One Year Later

Over the last couple of weeks, we've had several anniversaries around here. All are important. And they all signify life-changing events. This last year has been awful and amazing. The illness - awful. God's provision - amazing.

On April 27, 2006, our precious daughter Danielle was in an awful accident that could well have taken her from us. The shock of that accident served as a catalyst to get me to evaluate just how precious and tenuous this life can be. As a result of my prayer time about that, I was led to call for a mammogram. And so on April 27 this year, we celebrated the fact that God intervened in two ways one year ago: 1) he saved my baby girl when that truck plowed into her little car dubbed "the silver bullet" and 2) he saved me by nudging me to make the call that began this most awful year.

On May 18, 2006, after undergoing a mammogram, two ultrasounds, two exams, and a core needle biopsy (ouch!!!!), I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. So this year, on May 18, I prepared myself to get up and think about my most awful year all day. But God had other plans. Instead, I received a call to go to be with a church member at the hospital. She was in alot of pain, and I spent my morning sitting with her and doing what I could to comfort her. And then I spent the afternoon sittting with her husband while his beloved underwent a procedure to determine what was causing the pain. So I spent that entire day doing what God has taught me to do during this last year....being a Pastor and a friend-- having compassion for the pain, fear, and questioning of others.

And one year ago today, I had the lumpectomy that removed the cancer from my body, hopefully forever. I remember how amazed I was on that day that people came to be with me and my family. Several friends came and prayed over me before my surgery. Some who prayed over me were just mere acquantances, and I cried when I saw their compssion and faith. I had seen this many, many times and even participated in it as part of my work, but I had never been the person on the stretcher with a life-threatening disease crushing down upon me. This was the beginning of my "tenderizing" by God.

From that day on, God bombarded me with people's tenderness and thoughtfulness. I received cards, food, calls, and the most thoughtful gifts from people I didn't even know. I had at least 2 women pray over me that I had never seen in my life but met by circumstance. Both women told me God would heal me. One told me God was not too happy with the way I was doing my ministry, and she basically told me he wanted me to get out of the way (my ego) and let him do it. Whew.....

There are other anniversaries coming up....gettting my port, the first chemo, the last chemo. Getting my port OUT! The first radiation, the final radiation. The beginning of Femara and Fosomax. The hysterectomy.

But perhaps the best anniversary I've had recently was on April 29. On that day, Rick and I celebrated 7 years of marriage. And I do mean we celebrated. Because we are happy. Happy to be married. Happy to be married to one another. Blessed beyond belief. Equally yoked. Frighteningly similar. Laughingly different. In love. In like.

I am blessed beyond belief to be here today to write to you. And I'm so glad that God has tenderized me this past year. It hasn't always felt good, but it sure was what I needed.

God bless you.

I know, I'm awful!

It has been so very long since I have posted. On the one hand, that's a really great thing because it means I'm living again. On the other, it means I'm a horrible friend to all of you who have been so faithful to check in with me and my blog. My hysterectomy went extremely well. Okay - as well as things can go when they take out parts that have been with you for 48 years. But I was back to exercising right away and doing way more than I was told I could do.....it's a game I play you know----being the most obnoxious patient I can be in hopes that the docs will tell me not to come back! Well, anyway, they told me that everthing was normal and I go see my doc tomorrow for my 4 week checkup and release. Very early Tuesday morning Rick and I leave for Hunting Island where we will lie on the beach, ride our bikes, etc.

I attended a Relay for Life on Friday night and it was so powerful. I stood on the stage, introduced myself, and said "I am survivor", I suppose for the first time in public. It was great fun. But, I was saddened by the fact that there were 1,000 names represented at the Relay -- folks who were being honored or remembered. That's just too stinkin' many.

My friends in the neighborhood are having a fundraiser while we're gone to help fund my 3-day walk this year (don't worry - Danielle will still need your donations!!!!!) and it's a tennis tournament called Tennis for TaTas. Isn't that great? Go ladies. I am so thankful for you and your hard work!

I continue to give thanks for each of you who continue to pray for us and call and send cards. I can never express what it means to us.

More Fun in My Future

Greetings everyone! Last week I met with a new oncologist who will replace the doc that treated me through chemo. When I went through my first round of followup testing, I found out from the nurse that my liver scan showed an abnormality and was told that the doc had to discuss it with me. As I waited for her call, I got more and more nervous. When her call never came, I made a series of calls to her. After waiting 2 weeks without a call, I decided that I needed a different doctor. Perhaps one who would actually return phone calls!

So, now I see Doctor Galleshaw. She sent me to a couple of NEW doctors for future fun procedures. I'll be having another surgery in April. No new cancer ... we're just clearing out "spare parts" so that we don't have to worry about new cancer. I'm thinking recovery on my back deck in April doesn't sound too bad.....

