Ali's Journey

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)