He's done it AGAIN!

Just getting in and settled from the Aurora Foundation Gala celebrating life and victory over breast cancer. God just keeps on showing out! Not only was I blessed to share this special moment with some of my family(mom, dad, brother, granny)but come to find out there was a special video presentation that included me, a fellow breast cancer survivor and my breast care doctor who is also a breast cancer survivor herself. Different footage from my interview was used to create this video presentation than what was used in the episode Best Docs Network; more of what God blessed me to share was left in this one as well-I'm so thankful TGBTG. When the turned the lights back on I saw my daddy utilizing his handkerchief. I've requested the link for this video presentation and will post it when I receive it. I was also blessed to meet and exchange contact information with the fellow breast cancer survivor who was featured in the video with me and who knows the Lord too. Earlier today God blessed me with what I believe He wants me to share later on this month in a speaking engagement at the church my daddy pastors. I'm thankful for the privilege and opportunity. Seems like as soon as I finished with that my energy level went down to hardly anything. After taking a nap and laying around God blessed me to get to the grocery store and get something to eat, which helped my energy level out some. Even while out I prayed and just said God your grace is sufficient. He was well aware of the tonight's gala and the energy I would need to get through it and He came through as He always does. Had enough energy to enjoy the evening and I don't look all tired in the pics we took either lol. It's been a BLESSED day!

"FAITHFUL is our God!"

This has been one of those weeks that God has chosen to emphasize His Faithfulness as I had back to back deadlines for projects that required coordinating with others which we all know adds another level of complexity. Then today was a treatment day but I accidentally double-booked myself work-wise and where I would normally have my FMLA day off )because it was a treatment day and I'm usually ready to either find a bed or go sit down somewhere afterwards), I had to work before and after BUT God's grace is not sometimes SUFFICIENT-all day every day. Yesterday was God reminded me through David's example in Psalm 60 that not only do we cry out to God but after we cry out to God we can get our PRAISE on even before God has manifested the answer to our prayers for He is the FAITHFUL One, the One Who has never failed us and who has ALWAYS come through right on time. Love how He always knows what to say, how to say and when to say. By God's grace I'm heading to choir rehearsal in just a few but I wanted to get this post out before I head that way because it will be past my bedtime when I get back lol. White blood count was still low but not low enough for them to put a hold on today's treatment-so THANKFUL because "aint nobody got time for that" lol. I only have to get one neupogen shot this time instead of the 2 like last time. God-willing I will get that this morning on the way to work. My next heart echo will be do on October 20th. Only 2 more treatments with Herceptin left!!! TGBTG And TGBTG for working everything out with meeting project deadlines, and coming through and provided all, what, when, and how needed. He's good like that! Also enjoyed father-daughter time with my daddy today as usual when I have a treatment. Thank you to all who are still lifting me up in prayer and for all who still check on me, and fuss at me in love. Love you ALL! God Bless & KTF!

just a note of enouragement...

God encourages us not just for us but so that we can encourage others...this morning He encouraged me with Psalm 33:21 which says, "For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name." and then bringing back to remembrance what Pastor William T. Glenn shared with us about God's name I AM-I AM the One Who makes things happen and I AM the One Who causes things to be. Plugging that into Psalm 33:21, we rejoice because we have trusted in the One Who makes things happen and causes things to be. God Bless & KTF

Treatment 14 of 17-Thank You Lord!!!