But for now, I'm having a blast. Lots of exercise, lots of work, and lots of fun. We were at the beach this past weekend and go again in 3 weeks. And my hair is growing like crazy. God is good!

More later. Love to you all.

Radiation Is Done - Sorry I've been Gone!

Okay - let me begin by apologizing for my absence these last two months! Radiation is completely finished, but it was very time-consuming and energy draining! I went every day (except I got weekends off for good behavior) and it was so tiring, that most days I came home from work and just crashed. Still no excuse for not sharing.

I am completely done with treatment, have been on my hormone therapy for one month now, and am beginning to feel normal again! I am back to most of my "normal" routine including full work schedule, working out, running 90 miles per hour, and giving Rick and everyone else a run for their money. Of course, normal will never be normal again. And I'm thankful for that. God has revealed so much to me during this time, and he has prepared me for a new direction in my ministry and my life.

Life is good - God is amazing. And I am so, so thankful for all of you. For your care, your patience, and your love. And I'm really thankful that I have some hair of my own now (that insurance didn't buy for me!)

Here's a picture taken last night at beautiful Danielle's induction into the National Honor Society. She is an amazing gift. As we move into the time of Lent, I pray that you will find time every day to be quiet and to LISTEN to what God is trying to say to you. Don't be like me and wait until he has to SHOUT! :)

Radiation Begins

Now that chemo is done, I get to begin a new adventure in cancer treatment. Radiation. 6 weeks - 25-30 treatments.

So.....on Tuesday, November 28, just one day after having my port removed, I dutifully reported to the Radiation Center. The technicians took me back and showed me the daily routine. I come into the waiting area. My name will be called over the intercom. "Mrs. Watson, you may now report to the changing area". So I then go back and take off my clothes and put on this really, really cute little paper dress and wait in another waiting area with my clothes in tow. Then a technician comes out to get me and we go the room with the big skull and crossbones on the door that says "Massive Radiation Inside" (I'm only exaggerating a little bit here). Then they put me on this very narrow table that's connected to the big monster machine and they tie my feet together (I guess so if I try to run I can't get far). Then all of these really cool lasers come on and they line them up with parts of my body to be "radiated". But on this first day, I got to have some special fun. In order to know where to line the lasers up, my friendly technicians had to place tatoos on my sides and middle of my chest. Far better than the temporary marks they made with Sharpee pens, but still not as fun as a real tatoo. I tried to get them to give me a rising phoenix or a butterfly or something to show my grandchildren some day, but they weren't really amused. Guess they wanted to get to lunch or something.

So the next day, Wednesday, I have my first radiation. I go through all the steps and the radiation itself takes maybe 3 minutes tops. I'm not really sure how long it goes because I pray while it's going. But I know I don't get too far down my prayer list before they come back in and unhook my feet so I can run......... :)

Ding Dong the Port is Gone!

My dear friends,

Please forgive me for being so remiss on not updating the site. Life is happening - and that's a good thing - but wonderful exercises like updating this site are behind. So let me try to catch up a bit...

I went to see my oncologist the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. It was SOOOOO strange to go to the cancer center and not go back to the chemo area. Strange in a very good way, of course. As I sat in the waiting room, I realized that I was now in a different group. I was no longer carrying my bag with crackers, lotion, gum, candy, blankets, stuffed animals--all of the essentials needed to get through 4 hours of chemotherapy. I was no longer sitting with the row of folks waiting to be called back to the chemo room -- all of us looking as if we were soon to be made into sausage or something equally grotesque. No, I was now with the folks who got to see the doctor and pray that she had a smile on her face, meaning she had good news to share.

When Doctor Austin came into the room, I'll admit that I was nervous. I was afraid she'd come in and announce that there'd been a mistake - that she was sending me back to hang out with the chemoclan. But alas, she did not. She told me that there are patients that she's worried about, but that I was not one of them! She said I'm kicking you out and don't want to see you until mid January. And then she said the magic words I had really longed to hear "you can go get your port out now--we won't be needing it anymore!" Praise God and Amen!

So, the port removal was scheduled for Monday morning following Thanksgiving. And what a Thanksgiving we had! My Brother Ronnie came from North Carolina and my cousin Chris joined us from Florida. We had 7 children, 9 adults (and two small dogs) share a beautiful meal with thankful hearts that we were once again together, that we were all relatively healthy, and that we are blessed to live in the knowledge that Christ is King and we are His beloved.

Then Rick and I pulled off an amazing coup.....we were able to go away for two days that weekend, just the two of us, for a romantic weekend in the mountains! It was warm and beautiful and we had a great time.

And then Monday morning, 8:00 a.m., Dr. Luke rolled me into surgery and removed my port, that little button-shaped device used to infuse me with the chemo drugs. The port had been implanted in my chest for 5 LONG months, and according to Dr. Luke it had made itself quite at home there. He had to "persuade" it to let go of the scar tissue that was hugging it. By 10:00 a.m., I was home resting and thankful to be free of "buttons" in my chest.

