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Hello!
I just got back from sister's weekend with Shannon and Mitzi and what a wonderful time we had!! We did our best to boost the sagging economy by eating and shopping, eating and shopping. (The things we do to support our country!)
Yes that is the three of us in our flashing neon pink breast cancer pins that Shannon and I picked up at the Expo. (I am sorry to say the picture does not do their flashiness & their bling justice).
Mitzi's husband John and my nephews were hiking the Appalachian trail in the freezing cold while we hiked the malls this past weekend. I told her on the boy's next expedition they could take one of our pins along in case of an emergency. They could hold it up at night as an SOS for the rescue helicopters to find them (not that the Busic boys would ever need rescuing mind you!)
Thanks to Randy, Dennis, John, Brooke, Gramsy & Pops and Nana & Papaw for watching the kids so we could go. Roanoke is definately a little "pinker" than it was before!
I continue to do well. The only difference between this go round and the last is a little nausea. After talking to my doctor I tried dropping one of my nausa meds (a steroid) and it came back to haunt me. I went back on it but have been left the last several days with a quesiness that brings back memories of morning sickness. The metal taste in my mouth is more pronounced this time around too but that is all. None of it has seemed to slow me down.
The shirt orders continue to come in well. Race for the Cure events are coming up and I plan on looking into those. How cool will it be to have a group of us walking together in our shirts! I can't wait! I will have more details soon! Thanks for your continued prayer and support. Lots of love,
Kerry
Kerry, Im so glad you had a wonderful time. I prayed hard for you to have energy and that your time would be blessed. I've never been shopping with Shannon but I know Meredith (Mitzi) is quite the shopping expertise!! Im sure when you all got done the town was more of a magenta color than pink. Im glad to hear too that the side effects aren't enough to slow you down too much. Keep up the good work and we're all looking forward to seeing you here in K.G. this summer.
ReplyDeleteLove and Hugs
Renee
Sweet Kerry
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you had a wonderful time! You look beautiful. I bet Roanoke is not the same since the three of you have been there. What a wonderful weekend to shop, talk, eat and relax.
I know what a shopper Meredith is, we usually do our Black Friday excursion but of course there is the food issue there, it is always about the food isn't it? (ha)
I will continue to pray that God's strength will rain down on you so you can continue to feel better.
Much love,
Lorrie
Hey Kerry!
ReplyDeleteI sure had a great time this weekend. That was the life. Shopping, eating out, talking and just being together. It was so great to see you. You look fabulous!
I think it is important to point out that we ate fruits and vegetables (not cookies), shopped the sale racks (when convenient) and were very polite and well-mannered (at least in public). (I also think I should say that my shopping expertise is grossly exaggerated.) I only shop for essentials (at least, what I consider essential). That is all I remember!
It was rather difficult to get away with much when you are wearing a bright, flashing, hot-pink pin. You tend to get noticed!
You are doing such a great job. I can't wait until this is behind you. The next trip to Roanoke you will have these treatments over. Keep up the good work.
I can't wait to see you again. Take care of yourself.
Remember how much I love you,
Mitzi
Dear Kerry,
ReplyDeleteI have just returned from Florida. I spent the week with my parents. My mother underwent a huge open surgery that lasted about six hours. There was a very large tumor on top of her colon. The doctors cut a large section of her colon to remove the soccer ball size tumor intact. She is doing well now. The tumor was benign, and there were no complications after the surgery. Praise God!
Mitzi had given us some Odyssey tapes for the ride down. The first one we listened to was about being thankful in all circumstances. Whit said we shouldn't just thank God during the good times, but thank Him also during our trouble. That is not easy to do.
My sister said Christians often give God credit when things go right, but when the going gets tough they blame it on everything but Him. I suppose we believe that we have a God who is all good, and so we separate Him out of the bad.
This trip has taught me some things:
1. Not everything I look at as bad actually is bad.
2. The peace that passes understanding doesn't usually kick into gear when I want it to.
3. God is sure to reveal His presence when I most need it.
My biggest fear was/is that I would lose my mom, dad, sister, and brother before knowing without a doubt they would go to heaven to be with Jesus. I felt this heavy burden to share the gospel once again. The funny thing was, I kept losing all opportunities. The baby would cry, no wail, during our quiet moments. Someone was sure to interrupt any time I sat down with my mom, and believe me, my mom doesn't sit still long. She was landscaping her new home the day before the surgery. There is no stopping her! It wasn't until after the surgery, when she was on a respirator and completely still, that I was able to pray over her. Even then, I was ushered out, so that I wouldn't stimulate her too much. Then my boys got fevers and we weren't allowed to see her for the next three days!
But God was there! I found out later the doctor, himself, said a prayer over her before the surgery. The hospital, itself, was decorated every few feet with paintings of Jesus, both depictions of new testament miracles and modern day ones of Jesus admist a surgery, in a hospital room, and over sick children and adults. It was a constant reminder of His presence. In the waiting room of the ICU was a painting of Jesus calming the storm while the disciples showed fear in the boat.
I realized I was just like them. Here He was calming our storm, and still I sat in fear and unbelief!
My brother made a comment, "Boy, this hospital is sure into God. He's everywhere." I thought, 'If only he could see that always, Lord.'
I was reminded of Jacob before returning home to an angry Esau. It says in Genesis 32:1-2, 'Jacob went on his way and the angels of God met him. When Jacob saw them, he said, 'This is the camp of God.' So he named that placed Mahanaim."
Imagine seeing the army of God encamped all around you. Would you stand in fear? He did. It says, "In great fear and distress he divided the people who were with him into two groups..."
My sister who is a naturally calm person coped better than me. Why do I not show the evidence of God all around me? Where was that peace? A good dose of humility is usually what does the trick for me.
I realized God and His army were encamped around us. We, too, had prayer warriors! I knew that, but my unbelief kept getting in the way. Being a Christian doesn't make me fearless and impenetrable to sickness and death, it gives me the ability to see Him all around and know He who rescues me is fearless and impenetrable to sickness and death. By His mercy and love alone are we able to stand victorious.
In Mark 9:23 Jesus said," If you can!? All things are possible to him who believes."
I write all this because if your anything like me, you may have days where it's hard to believe His army is encamped all around you and you have nothing to fear. May you remember I, and many like me, pray continually and are part of that army. May you see that place Mahanaim and thank Him during your trouble.
Wouldn't it be neat, too, if every time we had a challenging moment with our kids we could say, "Praise God!" instead of those thoughts that very well are the reason we don't experience the peace that passes understanding.
God bless you this day,
Joyce
Hi Kerry,
ReplyDeleteYou three are beautiful in your Roanoke picture! How blessed you are to have such a wonderful and supportive family.
I am sorry to hear about the nausea and the metallic taste that the treatments have been giving you. I will pray that the chemo. knocks this cancer out flat. I will also pray that the medications designed to help with your side effects will work well for you.
I am so glad you had an enjoyable weekend with your sisters. What a great distraction from eveything you have been going through. You all sound like you did a good job of painting the town "Pink".
God Bless You,
Michelle