While I'm waiting...

My check up last Thursday went great! My mom drove me to Houston and we had a great time with the Stanfills. My appointment went well and everyone wanted to see how good I looked. Alisha and Dr. Villa were thrilled with how everything turned out. I got both of my drains out too:) I am still a little sore, but overall, it has been such an easy surgery. I still have a good bit of bruising, but Dr. Villa said that it will take a while for it to go away because of it being bruised on radiated skin (which is delayed healing anyway). I am feeling much better about how everything looks and I've slept on my side and stomach several times since last Thursday...it's the little things in life....

Alisha laughed at me because when she was taking off my tape from the drains, I was wincing so much. This time, it seemed like the drains were a little "stuck", and of course that was not fun as they were coming out. She laughed at me being so vocal..she said "We pull off tape and you react, but we cut off half of your back and you're fine." All I can say is the God is good to me and has made all of my pain very bearable. It is incredible what all my body has endured in the last 16 months...

My next appointment in Houston and with Dr. Villa is March 21st. I still have stitches in that I guess will stay in until then or come out on their own. It was really weird knowing I wouldn't see them for a month. To have doctors and staff care about you-how you look, feel, and just how you are doing in general- is something I will never take for granted. I initially thought that the doctor I would have the least interaction with would be my plastic surgeon, and he and his staff have been who I have dealt with the most. All of you who prayed that God would put me with the doctors he would have hand-picked--- I have no doubt that He did just that. He has made that CLEARLY evident. My oncologists- Dr. Litton and Dr. Morrow, my surgical oncologist- Dr. Babiera, My radiation oncologist- Dr. Strom, and my reconstructive surgeon- Dr. Villa. Most people go to work each day and do paperwork or make phone calls (not that that isn't important), but these doctors help save lives and aide in helping put people back together. I know cancer treatment is controversial, but I am sure of one thing. I have no doubt that God has blessed these doctors with incredible talent to help hurting people.

Thank you Lord for blessing these doctors with the talents you have given them-to aide in your healing and to bring hope to the weary. I pray they realize that their abilities and talents are from you and seek you in helping vulnerable, sick people. I pray blessings on their life as well as wisdom, spiritual insight, and understanding. May they do your work Father.

I have had more peace in the last 2 weeks than I have had in a really long time. I have had minimum symptoms (side still aches), and I seem to be getting better in every area. To finally feel some relief, emotionally and physically is nothing short of incredibly amazing. I am still struggling to find a balance
in fighting for my life like crazy and resting in God. Pray for me with this, as it is a daily battle!

Psalm 62:5-12 "Yes, my soul, find rest in God;my hope comes from him.Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.Trust in him at all times, you people;pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge."

I also started working with a personal trainer today. When I was undergoing all of my treatments, my exercising was minimal, and it has been a fight to get back in shape. I have been running a lot with my father-in-law and started working with my trainer this morning. I am doing 10 sessions, and then hopefully will learn enough to do on my own. Because of my limitations in weight lifting and not pushing too hard, it can be difficult to find great workouts for me. So, I am so thankful to have someone help jumpstart me! I will be sooooo sore tomorrow, but it is much needed.

I also was able to start back with my physical therapy last week. In October, my insurance stopped paying for my physical therapy and that was really hard for me. My range of motion in my left arm declined, and my plastic surgeon and my other doctors have commented on my poor range of motion. Now that we have met my deductible again, I get physical therapy. I love my therapist, Summer, and am so thankful to be back working on my arm.

I was so blessed and honored to have the opportunity to speak at the Cancer Foundation League Gala this past Saturday. My mom and Mr. Joey joined us and we sat with our wonderful friends, Andy and Julie. Julie is a part of the CFL and she and her mom personally delivered an amazing Christmas basket during Christmas 2011 from CFL, when I was undergoing treatment. Andy and Julie supported us during my entire journey... so grateful for them both. The Cancer Foundation League helped me much during my treatment and it was an honor to share with so many people that give to his incredible organization. I have some other speaking opportunities coming up as well. Enjoy some pictures below from the CFL gala.

So, what's next? Now I must wait. Wait for the next appointments, wait for my comprehensive exams, wait for my semester to be over, wait for cat scans, x rays, ultrasounds, MRI's, wait for babies, wait for my healing to be made completely evident. Life is really a series of waiting and it's what we do in the waiting that really matters. I am determined to not let my hoping for the future sour my waiting period. The waiting always makes the promise or the reward that much sweeter. I choose to continue worshipping, trusting, and loving my God while I'm waiting. What are you waiting on God for? Join me in determining to be joyful in hope and worship while we wait.

Psalm 130:5-8 "I wait for the LORD, my soul does wait, And in His word do I hope. My soul waits for the Lord More than the watchmen for the morning; Indeed, more than the watchmen for the morning. O Israel, hope in the LORD; For with the LORD there is lovingkindness, And with Him is abundant redemption. And He will redeem Israel From all his iniquities."

Enjoy the pics below. The lighting was weird with the pictures..Also, I attached a link to a video that Josh took when I was getting my sedation medicine. I was trying so hard to combat it...it obviously didn't work:)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5zez29YCz0&list=UUQb9j6f8DstRtLQGbMndyZg&index=1 

My mom and I at the Cancer Foundation League Gala. You can see part of my radiation on the left side of my chest.

My hubby and I at the gala

We had fun in the photo booth..you can see my radiation in these pics too:)