As we come into 2018 we need to think of all the fun things, all of what God can do, how God can use us and so much more. Don't dwell on the bad or what could happen.
As I say this I'm facing over 50 doctor appointments from January 8 to Dec 31st. I could let this ruin my time with my family as well as the year BUT I have a lot of exciting things to look forward to.
1. Caleb an Elizabeth's wedding.
2. Visiting with my grandbabies.
3. Going to Church being a part of the ministry.
These are just a few things I can look forward to.
I know that what I'm facing isn't going to be easy and it's not going to be fun, but with God all things are possible. When I started the clinical trial they told me I would lose my hair. I believe in the power of prayer! I also believe because of my praying God allowed me to keep my hair. Again, I've been told you'll lose you're hair during this 12 weeks of Chemo. If I do I'll be sad it won't be easy, but I'll be praying for God to allow me not to. Sort of odd but I can look forward to changing my hair style or color. LOL
Looking forward to 2018 for most is easy, but I'll have to work on it at times. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart.... it won't always be easy but I'm trusting in God to help me Look Forward to special times and to get through the hard times.
So as you start the new year, take one day at a time, praise God for that day and make it Amazing, by looking forward to your day, month, year!!
Friday, December 29, 2017
Monday, December 18, 2017
It's Ok to say, "No, I can't do that"
Good afternoon to all my amazing friends, family, prayer warriors and countless others. I have no idea who all reads this blog or who is praying for us during my journey. I do know that without a doubt the Lord is taking care of us through it all.
This week will start the Year long journey that I/we as a family are facing. During all the treatments, chemo and radiation we have a graduation to plan for, Jason has business math to finish, I have piano lessons, my wonderful husband has appointments to go to with me, some of his own appointments plus so much more. However we'll simply take the next 365 days one day at a time. Trusting in the Lord each step of the way!
For those who want to know my appointment tomorrow is at 9:30 then on Wednesday my day will start at 8:30 in the morning with Blood draw then approximately around 10 I'll start the infusion which will go for six hours. This will be my last treatment for 2017.
So that is the very short of a very long list of appointments, of which I was told about on Thursday. This past Thursday we had several things that were planned but by mid morning I had to say, "No, I'm unable to do that today." Not because I decided just not to do those things, but I needed time to process. If you are going through ANYTHING you need to be able to say, "No" sometimes. You may say, "but you've been going through these things for eight months what more is there to process?" Well, when I was told I had this other appointments I didn't know the extent of it all, and when my doctor called on Thursday it was a bit overwhelming. As I was told that afternoon, it's ok to say, No. I was also told, "you don't need to just push through and pretend everything is normal. Sometimes you need to take time out and process." I'm so thankful for that and the understanding of our (Interim) Pastor and his wife. Even though we had a big yearly event planned, they understood and I didn't have to worry about that evening.
It took me a lot of that afternoon, and evening to really process not only the upcoming appointments of the next year but other things.
So as you go through you daily lives, as you face different things in your life realize that sometimes you just need to say, OK, it's not a normal day, I need this time to process or I need to NOT do this or that. We all, myself included, have days where seeing people, talking with someone specific, or seeing certain people is hard it's ok. Once you realize that just because one isn't here or there doesn't mean necessarily mean they are sick, or don't want to see you, it very simply could be they are having to process things in their life.
So as you go through your day, Make it amazing, Make someone's day amazing. If they say, No don't take it personally but rather say ok an go on.
This week will start the Year long journey that I/we as a family are facing. During all the treatments, chemo and radiation we have a graduation to plan for, Jason has business math to finish, I have piano lessons, my wonderful husband has appointments to go to with me, some of his own appointments plus so much more. However we'll simply take the next 365 days one day at a time. Trusting in the Lord each step of the way!
For those who want to know my appointment tomorrow is at 9:30 then on Wednesday my day will start at 8:30 in the morning with Blood draw then approximately around 10 I'll start the infusion which will go for six hours. This will be my last treatment for 2017.
So that is the very short of a very long list of appointments, of which I was told about on Thursday. This past Thursday we had several things that were planned but by mid morning I had to say, "No, I'm unable to do that today." Not because I decided just not to do those things, but I needed time to process. If you are going through ANYTHING you need to be able to say, "No" sometimes. You may say, "but you've been going through these things for eight months what more is there to process?" Well, when I was told I had this other appointments I didn't know the extent of it all, and when my doctor called on Thursday it was a bit overwhelming. As I was told that afternoon, it's ok to say, No. I was also told, "you don't need to just push through and pretend everything is normal. Sometimes you need to take time out and process." I'm so thankful for that and the understanding of our (Interim) Pastor and his wife. Even though we had a big yearly event planned, they understood and I didn't have to worry about that evening.
