"Leap of Faith and into His Will" by Mary LaFrance

Here I am, starting yet another pathway on my journey through cancer. March 30, 2006 and it’s the first day of radiation treatment. The first time a patient receives radiation, it takes a little bit longer than the rest of the treatments. The technician needs to be very precise in aiming the cross hairs of the laser beams in the exact location where the radiation is needed. I would be receiving treatment from the middle of my right ribcage area, over to my mid section and straight up my chest on the right side of my body, to just below my chin line. I was told that I needed such a huge area covered by the radiation because my cancer had been so aggressive.

The first treatment lasted about 35 minutes. The nurse and technician made sure to remind me to drink plenty of water that day and always drink lots of water each day. I was obedient and drank about 80 ounces of water each day and felt good. The next day, I would have radiation and then walk to the other side of the clinic and go to the big treatment room, and sit for 2 hours getting Herceptin. Time went by and I was soon on my way home. I felt good and the drive home was gorgeous. I got home and Leon was off doing errands, so I grabbed my golf clubs and went and played 9 holes and came home. He was back home when I came through the door. He asked me how I felt and how radiation was going. I told him I felt good and radiation was quick. May 24th was my last radiation treatment. Dr. Schneider came in to talk to me and let me know that I was his stellar patient with a great attitude. I laughed and told him, “I have enjoyed being your patient, still have those crazy golf balls, and I’m praying that you have many more fun patients in your future.”

As I drove home, I was reminded to be thankful in all things. I sang all the way home, praising Jesus for his goodness, faithfulness and love for me. I had and was continuing to experience a miracle journey and it caused me to tear up, because not everyone gets the chance to live on like I was doing. I asked Jesus to help me be bold in my witness for him and to share what he had been doing for me all along the way.

In December 2006, my port was removed by Dr. Slovic. It signaled the end of no more need for those powerful chemotherapy drugs to enter my body. He remarked that he had been amazed at how well I tolerated surgery, the drugs and radiation, as he had followed my medical history through Dr. Brouns and Dr. Schneider. I reminded him once again that God is not normal, and my faith and attitude were powerful tools that I used, and many people were so good to pray, and pray often.