Come on March 30th!!!

Chemo #15 is history!!! It truly is crazy to believe that I have had 15 chemo treatments since October 28th. That's 33 plus hours that I have sat in a bed at MD Anderson with poison running through my body. The wonderful thing about this poison is that it was infused with God's healing power, where it damaged the cancer cells and nothing else. The thought that God chose me to show his miraculous power is completely humbling and such an honor.

"Because he cleaves to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him because he knows my name. Whenever he calls to me I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will rescue him and honor him with long life. I will satisfy him, and show him my salvation." Psalm 91:14-16

God has RESCUED and DELIVERED me, and He will continue to!!! Praise God!

When I first came to MD Anderson, they told me that I would have 3 steps to completing treatment and a total of 4 steps to get back to "normal", whatever that means after going through all of this:) The first step being 6 months of chemo, the second being surgery, the third being radiation, and the fourth being reconstructive surgery. The longest, hardest part is about to be DONE!!! God has supernaturally carried me thus far and I expect nothing less from here on out.

John 14:13 "You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father."

I, and many of you, have fervently asked and pleaded with God for my healing and He has heard us and answered. I no longer feel my lymph nodes to see if they feel smaller or am as concerned with the ultrasounds. I know God is healing me and I trust in Him. Yes, I have changed my diet, and yes, I have undergone chemotherapy treatment, but my healing comes from the ultimate healer, my Lord and my Savior. Jesus is bringing glory to His father through this process.

On Friday, I had blood work, met with my new doctor, Dr. Litton, and then had chemo. I really liked Dr. Litton, but I miss Dr. Morrow so much. My new nurse, Angela, seemed very nice and Dr. Litton seemed great as well. We got to see Amiee, my old nurse and it is just bittersweet:( At some point, I won't miss Amiee and Dr. Morrow as much, but they really are so great!!! I asked Dr. Litton about why I wasn't having ultrasounds anymore, and she said that she just does one ultrasound before FAC and then afterwards for the surgeon. She knows I am responding because of my first ultrasound on FAC, so that answers that, and I am putting those fears to rest. Oh, and she couldn't feel my lymph node at all:)  I have given my fears to God, and He has replaced them with peace.

 Dr. Litton immediately addressed fertility issues, which were of course, extremely important to Josh and me. She is very pro-pregnancy after breast cancer, and I am discovering that many doctors are not. So, needless to say, I am thankful she is on board. We want to have children very soon, and Dr. Litton explained to us that she advises patients to wait at least 2 years from diagnosis to start to try to have children. I'm not really sure what I was expecting, but it was encouraging to know it could happen soon:) She explained that before we start trying, she would encourage undergoing many different tests to just make sure nothing was hanging out there before a child was put in the mix. Josh and I are praying for direction and timing on when to start a family, so please join us in this....that God would not only preserve my fertility and give us the children He has for us, but that the timing and direction would be clear.

Chemo went well and my mom and I headed back right after chemo on Friday. I fell asleep during chemo because of all of the pre-meds, but really didn't sleep much on the way back. I have felt tired and blah, but outside of that, I have felt good. I feel so much better than the last round, because I don't have that terrible cold!

School has been going well and I have had the time and energy to complete my assignments! Midterms were last week and I did well on all of them... I am by no means an over-achiever this semester, but I am getting my work done:) I am so thankful to be in a PhD program that works with me during this tough time. Dr. Sutton and my MFT Family are amazing!!

So, next is not only the realization that my chemo treatments are coming to an end, which is exciting, but the next step of surgery is coming up. I have much peace about it all, but it is moving from one hard path to another- but I am ready for it.

I feel like I am sometimes beating a dead horse asking you all to continue praying for my healing, for our children, for our hearts and minds to be guarded, etc... But I am continually reminded in scripture that we are to KEEP praying and be persistent. So, I won't stop asking you to pray.

"Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere." Eph. 6:18

So, here is to persistent prayer:)


                                                                                Chemo # 15!!

Special day- Memories of an unreal day in 2002

This is not a post about Aly's fight. This post is about an accident that happened while Aly and I were in high school. When you find yourself in our current situation you feel incredible guilt over times where you did not reach out enough to someone in pain. This post is an apology, memory and done in an effort to honor 3 amazing friends to Aly and I.

On March 8th 2002 I was in 11th grade and Aly was in 9th at OCS. We had just been let out of school and spring break week was here. That Friday Aly's best friend Ainsley and two of my close friends were involved in an accident where one of the most incredible people I have ever come across passed away. At 17 years old Jeremy Barnhill was an incredible friend that was one of the few people I have ever met that truly grabbed the attention of anyone and everyone he came in touch with.

There is not one time I hear the month of March, the number 8, North Monroe hospital, Jared Evans and many many other words and names that I am not immediately back to the moment I received the call about the accident. I vividly remember being in north Monroe hospital parking lot, then watching Jared being rolled out to be moved to St Francis. That night for a 17 year old was not understandable. I think back now and realize that I for one and I assume most of my friends didn't understand the gravity of what happened that day.

Instantly there was a family given unfathomable news, another family given very scary info and then another family certainly glad their daughter was safe.

To Mr Terry and Mrs Kathi Barnhill, I cannot imagine what this date means to you but I can tell that I think about you guys all the time and have by no means done my part to show you what your son meant to me. This may be the biggest stage I have to tell you how incredible your son was but let me say again he was truly special and I know the one year I was close to him I am left with nothing but memorable moments.

Jared may never know but he played a huge part in my early time at OCS. Jared was truly kind to me. After the accident, his miracle FULL recovery we were never really around each other but as a 17-18 year old I was able to watch him fight what had to be an incredibly hard battle back into school and life. I admire what you did Jared Evans and thank you for making life at OCS a little easier for Kyle and I as we came over. Don't think I don't remember. God's plan for you must be big, I think about and pray that you continue to feel God in your daily life.

Last but certainly not least Ms Ainsley Beeman. That day God saved Ainsley from something that by all accounts could have gone either way, she was relatively unscathed. When Aly was diagnosed Ainsley was at the house that night. God had many plans for Ainsley but for me to be able to watch the life she has brought to my wife during this process has been unreal. Ainsley has not been kind, she has truly been life to Aly.

So needless to say this post isn't about Aly's current fight but March 8th was a huge day in our lives even though at the time we were not dating. We may never have this many eyes reading what we have to say so I wanted to take this opportunity to remember publicly Jeremy Barnhill and also the work of God in Jared and Ainsley. There will never be a March 8th that we forget.

Confessions of the bald girl with floating eyelashes!

I continue to have funny moments, where I just have to laugh to myself in this cancer/healing process. All of about 2 of my eyelashes have fallen out and it is kind of crazy to not have eyelashes...soooo, this weekend I bought some fake eyelashes. They felt weird, but looked much better than not having eyelashes, so I went with it and wore them to church yesterday. I talked to many people after church and got into our car and looked in the mirror- my eye lash was completely detached and floating!! If you ever saw the original Yours, Mine and Ours with Lucille Ball--- I was her in the scene with her eyelashes that keep coming off!! It was hideous! but, I just laughed and told Josh. To all of you I talked to with the floating eyelash-- I know you love me so much and don't want to embarrass me, but it was BAD!:)

I also keep forgetting that I am bald. I walk outside or people knock on the door and I just open it or say "hi" without realizing what I look like. It takes just a second to see their looks on their faces for me to realize I forgot to put a hat on or to put Racquel on. Have you ever heard of people who lose a limb and they feel like they can still feel it? That is what it is like to not have your hair. I walk outside to let Bella out and when the wind blows, I take my hand to put my hair behind my ear...craziness! Anyways...just funny things that happen to a girl with no hair:)

These last 3 weeks have been pretty good, outside of a terrible cold. It came on right after my last chemo and I guess the combination of chemo and the cold was the perfect horrible combination. I was pretty miserable for about 5 days, but thank the Lord that I am feeling much better. My doctor called a prescription in for me and I was so thankful to finally start feeling like myself again. I think my nails are getting better. They looked pretty nasty and continue to be pretty black and yellowish, but I think they are getting better. They are still sore, but I am hoping I am on the upside with these stinking nails!!

