When and where will we land?

 

Waiting is torture

We are in a holding pattern in so many areas of our life. It is like an airplane circling the airport, but it does not have permission to land. 

Our house is under contract (praise), but we are waiting for inspection reports and appraisals. It’s like it is sold, but it’s not.

Where are we going to live? The inventory on the market is very limited and those houses available are lacking. Do we buy a house, do we have enough time to close, do we store our furniture, where do we store our furniture, do we get a rental, do we get a short-term apartment, how short is short term…see circling, but no place to land.

When will my hair begin to grow again?  I finished chemo over a month ago but I am still losing hair, specifically my eyelashes and brows.

Will the radiation cause severe burns and rashes?  I am on day 6 of 20 and so far so good. I hope to be done on 2/7.

What college will Logan attend?  He has heard from 6/8, accepted to five, and deferred by one.  He will hear from his top two schools, NC State and Georgia Tech, by the end of the month. 

Each decision has a domino effect on the next, but we must land the plane to tip the first domino. 

Providentially, this is all God’s plan. In Psalm 37 David is stressed out because it seems that the people who do wrong, always prosper.  Though the subject matter is different, the words David wrote remain true.  “Do not fret…, Trust in the LORD and do good; Take delight in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him and He will do this…be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him…the LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him.

Stay tuned to see how God shows up and where our plane lands

Mary

Hairy Situations

 

I met with my oncologist last Thursday and she was very pleased with my progress. I have completed 1 of 4 cycles of chemo with minimal side effects. She even said I was the “poster child for chemo”. I cringed a little because I felt maybe she spoke too soon. My mama would say the devil is always listening.  I told her how much you guys were praying for me and that was the reason I was doing so well.  Then on Saturday, my head began to tingle and my hair started “thinning”. Which is a polite way to say every time I touch my hair 10-20 strands fall out.

For me I needed the slow shedding to come to grips with the fact that I am going to soon be bald. As the strands began to fall it started to become annoying. My hair is everywhere…a hairy situation! And I do mean everywhere. I have begun to wear it up, so it doesn’t leave a trail in my wake. I had to get to the point that I was more irritated with hair loss than shaving it off. So, tomorrow is the big day. Levine Cancer Institute gives each patient a free wig. I have been told to bring a friend because it is a fun appointment. I get to try up to 5 wigs and will make the most of it. I told a friend today that humor and Jesus were getting me through cancer.

I am still determining what I will feel most comfortable wearing, thankfully I have a lot of options and look forward to trying them all. Fortunately, God knows how many hairs I will lose and how many will return. Matthew 10:30-31 says “And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

In a different hairy situation, Caden’s surgery for his cyst (caused by too much hair) was successful. He is recovering and always hungry. He will be out of school for 4 weeks. He had the same surgery last year and had a difficult time catching up with schoolwork. Could you please pray he will fully heal, the cyst will never return, and he has the self-discipline to do his school work instead of procrastinating. 

Finally, a special thank you to the ladies of our church who have kept us well-fed. We are truly blessed and cannot express how much we appreciate their generosity.

Mary

This is the day…

I am one week out from my first round of chemo and have 11 more to go. Yes, I am counting down! I was greeted on Thursday by wonderful ladies who calmed my anxiety and helped me transition smoothly through my infusions. My head nurse, Dawn, is a believer. She came in singing, 'This is the day that the Lord has made' and encouraged me to sing with her. Such a God shot for me in that moment. It's very hard to 'Rejoice and be glad in it' when you are getting drugs that require so many medications for your body to tolerate the infusion. However, I am thankful for all the research that has gone into the process so I can be cancer-free.

My Bible verse in my quiet time this morning was Psalm 118:24 "This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.  A timely reminder as my 2^nd round of chemo is tomorrow."

To answer some questions I received…

How do you feel?

Each day, I felt a little worse and gradually increased my nausea medicine through Sunday. On Monday, I woke up feeling better and have improved each day.

Can you go to work?

Yes, I worked 3 days this week. I am very blessed that my new job allows me to work as I can. That would not have been possible if I were still teaching. God's timing is always perfect.

How can I help?

Currently, we are doing okay. We may need meals in Oct and Nov but will post more details as needed."

3 Praises:

1.   I still have my hair
Gift cards for meals
I was able to work this week

3 Prayer Requests:

Caden’s surgery on Oct 13^th
Continue to tolerate my treatment and no delays
Minimum long-term side effects

Survey says - Light Chemo!

Light Chemo for the Win!!! Both doctors agreed. What a relief. What's next?

Dealing with cancer is a marathon, not a quick race. By the time I begin chemo, I will have visited doctors 20 times. I have triple-positive breast cancer that requires multiple treatments. Even though we caught it early, it will still take over a year to beat it completely. And, did I mention I dislike running? Also, I really dislike waiting! I'm in a race I never signed up for. I try to remind myself of this quote from Luke 22:42, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done."

