S'Mores & "Merlin"

The time is 10:10pm and here I sit, leg up, in the dark, with the only light coming from my lap-top, and that, is how I like it. I meant to write a blog post earlier, but was otherwise engaged writing in one of my stories (I'm in the midst of writing 4) and then wasting too much time on Pinterest. Now, I have no e-mails to write, nothing new on Twitter or Facebook, so here I am. Regrettably the main thing I have been doing throughout all of this recuperating is watch movies, which isn't bad, I guess, since I can't really do anything else and ideas for stories don't often just flow right when you need/want them to. Besides, I rarely watch many movies, and I have some DVD's that I am unable to watch any other time, so why not?
One of the worst things about having surgery and not being able to get around or go anywhere is the fact that Mommy & I are missing Starbucks frappuccino happy hour, which makes me sad. Often they sound so good (ok, maybe they always sound so good....particularly java chip). Ah well, so goes life sometimes.
I am now enjoying my new bedding that Mommy, Daddy, & Chris just put on for me. The sheets are light pink and the comforter is burgundy and it is tufted. It all looks so pretty. And, of course, it wouldn't be the same without my Nani Bear and big Winnie The Pooh bear right next to me (yes, I'm 23 and still have to have stuffed bears on my bed...indeed, Nani Bear comes with me everywhere we go, he's been with me during my doctors' visits, surgeries, scans, chemotherapy, and radiation - I even created a fanpage for him on FB, which has 7 'likes', all of whom I know, indeed, I'm one of them, so clearly, I'm not showing off). I like to have my story journals on my bed, too, in case something pops in my mind that needs to be added.
The movies I've watched (over the course of 5 days) are as follows (some on Netflix, some are my DVD's, and 2 on YouTube):
"The Christmas Card" (about 4 times- DVD)
"The Parent Trap" (original and remake- DVD)
"The Parent Trap II" (DVD)
"Once Upon A Christmas" (DVD)
"Twice Upon A Christmas" (DVD)
"The Muppet Christmas Carol" (my favorite movie ever- DVD)
"A Princess For Christmas" (YouTube)
"Luther" (the story of Martin Luther- YouTube)
"Roman Holiday" (Netflix)
"Neverwas" (Netflix)
Then I've watched a few shows on Netflix. Just a few nights ago, I decided to rewatch "Merlin" (Colin Morgan, Bradley James, Angel Coulby, Katie McGrath) on Netflix, which I've been enjoying immensely; just as good the second time around.

Oh, just yesterday I was informed of some wonderful news that one of my best friends is preggers! I do so look forward to the baby's arrival (due December 15th)....even though we live miles apart and I won't be able to hold the baby for quite some time, regrettably. She and her hubby are going to be wonderful parents and I'm so happy for them!
I am also delighted because Manchester United have won the Premier League and Manchester City lost the FA Cup. Good tidings all around, save for Sir Alex Ferguson retiring from managing Manchester United after 26 years. Ah well, all good things must come to an end.

*Salutes*

It is now 11:10.

Grace be with you.

P.S. You can never go wrong with S'Mores, whether they're made over a fire or in the oven, they're delicious.

Posting this at about 11:32 because I have to read through anything I write online thoroughly at least twice before posting it.

It Has Been Awhile

To my few followers and readers, forgive my long absence. Sometimes I just have no idea what to write.

Tuesday I had follow-up scans to make sure the cancer has not returned. For some reason, I had been worrying about this for a very long time and have cried- well, sobbed is more like it - several times because I was so afraid something had returned.
We got the results today and all is clear and fine. My Radiologist (who is always so nice and awesome) told us that the scans look great and everything is looking really good. He told us that since everything is looking so good, there's a very, very slim chance of anything returning. Because I was so happy about the news, I started crying a little bit and Mommy told him how I had been so worried and he told me not to worry and that he'll do the worrying; he's great.
We are just praising the Lord for this wonderful news.
Tomorrow is my Oncologist's Birthday so last night I made PB cookies and Espresso bars and we're going to take them to the Oncology Center for him and all the nurses. We had planned on doing it today but he doesn't work on Thursdays. But since tomorrow is his Birthday, it all worked out perfectly.
I must say, I do look forward to seeing the nurses there. All of them are kind of like my friends now, and they're all just the sweetest. I've always felt that way about them, but can't say enough how much I appreciate everyone there and how grateful I am to the Lord that he blessed me with such wonderful doctors and nurses throughout all of this.

