#4 Completed...check!

It was a long day since it included an appointment with my oncologist, Dr Parker. We started at 8AM with her. She examined me and said that my tumor feels smaller and getting less definitive edges to it already after 3 treatments! That was huge news to hear...praise God!! What a great way to start your day, right!

Then off with Joe and Kendall for my blood work. They had the hardest time getting my blood to come out of Arnold. Sitting, laying down, head turned and coughing (lol, the guys do that for their exams all the time!), but the final pose that worked was me standing with my left arm raised, head turned right, hip popped out in true super model fashion!  Kendall was watching and cracking up! This is not abnormal (the trouble getting the blood...not so much the pose) so nothing to worry about with Arnie. He got all checked out and cleared Tuesday if you remember!

Then our customary "kill time breakfast" at the cafe but it took about 1 hour and 45 minutes for the results this time! Argh. At least I got a fabulous nurse out of it when it was finally time for the treatment. Nakia was great and so on top of it all. When she removed the needle we had no problems because she took her time and didn't rush things. Success!!  

After my custom of praying the rosary with Kendall afterwards (in the grotto at St Therese of Carmel this time) I ran to work to see a client. Then to OLMC for some "alone time with the Big Guy". I love that soooo much and highly recommend it!

Big Hairy Deal

My crazy family at Tease...I adore them!

So my hair is coming out by the handfuls and it was time to take the next step. I asked Bekie at the salon to cut it super short "Robin Wright-Style" (as per Cam's suggestion). That way as it falls out it won't be as hard to take. I do expect that in the next few days I will need to clipper off what little will be left of this totally adorable and liberating hair cut. It is a chance to be a humbled woman of Christ. In the big picture it is not that big of a deal. It is an external sign that the chemo is working and it will certainly grow back. I like this short cut so much that I may never grow it long again. Both Danielle and Cameron FaceTimed during my treatment and my hair cut. So nice to have them there in that way.

The BEST part was when Joe, Kendall and I showed up for my cut. All of the girls that were there in the salon had wigs on! Are they the most amazing women ever!?!? I am beyond blessed to have such an amazing family at home but then to go to work and have this second amazing family is more than anyone could ask for. I love them all so dearly! Thanks to my friend Sharon Gruber who supplied the fun wigs they all looked amazing. 

Okay wait...the other best part is that Cameron text me after seeing the pic of the finished cut and said, "Ummm this needs to be your normal hair style from now on. I LOVE THIS LOOK ON YOU!! YOU LOOK SOO BEAUTIFUL." I mean really, does it get any better than that for a madre?

Next challenge...rock the bald thing!

Blessings

As I mentioned before, I have been spending a lot of time at church. I normally attend morning mass and love that but I truly love my time alone in church as well, especially in the Blessed Sacrament chapel. I had some very special things happen the last couple of days. First of all Joe and I were on our way home Tuesday from my Arnold check. We were going to go to OLMC for a bit but since the traffic was so bad on the 56 we popped into St Therese. They just happened to be having Adoration so we crashed it. It started me in the right direction to what was to come next. On Wednesday afternoon I found myself back at OLMC in the chapel. I was pretty broken when I went in and didn't really know where to start. I have found that when I am alone I can just "talk to God"...not necessarily in prayer form and even out loud. It is pretty cool! I just started talking and trying to visualize what I wrote about before. I feel I am climbing up this mountain path that is pretty treacherous. God is safely on the mountain side of the path and I am at the crumbly edge. I need not look ahead on the path, I need to turn in facing God and grasp both of His hands and just let Him lead me. It seems so easy and seems like such the logical thing to do but low and behold I keep messing it up. Stupid, stupid, stupid! 

Well yesterday while I was there talking with God the answer came to me. It was like a huge weight came off my shoulders and I was trying to figure out what had just happened. Then it hit me (like a 

2 x 4 right upside my noggin). I was no longer walking up this path, He has scooped me up in His arms and is now carrying me! It was just what I needed and just in time...no surprises there though. He truly does know what we need and when we need it. I feel much more at peace and just keep trying to feel His arms holding me. I know I have more challenging times ahead of me and I will pray that God just keeps me in those loving arms through it all. Heaven knows I will be spending plenty of time in church giving Him the chance to remind me. It is the best gift I have ever been given in my life so far, peace is priceless!