North Carolina State University Athletics
Yow Says Cancer-Cell Counts Continue to Decline
1/20/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
In her fourth update since taking a leave of absence from her team for treatment against breast cancer, NC State women’s head coach Kay Yow shares some more good news following the completion of her second full cycle of chemotherapy.
_ Tim Peeler
NC State women’s head coach Kay Yow
Monday I had blood drawn for two important tests in monitoring my cancer. One determines the amount of tumor cells in a particular pint of blood and the other determines tumor markers. The tumor marker test has been around for quite some time, while the cell-count test is relatively new. Both of the tests show very good improvement from the first time that we knew the tumor cell counts back in November. The counts in both tests have come down and showed marked improvement.
These tests were taken after two full cycles, or eight weeks, of chemotherapy. While it hasn’t been determined how many cycles I will go through, hopefully my body will continue to respond to the treatments and we will continue to lower those numbers.
I consider this really good news because basically, you have three options: The numbers are either getting worse, staying the same or getting better. I really praise the Lord that my tumor-cell numbers show marked improvement. I also had a PET scan, which shows that the area where the cancer cells had metastasized is getting smaller and there has been shrinkage of the tumors in those areas. So every test shows that the chemo I am taking seems to be having a positive effect on my body and is helping to get the tumor cells under control.
Getting these positive results gives me a big lift. Things seem to be headed in the right direction. Also, I think having gone through two cycles off chemo, by body is adjusted to the chemo and my body is much more adjusted to the side effects of the chemo. Getting all that medication balanced out and regulated for my body and seeing all the side issues I might have are getting a little easier. After two complete cycles, I know what to expect. I think my oncologist, Dr. Mark Graham, has done a marvelous job in getting everything regulated for me. My body is responding much more positively to the chemo.
Next Sunday, NC State is hosting the second-annual “Hoops for Hope,” in its game against
Boston
College. The event is designed to be encouragement for al the people who are battling cancer and people who have completed their treatments for cancer. It is a celebration of survivors and people who are battling. Obviously, part of the reason we are having this is to raise money for research, which will continue to be very important because we can only find the answers to preventing cancer through research. But, to me, what is just as important about this event is that it is the opportunity for people to come together and meet people they have never met before that have been through similar experiences. I believe you are encouraged by each other’s strength in battling this disease. You really feel the support of all the people attending the event who have battled the disease before and their encouragement to the people who are still battling. It’s a great feeling knowing that so many people care. To have so many people who know what others are going through and what they are feeling and lifting each other up in prayer and celebrating the victories that are there is awesome.
My favorite book in the Bible is Philippians. When Paul was writing this, he was in a Roman prison, writing to the Philippians and talking about joy. He was joyful writing to them. He was reminding them to be joyful, no matter what their circumstances. I think it is important when we are battling tough situations that we have that same kind of mindset. I feel like one of the reasons that I am able to identify with that mindset is because of the prayers of so many people. I know there is power in prayer. I know when people are praying for each other, we are helping each other get through whatever we are facing.
I am reading a study book about Philippians called “Be Joyful” by Warren Wiersbe. One of the encouraging things to me that the author talks about is that when things go wrong, you can have joy, because joy differs from ordinary happiness. Christian joy is God-given. Another thing that is mentioned is that outlook determines outcome, something I have said many times before. This really speaks to me because it is talking more about inner, rather than, outer conditions. If our spiritual attitude is centered on Christ’s principle, power and promises, then our spiritual condition will always be healthy and enjoyable. Circumstances do not rob us of our joy. We are not living to enjoy circumstances, but we are living to serve Jesus.
It’s a matter of having cultivated an attitude of single-mindedness, which is expressed by an attitude of single-hearted devotion to Christ. The question is, is Christ vital in our lives, meaning we cannot do without him in both the good times and the bad times. Paul said in Phillipians it is forgetting what is behind and reaching forward for what is ahead.
Circumstances do not rob us of this kind of joy. I feel like the secret of Christian joy is found in the way we think, in our attitude. In Proverbs 23:7, it says, “As we think, so we are.” I think our mindset is everything. If we have that kind of attitude and mindset that Christ gives us, we have the chance to really influence the outcome.
I would like to leave you with this one Bible verse, I Peter 5: 7-10, where it says “Cast aside all of your anxieties, because he cares for you. God will restore you and make you steadfast and firm.”
