"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened...how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!" Matthew 7:7-8, 11b
(In this passage)"Jesus is laying down the rules of conduct for those who have His Spirit, and it works on this principle-God is my Father, He loves me, I shall never think of anything He will forget, why should I worry? There are times, says Jesus, when God cannot lift the darkness from you, but trust Him. God will appear like an unkind friend, but He is not; he will appear like an unnatural Father, but He is not; he will appear like an unjust judge, but He is not. Keep the notion of the mind of God behind all things strong and growing. Nothing happens in any particular unless God's will is behind it, therefore you can rest in perfect confidence in Him."
Oswald Chambers
My lab results showed several areas of invasive ductile breast carcinoma. Preliminary results show it to be of intermediate grade, which is a step down from the aggressive carcinoma that was diagnosed in January 2009. My "timber" markers (cancer indicators) are at 14.3. They were stable at 11.7 in March of this year. At its highest, my markers were at 19.8 in March of 2009. So it seems that this if fairly new or it would have shown up in my blood work in March. We are leaving for James Island on Monday. I will also speak with doctors on Monday and try to determine a course of action. Thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers!
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
God First
Journal Entry-July 13, 2011
"It must be God first, God second, and God third, until the life is faced steadily with God and no one else is of any account." Oswald Chambers
How quickly alarming health news draws us back to where we should've been all the time. It's so easy to depend on ourselves until something reveals us to be vulnerable. I must keep "God first".
My MRI on Monday showed areas of concern so I will be having a needle biopsy tomorrow at 8:00. I may know results on Friday but it may be next week. We are leaving for Charleston on Monday and looking forward to a great vacation!!! Thanks for your prayers!
"It must be God first, God second, and God third, until the life is faced steadily with God and no one else is of any account." Oswald Chambers
How quickly alarming health news draws us back to where we should've been all the time. It's so easy to depend on ourselves until something reveals us to be vulnerable. I must keep "God first".
My MRI on Monday showed areas of concern so I will be having a needle biopsy tomorrow at 8:00. I may know results on Friday but it may be next week. We are leaving for Charleston on Monday and looking forward to a great vacation!!! Thanks for your prayers!
Monday, January 10, 2011
The Road Less Traveled
Journal Entry-January 10, 2011
"Let's take the road less traveled" was what Joe said as we ventured into the 8 inches of snow that covered the world today! It is a family tradition to "see what the Land Cruiser can do" whenever it snows, and today was no exception! It is so exciting for the kids to see the most snow they've ever seen while they are still here at home with us!
I can't believe it has been October since I posted on my blog! After the fifth person mentioned that I hadn't posted in awhile, I figured it was time to post!
I have been feeling well, just fatigued. Some of which may be related to sinus problems. The CT scan of my face showed an obstruction in the left maxillary sinus. I had an appointment today to see what my options would be, but it was cancelled due to snow. They said I'll be seen before the end of the week.
Until then, I will enjoy the time off and the extra sleep!
"Let's take the road less traveled" was what Joe said as we ventured into the 8 inches of snow that covered the world today! It is a family tradition to "see what the Land Cruiser can do" whenever it snows, and today was no exception! It is so exciting for the kids to see the most snow they've ever seen while they are still here at home with us!
I can't believe it has been October since I posted on my blog! After the fifth person mentioned that I hadn't posted in awhile, I figured it was time to post!
I have been feeling well, just fatigued. Some of which may be related to sinus problems. The CT scan of my face showed an obstruction in the left maxillary sinus. I had an appointment today to see what my options would be, but it was cancelled due to snow. They said I'll be seen before the end of the week.
Until then, I will enjoy the time off and the extra sleep!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Bell Day-Part Two
Journal Entry-October 20, 2010
I got to ring the Bell again yesterday at the Cancer Center when I finished my last Herceptin! I have an Echo today, a PET scan next Wednesday, and then back to Dr. Go on Nov. 5. If all the tests turn out alright, he will send me to Dr. Young to have my port removed! It will be nice to close this chapter of active treatment and move on!
I can't believe that the first quarter of school is already gone! Joey is finishing up soccer at HPCS with the State Tournament next week. He is also in the play Matchmaker and has been busy with rehearsals. We had a wonderful time at the Family Conference at the Wilds a few weeks back! I love Fall and I will be glad when our "summer" days of Fall are over and we get to the nice mild weather we're used to around here!
