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!!!

30yrs old and HEALED- TGBTG!!!

Between my 29th and 30th birthday God has given me the victory in the biggest health battle of my life thus far-blessing me to overcome breast cancer-enduring 4 rounds of chemo, 2 surgeries, radiation and more chemo-only 6 more treatments left but recent mammogram and MRI results showed no evidence of cancer; I am healed AND my kidney's and liver are still in good shape. My God is a Healer, my God is a Sustainer, my God is AWESOME! I'm so appreciative, blessed and thankful for all who lifted up me in prayer and stood by me in faith. I've also been blessed today by to those who took the time to txt, call, or post a Happy Birthday message-THANK you, much love, God Bless & KTF!!!

MRI Results & Chemo #11 of 17-PRAISE God!!!

Yesterday the last question that I was asked to answer in yesterday's interview is "where are you now?" My reply-waiting on results of MRI and still trusting.Then towards the end of yesterday's blog post I said that God-willing, I would have more praise reports to share regarding my MRI results and treatment. Well God willed it! Key phrases in the findings:"No residual abnormal enhancement is identified" " no suspicious enhancement is seen" -translation no cancer found!!! TGBTG We already believed by faith but here is more evidence that God is my Healer/our Healer, He is FAITHFUL & AWESOME!!! God also blessed to neulasta shot to work so well that my white blood count was found to be on the high end which was good going into another treatment today. And to add to the joy of the day thus far, who was there in the chemo room receiving a treatment? Mr. Soto :-) He is the godly man we met on my first day of chemo (he and his wife). He asked my daddy on that day if he could add me to his church's prayer list and of course the answer was yes. He looked well and said to us today that he had been praying that he would see us today and there we were. I got a picture with him before they got me all hooked up for my treatment. Today was treatment #11. Only 6 more left!!! PRAISE God, PRAISE God, PRAISE God!!!

Best Docs Network Interview-TGBTG

The interview for Best Docs Network that I mentioned in a previous post was this morning. God is so FAITHFUL-blessed the interview-gave me the words to share in response to the questions and He brought the whole set-up together-backdrop and all-the producer and camera man set up shop in my apartment. I was even able to keep my house shoes on during the interview because they only shot from waist up :-) (no worries the rest of me was dressed up lol). The producer explained before we started that I would need to reiterate the questions she asked before answering them because her voice would be edited out-God helped me to do it in a way that flowed and the producer was happy that she didn't have to stop me and remind me over and over again. She also commented that she found my "positive energy" very inspiring-TGBTG. I was told that it will probably be ready to air on one of the local channels here in late August and that she would provide links for me to share with those who were not able to catch it. I'm planning to post the link on the blog as well. They took a few shots of me doing normal activities after the interview was over and one of the additional shots was of me reading the word. Guess what book and chapter number God blessed me to open up to?! Psalm 34. I was blessed by multiple verses, which seemed so appropriate on this day and in this season of my life and the testimony that He's given me thus far: "I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth." Ps 34:1 "I sought the Lord and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." Ps 34:4 "The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing." Ps 34:10 "Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all." Ps 34:19 "The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate." Ps 34:22 What a MIGHTY God we serve; What an AWESOME God we serve! TGBTG for the Great things He has done, is doing and will do!!! God willing-I will have more praise reports to share regarding the results of my MRI and receiving another treatment! I know many are still praying for me and there may be some that are praying for me that I know not of. The prayers of the righteous availeth much-Thank you, thank you, thank you. God Bless & KTF!!!

