My Dear Friends and Family,
As many of you know my follow up CT Scan and MRI were this past Monday. We meet with the doctors on Tuesday and sadly things do not look good. My lungs are covered in several tiny spots (the one they saw on the January scan has grown). The Medical Oncologist said at this point he could not say 100% that it was the synovial sarcoma, but that he was pretty sure that it was. We opted not to have a biopsy since they were so small and he wasn't sure he could get a good sample, plus the larger one is very close to my heart and we all agreed not to attempt to biopsy that mass. We then decided that the best option was to wait until June and do a follow-up CT Scan of my chest, the doctor said at that time he could be sure.... because the tiny spots would have grown and there will be additional new spots, but he would still do a biopsy to be 100%.
So here comes the scary part... if the cancer has metastasized to my lungs, the long-term (5+ years) survival rate is very low. The Oncologist said that with the chemo and then surgery to remove the masses as they appeared might buy me 3 years give or take (being very sick for the remainder of my life)... or I could choose to feel good and stay healthy as long as I could (maybe 2 years) until the cancer took over. The kind of cancer I have just does not respond well to chemo - the doctor flat out said that the chemo will not save my life.... only buy me time. As you can imagine I am sick - completely devastated, but having to hold it together for the sake of my girls. We will not be discussing any of this with them until it is absolutely necessary. I am clinging to my faith and my family. I really don't know what to think right now, there are so many emotions and they change from moment to moment. I still have that fight inside and I plan to do everything in my power to battle this horrible disease.
Luckily, I am going to see Dr. Nicholas Gonzalez on May 5th & 6th. He has cured many stage IV cancers and I am hoping and praying that he will help me save my life.
Please, please, please pray for my complete healing and the peace of the Lord to wash over me and my family. Also, I ask that you pray for all those battling cancer - that they too may have good health and the strength needed to fight this war we are all up against.
I have so much more to say, but to be honest I am sick to my stomach just writing this email... so with that - I will keep you all updated.
With Love,
Montye
This will be my last post for a while - I have decided that I will only update when I have new information to share. If you would like to get those updates via email please click on the subscribe link (right side of the blog). Thank you for joining me over the last couple of months, but I will now be soaking up every minute with my girls and my family.
God bless you Montye, and our prayers go out to your family during this time of grief. I pray they will, in time, find comfort knowing you have, and still do, walk with our Lord.
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Posted by: cams | March 14, 2011 at 03:14 AM
somehow came across your blog while searching for a post for a class, but I have to say I'm thrilled I found it ...will definately browse more sometime.
Posted by: Cheap Escorts Now | February 19, 2011 at 06:42 PM
Praying for you... Please pick up a copy of The Enzyme Factor and read it or have your husband read it.
Eleanor Fann
Posted by: Eleanor Fann | May 23, 2010 at 06:36 PM
Montye-
I understand the journey of your family and I am honored to pray for you. I will ask our gracious God for mercy, grace, peace, comfort and health restored to perfection- true gifts God can bring. Continue to fight and if you need the extra umph I would recommend listening to "The Secret" on CD- it brings about a peace and calmness but thought I should recommend it with caution because true promises come from God. I do have to say that The Secret helps you in the battlefield of the mind- Your enemy has been declared, now go and win your battle in the name of the Lord!
Isaiah 40:31
"but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength they will soar on wings like eagles.."
The battle revolves around Hope, Faith, Prayer, Perseverance, Courage, Strength, Love and Peace
Hebrews 11:1
Faith is being sure of what we hoped for and certain of what we do not see
Posted by: Chi Anne Walling | May 11, 2010 at 10:09 AM
Praying for your complete healing! God CAN work a miracle in you and I praying for just that. Your family is gorgeous! With love in Christ,
Kristen Wiggins
Posted by: Kristen Wiggins | May 07, 2010 at 06:53 PM
Dear Montye,
Praying for you and your family. And for the angels to watch over you and for the Lord to heal you!
kb
Posted by: Kendall Boggs | May 07, 2010 at 02:01 PM
In Charlotte and I am praying for you and your sweet family. God is with you and so are we all. We might not know His reasons,but we must have faith. My 16yr cousin was diagnosed on her birthday with IV Glioblastoma (worst form of brain cancer) and given a year. Her faith is immense and she is now going on 2.5yrs. Don't ever, ever, ever give up.
