It is so not like me to post twice in one day, but this one deserves it…I promise!!
One of my doctors (and personal friend) called from STL this afternoon and his text was loud and clear:
NO cancer !!!!!!
Thank You, Jesus!! Celebrating and praising Him here, and thanking everyone for their prayers!
"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." Psalm 107:1
Hey guys! And Happy Monday to ya!
I am writing right now enjoying my runner’s high from this morning’s 10-miler outside! It felt amazing. Even though the weather was blah and rainy and blustery, I was itching to get outside and just run. It was one of those runs when I felt as if I could run for days…I love runs like that. After taking off almost all of last week due to bronchitis and then Friday’s biopsy making me sore, it’s been days since a good long run, and I felt so good that it felt like I was absolutely gliding at times. Ahhhhhh……
And my music added to the awesome-ness of my run. I had on my best praise and worship tunes and alternated back and forth between talking to God, singing along, and praising Him for all He is and all He is for me. One song that spoke to me today was “Waiting Room” by Jonny Diaz, because the waiting game is one that I am playing right now…waiting for the doctor to call and confirm that the biopsy they took from my breast on Friday is benign.
"Waiting Room" Lyrics
by Jonny Diaz | from the album More Beautiful You
Here in this waiting room yearning for You to say go
And though I’m convinced that a yes would be best
This time You’re telling me no
It’s not that I don’t have an answer
It’s just not the one that I’d like
But through this time Lord I must keep in mind
You’re always wiser than I
You have a much better purpose
And You have a far greater plan
And You have a bigger perspective
Cause You hold this world in your hands
The things that I seek are from You
Like the strong healing touch of your hand
But when You say no help me trust even though
There’s a reason I can’t understand
When that miracle comes cause Your answer is yes
I will praise you for all of my days
But when Your wisdom declares that a no is best
I will praise You just the same
Beautiful, right? I love this song.
I am reminded constantly that the things that I see are so limited, so small compared to what God sees. He has a bigger and better perspective and a much greater plan than any of us can even imagine. Oh praise Him that He is in control always!
Tonight we are headed back to the gym to support the Lady Dawgs as they are continuing in District play. The boys and girls BOTH won their opening round games on Saturday…YAY!! The boys play tomorrow night, and we are hoping big for a couple of BLACK & GOLD WINS!!! How great would it be to have an all-Bulldog final on Friday night?!
Ok, I am off to go make my own sunshine on this cloudy, rainy day! Maybe you could do the same?
Love ya
xoxo
Hello, friends!
Sorry for the lack of post last night, but I was so wiped out when we got home that I did not get on the computer at all. My iPhone, yes, but I was not about to type out a whole post on it. And Saturday mornings are not usually a good time for me to post because of Upward basketball, but we decided to take the week off due to the District Basketball Tournament, which starts tonight. GO BULLDOGS!!!
So back up to Thursday night… We went to see Tyler’s last JV game of the season before we headed to STL. They lost 
I MUST give a shout out to the TWO BEST MANAGERS any team ever had! Zachary and Sam have done such a fantastic job being managers of the boys basketball team this season. They have been to every practice, every game, and have shown so much dedication to their job. And I also have to mention that they are the very best of friends, and look and act SO MUCH alike it’s crazy! You would think they could be twins rather than the cousins they are. Great job, boys! In a couple of years, some jr. high boys will be helping manage YOUR team.
Ok, so after the JV game we headed to the city in rainy, yucky weather. Katie was doing great, thanks to your prayers, and also the cheerleaders who took her under their wings and kept her happy and busy all evening! **THANK YOU! MUAH!!** It was full-on snowing by the time we made it the hotel around 10pm. Yes, snow, blech. Luckily it only amounted to 1/2-1” and was over quickly.
Driving into the city made my stomach hurt. We went at night, only because we HAD to. Ugh, you know I how much I hate that. If not, you can read why here.
The next morning, bright and early, we ended up here,
Waiting again,
I mean, really, it’s what we do best
I was so happy to see my dr, Julie, come see us while we were waiting. It made my day and calmed my nerves so much. She has been there since day one for us and is flat-out amazing. I cannot say enough good things about her. Period.
