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Showing posts with the label radiation

Breast Cancer: Why Do I Feel Guilty For Getting Better?

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I had a "lite" version of breast cancer. It seems like there are a million products on the market now that are "light," "lite," or "reduced" in some fashion. Weird, but I think about my cancer in that way. I had a very mild case of breast cancer, or Cancer Lite. I almost feel like I shouldn't claim to be a cancer survivor. So many others have really, truly struggled with side effects of treatment, horrible pain from surgeries and catastrophic changes to their daily lives. While I did have three surgeries, six doses of chemotherapy and 30 radiation treatments, my body tolerated all of it fairly well, and I seem to be bouncing back rapidly. Call it "survivor's guilt," but I went through a couple of months after treatment where I felt a bit ashamed. I gained weight, had tons of personal support and a great experience with my cancer team. During this time, a young man I knew died from liver cancer. He was a vibrant, strong C...

Redeeming the Time

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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...

Beginnings and Endings

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Lap quilt given to me by Donnis Whaley, a church friend. I finished my chemotherapy treatment last week. It feels like a major milestone in my life. January has been full of big changes. The fatigue that set in during the last two chemo doses has been epic, but I can feel the prayers of God's saints washing over me...bidding me to stay strong. So I will. Change is hard for anyone. I am glad to be done with chemo, and ready to start radiation the end of the month. The future is uncertain. Will I be cancer free? Will I be able to work? There's only one answer to all the questions in my heart. Jesus. Proverbs 3:5 (KJV) Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. Getting freaked out will get me nowhere. So, I will trust in Him. He already has a great plan in place. He's never let me down. Give me Jesus. *** Female in Motion Health Update : I finished my last dose of chemo last Monday. I will begin radiation in two wee...

What Defines Me?

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I was just discovering my true self when I met The Hubster. It wasn't his fault, but I threw myself into being a great wife, cook and housekeeper. When my daughters came along, I simply wanted make their lives as happy as possible. Somewhere along the way, I forgot to find out exactly who I was, and I have only recently gotten back on track. The years between have been a lot of fun, and I've learned a lot of important stuff, like what I am not. I am an office manager, but that does not define my talents. I am married to The Hubster, but that does not define my identity. I am the mother of two children, but that does not define my life. I am a member of a Baptist church, but that does not define my faith. I am a breast cancer patient, but that does not define my personality. What defines me? Am I someone's employee, someone's wife, someone's mother, some church's member, someone's patient? Yes, I am those things, but those things do not define w...