The Lord Is Maker of Earth

My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. — Psalm 121:2

Yesterday was Leap Day.

Today is the first day of March!

The past year has sped by.

I have almost completed all of my cancer treatments.

I will have a heart scan tomorrow and one more Herceptin I-V in two weeks.

My energy is completely back, and my hair is growing in.

The exercise program I go to at the Y twice a week and the walking I've been doing have kept me in good shape.

Singing in our church choir has also helped with my breath support.

God has blessed me.

God Is the One I Praise

Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise. — Jeremiah 17:14

Today I had x-rays for my radiation, which will start tomorrow.

I will go every afternoon for 20 days or four weeks.

The final week is a boost, just to make sure the cancer does not come back.

Fortunately, UCSD Moores Cancer Center, where I have my treatment, is right around the corner from my work.

So on days when I feel worn out, I'll just go home after the treatment.

Here's the beautiful card and notepaper I received from our friend Mary today.

The notepaper is actually embroidered pink flowers with stamped or drawn green leaves.

Mary's aunt made the notepaper, and it's gorgeous! 

Mary estimates it's 80-plus years old. I am blessed.

She and Gary have been upholding me in prayer ever since my diagnosis in January.

Little did she know that I've been reading the book of Jeremiah these past few days.

Perfect timing.

God has heard the prayers and is healing me from the cancer.

God has saved me; he is the one I praise.

Humbled Before the Lord

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. — James 4:10

God lifts us up even when we feel like we don't have the energy to keep going.

He encourages us to humble ourselves before him.

But being humble does not come easy to me.

My radiation will begin on August 28 with a trial run and then will begin in earnest on August 29.

It will continue for 4 weeks. The first 3 weeks are to make sure the area that held the cancer is targeted to prevent it from coming back in the next 15 years.

The final week is a "boost" to ensure that the area is completely covered.

The week after that, my radiation doctor recommends I take some time off to recover from the "sunburn" effect and from the fatigue.

So I've scheduled vacation so I can take the rest of the week off once the radiation ends. Then I'll have the weekend to recover and rest some more before returning to work.

They Encouraged Us

At the sight of these people Paul thanked God and was encouraged. — Acts 28:15

We have been encouraged by friends, family, and neighbors.

Last night, two friends came over and brought dinner.

Kirk barbecued, and we had delicious potato salad, fruit, green salad, chicken sausage, and Korean beef. Yum.

Many of you are praying for us, and we feel covered in love.

Our roses are blooming once again.

We continue to be encouraged and supported, even during this time of cancer, losing Kirk's dad, and transitioning from empty nest to having our daughter back home.

We are blessed and thank God for you daily.

Taste and See

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. — Psalm 34:8

Today I will spend my lunch hour attending a class to learn about good nutrition and exercise with cancer.

I decided I should take it now, while I can eat and enjoy whatever they cook for us during the class.

The class at UCSD Health is just around the corner from where I work, so it was super convenient and no cost!

The title of the class is "Fighting Cancer with Foods and Activity," and I'm looking forward to coming away with lots of great tips.

Taste and see that the Lord is good.

Wonderful Neighbors

I lift up my eyes to you, to you who sit enthroned in heaven. — Psalm 123:1

This beautiful flower arrangement was sent to us by our wonderful next-door neighbors, Ralph and Wanda, when they heard about my surgery and cancer diagnosis.

They were the original owners of their house, and they have been a blessing for us to get to know over the years. They introduced themselves to us as soon as we moved in and then invited us to one of their parties, making us feel especially welcome.

They helped us repair our shared fence and shared their fruits, vegetables, wine, and jams with us. They also shared lots of laughter.

When Abby was young and dressed up for Halloween, they would have a special treat ready for her. They remembered her birthday, graduation, and other special occasions. They were always there to lend a hand and to pray for us when they heard about my diagnosis.

Now they are beginning to plan a move closer to their children in Temecula, and we will miss them terribly.

God has blessed us with wonderful neighbors. We lift our eyes up to the Lord and ask Him to guide them to their new home, just not too quickly.

Singing Birds

Flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. — Song of Solomon 2:12

I'm listening to the birds chirping outside and watching the flowers and plants bloom after all of the rain.

And of course the weeds are poking their heads up, too, trying to compete for a place in the ground before our plants take over.

The weeds in my life try to poke their heads out, too, competing for my thoughts. But God helps me focus on His love and care for me.

