God is faithful
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The Castillo Family
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The Castillo Family
We got the pathology results, and we are still trying to process it all. Of the tissue taken last week, there were eight lymph nodes removed and examined. Only one contained cancer—and even that was small, measuring about 2.5 mm. So if you are wanting a total between both surgeries, I had two large tumors in my right breast, five positive lymph nodes (15 nodes taken out) and “tissue extension” with cancerous cells outside of the armpit lymph node area. Phew, that’s a lot of cancer. Then my surgeon spoke the words my heart has been longing to hear: “cancer free.”
We are praising God and sitting in a bit of holy shock. Grateful beyond words. In awe of His mercy and faithfulness in this chapter. “Every good and perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17).
There is still a long road ahead—gaining range of motion and strength back, preventing lymphedema, 25 rounds of radiation, and ten years of a maintenance chemo pill and hormone therapy because of the aggressive nature of the cancer cells. This journey isn’t over, but this feels like a marker of hope, a reminder that God has been with me every step of the way. “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).
I also want to acknowledge that this is not the reality for everyone. Not every call brings good news, and not every report ends with words like this. But even there—especially there—God is still near. “The Lord is close to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth” (Psalm 145:18).
On the darkest days, no matter what you’re facing. In the moments of devastating news or deep disappointment, I want to encourage you to keep talking to Him. He wants your heart—the honest, messy, ugly parts most of all. You are precious to Him.
I don’t know if this is encouraging or not, but I truly believe that this is the whole point: to keep giving it to Him. Cancer journeys are hard, and I have to remind myself often that surrender doesn’t mean the road suddenly becomes easy after I lay it at His feet. It is a daily, sometimes minute to minute, practice of releasing my need to control and choosing instead to glorify my God—by wrestling, by questioning, and by turning it all back to Him again and again. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5).
Thank you for the prayers, the love, and the covering during this season. Today, I’m moving forward with a lighter heart—still walking the road ahead, but held by hope, anchored in faith, and trusting the God who has never once let me go.
Love you all,
Elly
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