Slow way down Saturday!!

It's been so long I don't even know where to start! I'm sorry I haven't kept you all up on what's been going on, but I know that Jim has been doing a great job on Facebook and I appreciate it so much!

The wonderful news is radiation is over! Twenty treatments. The last four treatments were called "boost" treatments where they concentrate in a specific area with blasts of radiation. I did remarkably well during treatments so I wasn't expecting to feel like a Mac truck has run over me now! I was told to expect this but, again, I thought "not me".  I'm very fatigued. It hits all of a sudden, lasts awhile, then goes away. This occurs all during the day. I'm not hungry, even for sweets!!! My skin is broken out in a red rash all over the area that was being treated and really really itches. BUT... I know that all of this is minor compared to most that have gone through this and for that I'm very thankful. 

I had the most awesome team of techs that worked with me everyday at the radiation office. Their smiles and words of encouragement made each day easier to go through. I want to say a big thank you to Joan, Lori, and Justin for getting me through those treatments!

Thank you all again for all your support, encouragement, love and prayers over the past few months.  Even though I've been quiet over the past few weeks, I've definitely felt you guys there!

And most of all, I thank you God for never leaving my side.  Even in those dark moments I knew you were there.

Your love for us God is so amazing!!

Slow down Saturday!!

Well, week one of radiation is over, I had four treatments, 16 more to go!!   

The first treatment was Tuesday. It took a little longer because the two techs were explaining things as they went along. I have three girls that rotate and work with me...Joan, Jessica and Lori and they are awesome!  On this first day Joan was explaining my "Do's and Dont's's" and when she said "no shaving under your right arm" I stopped her and said "what? No I have to, please!!!". Her reply to me was "trust me". Ok, I guess I have to. 

The actual radiation only takes about three minutes total. They line you up with lasers that are going across the room with the marks they made on my chest, it pretty neat. The machine is turned on and starts on the left side and shoots for half the time then the machine rotates across to the lower right side and shoots again. You can't see any actual beams. 

Day two and day three went very quickly, I was probably only in the office about twenty minutes total. 

I was getting ready to take my bath on the third night and as I was lifting my arms I noticed that under my right arm there was absolutely no hair! Bare! And then I knew what Joan meant. One of the side effects, you lose your hair under your arm. But at that moment, I stood there and it truly hit me as to what was actually going into my body and what was taking place inside. It was overwhelming at that moment, but then I realize how lucky I really am. 

The other side effects have been minimal so far. My right side is swollen and about twice the normal size. Now ladies, before you think how lucky, it's only on one side! So, actually I'm kinda off-balanced!! No pun intended!!  I did feel really sleepy after the fourth treatment and the girls told me fatigue would probably set in next week. That will be tough on a lady that is never still!

I hope you all have a wonderful Labor Day Holiday! Spend time with family and friends and let's all pray for one another!

Terrified Tuesday!!

And here I glow....I mean go.  I start my first radiation treatment today at 3:00PM.  A sweet girl named Katie from my church brought me a sack full of pink and purple glow bracelets and told me to wear one when I go for treatments so I could glow in color!  I'm wearing one today Katie Girl!

Am I scared?  A LOT!  I won't lie to you.  How will the treatments affect me, will I be able to work, will my body hold up to all the treatments, will there be any permanent side effects.  I'm just taking it one day at a time.

When I was born, my Mom gave me a little pink towel that has "Laugh" on it.  I still have that towel today.  All through my life she told me to just "Laugh".  So today, Mom, I'm doing just that, I'm gonna "Laugh"!  I feel you smiling from Heaven!

Thank you all again so much for your love, prayers and encouragement.

"She is clothed in strength and dignity and she laughs without fear of the future."  Proverbs 31:25.

Faith Finding Friday!!

I'm so glad it's Friday!  It's been a stressful week.  I'm thinking it's going to be a good weekend spending time with my little angel Ava, hanging out with some dear friends, and worshiping at Revolution Church on Sunday!  And I definitely need to stop at the cupcake or cookie store in Memphis before I head home this afternoon......and yes, Jim, I will get you one of those strawberry cookies you can't do without!

I want to share with you all a portion of a devotion that I read this morning from Proverbs 31 Ministries.  For those of you that follow them and have read it, you will know why I have chosen to re-post it.

