Loved

Unforgettable birthday week...in more ways than one. But primarily in a good way. True, the day was physically hard and exhausting, but all of the showering of love and support and prayers far outweighed any negative. Here’s a snapshot of my cards. Cards that made my heart smile. Cards that made me laugh out loud. Cards that brought me tears of joy. This isn’t even counting all Facebook greetings. Thank you all for taking the time out of your day to love me and be Jesus' hands and feet to me.

Friday was one of those crazy days when you tell God, “I know you tell me 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me'; it's taking faith that moves mountains to claim that today. I know I can't do this on my own; not sure how I can even do it with Christ by my side.” There were so many mountains squeezed into one day. So thankful God had each mountain under His control; unfortunately, I kept doubting and trying to move the mountains by myself. Over and over again I had to keep laying each mountain at his feet, again and again. Once I finally left it there, it was a much more peaceful day.

Peaceful until dealing with our standard medical system again. It was a good reminder of all the hassles I faced at my first cancer center. Stress provides the perfect storm for cancer to grow and I was definitely feeling it. So, so, so thankful to be at Oasis and not battling doctor’s philosophies, narrow-minded policies, and insurance bologna. Not sure I reflected Jesus very well though, maybe when He was clearing out the defiled temple or calling out Pharisees. Pretty sure I didn't use the word "bologna" either. I was livid.

What we call our “health” care system is so incredibly broken and no one seems to know it. People keep following them like sheep going to the slaughter. I don’t know how people stand up for what’s best for their bodies and do this the traditional method. And I definitely don’t know how people battle cancer without Jesus.

On a lighter note (Hallelujah!)...I felt like I was in my classroom for a minute yesterday. A business we went to has not one, not two, but six, yes, SIX signs hanging up all around the room the reading: “Please take a number.” After waiting in a packed room for a time that was much longer than the lines at WalMart, it was finally my turn. During my turn, a young lady walked up to the receptionist desk next to me and asked, “Do I need to take a number?” I literally laughed out loud. It was perfect timing for a good laugh.

And Thursday and Friday were good days treatment wise. If I flood myself with water, I do so incredibly better. I didn't feel nausea or very weak. I was even strong enough to help get stuff for other patients. Yay! Not that I am a ball of energy. But it's always nice when you are strong enough to stand.

Today I am tired. Tired in general from a full week and a hectic Friday. In the morning, before going to the treatment center, we did get packed and moved out of the beautiful condo a sweet soul gave us for the week. And Friday night we moved into an excellent hotel room with a kitchenette that Tom secured for us on Thursday. I can't tell you the plethora of phone calls he's made the last two weeks trying to find a place. 'Tis the season of high demand. The lady he talked to here was so wonderful and supportive. She bent over backwards to help us. That's not what he faced anywhere else. When trying other long-term hotels they wouldn't give us discounts. They required us to go through the American Cancer Society. Apparently, the ACS only cares about you if you seek treatment in their "approved" facilities, not if you have cancer. They offered absolutely no help. Let's rise and shine, America. Our system is so broken and into profit-making instead of our true health, all they way down to it's "charity" organizations.