Thankful [Nov 9]

I talked to my integrative oncologist this afternoon. She thoroughly looked over my scans from the ER. And then she had the head radiologist in the valley go over them to give his opinion. Here's what they found so far:

• MY BRAIN IS CLEAR. Praise the Lord! #22
• My chest wall has 2 pockets of fluid. My integrative oncologist will have my surgeon check that for infection or inflammation. It maybe nothing (hopefully) but they'll take closer look to be sure. The main thing they want to rule out is recurrence since it's where my cancer originated.
• I am scheduled for an MRI of my neck early Thursday morning. All these tests and NOTHING has presented itself yet as the cause of these awful headaches. I have suspected my chemo drug, taxol, but my doctor is not convinced.
• My integrative oncologist said to go ahead and reschedule chemo but they won't let me til my other oncologist reviews my ER docs and approves it, tomorrow at the earliest. (Not likely to happen and I'll just resume next week.)

My chemo buddy for today came to my house instead and she helped me put up my fall decor (that's been sitting in a box in my living room for 2 months waiting) just in time for me to enjoy it a few weeks before breaking out the Christmas boxes. Thank you!!  #23

Friends passing through from southern California stopped by this afternoon for a visit too and we had a wonderful time catching up and laughing and praying. So good to see them😊 #24

Tomorrow afternoon my mom and I head to Grants Pass for my "luxury photoshoot". A huge thank you to the mystery friends that nominated me and to Anna Scott Photography. #25 I'll be rocking my  fuzzy bald head for some shots and my wig for others. Kinda looking forward to a girlie day with my mom ❤

Our prayer requests remain the same:
Pray for my body to be fully healed and restored.
Pray for my family, for their health and protection.
Pray for my medical team.
Pray for the resolution of my health insurance.
Pray for my helpers, all of them- meals, transportation, accompaniment to appointments, financial support. We are coming up short in all of these areas.
Pray for wisdom and discernment as we face these challenges.

One more I'd like to add- please pray for my business, for clarity of mind, and for my energy to be stable to be able to open my studio later this month. This dream come true is a beautiful thing but we're starting to feel the financial crunch from my treatment costs. Unfortunately these costs will not end with chemo in a few weeks. I've been surprised at how many folks assume that. 

Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

ISAIAH 43:19

Thankful [Nov 6, 7, 8]

I skipped a few days. Not because I'm not thankful but because a break was in order.

We lost a dear friend this week. I'm thankful I got to say goodbye. #15

My husband was in the ER Sunday with chest pain. Anxiety is a beast but I'm thankful he's okay. #16

What a relief to slip away last night to pray and worship with some girlfriends. I'm thankful for the sweet fellowship and laughter. #17

I saw my integrative oncologist yesterday to go over the symptoms my other doctors were dismissing. She ordered scans to check my brain and chest. Thankfully they've been approved. #18  Hoping for the best, looking for the worst...better to know now and change course than to wait and find out later. Meanwhile, I went in for my weekly check with my oncology team today and the PA I saw stopped everything to double-check my vitals and stepped out of the room to get a second opinion. Along with the other symptoms we were to be watching, now extreme fatigue (I could barely stay awake even after a good night's sleep), my pulse was racing and my blood pressure was high. All abnormal compared to my weekly check ins for the last 3 months. I was sent straight to the ER for evaluation. My mom took me and my husband met us there. I'm thankful they both stayed with me the whole time. #19 Ct scans of my head and chest. Chest xrays. EKG. My brain looks to be clear. Thank you, Lord! #20 No sign of blood clots. There are a couple areas on my chest and side that will require further testing. All this was relayed to my integrative oncologist when I got home at 8 pm. This amazing doctor texts me to check on me and advises me, even at odd hours. No chemo tomorrow. *sigh* I am thankful for her! #21

There is both relief and new concerns with today's news. I've felt very strongly that something more was going on. The headaches I'm getting are horrible. I've felt that my body was overloaded with toxins and needed a break. Now I'll get one, even if it is to run more tests. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I'm so ready to be done with this!

Please continue to pray.
Pray for my body to be fully healed and restored.
Pray for my family, for their health and protection.
Pray for my medical team.
Pray for the resolution of my health insurance.
Pray for my helpers, all of them- meals, transportation, accompaniment to appointments, financial support.
Pray for wisdom and discernment as we face more challenges.