But not to worry, tomorrow will bring another new adventure in the road to cancer recovery.....

A True Mountaintop Experience

November 8 finally arrived. The day I had looked forward to and worked for throughout Chemo. The day Rick and I would make our annual trek up Mt. LeConte in Tennessee. We've done this every year since we've been married, and we plan it a year in advance. So when I was diagnosed, Rick said "well, I guess we'll be cancelling our plans for LeConte this year." And I said, "not so fast". "I'm not willing to cancel anything until I absolutely know I can't do it".

Before cancer, I exercised every other day. Weights and eliptical. I was in the shape of my life. One of my fears about my illness was that I would lose what I had worked so hard for - the muscle tone and energy that allowed me to hike and enjoy other activities that I love. So every day during chemo I had a goal. Walk. Exercise. Stay in shape so I could still make it to the top of LeConte. When I got my chemo schedule, I realized that I would only have one week to recover before LeConte.

November 8, we left for Leconte. We stayed in Cherokee that evening, and woke up early to make it to trailhead. We started hiking at about 10:00 a.m. I did really well until we got to the steep part - where the ascent was pretty well straight up. Then I started to feel the pain in my upper legs - the burn that comes when your muscles aren't strong enough to carry your body. So Rick starts singing to me. What a wonderful gesture! He knew it would make me laugh, which would take my mind off of my pain. I think he sang the last hour up. And most people would stop when other people came along - not my Rick. He just kept on singing. I love this man!

Here are our pictures. They say more than I can about why we make this trip every year. We sit up on the rocks and read our bibles and talk and laugh and share the silence and beauty only God could have created.

The Final Chemo

November 1, 2006, I sat through what I pray will be my final chemo ever! It was a beautiful day, and chemo was a breeze. My mom (well, she's actually Rick's mom--but I have adopted her as my own) took me to the treatment just as she took me to my first. She in her sassy stetson style hat, me in my Pink Harley doo-rag. What a pair!

After chemo, we went to lunch before heading home. The chemo pretty well kicked me -- right into bed for 3 or 4 days. I was very fatigued and uncharacteristically quiet. After that, I began to get my normal allergic reaction to the chemo - rashes in places we won't discuss here. Suffice it to say I was uncomfortable. The rash eventually took away my ability to taste food - which was not fun since I love to eat. Today, more than two weeks later, the reaction has moved to the inside of my eyelids and my eyes water alot and I look like I'm about 70. But it's getting better every day. God is good and far better people than me have experienced worse.

Thanks for your continued prayers and for laughing along with me through this fun.

Hospitals and Blessings

Catching up on posting.....so this happened the week of October 23......

After having a phenemonal time at the 3-day, I unexpectedly ended up in the hospital for a day. I had been feeling really tired, which is unusual for me even throughout chemo. I'm talking REALLY tired - like I didn't care if I ate or anything. Then I had a strange twinge in my chest and then it became tightness. So I stopped by the see my good friends Dr. Gordon and Carolyn Peltier (his nurse, my sweet friend) just to get my vitals checked because Rick was worried I was going to have a heart attack and leave him with 3 girls and all the housework. So I figured I'd just be there a few minutes to get my blood pressure checked and be on my way! But my good friends sent me to the emergency room for further evaluation. And I guess because Gordon is a LEGEND at Northside the ER doc took my case very personally and very seriously and I ended up with THREE (3) wonderful doctors taking care of me and lots and lots of tests later I got to come home. But not before I had some laughs. My cardiologist had seen me in the ER and then again the following morning - both times I had my beautiful wig on my head. Then later in the day, he came to visit me to share test results, only this time, my hair was on the side table rather than on my head. Bless his heart - he came in and started apologizing that he had visited the wrong room - I finally convinced him it was me when I pointed to the side table and said "see - there's my hair, it's me I promise"! When one has no hair, no eyelashes, and a port that looks like one of those buttons that pops up when the turkey is done, one must find things to laugh about!

Final diagnosis after 24 hours in the hospital: maybe stress, maybe chemo. No heart problems though. I am in great shape. I am thankful my friends sent me though. It made me feel good to know that all of this chemo had not destroyed anything other than cancer!

The Sunday after I was in the hospital, I was blessed to be able to share my testimony at church. What a powerful day for me. God has taught me so much through this journey that 10 minutes hardly seemed enough time to share all the ways I am blessed. I am blessed that we caught the cancer early. I am blessed that I have phenomenal doctors. I am blessed to have the best husband and children in the world. And the best friends and neighbors. And the best dogs -- Hannah and Harley, who have faithfully sat at my feet or beside my bed for the past 65 months. And the best church and job - a job where I get to love and be loved every day, serving my Father in Heaven who teaches me every minute of my life what love truly is.

