healthy and alive

I have survived working the mini and the marathon medical tent today.  I saw so many different people of ages, body types, men and women running.  My tent was at the 25 mile mark and I only saw some minor injuries.  The determination to finish by the runners was amazing.  I had one runner ask me if there was a medical tent at the finish line.  She didn't want to stop, but finish the race.
We are all in a race.  Whether it is for competition, our health or our lives.  2 Timothy 4:7 says, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
We all must keep the faith.  Faith in our God that he will carry us through the difficult times. Faith that we will survive our difficult times.  This week I have been reminded of my struggles through cancer and surviving through my patients I have cared for.  Their determination to live is a reminder of why I am nurse.  I help them survive.  I help them get through their struggles.
I feel blessed that I have experienced this and I am able to use this experience to help others.  One day my race will  be over and I want to be able to say that I have fought the good fight, I have finished my race and I have kept my faith.

Love to all,

Branching out

I was asked by a friend about setting up my blog so she could follow me. Hmmm. This is a new concept for me, having someone who wants to follow me and know my thoughts. This scares me a little because as loud as I can be, being in the public eye scares me. Blogging I am hidden behind my computer and not looking at people but I am putting my feelings and thoughts out for everyone to read.
On my ride to work today, I listened to an awesome speaker. She talked about as women we need to come together and be leaders. Women are the strength of men. We have he power to build them up or tear them down with either our actions or words.
So women of God, I challenge you. Use your words to build each other and support one another.

Proverbs 16:24
Gracious words are honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the soul.
Love to all,

I am not ashamed

My verse today is Romans 1:16 tells us, "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes"  I have to stop and think about this one.  I know I am not the only one who needs this today.

I believe and I know where my salvation lies: Jesus Christ.

But I am human and the world just comes at me with a fierce tongue.  So many things going on in the world today that makes is so hard for me to stand in my beliefs.  I am tested daily for my beliefs and sometimes I fail.  But I know God and I have experienced his grace and forgiveness.

When I pray, it's for me and everyone like me, to have the courage to face this world and to stand up to those who test and question our faith and beliefs. God will tell us what to say or to just stay silent.  He will guide us in this trial.  He will not leave our side.

I know where my salvation is.  I know that this earth is just a temporary home and greater things await for me.

So, I am not ashamed.  For those who do not believe, I WILL NOT BACK DOWN.  The Big Guy has my back!

Love to all,

tests and more tests

Well, since my surgery I have seen Dr. Hargis and he has changed my medication.  I am off Tamoxifen and have been taking the Lectrozol.  It is really doing it's job. I am not having hot flashes with sweats!! It is really fun (hear the sarcasm??)
Well due to this medication decreasing bone density, I had to have a bone density scan.  I thought it was going to be some big, crazy test.  It wasn't.  It only took like 5 minutes total.  It took me longer to register than the test did.  So now I wait to see if my bones are good or if I need to take yet more pills to help build them up.  I have started taking calcium and hopefully that will be all I need.

So I pray I am done with all the testing for now.  I am healthy and fell great.  Life is really good.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: REJOICE! Philippians 4:4

Love to all,

Be a light

I always strive to be a light in the darkness.  Sometimes I fail, but that is only because I am human and even though I walk with Jesus, I sometimes stumble.
But there is always some occasions that remind me that I am on the right road and my light is shining. For example, I got a message from a lady I have never met through another friend.  Me and my friend have both gone through breast cancer and I have hoped that my experience has helped her through her experience.  This friend of hers messaged me telling me that she too was diagnosed with breast cancer.  She wanted to "friend" me on face book to follow me.  She said that I was an inspiration in sharing my experience.  I don't feel like I am but I have spoken to a church women's group on my walk through this difficult time and even gave my testimony in Honduras on faith and my walk through cancer in hopes it would help others. And these women have told me the same, that my story is an inspiration to them.
I started this blog when I was first diagnosed in the hopes to get out the information about me but it has turned into helping others through this journey as well as me.  Whether you read this or not, or share it or not, It will be out there for others to see.
I pray that my new friend has found her own inspiration and not have this cancer bring her down.  If she is anything like our friend we share, then I know she is strong.

I started my new medication today.  I saw Dr. Hargis, my oncologist on Friday and I think someone may have told him to lighten up.  He came in smiling and trying to be funny.  He is a different doctor from the last 3 years.  He told me to not google my medication. Well I had to tell him I already did!  He just smiled like he already knew that.  I think he is starting to get to know me!!  So since my surgery which has forced me into menopause, I have started experiencing it all.  And it is just the start.  So if you see me red and blotchy, that doesn't mean I am stressed or mad anymore.  It is from the "change of life" I am going through.  If I break out into a sweat all of a sudden, just had me a tissue and ignore it.  I think we all can get through this!!  Because it is a good thing to me.  I do not have the worries of any ovarian or uterine cancer with this new medication.  My mind is free to obsess over new things.  Which right now is losing weight!
I thank God each day for the life he has given me.  It has had it's ups and downs and I am sure growing up I have caused a lot of it to my parents.  But it has only made me stronger and the woman I am today.  It has helped me become a good parent and raise really, great kids. A better wife, a better daughter.
It is amazing how God gives me his word when I need it and the verse for today is just that:
"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."
Col 2:6-7.
Love to all,