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| Just because it's pretty! |
I thought I'd give y'all an update on my breast cancer recovery journey. I am feeling pretty good right now. I finished the main part of my chemo in September. The worst of it is out of my system now. I had a double mastectomy with reconstruction in October. I went through some emotional turmoil after surgery that was exacerbated by the medications, but I am now feeling much better. I'm back on what I call mini-chemo—just one IV drug, and it doesn't seem to affect me in a bad way that I notice. That's a couple hours every three weeks. In January, I'll begin 7 weeks of radiation 5 days a week. I'm also taking a hormone blocking pill now. Fun stuff. The cancer doctor told me that I am in "rare total remission". Praise God! He's good! I've still got a long treatment road ahead of me, but it's been nice to have a few weeks of feeling more like myself during Christmas. It has been a gift.
Suddenly, just being alive is a gift. Conversations with family members that I'd lost touch with are gifts. Living in a safe place where I don't fear is a gift.
Thoughts on Giving:
I gave something away last week that I still enjoyed and wanted to keep. I realized that the family I gave it to would enjoy it far more now than I would if I kept it and used it next month. It was better to give than receive. It was also better to obey. I felt the nudge of the Holy Spirit and couldn't deny it.
I gave it willingly, and it brought me joy to give it. This experience made me think about what else I have lying around the house that someone else might need or enjoy. I think I'll be giving more things away over the coming weeks—not because I need to clear things out (which I do) but because keeping things that I don't need, don't have a definite plan for, and don't have a reason to keep (joy or good memories), is rather selfish of me.
Well, that's all for now. It's a week until Christmas.
What gift do you have that you've not even noticed?
God bless you! Keep your cool. Take this week one day at a time, and enjoy the journey.
Holiday hugs!
Laura
Enjoying gifts in a new way
Homemaking Party Share Your Cup
I'm so thrilled to hear that your prognosis is good and that you can hopefully enjoy the holidays as best as possible with your family. You are so right....just being alive is the greatest gift! Last Christmas for me was spent in a recliner recovering from double bypass heart surgery. It was a tough time, but I feel so thankful to be here this year and even more grateful that I feel better enough to enjoy the holidays this year with my family.
ReplyDeleteOh Mandy, I'm so glad you've recovered. May this be a beautiful Christ centered, family and friend filled Christmas for you.
DeleteHugs,
Laura
I am so glad to hear your good report! I know that going through difficult times makes us appreciate the good times even more when they come. We never want hard trials to come, but oh, what God teaches us about Himself when they do.
ReplyDeleteThank you for praying for me. I will continue to pray for you.
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends!
Dear Older and Wiser,
DeleteI am six months and 8 days older than my husband. When he remarks about it, I just tell him that I'm six months older and wiser!
May God bless you and meet your every need—and give you the desires of your heart as you seek Him.
Happy Christmas,
Laura
With God all things are possible. Singing praises for your remission.
ReplyDeleteYou got this. The worst is over, so just figure what is left is just crumbs. A tiny moment in time for longevity and health.
Blessings to you and yours.
You are so right, Cheryl. Thank you for rejoicing with me.
DeleteThe doctor said today that the beam itself will only last for
twenty seconds at a time. Amazing.
God bless you.
Happy Christmas,
Laura
Sweet Laura, this post brought tears to my eyes. Oh, what a journey you have been on and you have been truly amazing through it all. How I praise God that you are doing better, dear friend. I will continue to pray for you as you press on. What a blessing you are to so many. Much love to you! And Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteYou are always so kind to me Stephanie. It's been a long journey which I wish were complete. Further treatments, while difficult, will be to prevent future cancer from growing in my body. Thank you for your patience with me as I've been fighting this battle. Thank you so much for praying. You are a blessing to me as well.
DeleteGod bless you and your family, including your mama and grandmama.