Thanks for all your meals, cards, and prayers as I finished up my Herceptin. God is good!
I got to ring the Bell again yesterday at the Cancer Center when I finished my last Herceptin! I have an Echo today, a PET scan next Wednesday, and then back to Dr. Go on Nov. 5. If all the tests turn out alright, he will send me to Dr. Young to have my port removed! It will be nice to close this chapter of active treatment and move on!
I can't believe that the first quarter of school is already gone! Joey is finishing up soccer at HPCS with the State Tournament next week. He is also in the play Matchmaker and has been busy with rehearsals. We had a wonderful time at the Family Conference at the Wilds a few weeks back! I love Fall and I will be glad when our "summer" days of Fall are over and we get to the nice mild weather we're used to around here!
Thanks for all your meals, cards, and prayers as I finished up my Herceptin. God is good!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
"Before You Ask"
"For your Father knows what you need before you ask him." Matthew 6:8
I wanted to share how the Lord has worked in my medical situations over the past 2 or 3 months. I have had problems with the lymphedema in my arm since spring. I did a demo with a machine called the Flexitouch in June. I will finally get it delivered to me with no cost tomorrow!I have been on several "rabbit trails" trying to find someone to help me with the expense. I was originally told I was out of network and my insurance would not pay. So I tried private non-profit cancer organizations and came to a dead end. Then I did a demo with another pump that was in network, just not as good as the Flexitouch . The next day I received a call saying that my insurance would pay for the Flexitouch, the machine I wanted! They even worked it out to waive the remaining balance so that I could get the pump with no charge to me! So many of you have been specifically praying with me for this and I thank you so much! I was tempted to think that if I had just stuck with the original plan in June that I wouldn't have had to wait so long to get it. But then the Lord showed me that every path He took me down during this process has led to a blessing that I wouldn't have had were it not for going on the "rabbit trails"! The local non-profit organizations could not help with the pump, but gave monetary assistance with medical bills. The lady who did the demo with the other pump told me my compression sleeves shouldn't be so loose after just 3 months. So they called the company and they are sending 2 new sleeves to replace the ones I have now! Then as the Lord pulled me back on the Flexitouch path, I was able to get this machine without any cost to me at all! It has been an amazing experience seeing how the Lord uses "rabbit trails" for my good.
I am having my next to the last Herceptin today. I will finish 3 weeks from today! I hope to have the training nurse out to set up my Flexitouch this week, so I can begin to do the lymphatic drainage that should reduce the swelling in my arm and allow me to decrease the amount of time I wear compression garments.
Thanks again for all your prayers!
I wanted to share how the Lord has worked in my medical situations over the past 2 or 3 months. I have had problems with the lymphedema in my arm since spring. I did a demo with a machine called the Flexitouch in June. I will finally get it delivered to me with no cost tomorrow!I have been on several "rabbit trails" trying to find someone to help me with the expense. I was originally told I was out of network and my insurance would not pay. So I tried private non-profit cancer organizations and came to a dead end. Then I did a demo with another pump that was in network, just not as good as the Flexitouch . The next day I received a call saying that my insurance would pay for the Flexitouch, the machine I wanted! They even worked it out to waive the remaining balance so that I could get the pump with no charge to me! So many of you have been specifically praying with me for this and I thank you so much! I was tempted to think that if I had just stuck with the original plan in June that I wouldn't have had to wait so long to get it. But then the Lord showed me that every path He took me down during this process has led to a blessing that I wouldn't have had were it not for going on the "rabbit trails"! The local non-profit organizations could not help with the pump, but gave monetary assistance with medical bills. The lady who did the demo with the other pump told me my compression sleeves shouldn't be so loose after just 3 months. So they called the company and they are sending 2 new sleeves to replace the ones I have now! Then as the Lord pulled me back on the Flexitouch path, I was able to get this machine without any cost to me at all! It has been an amazing experience seeing how the Lord uses "rabbit trails" for my good.
I am having my next to the last Herceptin today. I will finish 3 weeks from today! I hope to have the training nurse out to set up my Flexitouch this week, so I can begin to do the lymphatic drainage that should reduce the swelling in my arm and allow me to decrease the amount of time I wear compression garments.