Before long they called me back to have my biopsy and it was pretty much the same procedure as last Friday: Get dressed in a lovely (oh, so NOT) gown and pant combo provided, take off all jewelry, start IV for the contrast solution, wait to be called back for my procedure.
The biopsy started off with more pictures to find the spot again. After they located it, there was a lot of back and forth, in and out of the tube as I laid super still while they placed grid plates and got things ready. I was numbed up – well, kind of, I wasn’t exactly all the way numb, it HURT! - and then they proceeded in poking and prodding, taking samples with goodness knows what instruments, believe me I did not look! They also placed a small clip at the biopsy site, so when a mammogram is taken they can see where it was exactly. The whole procedure took a little over an hour then we headed up to Julie’s offices and mammography so they could take a new picture with the clip in place. Then I was bandaged up, given post-biopsy instructions, got a hug from Julie, and set free!
I feel pretty confident about the biopsy. Julie told me that 90 percent of lesions that look like mine are benign. Yay! I’m believing everything is going to be just perfect!
All I have now over the biopsy site are steri-strips and a bandage, which the bandage can come off today, the steri-strips will fall off on their own. It’s pretty sore, but nothing that Tylenol won’t handle.
Please continue to keep Maggie in your prayers for a fast and easy recovery. She had her double mastectomy on Thursday, and I was so happy to go see her at the hospital yesterday (we have the same doctors). She looked great, and I am so proud of her. She is even starting to have some hair grow back! Maggie, my pink sister, you are an inspiration to everyone who knows you.
So I’m off to enjoy my day and get ready for some BULLDOG BASKETBALL TONIGHT!! This is an exciting time of season, because we are now to the point where everyone is one-and-done; you lose now, your season is over. It usually elevates everyone’s game and makes it very exciting! I am hoping for many BULLDOG WINS!!
Have a great Saturday, friends!!
xoxo
“Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 43:5
These are the words that greeted me this morning as I checked my email. Psalm 43:5 was in my Inbox as my verse for the day from The Daily Bible Verse. I feel like the “SENDER” line may as well had “GOD” in that spot.
In this verse, God reminds us that we are not only to praise Him when things are going well, but that we are to praise Him in ALL THINGS. Praise does not come with conditions:
“I will praise Him when it is sunny outside,”
“I will praise Him when I get that raise,”
“I will sing His praises when I am healed.”
No, friends. That’s not what we are commanded to do. And believe me, I KNOW it’s hard.
I am reminded of the video I made after I had completed treatment, and with what care and mindfulness I chose the song that accompanied my journey. In choosing “Praise You In This Storm” by Casting Crowns, I was giving Him praise, not just in my healing, but in my diagnosis, my surgeries, my treatments, and my journey as a whole…in good times and bad.
I haven’t been very mindful of that this week. I haven’t been praising God through my storm, and I needed the email from Him to remind me that I will praise Him in all things, good and bad…and believing they are going to be GOOD.
We are packing up to head to Tyler’s last JV basketball game, then we are off to STL for my biopsy tomorrow morning. Keep our kids in your prayers as they also have some anxiety about the biopsy, even though some show it more than others. And since my parents are taking home our sweet princess who has been especially temperamental this week, you should probably pray for them as well!
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers, we certainly covet each and every one of them.
Love you!
xoxo
Hello Wednesday, folks.
Remember last week when I was lovingggg temps in the 70s? Well they are long gone this week. It is 11am and it is only 35*. Ack! What happened to our early Spring?! It’s not here right now, that’s for sure.
I am still not running this week due to the bronchitis/sinusitis. I just don’t think it’s beneficial to be out there hacking away…I want my lungs to HEAL not get worse, or prolong the illness. So I am just sitting here, waiting and waiting to take off…maybe tomorrow? Of course then Friday is my breast biopsy and I’m not sure how long that will take me out of running, only because the biopsy will be on the underneath side of my right breast so I just don’t know yet how that will feel bouncing around and pushing on my sports bra. I don’t know what to anticipate really, so I’ll just have to play that one by ear.
