Praising God!

This has been quite a journey! While Denise had a very rough week following her surgery, she is doing a lot better now. There is still recovery to go through and new realities to adjust to, but we feel confident that cancer is no longer part of Denise's life. We can't thank you enough for the many prayers raised to God on her behalf!

As you can see from the photo, Denise is looking good! Her face is still somewhat swollen, and her energy levels come and go, but overall, she is progressing much more quickly than doctors expected. And the big news...

The pathology report came back showing no traces of cancer! This means that the bone and tissue removed in the second surgery does not appear to have had cancer in it. First and foremost, this is incredible news, and we are very grateful to God! (You can stop reading here and rejoice with us, or keep reading for the longer, more detailed report). It does raise some questions, though. Was the second surgery even necessary? Will Denise have to deal with having a hole in the roof of her mouth for the rest of her life for nothing? Here is some more information, along with our thoughts about this:

• Those with Denise's type of cancer have a much better survival rate if they have the maxillectomy surgery than those who opt for chemotherapy and radiation instead.

• The surgeon told us before the surgery that the pathology report might come back clear but that he wouldn't trust it. He said that microscopic cancer cells can escape, and the pathology report would never be able to detect them (it's like finding a needle in a haystack). He is still advocating for follow-up radiation.

• We were willing to forgo the surgery if we sensed the Lord leading us that way. We prayed a lot and waited on Him. We believe Scripture and have personally witnessed His miraculous power, so we did not doubt His ability to heal. But we believe that faith is a response to a word from God. If He had called us out onto the water (in this case, not to have the surgery), we would have obeyed. But that word never came. Rather, we kept sensing His leading toward the surgery, as unpleasant as it would be.

• The surgeon who performed the first surgery told us the remaining bone was very degraded (this is why she urged us to do the second surgery). But why would the bone be degraded if there was no cancer in it? It seems most likely that it was due to years of infection. For the past 15+ years, Denise has dealt with chronic sinus infections. She had two prior sinus surgeries and has practically lived on antibiotics over the years, but she has had very little relief. Dentists have seen black spots of infection in the roots of her upper left teeth (the same teeth that were just removed). Infection can get into bone and degrade it, and I think that is what happened. I also think this is how cancer came to form in Denise's sinus. Chronic infection damages cells and their DNA, which can lead to cancer.

• Here is what makes sense to me:

  • Years of chronic sinus infection damaged some of Denise's bone and tissues and gave rise to cancer.

  • The first surgery successfully removed the cancerous tumor along with some bone it had invaded.

  • The second surgery removed more bone, tissue, and teeth that had been damaged by infection but might not have had any remaining cancer (we may never know for sure).

  • It was good to have the second surgery to remove any possible cancer and also to remove damaged areas that were prone to infection.

  • I am very hopeful that Denise is now free of both cancer and chronically recurring infections (which could have led to even more cancer in the future).

  • Only God knows all the details, but we trust Him!

Denise will be on a soft food diet for a while still. It isn't fun dealing with the obturator (a prosthetic device that covers the hole in her palate and provides fake teeth). It doesn't have a tight seal, and sometimes water (and even food) goes up the hole and out her nose. Her voice sounds funny when the obturator isn't in place. She will get a permanent, and hopefully better, obturator in a couple of months. She is working on adjusting to her new normal. But we are very thankful to God and happy to have moved past the worst of it.

There are still a lot of doctor appointments ahead (cleanings and checkups). Denise will need regular cancer screenings for the next five years. After that, she will be considered cured. We are not planning to go with radiation treatment unless there is an indication that there is some remaining cancer. We'll keep praying about that.

Once again, thank you for your support and prayers. We are so grateful. And we are looking forward to seeing the good that God will bring about because of this trial.

Love in Christ,

Pastor Billy Ford

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. - Romans 8:28