Getting back into the routine...slowly

It's so nice be home.  I don't think Karley let go of me all night when I arrived Oct. 8th. It's been a while since my last post so will catch you all up.

Church was AMAZING today.  I was fighting tears the whole time!

I've had a little pain in the same areas as before as well as a huge red burn mark on my back from the radiation.  The treatment I received is relatively new in lung cancer but clinical results have been promising.  I can still feel the pain in my back where the main tumor resides.  It has to be near a nerve because it's causing issues with my neck too.  The docs did warn me it may get worse before it gets better and it would take a while to see full results *hence 12/13/13.

Since the main tumor progressed, I've begun researching 2nd line treatments for when Tarceva becomes resistant.  Inspire.com and smartpatients.com are very helpful sites, not only for lung cancer, but to speak with all types of people with different ailments.  I'm just working on a Plan B.  Always proactive.

I don't get too carried away though.  My faith keeps me grounded and only do I research those things when I'm tired.  They make me sleepy.

Cancer is something no one wants, especially the beast of all cancers.  No one wants to hear terminal.

Well, if it weren't for cancer, I may  not have changed my life the way I did.  I went from a workaholic, mean, unforgiving, bitch....to someone that loves and enjoys life.  Cancer taught me what matters, and what doesn't.  It opened my eyes to everything God has blessed us with, and although it sucks...it rocks for doing that to me.   My life would have turned out a lot worse.  I woke up, it took cancer to do it.  Maybe I needed cancer.  I can imagine a million ways that God could have turned me around that would have been worse. I'm thankful He's given me this chance to change and make things right.

I don't want it anymore.  But I do want to shout from the rooftops how He cured me.  Because if He can create the heavens and the earth and everything here.....He can cure my cancer.

Please sign the petition on my facebook page in an effort to change American Cancer Society's view and event practices towards Lung Cancer Awareness.  They aren't helping with our stigma in the least.

Thank you for praying for my friend Shelley Miller, she's doing much better.

Reggie still needs our prayers, he's not a big talker about it, but I know him and know he needs them.

Please continue to remember the following additional people in your prayers:   Reggie Kimbell, Marjorie Polk,Tim Gravitt, Shelley Miller, Sheila Hodges, Seanna Reannon New, Peggy Fogerty, Gretchen Mitchell Anderson, Dylan Rosier, Tori Tomalia, and James Robert Smith.  They still all have their own battles.

Reggie still has an active fundraiser to help pay his medical bills, especially now with his additional medical expenses.  It's at Reggie's Fundraiser.  Reggie needs our help now even more now!

Thank you for your continuous prayers for me and my family. The support of my church, friends, and family has been truly amazing.  I can't imagine getting this far without you all, but most importantly, without our Lord.  I praise Him for the strength He gives me every day.

In bible study, we were asked  a question along the line of, "How can we use faith in our daily life?"  My response was, "How can we not?  I would be a basket case by now!"  God bless you all!

1 Peter 5:6 -7
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.  Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you"

Finished radiation...ready to go home!

Today was my last day of radiation.  It was a little disappointing.  In the beginning, it seemed as though I could possibly go into remission, so positive.  However, after finishing today, he said our goal is to control the disease.  Maybe he's just trying not to get my hopes up, but I'm trying to stay positive regardless.  We won't know how well I responded until December 13th.  I'm praying for a good outcome.

I am super excited about going home tomorrow.  I've missed Karley more than I ever imagined.  I love her so much and this has been the longest span of time without her.  She's the light of my life.

I've been kind of nauseated and really tired throughout this whole process.  Each treatment took over an hour because of the way I had to hold my breath each field.  It's been taking a few days to feel better.  I did muster up the energy to go out to dinner with my sister for her birthday.  I was so excited she came, I've missed her so much!  I hate living so far away from everyone.  We had a great time.  She's in her 30s now :)  I'm also struggling to write this blog so forgive grammatical, content, and spelling errors!

I had to miss my friend Marjorie's fundraiser because of the radiation.  My sister and Reggie went and I heard she had a great turnout.  She deserves it.  We are still praying every day for strength and peace for her and her family.  Love you Marjorie!

My friend Shelley Miller also needs some extra prayers.  We met online, she also has lung cancer but has taken a quick turn for the worse and she now has blood clots and fluid around her heart.  A lot of people think I'm inspiring, but she and Marjorie both truly are.

Reggie still needs our prayers and has a battery of tests coming up to see if there is another underlying problem.

Please continue to remember the following additional people in your prayers:   Reggie Kimbell, Marjorie Polk,Tim Gravitt, Shelley Miller, Sheila Hodges, Seanna Reannon New, Peggy Fogerty, Gretchen Mitchell Anderson, Dylan Rosier and James Robert Smith.  They still all have their own battles.

Reggie still has an active fundraiser to help pay his medical bills, especially now with his additional medical expenses.  It's at Reggie's Fundraiser.  Reggie needs our help now even more now!

Gretchen Mitchell Anderson is also having a fundraiser on October 19th at Padre's Mexican Restaurant in Locust Grove, Georgia.

Thank you for your continuous prayers for me and my family.  They mean so much.  The support of my church, friends, and family has been truly amazing.  I can't imagine getting this far without you all, but most importantly, without our Lord.  I praise Him for the strength He gives me every day.

Here are some pictures from Brook's birthday.  And I'll leave you all with a verse I left with Shelley earlier today.  It's been used before, but one of my favorites!

Deuteronomy 31:6
"Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."