Female in Motion

God gave me beautiful jewels during my cancer journey. My breast cancer journey is almost at a close. In the last year and a half, God gave me some precious gifts. I thought I would just bear down, and tough out this cancer battle, instead I have found delicate and multi-faceted jewels placed in my path. Rest: I didn't ever sit and get quiet until I was forced to with cancer. Seems like I always had something to do, or somewhere to be. Now, I have to schedule in those quiet times to relax my mind and gather my senses. Prayer: I've always considered myself a prayer person, but I really became a warrior during my cancer journey. Not how you think, though. I was praying for others , not myself. There are so many around us that are suffering. Achieving a deeper level of worship and prayer makes me hungry for more. Humility: I realized early on that I had very human limits. My body simply gave out when it had enough. There are lovely, kind people in my life who stepped ...

I am at Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Zion, IL, tonight. I flew in last night, spent all day in the waiting room and appointments. I have a headache, my feet hurt, my burns hurt and I'm exhausted. Man, I hate it when I'm whiny. The good news is, I'm doing well. As Dr. Citrin put it, I'm one tough woman. He was shocked that I was able to travel so soon after finishing radiation. He took one look at the burns under my arm and prescribed some aloe vera gel with lidocaine and some pain meds to help me sleep.  I will start Arimidex this week, too. In the bad news department, I am not in any state of mind to write tonight. I have to be up early in the morning to catch a flight home, so I will say good night and God bless each and every one of you: for your prayers, for your support, for being you. As I promised, I will post the piece I've been working on very soon. Thanks for understanding. *** Notable Quote:  " John 14:27 (KJV) Peace I leave w...

Ryan Scott Prudhomme, 1986-2013 Colossians 4:5-6 (NKJV) Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.  "Redeeming the time." This phrase has been bouncing around in my brain all day. The years we are allotted in this world are brief and swift-moving. It's easy to get caught up in the dizzying array of time wasters available. It's equally easy to forget the most vital things: faith, family, others. Selfishly, I want my life to count. I desire significance . I am a member of the new group, Kansas Women Bloggers ( http://kansaswomenbloggers.com/ ). The theme for April is "Making the World a Better Place to Be and Blog." This made me think about what I'm trying to do with my own blog and ministry. I want to encourage women to live out their big dreams, the ones that God has placed in their hearts. The ones they are afra...

  Luke 18:1b (KJV)                                                       " ...that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; " Last year, a Christian friend started a Facebook group, called "Prayer Warriors." The only requirement is you pray at least once for the requests that are made on the page. Yesterday, a young woman we had prayed for several months passed away. I have to admit, it hit me hard. I never met her, but Ahna impacted my life. Prayer is powerful. When I wrote about getting "back on track" in my blog post last week, part of my intention was to get back to twice-daily devotion and prayer, and once-daily prayer with my husband. I'm not saying I had stopped praying. Sloppiness was my problem: A shor...

My sweet infusion nurse, Therese, took this picture for me. I love this place!  I received chemotherapy treatment #5 this afternoon. Ordinarily, I would feel strong and hopeful, but tonight, besides being tired, I am homesick. You see, my uncle succumbed to cancer last week, and tomorrow is his funeral. My relatives are all gathered together, and I am not able to be with them. Family is very important to me, and I just want to be there with them, holding hands and doling out hugs and Kleenex.  This is where I am supposed to be, moving forward...getting stronger. My family wants me to do everything I can to kick this cancer. I want to help them, but I have to help myself first. When I fly back and forth to Chicago every three weeks, the flight attendant goes over the safety precautions. When they talk about the oxygen mask, they instruct adults to put on their mask first, then help children with theirs. This reminds me that I need to get healthy first, before I can minist...

Female in Motion, December 23, 2012. I sang O Holy Night at church this morning. Sarah's fancy artwork!   I got a call this morning from my doctor's office at Cancer Treatment Centers of America,  in Zion, IL. My white blood cell count is a little elevated, so my Nurse Navigator recommended that I wear a surgical mask if I have to be out and about. You know me...I just can't leave well enough alone, so I had my daughter/artist design some really cool ones. What do you think? Since my fourth dose of chemotherapy was last week, that means I only have two more treatments: January 7 and 28. I'm so happy and relieved to have this chapter of my life come to an end. Next up will be a month's rest and then radiation, which will be administered in Winfield, KS, close to my home. Thanks and blessings go out to everyone who has stopped by, called, written or messaged to wish my family and I a merry Christmas. We are grateful to God for His abundant blessings and f...

