Out of the Pink ~ In the Pink

From Out of the pink to In the Pink in 6 years. 🎀

“Take the rest of your tamoxifen and we’ll see you in a year.” The Dr. said. Well, I had already deemed myself sort of cancer free after 9 surgeries but cancer was always lurking outside the door of my heart. No one is ever sure it’s gone for good.
I had been one of the lucky ones. No chemo, no radiation just nine surgeries in the last six years and the poison you have to take to remove the bigger poison. Doctor visits, doctors offices that change locations, with changes in staff and I seem to know the ropes better than the nurses by now. You see people in waiting rooms just diagnosed and hope they’re as lucky as you, as if any of this seems lucky. Some are… Some aren’t and it fills my heart with grief, fear and sometimes anger at this nasty little disease that takes so many lives way too soon. But enough of the negative for today.

I didn’t think it would hit me with such an emotional response. It was an ocean of feelings I’d been drowning in this last 6 years that poured over me now like a delicate afternoon rain.
“This is the appointment people look forward to.” He said. “This is the one where I get to congratulate you.” With that, he shook my hand and offered congratulations. I asked, as if I didn’t know, “So I can say I am cancer free?“ He and the physician’s assistant laughed as they nodded. It was a welcomed giggle, and after covering myself from my naked vulnerability I’d become accustomed to, I walked back to my car leaving a trail of tears. All I wanted to do was ring a bell!! “Where’s my bell?” I asked, as I skipped down the hall.

No bells to ring ….. except those in heaven celebrating with me the end of a chapter. THE END OF THAT BOOK. I called my family and they celebrated with me.

Now on to the next journey. I pray everyone going through an out of the pink experience or their own personal colored ribbon journey have the best experience possible with such a terrible diagnosis. I pray you trust God, walk with grace, let others help carry your burden and live each day as if there’s no tomorrow!! 🎀 Thank you all my friends and family for walking through this journey with me, beside me and for All the support and prayers this last six years. #outofthepink #mypinkjourney

