Reason for the Season

We are so close to Christmas and I can't express my overwhelming sense of God's love and grace in words this year.  

A year ago, I was so down...doubting so much.  I don't doubt anymore.   God has a plan for all of us.  His plan was to not take me yet.  I promised Him I would praise Him and not take credit for where I am today.  And I'm not taking credit.  He has been my rock and has not forsaken me.   And I know, whatever the future holds, cancer or no cancer, He is with me.  

Many of you don't know, I may be in remission, but I still have the mutation.  It can reoccur if the cancer builds a resistance to Tarceva.  If that happens, we keep fighting.  We never know when our time will come.  Are you ready?

It may not be the cancer that takes me.  We don't know.  I do know that I'm thankful that I got cancer.  I know....CRAZY!   But, so much good has come out of something so bad.  

Karley found God and was baptized.  I've stopped working my life away and started working on my life.  I notice and appreciate every moment.  My relationship with God has gotten stronger and I am choosing the path I feel He wants me to take.  I've met some incredible people at church and am happy to call them my family.  My relationships with friends and family are also stronger.  

I've had the opportunity that few have.   The opportunity for a second chance to make my life right.  That is what I'm doing.  Living by faith, not by sight.  

That's all for now.  I just wanted to share my joy and remind you, we all have things to be thankful for.   Even if we don't have everything, we do have love.  And God's love is so powerful, please don't forget everything He has given us this Christmas.   It's not about Santa or material gifts.  It's about Him.  He gave His only son so that we may have eternal life.  That is the ultimate gift and sacrifice.  

Merry Christmas to all!  Be safe!

Matthew 19:26

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Post Results

So it's been over 24 hours since my good news and I wanted to update as promised.  

I have a lung infection and will be on steroids for 6 weeks with a follow up in January.  It's been a little painful and making me pretty sleepy.  But, we are working on that.

I know I'm not out of the woods.   I still have the EGFR mutation and always will.  Yet, His amazing grace has given me the best Christmas present I could ask for.   I now have more years.  More years to fight, to live, to watch Karley grow up, and to praise Him for the miracle of life He has given me.   It is truly a miracle.  Last year I was told I had 12-18 months to live.  This Christmas will be like any other, and I'm so thankful for this gift. 

Now, I have hope.  I have more hope than I've had my entire life, about anything.  It's amazing the way you look at things when you know you are living on time that you know has been given by the grace of God.   I'm not sure we are born knowing that.  Without cancer, I'm not sure I would have realized that.   

I'm not trying to shove religion down any person's throat by any means.  I just know that my God has given me a few more years to live and fight.  We are fighting for a Cure!

I can't describe how much love I've felt from everyone.  It's been incredible.  I hope that you know all of your words of encouragement and inspiration and prayers have kept me as positive as I am.  They've meant so much and I still need them.  We still need them.  So please, don't give up on us or stop praying for us.  It can come back, we will always need your prayers until we find a cure.

Until then, I will keep you all updated on our fight and my progress.  

I hope you all have a very blessed and Merry Christmas.  Make sure you tell your loved ones how much you care for and love them.  Every day is a blessing.  You never know when that can change.  

God bless and love you all!  Please keep your faith...  

Until my next blog, I leave you with a verse Mr. Jimmy Livingston reminded me of:

Matthew 15:28

Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith!  Your request is granted."  And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

Results

Today was the big day.  I wanted to wait and blog when I got home, but the anticipation of telling you all how miraculous God is just can't wait.  

First, I have a bunch of inflammation that is causing my pain symptoms.  I am at a pulmonary doctor to see if it's pneumonia or inflammation from radiation.  I'll update later.  

The good news - they are unable to see any active cancer on my petscan.  The main tumor is not visible anymore.  Of course we are not 100% sure because there can be small cancer cells unseen by the imaging, but my oncologist is ecstatic, as are we.  Is this remission?  We think so!

I will still continue tarceva forever and pray for a cure for the mutation.  This is by far the best Christmas present I could ever receive.  

We will follow up with another petscan in 3 months to make sure there is still no active cancer.  

God is truly amazing.  I know that it can return, and I will live with that forever.  But, I've learned to take nothing for granted!  I can't say how much your support and prayers have meant to me.  

I will blog more later.  I just couldn't contain this excitement. 

Matthew 19:26

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible"

AMEN!

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