Hope and Inspiration



Team gg at Light the Night for LLS

The LLS Light the Night walk was a wonderful event. Some walked with survivors and some walked in memory of loved ones lost. My daughter Ashley said that she found herself in tears when she saw all of the young children wearing survivor t-shirts,and  again when we had the survivor parade.

Who wouldn't be emotionally touched when we see children that we know have gone through cancer treatment. The parade of survivors made her tear up because she saw the lives that are being saved through treatment. Though many have lost their lives to blood cancer there is always hope for healing and a cure. Seeing the parade of lights through the park was such a beautiful sight and represented the hope to find a cure.

My Hubby just read me a story about a young man, Naval Academy Grad and Navy SEAL, Justin Legg. He was diagnosed in 2006 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He was also diagnosed with Philadelphia Chromosome, an abnormality in his genes that caused cancerous cells to duplicate 80 times faster than in other patients. This meant that he would need a bone marrow transplant. This young man was to take an incredible journey and his training as a Navy SEAL would give him the attitude he needed to face what was in front of him.  He would face GVHD (graft vs. host disease) and then in 2010 his lungs would collapse and he would receive a life saving double lung transplant. Justin, being of such strength went on to complete a half marathon eight months later and then completed a second one just last month. His motto is "Do something to improve yourself each day, stretch yourself a little bit father than the day before."

I have been wanting to sleep more lately and have felt a bit lazy. I like to blame it on my low hematocrit count and menopause. I really think that it is easy to get into a pattern of behavior. We all need to push ourselves beyond our comfort level. It seems like everytime I need inspiration, the Good Lord gives it to me. Justin's story gives me inspiration and I hope that it gives you inspiration too.

A Fresh Take

I have had a CaringBridge site since January 2012. My kids set it up to provide updates on my progress and support after I was diagnosed with leukemia, and had a long stay in the hospital ahead of me. I spent five weeks in the hospital receiving chemo that would put me in remission. Several weeks later, I entered Presbyterian-Saint Lukes for a bone marrow stem cell transplant. CaringBridge is a wonderful site that allowed us to keep all of our family and friends abreast of my progress. We have posted all of our CaringBridge posts on this site if you would like to get a sense of our journey over the last nine months. To put it in a nutshell my transplant went well, I am doing very well, and still in remission. I believe that God has more for me to do in this life and is making me stronger and stronger every day.

I decided that I wanted to migrate over to a blog. I think that Ernie, my amazing husband, and I wanted to have a place to share more deeply and personally with you. For the next few weeks I will continue to post updates on my health and the progress in my recovery on CaringBridge. Although we will keep my Caringbridge site active, Ernie and I will be posting regularly on this new blog.

Why the name "Faith Bigger Than Fear?" My and my family's faith is so strong and so sure that it has overcome any fear than we have ever faced. That has really been demonstrated over the course of my treatment for leukemia. I have total trust in Our Lord and my faith has got me through every time in my life when I started out fearful. Fear can cripple people. The only thing that can overcome that fear is believing. You must have faith and love and that will overcome fear everytime. God has blessed me and my family and done amazing things in my life.

I pray that our words, which are rooted in God, help strengthen your faith, hope and love. 

Drawing Strength from Deep Down

"They are like tree, planted by the rivers of water, that yields its fruit in season; its leaves never wither; whatever they do prospers." - Psalms 1:3

 

So says the Psalmist, the upright person, as a well-watered, fruitful tree, endowed with strong beauty. My Hubby read recently an old mid-west story. This story centered on a "Tree of Mystery", which stood on a farm in Indiana. It was distinctive and stood apart. When surrounding trees stood with withered leaves, this mysterious tree had leaves that were green and flourishing. This tree occupied a position upon a hilltop. People came from all over to see it. Kids loved to play under its massive

branches.

 

The time came for a new highway to be built, sealing the fate of this tree. The hill had to be leveled off and the tree cut down. It seemed that history and tradition lost, as the tree was cut down. This is when the secret of the mysterious tree was revealed. Deep down in that hill was a never failing spring of cool, clear water. The grand tree pushed its roots deep into the moist soil for constant nourishment.

