I know many cancer patients out there, including myself sometimes, feel like, "what's the point in planning a future if I'm not even sure I'm going to be in it?" Well, the answer is, "so you can live and not let cancer win". Cancer already does so much to us. It takes away our self esteem by doing horrible things to our bodies, it hurts us and our loved ones, and it takes a huge financial toll. And the thought of leaving loved ones behind, for the cancer patient, is unbearable. Losing friends made in this journey is just another one of the hits cancer patients endure.
But, we are all given this one precious life, and God doesn't want us wallowing in self pity. (There are days I will wallow, no one is perfect). But I've made it on these meds for over 2.5 years now. The shock of the initial hand I was dealt has long since worn off and it's time to move on. There will be setbacks I'm sure, the cancer is only sleeping. But to carry that burden is not my job. That's where faith comes in. So, I'm faithfully planning my future and will stand back up with every hit that cancer throws until God feels it's time. I'm letting Him carry this burden.
Faithfully planning my future? Well, as my Facebook friends now know, I got engaged. I don't talk a lot on here about who I'm seeing etc because I'm sure no one wants to know the ins and outs of my love life. People come to my blog to relate to another person with cancer. But this girl is confident enough, through the grace of God, to pick up the pieces of her heart that cancer totally crushed and put them back together.
So, details? Yeah, I'm a procrastinator but am working on them. Even today. We will have something small because I'm gaining a stepdaughter and we can't afford anything big. So if you don't receive an invitation, it's not because I didn't want you there. It's because we just simply can't afford anything big. Especially in this resort town where people actually come to get married.
So, who's the guy? Brent Thompson. A very faithful Christian and such a gentleman who happens to live across the street. Where did he ask? On the beach during a storm approaching at night. You could see the lightening over the ocean. Later on that night, I tripped on a stair and skinned my knee like a little kid. Yeah, I'm clumsy. Typical.
There will be more details later. I have scans and results Sept. 18 so thank you for your continuous prayers and please keep them coming. Also, please pray for my friend Elizabeth who recently received a cancer diagnosis and also my Karen Odell's nephew, Chase Busby, son of Chris and Cassie Busby, just diagnosed with Leukemia. And finally, please keep our prayers up for Gretchen's family. Those sweet girls lost their mama too soon. Cancer is cancer. It all sucks!
Karen Odell is greatly involved with the Free to Breathe Lung Cancer 5K we are participating in Sept. 12th in Jacksonville. There is still time to sign up and join our team or donate if you are willing. The link to join or donate is here: Free to Breathe Jacksonville
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