I am so happy, ecstatic, overjoyed...every positive adjective that exists..that it is March!! March is the month that I have my last chemo treatment! March 30th!!! ahhh!! In October, when Dr. Morrow said I would have 6 months of chemo, that sounded like an eternity, and it is almost here! I have prayed that God would make the time go by fast, but not too fast where I couldn't enjoy each day, and that is exactly what He has done. Ms. Vanessia West, who is cancer-free and finished treatment a few months ago, keeps reminding me that I will look back on all of this soon enough and it will seem like it happened so long ago. I know that is true and I'm so thankful for those that went before me. I am just beyond ready for this to all be done.

So, I have my 3rd treatment of FAC this Friday and I will also meet my new doctor, Dr. Litton. I am really looking forward to that. Dr. Morrow called me a couple of weeks ago and we both just cried and cried on the phone. She called to specifically check up on me and to tell me bye and that she would miss me as she is moving to California. It was a mutual love fest over the phone:) We both continually told each other we loved each other and how much we would miss the other. I will never, ever forget her...this new doctor has A LOT to live up to!

A new thing I have learned is that I will no longer get an ultrasound at each appointment. I am not really sure why, but I will find that out at my doctor's appointment on Friday. My next ultrasound is right before my surgery in April. I know that the medicine is working though, so no need for reassurance! But just wanted to update you all on that. Please continue praying that all cancer will be gone before surgery.

Through this experience thus far, God has taught me so much. He has revealed much in me that needed to change and He is refining me. I am thankful for His correction and refinement.

One thing that He has particularly helped me with is looking forward to Christ's coming. This is something I truthfully have never really looked forward to and I have been somewhat scared of. I have typically thought, "I don't want the Lord to come back now because I don't have kids yet, or I haven't grown old, etc..", but the truth is I had never really meditated on the Lord's coming. The Lord commands us to look forward to His coming, and I was not previously doing this. 2 Peter 3:12 says "Look forward to the day of God and hurry it along." In verse 14 it says "And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight."

I now look forward to the Lord's coming and often pray, "Come quickly, Lord Jesus." He has taught me to not be scared of His coming, but to hurry it along. I am finally in a place where I cannot wait for the Lord to come back and spend eternity with Him. Cancer is just a reminder of the cruelty of the devil and how evil the world really is. We cannot fathom how wonderful heaven will be and God is revealing that to me day by day.- no more pain, no more fear, no more worries---even though I am striving to live a life free of these things while on earth, they will be non-existent in heaven. I know I will live on this earth until I am old, or the Lord will come back before then. Either way, I am not scared anymore...just another thing the Lord is teaching me. I am now obeying a command I was not previously obeying. I am thankful for the Lord's correction. He tells us He corrects those he loves- that's me:)! I could literally go on and on of all the things he has taught me through this and is teaching me.

The Lord is drawing near to me as I draw near to Him. I am learning to seek Him wholeheartedly by not only looking into his word, but by teaching and the guidance of those around me. Thank you to all who have shared with me thoughts, prayers, scriptures, ways to pray and claim scripture, and have faith that others would call foolish. You have no idea what it has done for me and how it has helped me. If you feel like you need to tell me something, please do it. Your words and encouragement literally carry me. Text me or call me or just tell me! It means more than you can know.

Here are other scriptures that I continue to claim and pray...please, please join me. I put my name in these verses.