Atlanta 3-Day

October 20-22, 2006, 2,250 women, including my Asphalt Angels, walked 60 miles over 3 days to raise money and awareness for breast cancer. My daughter, Danielle, her best friend Blakely, my cousin Julie, my good friend Jane, and my new friends, Tracy M, Tracy C , and Pat, made up the Asphalt Angels team.

The team arrived at the 3-day opening ceremonies in style on Friday morning. Another team, the Boobsavers, had managed to get limos donated for the ride, and invited our team (even me!) to join them. It was amazing to arrive there to all of the fanfare, with the 3-day crew already cheering on the walkers!

The opening ceremony was wonderful, and as the walkers began their long trek, we cheered them out of the gate with our posters that had been designed by Danielle and made by Jane and Randy. As soon as they left, I got to the first cheering station, where my good friend Carolyn met me. We had a bit of a wait – the team passed a Starbucks and decided they needed a treat – then they had to make an unexpected pitstop in the woods!

That afternoon I went to the next cheering spot and had more fun. My friend Carole, who worked team and was back at camp waiting for my girls to arrive, had given me some great cheering tips and aids. I had a cowbell that made me very popular among the other cheerers – no need for screaming so much with that thing making so much noise!

By that evening, temperatures dropped to the 30s, and the girls called me to let me know that they had ice inside their tents! Saturday morning, I headed out early to cheer AND to take more clothing and provisions to camp. Good thing I had friends on the inside, or else I wouldn’t have been able to take more gear. Carole and Michelle met me and took the bags with extra blankets in –and I took them for a much needed burger break.

Saturday night it warmed up a bit, but began to rain :{ But alas, I received calls from the team that everyone was in good spirits and doing quite well.

Rick, Kat, Rebecca, and even Hannah and Harley, and I all went down to Piedmont Park early so that we could cheer on the walkers as they made their way to the finish line. Carolyn and Chad joined us, as did Bill Bean and Art. Carole and Amy were there too!
I can’t tell you how I felt when I saw my Danielle walking toward me, with that big grin on her face. She was the most beautiful thing I think I’ve ever seen! We walked across the finish line all together, and I was so thankful to be there in that moment.

The closing ceremonies were absolutely beautiful. We watched as over 2,000 women walked in, arm in arm, cheering one another on. But the amazing part is that they had all of the women who were survivors who had walked come in last. As these women came in, the rest of the walkers removed their shoes and held them up in honor of these women. It was so beautiful, and I cried for all of us. The survivors and everyone who loves them. For all women who may ever face this. For our daughters who we pray never will.

God is good. Thank you for supporting our team this year. You did good. It makes a difference.

What's Your Goliath?

Most of us, whether we've ever been to church or read The Bible, are familiar with the story of David and Goliath. You know--young boy, big giant, a little courage, some faith, and one small rock with a huge God behind it. Giant Falls, boy wins.

The other night I was up far later than my family, and I was restless and decided to turn on the television for a bit. As I checked the guide for shows, I found a show called cancer stories. I thought I'd just check it out for a minute before heading to bed. An hour later as the show ended and I sat alone in the dark, I realized so many things about myself and about this journey I've (we've) been travelling. I have cancer. Sounds stupid to you I'm sure, but I'm just now realizing that fully. The grief that overtook me was completely overwhelming. I was taken back to the day I had my biopsy. And I realized that when they laid me on that table, the doctor and the nurse had probably already labelled me as a "cancer patient". The Pathologist who did the testing on my samples quickly labelled me as a "cancer patient". And when my surgeon called me two days later, he probably held in his hand a folder that his staff had already labelled "cancer patient".

The day I received the call, I was in traffic racing to pick up a check from our insurance company settling the loss of our dautghter's car which had been totalled two weeks earlier. I was anxious to get the check and get it to the bank because we had already made a deal on a new (used) car for her and I had made a promise to her that we'd go pick it up that night. So I got the call, swallowed my reaction for just a bit, and did my duty as a mom. Then I drove to Rick's office and when he greeted me, he knew without my telling him, and his reaction led me to do what comes naturally for me--I stayed strong because I love this man with my whole heart and soul, and I could not stand to see the sadness in his eyes.

