Pain, Pedestal & Praise

"I give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since I know of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for me; because of the hope laid up for us in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth."

Colossians 1:3-6

 

If you are familiar with the social networking site 'Facebook', you will know that there is a way to "unfriend" someone who you previously "friended"!  There could be any number of reasons why you would choose to "unfriend" someone or why someone would "unfriend" you.  The reason I state this is that at this time in my life I would totally understand why someone would choose to "unfriend" me at this time.  I will 'cut to the chase' and let you know that this week I was diagnosed with breast cancer...whew...it's out, it's official and as Tom would say, "Here we go!" and now as I say, "Here we continue!".  I can honestly say that the pedestal that God chose to place Tom and I on during Tom's diagnosis of GBM, I was ready to step down from.  However, God never wants us to step down off of His pedestal that brings Him praise.  I am to "preach the word; be ready in season and out of season;" II Timothy 4:2...I guess what I'm saying is I was ready for a "season change"!  BUT there is no season change for sharing the gospel of hope in Christ Jesus.  If God chooses to keep me on this pedestal then I know He will give me the grace and strength to walk this journey as I continue to keep my eyes and heart focused on HIM and the mission field(s) He places me in.  With Jesus, my incredible family, amazing friends and prayer warriors...how can I go wrong?  I am so thankful that I have Tom's awesome example to follow.  I pray that I can walk through this valley with as much grace and trust as he did.  I have an abundance of friends who have walked the valley of breast cancer before me and are cheering me on...thank you in advance for the love, prayers and support that I know are coming my way.  My heart breaks as I know the past 19 months you all have not had a break from helping us carry our burdens.  I can't imagine going through the trials of life without family, friends and the body of Christ to help carry such burdens.

Now to back up and fill you in on my most recent "adventures".  Last Monday I had a small window of opportunity to "give back" to two dear friends who each recently had surgery and I had the pleasure of making them dinner!  What a blessing for me to be on the opposite end of service.  I had prayed that God would give me more opportunities to serve and give back...that may be on hold for awhile.

On Tuesday I had an appointment with a breast specialist.  My dear friend, Carylee, was my administrative assistant and second set of ears.  She came with her cheerful spirit, strong faith and a note pad to keep it all straight.  I was shocked when the doctor looked at me and said "it's cancer" before an exam or biopsy!  I was not prepared for that.  After a core biopsy and three hours in his office we headed to Bob Evans for soup, salad and time to hash out this new information heavy on our plates.  How can two friends spend so much time together and never run out of words?  She has helped me carry burdens for 28 years and isn't willing to stop now.  I officially have named her my "co-captain" on this team of pink warriors.  Not only did she accompany me to the doctor but she agreed to pick me up bright and early on Wednesday morning to go back to the hospital for my MRI.  After the MRI was finished we enjoyed coffee and treats before going on a road trip to Michigan!  Yes, we traveled to that "state up north" to not only see Matt's team play Madonna University but to also visit and spend the night with my niece, Brittany!  Doctor appointments, MRI's and road trips...what are friends for?

Brittany & Declan

We were unable to cheer the MVNU Cougars onto victory BUT we sure enjoyed our time together in spite of my recent news.  I am choosing to 'do and go' as much as possible while I continue to feel well because I'm not sure how long that will last!  Brittany was a super hostess and I am so thankful we were able to make the last minute decision to go.

Carylee, Me, Declan, Brittany & Matt after his game

Thursday morning on our way back to Columbus I decided to make another last minute stop at my cousin's home near Toledo.  What fun it was to visit and see her, her precious children and her beautiful home!  Great decision...so glad God prompted me and I obeyed!

Abbi, Quinton, Avery & Me

We arrived safely back to Columbus in time for me to make another last minute decision to go the next day to Amish Country with another dear friend, Ginny Englehart.  We have had some amazing weather here in Central Ohio and another beautiful day greeted us on Friday as we ventured out on our day trip.  I have some of the most fun friends and I wonder at times..."why do they enjoy hanging out with me?"...but I'm glad they do!  We enjoyed a breakfast buffet at the Der Dutchman along with Ginny's mom, niece and two great nieces.