"Because Aly cleaves to me in love, I will deliver her; I will protect her because she knows my name. Whenever she calls to me I will answer her: I will be with her in trouble; I will rescue her and honor her with LONG life. I will satisfy her and show her my salvation." Psalm 91:14-16

God's word does not come back void. As I pray these scriptures, I know God is making sure to do what He says.

"Then said the Lord to Aly, "You have seen well, for I am alert and active watching over my word to perform it." Jeremiah 1:12

This journey is not about me at all. It is all about Christ..please when you're telling someone my story, make it about Christ and not me. In fact, that is why He has me going through this...to glorify Him and that many would be saved from death. Please play a part in His plan....

Thank you for continuing to fight with me... I draw much comfort from my huge army!!! Stick with me  till the end. It's a long road ahead, but the end is in sight! Pray for me this Friday as the chemo aids in killing every last bit of cancer. My mom will be driving me down and we will head back Friday as soon as chemo is done so I can be home asap.

LOVE my army:)

Halfway through FAC!

Well, it's Monday and I'm just now posting! Sorry for the delay... I am literally just now feeling up to doing anything! I have been feeling fine in the sense that I have not been sick, but I have just been exhausted and have felt so lazy! I hate feeling like this, but it is getting better!

We made a super short trip to Houston and got in Wednesday night and stayed with the Stanfills. My appointments started at 7:15 the next morning and we headed home after chemo, around 3:00. It was a long day, but we were so happy to be home Thursday night.

I had blood work, then immediately went to my ultrasound. The ultrasound showed that I am responding to the FAC!! Praise God!!! I get so many mixed messages back when I am having an ultrasound done. The ultrasound techs are obviously trained to say nothing while doing an ultrasound, which of course makes it un-nerving. This particular nurse that I had this time was very talkative and sweet. At the end of the ultrasound, she said "I normally do not say things like this, but I think you will be very pleased with your results." As she left the room, I just cried and cried and thanked the Lord over and over. About 10 minutes later, the radiologist comes in and does another ultrasound and is completely silent. He hands me  my results and does not act excited at all... talk about mixed messages! No one went over my results with me and I left happy, but slightly confused. As I reviewed my results, it looks like the lymph nodes have shrunk slightly, but mostly remained stable. This still means I am responding, which is wonderful news!

We saw a different doctor this week because my doctor (Dr. Morrow) was out because she had surgery. The doctor we met with was very nice, but it was basically a 5 minute meeting so that she could order my next round of FAC. I had her look at my ultrasound results and she said that it looked like my lymph node size were back to normal or very close to normal...so, once again, some mixed messages, but I am choosing to believe that my lymph nodes are free of cancer and normal!!

One of my dear friends prays for me every night with her sweet daughter. She said that recently, her daughter does not want to pray for me, because she says "Miss Aly is already healed!" I agree and believe that wholeheartedly.

At our last doctor's visit with our regular doctor (Jan 26), we were so disappointed to learn that our doctor is moving to California. She explained to us that this type of job takes its toll on her, seeing so many terminally ill patients, and she has taken a job in researching cancer in California--to hopefully find a cure very, very soon. I immediately burst into tears when she told us, because she has been so wonderful and walked with us through this process. She feels bonded with us as well, as we all cried and hugged together. She is referring me to a doctor that she assures me is wonderful. It is one of her friends at the hospital, and she specializes in fertility after cancer- How good is our God? We were hoping to tell Dr. Morrow a final goodbye at this past visit, but she was out having her surgery. The doctor that saw us said she was calling from her hospital to check on us- she is amazing. She is one of those people you want to be more like after you visit with her- more kind, more caring, more funny, and just more joyful in general. We will miss her immensely. So, on our next visit, we will meet our new doctor, Dr. Jennifer Litton. This will be my oncologist that I, will in theory, see for the rest of my life.

