace.

 10-11 Creation and creatures applaud you, God;
      your holy people bless you.

   They talk about the glories of your rule,
      they exclaim over your splendor,

 12 Letting the world know of your power for good,
      the lavish splendor of your kingdom.

 13 Your kingdom is a kingdom eternal;
      you never get voted out of office.

   God always does what he says,
      and is gracious in everything he does.

 14 God gives a hand to those down on their luck,
      gives a fresh start to those ready to quit.

 15 All eyes are on you, expectant;
      you give them their meals on time.

 16 Generous to a fault,
      you lavish your favor on all creatures.

 17 Everything God does is right—
      the trademark on all his works is love.

 18 God's there, listening for all who pray,
      for all who pray and mean it.

 19 He does what's best for those who fear him—
      hears them call out, and saves them.

 20 God sticks by all who love him,
      but it's all over for those who don't.

 21 My mouth is filled with God's praise.
      Let everything living bless him,
      bless his holy name from now to eternity!

 

God Is Great Lyrics by Hillsong United

I’m OK!

11/08/2007 Estreitta 1 Comments

Well today I went to work for the first time since October 26.  We had a meeting that has been scheduled for a while and I thought it would be good to get out of the house since I hadn't gone anywhere since my surgery on October 29.

A few people stopped by my desk to say hi and tell me they were thinking of me.  It felt good to be missed.  I was in the office for a few hours to go to a meeting.  I had a stack of Mail that weighed at least 20 lbs I am sure… J

Well I have had a few people ask me why I have to go back get surgery , so I decided I will give you the explanation that Dr. Perry me and what I understood.

Basically the DCIS was spread about a quarter section of my the ducts in the upper part of the breast.  The DCIS cells are like course salt spread in multiple areas some are concentrated some are not.  During the surgery Dr. Perry takes "frozen pathology reprort" or Frozen section analysis:  

Frozen section: Microscopic examination of a specimen of tissue that has been quick-frozen. This method gives a quick diagnosis, sometimes while the surgeon is waiting to complete a procedure. The diagnosis is confirmed in a few days by a more detailed study called a permanent section.

In layman's terms they quick freeze sections of the tissue and send it to the pathology lab to see if the tissues contain all of the calcifications or if more tissue needs to be removed. What they are looking is for what they call is "Clear Margins:

Clear margins: Pathological term used to describe an adequate amount of normal tissue that is surgically removed along with the breast cancer.

When the Pathologist sees clear margins they let Dr. Perry know and they stop removing the tissue and wait on the "Permanent Pathology Report" or Permanent Section Analysis:

Permanent section: Preparation of tissue for microscopic examination. The tissue is soaked in formaldehyde, processed in various chemicals, surrounded by a block of wax, sliced very thin, attached to a microscope slide and stained. This usually takes 1-2 days. It provides a clear view of the specimen so that the presence or absence of cancer can be determined.

So even though during the surgery the Frozen pathology report showed they got all of the cells the permanent pathology report showed there was about 5 mm section near the breast bone that still needed to be removed.  So that is what we are doing tomorrow afternoon (Friday – Nov 8 @ 1:00) getting that 5 mm section. 

With the last report they are now able to pin point the exact area needing to be removed so there is a greater chance that I won't have to go back again! Praise God.

Typically with the type of cancer I was diagnosed with the doctors recommend mastectomy because DCIS is so wide spread.  I actually watched a movie this last Saturday on the Lifetime Network with Ricki Lake where she was diagnosed with the same kind of cancer  as I had and she had a mastectomy.  Dr. Perry said that there are a bunch of doctors that really push mastectomy when there really are alternatives. 

Especially when DCIS is found typically in younger women more often, the Kewl thing is that Dr Perry is very forward thinking and believes in breast conservation first.  She also has a specialty surgery cut that most doctors don't do when doing a lumpectomy where there is minimal scaring to the breast area. And really now after the surgery there isn't any deformity, where as the other 2 doctors that I saw prior to deciding to go with Dr. Perry said I needed to have a mastectomy because there would be a large defect to the breast and that's why I should get a Mastectomy instead of a lumpectomy.  I am so glad I did my research and found Dr. Perry.

Dr. Perry did say there was a 30% chance I'd have to go back but we were hoping I wouldn't have to.  Like I said in my last blog , I was pretty bummed about having to go back to surgery.  I got really down for about 2 hours but I am ok with it now, cause I Know God's Grace can get me through anything.

Thank you for praying with and for me.  It really makes a difference!!!

"If God says it is  okay, it's okay."

Acts 10:15 (The Message)

The Message(MSG)

Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

Mute Math - OK"

Down on my knees down on my face
You just say it's ok
So many days I've thrown away
You just say it's ok
I don't think I could ever repay
Your perfect grace, but it's ok

It's ok, It's ok
It's ok, It's ok
You've become my embrace
Just tell me it's ok

Your precious words intoxicate
A heart that aches; it's ok
You don't recall my past mistakes
You just say it's ok
The human mind can't calculate
Your perfect grace, but it's ok

Even though you've seen a thousand times
I've let you down
You're always there if I should call your name
You're unashamed, unashamed

I’m Thankful

11/02/2007 Estreitta 1 Comments

I’m Healing

11/01/2007 Estreitta 1 Comments

My hubby has been waiting on me hand and foot

my mom cooked me chicken soup today.