Out Of The Pink ~ My Thanks

My Thanks ~ Day 90, November 19, 2016

Today is day 90. Three months since I was diagnosed. So much has happened in such a short period of time. This is one time I’m glad time is flying by. Getting to the other side of this mountain can’t come quick enough. I have been changed forever and I will always remember the love and kindness shown to me and my family. This blog post is my thanks to you. It’s not much but my gratitude is all I have to give. 
This is my last post as I take a break for the holidays to spend time celebrating life with my friends and family. I will continue to update as I make progress. I wanted to say a special thanks to those who have continued to pray, text, call, message and reach out in other ways to let me know you care. I sent cards to a few of you but could never seem to get to everyone. Social media is the only way I knew to reach all of you at once. I didn’t want to mention names because I knew I’d forget someone, but I have to try. It just seemed like the right thing to do. 
So many of you reached out in so many different and special ways, and it deserves mentioning. We don’t get through life’s struggles alone. All of you have been part of my recovery and I’ll always be grateful. My thanks to you and a thousand more times, thank you. The names are in no specific order. I pray if I’ve missed anyone, you’ll forgive me but you and I and God know, I made it through because of you. ❤️
Robbie, Jim, Maria, Craig, Charlene, Regina, Amber, Paula, David, Jill, Kurt, Andy, Judy, Tom, Linda, Della, Melanie, Karen, Tonya, Marjorie, Renee, Dean, Stephanie, Rick, Lisa, Ron, Michelle, Melissa, Angie, Amanda, Hoby, Jan, Joan, Pam, Scott, Randy, Tim, Julie, Caleb, Elvis, Natalie, Jon, Gerri, Nelly, John, Jan, Ernie, Linda, Callaghan family, Magsakay family, Lorie, Sam, Michael, Connie, Donna, Gary, Patricia, Kayla, Justin, Jeanne, Teri, Aaron, Dick, Eleanor, Vicki, Kathy, Colleen, Cheryl, Cindy, Laura, Elizabeth, Bonnie, Joe, Suzanne, Jessica, Margaret, Ashley, Carl, Shirley, Cecelia, Alicia, Mary, Judith, Richard, Sharon, Kathleen, Gloria Jean, Johnnie, Orlino, Bob, Kathy, Addam, Halina, Marissa, Kristy, Valerie, Naomi, Susie, Wayne, Michelle, Bryan, Monica, Chris, Candace, Cathy, Stephanie, Janet, T. J., LeeAnn, Ryan, Kent, Mandi, Jason, Dillan, Rylee, Landon, Sheri, Mike, Gilli, Kathryn, Chris, Merrie Jo, Sylvia, Jaanice, Erica, Gina, Celibeth, Nancy, Margo, Melinda, Marlene, Cynthia, Leanne, Teresa, Dinah, Chuck, Lorna, Grace, Bernie, Bettina, Melisa, Tammy, Dan, Carol, V. J., Jamie, Doodle, Mary Anne, Misty, Stacy, DeAnna, Kate, Pamela, Kaye, Reese, Keandra, Angela, Dee, Robert, Rhonda, Gail, Gene, Marti, Jeanie, Pete, Margie, Haley, Eric, Elsie, Marie, Kora, Leslie, Bruce, Richie, Scarlett, Steven, Dora, Missy, Gonçalo, Wayne, Patti, Merrie, Traci, Steve, Sandi, Erin, Kelley, Lori, Carter, Dawn, Kristin, Sandy, Trina, Mark, Debbie, Russ, Vivian, Rebecca, Josh, Gloria, Brenda, Rebekah, Debbie, Carolyn, Joy, Jordan, Jenna, Becki, Sherry, Leslee, Alanna, Marlene, Evelyn, Darlene, Clinton, Cindi, Joni, Jacquelyn, Al, Sabrina, Joel, Ferrell, Christy, Gloria, Ken, Johnna, Mindy, Dick, Miranda, Derek, Lisa, Nickie, Josias, Sue, Scooter, Emily, Lauren, Matthew, Elaine, Angelina, Melody, Shannon, Sean, Karol, Doug, Wendy, Georgeanne, Keith, Winnie, Kimberly, Tim, Beth, Tamara, Sandra, Brittany, Gwen, Lisa, Phyllis, Kristina, Mandy, Chad, Tommy, Lisa, Mike, Anna Cate, Eli, Crystal, Denise, Susan, Jeff, Rachel, Amy, Stacey, Meghan, Marina, Lynn, Aura, Vivian, Carrie, Lindsay, Richelle, Gigi, Reba, Glenn, Carlene, Tammy, Heather, Nelson, Jenn, Liz, Shenita, Holli, Faith, Amanda, Marsha, Constantine, Lacresia, Dan, Chryol, Monique, Petra, Joanna, Shauna, Joie, Allen, Charlotte, Chris, Duane, Doug, Floyd, PeggySue, Barbara, Chloe, Kellie, Tera, William, Hannah, Hope, Betsy, Sarah, Shelly, Kristen, Sandra, Logan, Brian, Janet, Bridget, Claudia, Beverly, Danielle, Jennifer, Tracy, Sandi, Mebane, Brooke, Raechelle, Marie, Sherri, Joseph’s, Stan’s, and Southern Grill staff and countless others who silently lifted up a prayer for me. 

As I read each name, I picture you in my mind and specifically thank God for you. You made the difference! You took time and energy to show me kindness and I can’t thank you enough. I pray you will be rewarded in special ways. 

My thanks to you and God bless,
Kathie

Out Of The Pink ~ Best Year Ever

Best Year Ever ~ Day 89, November 18, 2016

I’m an extremely passionate person, mostly about…well, to be honest, everything. It doesn’t have to be world changing or life altering, although it almost always is to me. So when I found about about my cancer, it was certainly that. I mean world changing AND life altering. It was supposed to be the best year ever this time. It didn’t seem to turn out that way for me, or did it?

Each year around the holidays the passion for family, friends, togetherness and life itself grows deeper and deeper. It goes by so fast and cancer changes your perspective. but, by the time the festivities are over, decorations are put away and another year goes down in the history books, we’re already planning for the next ‘best year ever’. We make promises we don’t keep, resolutions we can’t keep, and plans we know we won’t keep. But we let ourselves off the hook because somewhere deep inside, we didn’t really expect anything anyway. 

We tell each other, “This will be the best year ever.” I say it to myself as if I actually believe it, but before the end of the year, I resign myself to trying once again next year. Why wasn’t it the best year ever THIS year? Why couldn’t it be? Was that my fault? I’ve said it every year just like other believers. I truly mean it too. If it was up to me, I would do my part. But still, things just don’t always work out the way we plan. Does that mean it can’t be the best year ever?