I have an Etsy shop now, so far I'm just selling handmade earrings, but I hope to get inspiration of other things I can make and sell. I sold one pair of earrings within just a few days of it being opened, so I was thankful for that.
I also have a Pinterest, if anyone is interested in following me: pinterest.com/1maiden4manutd.

Oh, on the 20th, I have an appointment to see a surgeon because I have this kind of swelling on my foot that's been there for several weeks now and my Dr. thinks it's a cyst, but because of my history with cancer, and knowing that I wouldn't be comfortable until we know for sure, she said we should go see a surgeon. He thinks it could be a popped blood vessel and told me to put heat on it at least 3 times a day for 20 minutes each time, which, unfortunately, I haven't been able to do it that often a day, but I have done it at least twice most days. It will start to go down, but if I accidentally skip a few days, it gets bigger again. He said that it's nothing to worry about at all but, if it is a cyst, it would have to be removed, so we'll see what he says on Monday.

Other than all of that, I do not think there is anything new with us.

My hair is coming back nicely and Mommy and I decided that it's getting long enough now to where we don't need to use hairspray anymore (she always fixes it for me because I am not used to short hair and because she likes it...as do I).

In other non-related news:
Last Christmas, I made one of my best friends a scrapbook/cookbook type thing and I keep meaning to post about it (it's taken me long enough) because I took pictures of all the pages and, if I may say, they're quite cute. I'll have to try and post those pictures soon.
I also need to keep up with writing here, as I do enjoy it.

And now, my friends, farewell.

Grace be with you.

Pet Cancer Awareness Month

Continuing on with my animal rant, I give you:
Pet Cancer Awareness Month
Did you know there was an entire month devoted to pet cancer? I didn't.
While every kind of cancer is a scary thing, and I'm sure it's sad to see an animal with it, I'm sorry, that's too far. I mean, yes, there is a Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but when is Leukemia Awareness Month? Child Cancer? Lymphoma? Brain? And, if any of those exist, I would like to know, considering I have never once heard of them.
Mommy saw an advertisement in a coupon add the other day saying where you can donate to find a cure for pet cancer. You know what's sad? Knowing the way America is today, I wouldn't be in the least bit surprised if there was a cure found for pet cancer way sooner than for any kind of cancer a HUMAN BEING has, because pets and animals are that much more important in so many peoples' eyes than humans.
Being one who has battled cancer, gone through treatments, suffered the effects of those treatments, having a fear in the back of my mind that it will one day return, I now understand it. I understand and have felt what others have gone through, are going through, and will continue to go through. It is a scary, dreadful experience...one I would not wish upon my worst enemy. I've always had a sympathy for people with cancer, but now that I know what it's like, it means so much more to me. I long to see a cure for it someday.
The loss of a human life from cancer is greater than the loss of an animal. I know to animal lovers or people with pets, that sounds harsh, but it is the truth. You may love your pet, but a pet can be replaced. Once you've lost someone dear to you, that person can never be replaced. Which would you rather lose?
Please, consider those who are suffering and donate to foundations that help PEOPLE with cancer, foundations that are searching and searching for a cure.
It is sad to see an animal suffer, but it is worse to see a human suffer. Put yourself in that person's shoes. If you had cancer, would you not want a cure? Would you not be offended at the fact that more people would donate to find a cure for pet cancer than they would for the type of cancer you have? Please, don't ignore this disease. Until you go through it (and I hope and pray you won't), you have no idea.

Donate here.
Please, consider putting people above animals for a change. I'm not asking for me, but for all cancer patients and their families who long to see this disease cured, people who long to be made well forever.....to celebrate more Birthdays.

I am not asking or suggesting you ignore pet cancer, but just get your priorities straight and have a heart for suffering human beings. Wouldn't you long for a cure?

Grace be with you.

Random

For awhile now I've been meaning to write a blog post and even knew what to write, but waited so long that now I have 2 things to share so thought I would put them in the same post even if they are quite different.

