I Believe In Miracles

“You are the God who performs miracles;
you display your power among the peoples.”  Psalm 77:14

Sometimes it’s hard to know what to share and what not to share with others.  You put stuff out there on the internet and you never really know who is reading it and if anything you write is anybody’s business.  Really it’s probably not…I mean, who’s business is it that I love to run and I love to chase my kids around to all corners of southeast Missouri?   Nobody’s really.

But those are things I enjoy and I like to share them with you; hopefully it gives you something entertaining to read, keeps you in touch with our family, and maybe gives you a little uplifting now and then.

On that last note, I’m not going to lie, it’s been a long couple of weeks around here.  Jack’s dad has had test after test run, and even spent a few days in the hospital, to try to determine the cause of some gastrointestinal symptoms he had been having.  After being in the hospital, the symptoms went away but scans revealed a mass on his kidney-completely unrelated to anything else he had going on. 

What??

They had no idea there was an issue with his kidney. <----I believe this is the first miracle.  Doctors did a CT scan to try to determine the cause of his symptoms, and found nothing to cause those symptoms, but found a small tumor on his kidney.  Shocker to everybody!

This is the good news/bad news scenario:

 The good news is that we found nothing that could be causing any of your symptoms and everything GI related looks great.

The bad news, there is a mass on your kidney.

Suddenly, the GI symptoms were gone but we were left wondering “What NOW?” in regards to the kidney issue.

Doctors in Cape first ordered a PET scan because they believed the mass to be kidney cancer, renal cell carcinoma.  Upon getting those results from the urologist this past Monday, the doctor said that “Yes, it is kidney cancer and it has already metastasized (spread) because of the way the scan looked.

Oh boy.

This sent us into a frenzy of phone calls, prayers, and anxiety.  The most important phone call Jack made was to my oncologist in STL.  He had us fax Jack’s dad’s paperwork and scan reports to him at his HOME, so he could look over them Monday night and he would get back to us.  Yes, he is that awesome.  

Tuesday morning he called and had already set up appointments for his dad to see a urologist and an oncologist at Siteman for yesterday (Wednesday).

Yesterday morning Jack and his parents headed on the all too familiar trip to STL.  Prayer warriors from all over were lifting them up in prayer, asking God for good appointments and safety on their trip.

How did it go??

Two words: PRAYERS ANSWERED!!!

The PET scan from Cape was a false positive they believe, and while the kidney does have what looks to be a malignant tumor on it, they treat it by removing the part of the kidney with the tumor-NOT the whole thing as they believed in Cape! <-------MIRACLE AND PRAYERS ANSWERED!!!

He will have surgery in a couple of weeks, and they will of course monitor him every few months, but all is perfect and well.  God answered our prayers with a resounding “YES” this week and we could not be more thankful.

Thankful that we serve a God who is more mighty than we ever imagine,

more amazing than we could ever dream,

and more loving than we will ever know.

We are rejoicing!  Won’t you rejoice with us too?

Love you guys.

xoxo

Terrific Twenty!

Hey y’all!

How’s Tuesday treatin’ ya?

Tuesday for us means that we are into day two of our marathon sport week:

• Monday- twirlers, basketball
• Tuesday- basketball
• Wednesday- cross country meet
• Thursday- basketball
• Friday- basketball

Are you seeing any wiggle room in there??  Nah, me either.  But that’s ok, we’ll push ahead and cheer our kids on!

Yesterday was my longest marathon training run to date.

A 20-miler.

I am so ecstatic in how it went, and how I felt at the end- meaning, I could have gone more!  Despite the rest of life being so cray-zeeeee right now, I am so glad I found a way to fit in my terrific twenty.

Here we go folks:
 

Runner’s high?  Oh yes.

And does anyone else have temps like THIS in the mornings??  Ahhhhhh yes, Fall, you are my friend.

 

So this morning I stretched out my legs with an easy 4-miler. I managed to squeeze it in inbetween running all kinds of errands, which included ordering Tyler’s high school letter jacket, Wahhhhh.  Another milestone gone by. 

I guess he didn’t mind that I came to the school in my running clothes, knee-high compression socks, and my hair all barely-brushed-and-thrown-into-a-ponytail…  If he didn’t he didn’t say so.  Smart move. heehee

I’m going to get another load of laundry in the books drawers, and then go work on Booster Club stuff!

