Forget the Statistics. CAVU!

I came across a post from someone who wrote about a conversation they had with their doctor regarding metastatic breast cancer statistics.  She had asked her doctor what the most number of years someone had lived with metastatic breast cancer.  The number, 20 years, was meant to be an inspiration when so many other statistics can be very sobering. But focusing on statistics can be draining...mentally and physically. 

Like so many other Americans, I have been glued to my television watching coverage of President Bush's' life and funeral.  I don't think I ever really knew his whole life story and so I have gained a renewed appreciation for this humble, 'giant' of a man as his granddaughter so poignantly put it. 

One of the many touching tributes given this week was from Vice President Pence, as he read a letter President Bush had written to his son.  In it, he alluded to the Navy term, CAVU (ceiling and visibility unlimited), a term coined to my understanding to describe the perfect flying conditions.  I love that term and thought it appropriate to breast cancer survivors, and in particular metastatic breast cancer survivors as well.  My mom tells me all the time to, and I quote, "Stop researching the internet!"  Put your phone and electronic devices down.  Don't focus on statistics.  Focus on you.  Focus on your family.  Focus on the now.  Your ceiling and visibility is unlimited.  My mom has shattered that ceiling of 20 years.  She is now a 34 breast cancer survivor, and it has been 24 years since it metastasized.  Doctors, as brilliant as they are, only know so much.  So rest easy knowing that your heavenly Father is in control.  CAVU.

Health and Healing Prayers,
Casey

The beginning of a new reality

Hi Everyone,

In a couple of posts back, I revealed that I, the daughter of the metastatic breast cancer survivor, was just diagnosed with breast cancer myself.  So the blog that I started with my mother to support others in their journey, has now turned around to benefit me.  For some reason, I find it incredibly ironic and divinely orchestrated.  My mother was diagnosed at 37 and I was diagnosed at 39.  And although we fall under the same umbrella of breast cancer our journeys have been quite different and I can honestly say that I feel fortunate to have been diagnosed in today's day of modern medicine and treatment.  My how far we have come ladies.  First of all, my mother's breast cancer was more advanced with her tumor being over 3 cm.  She had 34 lymph nodes removed, a mastectomy was the only option, and overall the vast information and extensive support networks of other survivors, available at our fingertips through google and other search engines, just wasn't available 32 years ago like it is today. What a blessing! I am holding that close and reminding myself of that every day.  I had a lumpectomy and one little lymph node removed.  Because of my mother's journey, I have been going in for mammograms since I was 25.  Her history is the reason mine was caught so early.  Where my tumor was located, by the time I felt anything it probably would have been too late.

So after the initial shock wore off I said a prayer of thanks to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I scheduled a hair appointment prior to radiation treatment starting (needed to feel a little less drab :) I am going to buy CoQ10 when it goes to the 'buy one get one free' sale at Walgreens, and I will continue to claim complete healing through Jesus Christ. I will try to write more often about my journey (radiation starts this week) and as always for those who wish to hear from my mom, please feel free to write a comment or reach out to us.  As many have mentioned, this is a sisterhood, and we are here for each other.

Hugs,
Casey

No Fight Left - JJ Heller

I was actually looking for another video, when I accidentally stumbled across this one.  Did I just say accidentally?  Well, I'm one of those who believes that there's really no such thing as 'accidents' in life.  This is a powerful video and in one way or another we can all relate to it. When we are in a battle for our life and it seems to go on forever, we finally come to a point when we just don't have any 'fight' left in us. I don't care how strong we are or how strong we have been - that time will come.  But my friends maybe that's exactly where we are supposed to be. Whether it's facing another surgery or getting the news that you will have to undergo another surgery.  Or, for you who are victims of abuse of any kind...there just comes that time, that breaking point when you have to let go and give it up...give it to the Lord. You've done all you can do and said all you can say...and it's simply not working.  But He is our burden bearer. He is our friend that sticks closer than a brother. And He is our Healer - physically, emotionally and spiritually. So no matter what battle or fight you're facing...STOP, close your eyes, take 4 deep breaths and relax.  Sit back and watch this video. And listen - wait to hear for God's still small voice.  He is in the middle of that battle you're fighting and the victory will be yours.  So hand it over. You'll be amazed at the enormous gift you'll get in return.