Scripture teaches us to believe the promises of God.  He is faithful.  He has a future full of hope planned for us.  He will protect us and provide for us.  He knows what He is doing even if at times we are certain He does not.  And yes, even at the times when He seems to be silent.

Psalm 145:13 says throughout all generations, "The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does." (NIV).  It doesn't say that He'll always let us in on the play-by-play.  We aren't promised detailed descriptions, only that the final outcome will be for our good and His glory.

By God not giving us explanations at each turn, it builds our faith.  We can go to Him in prayer asking Him to calm our anxious hearts.  We can ask Him to increase our faith so we aren't consumed by the questions, and help us trust that He--the ever-wise parent--has good in mind for us.

It is God's job to unfold our future.  It is our job to trust and glorify Him as He does.  Let's stop asking Him to spiritually skywrite all the answers and let's write His promises on our hearts instead.

"Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations.  The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does."  Psalm 145:13 (NIV)

All Marked Up!!!!!

Happy Thursday to everyone!  I had my "simulation" appointment at the Radiation Clinic yesterday.  They first did a CT scan so the doctor could pinpoint exactly where the tumor was.  The doctor then took several different color permanent markers and proceeded to make a human coloring book out of me!  I knew they said they were going to "Mark" where the radiation was to be concentrated but I didn't realize they would be marking all over my body....well , all over from the waist up!  I asked if these marks were suppose to last through the whole six weeks of treatment and they said they would like for them to.  They said you can bathe normally, but no scrubbing.  Ok.....so, last night I had a few hot flashes during the night and I woke up with some of the marks already smearing and fading.  hummm, this should be interesting.

 I did get some good news at the doctor yesterday.  My normal radiation treatment was to be for six weeks, a total of 30 treatments.  They do have an "accelerated" program that allows treatment to be completed in 21 treatments but there are only a few people that can qualify for it......and I DO!!!!  Let's see, you had to be a very small person, the radiation had to be on the right side only, and the position of where the tumor was had to be in a certain location and I qualify for all three!  So, if my body can handle the accelerated radiation, I will be able to shorten the time by 9 treatments!  That's a good thing!  

My pastor and I were talking last week and he said something about how calm I've been and how well I've handled everything so far (he knows I can be a worrier!).  I told him that God had given me a sense of peace about this cancer and that I was ok with this journey He has taken me on.  But I will say this, when I went home last night and saw all these marks on my body, it made it all seem more real.  It hit home, this is real, this is now.  Thank you God that you are always with me!

I have several friends that are going through some HUGE stuff.  My heart is really burdened for them.  To quote one of my favorite authors, Lysa Terkeurst, "we all have messes in our life, Financial messes.  Relationship messes.  Health messes.  Kid messes.  Home messes.  Business messes.  Sometimes messes are small and just feel like a slight annoyance.  Other times, they're so huge they strip the hope right out of our life.  God has placed it on my heart to be faithfully praying daily for these friends that are dear to me.   I know there are more of you that are struggling with the "messes" of life.  Don't ever forget that you were made for so much more than what you are going through right now.  This life that you are living right now, is just the beginning of the glorious unfolding of your life!

"Don't be impatient.  Wait for the Lord, and he will come and save you!  Be brave, stouthearted, and courageous.  Yes, wait and he will help you."  Psalm 27:14 (TLB)

 

Finally Friday!!

Happy Friday! The weather has been exceptional! I am still sore from the surgery last week, but I'm feeling pretty good!  I'm finally able to wash my hair by myself, whew...the things we take for granted! I have my first radiation appointment next Wednesday, the 20th. This will be what they call a "simulation" appointment where they will make marks to determine where to pinpoint the radiation and to explain how it works.  The radiation will start the following week, around the 25th. I also have an appointment on the 9th of September with an oncologist to discuss medications that might be used as part of my treatment plan. I'm ready to begin the second phase and get this all behind me.  Ava and I have a lot of playing to do!!  

"'God is good to one and all; everything he does is suffused with grace."  Psalm 145:9 (MSG)

Marvelous Monday!!!!!

God is so awesome!  Lymph Nodes are negative!  They got all the cancer!  I will follow-up with six weeks of radiation, and see an oncologist for medications!  God truly answers prayers!  You all have  been so faithful in praying for me and God hears!!!!  Thank you so much for all your love and support!  The Glory goes to God!

"Your steadfast love, O Lord, is as great as all the heavens.  Your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds."  Psalm 36:5 (TLB)