God blessed me to received treatment number 14 of 17 today! Only 3 more left! I was also informed that I would only be on the Herceptin rather than both the Herceptin and Projeta starting today and for the remaining treatments. The last few weeks have been pretty busy-a lot of running around and I didn't do the best job with regard to rest(trust me I sure got fussed at by a few because of it too-but of course all in love-lol)As with everything in life, there are consequences for every action. My body got a little worn down and my immune system took a hit (indicated by dip in white blood cell count), so they gave me a neupogen shot during the treatment today and I will have to go in for another neupogen shot in the morning on the way in to work. Now before I have a line of family and adopted family lined up at my door with a belt in their hands, let me say this week God has blessed me to get more rest in, which I know is a key variable. It's not that I'm trying to be hard headed about the rest. My bedtime is 8:30pm-that is with the exceptions of going to bed early when I'm tired(and already at home) or on Wednesday nights (bible study) and most Thursday nights (choir rehearsals). The last few weeks there have been additional events and obligations-just had to do what I had to do. I'm not in everything but that which I'm blessed to be a part of, I do try to be committed-all-in. Also trying to get ready for the gala (shopping for dress, purse, accessories, etc.) Enjoyed father-daughter today as usual-laughing, talking, etc. -we're both crazy-lol. We talked through more of the website project during the treatment-as we were talking I was thinking I hope we can get through the discussion before the benedryl(in the pre-meds) switched my brain gears into-slow motion-lol. God blessed us to get through it and aside from a few more inquiries with the company that I will go with, I've got a good idea of the names of the tabs and what will go under each tab. Until the next post...God Bless & KTF

Interview on Best Docs San Antonio Episode

As mentioned in previous posts, God blessed me to be interviewed and included in an episode of Best Docs Network San Antonio. Here are the links for both the segment and the entire episode: Link for segment Link for Best Docs Episode

To God Be the Glory (TGBTG)!

Before getting into today's news, a few updates...since my previous post (and treatment) God has continued to be His AWESOME self. There are some blessings we pray specifically for but other blessings that God just drops in our lap like "here you go daughter/son." A few cases in point: While at a Silver Stars game(WNBA), with my sister-friend and niece, we were spotted by the son of another sister-in Christ, who was also in attendance but watching the game from one of the suites. They were kind enough to invite us up to enjoy the remainder of the game. That was my first time viewing the game from a suite-thankful for the opportunity. Then last Friday morning I received a call from the corporate communications business unit of the company I work for. Sometimes we our are (Environmental & Sustainability) is contacted for assistance with responses to Environmental related questions from the media, so I was thinking that must be the reason for the call but that wasn't the case at all. The lady said that they had been informed about my book, "Poetic Inspirations for the Child of God" and that they wanted to feature me and the book in the next issue of the company magazine! I accepted without hesitation. She emailed me the interview questions that afternoon and said the more detail the better. When I read that I thought to myself idk if she knew what she's asking-as you can tell I can be "long-winded" when it comes to writing things out. Lol. And as I viewed the questions my excitement was stirred even more as the way the 14 multiple part questions were worded, the door was wide open to really share and witness to the readers about the Lord and to point them to Him. Turned those in Monday morning and she seemed to be pleased with what God had laid on my heart to write in response to the questions. I don't get the impression that she will edit out much, if any of the content but we will see. I'm trusting God to work it out as He's already planned. I'm just thankful for the opportunity and that He would choose me. I don't think it was a coincidence that on Tuesday and Thursday of that same week, God blessed me with 2 other special moments that really made my day. That Tuesday, I overheard a lady telling one of my gym buddies that she had recently had surgery to remove some cancer cells. God would not let me leave the gym with out approaching her about it. As I walked in her direction I prayed asking God to give me the words and He did just that. At the end of the conversation she thanked me and said that she needed the encouragement. Then as I was leaving work on Thursday-waiting for the crosswalk light to change right outside of the building I work in, a lady came up to me asking me if I would pray for her right there on the spot. She wanted God to heal her ear and said that she had a daughter in heaven. We moved over out of the way and I asked her name, she reached out her hands to "touch and agree" and went to the Lord in prayer. After praying for her I asked if she knew Jesus and she said she did and asked for some food. Though I didn't have any food on me I was blessed to have a little something to give her so that she could be something to eat. Before gong on her way she thanked me, gave me a hug and told me to stay out of the sun-TGBTG I'm always blessed when God chooses to use me as a vessel of encouragement-those are the kind of things that really make my day, put a bigger smile on my face and increase my level of joy. I'm reminded that we must be faithful over a few before God expands our territory. We may say we want God to use us in greater ways and to be a greater witness for Him but what is our response as He provides opportunities throughout our day and what is the real motive behind what we do? I mentioned in the previous post that during my pre-chemo meeting that takes place before each chemo treatment, I shared my contact information, so that they could pass it along to a couple of the younger patients who had recently been diagnosed with breast cancer but who were also not taking it well. I didn't hear from anyone as a result BUT God has placed on my heart to have a website designed that would include a link to my blog, daily word, link to my book, and some way to communicate with those who visit the site and wanted to talk through some of their struggles with breast cancer. Sometimes people feel uncomfortable calling someone they don't know but would be more comfortable messaging back and forth via the internet. It would be a way to encourage others through the battle. God has blessed me to get a very reasonable preliminary price estimate and during chemo today me and daddy were able to talk through some more of the planning details and go over more questions that I need to make sure I ask-really blessed by that as God has blessed him with good business sense and strategy. He shared some things that I hadn't even thought about-all good stuff. I will keep you posted on that as well. This morning I was feeling like I did (tired, run down, and overall not the best) that time when I went in for a treatment but was told that my white blood cell count was too low to risk it, but even as I laid in the bed trying to get a little extra rest this morning, I prayed and said to the Lord, if I was going to pray, I wasn't going to worry. Also while in the kitchen going through my normal chemo day routine-making sure my dishes are washed up and the trash has been taken out before my daddy gets there so we won't be going back and forth fighting over who would do it-lol- I prayed leaving it in His hands-of course I'm getting so close to the finish line as far as chemo is concerned that I really didn't want to miss any treatments but at the same time also know that God's way and timing is ALWAYS BEST. Thankfully when I was given the report, my white blood cell count still looked good and I was able to proceed with today's treatment-treatment #13 of 17! Only 4 more treatments to go!!! I think the reason I was feeling the way I was physically was because my body is still trying to adjust to not having that extra boost that the shot for my immune system provided and last weekend and this week has been a busy week BUT yet another example of the sufficiency of God's GRACE. TGBTG!!!

