Choosing to be blessed, claiming my healing.

 

Choose to be blessed.

 

"All things work together for good for those that Love Him and are called according to His purpose."

 

I am in the last module of my 1 year accelerated nursing program and just have to finish my last set of clinicals - 14 shifts specifically and two classes and will be graduating August 15th.  This year, I have struggled and triumphed in earning an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing with the goal of becoming an RN in sight!  My life was put on hold when I moved to Kansas to enter nursing school and this has been not only the Hardest Year of My Life, but the Best Year of My Life.

 

On June 19th,  I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  I will begin chemotherapy July 10 and it could be a challenge for me to finish my clinical work.  I will get chemo on July 10, 24, August 7 and 21 during my clinicals.    My Christian professors have all rallied around me and are willing to work with me and I can have extra time to finish clinicals after graduation August 15th  if I need them.   I will be returning to Colorado by the end of August and finish my treatments there, close to my friends and family.   Allie, my 20 year old daughter,  is returning to the US on July 15 and will join me here in Kansas City for a time.  She does not know I was diagnosed with cancer, as I want to tell her in person when she arrives in KC.   
 

So many of my friends, family, professors, fellow students  and church family are praying for my healing, strength, wisdom and guidance to finish my classes and clinicals.   I have already felt the incredible impact of these prayers and good thoughts.   Positivity is my mantra and choosing to be blessed in this process is my goal.   

My prognosis is good as the cancer has not spread or metastasized and I will be fine after my course of treatment, at this point I am looking at 8 rounds of chemo and then hopefully a lumpectomy and radiation.  

I can already feel prayers of love and support!   Some amazing things have happened to me in the past week!  

First of all, I was so fortunate that my brother and his wife were visiting her family in KC when I got my diagnosis last week.   They were able to go to my dr apt with me. My sister-in-law Debbie is a 3 time cancer survivor.  She gave me a lot of advice about chemo, including having a massage after each chemo treatment, to remove the toxins from my system,  Debbie was able to work full time during the entire course of her 8 months of chemo treatments.  This gave me great hope to finish my classes and clinicals! 

 

One of my professors connected me with another teacher at the university who had breast cancer 4 years ago and is cancer free and also worked through her entire course of chemo.   I got advice about a gel that will help me save my eyebrows and eyelashes and advice about when I am going to lose my hair (yes there will be a head shaving party July 23rd).  Other survivors have offered their wigs and moral support.

 

On the Fourth of July, my sister in law invited me to their family gathering, where I had the opportunity to visit for a while with her 84 year old father, Harley Tuttle.    Harley's insight and wry humor created a paradigm shift in my outlook.

 

Harley informed me, "I  have had cancer three times and had chemo every time, it never affected me at all.   It was no big deal."  He went on to say, (and this is MY FAVORITE PART)

     " Just remember, when they stick you with the needle the first time, take a deep breath and say, 'To hell with it!'  ...   Chemo works, so don't worry about it. You are going to do fine." 

I am so blessed that God has put the right people in my life at this time. 

 

As I navigate this small change in the course of my nursing school program, I know and believe that, "All things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose."  And that means ALL things, even cancer.  "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard you heart and your mind in Christ Jesus. "

 

Remember God loves each of us with a GREAT and powerful Love.   He only wants the best for us.  

 

Today and always, I decree, declare and claim:   "I walk by faith and not by sight.  I walk in triumph at the right hand of God.   I walk in victory." 

I know that I have a call on my life to return to Nicaragua and help build a shelter there for women. 

I am choosing to hope in the Lord, to rejoice always and to pray without ceasing.   I will focus on the things that are good in this process, and I will assure you that I have already been extended much love, prayer and kindness by those in my class, my instructors and my health care providers.   I am very blessed.  

"For I know the plans I have for you.  Plans to prosper you and not to harm you.   Plans to give you a hope and a future."  Jer.  29:11