Crochet Love. Pain and Meds. Proverb of the Day 16:33. Happy Song.

Crochet Love. 

https://thegreendragonfly.wordpress.com/2015/07/22/crochet-and-fabric-quilt/#comment-13548

Almost a year ago, Janette from The Green Dragonfly posted this beautiful fabric/crocheted blanket that her mother-in-law made.  Honestly, "beautiful" doesn't do this gorgeous blanket/afghan justice!  So, here is more eye candy that you may enjoy!  Here's one from Lori Holt at Bee in My Bonnet! 

http://beeinmybonnetco.blogspot.com/2012/08/fusion-blanket-crochet-along.html

 Here's another one from Heidi at Sewing Daisies!  

http://sewingdaisies.com.au/2011/03/kaffe-fusion-completed/

These ladies are so talented!  I'm definitely inspired! 

Pain and Meds
Today was tough - pain.....but I think I'm realizing that I cannot skip not one dose - not one - of meds.  I think if I remember to take them, I'll have more good days.  I think.
For pain, I'm taking Gabapentin (for fibromyalgia), Vitamin B Complex (recommended by my oncologist) and Alpha Lipoic Acid (recommended by a fellow cancer survivor).  
This website has some great ideas to help us remember to take our meds.  For now, I'll add an alarm to my Smart Phone.  

http://www.mymeds.co.nz/mymeds/looking-for-ways-to-remember-and-organise-your-medicine/dont-forget/

Proverb of the Day 16:33


Again, I prayed and was actively looking for a verse that had never caught my attention.  Boy, this one sure stood out to me!
Observation:
According to Elliot's Commentary, basically we should realize that it's God who provides for us, not coincedence or chance.  Therefore this verse should be an encouragement to us.  
Matthew Henry's Commentary states that we are blessed to "give ourselves" to the will of God, for He knows what's best for us.  
I would like to see the Amplified version of this verse:

So, the way I understand it, there are no coincidences, God determines our fate, our lives....everything....right?

Application:
So, let's look at this.  And if our LORD is in charge, we should rejoice and trust in all circumstances......even in the face of cancer. Ouch...Yup...even in the face of cancer, chemotherapy, surgery, radiation treatment, neuropathy, pain, fatigue, painful memories - in all circumstances.....

Eeesh....this is hard.  I have tears in my throat as I write this.....but it does make sense....

https://benziher.wordpress.com/tag/my-strength/

This is precisely how I got through, how I continue to live victoriously in spite of all the aforementioned circumstances.....my faith leads me to joy of the LORD which leads me to strength.....

Prayer
LORD, God, my Abba Father, thank you...thank you...thank you....
Let me recall this lesson:  nothing is coincidence, You are my Providence....
Breast cancer made me 
stronger, wiser, more humble.

Breast cancer brought so much more unity in my family!

Breast cancer introduced many wonderful people in my life.

Breast cancer has indeed been a blessing.
Thank you.

On the same note, however:

http://quotesgram.com/cancer-motivational-quotes/

Happy Song
During Praise and Worship I used to to sing along with songs along this theme with all my heart....
Now I sing along with the same heart, but now I have more clarity about the cost.  

I'm His work of art - scars and all - and - thank God, I'm still praising Him.

Dear Friend, this is my truth!

Regret. Defeat. Greatest Lesson. Proverb of the Day.

Regret.  Defeat.

I'm not sure if I mentioned that I lived in a city about an hour away during radiation.  After hearing my story, the manager of the Marriot Hotel gave me a significant discount, so I was able to live in the city where I had my daily radiation treatments.  My dear husband drove an extra two hours every day to be with me in the evenings.  Imagine! But, alas, I digress.... 

While there, I discovered KLOVE, one of the best Christian radio stations I have ever heard!  I would listen to it on the way and back from Texas Oncology. God used this station to speak encouragement, courage and healing to me.   I purchased and created a playlist of the songs that truly ministered to me.  I still listen to them all the time.  

Yesterday, the following song spoke deeply to me.  I'm on the journey to healing, to creating a new life for myself.  And it's wonderful.  
                       

Perhaps you are living with regret and defeat as the voices in your head.  May I suggest you turn this song up really loud, listen to it several times, dance and go nuts praising God - and go forth living in victory as the "Child of the One True King"!!!  

I did that just this morning.
I was freed.
I may forget.
I may push play and repeat.

You were on my mind, too.
You may need to do this.
You can be free.
You may forget.
Push play and repeat.

Greatest Lesson.

http://quotesgram.com/lessons-learned-in-life-quotes/#9WKTbJIjMU

Proverb of the Day.

Oh LORD! How I struggle with this!  I'm getting better, but sure could use Your help with this one!  The question, "Does it improve on the silence?", is helping me to keep my tendency to rise to the challenge of a quarrel in check.  Please continue to help me be a person of honor and avoid strife.

Dear Friend, this is my truth!

Test Results. Next Steps.

http://www.musiclyric4christian.com/praise.html

Test Results!

Great news!  The chemo is working!  The tumor in my breast has shrunk by 50% in volume!  Woo! Hoo!  Praise God!
Next Steps.

Here are the next steps.
May - July
 I have weekly chemotherapy infusions of Taxol.  I just had the first one on April 30.  The oncologist said this round of chemo should be easier than the last two months.  So far, so good.  The only side effect is pain in my knees, so I have to rest a bit more. 

August?
I'm guessing in August I'll have surgery to remove whatever, if anything, that remains of the tumor as well as a few lymph nodes. 

September?  October?
After I heal from surgery, I'll begin 6 - 7 weeks of radiation.  Ug.  One day at a time.

For now, I'm getting ready to greet my son.  He's on his way over.  Hopefully, my daughter and grandbabies will be here soon as well!  Therefore, this will be a short post.  Time to live life!

For today, this is my truth!
 

http://www.wellsphere.com/happiness-article/pure-worship/998403