The feeling I have resembles how I feel when deployment is coming to an end. A subdued excitement. I usually only get excited when I get word that Mike's plane has left the ground. This time I have a date that won't change. There's no plane. November 1st. It is coming, rather soon in fact. I decorated my house for fall yesterday and reflected on how far God has brought us in these 10 months. Rainbow after rainbow He has never left us. I am anticipating Nov 1, but I think I am more excited to see what God does Nov 2nd and beyond. I think it is just the beginning of sharing HIS story and spreading rainbows.
What I Know God is good 66 days til Christmas You are invited to our "Yea Jesus" party on November 4th (celebrating the end of treatments) Dr. gave me a burn cream to help my skin What I Don't Know When I will need a haircut #uneven How long I can hold out before I go nuts and start buying Christmas presents What Made Today Normal I baked cookies (pumpkin chocolate chip) I put on mascara! Daniel woke up at 5:30 Praises I have mild redness on my skin God is doing good things with Praydiation I'm 2/3 way done with radiation I was able to comfort a woman who was afraid of losing her hair I was able to clean my house yesterday Prayer Requests -I still have mild neuropathy in my feet and side of my leg -muscle aches in my legs and feet -prayers against any more side effects from radiation -prayers for my transition out of treatments as it has been almost 10 months Shout Out Shara, Juli, Ashley Wolfe and Ashley Worrel for childcare Ashley Wolfe and Julia for meals this week Aloha Much aloha~Nikki
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I was a camp counselor when I lived in NYC. We would pick up kids all over the city in a big yellow bus. Then we would head out to the camp in New Jersey over the George Washington Bridge. Sometimes as we approached the bridge, my thoughts would start to have cancer. Something like this, “This bus is going to crash and fall into the Hudson River. How am I going to save all these kids? The windows are open, should they be closed? Maybe it’s better if they are closed? How long will it take for the bus to sink?” Now, you’re probably thinking 1 of 2 things. 1) She needs help or 2) I’m glad I’m not alone.
I now call this "Thought Cancer." It spreads quickly and has to be routinely monitored. First, distinguish your thinking: Questions to Ask
Be encouraged! Philippians 4: 6-8 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your MINDS in Christ Jesus." Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-THINK about such things." Well the last time I checked 15/30 can also be called 1/2. Half way. It is really happening. 15 more treatments and treatments used in the past tense. When I started chemo we added up all the treatments and then radiation on top of it. Late October seems really far away when it is late March. Especially when so much was unknown. And here we are, planning Halloween and eating lots of treats with "pumpkin" in the title. We feel a celebration is in order. So I am inviting you to our party on November 4th. I'm actually serious that you're invited however I realize that not everyone will be able to make it out here to Hawaii. But, please mark November 4th on your calendar. Celebrate some how. Big or small. Fancy or silly. In his book, A Mysterious Look John Stumbo talks about how he and his prayer warriors had a "Yea Jesus" party when he was healed. Ditto. So we are all having a "Yea Jesus" party on November 4th. Send me a picture of how you celebrate, I can't wait to see.