My plans hadn’t ever worked out the way I imagined, especially this year. Things started out okay. That’s usually the way it works. After the countdown to the new year, a fresh hope is born. I have such aspirations for all the things I feel passionate about. Im going to make a difference this year. A sense of excitement fills my mind and heart with new ideas. With it comes all the dreams and plans one makes when they truly believe it can be the best year ever. 

What happens when it takes a turn for the worst? What happens when you get diagnosed with cancer or you hear the bad news about a loved one? What happens when that deployment is unexpected or a betrayal turns in to a broken covenant? What happens when a loved one passes too soon or suffers too long? What happens when medical bills are growing and finances are shrinking? What about passion then? 

Do we still believe in our hopes and dreams? Maybe we think we’re expecting too much. We don’t deserve to be happy anyway so when bad things happen we give up on ourselves and more importantly, give up on God. Thankfully he never gives up on us. He doesn’t give up on our hopes and dreams even when we do. Just because things don’t work out the way we imagine doesn’t mean we can’t make the best out of every moment. 

Everything we face, and everything we’re going through is literally moving behind us one moment at a time. If we’re continually moving forward with every step we take, we could consider each trial already ‘in the past’. The past is something we can’t change, but we learn from it and move on. We’re told in Phil. 3:13 to “forget what is past and look forward to what lies ahead.” The only way I could view life’s interruptions was to consider them in the past and look forward to what comes next. 

That sounds to me like hopes and dreams are alive and well. I can still make it the best year ever by shear nature of the fact that some of life’s greatest moments are found in the fire where God’s power is felt. Some of the best times are found deep in the valley where God shows me His glory. And sometimes the best year ever is about finding joy in the harsh realities of life and not in the happiest moments. 

So as we come to the end of another year, the one that was supposed to be the best year ever, look back and know that, though things didn’t turn out the way you imagined, you can still make the best of everything that has happened in your life. Find joy in knowing God never left you and You’re never alone. You are stronger and wiser. You’ve learned from your experiences and can move forward with new hope. 

Now as you count down to the next year, with trouble behind you, I pray you’ll be able to say, this was the best year ever. Because I let go of what is behind and reach out for what is ahead, I can truly believe each year is better than the one before, and the best is yet to come. 

Out Of The Pink ~ The Common Thread

The Common Thread ~ Day 88, November 17, 2016

I was reminded today of just why we share our story. Sometimes it’s healing to the author. Sometimes it’s healing to the reader. Sometimes it doesn’t heal anything at all but it sure makes a difference in another’s life. I would be foolish to think I’m the only one with a story to tell. I would also be foolish to believe if I didn’t tell my story, no one else would tell theirs. But, I sure would miss out on the blessing of sharing that common thread with a fellow cancer survivor. 

Many times during these last 90 days I questioned whether I was wasting my time blogging, or maybe just writing to hear myself talk. I’ve been accused on more than one occasion of having a lot more words than I can use in a day. I write so I don’t drive most of my friends and family absolutely crazy. Although I’m sure I still do.

Every time I’m convinced enough is enough, or I’ve said my peace or I’ve over-shared one too many times, I am reminded someone out there, who I may never meet, is being stirred by words they read. They understand because the common thread that connects us to each other runs deep. It could be a pink ribbon, purple ribbon, red ribbon or any other color of thread symbolizing the fight against cancer’s ability to rob it’s victim of hope, freedom, even their very life. No matter what your fight, someone recognizes it by the words expressed in each story told and can be encouraged by it. 

There are those who can’t or don’t know how to tell their story, but so desperately relate to every word of another’s. We may not share the same struggle, but the emotions are the same. It’s the common thread between us that heals. It’s knowing we’re not alone. It’s knowing others have gone before us, faced the fear, fought the fight and held onto a peace that passes all understanding. It’s also knowing others will come after us, will also face fear, they’ll also fight the fight and gain peace as they see they’re not alone. 

I can’t tell you how many stories I read encouraging me after my diagnosis. I thank God they shared. If they can do it, maybe I can too. And, maybe if I can, someone else can too, and so on. It gives my struggle real purpose and allows me to be victorious instead of being merely a victim. The common thread in our stories is the fact we’re all human. We all face the initial shock, experience denial, anger, sadness, guilt, fear, and after spinning around with those emotions a few times, we finally land on acceptance. 

