We have had a few emails and calls making sure I was OK because I haven't been blogging. I'm sorry if I caused anyone concern. I have been resting and enjoying the company of our families. We have shared great meals and lots of laughs. The last several days have been very enjoyable.
I believe my recovery is going well. I am eating and sleeping good. I'm able to use my left arm a little. I'm hoping after I see my doctor tomorrow she'll encourage me to use it as much as I can tolerate. I have a lot of strange sensations in the arm so I know it will take some time to get it back. I'm praying it will come back to normal. I'm really hoping I get my draining tubes removed tomorrow so that I can get out and about. If they don't come out tomorrow I know they will remove them on Friday when I see the plastic surgeon.
I've been reading The Breast Cancer Survival Manual (thanks Linda and Dave for getting this for me). I read a few pages at a time and try to absorb all the information. I don't believe I'm in denial but I have trouble believing I'm really going through this. I'm very grateful for every one's suggestions and opinions although it can get overwhelming at times. I believe God has led me in each step on this journey and I need to trust that He will continue to do so. I will start with my referral to an oncologist and then look at getting referred to a breast cancer treatment center that our insurance will cover. I know that I have to be proactive in my treatment.
Today, I began reading Loving God with All Of Your Mind by Elizabeth George. I believe the biggest battle I have is controlling what I think during this journey. I just read Proverbs 3:5,6 in the NLT version (the Sinis family gave me a Pray for a Cure Bible) - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take." In Loving God with All Of Your Mind it talks about thinking and focusing on what is true and real. I cannot be afraid of the truth. I can accept medical truths, yet accept the strength and peace that come through Biblical truths. It's going to be a daily process.
"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me - everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:6-9
I'm trusting in this promise.
Traci
"Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous (victorious) right hand." Isaiah 41:10
During Treatment-Aug 2011
During Treatment - Aug. 2009
December 2008
A Wonderful Gift
As soon as I realized I was going to have surgery I knew I wanted to have family pictures taken. This was the best gift I could've been given. We had so much fun. If I ever doubt what I am fighting for it is for more days like this one. I encourage you to go and check out the following link to see a slide show. Turn up your speakers to your computer and enjoy the music. It is very fitting.
http://www.balboaphotography.com/Slideshows/MurphyFamily/
You can select the shopping cart icon and see more of the photos.
http://www.balboaphotography.com/Slideshows/MurphyFamily/
You can select the shopping cart icon and see more of the photos.
2 comments:
I was just getting ready to call you when I decided that I would first look at the blog to see if you had posted. Thanks for letting us all know how you are doing. I am looking forward to seeing you soon. Gracie is sick now so we'll come once she is better. I will give you a call soon. Please know we are still praying for you and will continue to do so. Love ya!
-Sarah
Love you cousin. Just wanted to let you know that I'm thinking about you and praying for you and the family. (I'm also looking for some good jokes to pass along... because as far as medicine goes laughter is way cooler than chemo!)
XOXO Steph
Oh Traci--- You might think I'm out there, but I was looking for a bible verse for you and the security guard Max just came into my cubicle and asked what I was reading, when I explained (my Bible) he handed me a little 3x5 index card out of his pocket. Mind you, discussing our faith is not something Max and I have ever done. So I took the card and it was a list of verses that Max had collected regarding the question "Do animals have souls?" "This is nice," I thought to myself, "but totally irrelevant because unless I missed something, my cousin hasn't been a 4-legged furry creature in this life"... so I set it aside and kept searching... and searching. So about 5 minutes ago, totally frustrated, I'm about to get back to work and I see Max's card, and one of the verses he's listed is from Luke, and I remember seeing your entry from Christmas saying "read Luke" and about how everytime you read it you see something new and relevant. So I read Luke, specifically the verse Max left for me. And I think, although I know YOU know this book and all the books of the Bible exponentially better than I do, that this verse is something you might need to hear(?)
So here it is... Luke 12:6 "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." God loves you cousin. His love is righteous and omnipowerful. Don't be afraid. He is with you.
I love you and I'll see you again soon!
XOXO, Steph
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