So far Sooooo Good!!

Hello dear family and friends,

Today was a very special day for me. I woke up feeling great! I have always thought things like pantyhose and mascara were plagues of female existence but I can honestly say it was a privilege that I still had eyelashes on which to put that yucky old mascara this morning. Best of all I made it back to my Funtastic Friday homeschool coop for the first time in two weeks. Yippeeee!!!! Words cannot express how much seeing those smiling faces, receiving those encouraging words and getting 50+ hugs there meant to me. Some of you may not know that I teach a literature class there on CS Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia books. I have always wanted to write a children's book as powerful as his (and since I never arrived at that place) I decided last fall I would teach about the children's books that I love as a ministry instead. What I have learned is that teaching these books to these students has become a ministry to ME. I had expected some students to drop out of my classes once I disclosed my cancer diagnosis. I arrived yesterday with full classes and, as a result, a very full heart. Imagine having children, students in your class telling you they are praying for you and that they've told everyone they know to pray for you. What could be a more powerful blessing than that.

Right now I am on 4 medications a day to control the nausea. I also went to get a shot this afternoon at the cancer center for nausea. So far it seems to be working. On top of that I am gargling a concoction of water, baking soda and salt 3 times a day to prevent mouth sores (another of the chemo side effects).

Before I sign off I wanted to share with you two more "coincidences" I have experienced. One was funny, one AMAZING and both happened last Friday morning when I was about to go in and get those scary PET scan results.

Here's the funny one. Some of you know we have two toy collies Stradivarius and Mandolyn (Mandy). Randy plays and makes violins and we are hoping in a couple of years (BUT NOT NOW) to have a whole orchestra pit full of puppies. Well THAT FRIDAY MORNING Mandy went into her first heat. Rather than spend that morning dwelling on what those PET scan results might be we were scrambling to get her situated into her "confinement." This distraction ended up being such a blessed distraction. Can God work blessings through a dog? I'd say in this situation Mandy's little surprise was heaven sent.

The second "coincidence" of that morning was an email I received from a science teacher of my daughter Laura's. She was just sending a routine email about her class. I had just met this teacher the week prior so I hardly knew her. That morning I had an overwhelming urge to email her and another mom with a child in that class (who had been a spiritual mentor to me in Pep Moms)and ask them both to pray for me. Here's an excerpt from the science teacher's response to my email:

"Kerry,
My heart is so heavy for you right now! I understand all of your emotions, confusion, questions... I have walked on the path you are about to embark upon.

I am fighting back tears as I am typing this. My very best friend battled breast cancer for nearly 3 years. I grieve for you because of the journey that the Lord has placed before you. It is a long, hard, narrow road. Yet, the path is filled with unspeakable blessings as you will go to places that you have not yet approached in life. The precious glimpses of God gave me slivers of glory to cling to. I continued to hope, trust, and know that God was and is in control.

My mom had cancer as well. She has been in remission for over 10 years. My husband's mother also had ovarian cancer, and she departed this earth when I was pregnant with our oldest son twelve years ago. Finally, I am too, a cancer survivor. I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer soon after our youngest was born five years ago. My short-lived battle prepared me to walk the road with my best friend. Cancer is a horrible disease, and yet, I believe the worst "cancer" anyone can have is to not have Jesus. He is the one to provide the HOPE and STRENGTH to face the battle."

Coincidence? I don't think so!!! These are just two of the many AMAZING things I am seeing in this cancer diagnosis. I can't wait to share more with you.

Finally today, please pray for my sister Shannon. She just had a mammogram and there is a questionable spot that they are going to biopsy on her next Wednesday. Her lymph nodes look good (Praise God!) but she's never had a biopsy before and we would all really appreciate the prayers. Thanks for helping me "K.O." the cancer! Lots of love,

Kerry