When we find the courage to speak out, no matter how silly we may think we sound, we expose the common thread connecting ourselves to a fellow struggler. In doing so, we have the privilege of restoring hope and courage to someone we may never meet face to face. But they can relate to every word we share. Some will lose their struggle without ever feeling understood, encouraged or hopeful. Maybe reading my story, or your story, would have been their common thread connection. 

Someone reading this now is being encouraged. Someone reading this has a story to share. Someone right now is seeing a common thread in another’s struggle and is gaining strength. What good is a struggle if it doesn’t transform you or make you better? What good is transformation or ‘better’ if it isn’t shared, doesn’t give someone else courage to keep fighting or restore hope?
Everyone is fighting a battle and there are common threads running all over the place.

 Let your struggle transform you and make you better. Then tell someone. Whether it’s a pink journey or your own journey, let your words give hope to those who need it and gain strength from the common thread that connects you to others, remembering we’re all fighting something. Someone’s been there before….listen. Someone will be there after…..share. It’s the common thread that heals. 

Out Of The Pink ~ The Pause

The Pause ~ Day 87, November 16, 2016

Tonight at my church’s worship service, my pastor challenged us to pause and think of all the things we are thankful for in 2016. I try to be thankful all year, but I make a habit of listing things each day of the month in November I’m thankful for because it’s the Thanksgiving month. So lately, it has been on my mind more than usual. 

I was asked tonight to give one example that pops into my mind right away and of course, I’d have to say for my healing. However, I couldn’t stop there with the most obvious, cause that just touches the surface. I had to pause first. Yes, I felt healed. I am healed for now. But, I wasn’t healed instantly when I was diagnosed. I wasn’t healed miraculously before surgery. God let me go down this pink path. 

I had been through more trial, more loss, more pain and more challenges in the last 5 or 6 years than I had been in most of my life, including betrayal, divorce, and breast cancer. I had experienced a lot of things that could have left me feeling rejected, unloved and abandoned by God. After all, I had been faithful. I had been grateful. How could God allow me to face so much trial? 

After I paused, I realized I gained something important with each one. Had I been spared pain, rejection or challenge, I would have missed seeing the power of God first hand. But wait, there’s more. I had been through more stuff in my life since I’ve been a member of my church. How ironic. What’s the correlation? Was I experiencing trial because I was here or was I here because I was going to experience trial? 
I needed that pause to realize God, knowing what I would face, picked me up and carefully placed me right in the center of the most amazing community of faithful followers of Christ. He knew what I needed before I had a clue. He didn’t save me from the storm, but He certainly provided shelter during it. He didn’t spare me suffering, but He did protect me through it. 

I was thankful for many things but as I paused, I could see the bigger picture. God healed my heart. He healed my wounds. He was my provider, my healer, my savior and He loved me so much, He knew what I needed before I needed it. He set my feet on a rock so I would not sink when the ground beneath me became shaky. That’s something to be thankful for. 

I will challenge myself with each trial that comes to pause, look at the bigger picture and trust God. He wants to show you His glory and power through the struggle. Sometimes it comes miraculously, but sometimes it comes later. He may not spare you from the struggle of cancer, illness, heart ache or even betrayal, but you can always find something to be thankful for if you pause first. 

Out Of The Pink ~ Letting Go Of Good To Find Better.

Letting Go Of Good To Find Better ~ Day 86, November 15, 2016

I have been fretting over the issues concerning insurance and my next surgery. Mainly because rumors were flying about rising premiums and even higher deductibles. I needed to have my next surgery, and I hadn’t even met with the doctor for a thorough consultation. I didn’t have any details, any answers and not even a date yet. I was getting more and more anxious about it. 

I couldn’t imagine having to start over finding new insurance, with the possibility of not having the same providers I had just gotten to know so well. I couldn’t put it off til next year with a whole new deductible and out of pocket expenses. I will already be making payments the rest of my life as it is. I was desperate to keep everything the way it is now. I hate change. Why did it have to change. 

I finally met with the insurance company today, despite my desire to keep things as is. I didn’t have a choice any way, so I decided I’d at least be in charge of choosing my alternative. I didn’t understand any of the technical jargon and felt completely incapable of making the right decision. But, I did have a friend in the business and she pointed me in the right direction. 
As I sat across the desk from my new insurance agent, she whizzed through it like she’d done this a million times. To make a long story short, she walked me through the entire process, including the full explanation, filled out all the forms and checked and re-checked every detail. I signed the documents, paid my first premium and was on my way in less than an hour. 