Ginny enjoying breakfast!

Should I confess my plate was just as loaded?

After breakfast and celebrating a niece's 4th birthday we headed to the chocolate shop and then to one of the many gift shops brimming with beautiful things to tantalize the eyes!  I called it "stuff mart"...more trinkets to bring temporary satisfaction!  Ginny's goal for the day was to buy an Amish made duck house for her prized duck flock...mission accomplished.  While Ginny was selecting her duck house I was on the phone with OSU Medical Center scheduling appointments that are filling my week ahead.  After the duck house stop we went to the bulk food store to get baking supplies for the holidays...filling the cart along with our tummy's as we tasted all the delicious samples around the store!  Next stop...duck food at the feed store.

Now to the Amish bakery to pick up a dessert for me to take to Dan and Nancy Green's that night and for Ginny to get special treats for her Grace Group.  Check...peach pie, pecan rolls, pumpkin roll and iced cookies.  The day went way too quickly.

Ginny & her mom, Karen at the Amish Bakery

Friday night Zac, Sarah and I enjoyed a chili dinner with Dan, Nancy and Aaron Green along with great conversation and of course a great evening until dampened with my sad news.  Thank you Green's for loving us, serving us and praying for us.

Saturday morning Sarah peeked her head into my bedroom as I was laying in bed watching HGTV.  She asked me if she could bring me breakfast in bed!  Of course not...I said I was "just practicing" staying in bed since I may have to do that soon...but, I wanted to fix my own breakfast while I still could!

Saturday was MVNU Homecoming and a 3:00 basketball game against Lawrence Tech.  It was another sunny day to travel north and meet up with extended family for the game.  The Cougars pulled off another win and now are 3-1.  After the game I had to share with Matt my diagnosis.  The hardest part of all this having to tell my precious family.  Like I knew he would...Matt took it with a great attitude.  I am so thankful for Zac, Sarah and Matt, fighting harder than anyone for their mom.  I have said to several people...I'm going to fight, but heaven is even sweeter now that Tom's there...just saying.  I am thankful Tom doesn't have to watch me battle cancer again.  It was so hard for him the first two times.  Yes, I've battled cancer (Hodgkin's Disease) twice.  In 1989 I received radiation treatment and then in 1994 chemotherapy.  The doctor says my radiation treatments increased my chances along with both an aunt and a cousin who have had breast cancer.  So I'm getting it from both angles.  Tom set the bar high for me...I pray I can make him proud.

Thankfulness Leaves for our Thanksgiving Tree

(you can print yours from A Holy Experience)

I can be thankful because of the hope of the gospel!  The gospel is not a philosophy or a story, it's a fact and reality of history.  Jesus could sleep though a storm on a boat because He could trust God apart from His circumstances.  I can walk through breast cancer because I can trust God, His Word and His promises.  He will never leave me or forsake me!

 ^"Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them,

for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you.

He will not fail you or forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6

My week:

Monday (11/12) - Zac's Birthday!  Woo Hoo

Tuesday (11/13) - Mammogram & Ultrasound with two biopsies (MRI showed cancer in both breasts & under right arm)  The original biopsy was in left breast so the two biopsies will be under left arm and on right breast.

Wednesday (11/14) - CT scan with contrast & Bone Scan (please pray that it has not spread beyond the areas listed above)

Thursday (11/15) - Doctor appointments with surgeon and oncologist - PRAISE today God gave me another glimpse of His amazing love...the surgeon I will meet with on Thursday, his nurse is a sister-in-Christ who goes to Grace!  She was able to answer many questions after church today and has me "under her wing"!

I'm still struggling with the "time concept" and as my calendar has been filled with "me" I recollected that yesterday brought about the one month anniversary of Tom's home-going.  Still so hard to believe.