Photo Geek Girl
Simple Joy: The Other Shoe
I have lived the past 20 years waiting for the other cancer shoe to drop. Last week I heard that familiar thud when the shoe hit the floor as I was told I had breast cancer. I know, not great news but I still have many Simple Joys to glean from my difficult week of tests (did I mention I had to have my first colonoscopy right in the middle of it all that I had scheduled over a month ago? . . . I will admit I had a Krista Waa Waa moment the night of prep).
Last week's Simple Joys:
1. It could have been a lot worse. I have what is called Ductal Carcinoma in Situ or DCIS. This is a very early stage of breast cancer. As of now (pre-surgery) it is stage 0 and slow growing. It is the earliest it can be detected . . . I will have to write a thank you note to my doctor for insisting I do a follow up mammogram from last year.
2. I had a wonderful 20 years of being cancer free from Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma that was suppose to return two years after treatment. 20 years to live life, raise my girls, spend time with my family, deepen friendships and make new friends.
3. Instead of feeling hopeless I feel hope. Instead of feeling fearful I feel peace. My relationship with the Lord is different now than it was 20 years ago. I know He has a plan for me like He did the first time. This doesn't mean I'm happy about my new diagnosis, upcoming surgery and treatment. In fact, I will have a few Krista Waa Waa moments. But overall there is peace.
4. I am thankful for my new life verse, “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Colossians 3:2). It has gotten me through several tests, helped me calm down from a panic attack while I tried to take my focus off of being stuck in a small tube during my MRI and is just a wonderful reminder that no matter what is going on my focus should always be heavenward.
Simple Joy: The Other Shoe
I have lived the past 20 years waiting for the other cancer shoe to drop. Last week I heard that familiar thud when the shoe hit the floor as I was told I had breast cancer. I know, not great news but I still have many Simple Joys to glean from my difficult week of tests (did I mention I had to have my first colonoscopy right in the middle of it all that I had scheduled over a month ago? . . . I will admit I had a Krista Waa Waa moment the night of prep).
Last week's Simple Joys:
1. It could have been a lot worse. I have what is called Ductal Carcinoma in Situ or DCIS. This is a very early stage of breast cancer. As of now (pre-surgery) it is stage 0 and slow growing. It is the earliest it can be detected . . . I will have to write a thank you note to my doctor for insisting I do a follow up mammogram from last year.
2. I had a wonderful 20 years of being cancer free from Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma that was suppose to return two years after treatment. 20 years to live life, raise my girls, spend time with my family, deepen friendships and make new friends.
3. Instead of feeling hopeless I feel hope. Instead of feeling fearful I feel peace. My relationship with the Lord is different now than it was 20 years ago. I know He has a plan for me like He did the first time. This doesn't mean I'm happy about my new diagnosis, upcoming surgery and treatment. In fact, I will have a few Krista Waa Waa moments. But overall there is peace.
4. I am thankful for my new life verse, “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Colossians 3:2). It has gotten me through several tests, helped me calm down from a panic attack while I tried to take my focus off of being stuck in a small tube during my MRI and is just a wonderful reminder that no matter what is going on my focus should always be heavenward.