I have a sore throat and kinda achey all over but the pain pills are working good...  I have gotten alot of phone calls today people checking up on me....  Thanks I feel loved!

I’m Ready!

10/30/2007 Estreitta 0 Comments

Switchfoot – "Learning To Breathe"
 
Hello, good morning, how you do?
What makes your rising sun so new?
I could use a fresh beginning too
All of my regrets are nothing new
So this is the way that I say I need You
This is the way
This is the way that I'm

..:NAMESPACE PREFIX = O />

CHORUS:
Learning to breathe
I'm learning to crawl
I'm finding that You and You alone can break my fall
I'm living again, awake and alive
I'm dying to breathe in these abundant skies

Hello, good morning, how you been?
Yesterday left my head kicked in
I never, never thought that
I would fall like that
Never knew that I could hurt this bad

BRIDGE:
So this is the way that I say I need You
This is the way that I say I love You
This is the way that I say I'm Yours
This is the way, this is the way

Hebrews 13:20-21 (Amplified Bible)

²⁰Now may the God of peace [Who is the Author and the Giver of peace], Who brought again from among the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood [that sealed, ratified] the everlasting agreement (covenant, testament),^(A)
 21Strengthen (complete, perfect) and make you what you ought to be and equip you with everything good that you may carry out His will; [while He Himself] works in you and accomplishes that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ (the Messiah); to Whom be the glory forever and ever (to the ages of the ages). Amen (so be it).

I am doing good.  I've have been busy with work projects.  it has been very fun and yet a VERY involved process.   Erik and I have been visiting several Churches over the past few months to get connected with other young married couples.  Please pray God gives us direction to where we can plant ourselves.  Erik Celebrated his 3rd anniversary with his company on October 4th and Maeze is excited that winter is coming because the mosquitos will start to die off.

Education

Lumpectomy - Breast-conserving surgery

I’m More than Fine

10/16/2007 Estreitta 1 Comments

Artist: SWITCHFOOT

Song: More Than Fine

Album: The Beautiful Letdown (2003)

When I wake in the morning,
I want to blow into pieces.
I want more than just ok, more than just ok.
When Im up with the sunrise
I want more than just blue skies.
I want more than just ok, more than just ok.

Im not giving up, giving up, not giving up now.
Im not giving up, giving up, not backing down.

More than fine, more than bent on getting by.
More than fine, more than just ok.

When Im wet with the sunshine.
I want more than just a good time.
I want more than just ok, more than just ok.

Im not giving up, giving up, not giving up now.
Im not giving up, giving up, not selling out.

More than fine, more than bent on getting by.
More than fine, more than just ok.
More than fine, more than bent on getting by.
More than fine, more than just ok.

More than oceans away from the dawn.
More than oceans away from the dawn.
More than oceans away from who we are
More than oceans, more than oceans, yeah.

More than fine, more than bent on getting by.
More than fine, more than just ok.
More than fine, more than bent on getting by.
More than fine, more than just ok.

..

Kerri L. Perry, MD FACS Diplomate American Board of Surgery, General, Breast and Laparoscopic Surgery

A Presidential Candidate I can relate with.

