On August 16, the day before Araella was supposed to move in to her college dorm, this unexpected journey began. And so it seems fitting that it ended the day before she actually moved in on January 8. Wow, was that really a little less than five months?! It is incredible really… everything that happened in 145 days… You might be wondering why I say that the journey ended the day before Araella moved to college. Well, I say that because on that day, she shared her story at SEARCH. And that testimony seemed to wrap it all up. The written version of her talk is 11 pages long, honest and filled with beautiful and painful moments. I hope she someday writes a book and shares it all with everyone. But for now, she has permitted me to share the ending with you:
"God has healed me and I am simply doing what He asks of me. I wake up every day knowing that the plan for me could be drastically changed in an instant or that God will ask me to go and do something else, but no matter how simple or how crazy it is, I will follow. Prayer is direct communication with the one who works miracles, and I will be leaving this retreat early on Sunday so that on January 9, when classes begin at Waynesburg University, I will be there.
I leave you with the most valuable lesson I have ever learned - that came out of all of this. Pray… no matter if it is as big as cancer or as little as asking for the perfect end to your Search talk. God has it under control. He is holding you in His mighty hands. No matter what comes your way, He has a plan for your life that is bigger and better than anything you could ever think of or plan for yourself. I challenge you that next time you pray, instead of asking God for your plan to work out, pray that He shows you the way and reveals His plan. Tell Him you are willing to be His hands and His feet to do His works. Give your life to Him and let Him use it for His good and His will. God's got you. Where humans cannot physically be, He is there, and you are never alone. He is your best friend."
During her talk, Araella also shared a song. The song, Thy Will Be Done, helped Araella to feel peace when fear threatened. The lyrics really do tell her story and the four words in the title are the simple prayer that she repeats over and over again each day. His plans are for her. Goodness He has in store!
Araella experienced the presence of God in some dark and scary places. She was in a lion's den and she was in a fiery furnace - but God sent his angel to protect her from harm. When she was walking through the valley of the shadow of death He was with her, His Word and His Spirit comforted her. A very wise man once said, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will direct your paths."Proverbs 3:5-6 That is how Araella navigated the path and conducted this part of her life symphony. If it is ever composed, I imagine it will be titled, "Thy Will Be Done."
It won't be titled, "Fighting Cancer," or "Rae Strong" because it isn't all about cancer or Araella. It is about a good God who wanted to be closer to His child. It is about a good God who planned on revealing more of Himself to all of us during the battle. We are fortunate to be the prayer warriors that witnessed Araella slaying a giant!
Notice the blender in the lower left hand corner of the picture. Araella is continuing with her organic, raw, whole food diet and toxic free living as best she can at school. Essential oils, supplements, water, sunshine, sleep, exercise, faith, prayer, forgiveness, laughter, thankfulness, and giving to others are all part of her personal healing regimen. You have to appreciate all of that beautiful hair in the pony tail!!! And the turtle? For many years Araella has collected turtles. The turtle symbolizes emotional strength, ancient wisdom, determination and peace even in the midst of chaos.
Araella and her roommate Nicole. (Not pictured: Brooke, Evelyn, Gabbi, and so many others at WU who have made Rae smile this week.)
Timeline/Update:
June 2016 - Araella noticed a lump and talked to a few friends about it.
July 2016 - Araella told me about the mass because it was growing. Appointment scheduled.
Aug. 5 - Araella's doctor ordered an ultra sound to get more information
Aug.9 - Ultrasound. After review of the images a biopsy was ordered to get more information.
Aug. 12 - Biopsy of mass
Aug. 16 - Biopsy Results and diagnosis of a 9x4 cm mass as Her2+ breast cancer.
Aug. 16 - Araella made immediate changes to her diet, stopped taking all synthetic medication, detoxed…
Aug. 16 - Araella, Mom and I pray for healing Matt.18:19 Araella whispered, "Thy will be done" at the end.
Aug. 17 - CT Scan
Aug. 18 - BONE Scan
Aug. 19 - MRI, Biopsy of lymph nodes
Aug. 23 - Meet with doctors at Lancaster General
Aug. 24 - Second Opinion at John Hopkins
Aug. 30 - Travel to CTCA in Chicago, PET scan, blood work, cardio assessment...
Sept. 4 - 1st chemotherapy infusion with Dignicap at CTCA
Sept. 4 - Araella and I begin to really feel the prayers of the village James 5:14-15
Sept. 6 - Araella reports that the mass seems to be half the size!
Sept. 16 - Araella reports the 9x4 cm mass is COMPLETELY GONE and everything seems normal!
Sept. 27 - 2nd chemotherapy infusion, vitamin infusion, and supplements based on blood work at CTCA
Oct. 18 - 3rd chemotherapy infusion, vitamin infusion, and supplements based on blood work at CTCA
Nov. 8 - 4th chemotherapy infusion, vitamin infusion, and supplements based on blood work at CTCA
Dec. 6 - vitamin infusion, supplements based on blood work at CTCA
Jan. 5 - vitamin infusion, supplements continued (Araella is still experiencing side effects from chemotherapy)
Jan. 7 - SEARCH retreat testimony on prayer
Jan. 8 - Move in to Waynesburg University
Feb. Spring Break - vitamin infusion, follow-up Scan(s), supplements based on blood work… Thy Will Be Done.
Nobody does healing better than GOD! He is the master physician and gives me strength! God bless you! My twin sister and I both beat cancer without chemo. I beat it in 2006 and in 2011 <3 I pray for all of us to not focus too much on the illness as much as what can we still do while we are "healing". How can we inspire others and help them in their fear? How can we still serve others humbly while we are healing. Words of inspiration to another can help someone when they are losing faith and ready to give up. We get our humble assignments and we must not forget that. Life is a series of lessons and we do get challenged. Our perspective is so important. Faith matters most when it is difficult to hold on. God bless you Araella! Shar your story with the world.
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