Happy Anniversary to Me!

Today is my 1 year anniversary of being diagnosed with cancer. Not your typical anniversary but one I celebrate because I can see how far God has brought me. I thank you, Lord, for allowing me this day of reflection.

He has given me complete healing. I recovered well from my surgery and had all 24 lymph nodes turn out negative. I finished my chemo treatments and had a PET scan that was negative for any signs of cancer. All of my blood work that the oncologist has done has also been negative. I thank you, Lord, for my health that you've restored. (Jehovah Rapha)

I've weathered the storm of my dad's death in this year also. It is still a pain that I experience daily, but God draws me closer to him each day and shows me that he is the father to the fatherless. Thank you, Lord, for providing peace and comfort to me on days when I need it the most. (Jehovah Shalom)

I was unable to return to my previous job position because of cutbacks based on the economy and there being no current positions available. God is showing me each day He is the provider for my family and I just need to trust in Him and give Him my concerns. Thank you, Lord, for your provisions. (Jehovah Jireh)

In the past year I have truly learned the meaning of the following verse: Proverbs 16:9 "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." No matter my plans, God always charts the course. Thank you, Lord, for leading me for you know what is best for me!

Tender Hearts

Today is one of those days that I will remember forever! My daughter, Hannah, accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior this afternoon. This is an answer to a mom's prayer and I praise God for this. I pray as she journeys through life she will remember this day and know she has a friend in Jesus. I pray she always knows that He will be by her side wherever she goes and in whatever she goes through. Thank you, Lord, for this blessed day.

Looking for His Plans,
Lisa

Praise God--Cancer Free!!!

I went for my appointment with my oncologist yesterday for my PET scan results. She said there was NO evidence for cancer on my scan! She also did a blood test 2 weeks ago and it was 0.6. She told me that up to 5.0 was in the normal range. I'll have to go back in 3 months for more blood work and then every six months for the next 5 years for blood work and various tests. So many people have been praying for me and my family over the past 8 1/2 months. We felt the support and prayers and are so thankful for the results God has given us.

Looking for His plans,
Lisa

Happy Birthday to Me!!!

Yes, today is my birthday. Proudly I will say it is my 38th. Satan would want me to say it was the worst birthday I've ever had.

Today I celebrated my 1st birthday without my Daddy. But God is in control and as Psalm 62 1&2 states "My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken."

I was feeling sort of sad today in church because I was missing my dad. But God gave me this thought of my Daddy putting his arms around my Maw-Maw and Paw-Paw (his parents) and saying to them "That's my baby girl down there and today is her birthday!" I could see all three of them smiling and I smiled myself.

God has given me so much to thank Him for in the 38 years of my life but the greatest is my salvation. Although I miss those in Heaven who are waiting on me I'm so glad to say that I have the assurance that one day I will see them again. But most of all I will see Jesus Christ, My Saviour and King.

Looking for His plans,
Lisa

I'm Done!!!!!!!!!!!

As of two weeks ago today, I'm finished with my last chemo treatment!!!!!! It has been a long and hard 12 treatments. I go back to Dr. Sinclair (my oncologist) on this Friday for blood work. At this appointment she will let me know what type of scan she'll do for follow-up and what other exams I'll have in the next few months. Will let you know more when I found out more. Thanks for your prayers and support.

Looking for His plans,
Lisa

Knowing the plans--why this title??

The title for this blog comes from the verse above. In the year 2008, God has shown me that HE ALONE knows the plans for my life even when I don't know what the very next minute holds. Not that 2008 was the first year he tried to show me this, it's just I'm listening a lot more this year.

As most of you know, I was diagnosed in February with colon cancer. I recovered quickly through many uplifted prayers on my behalf. My surgeon and oncologist recommended I take 12 chemotherapy treatments although all 23 lymph nodes were negative. More answers to uplifted prayers for me! Today marked number 9 and I can hardly wait to get to number 12! It has been a long, hard road, but God has shown His presence with each step I took.

Another road I've traveled this year was the death of my daddy. He was in a motorcycle accident on May 21 and stayed in a trauma hospital until his death on June 11. For those of you that know me, you know he was my rock. I felt that there was nothing my daddy couldn't fix or problem he couldn't help me solve. We have always been close ( you know that Daddy's little girl thing) but this year we got lots closer because of my health problems. Daddy always would call or stop by to see how I was doing especially on a chemo week. He offered to bring food, candy, drinks or anything I could think of to help with the bad tastes from the chemo. I think that is my hardest part getting through these last 4 and upcoming 3 treatments without him. The last treatment I had before his accident, was the one he and my now 4 year old son took me to. They picked up my 7 year old from school and he watched them that afternoon while my brother picked me up from my treatment. My children had a wonderful day with their Poppy. He took them to McDonald's, rode them in his wagon on the back of his lawnmower, played in the yard, and finally took a ride in his Hoopty Car! My dad told my mom that night they were the best kids that day and he thought that was the first time he had kept them all by himself!! He usually needed Nana to help him if he watched them for more than 30 minutes to an hour!!!! I want my children to always remember this day when they think about their Poppy.

As I mentioned above that there wasn't anything I thought Daddy couldn't fix. The Lord spoke to me on one of my trips to see my dad in the hospital. He told me although I knew how much my dad loved me, HE loves me even more. I knew in that moment that whatever plans he had for my dad's healing, whether on Earth or in Heaven, it was going to be OK. Because if my Earthly Father couldn't be with me, my Heavenly Father was right there to help me and HE CAN FIX EVERYTHING!!!!

Looking for His plans,
Lisa