So what I’m getting at, really, is that I called this morning and switched my registration for the April 10th St. Louis Marathon to the Half Marathon. I think it’s a good decision for me. My reasons for switching:
All of these things combined made me decide to make the call this morning and switch up my registration. I’m kind of bummed, but at the same time, I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I want to give myself plenty of time to get better from being sick and biopsied without feeling too pressured and stressed out. Already this past Sunday I was planning on a 16-miler (which I missed) and this Sunday won’t be any better, what with being only two days after the biopsy, so there’s another long run I’ll miss. I just don’t feel like I would go in prepared at all. But it’s ok…maybe the St. Louis Rock ‘N Roll Marathon in October?!
I also have a little helper at home with me today. Katie stayed home with me. She went to school yesterday, with tears, and her teacher said she had kind of a rough day…crying, thinking she was going to throw up, and not acting like herself. This morning was more tears and more clinging to me, not hungry, nothing sounded good, but yet nothing hurt or didn’t feel good either. As soon as she said, “Mommy, what if I feel like this on Friday? Will you have to cancel your test?” I knew what the problem was.
She has a nervous stomach.
Bless her heart. We went through this the last time I was diagnosed, but it was with her and Zachary both. They would both get these horrible nervous can’t-eat-can’t-concentrate stomachaches, and would be very clingy every time we would have to go to St. Louis. It’s like going back to STL for more tests has triggered something in her little mind. After realizing this, this morning there was no way I could send her. So we are spending the day doing her homework, cuddling, and just “working together.” I’m just playing it by ear and taking my cues from her. My heart breaks for her and what all is going on in her little mind. I’m praying that God will comfort her, and all the kids’, hearts and her minds as we get through the next couple of days.
I’m off to take some more math tests that she is making up for me. 
xoxo
You may remember me posting this awhile back:
The updates on Joanne have been nothing short of miraculous! She is now in a rehabilitation hospital working hard to regain enough strength to go home after she suffered a massive stroke at her home on January 11. Through her blog, The Simple Wife, her family and friends have continued writing about her progress and their new “normal.” She has a remarkable and supportive family.
One family member that stood out to me today was Joanne’s sister, Kristen. I followed a link from Joanne’s blog over to Kristen’s and was reading her account of going to visit her sister in the hospital on Sunday. One paragraph stood out to me in particular:
“on the drive home the kids quickly fell asleep and i was just explaining to wade how depressed i am. i KNOW she is making progress, but the last couple times i’ve seen her, all i want to do is cry! it’s tears of sadness, regret that this happened to her, and just because this sucks. i KNOW i KNOW she is improving, and for that i am so eternally grateful. i just want more. someone once told me the longest 12 inches is between your head and your heart….i couldn’t agree more. that’s why i’ve always loved philippians 4:7….and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your HEARTS AND MINDS in Christ Jesus. and i do have that peace…..i do. when you strip away all the daily grind and all that distracts in this life….i DO have that peace.” (source)
I think much of this is how I feel about cancer. How sometimes it can make me feel depressed if I think about it too much. Even when my HEAD KNOWS that I’m doing well, sometimes I will still cry because it sucks. Cancer just sucks. And I KNOW IN MY HEART there are so many that have it so much worse than I do, that would long to be in my place, and for my healing and prognosis I am grateful. Like Kristen wrote above, the longest 12 inches is between your head and your heart…absolutely. I love how she connects the two with Philippians 4:7…"and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your HEARTS AND MINDS in Christ Jesus.” I also have that peace. Even when my head and my heart occasionally battle it out, I know that no matter how they hard each hits, my foundation will never shake. I do have that peace…I DO. When you strip away all the daily grind and all that distracts in this life…I DO HAVE THAT PEACE.
I am so thankful for His peace that passes all understanding.
Tell someone you love them today!
xoxo
Mornin’ folks 
Our kids are in school today, well, the boys are in school today. Katie and I are home with a double dose of sinusitis and bronchitis.
