13 July 2012

It has been almost a year since I last posted anything on my blog.  Then for several months I had trouble getting into my blog site.  Now at last I have it sorted out and hopefully I won't have any trouble again.

Two years have passed since my mastectomy and it has been 14 months since I finished all my chemo and radiotherapy.  God is good!!  Now I just have follow-up visits to keep and occasional lung scans which help to keep an eye on two small nodules.  My next lung scan is on 26 July 2012.

The Lord continues to see fit to use me and what I have experienced and learned over the last 2 and 1/2 years.  I was able to share with the 12-15 year olds at the MCC Intermediate Summer Camp just last week about the Sovereignty and Goodness and Faithfulness of our Great God.

When I first was diagnosed with cancer I wanted there to be purpose in what I went through and that God would be glorified.  Thank You Lord for seeing continued evidence of this!

11 August 2011

It has been a while since I last posted anything on my blog. So I do apologise!! I had a wonderful 2 months medical leave with my family from the 20th of April to the 18th of June. I was able to rest, relax, regain my physical strength as well as spend quality time with family. Mom and I spent some of the time shopping and going out for meals which we both enjoy doing. We also took a day trip to Amish Acres near Nappanee, IN. My cousin, Silvia, came along as well and we had a great time. It was hard to say goodbye when I left, but we have my visit at Christmas to look forward to.

Since my return to Ireland, I have gradually started getting back into the work. I felt well enough to help out with the Munster Christian Camps (staying at home at night so I could get a good nights rest) the latter part of June and first part of July. I have not been able to be at a camp since Easter of last year, so I was delighted to be able to be involved with the camps again.

Every day I am grateful that the Lord has given me another day to live for Him. He is so good!!

18 April 2011

Only 2 more days and I leave for the states for 2 months on a medical leave. My family are looking forward to me coming as I am to going. It will be so good to have time with my family, assuring them that I am doing well. I have been feeling good, although my skin is now beginning to peel where the radiation was targeted. So I must keep an eye on that. Thankfully my 2 sisters are both nurses so I'm sure they will be taking care of me. My mom wanted me to be home with her for Easter and the Lord graciously worked that out. Thank you Lord!!

12 April 2011

PRAISE THE LORD! My radiotherapy treatments are finished. I had my last one today. I am feeling good and the tiredness didn't hit me as hard as I thought it would, although I did make sure I would rest after each treatment. My next medical appointment is on the 28th of June when I will meet the doctor who has been overseeing my radiotherapy treatments. I saw her today and she is still pleased with me. Thank you Lord!!

05 April 2011

Only five more to go!! My radiotherapy treatments are going well and when I saw my the doctor who is overseeing my treatments she said I am doing well in regards to how my skin is handling the treatments. So she is pleased with me. God is good!!

26 March 2011

Yesterday marked the halfway point in my radiotherapy treatments - only 12 more to go. Thankfully they have gone well for which I am grateful. I did get a bit tired toward the end of the week, but I had a good nights sleep last night so I am feeling rested today. It will be good to be back in the states for my medical leave so that I can have time to recuperate from all the chemo and radiotherapy treatments. I am looking forward to spending quality time with my family as well.

20 March 2011

This evening I took a walk along the sea on the promenade as the tide was in. I walked further than I have since last autumn which is a good indication that I am getting stronger day by day!! I love listening to the sound of the waves crashing in on the rocks and as I sat on a bench for a few minutes I reflected on the greatness of our God!! One of the songs we sang in our church service this morning was 'King of Kings, Majesty'. The chorus goes like this:

"Your majesty I can but bow.
I lay my all before you now,
in royal robes, I don't deserve,
I live to serve your majesty."

15 March 2011

While I have been sitting and waiting to go in for my radiotherapy treatment I have been reading a book by David Jeremiah entitled 'A Bend in the Road'. The author wrote it after he was diagnosed with cancer and in the book shares what the Lord has taught him through this. I have been greatly encouraged by reading this book and I want to share a comment the author made - 'God, You have allowed this in my life. I don't understand it, but I know that it couldn't have happened to me unless it was filtered through Your loving hands. So, this thing is from You".

10 March 2011

I have now had 3 radiotherapy treatments and it has gone well. So far I am still on schedule to finish the 12th of April. Tomorrow I meet with my physio in re: the lymphoedema in my left arm. I have been doing exercises as well as wearing a compression sleeve and it has helped to bring the swelling down. Hopefully my physio will be happy with the progress. So I have now added more exercises to what I already had been doing since the surgery which are done 3 times a day. I am gaining more movement in my arm but still have a ways to go. I am also getting stronger everyday, but again still have a ways to go. But I am encouraged. Thank you Lord for daily strength!!

6 March 2011

Tomorrow I begin my radiotherapy!! Thank you Lord!! I have been waiting for a date and about 1 and 1/2 weeks ago I had markings done and I was given the dates for starting and finishing (7th March - 12th April) with a 'dummy' run on the 4th of March. The day before the 'dummy' run I received a phone call saying it had been cancelled as had my starting date. I have to admit I was devastated as I had a flight booked for the states to spend Easter with my family (part of my 8 week medical leave). That night I heard from the doctor over the radiotherapy department saying my 'dummy' run was on again for the next day, but she could not say when I would be able to start my actual radiotherapy. That night as I was listening to the Praise & Worship Channel via internet from Moody Radio the first song that came on spoke of 'the author who holds the universe is holding you tonight' and 'you can rest in Him'. How much I needed to hear that just then!!!

Thankfully, the Lord intervened and I am now able to start my radiotherapy tomorrow as scheduled. Pray that I would not have any more set backs so that I can make my flight on the 20th of April.

20 February 2011

It has been too long since I posted something on my blog. So here I am to say that it has been over a month now since my last chemo treatment. Thank you Lord!! I am getting stronger everyday as I wait patiently (trying anyway) for the side effects to disappear. I am now waiting for a date to begin my radiotherapy which I hope will be in the next week or so.


The other day I received a phone call from a faithful prayer warrior and we had a lovely chat. I am so grateful for all those who have been praying for me through these last 10 months or so as these prayers have been such an encouragement to me.

17 January 2011

I have my last chemo treatment tomorrow! Thank you Lord!! It has been a long journey but the end is in sight.

Yesterday I was able to go the service at the Youghal Baptist Church. It has been a long time since I was able to go and I was warmly welcomed by all. I am so grateful for the support these dear people have given me over these past months.

14 January 2011

Today has been a good day. I even went to the Ladies Bible Study this morning. It was so good to be with a group of women who desire to walk with God. We have been studying 'Becoming a Woman of Prayer' by Cynthia Heald and today we looked at the Lord's pattern of prayer. There was a quote by C. Samuel Storms which says so much I want to share it with you.

"...prayer is the expression of our dependence upon our God, our whole-souled reliance upon his power to sustain us, his mercy to forgive us, his bounty to supply us, and his glory to overwhelm us as we reflect on who he is."

10 January 2011

This week I am praising the Lord for the absence of mouth ulcers. As with the 5th and 6th chemo treatments which resulted in having mouth ulcers I again was expecting it with the 7th. Thankfully I don't have them and I am able to eat as well as talk without a problem. Tomorrow week I will be having my 8th and last chemo treatment. The end is in sight!! Thank you Lord!!

04 January 2011

Happy Belated New Year!! May this new year be filled with our Heavenly Father's richest blessings!! I am looking forward to what He has for me and as Psalm 18:30 says "His way is perfect". Whatever my Lord has for me will be the best for me and my desire is that it will bring glory to Him.

28 December 2010

My energy levels have increased over the last week. I almost dread going in on Thursday, the 30th to have my 7th chemo, knowing that my energy level will go down again. It has been nice being able to get out and visit my co-workers over the Christmas holidays. Thankfully I will only have one more chemo after this next one.

There is a verse in one of my Christmas cards which reads "I, even I, am the Lord, and apart from me there is no saviour." (Isaiah 43:11). Thank you Lord for Jesus, the Saviour of the world!

25 December 2010

Happy Christmas to all!! I do miss being with my family back in the states for Christmas this year but I am looking forward to having dinner with my co-workers, the Scotts, later today. Last night I spent Christmas Eve with other co-workers as we remembered the birth of Jesus. I am so grateful for the 'family' the Lord has given to me here in Ireland.

22 December 2010

The sun is shining this morning and the sky is blue, even though it is bitterly cold outside. As I was doing some reading for my quiet time I found myself in Philippians. Chapter 4 verse 4 says "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" Chuck Swindoll wrote that "Joy is a matter of attitude that stems from one's confidence in God---that He is at work, that He is in full control, that He is in the midst of whatever has happened, is happening, and will happen. How can I not rejoice in the Lord in the midst of what I am going through right now!!

19 December 2010

Thank you Lord for a good day! I woke up this morning after a good night's sleep and have not had to take any pain medication in order to eat (as I have been doing all week because the mouth ulcers returned). I was able eat dinner at one of my co-worker's homes and then came back and had a rest. I still get very weak and tired so I need to watch myself. The mouth ulcers are healing and I am now able to talk without pain. Tonight I am going to another co-worker's home to watch 'It's A Wonderful Life' together. It is nice being able to get out again, even though I am not driving as yet.

On Friday, I had a delightful surprise when the youth group came caroling to my house. It was very special and meant a lot to me. God is so good!!!

8 December 2010

My reaction to the new drug which was given on the 16th was not what I expected. I ended up having a several case of thrush and mouth ulcers which meant I had difficulty eating and drinking. My oncologist said this was 'unacceptable' and so has lowered the dosage of the chemo drug (just this past Monday, the 6th). I am taking preventative meds to help keep the thrush and mouth ulcers at bay. My hands and feet were also affected to the point of my hands and feet peeling from the reaction to the drug. I had difficulty walking because my heels hurt and my hands became swollen as did my toes. Thankfully I am doing much better with that and with the lower dosage of the chemo I will hopefully not have too much trouble this time. On the bright side I have only 2 more chemo treatments to go.

The Lord has provided great care for me through the lovely people of the Youghal Baptist Church. He has provided food, help with practical things such as hoovering, bringing in firewood, cleaning my bathrooms, etc. Thank you Lord!!