On January 22nd, Chris and I spent the day with Tommy. He picked us up and we went on a nice long drive where he showed us a route that he takes in his job as a truck driver. We stopped and got lunch at Dairy Queen (yeah, we're a wild crew) and ate it in the car in a lonely parking lot and that was nice. When we were on our way to his place we stopped at the store and Tommy went in and got a couple frozen pizzas and chips.
At his place, we all just kinda relaxed and Chris and I watched him play Skyrim (Xbox360 game) for a little while while the two of them talked about it and I listened, enjoying having my brothers all to myself.
We then started watching the extended version of "The Fellowship of The Ring" on his Blu-ray and halfway through it Tommy threw the pizza in the oven.
Now, whilst watching it, Chris and I learned that Gandalf is Tommy's Grandfather, though we are not sure how he is not OURS, but Tommy knows what he's talking about and we find it best not to ask questions. Of course whilst watching it, Tommy and I had our own commentary throughout the movie which Chris found rather enjoyable. That was probably Chris' and my favorite time with Tommy. It was so much fun and rather funny while watching the movie, we laughed and talked about the movie more than we actually just watched it. I love my brothers so much and love spending time with them, they truly are 2 of my very best friends.
It's funny, when I was younger I used to wish I had sisters too, but now that I'm older, I can't imagine having sisters as well because I love my brothers so much and we are so close that it doesn't bother me not having any other siblings. They're such a blessing to me and mean the world to me. They're always taking care of me and protecting me and we just love spending time together, even if they're playing a game or something and I'm just listening to them talk, I love it. I am so thankful God gave them to me.


Now onto my other news:
I am cancer free!!! On February 8th, I had a CT scan and a PET scan. Mommy and I were there for several hours. The good part about it is after the PET scan, they give you a little box of chocolates, which is always welcome to me, I'd never complain about getting chocolates, indeed, I encourage it.
On February 13th, we would get the results. We wanted all of my family to be there, so because one of our cars isn't working right now and Daddy had his when he went to work, Tommy came and picked us up. Of course, we had an enjoyable time on our way there and while we were there. A few minutes after Mommy signed me in and we were sitting in the waiting room Daddy called and said he was on his way. He met us there and all 5 of us went back to the little (quite little) room together. The 4 of them had to squeeze in together on their chairs and then my Radiologist walked in so now it was really crowded. He told us the scans looked great, and we all were so happy! We also had a lot of laughs in there because he's funny too.
So, we are all just rejoicing and praising the Lord for the healing He has done in me! He is so good!


I still have my little Christmas tree up in my room, it's white with pink ornaments and pink lights that make it look pink. Still trying to figure out if I should take it down now (I was leaving it up for Valentine's Day as well, since it's pink) or do what my Memaw thinks I should do and leave it up all year.

Speaking of Valentine's Day, Chris got a Dwight Schrute (from "The Office") bobblehead and I got Hayley Westenra's new CD "Paradiso" and Celtic Thunder's CD "Storm." I love Hayley's and just finished listening to Celtic Thunder's and like 9 of the 15 songs. I'll write reviews for those CD's sometime or other.

Hope you all are well.

Grace be with you.

Only By The Grace of God

On January 16th, I turned 22.
Only by the grace of God did I live to see this Birthday.

2011:

July 12th I had surgery to remove a tumor.
Only by the grace of God was the tumor in an area that was easily accessible.

July 15th I was diagnosed with Lymphoma.
Only by the grace of God were there no more tumors.

In late July/early August I had surgery to have the port put in. I felt terrible after the surgery and got sick a few times.
Only by the grace of God did I get through it.

The day after the port was put in we started chemotherapy. That was also a terrible day/night.
Only by the grace of God did all of us get through it.

The 2nd chemotherapy treatment was brutal. I was up sick all night long. When I was 1 hour away from having to have an IV put in me at the Cancer Center or going to the hospital, God made it stop. I felt terrible all night long and did not sleep at all until after sunrise.
Only by the grace of God did I get through that terrible, terrible night. And only by the grace of God did my family get through it as well.

