Focus on What Matters and Details for Saturday Komen Race

As the Komen Race for the Cure draws near this Saturday, I am OVERWHELMED with support from people who know me and love me, to those who don’t really know me.  Thank you so much for your donations and being a part of my team. 

During my first fight, diagnosed November 3, 2011, I experienced so many friends and family genuinely loving me through this journey.  It was then that I thought, if I had to paint a picture to capture my experience, it would be God in the center with HIS Army of Angels sent out to watch over me and my family, protect us, love us, feed us, etc.  I also sensed and still sense other angels that I cannot see that stand post for me daily, many of them I may know, like my Aunt Betty and many of them I may not.  This is where my Komen Race for the Cure team name, Amanda’s Army of Angels originated.  God has sent His army of prayer warriors and called people who care for me to stand by me.  Four years and four months later, on May 30, 2016,  The same stupid breast cancer came back.    

I have never so intensely felt two emotions at one time.  I feel incredibly grateful for being alive and that an Army of Angels is yet again by my side.  At the same time, I feel totally dejected for having to deal with the side effects of chemo and completely resent the fact that my family must endure this again.  It doesn’t seem fair, yet it all seems so worth it.  I want normalcy- something I don’t have, yet I am incredibly blessed for what I do have- life and independence.  As time progresses, this dichotomy of emotions becomes more and more of a fight for my attention and focus.  I have to stay grateful, humble, unexpectant, true to self, easy yoke… Matthew 11: 28-30.  “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  This is what must remain true and how I must find my resolve.

This is what I needed today.  A reminder of this journey.  A reminder of what is true.  A reminder that I am so blessed.  So blessed and humbled.  I cannot take on anything more.  If I do, it will result in self destruction. Take no heavy heart, no worry, no fear, no comparison, no wish list, no expectation, no self protection, no drama.  Appreciate the hour.  Appreciate the Army.  Appreciate God’s blessings, gifts and favors.

Here is a good song in honor of our walk on Saturday… “Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies)” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOkImV2cJDg

 

DETAILS FOR SATURDAY 

Race Packets and Custom T-shirts are available for pick up at Lynn Imaging, 328 Old Vine St.

Thursday 9/29, Friday 9/30, and Saturday morning 7:30-8:30AM. 

On Saturday...

Before Race: Park at Lynn Imaging (Back Parking Lot) and come in for breakfast and coffee.

7:30 - 8:30 AM  Breakfast at Lynn Imaging

8:30 AM Walk to Start Line

9:00 AM Race Begins

After Race: Go to Minglewood, 159 N Limestone, Lexington KY.   They are opening early for us.  They will have a brunch menu, $5 mimosas and bloodies, and a fun pink drink.

You can still join my team or donate: http://www.info-komen.org/site/TR/RacefortheCure/LSV_KentuckyAffiliate?team_id=364964&pg=team&fr_id=6552

Update- Port is in.

Hi! :) The last couple of weeks have been fairly good. I seemed to recover from treatment pretty quickly. However, in this week 3 (my best week), I developed a bad cold. So much so that I had to stay in bed, get rest and forego my plans for most of the week.  I am on an antibiotic, seems to be helping some.

I had surgery this morning to have the port placed in my chest. That went well. It was only about half hour and Dr AJ at Baptist in Lexington (surgeon who did my mastectomy) did it. He is such a good doctor/surgeon....So the port is done, and move on. :)

I am scheduled for chemo #6 on Monday.

It's been a whirlwind as usual. But overall I am doing well. I hate that I lost time in my good week to sickness. Oh well. My spirits are good most of the time. If I have good energy, I resume all normal activity- work, Jack, dinner, homework, clean, etc. I certainly don't waste time with good energy. I am not walking or running much right now. Concerned about losing physical strength. So, I am going to try to focus more on that area once I bounce back from all of this sick, surgery stuff.

Join my Komen team if you want. Donate or register to walk or run in Komen Race on October 1 in Lexington. To those of you who are part of this, thank you. I am going to cry the entire time. It's so emotional to know that I have so much love and support. I am going to be a mess! It doesn't take a race to know you are out there, I am emotional about it all the time. Being in person with a team of people appropriately called "Amanda's Army of Angels" is special. Very special and very humbling. I don't take any of it for granted.  It's one of my favorite things about this journey- the love of friends and family for me. It's genuine, pure, authentic. My angels sent from God, just for me, just for this journey.

http://www.info-komen.org/site/TR/RacefortheCure/LSV_KentuckyAffiliate?team_id=364964&pg=team&fr_id=6552

XOXOXOXO

Amanda