Adios Mr. Chemo - Part 2

Did you notice the banner on the window shade??? Did you wonder how a banner with Spanish words on it came to hang in my treatment room??? This is the banner with Mr. Chemo and this is the story of the banner.

Several years ago, through a scrapbooking event, I had the pleasure of meeting Michelle. We were probably in the same group that traveled from class to class, laughing & creating for a few days. However, she lives in California and I live in New Jersey. But through the magic of social media, we have remained friends and keep track of each others lives.

Michelle teaches 8th grade reading, writing, and US history in a school where 90% of the students are on a free or reduced lunch program. As she shared with me, to them, this is just life in "the hood." But to Michelle, she sees their potential and wants to teach them more than just reading, writing & history, she wants them to "understand life as it truly is." She wants them to learn "compassion for others and see that although they may not have everything they think they need, others have bigger challenges."

That's where my story comes in. Michelle shared my journey with her students. They heard about my "Good-bye Mr. Chemo" party and love making posters. An idea became reality. However, they were puzzled as to why their teacher, my friend, was not going to the party. Again, another opportunity for Michelle. "Another lesson in geography...then finances. We talk about ways we can help others far away....a poster." From Michelle, "The funny thing is no matter how many times I said Chemo, they pronounced it CHE-MO....Mr. CHE-MO needs to go away. SO we had a lesson on sounds and then a lesson on Chemo."

For the teachers who read this, Michelle states that she probably should stick more to the state adopted curriculum, but life lessons are way more important!!!! She also mentions prayer in her class because she wants them to know that prayer is okay!!

I wish I could fly to California, meet, hug, and say "Muchas gracias" to these students who took time out of their school day to make a banner/poster for a woman on the other side of the country who they most likely will never meet. I do pray these students will succeed in life because of the love and caring Michelle has shown them not only teaching them reading, writing, and history, but teaching them lessons that will help them throughout their lives!!!!!

But as Michelle and all of us know, words are powerful. Remember that saying when you were a child?? "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." The part about words never hurting is 100% not true!!!

Words, both spoken and written, are used in many ways. They create beautiful stories, poetry, letters, declarations of love, and history. Words can also be used inappropriately. Words can declare war, slander, gossip, bully, and spread hate. In fact, Hawk Nelson's song "Words" sums it up like this:

Words can build you up

Words can break you down

Start a fire in your heart

Or put it out

But our words come from our thoughts and beliefs. What are you putting into your brain??? This saying is 100% true - "Garbage in, Garbage out." What TV shows do you watch??? What music do you listen to??? What literature do you read??? Who do you hang around??? Where do you go for a "good time"??? I'm not condemning you, because I don't always turn off the TV when I should or do what God wants me to do, but I am constantly trying to do better. I try to read God's Word every day and listen to Christian or classical music.

As Pastor Glenn shared this analogy on Sunday, God's Word is like a bulldozer. A bulldozer pushes everything out of its way, crushing everything in its path. So too is the God's Word, the Bible. When read & used on a daily basis, the words of the Lord push away doubts and fears and replace them with truth.

This world is full of deceit and deception and lies. As Pastor Glenn so eloquently stated, one of those lies the world is perpetuating is this, "You can do anything you put your mind to." When in fact, it isn't about my strength or my abilities, it's all about God and what He can do in and through me. That is why my life verse and the name of this blog is found in Philippians 4:13. It says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." NKJV 

Christ's strength has allowed me to handle many things from childhood name calling to difficult job situations to dealing with a cancer diagnosis!!!

Again, Hawk Nelson's song, "Words" echo my own heart when he sings:

Let my words be life

Let my words be truth

I don't want to say a word

      Unless it points the world back to You

Do you speak life & truth into others??? Do your words point others to Christ??? 

That's what I hope this blog does. Not only does it update everyone with what's happening in my journey, but that it shares the Good News of Jesus Christ!!!!

Word.

Only by His Strength,
Sandy

Good-bye Mr. Chemo!!!

Sorry for the delay in writing, but life got very busy after my break-up with Mr. Chemo.

After little sleep due to the steroids they require you to take before treatment, I awoke on Tuesday, May 13th with great anticipation that those little pesky platelets would have increased to the level they needed to be at for me to have my LAST treatment. I had breakfast, showered, dressed, made my lunch, gathered all my stuff, and waited for my Mom to pick me up for the short drive into the MD Anderson Center in Camden. I arrived on the 3rd floor and was warmly greeted by Tina and Theresa. I waited a few minutes until Marg called me back for the finger prick. Although better than the previous week, Marg wasn't sure my little platelets were any better. I prayed & prayed and then waited.

About 9am, Becky escorted me back to my room, even though I hadn't received the results from the blood test. I guess they were confident that I would have my treatment. And guess what??? They were right!!!! A few moments later, they told me the good news ........... my platelet count was 131!!!!!!!!! I could have my last date with Mr. Chemo!!!!!!!!!!