It's been five days since my first-ever chemotherapy treatment. Here's what I'm thinking: I've learned more about myself. I am listening to my body. I'm grateful to God for His mercy. Following is my journal from last week's trip. CTCA Staff: I felt so prepared . They all walked me through the whole process, step-by-step. I knew what to expect. No mystery. My sweet Texas Belle: Rachel was such a help! She is an encourager. Wonder where she gets that from? Rachel carried things, ran errands, massaged my shoulders before the treatment and rubbed lotion into my hands during. My Belle kept me company during the treatment and got me home when it was all over. You have no idea what a comfort it is to have your daughter tuck you in after a big day. CTCA Infusion Center: As nice as the hospital is, the infusion center is that much better. I was ushered to a nice suite with an upholstered recliner and rocking chair. The recliner had heat and massage. Ye...

Here is your Friday Female in Motion Face! This photo is taken two days after my first chemotherapy treatment at Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Zion, IL. I'm feeling pretty good, so far. Here is a list of my first side effects: 1. Frequent hiccups. 2. Nearly constant metallic taste in my mouth. 3. Very sore back and neck muscles. Here's a list of what I did my first day back at home. 1. Two loads of laundry. 2. Took out trash. 3. Four hours of data entry and office work. 4. Short downtown shopping trip with my sweet Texas Belle. 5. Went out to dinner. I would say I am greatly blessed, all in all. Thanks to everyone who said a prayer, sent positive thoughts and encouraged me through this journey. Next Monday's post will cover step-by-step my first chemo treatment. Almighty One, I am humbled by your abundant love for me. Please send double blessings to everyone who takes the time to pray for my health. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Deuteronomy 7:6 (KJV) For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. As a young newlywed, I gave my husband a full account of all my daily activities when he arrived home. The Hubster called it my "status report." Somehow, I got it into my head that he would value me more as a wife if I did tons of chores. I realized a while back that I was doing this same thing with God. At the end of the day, I prayed my status report, telling Him about all the great things I did. Would He love me more if He heard all the good works I was doing? Sooooooooooooo wrong! My Gracious Redeemer already knew what I did all day, and He already loved and accepted me as His child. Have you ever done that with spiritual things? If you're running around the church organizing bake sales, directing the children's choir, leading the sewing circle, and disinfecting...

Me and God, we have a plan. I made a trip to Cancer Treatment Centers of America--Zion, IL campus this week with my dear mother. After a post-surgical checkup, I was ready to hear all the news about my pathology report and the recommendations of my medical oncologist, breast surgeon and radiology oncologist. The tumor is more aggressive than any of us previously thought, so we need to be proactive. Thus, we have made a new plan, God and I. Next Monday, August 20, I will have a radical mastectomy to my right breast at CTCA. After a week's recovery, I will return for my first round of chemo (taxotere and cytoxen), followed by a shot of Neulasta, to prevent infection. The two chemo drugs are a new combo targeted just for breast cancer patients. Much milder to the system than the standard, heavy chemo drugs, but still completely effective. I'm still debating about whether to get a Bard Power Port during the mastectomy or use a PICC line. I will fly in to CTCA every three we...

I had planned to write an eloquent monologue on the subject of fear tonight...how fear is just an emotion and should not control what we do or how we feel. But I am weary from a day full of meetings with doctors at Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Zion, IL. And I am a little bit afraid of what lies ahead. You see, I'm human, and I get scared, just like everyone else. It's what I do about that fear that makes all the difference. Fear lurks in the recesses of your heart just like Boo Radley hid behind that door at Atticus Finch's house in the movie, T o Kill a Mockingbird . Jeb lay in the bed with a badly broken arm, and Scout waited at the door. When she turned around, she saw Boo Radley, the most feared man in town, cowering behind the door. She knew the truth. Boo wasn't a monster, he was simply a misunderstood soul, who saved her life. Scout took his hand and invited him into her life. If you drag fear out of the dark corner, it doesn't seem as large a...

Last weekend was quiet. The Hubster and I had just returned from a business seminar out of town. We spent Saturday and Sunday doing a few simple household chores, but mostly, napping, watching old movies, attending church, and resting. It was peaceful and much-needed. Monday morning brought bad news. I had surgery at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America-Chicago campus on Friday, July 6. The procedure was to widen the margins from my original lumpectomy, to take four ancillary lymph nodes from under my arm, and to get an IORT Boost. (That is inter-operative radiation therapy). Yes, I had radiation treatment while I was on the surgical table. During the surgery, they attached two surgical drains to get rid of excess fluid. It's a common practice. After the surgery, I was fitted for a compression sleeve for my right arm. Removal of lymph nodes on the right side causes a risk of lymphedema, an inflammatory condition. I will wear the sleeve each day for two months, and while lift...