Summer Time Pictures

I am going to attempt to post some pictures of our wonderful summer!!  God was gracious and I was able to go everywhere I wanted to go!!  Here are a few pics!!

My precious family at the beach!

Me and my man!!

Waiting for food!  Happy girls!!!

Gabe's new home (away from home)!!

GO SHORTER HAWKS!!

First day of school, 2010-11
Katie is 8th grade
Kelsey is a Junior

Rolling along....

Hey everyone!!
Just wanted to give you a quick update on things that are happening!!

I have surgery set for September 3.  This will be to replace the expander (implant) that had to be removed back in the spring.  This will put me back to square one!!  From that point, I'll travel to the doctor's office approximately every two weeks to be 'filled up.'  Once this process is finished, I will have one more surgery to replace the temporary implants with the permanent ones.

I am still doing the Herceptin treatment.  This is the antibody that teaches my body to fight the HER2 protein that my cancer fed from.  I will do this every three weeks until March.  (If I counted right, that is only 10 more times!!)  This is 'non-toxic' and does not make me sick, tired, etc.

I am growing hair!!  It has begun to 'come back' and I am so excited!!  If I happen to bump in to you somewhere, I will show you!!  Many people have predicted how it would come back (straight, curly, dark or light).  So far, it is a good bit darker than my 'old' hair... but I don't think it is curly.   Last night, I was re-tying my doo-rag; and got a few hairs caught in the knot!!  That was COOL!!!!

School has started back!!  The girls and I are trying to settle into a routine.  It is taking me much longer than usual to do this, and it is driving me crazy!!  I am realizing that just because i'm done with chemo, its effects aren't done with me!!  (I am still slightly on the anemic side.  This doesn't help!!)

We've taken Gabe to school, and he continues to adjust.  Football camp/practice has been good, but very different.  He hasn't started classes yet.  His schedule seems good for a first semester freshman.  Hopefully, in the next couple of weeks, he'll have a routine, too.  Things sure are different around here without him!! (We are still in the process of adjusting, too!)

I am thankful that there is nothing really 'exciting' to report....having said that, I'm excited that things seem to FINALLY be progressing!!

This is also "Judgement House" season coming up.  THAT is exciting!!!

If you don't mind, please pray for the following for our family:
~Everyone to settle into a routine and feel good with new routines.
~Upcoming surgery that it will be successful (no infections!!!!)
~Energy level to return... anemia to go away...

Thanks friends!!!

Look for something in every situation to be thankful for.  Might not make sense at the time, but, will do wonders for your attitude!!  :)

Changes....

WOW.  It has been a long time since I've written.  That means there haven't been many things going on medically!!  YAY!!!!  I've kept thinking I would write a quick update, but have not taken time to do that.  Sorry!!

Here is a quick recap of our summer:  Early in June, I was diagnosed with MRSA and took 2 weeks of antibiotics.  As far as I know, it is GONE!!  At the end of June I was able to go to New Orleans with the youth!!  First of July was the LAST chemo!!  The next week I was able to go to Centrifuge (youth camp) followed by a family vacation to the beach!  Whew!!!  makes me tired just thinking about it!!!  BUT I wouldn't change one thing about it!!

Over the course of the summer, Chris has talked about changes some.  At some points he has even used the phrase "Summer of Change"~ and, as I've thought about this, I've decided this has been a YEAR of change for our family!!

We began this whole 'ordeal' or 'journey' or whatever you want to call it in December with surgery in January~and it has definitely brought about changes!!  Not only have there been physical changes for all of us (obviously my surgery, but for everyone else~they are having to DO things they usually don't have to do), but also emotional and spiritual changes, as well.  Some of these are good changes, and some not so good~ but they are changes nonetheless!

Change is a scary word for many people.  Many of us are up for a change if that means we know all the details and know it will bring about positive things for us!!  But, when we don't know details and we don't know what the outcome will be, or we don't feel prepared for change... it isn't such a welcome friend!!

I am usually a 'roll with the punches' kind of person... as long as I'm the one calling the punches!!  Haa haa... I think most of us are this way!  As long as we have some kind of 'handle' and control over what is happening, we aren't so worried about the changes that are happening before us.

Many of us know that this doesn't always work!!  Of course, with all my medical stuff, I've not had much say-so in the events since December.... no one asked me if I wanted to have surgery or chemo, or MRSA.  (well, they DID say I didn't have to do any of these things.... but the outcome would not have been desireable!!)  I've had to put my trust completely in others to educate me and help guide my decisions.  This is a difficult task for many of us!! HOWEVER, I wouldn't trade it for anything!!  God has a way of pushing us into situations to grow us, much like we do with our own children!  Without being forced to trust others completely, I would not have learned to trust my Heavenly Father on such a deeper level than I had already!!

Why this topic?  Why am I so caught up in this subject at this time?  Several reasons:
~Life IS change!!  Very seldom are we without some kind of change in our lives.  How much easier would it be if we just rolled with the punches because we are completely convinced God is going to take care of us?

~Change is adventure!  Sometimes these things that turn out differently or must be directed in other paths turns out to be such an adventure!!  That can be both positive and negative.  However, in these times is when we get to see Romans 8:28 come to life~literally!!  (For we KNOW that ALL things come together for the good of those who love the Lord and are called according to HIS purpose.)

~In our family, we are about to embark on yet another change! We've prepared for this for 18 years; yet I feel so unprepared!!!  Our oldest will report to school today.  We will load up his clothes and whatever else we fine and take him to college.  How exciting!!  We are so proud of him!!  He is ready and excited, as well.  However, I am NOT looking forward to the drive home!!!  I am not looking forward to the change this brings to our family.  I know it is the right thing, and the best thing for him, yet.... DREAD is the word that comes to mind!!  We are going to survive... afterall, we aren't the first family to undergo this situation, nor will we be the last!!  Very bittersweet times around here!!!

I should also find out today a surgery date for my next surgery (to replace the implant that had to be removed).  Hopefully that will be just before Labor day!

Look around you~ are there changes that are happening in your life that you aren't real sure you want?  Are there changes that NEED to be made?  Are there changes being forced on you?  Well, on the surface, they may seem horrible... but in the long run, they might just be the best thing that ever happened.... It all comes down to this:  Do you trust your Heavenly Father enough to take care of those details you cannot take care of?

Until next time.......