After Becky hooked me up with all the pre-chemo meds, I began decorating my room for the party. Below are some of the decorations. I'll explain the big "Adios Mr. Chemo" later.

Since I didn't sleep well, I decided to take a little nap before party started. After sleeping for about an hour or so, the snack lady came and offered me a variety of snacks. I decided on a soft pretzel. I love Philly soft pretzels!!! I then read for a little and caught up on emails and Facebook. Then it was time for lunch. 

Mom & Dad soon arrived with all the party stuff - cake, pretzels, and juice plus plates, cups & napkins!!!! We got set-up and soon the party was on!!! Due the change of dates, not everyone could change their schedule, but I'm so thankful to those who were able to come - Bethany, Linda, Janelle, Ron, Janet, Kathie, and my family. I know many around the world were partying with me in spirit!!!! 

At approximately 2:35pm ET, Becky came in and with great fanfare and much cheering, I was disconnected from Mr. Chemo. They say that breaking up is hard to do, but not this time!!!! GOOD-BYE MR. CHEMO!!!!!!!! We are over. Finished. Done. I don't ever want to see your toxic face again!!!! Because ...... 

I'm an OVERCOMER!!!!!!! By His Strength and His Healing ............ I am cancer-free!!!!!!!! Enjoy the video by Mandisa. It was one of the songs that became an anthem over the past months. 

I think I've rambled enough for now. I'll be back soon with the story of the banner and more from my week after chemo and what happens next.

Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the prayers, encouragement, hugs, cards, and love over the past months. I could not have done it without your support.

Only by His Strength,
Sandy

The Waiting Game

No one likes to wait. We don't like waiting in the TSA line or for our luggage on the other end. We don't like waiting in the express line in the supermarket behind the person who seems to have a million items. We don't like waiting to hear who received the most votes on our favorite singing show, The Voice (go Christina!!). My friends, Gary & Beka, certainly didn't like waiting until their due date for their twins to be born. And we certainly don't like sitting in the waiting room in the doctor or dentist office.

Throughout the Bible, God reminds us that waiting can be a good thing. Noah had to wait for the dove to return. Moses had to wait for Pharaoh to let the Israelites leave Egypt. The Israelites waited and wandered forty years in the desert to enter the Promised Land. And Christians today are waiting for the Lord to return.

In this fast-paced world where we can get news 24/7, chat with a friend on the other side of the world from a cell phone, and get any type of food at a diner in NJ at 2 am, should I be surprised when God asks me to slow down and wait.

These past couple of weeks have been just that ... a waiting game. 

On Monday night, Tracy, my fabulous oncology nurse, called me to advise that my platelet count was really low. As in 33 low. Here we go again!!! I called on my prayer warriors and prayed for a miracle. I needed to get those pesky platelets up to at least 100!!! But alas, God and my doctor asked me to postpone my last "date" with Mr. Chemo for one week. So, we're waiting and we're going to party on Tuesday, May 13th instead.

Besides dealing with Mr. Chemo, I have been waiting for Congress to pass the Extended Unemployment Act. As of this date, they are still posturing and arguing and doing their best to ignore their constituents. I continue to pray and wait for this bill to pass.

And just when I thought I might have a full-time, work-at-home travel job, God again asked me to wait. He knew I needed to go with my sister to Spring Quilt Market in Pittsburgh & be home for the Collingswood May Fair on May 24th, where we are vendors. He knew that it would not be good for me to leave on Monday for 3 weeks of training in Alabama. He knew that waiting another week for my "date" would be okay. And He knows exactly what job I'll be offered and that waiting for it will be worth the wait.

I wrote the following as part of my Facebook status on Tuesday:
But sometimes, waiting is good. It allows us to have God appointments. As I was waiting outside in the beautiful sunshine for my ride, I met a woman (Donna) who was arriving for her treatment. She asked if I was done and I told her that no my platelets were too low and I was postponed until next week. She told me her platelets were low, too!! She also told me that she was Stage 4 with cancer all through her body. Then I did something I have NEVER done before. Something that I would not have had the confidence to do without taking my Heart 2 Heart class. I asked if I could pray for her. She said yes! So right there, I prayed for Donna and gave her a hug. Because of our conversation, I believe she is a Christian, but I think I made her day. Thank you Jesus for your divine appointment and for obeying your voice!!!!!

Prayers Requests for my Prayer Warriors:
1. That my platelet count would be over 100 this Tuesday so we can say "Good-bye Mr. Chemo" and good riddance!!!
2. That Congress would pass the Extended Unemployment Act.
3. That the travel job would still be available on May 19th and I could interview and go to training in June.
4. That Donna would be completely healed from the cancer that's throughout her body.
5. That I would continue to be used by God, whenever & wherever He wants.

Remember..... 

Good-bye Mr. Chemo Party - Tuesday, May 13 - 1-4pm

MD Anderson Center in Camden, NJ.

I know many of you will be with me in spirit, and I love that, but if you are really coming, 

please RSVP either here in the comments or on Facebook.

Thanks!!!! :)

Only by His Strength,
Sandy