What I Know God is good 75 days til Christmas You are invited to our "Yea Jesus" party on November 4th (celebrating the end of treatments) November 9th is the last dr. appt I have on the calendar I won't stop writing this blog after treatments finish What I Don't Know Why ants decided my Nespresso machine was a good place for a new home What Made Today NOT Normal I slept until 7am Praises I have only slight redness on my skin God is doing good things with Praydiation I'm 1/2 way done with radiation This conversation on Monday... Lady at Commissary (we were talking about sale items) Lady: By the way you're going to make it. Me: Thank you Lady: I did all that two years ago, and you're gonna make it. Prayer Requests -I still have mild neuropathy in my feet and side of my leg -muscle aches in my legs and feet -prayers against any more side effects from radiation -prayers for my transition out of treatments as it has been almost 10 months Shout Out Mum & Dad for their continued help this week Aloha Much aloha~Nikki Today our Daniel turns 3. Daniel was 6 days late so I was set to be induced on 10/10. As I woke in the morning my water broke before I left for the hospital. 10/10 was meant to be his birthday. We arrived at 7am and he was born about 5 hours later. All 9.11 pounds of him. You should have seen my mid-wife's face when they weighed him. He looked like a 3 week old baby. He's been chubby ever since. In true blog fashion, we dedicate this one to Daniel. What I Know God is good Daniel is a thinker Daniel is a cuddler Daniel is a chucker Daniel didn't walk until 17 months He substitutes "w" for "L" (i.e. lizard is pronounced wizard) We could not get him to say his name for the longest time. Now he talks in the third person. He repeats every 3rd word of any conversation he hears Daniel likes drawers and doors closed when possible What I Don't Know Where Daniel got his red hair from What Daniel will be when he grows up How tall he will be Why he never climbed out of his crib Daniel's Favorite Activities Cleaning and flushing the toilet Listening to CD's in the van Playing in the sink Pushing alligator (elevator) buttons cooking food Stomping newly made sandcastles Standing in the fridge saying "ummmmm..." Daniel's Favorite things Me Cranes (the kind that build things, not the bird) The moon books His best friend big sister Allie (he always says Allie girl, never just Allie) Nicknames Daniel, DK, Danny and Buddy Boy Best phrases "Ma doing?" "I flush the potty?" "Where's the coka-roach?" "Daniel come too" "Oh my goodness" "I be right back" Aloha~ Never in a million years would I have dreamed of a red haired, blue eyed boy. God has a sense of humor, no one will ever believe you were born in Hawaii. You are smart, detail-oriented, tidy and such a cuddle bug. Especially this year, you have brought us unspeakable joy. A blessing you are to our family. Happy birthday Daniel, we love you to your moon and back. I am starting to get used to my daily radiation routine. I am remembering everyone's names. I have come to enjoy my daily prayers when I lie down for radiation. This week I have been blessed in a new way. I asked the Holy Spirit for a word for the person I have prayed over. Each day I have gotten a new word. I have been sharing these with those I am praying for. It is such a blessing to have a time in the day for prayer.
What I Know God is good My hair is growing back #imfuzzy Daniel's 3rd birthday is Tuesday If you come stay with us Mike will show you the documentary Minimalism 82 days til Christmas What Made Today Normal We bought pumpkins today Praises I have only slight redness on my skin God is doing good things with Praydiation This conversation on Sunday... Bald man at Costco: (smile) God bless you Me: Thank you Man: You're being healed in Jesus's name Me: Yes I am! Prayer Requests -I still have mild neuropathy in my feet and side of my leg -muscle aches in my legs and feet -prayers against any more side effects from radiation Prayers for the weather to get cooler, we are over it Prayers over Praydiation, that God would do amazing things! Shout Out Mum & Dad for their continued help this week Aloha Much aloha~Nikki I don't remember ever sitting down to write a blog with not such to say. I guess that's a good thing. Here's what happens each day: I arrive at radiation, check in with a card, validate parking, get called back, pick a locker, change to a gown, walk down the hall, lie face down on the table, get adjusted, table goes up and forward, PRAY, the machine goes around me in a circular motion, buzz x 2, then I'm done. Change, walk to car and come home. I leave at 11:45 and am usually home just after 1pm. Repeat 25 more times.
What I Know God is good My hair is growing back #imsprouting I am applying aloe plus another cream 2x daily I try and get the same parking space for radiation each day, it has a great view 89 days til Christmas (I bought 2 presents already) What Made Yesterday Normal Daniel snuck out of bed and partied in my bathroom until caught at 9:40pm. He shredded TP, threw it in the toilet and shower, added squirts of shampoo and stirred it with the toilet brush. #pottysoup Praises Radiation appts are short, less than 10 minutes 29 people have signed up for PRAYdiation I have little to no side effects from radiation right now Prayer Requests -I still have mild neuropathy in my feet and side of my leg -Some achey-ness, mostly in my legs and feet -prayers against side effects from radiation Prayers over Praydiation, that God would do amazing things! Shout Out Mum & Dad for help during the week Aloha Much aloha~Nikki You know that scene in Mary Poppins when they make the chalk paintings on the sidewalk? The kids take a leap with Bert, and Jane says, "Is something supposed to happen?" Well after I finished radiation I asked the same thing. It was so fast and painless that it is hard to believe something happened. I do have a slight stinging feeling so I know they did something. So begins the next phase. The last phase. There are a lot of people to meet and get to know. It is exciting. And you know me, I'm always looking for rainbows.
