Don't ever give up

Be someone’s inspiration.  If I have touched one life in a positive way in this past year, then my life has had purpose and meaning.

Be someone’s support.   Reach out to someone in need and show them that you care.

As I look back on the past two years, I see that I am living proof that God fulfills His promises and that He heals and performs miracles.

In March of 2013, after Allie left for Thailand and my mother passed away, God called me to become an RN so that one day I can work in Nicaragua helping those who have limited health care.   On April 2, 2013, I began taking the prerequisite classes I needed to complete before entering the accelerated Bachelor of Nursing program at Mid-America Nazarene University. 

On April 2, 2015, I completed the background check, drug screen and paperwork for my first job as a Registered Nurse at Rose Medical Center on their cardiac/telemetry floor, which was my first choice as a job.   God is so good.

During the course of those two years, God provided multiple homes for me with close friends, He provided funding for my schooling and living and medical expenses.   Most importantly God gave me the strength and wisdom to pass my nursing school classes.    And, finally, God redeemed the diagnosis of breast cancer I received in my last module of nursing school and completely healed me of all cancer.   After nine months of treatment, there is no cancer in my body and I am ready to start work as an RN.

During my treatment for cancer, I learned what it is like to be a patient and to undergo painful, traumatic, and sickening treatments. I know these experiences will make me a more compassionate nurse.   I had a port placed in my chest to deliver chemotherapy directly to my heart.   I had to shave my head as my hair started falling out.   I had to complete my final clinicals while taking the worst chemo that I know of, the “red devil”, and I survived.  Upon returning to Colorado, I took a three week break from chemo to take and pass the NCLEX.  I then resumed chemo every week for 12 weeks.   After my surgery in January, in which no trace of cancer was found in my breast tissue, I began radiation during my new grad residency program and had to get up at 5:30 every day to get radiation before my training and clinicals started.   After radiation, my skin on my shoulder and breast became burned and blistered, but I healed.

Throughout it all, the love, kindness, compassion, mercy and generosity of my friends and family sustained me and carried me through.  “Every day I am reminded that our life’s journey is about the people that touch us.”  Stuart Scott

The love of God and the promises He has given me, kept me going when I did not feel like continuing the horrible cancer treatments.   

And, now, all His promises have been fulfilled.   I am an RN, I am healed of cancer, my joy is restored.   I am grateful and humbled by the mighty power of God and by the love of my friends and family.

Friends, family, teachers, mentors:

YOU ARE MY INSPIRATION.

“Don’t give up.  Don’t ever give up.”  Jim Valvano

“You beat cancer by how you live, why you live and the manner in which you live. “  Stuart Scott

 “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. “  Jeremiah 29:11

"Do not call to mind the former things, Or ponder things of the past. 19"Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert.”  Isaiah 43 :18-19