CANCER: When Chemotherapy, Surgery and Radiation is Not Enough...

With it being the one year anniversary since I was the closest to dying that I've ever been. I thought I would share my testimony of that day with you. 

CANCER: When Chemotherapy, Surgery and Radiation is Not Enough...
By: Paula MN Seavey

I had completed the Dana Farber clinical trials in Boston, had a mastectomy and today I was beginning my second round of chemotherapy at my local cancer center in Maine. January 8, 2018, began as any other treatment day for someone living in Maine, cold and snowy.

It was to be a longer treatment because I would be receiving the drug Taxol for the first time.  When I met with my oncologist and her assistant that morning, they explained about the Taxol, also known as Paclitaxel. Dr. Julia explained that I might have one or two reactions, but they assured me there was a way of helping with those. I felt nervous, even a little concerned, but prepared as I had already been through so much during the clinical trial in Boston.

I knew for sure that the Lord was with me and would be with me every step of the way. Isaiah 41:10 “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”  

I had nothing to fear with God, my husband, my Pastor, our church family and hundreds of others going to God in prayer on my behalf.

I was then taken to the infusion room, where they placed me in chair 13. I’m not superstitious, just thought I’d add that bit of information in for those of you that are. J The wait then began for the go ahead to start the Taxol.  If you’ve never had infusion treatments for anything, it involves much more than just sitting down, receiving your medication, and leaving. They have a whole slew of things that must be done, checked, double checked, and approved before they will even give you the medication. I am very grateful for their cautiousness.

While waiting for the pharmacy to release my medication, my nurse came to my chair and explained a second time about the side effects of Taxol. My pre-medication for any allergic reactions was started. These medications made me so drowsy that I only vaguely remember my visiting family members leaving.

The time came for the Taxol and for the third time , the nurse and doctor went over the “possible” side effects – swelling of lips, tightness in my chest, face feeling like it was being pulled, hard to breath and so on…. Then went the usual questions that I had been asked hundreds of times before (this is no joke)

Nurse: What is your first and last name?

Me: Paula Seavey

Nurse: When is your Birthday?

Me: May 12, 1967

Nurse: Do you understand what we’re giving you and do you have any questions?

ME: Yes I understand and no there are no questions.

Then a second nurse came in and asked me the exact same questions. She started the chemotherapy, handed me the nurses call button, gave a few more instructions and told me to relax and sleep if I could.

After this point, things become vague and I am actually missing hours of that day, and Psalms 23 took on a whole new meaning to me.

It was soon into the treatment when I started feeling very tight in my chest and face, my lips were swelling, and I couldn’t breathe. I recall trying to reach the nurses call button and say my husband’s name. It seemed like time was passing so slowly, but Bill had heard me and immediately called for help. I didn’t even realize I actually said, “Bill.”

Psalms 23:4 “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

My dear husband had to sit there, unable to do anything but cry and pray as he watched around 5 doctors, and 10 plus nurses and EMT’s quickly gather around me. I had gone into anaphylactic shock and had, had every possible reaction there was. My blood pressure and heart rate dropped to dangerous levels and they were doing all they could to keep me alive, from using an Epi-pen, to oxygen and so much more.

I faded in and out not knowing exactly what was happening. However, I had a peace that is unexplainable. I remember seeing bright lights, then I would be brought to only to fade out again. This happened repeatedly for some time. At one point I remember taking my doctor's arm and saying, “Please don’t make me take this again!”

The next little bit I barely remember except for one funny little thing, Remember I said it was a typical day in Maine, icy and snowy? Well, as they took me outside, I remember seeing the lights to the ambulance and I heard someone yell, “Catch her! Don’t let her roll away!” It seems my gurney and I were leaving on our own. J Then as had been happening, I was out and parts of my day went missing.

While I lay on that bed in the emergency room at Augusta Maine General Hospital, I wasn’t fully aware of how bad things had become. I knew it was serious. As I came to again I saw my Pastor, my husband, and I believe one of my boys, sitting there looking very concerned. I don’t recall if I asked what happened at that moment or not but I knew God had taken care of me, Paula Seavey.

I was told that I invited my nurse to church and witnessed to her. Everyone, my friend, deserves a chance to accept Christ. No one knows when they will face something that could take their life.

Friend, if you were to face death today, just as I did on that cold winter day in January of 2018, would you have the peace that I mentioned earlier? Do you know for sure, without a doubt that you would go to Heaven?

The Bible clearly tells us how we can know that Jesus is our Saviour! One of my favorite verses is John 3:16

“For God so loved the world, (you my friend) that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever (YOU) believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

I John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

All you need to do is to see yourself as a sinner needing a Saviour. Then ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins, have faith that He will save you and trust in Him and Him alone. There’s no works, no sacraments, just simple faith that the Lord will save you!  Trust in Christ today! You never know when it could be your time.

Later that fateful winter day I was able to reassure each of my adult children that their momma was going to be okay. I was following my Heavenly Father’s example. He wants to reassure us that all things work according to His plan and His will.

Two weeks after the close call with Taxol, on January 22, 2018, I was back at the Cancer center to start another chemotherapy called, “Abraxane.” I was extremely nervous about it. Through prayer, love, support and the amazing doctors and nurses and most importantly our Great Physician, Jesus; chemotherapy was started and I completed all of it on June 4^th.

This coming Tuesday mark’s one year since that “typical" January day when I was at death's door. I’m forever grateful to the Lord for allowing me to live. God’s not finished with me yet and though this has been difficult for me to put together I believe God has a purpose in having me share the details of this part of my cancer journey.

I know God has always been by my side, even though my human side has felt all alone. However, as a child of God I know He will never leave thee nor forsake thee.

Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee: he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”

As of today I am a Cancer Survivor of a year and 8 months and I’ve been cancer free for a little over a year. Who receives the glory for all this? God does!

Psalms 29:1-2 “Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength.

Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name….”

Thank you for taking the time to read this. I would love to hear from you if you have accepted Christ or have any questions.

Blessed Beyond Measure

Make Today Amazing