Summertime

It's hard to believe the calendar is already telling us that summer is half over.

June was a busy month for us.  Brad and Holly were married on June 7th.  Randy and I attended, for the first time, The Memphis Quartet Show.  Elvis even made a surprise visit...LOL! 

Randy and I celebrated our 34th wedding anniversary.

June ended with my routine, quarterly MRI, which required a follow-up visit to I U Med Center.   

 

Our follow-up appointment in Indy was last Wednesday.  Unfortunately, it was not the 
report we had hoped for.  From the original tumor bed (on the right side) there  is a 
band of several small spots along the base of my brain going from right to left, 
eventually leading to a spot (1/2inch in size).  While the Avastin I was receiving was to 
starve any new cells blood supply, it may have found its way to another source.  The 
neurologist will be conferring with my radiation oncologist here to find out exactly what 
part of my brain received radiation.  If that section on the left did receive radiation, 
they'll have to do more testing to figure out what it is.  If it wasn't included in the 
treatment, it most likely is a new tumor.  There are treatment options if we find that is 
how we need to proceed.,I.e. radiation, chemo, continuing Avastin, or even a combination 
of a couple.  I may have to consider if additional radiation would be more beneficial 
than harmful, since it has already created some mobility issues for me.  Surgery is not 
an option...tumors are too deep.

They hope to call this week with info.

While I could choose to focus on the "bad" news, but I'm not going to do that.  If I told you there has not been 

any tears, that would not be true.   But here are the facts I DO KNOW.  I/we've have been on this journey for

over 40 months.  If you know anything about my type of cancer, that is a MIRACLE!!  I am feeling good...

looking forward to the kids/grandkids coming this week for Kid's Day at the Elkhart Count 4-H Fair.

We'll do our best to keep you updated.  As always, we appreciate your continued prayers, love, and 
support.  While I/we may not know what the future holds, but the Lord does as Jeremiah 29:11 promises me/us.

                                                                        June 7, 2013

Wedding Bells for Brad and Holly

I decided to get a pedicure today for Brad and Holly's upcoming nuptials.  I ran in to a former employer's wife while I was there.  It made me think about neglecting my blog.

Things (physically) are status quo, so I guess it leaves me thinking, what is there to share?  Scans continue to be clear (next one at the end of June), and most days, I feel completely normal.  I guess that would depend on your definition of normal, but for me, it's good.

I would be amiss not to share my heart, especially this week.  Three years ago when I received my diagnosis, I did not know if I would be here now.  Statistics would have said "no," but statistics have nothing to do with God's plan.

In our Cancer Support Group, there was a chapter we discussed that talked about making a list of things/events we wanted to be here for.  At the top of my list was Brad's wedding, even though at that time, he had not even met Holly.

On Friday, I will enjoy watching my entire family (Randy, Brooke, Glen, Logan, Savannah, and Chloe) participate in the ceremony.  I will be the "Proud Mother of the Groom!"

I would say I'm a lucky girl, but to be completely honest, luck has nothing to do with it.  Thanks be to my Heavenly Father for bestowing these blessings on me.

P.S.  By the way, status quo is fine by me!!

Happy New Year!

Here we are again...January 1st.  

As I look back over the past year (2012), there have been so many blessings.  We welcomed a new granddaughter, Chloe Ann (we share the same middle name), on August 13th.  

Randy and I were able to take a trip back to where we honeymooned 33 years ago, even staying at the same resort.  

Bradley became engaged just 2 days ago.  I told his bride, Holly, that is so neat to say a specific prayer for your child, and then to see how God answers that prayer!  Needless to say, we are looking forward to a beautiful wedding in June! 

God continues to bless me with good health.  I am so amazed sometimes how good my Heavenly Father takes care of me.  And then I think why am I surprised?  Isn't that just like Him?  Of course it is!!

At the end of the year, it sure is nice to be invited to rest in Jesus. So before we begin a new year, let's pause and place our hopes, our future, our dreams, and especially our burdens down at his feet and let him give us rest.

12/12/12

I could say I received an early Christmas present, but truth be known, it's really a blessing/gift from above. 

My last quarterly MRI was on Thursday (7th).  One of the things we were watching was an enhancement (which was inconclusive) from my MRI in September.  I am ecstatic to report that any enhancement is purely postoperative...PTL!

So today on 12/12/12, I celebrate 33 months!!!!!

Jeremiah 29:11

Finished Well

I know on previous occasions I have mentioned the Senior Pastor, Stan Buck, at Logan and Savannah's preschool.  About 18 months ago, he learned of a brain tumor he had.  Often when I would read his blog, I felt like I was reading my own story.  I was thrilled to meet and talk with him last December at Logan's Christmas program.  A year ago, he was considered to be in remission, but his doctor often told him this was not a cancer he trusted.  Unfortunately, it came back in July with a vengeance.  He ultimately decided he hoped to be here to the end of the year for two imminent reasons:  their church's 25-year celebration, and the birth of their first grandchild.  The did move the church's celebration up three weeks, so he able to participate last Sunday.  His grandchild's delivery is scheduled for 12/12/12.  

This is what his wife blogged today on his behalf:


I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8
Stan’s battle with cancer ended around 5 am this morning. We are sad to lose him, but confident that he is with Jesus. The battle which he fought against brain cancer is now won as he experiences ultimate healing in the presence of God. His faithful dog Quincy stayed at his side until his last breath. We all grieve in the loss but rejoice in a life well lived.

Sometimes this journey, for me, (like today) slaps me in the face.  I still cling to the promise God gave me when all this began...Jeremiah 29:11 

Leaning on the everlasting arms of my Savior!

TRUST HIM

Last night, our Cancer Support Group finished with the book, "When God and Cancer Meet" by Lynn Eib.  It was a phenominal study.  I wanted to share Lynn's words as she concluded the book.

She wrote the following poem on the fifth anniversay of her cancer surgery:  

When your world is crashing down around you, trust Him.
When what is unfolding doesn't make sense, trust Him.
When you see no light at the end of the tunnel, trust Him.
When your silent tears spill down, trust Him.
When your pain refuses to subside, trust Him.
When your heart screams, "Why?" trust Him.
When you have more questions than answers, trust Him.
When the devil tells you otherwise, trust Him.
When it's the last thing you feel like doing, trust Him.
When there's simply nothing else to do, trust Him.  

I think this is true for ALL aspects of our life...not just cancer.

Thanks, Lynn!