The 3rd chemotherapy treatment, I was having a lot of myoclonic seizures for some reason (I fell because of one of them and all the nurses came rushing over to me to make sure I was ok). That was a terrible day.
Only by the grace of God did we get through it.

Chemotherapy was brutal.
Only by the grace of God did I only have to have 3 treatments.

About a month after the last treatment we started radiation.
Only by the grace of God was it just 17 days.

I have been blessed with the most wonderful Dr.s, nurses, surgeons, Oncologist, Radiologist, and the most wonderful little group of people to do the radiology.
Only by the grace of God was I blessed with so many wonderful people to take care of me.

Only by the grace of God was I blessed to be one of the less than 1% chance of having a tumor in an area where I could feel it.

Only by the grace of God am I sitting here today- writing this - cancer free - given another birthday.

I had SO many people praying for me. People I don't even know, who didn't even know me but for being put on so many Church prayer lists.
Only by the grace of God...

And so, I am alive, I am cancer free, I've met wonderful people along this journey, I'm a year older, I have been blessed in so many ways.
Only by the grace of God.

Would I have ever wanted this to happen? No.

Do I wish it wouldn't have happened? No.
Because of going through this, I have even more compassion for those going through all of the treatments and everything. I have a better understanding of it and when I see others that are going through the treatments, I know their pain, what they're going through, I feel it with them, I can comfort them better than I could have before going through it myself.

I believe I've changed through all of this. When we first found out, I don't think I had ever felt so close to God as I did then. He got us through all of this. We've been blessed in so many ways. He healed me. He is merciful.
I honestly don't know how people can go through this without God. He has been my Rock, my Strength, my everything. I would've been terrified going through this without knowing He was carrying me...but I knew He was-and that's what gave me hope, faith, what kept me going, kept me strong. He was feeling what I was feeling, He wept when I...when all of us...wept. There is no way, no way at all, we could've gotten through this if it wasn't for His grace, His comfort, the peace only He can give.
My family can sympathize with the families of cancer patients, I can sympathize with the patients themselves.

I am thankful to God for this life He has given me and I pray it will be used to glorify and honor Him in any way possible.

Tonight we threw away the big red folder that was filled with the information we needed as I was going through chemotherapy with every hope and prayer to never ever see a folder like that again. I have a couple scans next month, though at times I worry that maybe something will be there, I have to have faith and hope and trust in God that it will be ok. My Oncologist believes it will not return and he's been doing this for a long time so has seen many cancers and knows what they're like.
God's will be done.

Grace be with you.

Celebrations

On Wednesday, November 9th, I finished my radiation. I must admit that it was a bittersweet ending because I loved the people there that took care of me, they were so nice and we actually had a lot of laughs together (who would've thought radiology could be so fun??). I don't think one could find a nicer little group of people to do the radiation. I received a diploma for finishing it, so that was pretty cool.
When Mommy and I left there we went to see my Aunt Nana at work so I could show her my diploma and stuff, so that was nice. We found out that Mommy's cousin, Della, took my Memaw & Grandpa and Great Aunt 'Bebo' & Great Uncle James to the Outback Steakhouse for dinner so decided to stop over there and surprise them so we could show them my diploma and stuff. Now, Della is really rather persuasive and won't take no for an answer, so we were forced (in a good way, of course) to stay and she would buy our dinner as well PLUS told us to pick out something for Daddy and Chris to take home to them. So, we stayed and we had a wonderful time together. It was so fun and so good to see Della, Bebo, and Uncle James as we don't see them near often enough. Our waitress was very sweet; Mommy asked her for a set of plastic utensils for me (I'm not using silverware because the radiation left a bit of a metallic taste in my mouth that will go away eventually and it's recommended that one uses plastic instead), so she remembered to give me a plastic spoon with my coffee and then again with my free dessert. Grandpa had told her that I had just finished radiation so she told me to pick out something for dessert and she would just say it's my Birthday so I would get it for free.
So, that was the first celebration...unplanned and unexpected, but a blessing.
On the Sabbath, November 13th, my Memaw & Grandpa took Mommy, Tommy, Chris, and me out for dinner at the Texas Roadhouse. We had such a wonderful time together and it was such a blessing to be able to celebrate together. Daddy had to work but Grandpa insisted on buying him a meal that we could take home to him.
Those are the celebrations of my radiology being over.
God has blessed us beyond what we could have imagined. To think that I felt the tumor when my radiologist said that there's like less than a 1% chance of anyone being able to feel it where I did. There was only one tumor and it was removed with the surgery. God is so good. His plans are perfect.
This disease could've killed me, but God didn't have that in His plan. Through all that we have gone these past few months, may He be praised and may we be more grateful for all that He has done. This has been a hard journey, but it's over and He has so graciously carried us through this for, without Him, we could not have faced it alone (and how other people do it, I have no idea).
Sometimes it's hard to find blessings in such terrible situations, but in mine, the tumor was placed where I could feel it, I had surgery to remove it, that was the only one, through all of this, God has blessed me with the most wonderful Dr.'s, nurses, etc. that one could ask for. Now that this is over, I hope to be able to do more with my life for the One who gives me strength and keeps my heart beating, in any way possible.