Posted by: Colby | May 07, 2010 at 12:34 PM
Praying for you and a miraculous healing. Jackie
Posted by: jackie | May 07, 2010 at 09:17 AM
praying for you and your family at this time. Keep that strong faith!
Posted by: sharron doyle | May 07, 2010 at 09:09 AM
More prayers coming your way from California.
Posted by: TJS | May 07, 2010 at 04:47 AM
sending you love and strength from chicago...
Posted by: anonymous | May 06, 2010 at 09:44 PM
Praying for you in Michigan...
Posted by: Dianne | May 06, 2010 at 08:22 PM
Montye, I also linked to this post through Darby's blog and was so moved by your story and your courage. God is with you and does not give you anything you can't handle. Stay strong and remember someone in Dothan is praying for you!
Posted by: Lori Martin | May 06, 2010 at 06:23 PM
I came across your blog from another blog. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.
Posted by: Alinda | May 06, 2010 at 05:17 PM
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I found you through Darby's blog.
Posted by: Kyle | May 06, 2010 at 05:10 PM
God bless you :) I feel your strength through your writing :) Prayers to you and your family!
Posted by: Cindy | May 06, 2010 at 04:52 PM
Montye, I found you through Darby's blog. It has been years and years since I have seen you. We first met when I was dating a Sig Ep @ Auburn. You are as beautiful as you were back then. We are praying for you here in Alpharetta, GA. With love, Robin Zetterberg Salley
Posted by: Robin Salley | May 06, 2010 at 03:15 PM
Your faith is beautiful. I am so so sorry you have to go through this. I am praying right now for you and for your family. Love from AZ.
Posted by: Megan | May 06, 2010 at 02:00 PM
Montye - I learned of your story through Darby's post and just want you to know I'm praying for you and your sweet family.
Posted by: Laura | May 06, 2010 at 01:35 PM
I will be praying for you and your entire family!
Posted by: Ginny Pylant | May 06, 2010 at 12:06 PM
Found you through Darby's blog. Praying for you, your sweet family and your doctors. We serve an amazing God who can and does perform miracles. Peace be with you during this difficult time.
Jeni
Posted by: Jeni | May 06, 2010 at 11:52 AM
Praying for you, Montye! May God bless you and your family- and Dr. Gonzalez. Hoping all goes well for you. HE is in control!
Maggie Miller, Oxford, MS
Posted by: Maggie Miller | May 06, 2010 at 10:19 AM
Montye, I read about you on Darby's blog, and just had to say we are praying for you too! This fall my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, but now is doing great, and fully recovered! :) But I know what it's like to get that scary phone call. Just remember: "To added affliction He adds His mercy, to multiplied trials is multiplied peace."
Alisha
Posted by: Alisha Machalica | May 06, 2010 at 09:49 AM
Montye, I am hoping and praying that you will be miraculously healed. I have three boys (7, 5 and 2), and I would do the same thing you're doing ... soaking up all the time with them that I could. Praying in Birmingham, Alabama ...
Posted by: Katherine @ Grass Stains | May 06, 2010 at 09:41 AM
I was led to your blog from Fly Through Our Window. My own mother has breast cancer and I am praying for you, your husband, and your girls.