And then time just began to race by. Two surgeries. Chemo. Shots. Sickness. Doctors and lab techs poking at me. Days that passed without my knowing. At first when I thought back over these months, I feared that I was up to my old tricks - stuffing the pain and getting throough this on my own strength. It's a character flaw that I'm well-known for. Stiff upper lip. Take responsibility. Don't let the fear in. Don't let the pain be known. Don't let anyone else help. I can fight the giant all by myself and I don't need your rocks, thank you very much. But then in one overwhelming moment of realization, I knew that it wasn't true. I had not fought this giant called cancer alone and I was pretending to. Tossing this particular rock has been a group effort --through the love and faith of my incredible family, by you--my friends. Many of you have been in constant prayer that God would do the heavy lifting and heal me. Heal me emotionally, spiritually, and physically. I have (literally) walked daily through the strength of others. Neighbors, friends, church members, doctors, nurses, strangers, and above all, the same Big God with a small rock who saved the day for David. I thank you and above all I thank God for the gift of faith that has allowed you and me to lean on God and one another.

My Goliath has always been letting. Letting go. Letting others. Letting myself. Letting God. How about you? We all know Goliath and he can come in many forms. Fear. Self-loathing. Ego. Shame. Regret.

This morning as I pray, I am praying for you. Praying that you will come to name your Goliath and come to know that you do not have to fight him alone. There is One in whom you can put your trust. One who goes ahead of you to conquer whatever seems giant to you. And the rest of us, your army of friends, will be here with you on the ground, helping to carry you and strengthen you just as you have carried me.

Grace and Peace.

Chemo 5 and beyond

Just wanted to post a quick note to let you all know that I successfully completed Chemo #5 without too much of a problem. Great news is my counts were good and Dr. Austin very non-chalantly told me that after my next (and final) round, we'll get my port out and move on to radiation. Praise God! I can't begin to tell you how it felt to hear her say that we would get this port out. The port is not that difficult to live with -- it's just a reminder that I'm held captive to this chemo and this illness. As long as I have it, it means they think I'll need more treatment. To be told I can get rid of it, is like telling a lame person to toss away her crutch and walk!

So, now as I'm almost recovered from #5, I anxiously anticipate #6, after which I will recover for a week and then climb Mt. LeConte if all goes well. That will be a God-filled dream for me -a goal that I've carried all these months since I was diagnosed. It's a trip Rick and I make every year -- every year since we've been married anyway. And it's one I wasn't willing to give up for cancer. And Dr. Austin said I should be fine to go. Amen!

More later. Thanks for your continued prayers and support.

Seeing Clearly

Good morning my friends! What a gorgeous morning in Atlanta. These last few days as I prepare for Chemo Number 5 and just one month until the end of chemo, I have realized that this phase of our lives is not going to last forever. Except for the peeling skin on my fingertips which is a side-effect (I suppose) of the allergic reaction from Taxotere (my latest chemo of non-choice), I feel completely normal (as normal as I get). Yep - life is getting back to normal.....I'm worried about Rick and the kids, I'm working way too much, the dust in my house is getting on my nerves, I'm noticing that my jeans don't fit quite right and that's really starting to worry me, and "challenges" at the church are stacking up and my task list grows larger each day.

But then, there's the good stuff that's happening too. Each morning as I step outside to go for my daily walk, I am greeted by a cool breeze, clean air, and the beauty of Fall. And Rick and me and the kids and our dogs all running around in the yard. And decorating for Halloween, complete with ghosts Kat made from old rags that hang from our trees. And going to the hospital yesterday not for me, but to visit other folks and be there for a baby's birth. And watching my little girl (now 17) dress up in a floor-length gown and go to dinner with Chad who was dressed in a tux, to celebrate their one year anniversary (dating).

Yeah, life is going to go back to being normal. Too much to do and too many blessings to count.
Thank you, Lord, for the change of season.

Not so fast.....

Mountaintops. We all love them right? I mean, many of us love to spend time up ON them, the spiritual or emotional ones anyway. I'll confess to you that I haven't been hangin' with the mountaintop crowd too much here lately. I've spent a good bit of time meandering around the valley, sometimes poking just one toe in to see how it felt, other times just diving right in.

Most of us, if we're lucky, will have a few mountaintop experiences in our lives. I've had a few. Several times on Spiritual Retreats where God met me in a big, big way. And I've had a few on top of an actual mountain called Mount LeConte, a mountain Rick and I hike every November (this year will be no exception if I get my way).

Up on the mountaintop, we experience the exhiliration of being above anxiety. above sadness. nearer to peace. closer to God and the heavens. A place where our minds and thinking can clear and we can experience the grace and the joy and the peace that's difficult to put into words (clearly!) Simply put, on the mountaintop many of us feel that we can see, feel, taste, and touch the divine.

But not so fast.....don't discount the importance of the valley. In the valley, miricales happen every day. True enough, in the valley there's sadness, pain, doubt, and any number of negative feelings. When we're in the valley, we feel like we're the only ones there and everyone else is up on that mountain partying and they've just stepped right over us as they climb up top and left us in our suffering. In the midst of suffering, we humans will often do something we would otherwise never do: we'll let our guard down. We'll decide we can no longer carry our own weight. We'll put down our shield and actually peel off our body armour. And when all the layers of our armour have been peeled away, we are then sitting ducks for transformation.

