Metisha and Mark met with a doctor at MD Anderson yesterday afternoon. She reviewed all of Metisha’s records and told them that she would follow the same protocol as her doctors in Fort Worth have been providing and she did not recommend any changes in treatment. So the second opinion confirmed that her doctors are on the right path and Mark and Metisha are heading home. Mark and Metisha are happy to be able to continue treatments in Fort Worth and to hear MD Anderson say they are on the right track.
So the game plan is to continue to use daily drug therapy and monthly IV therapy to keep the cancer from spreading beyond the current spots and all the doctors believe that her recent hysterectomy will also help. While they do not expect the drugs will kill the existing spots, keeping it from spreading further will continue to give her a great life. She has been on this new drug for over a month now so we pray that it is working to prevent further spread.
Metisha is LIVING with cancer and that is important to know. The amount of healthy, cancer free tissues far exceed the amount of cancer in her body. She feels great and is doing everything she wants in life. She is truly LIVING and we are so thankful that she is! No one has put an expiration date on her life. No one has told her there is nothing left to be done. Every day we balance the medical “facts” against our faith in God and His healing. While the medical facts say there is no cure for stage IV metastatic cancer our faith tells us that God can heal her at anytime. We have never stopped praying for total healing and we will not stop now. So we pray over the doctors and the medicines that they will keep the cancer from spreading and these drugs will work for years and years and decades to come. But we also pray that God will show His power and perform a miracle of total physical healing in Metisha.
Metisha will have another set of scans in the first part of July. Pray that these scans will show the drugs are working and there is no new spread. But also continue to pray that God will give her complete physical healing and cast all of the cancerous cells out her body forever. Pray for the cancer to be gone from her C2 vertebrate, her liver, her abdomen structure. Pray for decades and decades of living for Metisha.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
At MD Anderson
Mark and Metisha are in Houston and are heading to MD Anderson for thier first appointment at 1 pm today. We don't know what all will happen today (other than a lot of insurance paper work I'm sure) but I will post updates as soon as Metisha knows more.
Pray that God has a miracle waiting for her at MD Anderson.
Pray that God has a miracle waiting for her at MD Anderson.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
MD Anderson in Two Weeks
Metisha talked with MD Anderson yesterday and will go to Houston on June 22nd. She does not know what will happen beyond reviewing her medical records but they told her to be prepared to stay for a week. We are so thankful to finally have an appointment for a second opinion! Keep praying for this process and pray for peace over the next two weeks. It’s hard to not know what the long term plan is and if her treatments will continue in Fort Worth or Houston.
Metisha does feel like her hysterectomy is making a difference. She can tell a physical difference (a lot less hot flashes which is nice for a Texas summer!) and so we are hopeful that the cancer is now out of fuel and will die. She is still a bit achy from the bone treatment on Friday but she is not nearly has tired. Today is her first day of summer vacation so she can get some rest before going to Houston. We are praising God that this round was much easier than the last. Thank you so much for your prayers!
Please continue to pray with us for:
Metisha does feel like her hysterectomy is making a difference. She can tell a physical difference (a lot less hot flashes which is nice for a Texas summer!) and so we are hopeful that the cancer is now out of fuel and will die. She is still a bit achy from the bone treatment on Friday but she is not nearly has tired. Today is her first day of summer vacation so she can get some rest before going to Houston. We are praising God that this round was much easier than the last. Thank you so much for your prayers!
Please continue to pray with us for:
- Metisha to be placed in front of the best doctors at MD Anderson
- Wisdom for Mark and Metisha as they evaluate the opinions and plans from MD Anderson and make decisions around her treatment
- Mental and emotional strength for Metisha, Mark and their families
- The cancer on her neck, liver, and muscle structure in her abdomen to die
- No other cancer spots to develop
- Our family friend Debbie who is also battling breast cancer and is currently in chemo
- A cancer cure for all types, forms and stages of cancer
- Metisha to be cancer free again, remain that way and live to be an old woman
Make sure you read yesterday's post. My sister is an amazing person!
Monday, June 8, 2009
The World Needs Metisha
Metisha’s bone treatment on Friday went much better this month. She was very tired Saturday and her bones ached but she did not throw up so we are praising God for an easier treatment! The goal of this medicine is to keep the cancer from spreading anymore in her bones and we continue to pray the radiation was affective in killing the cancer on C2 vertebrate in her neck. She will have another treatment in a month.
Metisha has been playing phone tag with people from MD Anderson and has talked to Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) in Tulsa. Right now Metisha’s gut is telling her to go to MD Anderson so we are continuing to pray that God will open up doors quickly for her there and that she can get down there for a second opinion in the next week. She should hear from MD Anderson today. Metisha’s current oncology staff continues to be supportive her going to MD Anderson for a second opinion and said they would adjust her treatment plan if that is the recommendation. We are so thankful her current healthcare team is supporting her through this process!