It took me a lot of that afternoon, and evening to really process not only the upcoming appointments of the next year but other things.
So as you go through you daily lives, as you face different things in your life realize that sometimes you just need to say, OK, it's not a normal day, I need this time to process or I need to NOT do this or that. We all, myself included, have days where seeing people, talking with someone specific, or seeing certain people is hard it's ok. Once you realize that just because one isn't here or there doesn't mean necessarily mean they are sick, or don't want to see you, it very simply could be they are having to process things in their life.
So as you go through your day, Make it amazing, Make someone's day amazing. If they say, No don't take it personally but rather say ok an go on.
Tuesday, December 12, 2017
The Journey continues
Hello from cold, snowy Maine! It's definitely beginning to look like Christmas around here. I'm sure many if not all of you have your tree up and your house is decorated for the Christmas season. This is one of my favorite holidays. This year seems to have a little extra specialness to it. Jesus gives us all life and he is leading his children through life. Yes there are trials and journeys we each must face, will face or are facing. One journey I think of is the one that I know many are facing this Christmas season and that is having loss a loved one. These dear friends and family are especially in my thoughts as we go through this Christmas. Then there are those going through the journey of illness, pain, heartbreak etc. These dear people also are in my thoughts and as much as I would rather not be a part of this group I am. However, as I told a dear friend earlier today, back in May I told the Lord no matter what the results I would give him the glory. So rather than looking at this as poor me, it's been what can God do through me that will bring glory to him.
I'm not sure if I have shared the following already so if I have please bear with me. Back in oh, January of this year maybe a little later in the year I had told the Lord I wanted to serve him more. In April my Pastor had asked me if I would help in an area, and I was thrilled to do that, I had started piano lessons again to improve my playing and learn more about music, I had also made decisions about Bible reading, Prayer, soul winning and many other things. Then as you know in May I was diagnosed with HER2+ ICD. At first I asked why? I;m going to serve you Lord, I have made steps in the direction of increasing areas, getting back to things I knew I needed to do, not just for me but for the Lord. Anyway, after the initial shock of everything and much love, support, and caring from several dear friends, my church, my Pastor, I knew I couldn't let this stop me. So I told the Lord no matter what you'll get the glory for everything.
Well, the Clinical Trial I did that was in Boston did what the doctors had hoped it would. I know it was of the Lord that it went as it did. Once I heard that I was cancer free, I was Praising the Lord and so excited, hoping and praying that I wouldn't have a lot more to go through. Well, if you are on Facebook you have seen some of what I will be facing for the next 12 months.
For an entire year I'll be having treatment every 3 weeks, this will continue to attack anything that possibly could be left from the cancer. The purpose for this is the HER2+ is a very aggressive cancer. If I was to say no to this treatment I would run a higher risk of it reoccurring. Then I'll have a total of 8 weeks of Chemo, which I'm very thankful I won't be getting the AC Chemo which is a harsh chemo. I'm able to go without that. However this will mean I'll have a greater chance of hair loss now. I am at peace with this, if I lose my hair, as of now I can say, "I'm prepared for it" now when it actually happens if it does.... well, I'll let you know then how I do. Lastly will be shortly after chemo is finished I'll have 6 weeks of Radiation.
For those who are asking why are you going through this if you are cancer free? The key reason is preventative! See, the chances of the cancer returning right now are greater than if I go through the year of treatments, chemo and radiation. Once I complete the year of everything my chance of it reoccurring is less than 10%.
Will I be sick during all this? Probably, but as Dr. Julia said, "everyone is different."
Hair loss, again I didn't loss it earlier which they are very surprised by. I believe it was a HUGE answer to prayer! I prayed and prayed that the Lord would allow me to keep my hair, and well, he did! "Ask and it shall be given you" The Bible clearly states that the Lord gives us the desires of our hearts and that's exactly what I believe he did.
Will I have stop any part of it because my body can't handle it? We'll have to see. However, again my prayer is that since the Doctors believe this is what I need that the Lord will allow me to go through everything with as little problems as possible. Just as I did the first round, I'll stay busy, I'll stay positive and trust in the Lord to take care of everything.
I have an in home nurse now so that if I have a problem or need her, all it takes is a phone call. Plus my oncologist is only 15 minutes away during the day. So with all the medicines, chemo, radiation that will take place I have medical staff close by. I have my church family who, by the way has been, next to my family, the biggest and greatest support anyone could ask for.