Treatment #12 in the books & more PRAISE reports; God is STILL at work!

Today in my pre-chemo/treatment appointment with one of the members of the medical team overseeing my treatments, God added to the list of reasons to give Him PRAISE! 1) results of heart echo showed a 5% decrease in the function of the leftside of my heart but that's still ok; they only get concerned and hold treatment if the decrease in heart function hits 10% 2) immune system seems to be where it needs to be and I no longer have to come in for the neulasta shot on the day after treatments. Last time I had that shot I got a bad headache the same night that I could not sleep off that lasted through the next day in combo with lower back aches, which are side effects of the shot itself. What makes it even more of a blessing is that I will not have to worry about these side effects on Saturday where I will be working my first conference as a vendor with my book of poems and bookmarks nor tomorrow late afternoon/evening as I am prepping for it. I am participating in the conference itself as God moved upon the heart of someone to take care of the registration costs. TGBTG again! LOVE Him, His timing and how He works things out! 3) during that same appointment my breast care doctor came in and invited me to the Aurora Foundation Gala Celebrating Life, in addition to me and my parents being "taken care of" in terms of tickets, she mentioned that they would like to include the video of the interview that I mentioned in previous posts (for Best Docs Network, where I was blessed to share my testimony of the journey of overcoming breast cancer) 4) after that, that same member of the medical team that went over the results with me to begin the appointment shared that they had recently diagnosed some young women with breast cancer and that they were struggling with it and asked if I was part of a support group, commenting on my spiritual strength and how I did not lay down and give up after being diagnosis but did just the opposite, both of which she thinks would benefit these women who are struggling with their recent diagnosis and how she believes that God places some people here to make a difference in the lives of others (One correction to that statement: it's not just some of us that God wants to make a difference, God has a special plan and purpose for everyone and He can use ANYBODY who is born again-has confessed with their mouth and believed in their heart that Jesus is Lord. After that we just have to make ourselves available to Him and stay connected to Him so that He can cause us to be fruitful/working in and through us.) My response to her was that I do have a blog but am not a part of a support group though God has built a "support group" around me and that I would be more than willing to talk to them either by phone or email, so she took down my information to pass along to them. I'm always blessed and thankful anytime God uses me to encourage and help somebody else. That's one of the things that gives me joy. TGBTG for the doors He continues to open and for the opportunities He continues to provide. After that I received treatment #12 of #17-just 5 more to go!!! TGBTG God Bless & KTF!!!