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9/29/07: Update
Treatments are going well, although they are leaving Julie tired. The surgery was successful, and the follow-up biopsies found no cancer in the lymph nodes. The doctors tell us that the chance of recurrence is less than 5%. Praise the Lord. The Lord led us to a surgeon who, we discovered after the surgery, is a Christian. He recommended a radiologist who is also a Christian—not only that, but a top man in his field. Although we live in semi-rural Kansas, it just so happens that a world-class radiologist practices nearby.
The test for bladder cancer turned out negative. The only discouraging news is that, according to the radiologist, much of Julie's chronic pain is due to fibromyalgia or something like it, an incurable condition. He feels that this diagnosis, although questioned by some, speaks of something real.
7/11/07: My wife's health
Julie Rickard has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Since the mass is not large, the prognosis is good. Pray that the surgery and radiation treatments will eliminate the cancer without recurrence. Her latest affliction is a special hardship because of all her other health problems. She has polycystic liver disease, an incurable inherited condition causing the liver to be permeated with fluid-filled cysts, some of them extremely large. Her liver disease causes a great deal of discomfort. She will also be undergoing a test for bladder cancer.