Amazing Grace

I'm feeling much better today.  I actually felt better later the same afternoon but we had a lot going on, like celebrating!

Reggie got good news too. So, we were able to celebrate together.  My friends are so amazing.  God has truly blessed me with some awesome people that are always here for me.  Even if they couldn't make it to dinner, I know they would have been there had the results been bad.  

Just a reminder, as several people have asked, this is not the end of my journey with this cancer.  This is God giving me more time, in hopes of a cure or more life prolonging drugs.   I have an EGFR mutation.  It is an irreversible mutation to my DNA.  The chemo pills I take turn off the mutation.  One day the pill will build a resistance according to most doctors.  By then, we are praying for a great second line treatment (besides traditional chemo) or a cure.   There have been people on the same drug as me for many many years and the cancer hasn't returned.  

My family knows our lives can change every 3 months, or any minute for that matter.  Any of our lives can change that quickly, cancer isn't always the reason for unexpected life changes.   Of course all of you know that, but how often do you think about it?  

I'm on the Free to Breathe Atlanta committee this year.  If you would like to join and walk/run with us, you can register here: Team Karley

This year I decided to name the team after Karley.  She's my rock and I love her so much.  She deserves to grow up with her mommy around.  So, I'm participating for her.  She will be there too!

If you can't make it and would like to donate, you can do so through the team page or my personal page click here: Samantha Mixon

Thank you all for your support and continuous prayers.  And most importantly, thank you Lord for your amazing grace.   You've given me such a fresh outlook on this precious life.  And I promise not to take it for granted again.  

I'll keep updating as anything new comes up.  Right now I'm feeling pretty good, home now, just craving a nap!

Ephesians 2:8-9

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--  not by works, so that no one can boast.

Results 3/21/14

Thank you so much for all of your prayers.  And even more thanks to the good Lord for hearing them!  

My PetScan results were good once again.  The primary tumor is still gone.  There is still some inflammation from the radiation.  I asked how long this lasts, and was told "a long time".  I don't think my oncologist likes to put time periods on anything.  So, no visible cancer anywhere.  There is a spot in the right middle lobe that is so small it may just be a blood vessel so we are going to watch.

So, next petscan in 3 months.  I made my appt. at the end of May so Karley can come up with me.

I can't tell you how much it means to have so much support and so many people who care.  God bless all of you.  Now we just need to keep praying for Reggie too today.  Still waiting on his results.  And please keep your prayers coming for me and my family.  They are working!

I'm feeling a little under the weather right now or I would write more.  I had more to say, but it will have to wait until I feel better.  Until then...THANK YOU for being here!  Thumbs up for this scan!

2 Corinthians 5:7
We live by faith; not by sight 

Warriors

I know I promised an update last month, but I've been so busy!

Karley came through her surgery like the warrior she is and her hearing is getting better every day now.  She's so strong, I'm such a proud mama. (Pictures below).  Also, she just became a first cousin to Brantley Kurt Neundorfer this month.  She's super excited about that!  Congratulations to Kyle and Debbie!

I attended Marjorie Polks' Celebration of Life Memorial Service recently.  It hit pretty hard.  She was such a beautiful person, it wasn't really real until we were there.  Please continue to pray for her family and friends through this difficult time.  I'm thankful she's no longer in pain.

Neither is my Uncle Jerry.  We had a small memorial on St. Simons this past weekend for him, please pray for the family.  I've posted a few pictures from that and Marjorie's memorial below.  I love you Uncle Jerry, RIP.  Both lost their battles with cancer, both were warriors.

So my next scans are coming up March 20th and results on March 21st (next week).  These will be very important because we will see if the primary tumor is truly gone, since the inflammation and pneumonitis from radiation has resolved.

I also didn't want to write before now because I wasn't sure what to say.  This past Wednesday I went to bible study and we went over a few things that made me really think about my life.  The questions was posed, "In light of my past experiences, current circumstances, and future hopes and dreams, where do I need to make small deposits of time over time?  What is the wise thing to do with my time?"

My future hopes and dreams?  Sometimes I feel as those were crushed around November 27, 2012.  I try not to think about that because things have been going well.  It's always in the back of my mind though.  It's totally life changing. Don't worry guys, I'm not giving up. This is just my new normal, I am a warrior too.

It's a great question though, for all of us, because small deposits of time over time make a huge difference in our lives.  My deposits of time will be going into growing in my relationship with God and raising Karley.  Where will yours go?

Thank you for your continued support and prayers for both Reggie and me as well as our families and friends.  They mean so much.  Please keep them coming, God is listening!  God bless you all!

I'll let you all know the results of the PetScan when I get them.  So, I'll be updating my blog next weekend at the latest.  In the meantime, I'll be living.

Acts 14:22
"They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God"