Our God is remarkable and loving! He loves us and cares for us more than most people realize. Praise his name. I thank him daily for his healing and miracles in my life! I have advanced prostate cancer. In 2004 I was given 1 to 3 years to live. My PSA was 33 then, and my Gleason score was 8. That’s not good. My wife and I flew to John Hopkins in Baltimore for surgery. My mom and my brother met us there. They opened me up, declared me inoperable, and gave me 1 to 3 years to live. The doctor told my mom, brother, and wife while I was in recovery. It took me a while to wrap my arms around my new life. I found a local Doctor and started treatment.
I went through multiple rounds of direct beam radiation. I have had titanium radioactive seed implants, hormone therapy, a full year of oral chemo, and 2 years of IV chemo with a 4-month break in the middle. I have also had 9 surgeries, and all of this over the last 19 years.
I now know it was God’s way of getting my attention and returning me to him. When he wants your attention, he will get it! God had me change doctors when I was not looking to do so. In December of last year, I got a call from Doctor McDonald. There was a clinical trial that he thought would work for me. I prayed about it, spoke to my oncologist team, and decided to enter the trial. That is when they told me it was six treatments, one every six weeks. The cost was $56,000 per treatment. I prayed about that too. My Oncologist submitted it through my Insurance and approved it 100%. No out-of-pocket and no deductible. Praise God!
I have now had four treatments. I had a full blood panel 2 weeks before this fourth treatment, and my PSA was only 3.48. That is the lowest it has been in almost 20 years. My last PET scan showed my tumor to be sub-centimeter and stable. Again Praise God for answered prayer.
The most important part of the last 20 years of my life is not the cancer or the treatments. It’s my spiritual growth as a passionate follower of Jesus Christ. And the people in my life that love me!
I have started to write a book. It will be about faith, love, hope, and passion. All based on my journey over the last 20 years as I discovered my passion.
In 1 Thessalonians 1:3, it says:
We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
I believe in the power of prayer. I thank all of you that have prayed for me and my family over the years. If you are ever struggling and need to talk, please message me. I will be there for you and pray with you!
Have a great day!
Tracy