He will continue to guide me through the days to come, the cancer treatment, recovery, and hearing the pathology report.

Sunday, I was reminded of His presence once again as the toddlers and preschoolers sang "Jesus Loves Me" and "God, Our Father, We Thank You for Our Many Blessings."

I'm thankful for the many blessings God has given to me and to our family.

Gratefully singing.

Peaceful Vistas

We will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever. — Micah 4:5

Torrey Pines State Park

Over the past few days, as I've explained to others how wonderful I feel and how quickly I seem to be healing, their concern is that I might be anxious as I wait for the pathology report. 

I'm certainly hopeful that the cancer has not spread into the lymph nodes, but I'm not anxious or worried. And I'm not sure why. But I have  a deep sense of peace that goes beyond anything I can understand.

I feel a calm assurance that God is in control. At the same time, I realize that I'm not in control and can have no impact on the future. But somehow knowing that God's got this means I don't have to worry. Whatever the outcome, I'm still in His hands. He'll see me through it all.

So my prayer is that God's will be done in our lives and that Kirk, Abby and I will be able to give Him the honor and glory no matter what the next steps may be.

Torrey Pines beach as seen from above is a favorite spot for our family to hike. The waves lapping up against the shore and the beach areas butting up against the cliffs provide such a scenic view of creation and the beauty around us. We are blessed to live near these awesome vistas — these reminders of God's love and care.

We are at peace.

At Peace in the Morning

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. — Psalm 5:3

Today is my surgery at Zion Hospital, and the wonderful ROSE volunteers sewed a tote bag and two small pillows for me to use on the drive home. One pillow is in the shape of a heart with a flag pattern. Perfect for the wife of a history teacher!

I will have an ultrasound first, then they will insert a wire to the tracking device they inserted a couple of weeks ago. Finally, I'll have some dye injected so they can identify the sentinel node to remove it and check for cancer.

I'll meet with the oncologist in a couple of weeks to find out more.

Thanks to everyone who has been such a huge support to our family on this journey!

You Are Loved

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

Blessed be the name of the Lord!

I had an ultrasound biopsy three weeks ago as a follow up to my last mammogram, and they discovered some calcification and a very small mass that was not there a year ago.

The ultrasound biopsy was a very simple and fast procedure, but it showed that the small mass is cancerous. My husband and I met with the surgeon a week ago Tuesday. He encouraged us to keep our positive attitude. We feel covered by the prayers of family and friends and surrounded by God's loving arms wrapping around us and holding us up when the way seems hard.

A friend wrote to tell us, "Many people have experienced this and have come through it very successfully. A dear long-term friend in Denver had a mastectomy and the follow-up treatments and is doing very well (at age 81)."

What an encouragement that has been to hear the stories of so many cancer survivors!

The caregivers at Kaiser have been wonderful. They are moving very quickly, which we are thankful for. The cancer is invasive ductal (in the ducts), between the size of a pea and a garbanzo bean.

I am a scheduled for a lumpectomy followed by radiation about 6-8 weeks later. After the surgery they will be able to tell us what stage it is and if further treatment is necessary.

We pray that our family can all be witnesses to the love of Jesus with all those we come in contact with. We give God the honor and glory — blessed be the name of the Lord.

Life's a Roller Coaster

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." — Ephesians 4:2

Take a walk on the beach

When you're diagnosed with the big C, your world becomes a blur of conflicting emotions. 

Here's how one friend described it:

"Though the medical science has advanced in the almost 10 yr since my cancer treatments, the roller coaster of emotions are the same."

Tears can come at the most unexpected times, even when you don't feel especially sad. So taking time to appreciate the beauty in the sunrise or watching the waves lapping onto the shore can help keep our feet on solid ground.

Finding something especially enjoyable or taking time for oneself can help, too. For me, this was a good time to get a pedicure, have a favorite chocolate, walk on the beach with my daughter, chat with my husband, and sip an espresso with a friend.

Living Under the Rainbow

"We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing."

— 2 Thessalonians 1:3

Remember, you live under the rainbow!

Receiving a diagnosis of cancer can be a shock to the system. 

But the encouragement of family and friends can go a long way toward shoring up a wall of support around us. Giving us the strength to make it through the rough days.

We had rain last week, and a friend took this photo the next day. 

He sent it in an email with the caption, "You live under the rainbow!" What a wonderful way to start the day.