Metisha wholly believes that she can be cancer free again and we stand firmly beside her in that belief. The mind, heart and will play a huge role in the battle against cancer. Metisha is praying and willing her cancer to be gone from her body and cast into hell. We’ve watched Metisha take the last few weeks to get her mind, heart and spirit back in the full fighting mode and she is very ready to fight. So we are standing with her and praying for her cancer to go to hell! Please pray specifically that the cancer will be removed from her C2 vertebrate, from her liver, from the muscle structure in her abdomen and that all the cancer cells floating around her body will be gone.
I know Metisha’s story has reached a lot of people who have never met her and you may wonder what makes her so special that so many people are hurting with her and fighting with her. You need to know that Metisha is one of those rare people who make a difference in the lives of others. My big sister has taught me so much and has been one of the biggest influences in my life. From little on she’s shown me that it’s ok to just relax and have fun and be outside the lines (a good lesson for a type A). She helped me to be less rigid and judgmental and be more open and accepting. As a big sister she stood up for me and threatened boys who broke my heart! She has always been my support and my best friend.
But I am just one of many who have been impacted by Metisha. Metisha is a 5th grade school teacher at an inner city school in Fort Worth and she is doing exactly what God designed her to be. Not only does she make math and science fun and easy to learn by making up fun stories and songs for learning tools but every year she takes a class full of kids who would typically be overlooked by our society and helps them believe they can be or do anything. Last week was the end of the school year for Metisha and she had two former students come by to visit. They were both graduating high school seniors and both came back to tell their 5th grade teacher that she had made a difference in their lives. Seven years later in huge school system, they came back because Metisha, just being Metisha, impacted their lives so much that they wanted her to know they graduated and asked her to be at their graduation. The first student brought his autograph book from the 5th grade and asked Metisha if she remembered what she had wrote to him. He said, “You wrote to me to follow my dreams and I could do anything. I want you to know that I’m graduating Saturday and I want to go on to school to be an RN.” The second student had an assignment to write an essay about someone who had made a difference his life. His essay was about his 5th grade teacher and he brought it for her to read. He wanted her to know that she had made a difference and he was graduating a high school. One of the students told Metisha he knew she had been sick and said she had to keep fighting because she is such a good teacher and the kids need her. High school graduation is a huge accomplishment for these kids and every year Ms. Welsh makes a class full of kids believe they can accomplish that and much more.
Dad and I were talking about Metisha and these students and Dad made a profound statement. He said Metisha had two people in one week tell her that she had made a difference in their lives and he asked how many people can honestly say that someone has ever said to them, “you have made a difference in my life”. Metisha makes a difference. That is just one reason why we are all fighting with her because this world still needs her, because she is still making a difference.
Metisha has been playing phone tag with people from MD Anderson and has talked to Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) in Tulsa. Right now Metisha’s gut is telling her to go to MD Anderson so we are continuing to pray that God will open up doors quickly for her there and that she can get down there for a second opinion in the next week. She should hear from MD Anderson today. Metisha’s current oncology staff continues to be supportive her going to MD Anderson for a second opinion and said they would adjust her treatment plan if that is the recommendation. We are so thankful her current healthcare team is supporting her through this process!
Metisha wholly believes that she can be cancer free again and we stand firmly beside her in that belief. The mind, heart and will play a huge role in the battle against cancer. Metisha is praying and willing her cancer to be gone from her body and cast into hell. We’ve watched Metisha take the last few weeks to get her mind, heart and spirit back in the full fighting mode and she is very ready to fight. So we are standing with her and praying for her cancer to go to hell! Please pray specifically that the cancer will be removed from her C2 vertebrate, from her liver, from the muscle structure in her abdomen and that all the cancer cells floating around her body will be gone.
I know Metisha’s story has reached a lot of people who have never met her and you may wonder what makes her so special that so many people are hurting with her and fighting with her. You need to know that Metisha is one of those rare people who make a difference in the lives of others. My big sister has taught me so much and has been one of the biggest influences in my life. From little on she’s shown me that it’s ok to just relax and have fun and be outside the lines (a good lesson for a type A). She helped me to be less rigid and judgmental and be more open and accepting. As a big sister she stood up for me and threatened boys who broke my heart! She has always been my support and my best friend.