Lacey in Birmingham
Posted by: Lacey Shaffer | May 06, 2010 at 09:39 AM
praying for you montye, here in atlanta.
you were all over my thoughts & prayers last night & i will continue to pray!!!!
i pray for complete healing.
i pray for the amazing peace you have to continue to flow
in your life
Posted by: paige | May 06, 2010 at 08:39 AM
montye,
i recognized you immediately from darby's blog and you are as beautiful as ever and those girls are too! i am praying. "I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able." I will be checking back and praying continually in the meantime.
love, deidre martin booker
Posted by: deidre | May 06, 2010 at 08:09 AM
I came over from Darby's blog. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Posted by: Pru | May 06, 2010 at 03:45 AM
Read about you from Darby's blog too! :) I will be praying too (from China!) Your sister in Christ, Joy Jonas
Posted by: joy | May 06, 2010 at 12:48 AM
Montye,
Here from Darby...I will be praying for you and your husband and your beautiful daughters...for God to meet your every need, for Him to bring healing, and for His peace to rein supreme in your hearts and lives.
Posted by: Jennifer | May 06, 2010 at 12:37 AM
praying for you and your family!
Posted by: kate weidlich | May 06, 2010 at 12:35 AM
Montye,
Praying for you and your family. Lifting your name up to our Lord. I pray for your peace and God's guidance in the decisions you and your Dr will be making for your healing. We will be your prayer warriors.
Ashley
Posted by: Ashley Gregory | May 06, 2010 at 12:17 AM
Montye - I read your story through Darby's blog. I will keep you in my prayers daily!! May God lift you up, guide you through each day and give you all kinds of sunshine for you and your family!!!!
In my thoughts - Heather xo
Posted by: Heather Hayward | May 05, 2010 at 11:47 PM
Montye, you are most definately in my prayers. Miracles do happen! May God's peace wash over you and give you comfort.
Posted by: Kristi | May 05, 2010 at 11:19 PM
Here from Darby...
I look up to the mountains-
does my help come from there?
My help comes fro the LORD, who made the heavens and the earth!
He will not let you stumble and fall; the one who watches over you will not sleep. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never tires and never sleeps. The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade.The sun will not hurt you by day, nor the moon at night. The LORD keeps you from all evil and preserves your life. The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.
Psalm 121
Praying and praying!
Posted by: Cassie | May 05, 2010 at 11:02 PM
Dear Montye; I will pray for you and your family.
Eva
Posted by: eva | May 05, 2010 at 10:48 PM
Dear Montye, you don't know me, but just know that I am sending up prayers for you!
Posted by: lisa (momy4him) | May 05, 2010 at 10:34 PM
May the Lord, mighty God, bless and keep you forever. Give you peace, perfect peace, strength for every endeavor. Lift your heart and feel His grace surround you.
Many prayers
Lauren
Atlanta, GA
Posted by: Lauren Sheehan | May 05, 2010 at 10:19 PM
Montye,
I will be praying for you, your husband, and your 2 little girls. I pray that GOD will heal you.....OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD-HE REIGNS FROM HEAVEN ABOVE-WITH WISDOM, POWER, AND LOVE-OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD.
Posted by: Lauren | May 05, 2010 at 10:17 PM
Montye, I am praying for you, I found you through Darby's blog.
Posted by: Rachel | May 05, 2010 at 10:08 PM
Montye...we are praying in Roswell, GA! We will NOT STOP prayig for your friend. I am thankful that I read Darby's blog and I'll post this prayer request to mine as well. It's been years and years since I saw you last (Tigerette days) but you are just beautiful both inside and out friend! Praying the Lord's COMPLETE healing over your body!!!
Posted by: Andrea Pierce Young | May 05, 2010 at 09:25 PM
Montye, I will be praying for you every day and for your family as you all walk through this. I also wanted to share a book with you that I am currently reading. Anti-Cancer- A New Way of Life. I have lost both my parents and my younger sister to cancer and this book is really powerful. God Bless you.
Lindsey
Posted by: Lindsey | May 05, 2010 at 09:03 PM
Oh sweet sister. I am praying in eastern North Carolina tonight and without ceasing. You keep up the fight. Love you.