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

ISAIAH 41:10 

Thankful [Nov 5]

THANKFUL

12. I'm THANKFUL for getting to have my first private party in my new studio today.

13. I'm THANKFUL for having my son work for me. He's a great help and a hard worker.

14. I'm THANKFUL that I don't have to understand the hardships God allows in our lives. I know that his plans are good and he loves us, even when it means heartache and tears for a season.

Good mixed with not so good. That is just life, right? Tonight we said goodbye to a good friend, a brother, a man we've called family over the past few years. There were so many losses that year, but heaven's gain...God brought him and his children into our lives at a time when we had been preparing to adopt. Instead, God closed that door and extended our family with his. We traded our plans for God's, trusting his authority over us.
As the Lord calls our friend Home, we are reminded of God's sovereignty and eternal love. He will be missed but we know he will soon be in the presence of his Creator and we will see him again soon. 💙

THANKFUL [Nov 4]

THANKFUL

11. I'm THANKFUL for the unexpected. #ididntseethiscoming

Sometimes I just don't know what to expect. I'm frustrated with some of the conventional care I'm receiving right now as I'm entering the "4th quarter" of chemo. I'm going in for another visit Monday with my integrative oncologist...a visit I hadn't planned on quite yet, mostly because I can't afford it. But I can't afford not to. More tests to see if I should continue as planned...
And then this article about yours truly appears in our local news and I'm encouraged:

www.mailtribune.com/news/20161104/local-artist-battling-breast-cancer-surrounded-by-support

In the meantime, I'm keeping myself busy with joyful activities and much appreciate time with loved ones ❤ If you think of it, pray for me...for my head to stop hurting,  symptoms to ease, for my body to be healed...for the financial means to continue treatment, and for my eyes to stay focused on the Lord and his will for me. Thank you 💜

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

1 TIMOTHY 6:12 

Thankful [Nov 3]

THANKFUL

7. I'm THANKFUL for the relaxing morning I spent with my visiting friend before saying goodbye at the airport. #missheralready

8. I'm THANKFUL for my helpful sons who scrubbed chairs and did my heavy lifting in my studio today. #theydowhaticant #nocomplaints #MYSTUDIO

9. I'm THANKFUL for the photographer that came out to get photos of me in my studio for an upcoming article. #Icantbelieveitsmine #somebodypinchme #saycheese

10. I'm THANKFUL for the time this evening to sit down and talk with my beloved husband and fill out our ballots. #vote #lotsofprayers #jesuswins

The photographer had asked me to just "act natural and be happy" while I painted. He took several shots and then had me sit in a chair. And then it hit me...THIS IS REALLY HAPPENING!! I am so excited to be seeing this dream of mine, to have my own art studio, come together. Today I painted in MY STUDIO. I may very well have the goofiest grin on my face when those photos come out but I don't care. God is giving me the desire of my heart and I AM THANKFUL.

Meanwhile, my body continues to fight these last rounds of chemo even though my doctor reduced my dose yesterday. Mentally, I am determined to fight through these next 4 rounds and not quit, but physically my body is screaming NO MORE. Please pray. I will be consulting with my doctors again to see what they advise, but ultimately I will seek wisdom in the Lord.

For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 CORINTHIANS 12:10

Thankful [Nov 2]

THANKFUL

4. I'm THANKFUL for hours around my kitchen table catching up with one of my best friends 💗 #friendsforlife  #28yearsandwestillarentcaughtup

5. I'm THANKFUL for my cancer cell killing spree today and that I had a worthy partner in crime 😉 #unicornskeletonsftw

6. I'm THANKFUL for the unexpected but super sweet compliment one of my nurses paid me today ❤ #shelikesmycreativeoutfits

It's been a wonderful, uneventful day compared to the last week. Chemo round 12 is done and I only have 4 more till I'm done and can start the next part of my healing journey.

Praying for our friend who is still in the hospital. Praying for our insurance issues to be resolved. Praying for God's provision to pay for this next month of treatment. Praying for wisdom as I get my studio set up and ready to roll without wearing myself out. Praying for all of you reading this. Praying for a peaceful night's sleep.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
JOHN 14:27 

Thankful [Nov 1]

THANKFUL

1. I am thankful for my friend that flew in to see me this week. #shelovesme

2. I am thankful for my son who hugs away my tears. #heloveshismama

3. I am thankful for my husband who takes care of complicated paperwork when I can't think straight. #henevercomplains

And they were to stand every morning, thanking and praising the Lord , and likewise at evening...
1st CHRONICLES 23:30