Moved Mountains

I had the opportunity to speak last weekend at a Ladies' Tea. One of my topics was how we don't always know everything that is happening in a friend's life. The analogy I used was based on the lyrics of a song which said, "Don't get comfortable, I'm going to move this mountain. Then, I'm going to move you with it." I told how God sure moved a mountain in my life, but some of the "moved mountains" in other people's lives aren't always as noticeable. I spoke how the love and encouragement we show to a friend could be much more needed than we know. Some of the phone calls, cards, emails, etc. that I have received have come at a time when I was in great need of support.

One morning this week, I was lying in bed, thinking about our day and a friend came to mind. I thought that it would be nice to visit her, but wasn't sure of her schedule. I had a significant prompting to call her, so I did to see if Dawson and I could visit. She was available so we stopped by her house. We had a great visit and as I was leaving, she told me that she had wondered if her husband sparked this visit. The day before, she was having a rough time and really needed a friend. She thought maybe her husband had contacted me and told me what was happening. He didn't call me, but God laid her on my heart and He knew about her moved mountain. His goodness shines through!

More good news!

Back on October 11th, I posted that Dawson was going to have a developmental evaluation. We went to that on November 1st. The tests showed that he was delayed, but not delayed enough to qualify for services. Both the speech and physical therapists completed a clinical judgment form that would go before a committee to decide, based on their judgment, whether he would qualify. I received the news yesterday that he has been accepted for therapy. This means that we will not need to go through a private agency. We are very pleased that he will be receiving therapy.

We have a date!

I met with the surgeon today and my surgery is scheduled for December 4. The scheduling nurse first said that she had this Friday available and I almost had a heart attack! But, with coordinating schedules with the cosmetic surgeon and the OR, December 4th was the first date all of that could come together.

The surgeon explained to us what will be happening in the surgery. Prior to meeting with him, we knew what would be happening with the affected side and thought we knew with the other side. But, after speaking with him and the way things looked on my MRI pre-chemo, he wants to test the sentinel node on the other side also. I was thinking that my underarm would not need to be cut on that side, but he wants to make sure everything is out of there. I want to treat this aggressively, but just wasn't prepared for that.

We are now in prep mode - mentally and physically. How do you prepare for something like this?

Overflowing with Joy

The news of those test results is really starting to hit me - I don't have cancer anymore! David has heard me talking about it and said at dinner tonight that since the cancer is gone, I don't need to get that yucky medicine anymore (chemo). We told him that he was right and he asked if it meant I needed to do anything else. We explained to him what is next but emphasized that all of this needs to happen to try and keep the cancer from coming back.

I have had the opportunity to talk to many people this week about a lot of the struggles I have faced. I was also able to share how I have been blessed in the midst of this tragedy. I just feel like I am on cloud nine and am at peace with finishing the course of treatment. I had really feared this surgery because of the recovery. But, I feel like since I had chemo, I can take almost anything. Where's that Rocky theme song?

Fantastic news!

Well, the news you have been waiting for - the tests were negative for cancer. Based on the scans, bloodwork, and physical exam, I am considered to be in clinical remission. I still need to go through surgery and radiation, but the chemo worked. Microscopic cancer cells may still be present and that is why the course of treatment remains the same. They will test the tissue that they remove during surgery.

I feel like I can stop holding my breath! I am also very tired and am looking forward to sleeping better. My 2 favorite words these days - cure and remission.

Today is Dawson's 2nd birthday - what a day to celebrate!

Longwood Gardens

Dave had a lot of schoolwork to do today so I try to keep all of us out of his hair. The boys also needed to get out of the house since we have had 4 straight days of rain. At one point this morning, Dawson was amusing himself by pulling tape off of the dispenser. I noticed this while a Frisbee thrown by David whizzed by my head - needless to say, we needed a change of scenery. Longwood Gardens opened a new Indoor Children's Garden this weekend. We were prepared to hike through the pouring rain to get to it, but the sun popped out as soon as we pulled up to the Garden. A fun time was had by all and yes, that is Dawson attempting to climb into the fountain.

Time to wait

Well, I had 2 tests this week to see if the cancer is gone. I get to WAIT until Monday to find out the test results. Monday is also Dawson's 2nd birthday. We are hoping and praying that Monday is a day to celebrate many things.