We also met with the Physician's Assistant of my reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Villa. We were a little confused after talking to others about the sequence of my reconstruction, and made an appointment to just gain some clarification. Here is the information that we have so far concerning my surgeries: The first surgery I will have will tentatively be on April 23rd and this will include the mastectomy of the left breast, which will be done by my surgical oncologist. After she is done with this, the reconstructive surgeon comes in and places a tissue expander in and sews me up. The tissue expander can be inflated and deflated in order to get my skin ready for an eventual implant. A few months down the road, once I am healed from the previous surgery, the same thing will be done on my right breast. This is called prophylactic, because this is the non-cancer breast, and is being done preventatively. Then once both tissue expanders are placed and the initial 2 surgeries are done along with radiation (end of July), they will be expanded for 6 months before implants will be placed. The reason for the 6 month time period is because my skin will be radiated on the left side and they want to have ample enough time for the skin to stretch, since it typically behaves differently than non-radiated skin. So, around December, I should have one of the final surgeries in which I will have my implants put in. This could be a pretty major surgery, all dependent on how my skin responds to radiation. If my skin responds poorly (or the way it is expected to respond), my back muscle will be rotated forward to have healthy tissue for my implant to sit on. This is a very common surgery and I've heard positive and negative things about it. However, if my skin responds better than expected, the back muscle will not be needed and I can use my own skin and tissue without having to use my back muscle---confusing, right?! So, it looks like I will have a minimum of 3 reconstructive surgeries and hopefully be done with the main surgeries in December. I am praying that my skin responds greatly to radiation and they will not have to use the back muscle!

Now, I try to go back to real life for 3 weeks until my next appointment on March 9th. Please pray with expectancy and thankfulness that I am healed. Please pray that God continues to give me peace as I continue to receive direction from Him on how He would have me handle my healing process. I am striving to abide in the Lord and in His word.

"Give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your sight: Keep them in the midst of your heart. For they are LIFE to all who find them, and HEALTH to all their body." Proverbs 4:20-22

His word gives me LIFE! I will hide His word in my heart and meditate on His promises in giving me life and health.

Here are some pictures from my 14th treatment!! 2 to go!!

Also, Josh shaved my head on Friday morning! Up until this point, I still had a tad-bit that I could put back in tee-tiny pony tail, and I didn't even have enough to do that, so we decided to go ahead and shave it off. It really isn't that much different than before, because so little hair was there, but here is a pic of the bald me!

And here was what was shaved off- as you can see, not much at all!

Love you guys!!!!

Ready for Thursday!

I am SO ready for Thursday!! After Thursday, I will only have 2 more chemo treatments!!!! I am SO ready to be done. I will have 14 of 16 treatments done!!!!

I finally got results back on my ultrasound (from 3 weeks ago), and the lymph nodes shrunk 35%. So, from my entire time on Taxol, my lymph nodes shrunk 60%!! I was so thankful and relieved. I am so expectant for this Thursday. I have an ultrasound first thing in the morning and I expect wonderful results. This will be my first check-up on this new chemo. I am praying and believing it is killing every last bit of cancer.

These last 3 weeks have seemed a lot longer than usual. While I am thankful to be home for 3 weeks at a time, it has been an adjustment and sometimes more time on my hands can be bad. Although I haven't had much downtime, the times I am doing things, often my mind wanders and thinks about my cancer, stage, lymph nodes, mastectomy, radiation, and fear of reoccurrence. I am confident that when I am healed, I will be healed forever, so that the cancer will never return; however, anything I read on my type of cancer has so much about reoccurrence.

The type of cancer I have is called "triple-negative", which means that my cancer is not hormone-sensitive, which also means it is not responsive to hormone-targetted therapy, which is typically what treatment for breast cancer is targeted toward. About 10-20% of women with breast cancer are triple negative. This type of cancer tends to be more aggressive and more likely to re-occur. The first 2 years after ending treatment are the "scariest", but 5 years after treatment is a big hurdle to get past for any breast cancer survivor.