It’s ridiculous, really, there is no time to be sick around here! Take a look at our week (so far!):
AND NOW,
Ughhhhh…
Now in a perfect Erica-centered world (Ha!) the scheduling would be made perfect for us and my biopsy would be scheduled for either Wednesday or early Thursday when we will be in STL anyway, but unfortunately our crazy schedule probably is not high on their list of priorities. 
I’m also starting to think that God allowed this sinus/bronchitis crud just in the perfect time, because I haven’t had hardly any time to think about the biopsy, really only thinking about how crappy I feel at the moment. I guess that’s a good thing?
I am frustrated, though, that during the week that I could probably use running the most, I can’t do it. One, I hate being off my training “plan” for my marathon, and two, I use my runs to focus my energy and my mind…clearly I need this! But with me coughing my head off and using more tissues that I care to tell you, it’s just not feasible. Hopefully soon though. You can bet my break won’t be any longer than it has to be! I am slightly concerned with my marathon training, though…
YIKES!! The whole 6 weeks thing makes me panic a little. My longest run so far has been 14 miles…I’m not sure I’m going to be ready for this. I may end up switching back down to the half if things don’t pick up.
Ok, I’m off to wait for my phone to ring and cuddle with my princess.
Have a great day, my lovelies.
xoxo
Good Evening, my lovelies…
I hope you all have had a great end of your week! We started our day early early…like 430AM EARLY.
Um, yeah.
But we were up and at ‘em to head here:
On today’s schedule I had a breast MRI at 830AM, blood work at 915AM, and an appointment with my oncologist (and friend!) Dr. Tim at 10AM. I didn’t anticipate the MRI being so backed up so early in the morning, but sure enough it was and we were late for all the rest of our appointments. It wasn’t a big deal, though. That’s just one of the many positives about all my care and doctors being in the same building.
While I waited, I watched for the nurse to come get me for my appointment and take me back through this door to start my IV (my MRIs are done with a contrast):
I flipped through a holiday issue of Cooking Light while trying to calm my nerves and not get hungry looking at the cranberry cheesecake salad.
And we took the usual appointment picture.
My hubby was taking the picture when a lady sitting across from us, said, “Wait, wait, open up your jacket better so you can see your shirt!” She liked it…heehee!
I also placed a few of my little Bible verse notes around the waiting room…sneaky, sneaky.
Finally they called me back and it was off to get my scan!
After it was over and done with, we headed upstairs to get my labs and see Tim. I had a good checkup and then our plans changed when Katie’s teacher called and said Katie was sick and throwing up. So we called Katie’s Nana and she went and rescued the puny princess from school. Turns out she had been crying so hard because she missed her Mama and started throwing up. My poor baby. We headed for home pronto!
Three hours later we pulled into our driveway. We gathered up all three kids and all was right. Ahhhh, I love being home.
This is where the déjà vu comes in…
My breast doctor (and another friend!!) Julie called and the first thing she said, after some initial chit-chat, was “ok, so here’s what we’ve got…” My stomach did a flip flop. I knew by the tone of her voice that this wasn’t the “looks great, all clear!” call. Instead, she said, “First of all, I don’t think this is a reoccurrence.” [another stomach flop] Then came the details: very tiny, 5mm, biopsy needed…
Oh my.
The MRI indeed shows a very small, 5mm spot in the same area of my original cancer. They don’t think it’s anything to worry about, but it must be checked out. Also, MRIs have a high rate of false-positives because they are SO detailed, and I knew this going in, so I’m praying this is one of those times that technology is wrong.
So next week (hopefully!) I will be having a biopsy of the “spot” to see exactly what it is. I’m praying for scar tissue, or a calcium deposit, or a fibroadenoma, ANYTHING but breast cancer. We shall see.
But the déjà vu is in this: they thought my original cancer was NOTHING, too. Numerous doctors and surgeons looked at my ultrasounds and scans and thought it was fine. It wasn’t. So I’m trying not to focus on that and focus on the words of both of my doctors, KNOWING that I trust them and their expertise completely. I’m also trusting that God will give me a peace that passes all understanding while we wait for the biopsy.
Keep us in your prayers.