This week during my prayer time (which has been a bit intense as I try to shake this rash that looks like I have a disfiguring disease), I've had some valley experiences. Feeling the disappointment that came with the difficulty of this last chemo treatment (you know, the one that was supposed to be a walk in the park?), I was feeling really hopeless and frankly just sick and tired of being sick and tired! But then late last week, I began to have the feeling that something important was going to happen. I wasn't really anxious, more like anticipatory. Then on Friday, when I most needed it, I received several phone calls from folks whom I would not normally hear, all letting me know that for whatever reason they just felt compelled to call and check on me. Then over the weekend I had a conversation with a wonderful woman who shared some insights with me that I believe came directly from God. Even now, I feel as if God is preparing me. He's making my "clay" moist. With each of these valley experiences, I felt as if I was being "re-clothed". The sickness made me discard my own armour. Each person God sent my way helped me to put on God's armour instead.

Yesterday as I turned on my computer and realized that the date was October 2, I got a big smile on my face. I realized that if all goes well, November 2 will be my last chemo treatment. That day, I hope will be a mountaintop experience. Until then, I'm finding the valley is more useful. Here, God gets my undivided attention. Scripture's pretty clear that the mountaintop is just a visiting spot (Mark 9:2-8)--the important stuff (healing, for example) happens when we get back down to the valley, having nothing left to lose and we cry out for the one and only one who can help us (see the rest of the story Mark 9:17-27).

So if you find yourself hanging out in the valley of sickness, anxiety, worry, troubled relationship, lousy job, financial stress), know that if you are open to it, there's someone to meet you there. Know that I pray for you regularly. If you need specific prayer, let me know. Email me at blessedfighter@bellsouth.net.

Grace and Peace, Rene

A bit late....

Greetings dear friends,

I apologize that I've been remiss in writing of late. I've started to on a couple of occasions, but couldn't do it. It's been a rough week. I had my 4th chemo last Thursday (21st), and at first, it was amazing. No sickness. No bloating. Lots of energy. Then Sunday evening I started swelling and then on Monday I started getting a strange rash. By Wednesday, I was so uncomfortable I was simply worn out. But yesterday, I started on a regimen of Steroids (yuck....I hate them!), and I feel much better. I'm looking forward to taking on #5, armed with my steroids to scare away the bumps. Then November 2, I'm done with chemotherapy, Praise God! Okay, got that out. Now on to better things.

What a gorgeous day! Today I had to make a run down to Northside, and I was so pleased that I got stuck in traffic. I opened my sun roof, turned up my music, and just breathed in the clean (okay, somewhat polluted) , cool air (I had my shades on and my good wig in place) And I was overwhelmed with the realization that life is precious and good if we embrace the beauty and fight for the good.

Danielle and I are trying to get her prepared for the 3-Day walk to support breast cancer research. To all of you who have donated, I want to thank you. She has surpassed her goal of raising $3,000, and she is so excited about making this dream a reality by walking her 60 miles. She and others have now formed a team and are calling themselves the "Asphalt Angels". Pretty cool I'd say. Two of them are teenage friends of Danielle. Their names are Blakely and Christy. You'll see the link to their fundraising pages on this site (I've removed D's cause she's done with fundraising). The way the 3-day works is that each walker has to raise $2,200 in order to walk. Both Blakely and Christie have a bit yet to go. My cousin Julie and my good friend Jane Densmore are also on the team. I've placed a link to each of their sites as well. If you feel led to do so, visit one of the sites and make a commitment to help. Sadly, statistics say all of us will be personally affected in some way by cancer, and the best way to minimize that is to support a cause that truly makes a difference. I know from personal experience that the Susan Komen Foundation really does make a huge difference and without this fundraising, my chance of survival would be minimized greatly.

In the days to come, I am committed to getting back on track with writing. Know that I have not stopped praying for you and others. Know that I have not lost faith that God is healing me spiritually, emotionally, and physically during this time. And know that I am thankful to all of you who continue to pray for me and Rick and our family. I am overwhelmed by the calls I get with people simply praying to my answering machine - how totally cool is that? I save the recordings, and when I need a reminder of whose I am, I just rewind.

God is amazing and each of us has a special place in His heart.

Later...

Little Boys

Rick, me, and Danielle

Me, D, Brian and Debra - just before the screaming began!

This past weekend, my older brother, Steve, and his family came to Atlanta so that I could baptize my Great Nephew (ugh....that makes me feel old!), Brian. Brian just turned two, and he is a bundle of little boy fun! Our first adventure was climbing the stairs from our foyer to our upper floor. It was a huge adventure that brought a huge smile to Brian's face - and I'll admit I was grinning from ear to ear as well. I thought to myself, I guess I can still keep up with a two-year old even though I'm a bit out of practice with the whole small child gig.