Later gators.

Oh- and feel free to go wish Maggie a Happy Cancer-versary!

Love you all!

xoxo

“…let us run with perseverance the race marked out before us…” Hebrews 12:1-2

10 Commandments of Breast Cancer

Hey, y’all!  Happy Saturday!  Been waiting all stinkin’ week to say that.

And I am enjoying every second of it thus far.  I am most excited about the fact that I SLEPT IN!!!  Til 9am no less!   Sweet, sweet sleep…I so needed it.

I’m not here to rub it in, or share with you, that I enjoyed sleep like a teenager this morning.  I want to share with you something I came across last night, and I.FLIPPIN.LOVE.IT.  I mean, seriously, if you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, this will speak VOLUMES TO YOU.  It hits straight to my heart and I have lived every word. 

So check this out, print it out (I already did), and share it with someone who needs it.

 

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THE 10 COMMANDMENTS OF BREAST CANCER

1. Thou shalt give thyself time to think. When you’re diagnosed, you may feel like you have to do something right now. You don’t. Take a deep breath. Give the spinning in your head time to slow down before you make any decisions.

2. Thou shalt not judge thy neighbor’s treatment or reconstruction choices or attitude toward their diagnosis. I honestly have not seen people in the breast cancer community judge each other’s treatment or reconstruction choices, either online or offline. The real armchair quarterbacks are the people who have never been through it. They need to be mindful of who’s actually on the playing field. Attitude gets a little trickier. No one has the right to tell you how you should feel. Some people would have you think you should be able to overcome your fluffy pink cancer by being all shiny and happy, or that you should be grateful for some life lesson. That’s a BIG fail. But you may be the naturally optimistic type. You may actually be grateful. And we all need to remember that’s okay too. We’re all wired differently. I always say that telling you how you should feel about your diagnosis is kind of like saying you should be six feet tall or have brown eyes.

3. Thou shalt honor thy own feelings, whether shiny and happy or tired or angry or scared. And don’t be surprised to feel all these things within the space of 15 minutes, several times a day.

4. Thou shalt love thyself as thy neighbor. Women are so darn hard on ourselves. Give yourself the same break you would to a loved one going through a big diagnosis.

5. Thou shalt not beat thyself up. You don’t have breast cancer because you ate the wrong things or didn’t breast-feed your kids or exercise enough or the right way. You have breast cancer, because.

6. Thou shalt allow others to help you. This is a tough one for many of us. But your family and friends want to be able to do something for you; let them.

7. Thou shalt not bear false witness against science. You may or may not decide on a certain course of treatment. (See Commandment 2.) You may or may not have a good experience. We can learn so much from each other’s honest recounting of our experiences, but that doesn’t make us medical experts. Celebrities and politicians have a special responsibility here.

8. Thou shalt ask thy doctors questions. Do not be afraid to ask, “What is the risk if I do A or B?” or “What does that word mean?” or “Could you repeat that?” Good doctors welcome your questions and concerns. Not-so-good ones need to be reminded there’s a person attached to the breast.

9. Thou shalt seize the day. There’s no doubt cancer is the elephant in the room. But sometimes you just have to pat its big ugly flank and say, “Excuse me, elephant, but I’m going to the beach, or the movies, or the back yard with my kids. I’ll catch you when I get back. Right now, I’m off to have some fun.”

10. Thou shalt remember you are more than your cancer. Cancer is all about cells run amok in your body. It will do its best to claim your identity as well. You may be a woman with cancer, but you are also a wife, mom, sister, daughter, employed person and friend. Let the extent to which cancer becomes part of your identity be your choice, not its choice.

~Jackie Fox
©Jackie Fox 2011

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Have an awesome day.

xoxo

Countdown Motivation!

Annnddddd….

THE COUNTDOWN IS ON!

We are down to the ONE-MONTH mark until the inaugural St. Louis Rock N Roll Marathon!!!!

Am I really preparing to run my third marathon in a year?? 

Why yes…yes I am.   And I’m getting excited!

With my second 40-mile week under my belt since my foot/ankle injury, I am feeling more confident.  I am hoping to get in an 18-miler next week, maybe a 20 the following week then it’s time to taper!  Of course, all this is contingent on my body holding up and not rebelling. 