What’s important to know is, if I had gotten my way, I would be stuck with my amazing, “as is” insurance policy with its so-so premium going up, and it’s high deductible and out of pocket expenses. I was so comfortable with the way things were, even if they were bad, that I was afraid of the change. I had my mind so set on the way things were, I gave no thought to the idea that things could be so much better. 

I hesitated to give up the old for the new because I had already decided it was as good as it gets. I assumed it would just be more of the same or worse. But, once again, there was a lesson to learn here. I had no choice but to let go of my own control and continue moving forward with faith. When I finally surrendered, I stepped out of my comfort zone, got all the information I could and made a decision to accept what was inevitable. 

I was reluctant to give up a higher premium, higher co-pays, $6850.00 deductible and out of pocket costs, and out of network providers. But with the new coverage, I gained a lower premium, lower co-pays, no only lower but ZERO, deductible and max out of pocket expense of $800. I even got some of my out of network providers on the provider list. What I was reluctant to give up, turned out to be so much worse for me. When I let go and accepted what I could not control, I ended up with a plan that was so much better. I had to let go of what I thought was good enough to get something much better. 

I’m so grateful, but what a great lesson. I must stop holding onto what I think I need, what I think I want and what I think is best for me. Then I might have the ability to take hold of what might be much better for me, what I truly need and may not even know I want. God has a better plan for us but sometimes we hold onto things we’d be better off without. 

Today’s lesson taught me to stay open to the opportunities all around and stop holding on to what feels comfortable, or what I may be afraid to lose. Something much better may be waiting around the corner. 

Out Of The Pink ~ Win Win

Win Win ~ Day 85, November 14, 2016

Today is Monday and I spent several hours on the phone setting up payments for hospital bills, re-applying for new insurance, and trying to keep all of my providers in tact. There’s nothing scarier than finding out your insurance coverage ends at the end of the year and you must re-apply. If you don’t cross every T and dot every i, you could lose coverage, lose your current doctors and be responsible for a whole lot of out of pocket expenses. 

I can only hope I can keep the same physicians and hospital I started this pink journey with. I’m right in the middle of the process. It seems crazy to start all over, but it’s the nature of the Affordable Care Act and I’m at its mercy. Fortunately I have a friend in the insurance business who will guide me through the details so I don’t miss a beat. That’s a win for me. 
Thank goodness I feel good right now and have something to distract me from all the red tape, softball. Tonight was the last night of the softball tournament. Cancer tried to steal it from me, but failed miserably. Even though I wasn’t able to participate the entire season, I was still on the team, and that’s a win win for me. 
It was a long night, clear and cold. Of course colder for me since I wasn’t able to play. I probably could have but just can’t risk getting hurt before surgery. It didn’t matter, at least I was on the team. We wrapped up the season tonight playing three games, winning the first 16/1, and the second 4/1, but losing the final game to take second place for the tournament. Second place is not bad. It’s still a win. 
We end each season with a prayer, high fives and a “see you next season.” We move quickly past our wins or loses to the next big thing on our schedules. Believe it or not, there are other things going on before, during and after our season that get put aside to engage in this friendly competition. We only miss games for really important stuff so we don’t let each other down. It’s what teams do to win. 

My surgery was important stuff but softball was a welcome distraction from my pink journey. It made me feel whole and alive. It allowed me to forget about the cancer for a few hours a week. All the stuff doesn’t go away though. It’s there waiting for me when the season ends. So now I’ll renew my insurance, try to keep my doctors and work on scheduling my next surgery. 

There’s a bit more for me down this cancer road, but I think the point is to enjoy what you can while you can. The “stuff” will still be there when I finish. Cancer with softball is so much better than cancer without it. The distraction, the friendships, the exercise, the team spirit, the competition, the fun. What I gain from it is life-giving. I can be sick at home alone, or I can be sick on the field surrounded by life-giving energy. I choose the latter, and that’s a win win for me. 

If the enemy wanted cancer to destroy me, rendering me useless, it had lost that battle. I will have my next surgery and when Spring comes again and all is fresh and new, I will play and remind the enemy who’s in charge. God has a plan. It’s better than anything the enemy can try. If we keep believing and push through, living as if the victory has already been won, that’s a win win either way. 

