I did it! I registered for the St. Jude half marathon in December!! I am nervous, scared, excited, ready--all bundled up into one! This run is my FAVORITE run to participate in! I know I have a journey ahead of me with training, but I also know with sheer determination it will get done! Wonder if my family (cousins, brother, sister in law) will run the half again this year? ....yes---this is directed at them intentionally....
Things are going well for me these days. School is wrapping up and summer is around the corner! (I told a friend today it's getting harder and harder to get up in the mornings)
I spent the weekend with some of my favorite people. God has mightily blessed our family this past year!
I hope everyone enjoys the upcoming weekend!
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Do you ever just have one of "those" days? I have. Am having one today, as a matter of fact.
Marathoners sometimes hit a "wall"--their body starts acting up and their thoughts may move toward quitting a race but most marathoners push through and FINISH their race. I think that's where I am today...I have hit a "wall". I can see the finish line and I know that I don't have very many chemo treatments left. Tomorrow will be #14 for me, so 5 after this one. ( I only need one hand to count them with!! THAT is exciting!! But I am "over" it, if you know what I mean...) I am ready for our lives to be "normal" again.
My daddy had SUCH words of encouragement to me today. He said "Em, in my mind I see you as almost one year cancer free!" Those few words spoke VOLUMES to me this afternoon! I haven't thought of myself in those terms. I'm not sure I have ever really thought of myself as a "cancer patient"---some view this as denial, I view it as a hiccup on my life's path, however we view it--we are almost there!!!!!
Please continue to pray for us. I am so blessed and thankful to have my family and friends to help pull me through this journey in life. You know--the Bible says that there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. There are a couple of you that have stuck by me and helped hold me up in times of turmoil. You know who you are. I love you mucho! Thank you for loving me, being there during my highs and lows and always encouraging me to "go, go, go"!!
Until next time...
E
Monday, March 4, 2013
Honestly...
Where has the time gone?!?! It is so hard to believe that we are into March full-swing, knocking on spring break's door! (whoop!whoop!) So much has gone on, but nothing has gone on, if that makes any sense?
I am alive and doing great! I have completed 12 chemos and have 7 left ... I have no real words of "inspiration" in the midst of all this right now. I just know that I get a little emotional thinking that the end is near and I will be finished with this "season" soon. Probably sooner than I really realize...funny how life does that do you, isn't it?
Truthfully, the month of January was an emotional roller coaster for me. I knew I was on the downhill slope of all of this but my life has so drastically been changed that sometimes, it's just down right frustrating! My mind is telling me one thing but my body is saying something else. I feel like I am in a constant battle with my emotions and the physical part of me. Those of you that know me well, know that I tend to be a bit hard-headed (Yes, I realize this is an understatement!), anyway....this has probably been the biggest challenge for me with this: Admitting that I need to slow down and rest for the moment. This. Is. Hard. Probably one of my life's hardest lessons. I like to be on the go all the time. I like to be "moving and shaking". It's hard to admit that maybe, just maybe my endurance isn't quite the same right now. I hope this will change, but for now, I am learning (or trying) to learn to slow down.
I go next week for round #13. Almost there. Almost there. Almost there...yes ladies and gentlemen, I believe I can see the light at the end of the tunnel! As I was checking out of the clinic today, I noticed a "survivor dinner" next week in the surrounding area. I got a little choked up thinking that this time next year, I might like to go to that dinner. I mean, by then, this ole gal will have earned her place in the "survivor" realm, right!?! Again...my eyes well up with tears. Another "medal" to match my wall...one of my toughest, right? You know, as bad as I am ready for this ordeal to be over, do you know that I would not change a thing about it?!?! Has this been easy? No. Has my life changed? YES!! DRASTICALLY!!! But so much for the BETTER!! Truly. I am sorry if I sounded like I complained earlier, or any time for that matter...but some days, I do long for "normalcy" again. I am ready to be "me" again.
I hope I won't be as long blogging again. But until next time please continue to pray for my family and me,
Until next time! BLESSINGS!!!
