Anne Graham Lotz is not doing well, and she needs our prayers. Recently diagnosed with breast cancer (three years to the day of her husband’s untimely death), Lotz has been through surgery and now chemotherapy, as the surgery was not successful in eradicating all of the cancer.
Lotz shared of the experience in October, “Yesterday I had my one-week check-up after breast cancer surgery. While there are some issues to be expected, the doctor believes that all seem to be healing nicely, for which I praise God. The surgeon then revealed, with compassion in her eyes, that she had the pathology report.”
“As she went over the numbers, it became evident that the results were not what I had prayed they would be,” continued Lotz. “A trace of cancer was found in the lymph nodes which alters the follow-up treatment significantly. So beginning October 18th I will begin eighteen weeks of chemotherapy, with additional treatments stretching out over the next twelve months. The adventurous journey through the valley of the shadow will be longer than anticipated. BUT I am still confident the Shepherd will walk with me each step of the way until He sees me safely through!”
So Lotz entered chemotherapy in October. But her brother, Franklin Graham, just shared that it has been very hard on her body, to the point that she may not be able to continue. “Just talked with my sister Anne Graham Lotz, and she is experiencing severe side effects from her last chemotherapy treatment which may jeopardize whether she can continue. I know she would appreciate your prayers,” wrote Graham on his Facebook on November 20th.
https://www.facebook.com/FranklinGraham/posts/2210651698990999
https://www.facebook.com/FranklinGraham/posts/2209699305752905
Over 45,000 prayers and wishes were given in response to Graham’s request. And undoubtedly many more are being offered up for Lotz around the world. But her struggle continues, and it is inward as well as outward, as she courageously shared last week.
Lotz had to get her head shaved because of all of the hair she has lost through chemo. She shared how hard it was for her emotionally. In a vulnerable yet strong blog post entitled “Thankful The Real Treasure Is Inside,” Lotz shares how she went to her friend to shave her head.