Update 8/19/2021

Hello and welcome to the new home for these posts. I am glad you found your way here. You can sign up here for updates when I make a new post if you’re interested. Josh optimized my little venture after glitches with PostHope. He’s the best.

I am doing well – truly well! I have a bit of tummy trouble but nothing a bit of time on the couch and in bed with my girls couldn’t handle. I have the skin rash they told me about which is itchy. Back in 2016, I had PUPPPS for several months after my pregnancy with C. PUPPPS is a heat-triggered rash that was terribly itchy with no cure, although eventually it just went away. I was miserable holding and nursing a tiny, newborn heat source. I ended up making a recipe of essential oils that seemed to be the only thing to relieve the itch and well, I still have it! Good thing, too, because oils are expensive, so now I’m really getting my money’s worth. I’m so thankful that it helps.

Tonight, we told the girls that I have cancer. Thus far, they knew I was not well, but not the specifics. This was something I was dreading because I didn’t want them to worry. We asked if they had any questions and the little two asked to play with Play Doh. Ha!

E had plenty of questions, though, and tears and fears. I had dreaded this and considered not telling her unless things got worse. But God’s promises that give me hope are as much for her as they are for anyone else. So as each question arose, we talked about the fact that God promises to take care of us no matter what. And that if I do die, I would be with Jesus and that God would provide for them in ways we can’t even imagine. I told her I hope that I don’t die. God has given me the best job ever – to raise them up to know Him and love Him all for His glory. But if God has something else in mind, E can trust Him. Her fears melted away as we talked even about the tough reality of losing me. It was remarkable, to say the least.

It is better to go to a house of mourning
Than to go to a house of feasting,
Because that is the end of every man,
And the living takes it to heart.

Ecclesiastes 7:2

In the end, I am glad that we were honest with the girls. Truth is not a burden. It is a reality for all of us. We will all face our end and these are important things to think about, even if they are so incredibly painful.

My brain scan today was canceled as I am still waiting on an MRI card that contains necessary information regarding my prosthetic stapes (ear bone – the smallest bone in your body!). Hopefully, I will have that soon so we can make sure my brain is clear but I’m already receiving treatment, so there isn’t a huge rush.

Thank you all so much for your kindness and encouragement. It continues to overwhelm us.

God is good.