E
I am alive and doing great! I have completed 12 chemos and have 7 left ... I have no real words of "inspiration" in the midst of all this right now. I just know that I get a little emotional thinking that the end is near and I will be finished with this "season" soon. Probably sooner than I really realize...funny how life does that do you, isn't it?
Truthfully, the month of January was an emotional roller coaster for me. I knew I was on the downhill slope of all of this but my life has so drastically been changed that sometimes, it's just down right frustrating! My mind is telling me one thing but my body is saying something else. I feel like I am in a constant battle with my emotions and the physical part of me. Those of you that know me well, know that I tend to be a bit hard-headed (Yes, I realize this is an understatement!), anyway....this has probably been the biggest challenge for me with this: Admitting that I need to slow down and rest for the moment. This. Is. Hard. Probably one of my life's hardest lessons. I like to be on the go all the time. I like to be "moving and shaking". It's hard to admit that maybe, just maybe my endurance isn't quite the same right now. I hope this will change, but for now, I am learning (or trying) to learn to slow down.
I go next week for round #13. Almost there. Almost there. Almost there...yes ladies and gentlemen, I believe I can see the light at the end of the tunnel! As I was checking out of the clinic today, I noticed a "survivor dinner" next week in the surrounding area. I got a little choked up thinking that this time next year, I might like to go to that dinner. I mean, by then, this ole gal will have earned her place in the "survivor" realm, right!?! Again...my eyes well up with tears. Another "medal" to match my wall...one of my toughest, right? You know, as bad as I am ready for this ordeal to be over, do you know that I would not change a thing about it?!?! Has this been easy? No. Has my life changed? YES!! DRASTICALLY!!! But so much for the BETTER!! Truly. I am sorry if I sounded like I complained earlier, or any time for that matter...but some days, I do long for "normalcy" again. I am ready to be "me" again.
I hope I won't be as long blogging again. But until next time please continue to pray for my family and me,
Until next time! BLESSINGS!!!
E
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Clean Slate
Tonight, as I ponder the past 12 months and the future 12 months, I am full of a heart of gratitude.
I am so grateful to be alive!
I am so grateful for a God who never leaves me nor forsakes me, who meets my every need, and no matter how bad I mess things up by getting in the way, loves me in spite of it all!
I am grateful for the love and support of a wonderful, Godly husband and my precious children. I am grateful for my mama--who understands my pits and has loved me through them all. I have the best sister-in-law too, she is one of my best friends. She and my mama are my sounding-boards and I love them to pieces!
I am so very blessed!
I don't know what God has in store for me this 2013, but I know He has plans for me! I have a willing and open heart. I want to be a vessel He works through. Things may not always be what I think I want them to be but ultimately, ultimately, I know He has my best interest at heart.
I challenge you this new year to have an open heart and ears to hear Him calling. We serve a mighty God! I cannot express in words the peace that I have in knowing Jesus Christ. He is my Calm in the middle of this storm. People say these days: "E, you are WONDERWOMAN!" and I cringe a little inside. You see, it's not ME that's super...Greater is HE that is in me than he that is in this world!!
We celebrated Christmas just a few days ago. Over Christmas break we went home and visited my parents' church. Their preacher talked about how we should have the love of Christmas YEAR ROUND, not just a few days out of the year. And if you have a relationship with Christ you share the joy of Christmas day in and day out. If you do not have the love of Christ today, I challenge you to open your heart and invite Him in today. He will fill you and sustain you all the days of your life.
I hope you and yours had a fabulous Christmas and a wonderful new year!
Happy new year and bring on 2013!!
Until next time,
E
I am so grateful to be alive!
I am so grateful for a God who never leaves me nor forsakes me, who meets my every need, and no matter how bad I mess things up by getting in the way, loves me in spite of it all!
I am grateful for the love and support of a wonderful, Godly husband and my precious children. I am grateful for my mama--who understands my pits and has loved me through them all. I have the best sister-in-law too, she is one of my best friends. She and my mama are my sounding-boards and I love them to pieces!
I am so very blessed!
I don't know what God has in store for me this 2013, but I know He has plans for me! I have a willing and open heart. I want to be a vessel He works through. Things may not always be what I think I want them to be but ultimately, ultimately, I know He has my best interest at heart.
