Septic

When I completed chemotherapy in 2006, I had the surgically implanted port on the right side of my chest removed. Because I was going to start chemotherapy again, I needed another port implanted. At the end of April 2008, my surgeon placed a new port on the left side of my chest. 

On May 14, 2008, I met with Dr. Ben-Jacob start chemotherapy again. Five days later, I made an appointment with my family doctor because I suspected I had a urinary tract infection. After some lab tests, the doctor said he would call me back and let me know the results. About an hour later, he called and said, “Get to the hospital. Don't pack a bag or wait for your kids to get home from school. I have a room waiting for you, and you need to get there quickly.”

At the hospital they immediately started me on an antibiotic IV. I felt fine – not sick at all. My doctor came into the room about an hour later and said, “I need to be really honest with you. You’re very sick. The infection has spread into your blood and is moving throughout your body. There is a very good chance that you will not live through the night. Now, with your permission, I'm going to call your husband and tell him what I just told you.” After the doctor spoke to Wes, I took the phone from him. I told Wes to come to the hospital and bring our kids “because it's Monday,” I said, “and we're going to have Family Home Evening.”

Both our bishop and home teacher came into the room and gave me a blessing, conveying words of comfort and the truth of the Plan of Salvation. I found some comfort in these words.

It wasn't long before my family of nine squeezed into that little room, and we had a sweet, touching Family Home Evening. I felt the Spirit strongly as I bore my testimony to my children. We read from 3 Nephi about the Lord’s visit to the Nephites, and I reminded the children that the Lord can heal any affliction, and that He could heal me if that would be best for us.

“Have ye any that are sick among you? Bring them hither. Have ye any that are lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or leprous, or that are withered, or that are deaf, or that are afflicted in any manner? Bring them hither and I will heal them” (3 Nephi 17:7)

I gave everyone a hug and told them all I loved them before they left to go home and get some sleep.

Having someone tell you that in perhaps only a few hours you will be gone really puts things into perspective. I didn’t sleep that night. I spent a lot of time praying. That was truly one of the most spiritual nights of my life. I had sacred experiences that are very dear to me still.

%    %    %    %    %

In its weak condition, my body could not handle the strain of the toxic chemicals that were meant to fight the cancer. I was constantly sick and had to go to the hospital several times. After about a month of this, Dr. Ben-Jacob said, “I'm not going to give you any more chemotherapy. It is hurting you more than it is helping you. An infection could kill you.” He told me he was going to put me back on Herceptin, the drug that I had in my initial treatment that blocks new tumors from forming and has many fewer side effects.