Upward tomorrow!
ALL 3 BULLDOG TEAMS PLAY FOR FIRST PLACE TOMORROW NIGHT IN THE CONFERENCE!!
No time to worry around here!
xoxo
Great day, great run this morning! Oh, and HELLO YOU, TOO!
I am still floating from my morning run, which looked like this:
Woop woop!!
I don’t know what’s gotten into these runs this week but they’ve been really good (and fast!). I figure they are because of a few reasons:
Did you get that it’s been warmer here this week?? Haha, good. 
I have been reciting several Bible verses to myself today, and praying that they will fully absorb into my soul. Like:
“Don’t be afraid, just believe.” Mark 5:36
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified. Do not be discouraged for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
“The Lord has not given us a spirit of fear; but of love, and of power, and a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
“Give all your worries to Him because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
I have my 3-month oncologist checkup and my yearly breast MRI tomorrow morning in STL. I KNOW I have nothing to be worried about, but scans of any sort always make my mind work overtime and my stomach knot up. I am knowing and BELIEVING everything is going to be perfect…but I will still feel better when it’s over. 
Thanks, guys.
We’ll talk tomorrow!
xoxo
I am not sure that words can adequately express the joy and satisfaction that fills my heart since last night’s Upward cheer practice.
It had all the makings of a normal practice,
During the devotion time, we talked about their Bible verse for the previous week, which was
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but through me.” John 14:6
This prompted conversations about how to get into Heaven; that no amount of money will get you there, and that good deeds are not enough. The girls were very interested in the conversation and started asking questions like, “How DO you get into Heaven"?”
I explained to them that the only way to get into Heaven is to believe and KNOW that Jesus is the Son of God and that He died on the cross for our sins and was raised up three days later and ascended into Heaven. He died for us because He loves us SO MUCH! And if we talk to God and pray and ask Him to come live in our hearts that He will forever!
This made the girls very excited – of course, it is VERY EXCITING!! Katie was the first to say,
“Can I pray that prayer now?”
Oh, the melting that my heart did at that moment. But I had no idea as we said her prayer and she repeated the words after me, that six other little girls would pray the same prayer and also ask Jesus into their heart as well. One by one they lifted their hands and asked if they could do the same and before I knew it, we had the most wonderful circle of cheerleaders and mommas with big smiles (and some teary eyes), rejoicing in the decisions that were just made by God’s own little princesses. Our rejoicing came in the form of a huge group hug that, honestly, could have lasted a lot longer for me because it was amazing.
I am so humbled to be used by God to play a part in these children’s lives and the development of their faith. I pray that this is only the first step of many that they will take in faith. I also asked God this morning in my quiet time that He would give them the support and encouragement they need from their family and friends to develop into the people that God would have them to be. It was truly a blessed evening. And it was REALLY hard to go back to learning cheers after that! Somehow we managed.
Katie could not WAIT to tell her Daddy and brothers after practice; they were practicing in the adjacent gym with their ball team. She ran up and told Jack, and they have now decided that they are going to get baptized this summer in the river, together. How great is our God?! I mean, seriously?! I know I say this a lot, but really, MY HEART IS SO FULL.
Ok so anything I could possibly tell you now is going to pale in comparison to the recounting of last night so I’ll just tell you that I ran 7 miles this morning on stiff legs and I am looking into getting a foam roller to help this. Oh, and I ran it pretty fast with a negative split to boot. That is all.
For those of you who have prayed and are still praying for our Upward program: THANK YOU AND PLEASE KEEP IT UP!
Love y’all.
xoxo
Hello friends! And how has your Tuesday been?
The fooT doctor (not fooD doctor, thank you Matt
My appointment went well also. He said that I have an irritated tendon in my right foot. It runs underneath my right ankle and down my foot. He said I can keep running as long as it doesn’t get any worse and he also gave me some exercises and stretches to do to help heal it. I have to hold heel/calf stretches for 10 minutes before I run, AND 10 minutes after I run. He also gave me some orthotics to put in my running shoes, which I used this morning. He said to break them in, just not to go out and run 10 miles at first. I didn’t…I did 8. Heehee! They felt weird at first but I quickly got used to them and I had a great run. And he would be proud, I also stretched BEFORE:
AND AFTER:
I’m telling you, this weather has been awesome. I am LOVIN’ it!