I challenge you this new year to have an open heart and ears to hear Him calling. We serve a mighty God! I cannot express in words the peace that I have in knowing Jesus Christ. He is my Calm in the middle of this storm. People say these days: "E, you are WONDERWOMAN!" and I cringe a little inside. You see, it's not ME that's super...Greater is HE that is in me than he that is in this world!!
We celebrated Christmas just a few days ago. Over Christmas break we went home and visited my parents' church. Their preacher talked about how we should have the love of Christmas YEAR ROUND, not just a few days out of the year. And if you have a relationship with Christ you share the joy of Christmas day in and day out. If you do not have the love of Christ today, I challenge you to open your heart and invite Him in today. He will fill you and sustain you all the days of your life.
I hope you and yours had a fabulous Christmas and a wonderful new year!
Happy new year and bring on 2013!!
Until next time,
E
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Reflection
I am overwhelmed this Christmas. I have so much to be thankful for! 2012 has been an "interesting" year to say the least!! Ups and downs: I was nominated Teacher of the Year for my school for 2011-2012, we lost a very dear friend to a horrible disease, I was diagnosed with non Hodgkins lymphoma, and the list goes on and on...Many highs and many lows but this has been an AMAZING year in so many ways too!!
I told my mom this week that I get a little choked up while buying Christmas gifts this year. The gifts are chosen very carefully with much thought going into them. I always do this, but this year, it just seems to mean so much more to me.
I am so grateful for my family! We have weathered many storms together and I am SOOO glad I have them to help me along this path of life. I honestly don't think I would have enough words to express how much I love them. Each one of them!
I have been blessed through friendship this past year in a mighty way. God put a couple of ladies across my path several years ago but through all of "this", we have grown so close. They have laughed, cried, prayed, and simply loved. My daddy always told me: "Em, if you can count on ONE HAND 5 GREAT friends. You've been truly blessed!" He is soooooo right on the money with that statement! Two women, in particular, have truly stood in the gap for me over the past 8 months and I don't know what I would have done without them. They have helped me keep my eyes on the goal, picked me up on some rough days, held my hand and let me cry, and encouraged me all along the way.
Yes. I am truly overwhelmed this Christmas season. God is good!!
Until next time,
E
I told my mom this week that I get a little choked up while buying Christmas gifts this year. The gifts are chosen very carefully with much thought going into them. I always do this, but this year, it just seems to mean so much more to me.
I am so grateful for my family! We have weathered many storms together and I am SOOO glad I have them to help me along this path of life. I honestly don't think I would have enough words to express how much I love them. Each one of them!
I have been blessed through friendship this past year in a mighty way. God put a couple of ladies across my path several years ago but through all of "this", we have grown so close. They have laughed, cried, prayed, and simply loved. My daddy always told me: "Em, if you can count on ONE HAND 5 GREAT friends. You've been truly blessed!" He is soooooo right on the money with that statement! Two women, in particular, have truly stood in the gap for me over the past 8 months and I don't know what I would have done without them. They have helped me keep my eyes on the goal, picked me up on some rough days, held my hand and let me cry, and encouraged me all along the way.
Yes. I am truly overwhelmed this Christmas season. God is good!!
Until next time,
E
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Another milestone
I conquered another milestone in this season of my life today. I completed the St. Jude 5K. I am very pleased to tell you that my official time was 34 minutes. (Pretty good for a girl whose body has been put through the RINGER the past 7 months, dontcha think?!?)
I didn't cross that finish line alone either. My awesome brother and sister-in-law never left my side (even when I had to stop and walk a minute). Today was another emotional day for me. Actually, this past WEEK has been emotional. No, I do not need to take anti-depressants--it's simply part of this battle that is raging on and I think it's perfectly normal and GOOD for me to release these emotions (sorry if you happen to be the one who "sets" the tears off--it's not "you" --just quite simply the ride of this journey).
I actually think I am going to frame this year's race bib and medal alongside my last year's full, 26.2 marathon race bib and medal. After all...these are my two marathons. :0)
I head back to the hospital for round #10 next week. Last week's visit to my oncologist was a good visit. He said my blood counts and all of my levels "look GREAT!". Praise the Lord!! I am so thankful and blessed beyond measure.