10/05/2007 Estreitta 0 Comments

my hubby and I have had very little excitement over most of the republican candidates so far. We typically vote republican mostly because of their stance on Marriage and Right to life. (unfortunately even some of the "frontrunners" like Guliani is more of a liberal republican and has also been married 3 times, McCain more center conservative but married 2 times, same for Fred Thompson) I truly think people do make mistakes, but it just doesn't sit right with me & erik that several of these candidates have an issue with commitment to their marriages.
i do also have to mention, that there are some aspects of the democrats that i appreciate (taking care of the poor, education, and healthcare - Which incedently is supposted to be taken care of by the body of Christ, but I wont go there today) Unfortaunately many of Dem platforms do not align with my core beliefs. 
so I can't in good conscience vote for a democrat or repuplican for that matter that doesn't exude moral values. i digress...
So anyway, on Saturday Erik and I talked about all the candidates and he mentioned Mike Huckabee being a bass player and he liked that about him.  I told him we should "look him up" and this is what we found Michael Dale "Mike" Huckabee (born August 24, 1955) is a former governor of the U.S. state of Arkansas, having served from 1996 to 2007. He was the third Republican governor of the state since Reconstruction. He officially announced his candidacy for the 2008 United States presidential election on January 28, 2007, and has been running a national campaign since then...
Huckabee is an ordained Southern Baptist minister and considered a strong social conservative. He is well known for losing 110 pounds and advocating a healthy lifestyle. [1] While his campaign has not raised nearly as much money as other top-tier candidates, Huckabee placed second in the Iowa Straw Poll on August 11, 2007, garnering 18.1% of the vote to third place finisher Sam Brownback (15.3%) and first place finisher Mitt Romney
How did they meet and get engaged? It was young love for Mike and Janet, who met during junior high school. The two started dating their senior year of high school. Before Mike proposed, he asked permission from Janet's mother and stepfather. "I didn't have money for a ring yet, so I used a pull-tab from a soda can and proposed to her in her living room," Mike says.
Early life
Huckabee was born in Hope, Arkansas, to Mae Elder and Dorsey W. Huckabee. He was elected Governor of Arkansas Boys State in 1972 and is a Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Alumnus. He graduated magna cum laude from Ouachita Baptist University, completing his bachelors degree in 2½ years before attending Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas[2]
Prior to his political career, Huckabee was pastor of several Southern Baptist churches in Arkadelphia, Texarkana, and Pine Bluff, Arkansas. He served as president of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention from 1989 to 1991 and as president of a religion-oriented television station.
Political positions
Main article: Political positions of Mike Huckabee
·         Huckabee is pro-life, and opposes same-sex marriages, and civil unions
·         Huckabee is against gun control and is an avid hunter.
·         Huckabee supports the death penalty
·         Huckabee has expressed support for allowing Creationism and Intelligent Design in school science classes along with Evolution.
·         Huckabee supports the War in Iraq, the troop surge and the continued operation of the Guantanamo Bay detention camp.[1]
·         Huckabee endorsed the use of foreign workers from ..:Canada and Mexico for agricultural labor[52], opposed McCain/Kennedy immigration bill[53] and believes the United States' number one priority should be to secure America's borders.[54]. He said of the border, "Police it, absolutely. Militarize it, no." [55] In an interview with CBS news Huckabee said that his intends to reach out to minorities, unions and other traditional Democratic groups. "If Republicans don't win minority votes and votes that we traditionally don't get, Hillary Clinton's the next president," Huckabee said in a teleconference with reporters while campaigning in Iowa. [56]
·         Huckabee supports the FairTax as a replacement for the current tax system.[57]
·         The FairTax (H.R.25/S.1025) is a bill in the United States Congress for changing tax laws to replace the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and all federal income taxes (including Alternative Minimum Tax), payroll taxes (including Social Security and Medicare taxes), corporate taxes, capital gains taxes, gift taxes, and estate taxes with a national retail sales tax, to be levied once at the point of purchase on all new goods and services. The proposal also calls for a monthly payment to households of citizens and legal resident aliens (based on family size) as an advance rebate of tax on purchases up to the poverty level for the following month.[2] The sales tax rate, as defined in the legislation, is 23% of the total register price (23¢ of every $1—
·         Calculated the same way as income taxes), which is comparable to a 30% traditional state sales tax (30¢ on top of every $1).[3] Because the U.S. tax system has a hidden effect on prices,[4] it is expected that moving to the FairTax would decrease production costs from the removal of business taxes and compliance costs, which is predicted to offset a portion of the FairTax effect on prices. [5]    
There are a few articles that have been written about him here are a few interesting ones i came across today:

I’m Never Alone

10/04/2007 Estreitta 1 Comments

Proverbs 3:5-12 (The Message)

The Message (MSG)
Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

 5-12 Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
   don't try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
   he's the one who will keep you on track.
Don't assume that you know it all.
   Run to God! Run from evil!
Your body will glow with health,
   your very bones will vibrate with life!
Honor God with everything you own;
   give him the first and the best.
Your barns will burst,
   your wine vats will brim over.
But don't, dear friend, resent God's discipline;
   don't sulk under his loving correction.
It's the child he loves that God corrects;
   a father's delight is behind all this.

I’m still Standing

9/04/2007 Estreitta 1 Comments

Please know that I am doing good. I have no worries or concerns about what is going on with me right now.  I continue to Trust the Lord in His faithfulness.

"You are not going to be a 'survivor' of this cancer, you are going to be an Overcomer of this cancer! A survivor is one that is a victim that survived and you are not going to be a victim of cancer you will OVERCOME this cancer!"

I have found a few more doctors to meet with. I made one appointment today with one i found on the internet. Next week I will have an MRI and some other test.  Please pray for me and that the test come out A-OK! I am praying for a miracle!

Nahum 1:7-10 (The Message)

The Message (MSG)

Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

.. ..

God is good,
   a hiding place in tough times.
He recognizes and welcomes
   anyone looking for help,
No matter how desperate the trouble.
   But cozy islands of escape
He wipes right off the map.
   No one gets away from God.
Why waste time conniving against God?
   He's putting an end to all such scheming.
For troublemakers, no second chances.
   Like a pile of dry brush,
Soaked in oil,
   they'll go up in flames.

I’m an OVERCOMER

8/30/2007 Estreitta 1 Comments