Today, I saw on Facebook another reason to celebrate: Starbucks has a deal where you buy one holiday beverage and get another free from 2-5 that ends tomorrow, you can imagine I raced downstairs to tell Mommy and within minutes we were on our way to get our favorite-Peppermint Mochas! We are now immensely enjoying them on this grey, somewhat chilly day.
I am sitting at a table in my room writing this, drinking my Peppermint Mocha, listening to Christmas music, and (you ready?)....covered up in my SNUGGIE! Haha! Grandpa bought it for Memaw, but she didn't really want to use it and since it's pink she gave it to me. It is quite warm for being a goofy looking little thing.


Mommy got a call from the ladies at the yarn shop and they said my chemo cap is ready, so Lord willing, we'll be going sometime next week to pick it up.
I do have a little bit of hair growing back, so that's pretty dang awesome.


That's not the only new cap I'll have though, one of my best friends, Meghan, sent me a cap that she made for me as well as one that her Mum made for me and they're both so adorable!
Thank you, Meghan and Mrs. G!! Love you, ladies!


I hope your day is blessed.


Grace be with you.

I'm Not So Strong

Through all of my journey with Lymphoma and everything that I've gone through, people have told me I'm their hero, an inspiration, so strong. I'm not as strong as people think.
Yes, I know and have always believed that God has me on this journey for a reason, I know this is His plan for me, that has always stuck with me through all of this, that doesn't mean I've never been afraid.
Every time I had chemo, I felt so terrible, couldn't eat for several days, the smell of coffee (which I love) was horrendous to me, certain smells were too much, I was tired, I cried (the first time for no reason), but always felt that I shouldn't complain. There are so many people that have to go through so much chemo and so many other things that I thought it was wrong of me to complain because I only had to go through 3 rounds of chemo and only 17 days of radiation (I only have 7 more). Plus the fact that I didn't want to complain because everyone said I was so strong, I felt that I couldn't show the fear that hid in me, that it wouldn't do to complain, there was nothing that could be done about it, why not just go on pretending I'm so strong?
Finally, one night, just a little while ago, I broke down. I went to Mommy and told her that lately I feel very distant from God and that it scares me, it's something I've never, ever wanted, it's the worst feeling in the world. I was crying. I told her my inner fear; that when all of this is over and they do more scans, the cancer will have returned, that there will be more chemo treatments. I know the Lord is with me, that Jesus walks with me through all things, God's plans are perfect (that's what I've said from the beginning). Maybe I've been hiding my fear by joking about things, like my hair falling out, dressing up as a microwave for Halloween because of the radiation that's going in me (we don't celebrate Halloween, by the way), etc.
Even now I sometimes have the same fears; the cancer coming back, even the thought of more chemo is something I'd rather not think about, not because of the treatment itself, but what it does to me afterwards.
It just doesn't seem right for me to say such things or to feel this way because of all of the people that are going through much worse, that have to live in cancer hospitals, I hate that for all of those people. I would never wish this on anyone.
You see, I always knew it was hard for others, but until it happened to me, I didn't know just how hard it was.
In a way, I am grateful that the Lord put me on this journey so that maybe I can help others through it. I don't think I was ever once angry with God for putting me through this, I certainly wasn't happy with it or anything though, just always tried to rest in knowing that this is His plan for my life and He has a reason for it.
This has been a hard journey, but I do believe there is a light at the end of this tunnel.
My hair is gone, but that's ok, we're looking forward to seeing how it regrows. I do have cute caps, none too warm for the coming cold season, but I will have one soon: last Friday. Mommy and I went to a small yarn shop (I, of course, was wearing my face mask) and there were 2 ladies working (no other customers), well, we got to talking about my Lymphoma and one lady said that she had had cancer several years ago but is just fine, the other lady said her husband had cancer several years ago as well. Then, they told us that they're getting a group together to knit chemo caps and will donate them. I was then asked if I would like one, so the very first one will be made specially for me. She got my name and phone number and will let us know when it is finished. Now, Mommy and I have always wanted to learn how to knit, so the lady said she will give us one-on-one lessons for free, whereas they are usually $35. It's always a wonderful thing to meet friendly, sweet, compassionate people, which seems so rare nowadays, so sad.
So, November 8th will be my last day of radiation. We will pray that the chemo & radiation have done their job, if the Lord wills.
I pray that this journey through Lymphoma will be used to glorify God and, now that I've experienced it, I'll be able to sympathize with others and lift them up.I pray for all of my fellow cancer patients, know that I love you and know what you're going through and my heart hurts for you. I pray God's blessings upon all of you. It is very hard to go through this, I hope and pray someday there will be a cure. I hurt for you all. I hope we can lift each other up, no matter what.