I took numerous pictures along the way today that I plan on posting as soon as I figure out how! HA! It's been a year since I've done that and I am going to have to call my sis-in-law to walk me through the process. Not a "techi" person...my friend that passed away this year always made fun of my lack of knowledge in this area....that's what friends are for, right?! LOL
Anyway--I'm off to rest and relax. Wishing you a wonderful weekend!! God bless you!!
Until next time,
E
I didn't cross that finish line alone either. My awesome brother and sister-in-law never left my side (even when I had to stop and walk a minute). Today was another emotional day for me. Actually, this past WEEK has been emotional. No, I do not need to take anti-depressants--it's simply part of this battle that is raging on and I think it's perfectly normal and GOOD for me to release these emotions (sorry if you happen to be the one who "sets" the tears off--it's not "you" --just quite simply the ride of this journey).
I actually think I am going to frame this year's race bib and medal alongside my last year's full, 26.2 marathon race bib and medal. After all...these are my two marathons. :0)
I head back to the hospital for round #10 next week. Last week's visit to my oncologist was a good visit. He said my blood counts and all of my levels "look GREAT!". Praise the Lord!! I am so thankful and blessed beyond measure.
I took numerous pictures along the way today that I plan on posting as soon as I figure out how! HA! It's been a year since I've done that and I am going to have to call my sis-in-law to walk me through the process. Not a "techi" person...my friend that passed away this year always made fun of my lack of knowledge in this area....that's what friends are for, right?! LOL
Anyway--I'm off to rest and relax. Wishing you a wonderful weekend!! God bless you!!
Until next time,
E
Friday, November 16, 2012
So I'm just going to be honest with yall and tell ya: I am SOOO glad next week is Thanksgiving break!! I am T.I.R.E.D lately!! I need a break!!
There's so much going on at school this time of year that it's hard to come up for air! We have Thanksgiving holiday, an upcoming music program for our grade (which makes the kids CUH-RAZY at school because they are out of their routine!), Grandparents' Day and then Christmas is just around the corner. Time seems to be FUH-LING by and there aren't enough hours in the day to get things done! And this time change?!?! Ugh! It's DARK so early! Boy....I might be complaining a little today, eh? I don't mean to be, necessarily....this is just the busiest I have been since, uhhhh...let's just say it's been a while I have had this kind of "stress"!! LOL and it's kind of throwing this girl for a loop! I ran only once this week (which is okay....right?).
I am excited to see my "whole" family during Thanksgiving this year. My aunt and her family will be in from overseas and I have not seen her in several years (how bad does THAT sound!?!) and my uncle who is HYSTERICAL will be driving over to see all of us too. I'm expecting a great time catching up with our family over the break. We have SO.MUCH. to be thankful for!!!
Well, I hope this "note" finds all of you well and I'm wishing you a peaceful and BLESSED Thanksgiving!!!
Until next time!!
E
There's so much going on at school this time of year that it's hard to come up for air! We have Thanksgiving holiday, an upcoming music program for our grade (which makes the kids CUH-RAZY at school because they are out of their routine!), Grandparents' Day and then Christmas is just around the corner. Time seems to be FUH-LING by and there aren't enough hours in the day to get things done! And this time change?!?! Ugh! It's DARK so early! Boy....I might be complaining a little today, eh? I don't mean to be, necessarily....this is just the busiest I have been since, uhhhh...let's just say it's been a while I have had this kind of "stress"!! LOL and it's kind of throwing this girl for a loop! I ran only once this week (which is okay....right?).
I am excited to see my "whole" family during Thanksgiving this year. My aunt and her family will be in from overseas and I have not seen her in several years (how bad does THAT sound!?!) and my uncle who is HYSTERICAL will be driving over to see all of us too. I'm expecting a great time catching up with our family over the break. We have SO.MUCH. to be thankful for!!!
Well, I hope this "note" finds all of you well and I'm wishing you a peaceful and BLESSED Thanksgiving!!!
Until next time!!
E
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