I'm on the Top of the World!

Yep...it's me again! I just had to share some incredible news. We had our second chemo session today, which went really well! (Aside from Dave beating me at cards!) Before chemo, we met with the Dr, who examined me. She said the tumor has shrunk about 4 centimeters!! This just amazes me that from ONE session, we had such a great response!! To put things into perspective, the tumor was at about 10 centimeters so that is a significant reduction. The Dr. said she is "very pleased!" So are we!! I'm doing the dance of joy!

Tonight at dinner devotions, it was my turn to read the Bible. I did okay but when I got to this verse, I got rather choked up and had to pass the Bible to Dave to finish....."And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. " (2 Corinthians 9:8) What an incredible encouragement to be reminded that in ALL things at ALL times, we have ALL we need! We are surrounded by God's grace to do His work. We are not on our own power because God makes His grace abound to us! Even on those days we are tired, frustrated, or feeling cruddy, He can still use us! I guess I never really thought about it like that.

Speaking of feeling cruddy, if last time is any indication, Saturday, Sunday and Monday will be the days I'm really beat. But, somehow, I think they'll be a little "sweeter" knowing we are making progress!

So, to my wonderful prayer warriors, major PRAISE for this great news!!

In His Strength,



Cindy and the VK's

Give Thanks, with a Grateful Heart!

Hi All! It's been a while so I thought it was time for another update. We had a fabulous Thanksgiving with a lot for which to be thankful! I've always really liked Thanksgiving...it's a low key holiday with none of the pressure to "be merry" or perfect gift expectations. Instead, it's a chance to gather with friends and family, eat lots of good food and be grateful for our blessings. (Plus I love all the pumpkin and pilgrim decorations! They are just so cute!) This year, our list of things for which we are thankful was a little different.....we were thankful for an excellent oncologist, for all the love, support and prayers of everyone throughout this ordeal and for the way God has placed so many "medical" people in our live to help answer our questions. Our Pastor had a great sermon Thursday morning where he pointed out we are told to to be thankful IN all circumstances, not necessarily FOR all circumstances. I can honestly say I don't know that I'll ever be thankful for cancer. But, we can be thankful for the way God takes care of us through our trials. And, that is something for which we are, well, thankful!

Chemo #2 happens this Thursday. This appointment will be proceeded by labs where they will check several things to make sure I'm healthy enough for another session. Please pray that everything will be okay so we can continue with treatment. I'm also grateful for a really good past week! I'm hoping that now that I've gone through this once, I'll know a little bit more what to expect. Also, please pray for peace....it's a bit unsettling when each new thing occurs wondering "Is this normal?" I'm definitely learning that I'm NOT in charge right now!

Oh, and the hair is still there, although I'm "shedding" quite a bit. My hair dryer is making a horrible noise and I'm wondering what will go first, the dryer or the hair! My money is on the hair!

I hope that all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend! Thanks again for your love and support!!

In His Strength,


Cindy & The VK's

Just Give Me a Head with Hair, Long Beautiful Hair...

Okay Ladies....let's be honest. We have all looked in the mirror at one point or another and thought "I HATE my hair." I know I have! When I was young, it was thin and never did what I wanted it to do. I was from the generation of the Farrah Fawcett curls and it never seemed to want to "flip" correctly. As I got older, I found a fabulous stylist and friend who understands my hair and knows how to clip, color and style it so it behaves. And, although it's not perfect, it's mine and I like it! It's a weird feeling to look in the mirror and know it will probably be gone in less than a week. I've been told hair loss usually begins on day 14, which will be Thanksgiving. I heard on the radio that for 60% of women facing cancer, losing their hair is their number one worry. Yeah, I can relate. I'm wondering if I will resemble the female version of Mr. Clean.

However, as usual, my dear hubby put things into perspective. He reminded me that although the chemo will make me lose my hair, it's saving my life. We're told in Matthew 10:29-31 "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." I know that God will see me through yet another part of dealing with this cancer. Who knows....maybe my wig will be even better than my own hair! Plus, I'll get to pick out some cute hats and scarves. I'm already thinking that getting ready in the morning will take less time. And, of course, the "frugal" part in me appreciates the money I'll save on my hair the next year. But, I'll honestly admit, I'll look forward to it's return!

Our first "post-chemo week" went pretty well. I felt great the day after and thought "this isn't so bad." But, Saturday morning, the extreme fatigue set in and I did a lot of sleeping over the weekend. I also experienced a couple of annoying side effects, one that warranted a return trip to the Dr. but nothing serious. I'm definitely on the upswing and hoping things will remain stable until my next chemo session on Thursday, November 29.

A real concern of mine is getting sick so please pray that our family stays healthy! Also, for the side effects of the chemo to subside. Praise that I was able to work this past week..it was good to be there. And, as always, that the chemo will do its thing and shrink that tumor!!

Thanks for stopping by and "hairs" to you for your prayers and support! :-)

In His Strength,


Cindy and the VK's

We've Only Just Begun.....