Please, please, hang in there legs and feet!  I promise you will get a nice, long break afterwards!  And no full marathons for a long while! 

Seeing the medals this morning has me pretty pumped.  Aren’t they rockin’?!

Too bad I already ran this morning, because I could probably go right now after being on the marathon Facebook page.  Motivation!

Now I’m going to go browse Pinterest and look for something that looks yummy for dinner.  We get to stay home tonight!!!  WooHoo!!!!

xoxo

A Fall Run

Hey guys!

The weather here this morning was perfect for running: cool, breezy, and cloudy…ahhhh I love it!  It was awesome. 

But now that I’m done running, the sun can come back out!

I was just planning on doing a couple miles or so (yeah right, who am I fooling?!) just to stretch my legs and get the blood flowing after yesterday’s 10-miler, but a couple miles in felt so good that I just kept going.  7 miles later I decided to stop.

See the pretty consistent pacing?  Yes, that’s when I know it felt effortless.  My heart rate chart told me the same:

I heart mornings like this.  

 

Yesterday was all about the run, too.  The second Cross Country meet of the season took place here yesterday (thank the LORD for local stuff!!).  Tyler has already medaled in the first race last week, taking 21st place and was looking to medal again.  You can check out last year’s post about it here.

His goal was met and he medaled again yesterday!  23rd place!!

 

Also, the night before last was Zachary’s first 8th grade basketball game!!!  I remember being in 8th grade, cheering of course , and when our classmates were finally playing in the 8th grade it was a HUGE deal!  We were the “highlight game” now, the main event so to speak!  So I was so excited for him!  We lost the game, but now that the first-game jitters are out of the way we are ready to play ball.  Game TWO is TONIGHT!!

Fun, huh?!

I love my life.  That.is.all.

We are also getting pretty excited up here in Cardinal Nation, as our ‘birds are making a run for the NL Wild Card!!!  We are only 1 1/2  games behind the Braves and are playing so well right now!  GO CARDS!

I can’t think of any more sports teams that I need to mention so I guess I’m going to go.  If you don’t hear from me tomorrow, have somebody come look for me under the humongous mountain of clothes in my laundry room.  It’s a good possibility I’ll still be folding it tomorrow.  Gah.

Cheer loudly, lift up others, and check your ta~tas- remember you’re never too young!

xoxo

Quickly Passing By

Hey y’all!

I am literally just taking just a few minutes to say “HI!” real quick before I’m on to my next task!

The schedule this week is insane and throw in the last-minute TO-DOs, like Zachary’s need for khaki pants at 8 this morning, and I am really hopping.

Of course, some of that hopping is really running, and that is my own fault.

Yesterday was a 15-miler, and it all went well except for the serious chafing on one leg from my shorts.  Gah.  I’m still not feeling 100% confident in marathon training this time around, but I’m just going to go with it.  October 23 will be here before I know it.

Today I didn’t think I had even a moment to get a quick sweat session in, but after going after the aforementioned khaki pants (and shoes, socks, belt) I managed to squeeze in a quick 5K just to stretch the legs.  Legs are now stretched, and I am re-chaffed.  Awesome.

A quick shower, lunch, blog, and now I’m off again.  We have high school baseball today (Tyler’s pitching!) and then as soon as it’s over, we have to travel for Zach’s first Jr. High basketball game of the season.  Go Bulldogs!!  It’ll be a late night around here. 

Maybe tomorrow I’ll get caught up on my house…or not.

Love!

xoxo

PS- Lending A Hand had these Girlie Girl shirts made up for us as a fundraiser this fall!  We love them!  I can’t wait to get a hoodie!!

Three Years

Three years ago today I got the biggest shock of my life.

I was completely blindsided on a beautiful September morning.

I wrote about it on social media this morning: 
 

Instantly my world spun upside down and my heart dropped as the nurse on the phone said,

“You have breast cancer.  And we didn’t get it all.”

I found it hard to utter the words as I called my hubby and my momma.  Their strength and their calmness went straight to my soul during a time when my strength and sense of peace was nonexistent.

While my mind was still spinning and reeling from my diagnosis, my heart was fixed on my God.  My God who is faithful and worthy to be praised.  My God who has never let me down.  My God who is my constant anchor and My Rock. 