I KNOW I will be healed and will live a long, healthy life, but the statistics and information can be discouraging. I limit my reading and read more from the book of LIFE- God's word. I trust in it wholeheartedly and am desperate and dependent on God's promises.

"It is the Spirit who gives Life, ... the words that I speak to you are Spirit, and they are Life." John 6:63

Please continue to pray that I am healed and whole in Jesus' name. Please also pray that cancer never returns to my body. We also know that another hurdle will be deciding when to try to start a family post-treatment. Of course, we want to start a family very soon, but there will be precautions and hurdles that my doctor and medical team will advise, and we are just not sure how long that time will officially be. Because I am triple negative, and will not respond to hormonal-therapy, I am not a candidate for Tamoxifen (a breast cancer pill), that typically most breast cancer survivors take for 5 years post-treatment that help to prevent re-occurrence. So, this means that there is nothing I will be taking medically to prevent the cancer from reoccurring. I will be eating crazy-healthy and exercising daily to remain as healthy as possible, but that is all I can do to prevent reoccurrence (outside of praying, believing, and claiming complete healing for the rest of my life).

So, in some ways this is great news, because if I was taking Tamoxifen after treatment, I would have to wait 5 years to try to get pregnant, so a part of me is excited that I wouldn't have to wait that long! But, there's no telling what my doctors will tell me in regards to waiting for a baby. We are just praying that God will give us peace and lead us as we look down that road. I refuse to live in fear...not only because it would be misery, but because God's word tells me not to fear... I will trust Him with my life and future.

Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10

I am just getting so ready for chemo to be over... it has gone by quickly, but I am just so very ready for it all to be over. I know it will be here soon. I am just ready:)

I am still feeling great. I have just been tired and my nails are still suffering. I have lost my left big toe nail and my right one looks like it is about to fall off. My nails look so disgusting and it looks as if some of those may fall off soon as well. It really isn't that bad- it is just more of a nuisance. Little to no nausea, no mouth sores, no stomach problems!!! Praise the Lord! I will take ugly and sore nails any day:)


Please continue to pray for us, every time you think of us. We are learning every day that although my healing will soon be apparent, this tough road is far from done for us. I will see an oncologist for the rest of my life! We will see doctors often, but we will constantly be reminded of what God has done.

We will update after our doctor visits and chemo on Thursday. Love you...

Aly's Fight T-shirts!!

This is a guest post by Lee Taylor and I have some big news about our fundraising efforts to stand behind Aly and Josh during this tough time.

I am excited to announce that the Aly's Fight t-shirt fundraiser raised $4,500 to bless Josh and Aly. We have sold so many shirts, and it has been amazing to see everyone supporting Aly around town.

Another amazing story is that of Polar X ornaments, who sold Christmas ornaments in the mall, who heard about Aly's story and was willing to donate part of their profits before Christmas to Aly. I will also be giving Aly and Josh a check for $231.60. INCREDIBLE!!

Some people have asked about the window decals. These are $5 and for more information on these you can email Jennifer Jordan at jennchex@yahoo.com.

There are some extra Aly’s Fight shirts still available. Email me at alysfight@gmail.com if you are interested in picking up a shirt.

Below is a list of people who still have shirts ready for pickup. Please email us at alysfight@gmail.com to arrange for pickup or for shipping. Also, if you have any questions please feel free to email me at the above email address.

We are looking for:

Amy Linder

Katie Jones

Michael Davis

Robert Jones

Loren McIntyre

Anna Cole

Doing GREAT on FAC!!!

I'm so sorry I am just now posting... I just simply have not had the time, or made the time to do it. But, lots of updates!!!