But I am just one of many who have been impacted by Metisha. Metisha is a 5th grade school teacher at an inner city school in Fort Worth and she is doing exactly what God designed her to be. Not only does she make math and science fun and easy to learn by making up fun stories and songs for learning tools but every year she takes a class full of kids who would typically be overlooked by our society and helps them believe they can be or do anything. Last week was the end of the school year for Metisha and she had two former students come by to visit. They were both graduating high school seniors and both came back to tell their 5th grade teacher that she had made a difference in their lives. Seven years later in huge school system, they came back because Metisha, just being Metisha, impacted their lives so much that they wanted her to know they graduated and asked her to be at their graduation. The first student brought his autograph book from the 5th grade and asked Metisha if she remembered what she had wrote to him. He said, “You wrote to me to follow my dreams and I could do anything. I want you to know that I’m graduating Saturday and I want to go on to school to be an RN.” The second student had an assignment to write an essay about someone who had made a difference his life. His essay was about his 5th grade teacher and he brought it for her to read. He wanted her to know that she had made a difference and he was graduating a high school. One of the students told Metisha he knew she had been sick and said she had to keep fighting because she is such a good teacher and the kids need her. High school graduation is a huge accomplishment for these kids and every year Ms. Welsh makes a class full of kids believe they can accomplish that and much more.
Dad and I were talking about Metisha and these students and Dad made a profound statement. He said Metisha had two people in one week tell her that she had made a difference in their lives and he asked how many people can honestly say that someone has ever said to them, “you have made a difference in my life”. Metisha makes a difference. That is just one reason why we are all fighting with her because this world still needs her, because she is still making a difference.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Waiting and Treatments
Metisha has another bone treatment on Friday. Last month this treatment made her VERY sick for several days so we are praying that she will be protected from all side affects this time and will not experience one moment of sickness from the treatment.
Metisha is actively pursuing a second opinion on her current case and treatment plan. She is waiting on two different people to call her from MD Anderson. The first is a PA that has given her information by her current oncologist. The second person is a patient relations specialist who got Metisha’s information through a very dear family friend with MD Anderson connections. Metisha left the patient relations person a message this week and her oncology nurse let her know this week the PA will be calling her. Metisha is also going to call Cancer Treatment Centers of America. As Tisha makes more calls and waits for people to call her back we are praying diligently that God will open and close the appropriate doors and lead her to the right doctors and hospital. She is very anxious to get a second opinion and so we are praying for speed in this process.
Metisha won’t officially be released from post surgery until next Tuesday but she has already been wake boarding, mountain biking and four-wheeling! So she’s living it up and still not obeying the rules but is feeling great from surgery! There’s definitely no keeping her down!
Metisha continues to be mentally and emotionally strong every day but it isn’t easy. Every twinge of pain can bring up fears and she naturally has thoughts about death. While she knows this is normal, she wants to focus on being positive and believing she will be healed. I have never once heard her complain, feel sorry for herself or ask why her. When she’s sad and fearful, it’s because she’s worried about how us, her family and friends, would be affected by losing her. When she’s angry, she’s angry for how this has affected those around her. And when she says it’s not fare, she says it’s not fare that Mark and her family have to go through this. Her sorrows, angers and fears are never about her. She is just an amazing person with an abundance of strength and grace and a simple prayer request – to live.
We know we can count on you to continue to stand beside Metisha in prayer and love. We are praying that:
Metisha is actively pursuing a second opinion on her current case and treatment plan. She is waiting on two different people to call her from MD Anderson. The first is a PA that has given her information by her current oncologist. The second person is a patient relations specialist who got Metisha’s information through a very dear family friend with MD Anderson connections. Metisha left the patient relations person a message this week and her oncology nurse let her know this week the PA will be calling her. Metisha is also going to call Cancer Treatment Centers of America. As Tisha makes more calls and waits for people to call her back we are praying diligently that God will open and close the appropriate doors and lead her to the right doctors and hospital. She is very anxious to get a second opinion and so we are praying for speed in this process.
Metisha won’t officially be released from post surgery until next Tuesday but she has already been wake boarding, mountain biking and four-wheeling! So she’s living it up and still not obeying the rules but is feeling great from surgery! There’s definitely no keeping her down!
Metisha continues to be mentally and emotionally strong every day but it isn’t easy. Every twinge of pain can bring up fears and she naturally has thoughts about death. While she knows this is normal, she wants to focus on being positive and believing she will be healed. I have never once heard her complain, feel sorry for herself or ask why her. When she’s sad and fearful, it’s because she’s worried about how us, her family and friends, would be affected by losing her. When she’s angry, she’s angry for how this has affected those around her. And when she says it’s not fare, she says it’s not fare that Mark and her family have to go through this. Her sorrows, angers and fears are never about her. She is just an amazing person with an abundance of strength and grace and a simple prayer request – to live.
We know we can count on you to continue to stand beside Metisha in prayer and love. We are praying that:
- She will be physically protected from all side effects from treatment on Friday
- She will get to the right doctors and hospitals for a second opinion and that it will happen quickly
- God’s direction and leading will be clear in the second opinion process
- Metisha, Mark and all of us around her will have complete faith in God’s healing for Metisha, claiming healing for her and believing she will be cancer free
- Metisha will continue to feel good and be able to continue with all her summer plans
- She will live, cancer free, until she is an old lady
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