Here is look back at my previous cancer-versaries…

Just a day after my diagnosis in 2008, I wrote this post, titled “Rocked.”

 

Then, in 2009, while still undergoing treatment, I wrote “One Year” on my first cancer-versary.

 

Last year in 2010, on my second cancer-versary, my post was titled “SURVIVING.”

So what did I do to mark the occasion today??

I got a manicure and had my nails painted bright pink!  

While they were painting them, I was remembering during chemo how my fingernails (and toenails) all turned black and eventually fell off, it was so hideous.  I tried painting over them a time or two, but it wouldn’t ever really cover it.  Today, the pink was perfect.
 

But isn’t it always?

My love to YOU for reading and sharing my journey with me.  Long may it continue!

Count your blessings & Check your boobies.

xoxo

“Don’t be afraid, just believe.” Mark 5:36

Number 600

Hola Friends!  How is your Hump Day going so far??

I just noticed that this is my 600TH POST!!!!!  Wow!!!  My, what a long way we’ve come, huh?!

All is well here, except the day is kind of gray…

It started raining early this morning and even though it has stopped now, the clouds are still hanging around.  Boo.  It doesn’t make for a very nice day especially when you have lots to do.

Zachary has basketball practice today, Tyler has a cross country meet (not here), and after all those things, the kids have Youth at church…if we make it back in time from the meet.  We shall see.

This morning I found some time in between a couple of rain showers to grab a quick run.
 

Five miles in 47:32 to get my day started off on the right foot. 

Then I obeyed dr’s orders and stretched my legs and feet while I was checking Facebook enjoying nature.

Note to self: clean all the trash out of the side pocket of the door, mmmkay?

One more thing: As if I wasn’t feel old enough already with Tyler driving and such, this morning he registered to take his ACT.  Wahhhhhh!!!!  No way this is all possible, it’s happening way too fast.

Have a great day guys.

xoxo

I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles. -Audrey Hepburn

Good Start To The Day

I’m thinking that today is going to be a good day!  I found my early morning motivation in my Bible, a cup of hot coffee, a good Living Social deal , and a run.

First up: the verse that was laid before me this morning,

“Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”  Isaiah 40:30-31

 

Second: the coffeeeeee, (no not my cup, but wouldn’t it be awesome if it was?!)

 

Next: the awesome Living Social deal I scored this morning,

 

And last, but certainly not least: a bangin’ run,

How is YOUR Tuesday shaping up?  It is Tuesday, right?? 

Ok, I’m good.

Make it great, folks!

xoxo

Run and Remember

Happy Sunday friends!  It is a BEAUTIFUL day out there!  A day to be thankful and remember.
 

I began this Day of Remembrance by doing my weekly long run for marathon training.  The inaugural STL Rock N Roll Marathon is October 23…eeek it’s NEXT MONTH! 

Since I am way off my training schedule, I was kind of undecided as to how far I would run today.  I did 18 miles the day my ankle tendonitis started, but that was 4 weeks ago and since then I’ve been focused on recovering and not doing too much so I’m wayyy off my training plan. 

So when I saw my sis-in-law, Kristy, running her 10 in prep for the RNR Half (Go K!!) and she asked how far I was going, I had no idea…just whatever felt good.

I was so excited that my ankle did great, my blister is completely healed and didn’t give me any fits, and I felt amazing for a half-marathon!  Yep, that’s right, 13.1 miles this morning in 2:01:58!!

Amazing runner’s high today!

And a voracious appetite! <----But no food in the house makes this not a good thing.  Must.go.grocery.shopping.  Ugh.

I came home after my run and iced my foot, and caught up on Twitter and Facebook while I was waiting for the 20 minute timer to go off.  It seems to take HOURS for those 20 minutes to pass.
   

Oh, and that’s Kinesio Tape on my foot.  I got some last week in hopes that I can use it to support my ankle instead of wear that darned brace.  So far so good!

Right now, I am getting my mind set for another busy week ahead:

• Twirlers
• Gymnastics
• Basketball practices (x5)
• Cross Country Meet
• Baseball games (x2)

And those are just the extracurriculars.  Whew!

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WE WILL NEVER FORGET.

xoxo