My ultrasound Tuesday showed that I am still responding to treatment!!!:) Praise the Lord. I am just not very surprised at God's faithfulness to me anymore...He's proved himself faithful so many times, so why should I ever doubt Him? Sadly, at times I do, but He is teaching me more than I ever knew I could be taught. He is such a good God. He rejoices over me!!! That thought and picture just astounds me. The Lord is glad when He sees me trusting Him. When I get good news, He is rejoicing! I am tearing up now just thinking about it. When I truly mediate on that thought, it is mind-bottling. I serve an amazing God.  He loves me so much... I owe him everything.

Zephaniah 3:17

"For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs."

I also had a mammogram Tuesday and I am not sure what the results from that were. However, right now, the most important one is the ultrasound because it directly monitors my lymph node response. I think I have told you before, but the lymph nodes they are monitoring are up under my left arm pit...way, way, up there! When the doctors feel it, they have a hard time finding them and have to push so very hard.

I met with my surgeon, Dr. Babiera, and she was pleased with my progress. We basically just talked about what all she would be doing in surgery. The first surgery that I have will be removing my left breast (the cancer breast) and all of my lymph nodes on the left side. The plastic surgeon will come in right behind her and put in a tissue expander, which prepares the chest wall for an eventual implant. Sorry if this is too much info:) Just thought you all would want to know. Later down the road will come the removal of the right breast, with final reconstruction on both breasts. From the first surgery to all-done reconstruction will take about a year.

We were happy you get a tentative surgery date of April 23rd! If I stay on schedule with my chemo, I will finish chemo on the 29th of March. We have to wait for the chemo to get out of my system to have my surgery. I am so glad to have a date of surgery-- I believe the cancer will be gone before the surgery, but there will be no doubts about it once I have the surgery, so I am looking forward to it!

Of course, I am nervous about the surgery. It is crazy to think about not having one of your breasts, but I mostly have peace about it. The cancer will be gone and when everything is said and done, I will mostly look like my old self again. My main concern has been the impact on Josh. He has been amazing and reassures me He will find me beautiful. The scars I have will only remind us of what Satan tried to do and how the Lord rescued me from death! We all face death every day, but I have been staring it in the face, and refusing it with every part of my being. Every time I look at myself, I will see the healing power of my Lord and Savior. In that way, I am blessed to have God's name literally marked on my body. Oh, that I would represent Him well!!! Gosh, the tears just keep coming!:)

 Psalm 103: 4 "He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies"

After my appointment with my surgeon, we met my radiation oncologist (Dr. Strom) for the first time and we really liked him. He explained how the radiation works and what all would take place during radiation. It looks like I would start radiation around the 3rd week of May and it would last for 6 weeks. Josh and I will move to Houston during this time. Some of my parents' friends from college have offered up their condo to us during this entire 6 weeks. WOW! We were in awe, but once again, I am just not surprised at the Lord anymore. The Knotts are amazing and we cannot say thank you enough.

The radiation is 5 days a week for 6 weeks. By rough calculations, it looks like I would be finished with radiation treatment in mid-July. Then, treatment would officially be over. The other surgeries to follow would just be the reconstruction surgeries of both of my breasts. So, we got a bunch of info, huh?!

As far as how I am feeling, I am feeling great!!! I have been more tired than usual, but other than that, I feel almost exactly as I did on Taxol. By the the way, that is NOT normal. By all accounts, I should be throwing up and bound to the bed. I went to work yesterday and felt great. God is protecting me with His shield. I believe this new, tougher, chemo will go straight to the cancer and kill every last bit of it. Our sweet friend told me last night that she was calling the "red devil" the "red target" because it will go straight to the cancer and kill every last bit of it and not touch anything else. I believe that is exactly what is happening.

My fingernails do not hurt as bad, but are getting a little darker in color. I am hoping they look and feel a little better soon. Here is a pic--sorry if it grosses you out--just so many have asked:)

Oh, and I forgot to post a pic with my #13, so here it is. With the "red target!"

LOVE YOU and THANK YOU for your continued, so treasured prayers. I won't go back to MDA until February 16th, but I'm sure I will update before then.