Things I've learned about CANCER!

PEOPLE CARE!!

The lovely Quilt Block in the photo reminds me!!

This is one of many put into the wonderful BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR CELEBRATION QUILT...my online Quilting group made especially for me.



Many gifts came in the mail at various times in this journey...I was so touched by the KINDNESS and LOVING HEARTS that wanted to REACH OUT to me at this time in my life...TO ENCOURAGE...and SUPPORT!



There was a special TEA time with dear friends...flowers from afar...a lovely teacup keepsake given by a stranger! A Willow figurine of HOPE...homemade cards...a lovely Breast Cancer bracelet...GIFTS OF LOVE.

I've learned...how important the support system is for someone with CANCER.... any ailment for that matter. As I've just learned of my Hypothyroidism...and the affects even this has on ones body. SUPPORT and ENCOURAGEMENT help so much as you go through each day waiting for medicines to work...for a day of feeling GOOD.

Gifts are thoughtful and a reminder as you look upon them..but the HEART of the people is what matters most...FRIENDS...FAMILY...loving you!

I've also learned the MOST IMPORTANT... CHRIST is all sufficient!

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
...for when I am weak, then am I strong. II Corinthians 9-10b


My faith was encouraged as I read God's precious WORD...strengthened with courage and peace.

The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace. Psalm 29:11

Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD. Psalm 21:24

If you know someone with CANCER or an ongoing illness...reach out to them! A word of encouragement...a card...tokens of your love for them.

Tell them the greatest of LOVE is the LOVE of CHRIST and how much HE LOVES THEM...

THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH AND SONG, AND IS BECOME MY SALVATION! Psalm 118:14

THANKFUL for Life

Yes..you are seeing DOUBLE! and below is the THIRD! ...no not Triplets..but mighty close! These are my three precious grandchildren born on the same day! One on the West Coast and Twins on the East Coast!



and...with my Breast Cancer SURVIVOR Journey...how THANKFUL I am this day to be alive to rejoice in this wonderful blessing of LIFE!

...How timely as I celebrate each day of surviving Breast Cancer...

We take so many ever day moments for granted...but the birth of a baby is so precious...such an awakening time...as we behold God's magnificent handiwork of LIFE

Innocence of life....

Sobering as well...to know the responsibility that lies ahead for the Parents...and then in years to come the child himself.

My husband and I were so blessed to hear our son tell us...

"My children, are going to know more about the LORD Jesus Christ...than any of their TOYS!"

He has obviously observed the video game "lock in" of the child's mind today.

As I think upon my journal here and how GOD has intervened in so many ways...HIS WATERING WELLS are never empty. I draw from them daily...and I know that my children that are now new parents will certainly draw from these also.

In my Cancer Journey....I am so THANKFUL for the testimony of God's Graces that I can share with my children and readers. To give HOPE and COURAGE as they..you..face the future.

We know not what a DAY brings forth...BUT GRACE ABOUNDS ...ALWAYS.

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
Ecclesiastes 3:1

Now today...his perfect will and purpose is once again before us....You and I.

TRUST HIM.....TODAY.

Be encouraged by God's Word and the testimony of HIS good work in you.

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with GOD through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ UPDATE~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My fatigue has improved by eating the infamous Energy Bar (recipe) I've listed! AMEN
I will be posting on some helpful health benefits of Vitamin D and other needful supplements. I've done a lot of research and so happy to find the information I needed. An answer to my prayers!
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Blessings..
HOPE

Breast Cancer Awarness Begins

My Breast Cancer Awareness campaign began the moment I was diagnosed with IDC. Invasive Ductal Carcinoma.

Upon the news of my cancer...my family and friends began to immediately reach out. The above photo is of the lovely bracelet one of my daughter in laws sent me along with this Breast Cancer Awareness tote bag.

It was my first touching moment of the heart..that made me realize how much people care...this along with a dear friend who also told me

..."Whatever I can do, please let me know...I can drive you to your appointments...anything!!"

This was just the beginning of not only a new journey in my life...a new chapter in my Christian walk...also a journey of LOVE.

So many people have reached out to me...in calls, cards, gifts, blog comments and just being here in person in my midst...I can't thank you enough!

And then even a lovely SONG written by my friend Deborah at Songs of my Journey. If you click on the right top photo this will take you to her blog with the song she wrote just for me. It is a treasure to cherish!

I have been truly blessed..FROM THE BEGINNING...with God's tender care and mercies. I have had excellent doctors and nurses. All answers to prayer! They have been informative and personally caring.


This book was given to me by my surgeon and I have enjoyed it so much. The information continues to be very helpful. The more informed you are the better..but make sure it is sound information..reliable. Don't believe all you read just anywhere. This book list many sources available to you.

You can read more about this book and information at www.EduCareInc.com this book is written by an Oncology nurse.

It is important to get the facts straight. There are many types of cancers...and each individual persons body makeup is different. I have found each cancer is so individualized that it is important to listen to your doctors. Ask GOD for wisdom in choosing and finding the right doctor and one you are comfortable with. I did this..twice and the LORD led me to the very doctors "I" needed. Along with my doctors and the information I acquired were very helpful to me as a patient in understanding my diagnosis, procedure choices and outcome.