I'd like to share these links:

Donate your hair for free wigs for women who lost their hair due to chemo treatments-click here. (This is what I did when I had hair and knew it was going to fall out ahead of time).


Reasonably priced products made specifically for people with cancer-click here.


Grace be with you all.

Pants & Skirts

No, this is not one of those cliched blog posts about the over discussed issue of Christian women wearing skirts v. pants, which is obviously something to which no one will ever find the real answer and, upon which, there will never be a settled agreement.
Rather, it is simply something I wanted to write so that I would have a new blog post.
For a few years now, I've mostly worn skirts, simply because I feel more feminine in them, and like them better; however, because I will be starting my treatments next week I want to be comfy, Mommy and I plan to shop for a pair of jeans and a pair of comfy pants as, a skirt will not be so comfortable going through all of this. Mommy, too, purchased some pants for herself.
So, it isn't that I don't want to feel feminine in these coming few months, but I want to feel comfy, and there's nothing wrong with that.
Anyway, I'm not really sure why I wanted to write this, seeing as it's rather boring, just thought I'd point out that I don't think women wearing pants is wrong, if they do it in a modest, feminine fashion. It's highly possible that when all this is over I will go back to just skirts, but I don't know, we will see.

This, however, is how I would love to dress all the time:

Grace be with you.

God Is So Good!

Monday, we went to my Oncologist to find out the results of the scans and there are NO more tumors, praise the Lord!
So, next Tuesday we will see the Dr. that is going to put the port in me and then the next day or Thursday, he will perform the surgery and then we will go straight from there to the Cancer Center to have my chemo and will be there for 5 hours. It's kind of funny, the Dr. that is going to perform the surgery doesn't see patients on Tuesdays because that is his surgery day, but my Oncologist made sure he would see me.
I will have 3 rounds of chemo over a period of nine weeks and then 3 rounds of radiation, I don't remember how long though.

I have the best family in the world, so loving and caring: when we left the Oncologist, Mommy and I went to where my Aunt Nana works and I went in to tell her and she hugged me tight and we walked outside together to talk with Mommy (she waited in the car) and she was just so happy and stuff. She said that my Uncle (her hubby, of course) had called her like 3 times to ask if she heard anything. The appointment was at 2:30 and she said that he called at 2:45 to ask if she's heard anything and asked if she could call us, I'm thinking he kind of cares about me. When Mommy called Memaw, she started crying when Mommy told her, then when she called Mawmaw, she started bawling, and she called Tommy and could tell that he was trying to keep himself from crying, of course Chris was so thankful as well, when Mommy called him; my brothers are the best. Mawmaw told Daddy that when she called Great Uncle Bill (her brother), they were both crying. Yes, I have the best family in the world. God is so good.
Oh, also, when Mommy & I got home that day, Daddy had gotten me a dozen roses on his way home and had them waiting for me on the table, they're so pretty!