This story is a parable of the people who through faith have deep springs of the Spirit of which to draw. No matter how severe the seasons of the soul, they sand up against the storms. They have tapped the inner reservoir of faith, strength and comfort. Such people as these are like trees planted by the rivers of water.

 

I took my picture with the senior class at JFK High School this week. It was wonderful to see the kids. I was one of their class sponsors and have been working with them since they were freshman. They have grown so much. Like I do with my prayers for my own children, I will continue to hope and pray that each one of them are like the mysterious tree, finding the faith and strength to stand up against the storms of life!

 

I miss seeing all of our students and taking part in all of the school activities. Right now they are building their float for homecoming. You all might remember what fun homecoming was in your high school days, and how much you enjoyed it. It is so cool to be able to share in their excitement and just an absolute blessing to be around kids. I really miss that.

 

We want to thank everyone that has donated to Team GG; raising funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. You are all so awesome and own a part of the fight to cure blood cancer and improve the lives of blood cancer patients! If you missed my post and would like to make a donation please use the link below to access our team's fundraising page. No amount is too small !

 

http://pages.lightthenight.org/rm/DenverL12/TeamGG

 

Update: I had my seventh bone marrow biopsy a little over a week ago. When I called the nurse to find out my general results she said they were "very pretty!" Everything looks good. Thanks to all of your prayers and to our glorious Lord for his healing. Also, my blood counts are still improving. Although, my hematocrit is still in the low range it is still going up. The doc has also decreased the steriod that I am on to once a day every other day. I am feeling well and am filled with faith and hope.

 

I know that I asked for prayers for my brother Jimmy. He has been diagnosed with esophegeal cancer. The brain tumors were a result to the cancer spreading upwards. He had brain surgery and is doing well in his recovery. He will begin chemo and radiation treatment soon. Please continue to pray for him.

 

Thank you for all of your love and prayers! I will continue to pray for all of you.

 

Love and God Bless, gg

 

Update and This and That

"If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also, through His Spirit that dwells in you." - Romans 8:11

 

Update: I am sitting here thinking about how wonderful I have been feeling. Even though my hematocrit is still in the low range it has continued to improve and I have more energy than I have had in the longest time.

 

Making sure I exercise five or six days a week has given me stamina and strength. I remember a couple of months ago tryinng to get something out of the bottom shelf of a cabinet. I squatted down but was unable to pick myself back up. Now I can do the deepest squats with no trouble at all! Even pushing myself up out of bed a few months ago was a little difficult, not so anymore! I pray that I never take for granted the incredible physical abilities that The Lord has blessed me with.

September 8th marks six months since my bone marrow transplant. It is hard to believe that it has gone by that quickly. I will be getting a six month bone marrow biopsy on Tuesday. I will, of course, let you know what the results are when we get them back.

 

Other Stuff: The highlight of the week: Our son Josh "Tito" was able to make a flight into Buckley Air Force Base late Friday and left this morning. It was a brief visit and we treasured every moment. It was quite a thrill to watch the two F-18's fly in and then to watch them take off this morning. I couldn't be more proud of my son! Seeing him is always such a blessing.

 

Thank you to all of you that have prayed for Tyler Parkins. I told you about him in an earlier post. He was featured in a Channel 9 News story this past Sunday, that profiled Woody Roseland, another young man battling cancer. Woody is an amazing young man that has the most incredible sense of humor. You can find his video "Sh_t Cancer Patients Say," on You Tube. Pretty entertaining, especially for those of us that have gone through cancer treatment. I thought that you might like to see the young man that you are praying for and it's a really touching story. Please continue to keep Tyler and Woody (Woody's cancer has returned) in your prayers. Click on the link below to view the 9 News story.

http://www.9news.com/rss/story.aspx?storyid=286906

 

I need to ask you all to pray for my brother Jimmy too. He is my second oldest brother and was diagnosed with a brain tumor just two days ago. He underwent surgery today and we are waiting for the pathology reports. He is a man of faith and quite a physically strong man as well. He is a marathon runner and works out daily. I know that the Lord will be beside him during this difficult time.

 

You all continue to amaze me with you love and compassion. I know that I would not be where I am in my recovery without all of your prayers and support. I love you all and you will be forever in my prayers. Let us all pray for all cancer patients and for those battling serious illnesses.

Love and God Bless, gg