Thursday, September 5, 2013

Ohana

I don't deal with things like most people.
I am not overcome by fear.
I take the bull by the horns and go!

After the diagnosis and the brief cry I wiped my tears and Shauna asked if I had any questions and I said "Yes, What's Next?"

I also got a tattoo on Sunday (7/28)! I've been wanting the word Ohana for a long time, just didn't know how I wanted it to look. It clicked on Saturday (7/27) I would use the "h" as a breast cancer ribbon.

Ohana, means family in Hawaiian! I love my family, I love Hawaii and I love the character Stitch from "Lilo & Stitch"! It fit so I did it!

My family has been everything to me, when friends are few and far between or in other states I know I can count on my family and that is a huge blessing for which I am so grateful for!

From here I will have appointments with a surgeon, plastic surgeon an MRI and another biopsy in the left breast which reveals more cancer.


40,000 Mile Check-Up

I've been joking a lot about the fact that I will be 40 this year.

We've had some milestones this year and I'm thankful for all of them!

Jan 6th my dad passed away and just knowing that he is safe and in good health now is a relief!
Jan 30th we celebrated our 20th anniversary!
Mar 15th our son turned 18!
Mar 31 - Apr 14 the boys went to France & Paris and the girls went to S. Africa!
Jun 7 our son graduated highschool!

Still to come:
College, daughter turns 17, birthdays and holidays!

I got a bug bite in July near my right breast. The bite healed and as I scratched off the last bit of skin I noticed a little bump beneath the skin. I mentioned it to my husband a my friend who is a nurse. Shortly after that I scheduled an appointment at a Breast Center for Women.

I had my first mammogram n the middle of July on a Friday (7/19).

Side note...they smoosh you in this machine and then tell you to stand still as if your going to go out to lunch or something! You have my boob with 500 pounds of pressure I'm not going anywhere!

They called me on Monday (7/22) and wanted to take more pictures (apparently I didn't smile) and so off I went. After the pictures they said I needed to stay and get an ultrasound. Did you know that everything looks like a baby? After the ultrasound they told me I needed a biopsy and I thought wow this is escalating quickly... Biopsy on Wednesday (7/24) and then the call from the doctor on Friday (7/26).

By the way I haven't been to the doctor in years, but in order to get test results you have to have one! So I went onto the hospitals website, looked at women's health professionals, female, English-speaking and choose the lady (Shauna ARNP) that looked nice!

Shauna called me in on Friday, gave me the news that I have cancer, hugged me and let me know that it's not a death sentence and that she is a survivor! She is also a believer!

I've decided by now if this is how 40 welcomes new comers I'm out!



Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Temptation

Luke 4:13 "When the devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came."

The devil tempted Jesus, God's son! We have to be aware that he will tempt us and it won't always be obvious.

Be aware of the things that are wrong that you might try and justify ~ sin is sin! Gossip, cheating, anger, dis-obedience, whatever it is that you already struggle with...that is where you will be tempted. Jesus knew the word and when he was tempted he spoke the word. That's what we need to do!

Be in the same mind as Christ. Be in His word, in prayer and BE ALERT!

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Thank God!

Romans 7:25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.

That's it...the answer is Jesus!

Who really cares? Jesus
What do I do with a rebelling child? Jesus
When will I get a much needed job? Jesus
Why do I feel alone in a sea of people? Jesus
Where do I go from here? Jesus
Where is my rent? Jesus

He is the answer! We go to everyone else first, and then we say we will pray about it. NO! Jesus first! Don't let others crowd what God would have for you!

Whatever your pain, your triumph, your hopes, your dreams, your darkest hour, your mountaintop experience...Jesus is there!

People will fail us, because well, we are all human. Jesus NEVER fails!

I'm human too with a pretty honest outlook on life, but without Jesus I would be lost.
The things that I have been able to overcome are only by his grace.
The things that I see are only because he has allowed me a glimpse from a different perspective.
The hardships I face aren't as hard because he guides me and he promised to never leave or forsake me.

What are you facing? What are your needs? What are your victories? What is your story?

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Got Plans?

It's funny how we can plan ahead for a vacation, a quick trip, upcoming holidays or even next year.
Sometimes we have things so far planned that we have to plan to "fit" God in.

His plans are perfect and so are His ways!

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

We are His design and delights in us. We can have peace if we follow His plan for our life!

Sunday, June 20, 2010

What Time Is It?

If you grew up in the 80's you would say "It's Tool Time" famous quote from a sit-com.

Esther 4:14 (AMP ~ Bible.com)
For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance shall arise for the Jews from elsewhere, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows but that you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this and for this very occasion?

I know this verse has been quoted a thousand times, BUT this is the current time!

What have you been asked to do in this season of your life? Where has God placed you to work? What do your kids need from you, your friends or family?

Rise up! Be bold, yes God can find someone else to use, but you will miss your opportunity! Now is the time and it is short you have been placed right where you are for this very occasion!

Thank you to our Pastor Roger Archer for quoting Nathan Hale "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” and then Roger proceeded with his regrets for only having one life to give to his kids, wife, church, family, friends, etc.

We only have this one life, use it for the power and glory of God! Walk boldly ~ NOW IS THE TIME!

Monday, June 7, 2010

Perspective...Ain't it Grand?!

Wow, can perspective mess with your head or what?

I have realized that if you take a step back and look at things you can actually see where someone else might be coming from.  You may also see that people are selfish, controlling, manipulative, have other agendas, etc.

I find it interesting that as an adult all of life can seem a little like Jr. High. This is interesting to me as most adults did not like Jr. High, nor do they have very many fond memories of that stage of their life.



I used to think that my brother was the favored one and well, he thought I was the favored one and my mom used to say "If you both think that the other is my favorite, than I must be doing things pretty fair."

Sometimes we look at what others around us have or we think we need to have something, but in actuality if we are serving the Lord...we have all that we need.

If I keep my eyes on Christ who is the author and finisher of my faith, who loves me more than the sparrows, who has had my back when all others have let me down, than I really do not need to get caught up in the "he said, she said..." or trying to keep up with the neighbors, etc.


Acts 10:34-36 (MSG - Bible.com)
   Peter fairly exploded with his good news: "It's God's own truth, nothing could be plainer: God plays no favorites! It makes no difference who you are or where you're from—if you want God and are ready to do as he says, the door is open. The Message he sent to the children of Israel—that through Jesus Christ everything is being put together again—well, he's doing it everywhere, among everyone.

Traditions - Change?