Here's a quick overview of my treatment plan:

- 12 weeks of chemo

- 4-weeks break

- 4 weeks of radiation

- Infusions every 3 weeks for 9 months with a medicine that stops cancer cells from growing and spreading in the body

- Then, 5-10 years of taking a medication to lower estrogen levels

So, I'll keep going in this race that's set before me. I'm lucky to have family and friends who love and support me and a God who helps me through it all.

As I face this challenge, my son Caden is dealing with his own marathon. He needs surgery for the fourth time in October. Please pray that he gets better before October and won't need the surgery. But if he does, let it be the last one, and may he heal quickly and completely! Also, please pray for this mama's heart. I won't be able to be with Caden because of my chemo, and it's going to be tough.

I'm incredibly grateful for David, who will care for both of us during this time. Please keep us in your prayers.

Prayer requests:  chemo starts 9/21, and Caden’s surgery is 10/13.  

ps:  thoughts are mine, proofreading by ChatGPT

God Speaks to Me

A lot of folks might think you're a bit crazy if you say, "God talks to me." But it's not like the stories of words appearing on walls or bushes catching fire, or a loud booming voice like in the Bible. It's much softer, more subtle. It's about actively seeking a connection with God. It involves the little things, like setting aside time to be with Him. Our lives are so full of busyness that we often drown out His voice with all the things we do.

There are times when I strongly feel that God is using His Word, His music, His pastor, and the people around me to speak directly to my heart. Those moments make me want to share my excitement with everyone.

Today is one of those days where I just want to shout from the rooftops. Yesterday brought a mix of news. The good news is that the tumor has been removed, and there's no sign that it has spread to any lymph nodes. So, for now, I am free from cancer's grasp. However, the not-so-good news is that the tumor was 1.9 centimeters, which makes it borderline whether I'll need mild or stronger chemo.

Chemo is my absolute biggest fear. Just the thought of it makes me overwhelmed with dread. I can't even talk about it without bursting into tears. I've tried to figure out why, and I think it boils down to being scared of losing control. My kids always tease me about having issues with wanting control.

This morning, I'm up early, trying to accomplish things while also making sure I don't get so busy that I skip my quiet time with God. My BFF, Kristi, gave me a thoughtful gift – a devotional that I would highly recommend to anyone going through cancer. Today's reading was about the story of Daniel and the Lions' Den. The author compared it to going through chemo, which was like a light bulb turning on for me.

God allowed Daniel to enter the lions' den, but he was not hurt. The author shared how she had to go through chemo, but God spared her from some of the really bad side effects.

I often get lost in thoughts of "what if," which makes it hard for me to find peace in the present reality. But I know that my God is ahead of me. He knows what challenges lie ahead. He understands my worried heart and sends me the perfect message just when I need it the most. Some people might call that a coincidence, but there are no coincidences with our all-powerful God. If God could rescue Daniel from the lions' power (Daniel 6:27), then I believe the same God will rescue me from the effects of chemo (Daniel 6:16).

Upcoming dates:  9/6 – meeting with oncology at Duke

9/7 – meeting with oncology in Charlotte

Prayer request:  I pray that the two oncologist will agree on my path of treatment for chemo so that I have no doubt which direction to take.  Also, if it is God’s will that it would be chemo-light.

Psalm 94:18-19 When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord,

supported me. 19 When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me

joy.

ps:  thoughts are mine, proofreading by ChatGPT

https://a.co/d/4xrA62p - Devotional

"HE is not safe, but HE is good" C.S.Lewis

This summer, our pastor spoke on a series centered around the Psalms of Ascent. In particular, the sermon on Psalm 125 was titled "A Song of Being Safe and Sound." During this impactful sermon, Pastor Harris challenged us not to merely seek safety, but rather to be used for God's glory. While he initially referred to our children, his message has deeply resonated with me over the past two months. On July 21st, I received the diagnosis of HR+; HER-2+ breast cancer. Thankfully, it was detected early during my routine mammogram. However, this form of cancer necessitates a comprehensive treatment plan involving surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Even stage 1 cancers can pose significant risks, compelling me to follow the path that countless others have walked before me. I feel fortunate to be surrounded by friends and family who have recently walked a similar path and by friends who uphold me in their prayers as I navigate this journey. Through this blog, I intend to provide updates on my progress and to humbly request your prayers. Moreover, I view this platform as an opportunity to magnify God's name, for He is undeniably good. He continues to manifest His presence, repeatedly soothing my anxious heart. I find myself contemplating whether I am willing to venture beyond my comfort zone for the sake of God's glory. If even just one person is drawn to Christ through the course of my journey, my resounding answer is an unequivocal YES! Dates to pray: 9/21 chemo