Because of the treatments, my hair will fall out, so the other night Mommy cut my hair real short (I cried) and we're donating it to Pantene Beautiful Lengths. We would've gone with Locks of Love but I read up about it and those wigs are not free and are expensive, whereas Pantene Beautiful Lengths is for women who lost their hair due to cancer treatments and their wigs are free.
I do kind of like my hair now, but do plan on letting it grow out long again when it comes back.

My long hair:

Now:

 

So, that's what it's going to be for a couple more weeks before it falls out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Lord has blessed us with some rain, and there was a storm this morning. I was awakened by probably the loudest clap of thunder I have ever heard, wow it was loud. It's still grey outside, and kinda windy, hopefully we have more storms coming our way, Lord willing.

Hope you are having a blessed day!

Grace be with you.

Today

Mommy, Daddy, and I went to my Oncologist today. He told us that the kind of lymphoma I have (can't remember the name of it, it's 3 long words) generally has only one tumor. Even if this was the only one, I will still have to go through radiation and chemo, but only about 6 rounds.
On Monday, we will go and get a ct scan and then a pet scan after that to see if there are anymore tumors. Of course, we're praying that was the only one; God's will be done.
My Oncologist wanted me to have blood work done so, one of the nurses had me sit in a chair and this really pretty, elderly, lady walked around the corner and she was wearing a really pretty outfit and I thought about telling her, but wasn't really sure. The nurse that was taking care of her had her sit in a chair next to me, so I said to her, "What a lovely outfit!" and she thanked me and told me it was very old and very inexpensive, so we talked whilst I was having my blood work done. When I got up to leave, I said to her, "Have a good day!" She said the same to me, and called me, "sweetheart" and said, "God bless you", so I said the same to her. Anyway, she was just a really sweet lady and I'm very grateful that God gave me that moment.
After we left there, we went to Starbucks, got some food from McDonald's, came home, and Mommy and I stayed for about half an hour or so, to eat, then had to leave again.
We went to my ENT Dr. so he could remove my stitches. He is SO nice! When he first told my Mommy over the phone that I had lymphoma, he started crying, too, and he said that he had already been on the phone talking to different Dr.s about me and he said that we're going to fight this and make me well. And, today, we kinda talked about it and he told us I would be in his prayers. He is just so sweet.
After leaving there, we went to Starbucks, took some of our supper from last night over to Tommy (we've been trying to save some of our meals for him lately, so he doesn't have to eat out so much), we then went to the grocery store (Mommy went in), and came home....and have STAYED home!


We heard thunder a couple or so hours ago and were hoping for a storm, but nothing came of it. This heat is a killer! I am so looking forward to Autumn!


Everyday is a gift from God!


Grace be with you.

Just Gonna Say It Once

Got the results back from the tumor and I have lymphoma. Going to the Dr. on Monday to talk about it.
This will be a rough road ahead of us, but I know I'm covered with prayer, which means the world to me. I don't want people to worry about me, instead, take up that worrying time and pray, because that's what helps. Worrying doesn't do anything.
As of right now, I'm not scared or worried. God knows what He's doing, even if we don't understand. God's plan is perfect.
I have love and support from all my family and friends, and many prayers.
No one knows what the future holds, but God wrote it so He knows it and is in control always.
For some reason, lately I feel stronger in my faith than, maybe, I ever have. What else can I do?  I can't sit around and worry about it, can't give up hope, won't feel sorry for myself, instead, I will pray for the Lord's strength for me and my family and friends to help us through this time.
God is Lord over all and He holds the universe in the palm of His hand. He knows the length of our days, for He wrote them.
God has given Dr.'s and scientists more and more wisdom with things like this. I pray someday there will be a cure, but I do not pray that only for myself.
I realize having a blog just out there in the world wide web doesn't mean much to people that don't even know you but, if you come across this post, will you send up at least one prayer for me? While you're at it, remember everyone else in the world with this disease, I know I'm not the only one, and pray for them. Thank you.


Grace be with you.