Happy Christmas,
Laura
I'm SO THANKFUL to read of your praise report of being in rare total remission! That is just soo awesome and I am praising the Lord with you! I know it has been such a long journey for you, but believing with you with the verse in your header that the Lord will give you many more years on this earth to be with your family! How wonderful to be nudged by the Holy Spirit how to be a blessing to another family, truly there is no other greater blessing than in giving. Thank you for inspiring with sharing this story and I will pray that the Spirit of the Lord continues to work and bless you in all that you do. I pray that this year the sweet presence of the Lord is very real and powerful in your life, and that it will be the greatest gift of all. Much love to you dear Laura, you are always such a blessing to visit! And I love the new look of your blog :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Marilyn! You've been one of my best cheerleaders through all this.
DeleteThe story has touched my heart every year that I've shared it. It's just like
no other I've read, but I've seen the LORD's hand like that in my life.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage
Praise God that you are in remission, but it is not rare. It is God's gift of life to you! Enjoy the week ahead!
ReplyDeleteYou're so right Carol! Thank you for reminding me. Enjoy the life ahead!
DeleteHappy Christmas!
Laura
I'm glad that you are recovering so well and I get to here from you. It's been a hard road but I'm always amazed how strong you are. You are always in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Vickie. You've been an excellent cheer leader through this process. I don't feel strong, but I know WHO is. He loves us so much, He carries our burdens if we let Him.
DeleteHappy Christmas,
Laura
I am so thankful to hear that you are in rare and total remission, Laura!!! Praise GOD!!! That is amazing news...they may think it is rare, but we know what God can do! So grateful to hear this today!!
ReplyDeleteMiracles are not rare with God. Praying for you and yours this evening.
DeleteGrab onto the good, release the bad thoughts and memories. You're
still making memories with your Zach and Kevin. Make them as good
as you can. A few years ago, my husband's mom died unexpectedly right
before Thanksgiving. It was hard, but we went on with celebrations to
honor her as well as to honor our LORD.
Hugs to you darling,
Laura
That's such good news! I will keep praying for you- that you'll coast through the rest of this like an Olympic luge!
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you, Laura!
Dear Debby,
DeleteThank you so much for praying. The radiology oncologist thinks that I will do well with the
treatments. He said I can expect burning and fatigue. Not looking forward to either of those
things. I sunburn easily. I'm going to pray that God will put a shield around me to protect my
skin, healthy tissue, implants, and most importantly my heart and lungs.
By the way, I'm a big gal. I probably can go down the luge pretty fast!
Hugs,
Laura
Lovely to hear you are doing so well! Years ago, I heard a sermon that spoke about how easy it is to give away things you no longer want or need, but it is important to give away things that are still precious to you. Sounds like that gift of spirit has engulfed you at this best of all seasons! Merry, Merry Christmas and a Wonderful New Year!!!
ReplyDeleteYes, I think it has. I've been looking around and seeing things that I may still enjoy,
Deletebut someone else might need more right now. I need to find the right balance.
Merry Christmas to you dear lady!
Laura
So thankful to hear your good report. Praise the Lord. Have a blessed and beautiful Christmas!
ReplyDeleteDear Laura, Praise God! I'm thankful to hear of your good report.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you and your family!
Thank you Laurie. Happy Christmas to you and yours!
DeletePraising God for His gift of remission for you! I am overjoyed for your precious gift this Christmas season. I pray you will tolerate the radiation and not be burned and your organs will be safe. He is able!
ReplyDeleteMy gift that I just did not expect is peace with our daughter's family serving in Germany. When they went we were left without any family within 250 miles but at the same time He gave us the amazing gift of new friends who are closer in spirit than our kids most of the time. God is so amazing!
Oh Lana, what a treasured gift from the LORD. He is so good to put us in families. I wish our own families were always like minded, but often friends are more so. God makes new alliances for us. I'm glad you're finding peace.
DeleteHugs to you my dear,
Laura
Laura, I am so happy to hear that you are doing well! The good Lord certainly does hear and answer prayers. You are definitely a giving soul! Thanks for sharing with SYC. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann
Dear Jann,
DeleteI just checked your BB FB page and didn't see any updates. I do hope
all is well with you. I can't say I've put anything on Harvest Lane Cottage
FB for awhile. Guess I better get to that. I feel like I've been distaracted
since I found the lump on April 22nd. It's just been such a ride. I'm sure
you feel the same.
Hugs to you, hope all goes well with the packing away of the twinkling fun
decorations.
Your friend,
Laura