MRI

This afternoon I had my MRI...I prayed and before falling alseep, my mind went back to my first MRI, I still remember praying with tears streaming down my face as the MRI was being conducted-that was in the diagnostic phase but God is GOOD and He is FAITHFUL. The second MRI was right around the time of the surgeries (I want to say it was right after the surgeries). This MRI is to see where we're at now-having by the grace of God completed 10 chemo/treatments, 2 surgeries, and 6wks of radiation and now 7 chemo/treatments left, and on anti-estrogen. I'm expecting the results to present more evidence of God's Healing Power in my body. It was a blessing to be able to go to sleep in the midst of all the noise-I don't think I've described the just how noisy the MRI machine is in previous posts but just to give you an idea, they put earplugs in your ears and special headphones with music to try to block some of the noise out and even with that it's still loud-but God still blessed me to get a nap in while all of that was going on. The only thing was because my head was facing down (in the breast MRI machines one lays on their stomach)and so tired I slobbered while I was sleeping and felt the need to apologize to the nurse for slobbering on the machine LOL. Results usually take a week. Still trusting God and I regardless of what you're facing in life, I hope you are too. God Bless & KTF :-)

Update 6/19/14-GOD is GOOD!

God continues to cover me...He is so GOOD! Yesterday while driving to work on one of the main highways, my front passenger side tire blew out. Not only did God bless me to slow down and get over to the shoulder while keeping me from getting into an accident doing that. Then he blessed me to inch along on the shoulder until I could get of the highway. My goal was to make it to the Good Year that's near my workplace. While crawling along with my emergency lights on in the downtown area, while I was on the phone with a friend who was checking on me, I heard a tap/knocking on my car. It was one of my co-workers who had recognized my car and had circled back around to see what was going on. He instructed me to pull into a nearby parking lot where he put my spare tire on, which turned out to be on the flat side itself. However it was good enough to make it to the Good Year. While There I was informed that the tire I needed was on-sale AND while the guy said he wasn't sure if my spare would be any good after driving around on it being on the flatside and that I may have to buy a new spare from the dealer, when they called to give me the report of the work done he mentioned that my spare was holding air, so I wouldn't need to buy a new spare after all. Then later on that morning, I got a call from the treatment center informing me that the insurance had approved the MRI, which means no out of pocket expense! The MRI is scheduled of Wednesday of next week. God brought my white blood cell count into a range that was acceptable for treatment so I was able to have a treatment today-this time in the afternoon because it was scheduled so late last week, my normal time slot was not available, but I was just thankful God blessed me to get another treatment knocked out. Only 7 left now. God keeps on marching me right on through. And of course I'm always blessed in spending time with my daddy:-) Treatment days he's here except that one time when one of my aunts filled in because he was out of state. I'm also really thankful that I didn't have a treatment last week because even though I didn't have a treatment my body felt so tired and run down that I felt like I had had a treatment that day. Much better shape today-TGBTG- He ALWAYS knows and does what's BEST. That's why even when He says wait/not now, we have to trust that it is for our good. He sees and knows what we do not. Oh and the decision was made to go ahead and switch me to the neulasta shot staring tomorrow morning. It's stronger/lasts longer than the neupogen shots and I will only have to come in for one shot on the day after treatments rather than coming in on the following 2 days after treatments to receive the shot. I do remember in the hospital when they gave me the shot, it made my back ache to the point of having to take tylenol (which is something I very rarely do) but it's all good-gotta do what we gotta do. If it will give my immune system that extra boost that it needs then it's well worth it. I'm also blessed to report that since I've been back on the Tamoxifen, it has not been causing issues. I'm thinking now that the weekend when I got hit pretty good with the digestive issues, that maybe it was a stomach bug rather than the medicine, though I did give my body some days off the medicine which could've also helped it to flush out any residue from the medicine that was building up in my system. Either way the main thing is all seems to be well again in that area. I added my probiotics by RAW Vitamin Code back to my daily regimen as well, which also seems to be helping (side note: gut/intestines and immune system are connected-healthier our gut, the better shape our immune system will be in). I heard back from the producer of Best Docs Network and we've set a date for the interview, it will be in the 2nd week of July. I'm thankful for how God worked the scheduling out with that because I'm expecting to have more to add to the praise reports with the results of my MRI being in by then. Everyday this week God has blessed me to sell 1 or two books out of the stash that I carry around with me and tomorrow suppose to meet a couple others who are interested. To God Be ALL the Glory!