What I Know God is good It takes 20 minutes to get to radiation clinic I will see my radiation oncologist every Tuesday I lie face down for radiation, and the machine rotates around me. I now have 3 permanent tattoos (freckle size) to help guide the radiation go to the right area. #cancersouvenirs I am using aloe spray on my skin to help side effects. What I Don't Know Why all the parking spaces for radiation were made for smart cars If my hair is growing back yet, it feels a little fuzzy What Made Today Normal Daniel stole my port pillow in the car Praises Cousin Ashlea-Ann has been here this week, great visit Radiation appts are short Mike's parents come Saturday for 3 weeks I wasn't nervous today, at all. 25 people have signed up for PRAYdiation Prayer Requests -I still have mild neuropathy in my feet and side of my leg -Some achey-ness, mostly in my legs and feet -prayers against side effects from radiation Prayers over those praying with me during Praydiation, that God would do amazing things! Shout Out Emily for childcare Tuesday Ashlea-Ann for cooking, cleaning, childcare and great conversations Aloha Much aloha~Nikki Radiation has been on my mind as it is the next step in my journey. I was trying to think of something to do with my time, specifically while driving and waiting. Initially, I was trying to think of a craft I could make to give away. But driving and crafts don’t work well together. The idea came to me that I could spend my time praying. This is where God has a sense of humor. One letter added to radiation and I had my idea. And so came “PRAYdiation.”
I have 30 radiation treatments over 6 weeks. Monday-Friday. I am going to pray my way through radiation. 30 days of prayer. 30 people. I plan to pull out my calendar and write names on each day next to my appointment for radiation. If you would like me to pray for you during this time, please let me know. You are invited to join me for PRAYdiaton! I encourage you join with me and pray thru these 6 weeks! Please fill out this link to join me. https://nikknacks.wufoo.com/forms/r1j27cuu0yw5enb/ I will be emailing ideas and info along our journey. Pradiation Ideas: Pray for 1 person or situation every day for 30 days Pray for 30 people, 1 per day Pray for 6 people, one per week (praying every day of the week) Create your own schedule -I will be praying around noon each day, because that is during my radiation. Set a time that works for you. -After you’ve chosen what or who to pray for write down the names, situation and requests on your calendar. Or set it in your phone as a reminder. -If possible ask those you are praying for specific prayer requests. As I have experienced this year, prayer can move mountains. Let’s do it together! Ephesians 3:20-21 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
This verse sums up today. My first praise of the week was the MRI was scheduled for today. So I headed out early for the MRI and went in again in the afternoon for the mammogram/ultrasound. I completed the mammogram and was waiting for ultrasound...when who comes to get me but Melody. She took both my ultrasounds back in February. She is so kind. Particularly during the day I had my biopsies. Today as we came to the room she opened a drawer and showed me the thank you card I sent her in February. She told me it meant so much to her and she still keeps it in her drawer. After the ultrasound, she said she didn't see anything concerning in there. She scanned where tumor was, my lymph node and two biopsy spots. I was starting to get hopeful. After another mammogram picture, she came back with the doctor and he told me the best news I've heard since February. There is nothing to biopsy. The original areas biopsied were either the same or smaller. He read all 3 of my scans I had today. I never imagined to find out the results today. God's grace is such a gift sometimes. Melody hugged me as I was leaving and said, "this made my day!" It made mine too. What I Know God is good Radiation starts a week from today I have a radiation project in the works, more details coming soon I don't see my surgeon again until March What I Don't Know Why Allie keeps asking me if I have any pony tail ties #cmonseriously What Made Today Normal Traffic on the Pali (paul-ee) Hwy to get to my MRI appt Praises MRI was scheduled for this morning before my ultrasound/mammogram I had same ultrasound technician as in February, Melody. She had the doctor read all 3 of my scans from today and come tell me results in person. Please thank God for me! All scans are "clear" of any new and or old areas becoming a concern. There are still spots in there but will be followed up again in 6 months. I got a pink rose today Prayer Requests -I still have mild neuropathy in my fingers, feet and side of my leg -Some achey-ness, mostly in my legs and feet Shout Out Emily & Juli for childcare and carpool Melody for my ultrasound #3 Aloha Much aloha~Nikki |
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