Posted by: Monogrammed Mrs. | May 05, 2010 at 08:43 PM
Prayers for you and your family. My mother had cancer that spread to her lungs and she is beating it. I pray for you and your family that you too will hear good news in the upcoming days.
Posted by: JL | May 05, 2010 at 08:34 PM
Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed.
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I; for thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.
I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever:
I will trust in the covert of thy wings.
Praying that God will watch over you, protect you and bring you peace. And I hope the Dr. in NY can help you. God Bless!
Posted by: Brooke | May 05, 2010 at 08:24 PM
i'm praying for you
Posted by: elizabeth | May 05, 2010 at 07:36 PM
Many prayers coming to you and your family. I am so thankful that I saw your story on another blog that asked us to pray.
Prayers are being sent from all over the world and prayers work!
Enjoy your family...God bless
Sheila
Posted by: Sheila George | May 05, 2010 at 06:51 PM
Montye,
What a mighty God we serve! He loves you and he is in complete control - his hands formed the mountains and the seas. I will be praying for you and your family every day! For 100% healing and God's perfect peace. Stay strong and be encouraged.
With love,
Kim Davalos
Posted by: Kim Davalos | May 05, 2010 at 06:50 PM
First time to your blog and I am glad that I made it. You will be in our thoughts and prayers, always. I hope and pray that you find peace in whatever happens. Spend as much time with family and friends as you can. Happiness makes you stronger.
Posted by: Emily | May 05, 2010 at 06:09 PM
I am praying for you during this time. I do know that the Lord still performs miracles today (he healed my husband from a traumatic brain injury). I will be praying for peace and strength for you.
Posted by: Leah | May 05, 2010 at 05:59 PM
Montye -
Just wanted you to know that I saw Darby's post and I am I praying for you and your family.
Posted by: alissa | May 05, 2010 at 05:47 PM
Praying for you and your sweet family right now.
Posted by: Wendy | May 05, 2010 at 05:27 PM
I was linked to this blog from Fly In Our Window. I will be praying for you and your family. I will pray for your Dr. as well and I hope that God works through him also.
Posted by: Mrs. R | May 05, 2010 at 05:18 PM
Prayers for you and your family.
Posted by: MaryBeth | May 05, 2010 at 05:08 PM
Montye, I am so happy you got an appt with Dr Gonzalez!!!! My mom loves him. He is so thorough and takes so much time with his patients. He even calls my mom. She just received her first hair analysis results since being on Dr Gonzalez's treatment and all of her numbers have improved!! He only takes patients he can help so I am so excited for you to see him. Mom goes back in June. Good luck. Please let us know if you have any questions. My parents would love to talk to you anytime if you have questions...mom has been through a lot of the treatments you will be going through.
Victoria
Posted by: Victoria Tabor | April 30, 2010 at 10:37 PM
Montye-I will be praying for you and your family. I can only imagine what fear you must be going through now. I pray God watches over you and your family.
Jodi
Posted by: Jodi Johnson-Meyers | April 28, 2010 at 11:10 PM
I am praying, Montye!!!
Posted by: Darby | April 23, 2010 at 11:55 AM
montye...we're lifting you and the family up...can't even imagine any of it, but we are certainly heartbroken. we will continue to hold you in our most earnest prayers and will ask friends and churches to do the same.
love, andy and mihee
Posted by: mihee | April 22, 2010 at 11:22 PM
Montye - I am so glad I got the link to this post so that I can be praying for you! Please know how much you are loved and know that you will be in my prayers each and every day. You are such an inspiration and I trust that God has an amazing plan for you and for your life. HE can work miracles and I pray that he does exactly that for you and your beautiful family. I love you and miss you!
Prayerfully Yours,
Jennifer Tennant
Posted by: Jennifer Tennant | April 22, 2010 at 01:36 PM