Blessings, Suzanne

"I will praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are your works, and that my soul knows very well."  Psalm 139:14 My scars have healed over time.  The ones left are the reminders  to never take lightly,  the Sovereignty of God.  Just think of His nail scarred hand. My first day at the Cancer Center 2009 5 years later, on yearly visits now, 2014 Thankful Blessings,  Suzanne "Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will act." Psalm 37:5

" Every good and perfect gift comes from above." James  1:17 Being diagnosed with breast cancer one week ,  and having surgery the next week ,  did not leave a whole lot of time to research what all I would need after surgery.  As October is  Breast Cancer Awareness  month, I thought I would show you all an easy way of personalizing a gift to include practical items that can be given to someone when returning home from the hospital!  This helped me a lot during my time of need. Let me first share a little about my experience : The day I got home from the hospital  after  having a bilateral mastectomy, I was so happy to see my children  ( who were five and nine years old at the time ) . However, I quickly realized that my weak condition concerned them and I felt helpless.  I called my friend Heather in tears, and asked if she could come pick them up after work and spend some time with th...

"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity...so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."  Romans 15:5-6 At Saturday's race there were expected to be 12, 000 or more people there. I included my snapshots of those that I saw. But one thing I loved more than anything was the connection. I met someone in the  survivor line who was my age that was finishing out her first year in stage 4 breast cancer. I met another new friend that was my age, five years out and just had a recurrence. And with each woman, I felt more empowered after talking with them. Why? Because of the strength and the tenacity in the words they speak about fighting and getting through the treatment and living their life. Always moving forward. As Carla and I were leaving, and trying to find where we parked...smile...there was a small group of ladies talking to the police officer that we needed directions from, so whe...

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and go and pray to me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek me and find me, when you search for me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord, I will bring you back from captivity.”  Jeremiah 29:11-14   Gulf Shores, 2009 Being bald for a girl is just not normal, unless you are a newborn. I struggled with it after chemo until I finally realized what bothered me.  Every time I looked at myself in the mirror, it was a reminder that I was sick. It was also a reminder to all my friends and family and I think in the beginning it affected Luke more than anyone.  As I finally accepted it and  then really embraced the simplicity of not having the high maintenance "doo" I have kept up for years, it began to grow back. Like little peach fuzz.  I was getting tired of wear...

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him."  1 Corinthians 2:9 The Lake in Summer  Just a short post tonight, I went to the Cancer Support Group at church tonight and heard the most amazing testimony by Linda Ball. She shared her story and the ways that the Lord has given her to fight Stage 4 breast cancer. Alongside of her treatment regimen,  she has completely changed her diet and has been following the Hallelujah Diet by George Malkmus. It is a vegan diet. Also, general changes in lifestyle like getting adequate rest and reducing stress. If you are interested in hearing more about this, please let me know (and I will get you in touch with Linda:)). So tonight, I honor Linda, who inspired me with her passion to live the day I met her, about a year ago! Keep sharing your testimony, Linda, God is certainly using you to help others! Your energy is amazing !! I so enjoyed our meeting! Blessings, Suzan...

"You enlarged my path under me; So that my feet did not slip." Psalm 18:6 Rebecca, Me, Carla..Overcomers!! Today was finally the big Race I have been doing all this yapping about!! It was also a gigantic celebration for many, many women, families and friends, and personally for two special girls that walked with me arm in  arm, like the yellow brick road only it was pink, around the survivors lap, to the song by Mandisa "You're an Overcomer". Notice our pink beads?? It is one of my favorite parts about this race,  you get a necklace to represent each of your "survivor years." Apparently, the turnout was huge this year and they were running low on the beads. I didn't know this yet and when I asked for four more, to make that big FIVE, they lady said, "ok here, just say you found 'em on the ground!" Now, you know I had to give them back...and then I hear "uh no, I will get two and you get two,Carla, she is getting five...

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33 I just wanted to share a few more verses that have helped me along the way..... "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."  Isaiah 41:10 "Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong."  1 Corinthians 16:13 "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty."  Psalm 91:1 "It doth not appear what shall be." 1 John 3:2 On day ten, I dedicate this post to Jeff. You have been walking this road for five and half years as well and it has not been easy I know. I am thankful that we have come this far and seen the mighty hand of God work in our lives every single day. I pray in this season of life will be our best yet. Thanks for all you do for...

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." James 1:22 It occurred to me tonight as I ran alone, determined to get in about three miles, that I am back where I started. Back in the early summer, Jeff and I were walking on the same trail and he challenged me to run a mile with him. I begrudgingly agreed but I did it and surprised myself. It was rough. That day I decided I could make a goal to run ( with five months to train) in the Race for the Cure on Saturday.  To be  there today with the purpose to run, no walking and no music....and to complete what I set out to do...I thank the Lord. Without Him, I know it would not be possible.  And thanks to Jeff for the first mile!  On this path, about two months ago, I had begun to pick up the pace and alternate running and walking. On my way to the "bridge" as I call it, I see a lady running toward me who is thirty years my senior."Wow",I think to myself,"if she is d...

" For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies." Psalm 108:4 Pink Skies. Blue Skies. Even dark skies (at times). White crosses in the sky. I love the handiwork of God. I have to admit I may miss it more than I see it these days, life has just been so busy. I used to roll my eyes when people said that. Now I completely understand. There doesn't seem to be enough time in the day to do all that I want or even need to get done! However, God is so faithful to remind me to stop and look up. At the sky. At the flower. At the person. At the words on the page. Basically, to pay attention to the very thing I have going on at the moment. The present. I am at the very place I prayed to be at and the Lord has been faithful. As busy as I am,  I feel fulfilled in my schedule  not just that my schedule is full. There is a difference. I had to start making different choices. I had to decide to start setting boundaries and sticking ...

"Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding." Proverbs 4:7   Reading is one of my loves and I hope that this list of books may be helpful for you or a friend going through breast cancer. The subject is vast and there are a ton of books out there! I chose not to use google for the first week or so and didn't begin any of the subject books until a week or so after surgery. Some books I started and had to wait until later to finish. It can be very overwhelming to read about other patients journey before you get to certain places. Odds are you will not have any of the same side effects or symptoms. I read the Bible every day with one of my devotion books. Otherwise, I read these books over the course of five years. I would also love any comments on books you have read and recommend! Here's the List: 1)The Bible (truth, word of God) 2) Pearls From Heaven:Your Heavenly Father's Words of Love and Comfort  ...

"For you will Light my lamp; The LORD will enlighten my darkness." Psalm 18:28 Deciding to have a bilateral (double)mastectomy was the easiest decision I had to make and probably the only decision I got to make after finding out I had breast cancer. I don't mean it was easy, I just mean in comparison to all of the scheduling of tests, scans, surgeries, treatment, it was cut and dry. What many don't realize is the many surgery options out there! In my case, I went directly from the surgeon's office to the plastic surgeon's office, in between calling everybody I know to say "by the way, I have breast cancer, can you call so and so". For some reason, it was so important for me to get the word out quick, maybe so I could grasp it myself? Anyway, as Jeff and I sat in the plastic surgeon's office and he began talking about tissue expanders and handed me an implant, all I could think of is..I don't even know what bra size I wear right now (two chi...