Ivy Lanier's battle with Cancer

Please Pray for our sister in Christ, read her story and how her faith in Christ has and is bringing her through a battle with cancer. She is a dear friend of Carolyn Christians.
Ivy Lanier
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The following verse is taped to Ivy’s hospital room window and begins her story, 'The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.' Psalm 18:2 As you read on, don't be sad for Ivy, rejoice with her in the strength of her faith.Ivy's story began in early March with what she thought was her usual case of allergies as the pollens began to get bad. She picked up a cough and her back was bothering her as well. On March 26, she saw her doctor for some prescription refills. At that time, she discovered her annual exam was a year past due. She made an appointment for March 31, to get that taken care of. On the 31, the doctor commented that her cough did not seem to be any better. Ivy felt it was worse and that she was beginning to get short of breath and hurt in her chest when she coughed. The doctor ordered a chest x-ray to check for pneumonia. They scheduled the x-ray, but Ivy put it off until she felt a worse. The x-ray was done on April 3. The x-ray showed something suspicious and a CT scan was done the same day. The call came at 4:30 that afternoon. A large mass on her sternum was discovered with a good chance that it could be cancer. An appointment with an oncologist was scheduled for the next day.April 4, Ivy and Tim sat in the oncologist office with her brother, Jason, and two of her 'sisters', Chris and Jennifer. The doctor showed us on the CT scan the fluid that had built up around Ivy's lungs and heart and explained that the mass was pushing on her heart. He explained that there was a very good chance this would be cancer and that he was recommending that she go directly into the hospital for further tests.We cried and then we held each other and prayed. Through God's mercy we pulled it together and checked into NE Methodist Hospital. On April 5, they drained 40 oz. of fluid from around Ivy's lungs and heart, which was sent off to pathology for testing. The mass was approx. 4.3 in. x 3.1 in. in size pushing on her main heart valve as well as her right artery and pulmonary veins. Over the next couple of days other tests were run. Ivy's pain level was increasing and pain meds were prescribed. There was a lot of waiting and praying happening in the room throughout the weekend.April 7, brought the news that the test on the fluid came back inconclusive. There were bacteria of some type present, but its source was not known. On April 8, a needle biopsy was performed on the mass. X-rays, blood work and other tests continued. April 10, brought the news that we had all feared, Mediastinal (thymic) large B-cell Lymphoma. This is a fairly rare form of cancer that occurs in women ages 35-50. All we have been told and read so far indicates that it responds well to chemo. This is a fast growing cancer, but the good news is that because of this it should respond quicker to the treatments. They expect a 75-80% reduction in size after the first treatment. They are recommending chemo and radiation, which will take about 9 months total to complete.April 11 brought more tests, some quite painful, but our Ivy shines on. She recites her verse (Psalm 18:2) repeatedly anytime things become overwhelming.Tim and Ivy have struggled the last couple of days in deciding whether to remain at NE Methodist and continue treatment with her current doctors or to look at transferring to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Ivy's treatment here at NE has been excellent. The nurses are so gentle and caring and the doctors have been very good as well. We have all been praying for guidance on where this treatment should take place. Please continue to pray for guidance on this.Dawn and Michael Coldewey, friends that have been fighting this battle since last October, shared with us the process they went through and talked about the treatment and care Michael received at MD Anderson. It was such a blessing to be able to see a tiny piece of how God has been working in this situation. Ivy has been close to Dawn throughout their battle and now here we are watching the tables turn. What a comfort it was for all of us to hear the words of encouragement that Dawn and Michael were able to share. Tim and Ivy feel at peace now with their decision to transfer to Houston.As I close this story that has just begun, I ask for continued prayers for her and her family; for guidance for them as they are faced with huge decisions daily; for strength and rest for Ivy's body as she prepares to fight this battle, but also for Tim as he becomes the major caregiver to Ivy, Kimberly and Wil; for God's angels to surround Ivy every minute of every day, shielding her from pain, from Satan's doubts and fears, and for a peace that passes all understanding. We also ask that you continue to remember Michael and Dawn and their beautiful girls as they continue in their battle.Ivy sends her love and thanks to each and everyone one of you that have called, emailed, visited and most of all prayed. These are the things that are helping to carry her through. We will do our best to update this site on a daily basis. I close with Matthew 21:22, 'And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.'

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EMAIL AUTHOR
varnonjm@gmail.com
HOSPITAL INFORMATION
North Central Baptist Hospital Stone OakSan Antonio, TX United States 210.423.4380