Thanks again for all your prayers!
Monday, August 2, 2010
"What we call the process, God calls the end."
Journal Entry-August 2, 2010
"What we call the process, God calls the end. What is my dream of God's purpose? His purpose is that I depend on Him and on His power now. If I can stay in the middle of the turmoil calm and unperplexed, that is the end of the purpose of God. God is not working towards a particular finish; His end is the process-that I see Him walking on the waves, no shore in sight, no success, no goal, just the absolute certainty that it is all right because I see Him walking on the sea. It is the process, not the end, which is glorifying to God...God's end is to enable me to see that He can walk on the chaos of my life just now. If we have a further end in view, we do not pay sufficient attention to the immediate present: if we realize that obedience is the end, then each moment as it comes is precious." Oswald Chambers
The end of summer lies just around the bend and the last minute "rush" is on to try and finish all the "projects" I planned to accomplish this summer. My relaxing days of reading a book just for fun are over as long range math plans, buying school clothes and textbooks, and ideas for setting up my classroom occupy my thoughts. I am very goal oriented and the reaching the end of these goals is what motivates me. But God sees it differently. To him, the process to those goals is the end. My seeing Him walk on the chaos of my life should be my only goal!
I have completed 3 out of 7 Herceptin treatments. This week I've really felt drained after the treatment. The first 48 hours after the treatment are not very enjoyable. The next Herceptin will be the afternoon of my first day of school with my new class, September 16.
We are back from vacation and trying to enjoy these last days of freedom! Joey left for camp with over 70 kids from Hampton Park today. He will be at Appalachian Bible Camp enjoying God's creation through adventure recreation. I know he will have a tremendous time and we are praying for the Lord to speak to all of the youth through the activities of the week.
I am also preparing to be a mentor to a new 4K teacher, Amanda Graves. This is her first classroom job and she is looking forward to these little ones! It will be a great year for both of us with her youth and creativity! I am also beginning a new part time job as a Kindergarten trainer for the "Math Out of the Box" curriculum developed by Clemson University. I will be flying to Indiana on August 31 to teach a one day training session on Sept. 1. I would appreciate your prayers as I fly on those two days. There is an increased risk of swelling with air travel and I'm trusting my lymphedema will not worsen. Also I would ask that you pray as I seek help from some national cancer foundations in getting a lymphedema pump. My insurance will not cover the cost and I am praying that the Lord will lead me to an organization that can purchase this machine for me. It would help me manage my lymphedema at home and not have to rely on physical therapy. It would hopefully prevent the need for any more bandaging. I've had some type of compression on my left arm around the clock for 2 months! When I did a demo with this machine, it worked great, so thanks for joining me as I pray for this need to be met.
Thanks for all of you who are praying for me as I finish these Herceptin treatments and begin a new school year!
"What we call the process, God calls the end. What is my dream of God's purpose? His purpose is that I depend on Him and on His power now. If I can stay in the middle of the turmoil calm and unperplexed, that is the end of the purpose of God. God is not working towards a particular finish; His end is the process-that I see Him walking on the waves, no shore in sight, no success, no goal, just the absolute certainty that it is all right because I see Him walking on the sea. It is the process, not the end, which is glorifying to God...God's end is to enable me to see that He can walk on the chaos of my life just now. If we have a further end in view, we do not pay sufficient attention to the immediate present: if we realize that obedience is the end, then each moment as it comes is precious." Oswald Chambers
The end of summer lies just around the bend and the last minute "rush" is on to try and finish all the "projects" I planned to accomplish this summer. My relaxing days of reading a book just for fun are over as long range math plans, buying school clothes and textbooks, and ideas for setting up my classroom occupy my thoughts. I am very goal oriented and the reaching the end of these goals is what motivates me. But God sees it differently. To him, the process to those goals is the end. My seeing Him walk on the chaos of my life should be my only goal!
I have completed 3 out of 7 Herceptin treatments. This week I've really felt drained after the treatment. The first 48 hours after the treatment are not very enjoyable. The next Herceptin will be the afternoon of my first day of school with my new class, September 16.