We have a follower who is facing surgery tomorrow morning (Thursday, October 4th ) at 11 am.  Her name is Tina and she needs all of our prayers.  Pray for her believing that the Lord will be in that operating room with her...holding her hand. Pray that the Lord will guide the surgeon's hands and  fill him to overflowing with the wisdom needed to perform the surgery accurately and precisely.  Sometimes in life, no matter how strong we are or how strong we've been - we need the prayers of others to lift us up. This is one of those times for Tina. PLEASE  join together and lift her up in prayer so that she will have the peace that passeth all understanding and that she may once again be made whole and well.

God bless you Tina - our prayers are with you,
Kathy

David and His Slingshot - single and not quite lovin' it!

1st Samuel 17:1-58

We've all heard the story in the Bible of David and how he defeated the giant, Goliath, with his 5 shiny stones and one trusty slingshot.  It's a story of  undefinable courage and bravery.  We all face giants in our life.  But come on now, if we're really honest we don't want to face any giants at all...we'd much rather run from them, hide, or better yet just pretend they don't even exist. Remember those pesky monsters when you were a child that you swore up and down were hiding under your bed, just waiting for you to close as much as one eye, and they would devour you and your entire family for that matter, in one swift gulp.   You'd trudge half-asleep, blankie trailing behind you into the living room, where mom would swiftly make a beeline for the kitchen, whipping out the trusty old 'monster spray' magic formula, guaranteed to take care of all monsters big and small.  But what happens when that little girl is all grown up and those pesky monsters don't disappear that easily? You're going to have to face your giants. So, let's all put on our big girl panties and start searching for that sling shot.

Maybe you are single, never married, newly divorced, or just broken up with someone and you can't imagine facing your giant alone. This is beyond not fair!  But just remember David and how that young man had tremendous faith in the Lord and because of that was not afraid to go to battle. He knew He had the Lord on his side--he knew he would be victorius. You too can be a giant killer...no matter what the size of your giant--you have to know that it can and will be defeated. The truth is we can be surrounded by people, have a  huge family, or an army by our side, but in the end, it's ultimately up to us to defeat the giant. It's our faith that will kill that giant. Of course, everyone wants to have that special someone helping us, encouraging us, someone who has our backs, but sometimes that just not our reality.  And that's okay!  If you are facing your giant alone--there is a reason and purpose for this.  In fact, there may be more than one reason.  I had a very close friend who was diagnosed with cancer about 2 years after me.  She had been married for about 15 years and I thought this man would be a source of strength and comfort to her, but he wasn't.  I was surprised at how negative he was with her and unsupportive.  It would have been better for her, if she'd been alone. You see it's better to be alone, than to have someone who's not really there for you.  Someone who doesn't help lift you up and encourage you. Another reason that you might be alone is  because God knows you can do it alone.  And what an awesome testimony you will have when all this is behind you. Not to mention that you know now that if you can slay this giant all by yourself, then heck there won't be anything you can't face after this.

So, hey, alone isn't such a bad thing after all.  In fact, it can be a pretty good thing. You can talk to yourself, talk to God, sing and dance to that favorite tune...stay up all night watching funny movies...and no one will be complaining. Throw some cookie dough in the over at 3am when the munchies grab hold you and you don't have to explain your moment of 'insanity' to anyone.But wait a minute...you are never REALLY alone ...remember? And just maybe that's the whole point he's trying to make with you.  He wants you to lean on Him, trust in Him and talk to Him. He is there for you.

So, girlfriend, sharpen up that sword or dust off that slingshot you've been hiding for a rainy day...you've got a giant or two to slay!!

Faith

"Faith is taking the first step even when you can't see the whole staircase."

Martin Luther King

Faith is the substance of things hoped for ...the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

The first time we hear the word 'cancer', we are suddenly thrust into a hole so deep, that the thought of ever climbing out of it seems unimaginable.  I know. I've been there. Your heart is racing and pounding as though it's going to jump right out of your chest. The words reverberate in your mind so loudly that nothing else can be heard. And stepping out in faith seems impossible.  But it is possible because nothing is impossible with the Lord. And you can do it! In spite of your horrendous doubts and fears, you can do it. In spite of your diagnosis you can do it.  I am here for you. To encourage you. To share uplifting thoughts, Bible verses, healthy recipes and books I think you will find helpful. I've always told my family that I was waging war on every front in my fight against breast cancer. Spiritually, physically and mentally. I am here to share with you the 'weapons' I used to not only fight the battles, but to win the war.  I am here to help you take that first step of faith and every step thereafter.

Kathy