Then we moved to our back deck, where my Jack Russell Hannah thought Brian would make a great playmate. They ran around alot together, but then settled down to dinner. Hannah is a great- natured dog who loves children, so she didn't mind sharing her food with Brian one bit! When Debra, Brian's mom, saw him pick up a piece and start to put it in his mouth, I assured her that kids only do that once and spit it out. So she allowed him to partake. Only problem was - he liked it! I guess GIRLS spit it out. Boys are an entirely different animal (I think I really mean that literally after a 24 hours with Brian!). The rest of the evening it took all 6 adults to keep up with young Brian.

I'll admit that a part of the attention I paid Brian was to ensure that he would fall head over heals in love with me so that on Saturday morning for the baptism, he wouldn't fuss when I would oh so gently disperse water onto his young head. Danielle was assisting me with the bowl, and I made sure we filled it with warm, soothing water so as not to upset my young friend. Well, all seemed to be going very well as I placed that soothing water on his head and he gazed up at me with those precious eyes and beautiful boyish grin, and I thought - hey - I did it! But one second later as I began to pray over him, he decided the bapitsm was over and began to scream, loudly.

Having 3 girls and being one myself, I was not prepared for Brian. I realize now that God knew what he was doing when he gave me girls and not boys. Boys are way too energetic and they don't mind making a mess. They actually do things like stick pine bark and dog food into their mouths and like it. They eat on the run. They don't like to be restrained in any fashion, not even for a hug.

A different breed, indeed. But oh how he stole my heart. What a blessing it is to see the complete satisfaction on a child's face at the simple things. Looking down from an upstairs landing (that he has just conquered) and seeing his grandpa smiling up at him from below. Being licked in the face by a Jack Russell Terrier named Hannah. And being swung upsidedown by a great aunt with no hair (in the photos above I'm wearing one of my two Cranial Prostheses--the non-sexy one).

God is good. I am blessed.

"No, I am not a little train, and I don't think I can!"

Well, as I have admitted, this last chemo treatment was very difficult for me. At about day 5 of being swollen up (Rick likes to refer to it as the less intense-sounding, all inclusive female term of "puffy") and everything tasting and smelling bad, I told my nurse, Kathy, that I was over all of this. I was ready to say no more treatments - I'll take my chances with cancer thank you very much. Some things in life are just too much of a challenge, and all of us has faced a moment when we either wanted to say "no more" or we actually gave up.

Last night in my bible study I was reminded of a guy who faced a far greater challenge than I've ever considered and even though he made alot of noise about saying "no", he didn't run, he didn't hide. He put one foot in front of another, opened his mouth and spoke when he thought he couldn't , and did what he knew he had to do. I'm talking about Moses here. You know, the guy that Charleton Heston made famous in the Ten Commandments. Turns out that if you read the actual text in the Bible, Moses was not a whole lot like the character portrayed by Charleton Heston. I doubt he was tall. I really doubt he was studly. And He certainly couldn't remember his lines. The text says he was scared to death (I'm paraphrasing). He told God he was a lousy public speaker. He told him he was rather slow and couldn't really even write down what he should say. And yet, God told him to go to Pharoah, the most powerful and feared dude around, and stand up and tell him what God was prepared to do to make him let His people go. Now that's a challenge.

What Moses soon learned, and what I get reminded of pretty regularly, is that God had his back. God provided someone to help write the speech and to stand with him and help him talk until Moses figured out he could do it. And in my struggle with chemo, I woke up on about day 6 or 7 after this last treatment and went for a prayer walk and cried and cried because God was saying - enough about quitting already. Remember how I got in your face and got you to go to the doctor in the first place? Remember that I have a purpose for your life and you have more work to do? Busted. Again.

I am not a little train, and I often don't think I can. But I know He can. How about you? Seen any burning bushes lately? Peace.

It's been awhile

Greetings friends,

First, let me apologize that it's taken me so long to write. Chemo #3 seemed uneventful at first, but then I had to have another shot of Neulasta for WBC (white blood count) and things got progressively worse. Back to looking like a blowfish and feeling really lousy. But alas, it's been a week or so since the worst of it and I'm headed down to my home gym to try my best to hold on to what's left of my wastline.

Yesterday I went for bloodwork and found that my RBC's (red blood cells) have tanked as well, so to avoid a blood transfusion (yuck!), I got a shot of Procrit. Same side effects as Neaulasta - just not as severe they tell me. I'll have those weekly now - Neulasta just after chemo.

So.....the fight continues. I've got God forging the path in front of me, and many of you walking along with me. Thanks so much for your continued prayers.