It was even easier to keep a steady pace than it was yesterday. I feel like I’m back in the groove. My legs are still adjusting, though…they are a little sore.
Ok, I’m off to get ready for Upward practice! I’ll see y’all later!
xoxo
Happy Valentine’s Day, my lovelies!! 
Well, what a difference a day makes… This morning’s outside run was absolutely perfect.
But let me back up a little because, at first, I wasn’t sure it was going to happen today.
I picked up my Garmin from the charger this morning to put it in my purse so I wouldn’t forget it. I went to turn it on to make sure it was fully charged and…nothing. Again, I pushed the “ON” button and again…nothing. What the heck?! I was confused and was starting to panic a little. [I know, it’s dramatic, but my heart really did skip a beat.]
What to do? What to do??
I did what we all do when we have a problem or question…I Googled it!
After typing:
I was thrilled to see all the results! I clicked on the first link that popped up because of the description “my heart just about stopped…” Haha, yep that’s me!
Luckily it was this first link that brought me to this page and post:
And…SUCCESS!! The reset worked perfectly and my run was again ON!! And like I said, it was amazing!
It was sunny, cool, and just perfect. The splits and stats looked like this:
Can you say NEGATIVE SPLIT!!!!! Check out that 10th mile at 8:32!! Woo Hoo!!! And obviously my pacing was much better today…darn near perfect for me. I am feeling great right now.
I am off to get ready for the day. I have Katie’s Valentine’s Party at school and it’s also the 100th Day of School Party. I’ve made a huge pan of Rice Krispie Treats and I tinted the marshmallows PINK just for her party, so cute! I’ve never done that before…very festive! Then Tyler and I are off to PB for a food doctor appointment. He has been having some pain in his heel, which has all the symptoms of plantar fasciitis but I want it checked out, and I am going on recommendation from Michelle to get a baseline and monitor my “high mileage feet” as she says. 
So I hope you all have a HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY and that you get to spend it with someone you love!
xoxo
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8
What an amazing wrap up to the weekend today has been!
We had sunshine, bright blue skies, and warm temperatures…it was fantastic. Good for the soul, for sure.
Of course I hit the road running, literally, immediately after church. I was just plain giddy when I walked out the door to head out! I turned on my precious Garmin that had been neglected since November 12. Poor, poor thing. I still can’t believe I haven’t run outside for 3 whole months!
The numbers,
Yeahhhhh, it’s 12 miles in 1:57:05! Not too shabby for the first outside run in AGES!! I had a hard time pacing myself, which is to be expected after being strictly on the treadmill for the past three months. The treadmill is at a steady pace that you set; there is no guessing how fast you’re going or determine your own pace based on your foot speed, so I wasn’t surprised that I started out too fast and then had to take walk breaks towards the end. It will get better as I am outside more and more.
Hallelujah for warmer weather!!
This weekend was all about, what else, basketball! Our first Upward games were held Saturday morning with a HUGE attendance! Jack’s team that he coaches, as well as the little cheerleaders that I coach all had the first games of the day. It was SO GREAT!!! It was exhausting…but GREAT!!
I told you they were SO CUTE!!!
Next up on Saturday’s agenda was Tyler’s basketball game that evening. So we came home from Upward, made dinner for the team, and had it back to the school after the boys’ shoot-around at noon. Then Saturday night it was time for some more BULLDOG BASKETBALL!
The JV is stretched their winning streak to FOUR GAMES!!! We have never, I repeat, never had a 4-game winning streak, or any kind of winning streak really…so this is SO MAJOR for them (us)!
GO DAWGS!!
We have until this Thursday off from basketball, but rest assured there are many other things and appointments that are going to keep us busy until then!
xoxo
Hello!! Is it absolutely beautiful where you are this morning?! Holy cow, if not you should high-tail it to southeast Missouri, ‘cause it...
