Breast Cancer Survivor Celebration Quilt

I was pleasantly surprised to receive this Wonderful, heartwarming gift in the mail Monday. This is only one side..the other holds many lovely blocks as well.

It is absolutely GORGEOUS!

A photograph does not even match the beauty it holds....nor the hearts of the ladies who made this. I have been a member of an online quilting group for the past four years..and during this time we have shared not only Quilting helps, ideas and swaps..but we have shared a lot of our life with one another. A diverse group...aged 20's - 70's...from newbies Quilters to experts. I have met two of the ladies in person..and one in our group is also a very very dear friend of mine living in another state. We have watched many of us suffer through difficulties and losses. Their support has been most encouraging to me at this time of my Breast Cancer Journey...and now this.

A token of LOVE from ladies all over the world. The United States..from the East to the West...from the U.K. and Australia! Just amazing. I am humbled at this thoughtful gift given with so much talent and time sacrificed for me.


Here is a sample of one with the Breast Cancer Ribbon.



And then...look at this!! The lovely square patch says "HOPE".




I thank the LORD for blessing my life so much...at such a time! He truly does make our paths to cross in the lives of others for so many reasons. I have been encouraged by HIS WORD, HIS PRESENCE and the people he has brought my way...even my readers here. THANK YOU!

These same ladies helped me make a Patriotic Quilt for my youngest son while he was in Iraq. (see my blog post archive at THIS IS THE DAY)

(UPDATE) my fatigue seems to be getting better! Might be the energy bar recipe I've been making! I will be giving you more information on cancer itself in upcoming post and my own experience and what has helped.)

Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance. Psalm 89:15


Blessings to you..
HOPE

Radiation Therapy Graduation

Edit...there was some other picture here that was not mine...so it is now gone. I don't know how it came on here? Please excuse the note.

It felt this jubilent!! All smiles and hugs as I finished up my last treatment on Friday April 16th 2010.

My "girls" were such a blessing each day...very caring. We had a few moments to "chat" each day and share things about our lives.

The last day was very emotional for me. These young ladies became a part of my life history. I spent every day of 6 weeks with them...each morning rising, knowing I too would have a place in their lives. As with my ladies luncheon theme "Bloom Where You Are Planted (post on my blog... A Creative Heart) I wanted to plant seeds of faith in the hearts of all those around me.

BLOOM? I did.. in my own spiritual growth...seeing God's hand in various ways in my life..revealing my weaknesses...giving me strength...courage.

Several years ago for my birthday, I received a wonderful journal called;

"The Book of Myself"....A Do-it-Yourself Autobiography in 201 Questions



It is broken down into three parts of your life;
Early years/childhood...Middle Years/young adult...Later Years/Full Maturity

The topics are categorized also in each section by Family, Friends, Education, Work/responsibilites and The World

Some of the questions or statements to answer are;

Some of my favorites...My mother/father's traits were.....This gift really sticks out in my memory...My Parents felt strongly about passing on these lessons..
This is one of the most important things about life... This was big news in my youth... I saw the world around me change because of this..This is something I learned the hard way...If I could do this over, I'd....These people affected my life...These people were very dear friends to me...
This person had the most impact on my life...in my youth...in my young adult life...in my elder years.

Very sobering thoughts...to enter into your own autobiography.

I wonder how many people realize you record something about THEM that will be there for others to read. How about the BOOK OF LIFE...the record GOD keeps.

These girls will be written about in my journal of life...they will forever be in my thoughts as I pray and recall their names. They were with me through a journey that required entwined hearts. They have to watch patients day in and day out face the battle of Cancer....I as a patient watched them day in and day out..care for me.

It was a blessing to have these young women care about the work they do...with smiles and friendly voices. I have heard contrary in other locations of therapy..how sad. I thank the LORD for putting me in the hands of these Proffessionals with compassionate hearts. God has surely shown his loving kindness to me.

As I continue on my Cancer Journey...I will continue to give you information the I hope will be helpful and encouraging.

(Please continue to pray for Kelly Anne Johnson as she goes into a more aggressive phase of her Chemo treatments at this time)

Blessings...
HOPE

My Final Week of Radiation Therapy!

Week 6 and GRADUATING FRIDAY...as the doctor tells me!! He is a former Professor at a University so this must be HIS lingo for ending your course!

The LORD in his infinite graces...manifested it once again last week. I was SUPPOSE to be ending my treatments last week..but the machine was down. Nothing serious. Radiation machines run off a water cooling system. They do SAFETY checks EVERY day and Friday (that was the day, I just sooo happen to have to decorate for the Ladies Luncheon (see A CREATIVE HEART postings)...the water system was too warm.

NO THERAPY! AMEN.

I was concerned about being fatigued that day with so much to do and company arriving on top of it all...and the luncheon the NEXT day. I was tired..but nothing like the usual end of the week zap! Praise the LORD!

The weekend was MARVELOUS!

My dear friend I hadn't seen in TEN YEARS was visiting and went with me on Monday to my regular scheduled therapy. What a blessing to have a "friend" come along...

"I hope I can keep up with everything..was my prayer"

Company visiting..special meetings at church..EVERY NIGHT for a WEEK....
and dinners at church too!

Well...Tuesday, Wed and Thursday...the machine is down due to waiting on a part!

NO treatments!

(I did get the 24 hour flu bug Tues..survived! whew)

but...Thanking the LORD that the entire week was not with the usual fatigue....and had I had the treatments...my skin would have been something to deal with..NO WORRIES there either. AMEN.

Friday...I had ONE treatment...saw my doctor and all was fine....made it to the last Preaching service of the week...sang a special as planned...and enjoyed the fellowship of our dear friends ...ALL WEEK LONG!

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Last Friday.. I gave gifts to my "team" and let them know how much I appreciated their time and encouragements..even if they do get PAID!

How surprised and pleased they were. I made the women HOPE-TOTES as shown above.
My oncology nurse Rose...even gave me a hug and was very touched by the unexpected gift. I PRAY that SHE is the one God sent me to minister to. She is very receptive. Please pray for her this week.

I can't express my THANKFULNESS for the sweet comments and your prayers!
God bless..
HOPE