Chemo #3

This morning I head out to make the always fun trek down to Northside Hospital for Chemo #3. As I began to think about it last night, I laughed with Rick that just the thought of it makes me feel a bit quesy! It's difficult to explain the bag of emotions that I take with me into treatment. First, I'm so grateful that my cancer was detected and that I'm fortunate enough to have great insurance that will pay for these treatments. Second, I'm thankful that I live in a city like Atlanta where we have great doctors and a phenomenal cancer center filled with loving, campassion, and well-trained nurses and staffers. Beyond that, a part of me is scared every time, because you just don't know what new side-effect will pop up. The great news is I've already lost all (and I mean all) my hair, so that fear is over.

Today I hope to get a visit from my good friend Steve Micham. Steve is a member of the church I serve, and he's been battling cancer for a while now. Steve is a phenomenal human being. Funny, charming, positive, Godly, and oh did I say funny? He gets his chemo on the 10th floor, I'm on the 11th, and today we're scheduled to be there at the same time. So if his doctor lets him, he's coming up for a visit. He said he'd bring a pork roast and we could have a picnic, so we'll see if he's good for that!

I've been a bit remiss in updating and sharing how wonderful I've been feeling lately, and I do apologize. I guess it's a sign that I'm doing very well, because I've been crazy busy doing ministry again, which makes me very happy. I've had a wonderful two weeks, feeling almost "normal" again. I've enjoyed some morning runs, alot of great food, and great time in my prayer chair. The best though is that I got two glorious days in the mountains with my family and our good friends the Peltiers. We had way too much food and a couple of camp fires and our kids got to go swimming in the pond that they later fished in.

Life is good. God is amazing. And you guys, well you totally rock.

Today as I sit for 4 hours receiving my healing drugs, I'll be praying over my long list of prayer requests. If you have one for me, please email it to me. I'd feel blessed to pray for you.

More later as I will be in my chair for the next 4 or 5 days recovering. God always gives me a word or two during that time.

Grace and Peace, Rene'

Leather Jackets and Little Girls in Dresses

Yesterday was a wonderful day! I arose as usual at 6:00 am and spent time with God in my prayer chair. I can't believe how long my prayer list has gotten. So many people to pray for, and so many blessing to lift up. Then I went on my walk and listened to some amazing praise music that D (Danielle) added to my new ipod. I think my neighbors have sort of gotten used to the bald lady who walks around singing and grinning and sometimes crying and raising her hands in the hood (that's short for neighborhood). They're polite and smile alot when they pass me and I haven't noticed a sherriff's car tailing me, so I guess I'm okay.

Yesterday I got to go the church and lead Beginnings Class again, and it was such fun. Beginnings is a class that asks the basic questions about the Christian faith and is designed for people who are new Christians. But the reality is, it's a good place for anybody to ask questions they would not otherwise feel comfortable asking, like who is Jesus and why should I care?We've got 9 folks in there who are asking great questions about believing in God and Jesus and what the bible says and what it all means in this world we live in. For me, the conversations just make me stronger in who He is.

But perhaps the best thing about my day today is all of you. Because through you, I get a dose of serious hope that we're all going to be okay.

I had dinner with my good friend Jane. Now she's a trip. I've watched her grow so much in the last 6 months. It's like she's on God Steroids! We went on a mission trip together in March, and she's been running with God ever since. She has this big smile that will just make your day. We spent our dinner time talking about her most recent trip back to Mississippi, the site of our mission trip in March. She and her husband were part of a team that went back to complete the work we began in March. If you are sitting there right now wishing you had something to smile about, go do something for someone else who really needs help. Or hang out with people who do alot for others. Watch how they smile. You'll say - man, I want some of those kind of steriods!

And then when I pulled into that parking lot last night for class, a friend who I admire alot passed me on his motorcyle. He was wearing a leather jacket (of course) and had a big ol' grin on his face. His name is Scott, and not too, too long ago he was facing his own very serious health scare. A young man with a beautiful wife and two of the most precious little girls you've ever seen. And through all of it, he has just grown and grown and it's a wonderful blessing to see. About a year ago as I talked to him, I realized God had given him a passion for teaching and I could see how it had changed him. He glowed. And when I look at him and his family, I realize, wow - God has to be real. That glow doesn't just come from wearing a leather jacket and riding a bike (motorcycle).

Then last night as I was leaving, I got to meet a precious little girl in a pink dress. I was excited to meet her because I had heard so much about her from her mom and dad. Her mom and dad told me that she was a miracle birth- a true blessing from God. At a very late age and after years without being able to have a child, their life changed forever because of this baby. Through her birth, they realized that there had to be a God. So they came to our class to find out more.

As I travel this road with cancer, I am made stronger ever day. And I delight in all you and how you allow God to enter your lives and turn your inner challenges into triumph. You may be thinking that someone who's battling an illness doesn't want to know about the places you're going or how much fun you're having. But I want to know. I like seeing God's print on your travels.

God bless you guys.


Grace and Peace.