STAY POSITIVE! GOD knows ALL your needs. I chose to yield to HIS WILL and not my own and thereby found perfect peace in allowing GOD to direct my paths!

Proverbs 3;5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding, In all they ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

As I've exhorted others..TAKE ONE DAY AT A TIME...

Some things I have learned:

EARLY DETECTION...SAVES LIVES!

Yearly mammograms...or 6 months if you have had a previous suspicious spot!
(I had a suspicious SPOT...a compression done... then told to come back in a year) I would have caught mine even earlier had I been told to come back in 6 months)

No one knows exactly what causes breast cancer.

Get a second physicians opinion..if possible a breast cancer SPECIALIST.

Do not think you must or will have to have a mastectomy. Depending on the cancer..size tumor etc. There are many options!! Learn them all.

You do not have to fear..RADIATION. If you have read my past post...I have finished six weeks of radiation with minimal problems. Mostly fatigue. It is a perfected and safe procedure. Get information on who and where you will have yours done.

Keep a record of ALL appointments..from the day of your mammogram on.

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Some information regarding my particular cancer:
Mine was NOT felt with a lump. It was detected by a digital mammogram and followed up with a core needle ultrasound biopsy which confirmed the diagnosis of IDC. Not all breast cancers are found by lumps so this is why Mammograms are so vital!

It is my prayer and desire in keeping this journal of my breast cancer, that it will help someone else. Help them have HOPE and TRUST in the LORD and to know that the LORD JESUS is the great comforter!


UPDATE: I am still dealing with fatigue at this time so I will post as I am able...pacing my activities. I was told and read...that fatigue can linger for an unknown amount of time after radiation. You have to learn what you can do..I'm LEARNING that! I've done too much in one day, thinking I had this great energy..to find out it depleted quicker than anticipated! I need to remember, that I'm still healing! Praise the LORD!

God bless..
HOPE

TRUST

Trust~ definition: firm belief in some quality of a person, thing; hope; confidence in, rely on, believe.

I put some testimony in the post on Encouragement, so that those reading this would understand a "truth" that they can trust. It always helps to know where a person is coming from in there dealings with you. A person's personal testimony is one that cannot be refuted as it is theirs/mine. One can choose to believe it or not..as is with anything of choice in life. However, when the life reflects the depth of truth...it is more tangible and as the definition of TRUST states..we have confidence in it and there is an eventual belief of that truth.

I remember reading a statement not long ago..actually in regards to the present youth "thought" on belief... that saddened me. It isn't necessarily in regards to GOD either.

it stated: It's true... because "I" believe it. NOT I believe it.. because "IT" is true.

There can be so much personal deception here...if "I" just want to believe something..maybe because it makes me feel good, happy, sounds good etc. there is great danger in it possibly NOT being true.

But when it is TRUTH ~ definition:( facts-conformity to fact, correct, honest)...then, I can put my complete confidence in the fact, that it is indeed true..I won't have to worry about it changing how I feel or my happiness etc. because it will remain a fact and true.

The Bible verses that brings great confidence to me in regards to Truth are found in the books of Hebrews chpt.13 verse 8.... Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day and for ever. And,
I Corinthians chpt. 14 verse 33... For God is not the author of confusion... and most of all...
St. John chpt. 1 verse 17..... but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

I am currently enrolled in a church history class...and it is notable that for the true facts about Jesus and others existance...it is the testimony of the enemy about them that makes it clear historical evidence of events etc. Some spoke of Christ and his crucifiction as an event that took place...others mention names ..such as James the brother of Jesus. Confirming..Jesus did live on this earth. We even ourselves take the "testimony" in a court of law as evidence..and weigh it with facts surrounding the word of the testimony to make a judgement.

So, with this...I pray that you as you read whatever I have written in this blog, as true personal testimony and take to heart the sincerity, the facts, and the evidence to encourage you in your life. And, that you will leave with a cup full of hope drawn from this well...of mine.

Encouragement

I've started this blog on the recommendation of several friends. I'd like to thank them for this encouragement. Knowing that they feel I have something to offer others, is a blessing beyond measure. As my desire is also to be...An Encourager. There are many aspects of life that need encouraging...whether it be an ability or desire or faith. We all need it.

For this purpose, I want to share with you some things in my life and maybe some mention of others that will indeed encourage you in some area of your life, by you drawing from this well...of HOPE. I wish above all for you to know the LORD Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour and the peace he can give to your heart.

The greatest moment of my life, was when I found that the BIBLE was true and the very words of GOD given so that I would know him, so that I would know what life was all about. I was very confused about life in general. I did not know enough about God to even know where to find him..let alone that there existed a book HE left for man. In his faithfulness he revealed himself not only by creation itself..but by giving us words from his very heart.
The Bible is a precious book filled with HOPE. Hope is something as the Bible says..not seen (Hebrews 11:1). It is the very essence of Faith. It is trusting GOD for who he says he is and what he is able and will perform.

One day I found that the Scriptures revealed my heart also. It revealed to me, my great need of a Saviour, found in the Lord Jesus Christ. I was guilty before God and had done nothing about my sins. I trusted him according to his word, that by faith in his shed blood I would be cleansed and made a new creature in him. What joy I found and the new journey began that day...new as in born again..walking new, talking new and finding HOPE along the way.