Hi Friends! Today was our first chemo session. It's the first step in what will be a tough battle but it felt SO good to finally be doing something! We arrived down at Rush around 9:30 and met our chemo nurse who was wonderful! She was a Christian lady who had such a gentle spirit and we really hit it off well! We were given a private room, since it was our first treatment. It was a little disconcerting hearing all the side effects that could happen while receiving the drugs and then to make matters worse, before we began with the chemo drugs a woman nearby had a really bad reaction and things sprung into high gear. The doctor was called, nurses went running....things were pretty tense for a few moments. Thankfully, she was treated quickly and was able to continue her chemo. Not something you want to see when you are waiting to begun. I'm happy to report things went very smoothly for us. We had no problems with any of the meds. We can feel how we are being bathed in prayer!!! Dave and I came prepared to wait because we had been warned. We brought books, magazines, movies, cards, MP3's, blankets, snacks, laptops. It's like we were moving in! Pretty hysterical! We landed up playing cards all day. Dave destroyed me the first game but I came back and beat him the next two. He CLAIMS he let me win, but sorry, I'm not buying that!! :-) We arrived home around 6 pm and enjoyed a great dinner. The nurse doubts I'll have too much stomach problems because they gave me a ton of drugs to curtail that. Tiredness should kick in tomorrow. We'll see how that goes.

I had an epiphany early this week because this past weekend, I spent a lot of time worrying. Turns out my ankle was actually fractured so I worried about needing a cast (thankfully, I didn't!). I worried about chemo, I worried about our kids, I worried about long term survival, I worried I won't be able to work due to poor white blood counts, I worried about the cancer coming back, (uh, Cindy....let's get rid of it first!). Thankfully, God hit me over the head with this passage....

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[b]?

"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' (Comment from CVK: Does this mean I don't need to cook or do laundry? Ha ha!) For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:25-29

Now, I realize, we all have more "worries" ahead....it's just human nature. I don't think God wants us to bury our worries, put on a happy face and say everything is great all the time. He knows that we are frail. But, we do need to carefully examine these verses and realize that we DO need to seek HIS kingdom first. Personally, I love verse 27 that says.. Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? What a great statement! Instead, I know I wasted time worrying, rather than enjoying the moment. This will be an ongoing challenge for me!

Well, I've rambled on long enough. We truly can't thank you all enough for your prayers...it's a gift of unmeasurable comfort and strength to all of us! Please pray for minimal side effects, that I will stay healthy to do my job (I love the staff and kids at TC, they make me smile!!), and for health for our family. If we can pray for something for you, please don't hesitate to let us know!!!

Thanks for reading this epic! Have a great weekend!!

In His Strength,

Cindy and the VK's

P.S. I had to take of picture of Dave's shirt! Isn't it great?

Some days you're the windshield, some days you're the bug!

Did you ever just have "one of those days?" That was yesterday for me! It started out well enough with Bible Study, I ran into a good friend at the grocery store and then went home and got some work done. But, at 2:40 pm, I received a call from my surgeon. I could tell she was upset. She first apologized for always having to call me with bad news and then went on to say the biopsy confirmed it was Inflammatory Breast Cancer. It almost felt like being diagnosed all over again. After the biopsy on Monday, I was really beginning to think it wasn't going to be the "bad" kind. But, it was. I had about an hour to pull myself together before Erin came home. I talked to some friends and family and that really helped. Erin arrived home and I helped her get ready with her costume and went outside to take photos of her and her friend. However, when I stepped off our front stoop, I twisted my ankle something horrible and landed up on my front lawn, in some serious pain. Thankfully, my neighbor was getting her mail and she helped me get up and limp into the house. All I could think was "You have GOT to be kidding!" You reach a point where you just got to laugh, you know? I said I think the sprained ankle was God's way to help me keep my mind off the diagnosis! A good friend stopped by in the evening and by the time I limped off to bed, I felt better about the whole thing. We're just back with the original diagnosis.

We have decided to go with the Dr. at Rush and spoke to their office today. They wanted one more scan, this time of my heart. Details fell into place quickly and that will be taking place tomorrow. Then, chemo will begin next Thursday, November 7. I'm told it will be a total of six sessions and they'll take place every three weeks.

Ever since I received the news yesterday, Romans 8:38-39 has kept running through my head. (with a small edit from me, in red) See kids? Memorizing scripture really IS important! :-)

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, (including cancer!) will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I know these weren't the results we had hoped and prayed for, but I am confident that God will carry us through this storm!! Absolutely NOTHING can separate us from His love!!

We'd be grateful if you could pray for continued peace for our family and that the treatment will be effective! The surgeon did say it's very unusual that it hasn't spread, considering the size of the tumor. That is very encouraging news!! Please pray that we will have positive interactions with the staff and other patients at chemo. Also, please pray that my ankle feels better!

Here's praying that everyone has a "windshield" rather than "bug" kind of day!!

In His Strength,



Hop-a-Long and the rest of the VK's