We are back from vacation and trying to enjoy these last days of freedom! Joey left for camp with over 70 kids from Hampton Park today. He will be at Appalachian Bible Camp enjoying God's creation through adventure recreation. I know he will have a tremendous time and we are praying for the Lord to speak to all of the youth through the activities of the week.
I am also preparing to be a mentor to a new 4K teacher, Amanda Graves. This is her first classroom job and she is looking forward to these little ones! It will be a great year for both of us with her youth and creativity! I am also beginning a new part time job as a Kindergarten trainer for the "Math Out of the Box" curriculum developed by Clemson University. I will be flying to Indiana on August 31 to teach a one day training session on Sept. 1. I would appreciate your prayers as I fly on those two days. There is an increased risk of swelling with air travel and I'm trusting my lymphedema will not worsen. Also I would ask that you pray as I seek help from some national cancer foundations in getting a lymphedema pump. My insurance will not cover the cost and I am praying that the Lord will lead me to an organization that can purchase this machine for me. It would help me manage my lymphedema at home and not have to rely on physical therapy. It would hopefully prevent the need for any more bandaging. I've had some type of compression on my left arm around the clock for 2 months! When I did a demo with this machine, it worked great, so thanks for joining me as I pray for this need to be met.
Thanks for all of you who are praying for me as I finish these Herceptin treatments and begin a new school year!
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Recognizing Jesus
Journal Entry-June 19, 2010
'And Peter...walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid." Matthew 14:29-30
"The wind was actually boisterous, the waves were actually high, but Peter did not see them at first. He did not reckon with them, he simply recognized his Lord and stepped out in recognition of Him, and walked on water. Then he began to reckon with the actual things, and down he went instantly. Why could not our Lord have enabled him to walk at the bottom of the waves as well as on the top of them? Neither could be done saving by recognition of the Lord Jesus.
We step right out on God over some things, then self-consideration enters in and down we go. If you are recognizing your Lord, you have no business with where He engineers your circumstances. The actual things are, but immediately you look at them you are overwhelmed, you cannot recognize Jesus, and the rebuke comes: "Wherefore didst thou doubt?" Let the actual circumstances be what they may, keep recognizing Jesus, maintain complete reliance on Him." From My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers
What are your circumstances today or this week? My circumstances have revolved around trying to cope with a bound up left arm due to lymphedema swelling! The bandages are very tight and sometimes painful. I was hoping to only have to do it for one week, but I'm still in them-24/7-and will have to go to PT for the next few weeks. No doubt there are many of you that have little to complain about right now in life and just as many, if not more, who's circumstances have led you down difficult paths this week. I know my heart is heavy with the burden of prayer, particularly for those in our church family that are struggling through cancer treatments right now.
But isn't it great to know that no matter what the current circumstances of our lives, as long as we recognize Jesus in them, we can "walk on water" and rise above them!
'And Peter...walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid." Matthew 14:29-30
"The wind was actually boisterous, the waves were actually high, but Peter did not see them at first. He did not reckon with them, he simply recognized his Lord and stepped out in recognition of Him, and walked on water. Then he began to reckon with the actual things, and down he went instantly. Why could not our Lord have enabled him to walk at the bottom of the waves as well as on the top of them? Neither could be done saving by recognition of the Lord Jesus.
We step right out on God over some things, then self-consideration enters in and down we go. If you are recognizing your Lord, you have no business with where He engineers your circumstances. The actual things are, but immediately you look at them you are overwhelmed, you cannot recognize Jesus, and the rebuke comes: "Wherefore didst thou doubt?" Let the actual circumstances be what they may, keep recognizing Jesus, maintain complete reliance on Him." From My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers
What are your circumstances today or this week? My circumstances have revolved around trying to cope with a bound up left arm due to lymphedema swelling! The bandages are very tight and sometimes painful. I was hoping to only have to do it for one week, but I'm still in them-24/7-and will have to go to PT for the next few weeks. No doubt there are many of you that have little to complain about right now in life and just as many, if not more, who's circumstances have led you down difficult paths this week. I know my heart is heavy with the burden of prayer, particularly for those in our church family that are struggling through cancer treatments right now.
But isn't it great to know that no matter what the current circumstances of our lives, as long as we recognize Jesus in them, we can "walk on water" and rise above them!
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