Think PINK

On the final day of Breast Cancer Awareness month...think PINK and remember those who are battling this terrible disease, those who have battled this terrible disease and won, those we have lost the battle to this terrible disease, and the loved ones who lost someone to this terrible disease...

Decisions

Decisions become easier when your decision to please God outweighs your will to please the world" Anso Coetzer

 Philippians 4:6-7
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

The Reasons Why I Share My Story

I share my story because I have joined the sisterhood of ovarian cancer survivors. I share my story because I like so many other women who have endured the shock of having ovarian cancer, battling ovarian cancer with the surgeries and chemotherapy treatments and the continual fear of ovarian cancer recurring have a story to tell. I share my story so that women of all ages are reminded of how important it is to always be aware of the very subtle warning signs of ovarian cancer. I share my story in the hope that if you do experience unusual symptoms (bloating, pelvic, or abdominal pain, difficulty eating, feeling full quickly, and feeling a frequent or urgent need to urinate); you will seek medical attention even though you might be fearful of the results. I share my story so that we as a sisterhood of women can become better educated regarding the facts and correct treatments of ovarian cancer so that unnecessary risks are avoided.
I share my story because I am excited about the new research in ovarian cancer which is leading us towards more effective screening tools and better treatment. I share my story because of the pain and sadness I have felt when I hear about “Sisters” who have lost their battle or are losing their battle against this dreaded disease. I share my story because I have been overcome by fear and anxiety as I await results of blood work every six months, wondering if my cancer has come back. I share my story because as horrible as this disease is, I wouldn’t trade anything for this journey. (I know that sounds crazy.) I share my story because I will continue to fight this monster called ovarian cancer so maybe someone else will have a chance of an early diagnosis, which will lead to a very long remission.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

I can smile today, because I woke up!

It took me a while to come around to the thought that cancer would be a part of my life forever. I am so very thankful and appreciative of my husband’s and friends love and support. Being a cancer survivor has also helped me to be thankful and appreciative of all the small things in life. There are a million little things I notice and appreciate now, like strawberry cupcakes from your favorite bakery, when someone tells a funny joke and you almost pee your pants or when it’s raining very hard and you run outside to get the mail and you get completely soaked and you don’t even care. I made it through the night and woke up to a brand new day! "I can smile today, because I woke up!” Stir up the gift of God which is with you.
2 Timothy 1:6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

Patience

While going through my cancer battle I came to the realization that there are three types of people who battle cancer:
1. The person who throws up his or her hands and gives up.
2. The person who digs in his or her heels for a battle but gives out of steam before it's over.
3. The person who acknowledges that fighting cancer is a lengthy, tiring ordeal and decides to stick it out and fight anyway.
So as much as I wanted my battle to be over and done with and for things in my life to get back to normal, I couldn’t predict how long it would take for God to heal me. It could have been weeks, months, or even years. All I knew at that time was I was impatient and wanted things done yesterday, so the prospect of something taking years was not very attractive to me. My prayer at that time was that God would grant me patience and give me peace while He healed me in whatever way He saw fit. So for those of you who are struggling with being impatient don’t be so eager to reach the milestones know that the race is not given to the swift or the strong but to those who endure to the end.

Colossians 1:10-11
And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience

I’m so glad trouble don’t last always

Today's title comes from the words of a Negro spiritual. And although not grammatically correct, the lyrics are true. I know that things are not ideal now, but a better day is ahead. Sight constantly reminds us of all the obstacles we face in life, the impossibilities, and the hardships! You might as well give up! Whereas faith assures us though things are rough now, there’s a stronger force out there working in our favor to turn things around. No, we can’t see it, but if you’re a believer, you feel it and TRUST that it’s there. I do faithfully believe, no, I KNOW, that God is with me every step of the way.
2nd Corinthians 5:7
For we walk by faith, not by sight.

The tongue can be your worst enemy!

Your words, your dreams, and your thoughts have power to create conditions in your life. What you speak about, you can bring about. If you keep saying you can't stand your job, you might lose your job. If you keep saying you can't stand your body, your body can become sick. If you keep saying you can't stand your car, your car could be stolen or just stop operating. If you keep saying you're broke, guess what? You'll always be broke. If you keep saying you can't trust a man or trust a woman, you will always find someone in your life to hurt and betray you. If you keep saying you can't find a job, you will remain unemployed. If you keep saying you can't find someone to love you or believe in you, your very thought will attract more experiences to confirm your beliefs. If you keep talking about a divorce or break up in a relationship, then you might end up with it.
Turn your thoughts and conversations around to be more positive and power-packed with faith, hope, love, and action. Don't be afraid to believe that you can have what you want and deserve. Watch your thoughts, they become words. Watch your words, they become actions. Watch your actions, they become habits. Watch your habits, they become character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny. Watch how your circumstances and situations begin to change when you change the way you speak.
The minute you settle for less than you deserve, you get even less than you settle for.

In Memoriam

Rest in peace Frankie Harrell.  I rejoice in the knowledge that we will meet again. There is no cancer in heaven. Only love.

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV)