Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

I bowled and played tennis last weekend, and I was at my snow-covered home in the wilds of Worthington!

I am not a fan of video games (although I admit to a fling with a lime green Game Boy in my 30's.)

My daughter's boyfriend brought over his Wii. Morgan and Bobby demonstrated with baseball (which Morgan whined all the way through). We both, however, liked bowling. Tennis was fun, but made my arm tired. Wii-ing is real exercise--it's not your father's (or mother's!) sitting-on-your-behind video game!

Burger even tried his hand at bowling. (When I tried it, I dropped the ball behind me, and all the little bowlers on the TV screen jumped up in the air and said "Whoa!" in unison. Very funny.)

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Meet Faith, Hope, & Charity

Meet my new bears--(L to R) Faith and Hope are my "Life" breast cancer survivor bears. Charity is my Armstrong County Community Foundation mascot. They will be making appearances around the county . . . . where will they show up next?

Good News and New Shoes

Praise God for good test results from Tuesday's bone scan and CT scans! God is so good, and I am so grateful to my husband and daughter, family, church, and friends for fervent fasting and prayer. I continue to be blessed and overwhelmed by your love and kindness.

I am scheduled for a segmental mastectomy on February 15th. They will also be removing the lymph nodes from my armpit--yippee. The pit part will probably be the worst; I will have a yucky drain for a while. After the surgery and pathology reports, we will discuss my tx.

I will be off work for a few weeks (that's what they think! Okay, I'll stay home, but I have a laptop and will be working. I love and need my work.) I will also be watching DVD's and reading books, a luxury I hardly ever have. I will post a wish list of DVD's I would like, and would appreciate any recommendations of fun movies you have enjoyed.

My niece Mandy bought a new pair of shoes for walking on her treadmill . . .

What a sweetie she is.

I love you all. Keep praying! "The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much" [James 5:16]. Your love and prayers have already done more for me than I could ever express. Thank you.

Cats Rule and Dogs Drool

My nephew Jason took his mom (my sister Kay), his friend Brian, and me to see Cats at the Byham Theater last evening. So much fun! I really need to get out more.

Cats is Andrew Lloyd Webber's adaptation of T.S. Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats to the musical stage, and is the longest running show in the history of Broadway. Cats even has a very detailed entry in Wikipedia. I bought this book for Morgan when she was almost two and her cousin Mandy was in a student production of Cats at West Hills School--my kitties still play with the feather boa I bought for her tail! (Click on the book cover to read about Jellicle Cats, Mungojerrie, Rumpleteaser, and my favorites--Jennyanydots and Grizabella.)

My life as an M & M

I knew if I ate enough of these, this would happen . . . !

My friend has cancer; what can I do?

Since becoming a cancer patient, I have realized that my response to others in this same situation has not always been ideal. I'm always afraid I may upset them by calling. What if they don't want to talk about it? So, in order to help others who have a friend with a serious diagnosis, I have started a list of "things you can do for your friend." Feel free to comment, especially if you have been in this situation--what did you really appreciate or need?

Phone call, email, or card? (Trust what you know about them--are they an email person or a phone person? Do what you think would be most comfortable for them, but do respond to the diagnosis in some way.)

DO something; Do NOT say "Call me if you need anything." (They probably won't.)

So, what can I do?

Pray

Let your friend know that you are praying, and that you have enlisted others to pray, as well

Call, email, send a note or a card (whichever is best for your friend)

Continue to keep in touch (most people will neglect this after a while)

Gift ideas:

Fresh fruit, fruit salad

Case of ginger ale

Case of water

Soup

Supper (in a disposable or container you don't need returned)

Soft, cozy blanket

Parking money for the hospital

Chauffeur service to the hospital/treatments/doctor's office

An aromatherapy candle (lavender is supposed to be relaxing)

Check on the house/apartment; feed the pets

Paperback novels

Fun DVD's (America's Funniest Home Videos, Murder She Wrote, Diagnosis Murder, whatever genre or star or series you know that your friend likes)

Stuffed animals, if they are the type that likes them

A comfortable pillow for resting on the couch

Homemade cookies

1/2 day of maid service

What would you like or need? Please comment!

Lion in the Mirror

Test results today--cancer in the lymph nodes . . . .

BUT, a friend sent me a cute email with this image:

The Lion of the Tribe of Judah lives in me!

Gift Gratitude

Thank you, Sue, Jannette, Jo Ellen, & Roxy.

The love and concern evidenced by these gifts overwhelms me . . .

A message to "Me"

A man who calls himself "Me" left two anonymous comments on my last blog post. I prayerfully considered his accusations, and would like to address his concerns. Here are his comments:

Is there anything about you that you care about other than yourself?
and
Can you at least explain on your blog why it is that you have all these comments about how wonderful you are! How magnificent! Yeah you have cancer but do you really need THAT many people saying you are just great?? Are you insecure? It seems like it's a Hall of Fame for YOU.

I am happy to explain: 1) I don't write the comments; I just post them (both positive and negative); 2) The purpose of my blog is not to honor me, but to honor the One who lives in me and died on the cross for me; 3) I am one of the most secure people I know, both because I know who I am, and I know Whose I am; 4) One of the greatest blessings of being a Christian is that in addition to my birth family and my family by marriage, I have a family in Christ. These comments on my blog are simply the family of God reaching out in love to their sister.

I truly strive not to take myself too seriously, but I take my faith very seriously. The comments these loving people have posted on this blog are humbling, because I know that it is Jesus Christ that they see when they look at me. All the honor and glory belongs to Him.
I am not a great person; I have a great God.


I have been praying for you. Jesus loves YOU, and He died and rose again so that you also might have new life in Him. Click here to read about what Christians call "the gospel," which means "Good News." Your attitude must be sincere--from the heart. Being a Christian is not what you say or do, it is who you ARE (the saying and doing will follow). If you need a Bible, Harvest Community Church will give you one. If you have not visited us, you are welcome.

En + COURAGE

from Donna & Geneva

ENCOURAGE

1. To inspire with courage, spirit, or hope: hearten
2. To spur on: stimulate
3. To give help or patronage to: foster

Synonyms--encourage, inspire, hearten, embolden

from Patty

“Therefore, encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing”
[1 Thessalonians 5:11].

Me & McGee

I had a great day--thank you, God! He gave me an assurance that I am going to be okay. I will have some healing through medicine, but I am going to be able to continue to be the wife and mother he has called me to be. I have no fear. I can feel your prayers.

McGee is amazing. I am in the right place for my tx. Everyone was so professional, kind, and efficient. "You're going to do great!" "We will get you through this!" Dr. Bonaventura ordered an sonogram of the lymph nodes under my left arm (the side with the mass). The radiologist saw a "plump" node, so she did a fine needle aspiration biopsy; I should have the results by Monday.

I had a wonderful time in the hall on the radiology floor sharing breast cancer stories with some fabulous women. I am so encouraged already. I go back on the 23rd for a bone scan, a CT scan, and my pre-op EKG and blood work. After all the tests, we'll know what my options are for tx.

And the presents! My friend Cindy brought me Leonado, a cat that waves his tail and speaks in a French accent (hysterical); my nephew Jason showed up with cocoa-dusted chocolate truffles and a card that sings I've Got a New Attitude! (also hysterical); Cathy shared her breast cancer journal and a video . . . And so many have called or sent cards and emails; I am so blessed.

My new favorite color is PINK

Since so many friends have asked for a 'chronology of events' leading up to my diagnosis, I am posting it here. If you wish to accompany me on this journey, please sign up for FeedBlitz email updates (on the right, above the picture.) I will be posting progress reports and prayer requests, and I treasure your love and concern.

~Found the lump before Thanksgiving. Bad feeling.

~Doctor's appointment on November 30th. Schedule diagnostic mammogram and sonogram.

~December 13th--Sonography reveals a solid mass. Bad news. Schedule biopsy.

~December 28th--Biopsy not too painful, but I can see the image, which is irregular. They don't tell me, but I know that's bad, too.

~January 2nd--My physician, Joyce Bowser, calls. "It's not good, Mindy." I know the pathology report identifies the type of cancer, so I ask. "Invasive ductal carcinoma." OK, Lord. I thought I could handle the 'cancer' part; having a few issues with the 'invasive' part, though.

Spent the rest of the week sharing the news with husband, daughter (so hard), sister, family, friends, coworkers. Everyone cries. I cry. I feel so badly causing the ones I love this pain.

Friday 5 January visit Aunt Sally and Uncle Keith. Uncle Keith, bless his heart, is retired, but immediately goes into "Uncle Doctor Mode." Doesn't know my surgeon, makes some calls. Gets me an appointment with Dr. Marguerite Bonaventura, a surgeon specializing in breast cancer, at McGee Women's Hospital. Two different friends have told me that this woman has a gift, and McGee is a National Center of Excellence in Women's Health. Thank you, Uncle Keith, and thank you, Lord!

So--appointment with Dr. Bonaventura tomorrow morning. Please pray for an encouraging visit. I'll keep you posted.

OK, I have cancer. Send presents.

My dear friend Stacy has already sent flowers . . .

This week, I found out I have breast cancer. Already, I have praise reports! God is so good--I can see His timing, and His love being poured out to me, and the support of so many people who love me and have offered to do anything I need.

I would ask that you pray for strength and peace for my family, healing (of course), but most of all, that I would be a witness to the greatness of my God. I know that I will be able to say that I am grateful that I have gotten cancer. Stay tuned--God is going to do amazing things!

I have had more good days than bad. Something I didn't realize is that I would experience grief with a diagnosis like this. Now I know a little bit better how to help someone else, and so do you.

Don't pity me; pray for me. Don't feel bad; send presents.

How to have a blessed 2007

'For I know the plans that I have for you,'

declares the Lord,

'plans for welfare and not for calamity

to give you a future and a hope'

[Jeremiah 29:11]. NAS

Happy New Year, Everyone!