Thursday, September 29, 2011

The Clampetts Return

We are home from Colorado. We drove all day yesterday starting at 6:15 a.m. and ending at our doorstep at 12:08 a.m. God was so good to us.

I need to confess that the whole trip was about to be booted out the door due to finances and lack of money for such a trip. I wanted to leave Saturday afternoon after Levi's football game. Dan and I crunched the figures and we decided that the trip just wasn't feasible. I took a shower and cried out to God. I told him that I know he had everything under control and if he wanted me to go to Colorado, he would have to arrange it. I also told him how much I needed to just get away for awhile after completing almost all of my cancer treatment.

I was dreading calling my family to tell that that I wasn't coming. I called and one of them said not to count the trip out yet. She wired me some money and we were on our way Saturday afternoon. I was suppose to stop somewhere along the way to sleep for the night but I was so excited that I drove all night and arrived in Colorado about 8:45 in the morning.

We had a splendid time! We went to Estes Park, the kids visited the Denver Zoo. I connected with old friends from work and old friends from high school. I ate tons of wonderful Mexican food! We spent relaxing time with family. It was just what the doctor ordered.

I am home and I feel so good. I am ready to finish up this journey. I counted up and I have only 4 or 5 Herceptin treatments left. I am almost done.

A friend shared this wonderful song and video from Martina McBride about the cancer journey. Please click here to watch. Just make sure you have a tissue handy. I have said all the things that she says in the song. I couldn't have done it without God, family, and friends. I love you all!

Will post more later. I have a car to unpack and some settlin' in to do.


Friday, September 16, 2011

Done with Radiation

Done with that. Check that one off the list.

I had 26 to my chest wall and then 7 to my scar and my lack-a-breast area. My chest wall is healing nicely from my burns but my arm pit is nasty looking and kinda oozy. It stinks too. Smells like laundry that's been left in the wash after washing for too long. I do actually take a shower once in awhile so it can't be from that. It's from the burns. You'd think it would smell like burnt skin, wouldn't you? It was funny because I would smell this smell and wonder if it was someone around me. Imagine my surprise when I discovered it was myself! :) It will go away when the new skin appears.

Other than that, life has been good. We've been a bit stressed by my driving to radiation every day. My Suburban cost $115 to fill and I had to fill once a week. It could have been worse though. Could have had to drive farther like St Cloud or Rochester. God has always provided what we've needed and He's not going to stop now.

Hoping to head to Colorado tomorrow after Levi's football game. It will be such a nice break. They unhooked the chain and I'm outa here. :)

Thursday, September 15, 2011

One. More. Radiation. Tomorrow.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

The Whiny Hag is Gone...

Ok, I'm done whining and feeling sorry for myself. Sometimes I'm so ashamed of myself and how easily it is to get distracted. Eyes off myself and my circumstances and back on Him. Ahhh, so much nicer! I DO have so much to be thankful for. I feel God's presence with me and my family daily. He is my ever present help in troubled times. I am so grateful for His love and care!

 We are headed over to the north shore of Superior tomorrow to camp with the kids. We haven't done anything like that all year so it will be a nice little reprieve. Praying for good weather (we tent camp) and a fun time with the kids. We plan on seeing an old lighthouse, hiking, watching the big ships come into harbor and just enjoying each other's company.

Have a wonderful weekend. Celebrate life and love and the beauty that He's placed around us each day. It's a choice and so much better than whining or complaining! :)

Trust him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Selah 
Psalm 62:8