"32"

On June 30, 1979 at 1:00 p.m., I walked down the aisle as a bride to meet my groom. Here we are 32 years later. Happy Anniversary, Mr. Clark! XO

It's Been Six Weeks

I know it's been six weeks since my last blog. It's been a busy June with Randy's annual barbershop show and, just last Saturday, the 20th Annual Clark Reunion.

Nothing much really to report. I am feeling good...there were no repeat rash issues...:-) I will have my next follow-up MRI in July.

One thing I would recommend. I recently read the book, "Heaven is for Real." I am not typically much of a reader but this book is a must read!

Hope you are enjoying summer...it's hard to believe the days are already getting shorter.

ITCH...SCRATCH

It's been an interesting 24 hours. Last evening my skin started itching in certain areas. It looked like I had numerous bug bites of some kind. As the evening progressed, the areas were increasing as well as becoming blotchy. I call the after-hours office number. Of course, they suggested Benadryl, which I did. Slept lousy. By morning, it was much worse.

Saw the doctor this morning. He did not think at this point the rash was related to cancer and/or treatment. He believes I am reacting to something I ate or came in contact to. He started me on a six-day regiment of steroids. Let the appetite begin! :-) I have had two doses so far today. On one hand, it appears to be improving...on the other, not so much.

I am trusting with each dose, I will see more and more improvement. Thanks for your continued prayers!

Holy Week

It's been awhile since my last post...thought I would bring everyone up to speed. I had my quarterly follow-up MRI in late March. The Reading Radiologist noted a slightly enhanced area. It was decided to follow-up with Dr. Dropcho (from IU Med Center). He did not see this. In fact, he responded the findings were the same, if not better, when compared to my MRI in December. It also looks that I will stop the Temodar drug (oral chemo pill) after my May cycle. For now, I will continue with the Avastin treatments, atleast until October. Instead of every two weeks, though, they will occur every four weeks.

Not only are Randy and I thankful for the good report, we are most thankful for what this week means: HE IS RISEN.....HE IS RISEN INDEED!

P.S. Check out Logan and Savannah's Easter pictures...

NO...YES

As you know, we initially were told we would qualify for co-pay
assistance thru the Cancer Care Co-Pay Assistance Program.  After the
application process, we found out we did not.  My doctor's office
suggested another program to apply for.  I almost didn't because they
wanted basically the same information.  I thought if we don't qualify
for the first one, we most likely will not qualify for the second one.
I received this note in the mail today...

"It is with great pleasure that the Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay
Relief Program informs you that based on the information provided you
have qualified to receive assistance to use for co-pays for medications
prescribed in relation to your diagnosis.  Your award is valid for
twelve months from the date of this letter."  

This assistance is even more than the first one, not only taking care of
our deductible this year, but leaving some for next year's deductible.
Randy said to me, "Isn't it just like Him to give us what we need and,
sometimes, even more."

I am in "awe."  God is SO good!

The Revelation of God's Love

I borrowed these words from a page on Facebook. They come from David Wilkerson.

The Bible is filled with the truth of God's love. But at times, I allow myself to wonder how the Lord could ever love me. It's not that I doubt His love, it's more a failure on my part to keep myself in the knowledge and assurance of His love for me.

Understanding the love of God is the secret to an overcoming life. Multitudes grow spiritually cold and lazy because they're ignorant of the Lord's love for them. They don't know that their greatest weapon against Satan's attacks is to be fully convinced of God's love for them.

How long has God loved you? He's loved you since He has existed, because God is love. It is His very nature. He loved you as a sinner. He loved you in the womb. He loved you before the world began. There was no beginning to His love for you, and there is no end to it.

I needed these words this week!

365 days...

Friday, March 12, 2010. I would have never guessed that one day could change a person’s life so much. I have learned more in one year’s time than probably all my years before then combined. Medical terms I would have never known are now a part of my every day vocabulary. Emotions have gone higher and lower than ever thought possible. Love, support and, prayers have been the greatest of my life.

Overall, the year has gone supernaturally well. Randy and I cannot believe how good I have felt most of these past 365 days. Fatigue comes and go, but I can count on one hand the days I did not feel very perky. God has answered so many prayers (big and small), I cannot list them all.

Most people would probably say how something like this would draw you closer to God. While that is very true, I could not imagine getting through one of these days, let alone 365, without Him.

This is not a journey I would have ever selected for myself. But “our” ways are not always “God’s" ways.

After my diagnosis, the kids (and Randy) gave me a care package with the following message:

Cancer is so limited.

It cannot cripple love.

It cannot shatter hope (Jeremiah 29:11)

It cannot corrode faith.

It cannot destroy peace.

It cannot kill friendship.

It cannot suppress memories.

It cannot silence courage.

It cannot invade the soul.

It cannot steal eternal life.

It cannot conquer the spirit.

CANCER…..CANNOT!