So my dear friends, though all this sounds terrible, trust me when I say, "I'm at peace with everything, God has and will get all the glory for everything." He won't get the glory only if it's good, though hard he will also get the glory for the bad/hard as well.
C - Concern not only for your family but others.
A - Abide in Him don't quit on God
N - Never give up, we weren't given life to just give up.
C - Caring for others, though you are hurting or sick put others first and show them you care.
E - Enduring all that is before you even on those days you don't feel up to it.
R - Rejoice in the Lord even when you don't feel like it.
Even with a word that is so awful, dreadful and fearful we can take and turn it around to be our platform, our encourager, our help to others.
So what will you do to Make Today Amazing! Or as a gift I received the other day, says, "Make Today Ridiculously Amazing!" Go out and share a your testimony or a testimony of one you know that would help another.
I'm not sure if I have shared the following already so if I have please bear with me. Back in oh, January of this year maybe a little later in the year I had told the Lord I wanted to serve him more. In April my Pastor had asked me if I would help in an area, and I was thrilled to do that, I had started piano lessons again to improve my playing and learn more about music, I had also made decisions about Bible reading, Prayer, soul winning and many other things. Then as you know in May I was diagnosed with HER2+ ICD. At first I asked why? I;m going to serve you Lord, I have made steps in the direction of increasing areas, getting back to things I knew I needed to do, not just for me but for the Lord. Anyway, after the initial shock of everything and much love, support, and caring from several dear friends, my church, my Pastor, I knew I couldn't let this stop me. So I told the Lord no matter what you'll get the glory for everything.
Well, the Clinical Trial I did that was in Boston did what the doctors had hoped it would. I know it was of the Lord that it went as it did. Once I heard that I was cancer free, I was Praising the Lord and so excited, hoping and praying that I wouldn't have a lot more to go through. Well, if you are on Facebook you have seen some of what I will be facing for the next 12 months.
For an entire year I'll be having treatment every 3 weeks, this will continue to attack anything that possibly could be left from the cancer. The purpose for this is the HER2+ is a very aggressive cancer. If I was to say no to this treatment I would run a higher risk of it reoccurring. Then I'll have a total of 8 weeks of Chemo, which I'm very thankful I won't be getting the AC Chemo which is a harsh chemo. I'm able to go without that. However this will mean I'll have a greater chance of hair loss now. I am at peace with this, if I lose my hair, as of now I can say, "I'm prepared for it" now when it actually happens if it does.... well, I'll let you know then how I do. Lastly will be shortly after chemo is finished I'll have 6 weeks of Radiation.
For those who are asking why are you going through this if you are cancer free? The key reason is preventative! See, the chances of the cancer returning right now are greater than if I go through the year of treatments, chemo and radiation. Once I complete the year of everything my chance of it reoccurring is less than 10%.
Will I be sick during all this? Probably, but as Dr. Julia said, "everyone is different."
Hair loss, again I didn't loss it earlier which they are very surprised by. I believe it was a HUGE answer to prayer! I prayed and prayed that the Lord would allow me to keep my hair, and well, he did! "Ask and it shall be given you" The Bible clearly states that the Lord gives us the desires of our hearts and that's exactly what I believe he did.
Will I have stop any part of it because my body can't handle it? We'll have to see. However, again my prayer is that since the Doctors believe this is what I need that the Lord will allow me to go through everything with as little problems as possible. Just as I did the first round, I'll stay busy, I'll stay positive and trust in the Lord to take care of everything.
I have an in home nurse now so that if I have a problem or need her, all it takes is a phone call. Plus my oncologist is only 15 minutes away during the day. So with all the medicines, chemo, radiation that will take place I have medical staff close by. I have my church family who, by the way has been, next to my family, the biggest and greatest support anyone could ask for.
So my dear friends, though all this sounds terrible, trust me when I say, "I'm at peace with everything, God has and will get all the glory for everything." He won't get the glory only if it's good, though hard he will also get the glory for the bad/hard as well.
C - Concern not only for your family but others.
A - Abide in Him don't quit on God
N - Never give up, we weren't given life to just give up.
C - Caring for others, though you are hurting or sick put others first and show them you care.
E - Enduring all that is before you even on those days you don't feel up to it.
R - Rejoice in the Lord even when you don't feel like it.
Even with a word that is so awful, dreadful and fearful we can take and turn it around to be our platform, our encourager, our help to others.
So what will you do to Make Today Amazing! Or as a gift I received the other day, says, "Make Today Ridiculously Amazing!" Go out and share a your testimony or a testimony of one you know that would help another.
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