 

Out Of The Pink ~ Passion and Purpose

Passion and Purpose ~ Day 84, November 13, 2016

It’s day 84 and that means next Saturday will mark the 90th day of my Out Of The Pink journey, and the last of my daily blogs. It gave me purpose and now it’s time to move forward. I will post updates as I go through the next few steps in the reconstruction faze along with the continued recovery.

I will say this once again on Saturday, but I appreciate you taking this journey with me your prayers and encouragement these last three months. I will take time to focus on my family through the holidays and move forward making decisions for next year and finding my new passion and purpose.  

I will also begin preparing to write the next book in my Happily Even After series. I appreciate your continued prayers for this project and pray others will be inspired by the pink journey of the ones who’ve graciously given me permission to share their story. It has become a new passion for me. 

Please continue sharing the gofundme link so I can accomplish this next goal. I could not have asked for a greater support system. You’ve made the journey bearable. I am blessed to be surrounded by the greatest prayer warriors in the world who are passionate about God, family and community. 

I believe in the passionate pursuit of all three. Our passion for God and all He brings to our lives is contagious. So, as I have faced my journey with family, friends and passionate prayer warriors by my side, I hope I have carried this burden with grace. I hope someone smiled, or felt better or got inspired in some small way. It is now time to move forward. My plan is to get back to living life, loving my family and serving God through the ministry He’s called me to. 

Thank you again for your continued encouragement and prayers. We all have a call on our lives to give back, to go and tell about all God is doing for good in our lives. We are all called to give an answer for our hope. It is my intention to remain hopeful for great things to come so I can share what God is doing with the enemy’s plans to destroy, as I move forward living life with passion and purpose. 

Out Of The Pink ~ Memories

Memories ~ Day 83, November 12, 2016

I can’t believe time has flown by so quickly these last few months as cancer consumed my thoughts. I’m grateful for that, but just for today I will decide to put away anything pink. Don’t get me wrong. I support the fight for cancer research and a cure, but today is about remembering there’s a whole lot more life to keep living. Our loved ones deserve it. We leave lasting memories in living not just existing.

It’s a beautiful Saturday and I woke feeling a new determination. So, with open doors, sun shining through my windows and the smell of toasted walnuts, cinnamon and oatmeal in my kitchen, I take time to reminisce. Conversations around the table, meals fit for a king, and the familiar fragrances of family fill my heart this time of year. The aroma in my kitchen brings those memories to the surface. 

Memories are what make life redeemable when trials come or the future is uncertain. Memories give us wings to fly when we don’t feel like standing. Memories bring loved ones close when they’re far away, and closer when they’re no longer with us. Every year we have an opportunity to make new ones, but the only way to do that is to live, not merely exist. 

Memories fill the space in our soul reserved for special times. We can choose the ones we want to keep and those we wish to throw away. They are made for sharing, for remembering and for inspiring, but don’t let them consume you. There’s a whole lot more life to live now. We have new memories to make and love to share. 
Life. It can be beautiful and very fragile. Many only find it when they’re faced with the possibility of losing it. Life threatening circumstances can produce fear or passion. Then memories come flooding in with a familiar song, smell, or feeling. If it doesn’t propel you forward with joy or fill you with hope, it robs you and your loved ones a chance to build on what’s past to create what’s to be. 

Don’t wait until your journey becomes pink, purple or red to find hope. Don’t wait to make memories until everything is just right. Don’t wait til your life is threatened to live with passion. Keep memories in a safe place, let them propel you forward, inspire you to keep dreaming and enjoy living life now while you can. Memories are nice, but making them is what life is all about. 

Out Of The Pink ~ God Restores

God Restores ~ Day 82, November 11, 2016

I was listening to the radio this afternoon and a veteran was being interviewed. His name is Travis Mills. He is one of five quadruple amputees that survived their wounds. He lost his limbs fighting wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The enemy stole his limbs, but God restored his will to live. 

He is a father, husband and motivational speaker. As he was sharing his story, he said he felt very lucky to be able to come home alive, take his daughter to school and continue to date his wife, unlike many others who paid the ultimate sacrifice. The enemy wanted to steal his life too, but God restored it. He was lucky to be alive. 

Hearing these stories and more as Veterans Day comes and goes, I was so encouraged. He and many others have every reason to be angry and give up, but he chose not to. His motto is “Never Give Up. Never quit.” He shares all over the world with others who need to see if he can do it, they can too. He had faced the most terrible odds and came out stronger than ever because God restored his hope. 
I had been diagnosed with cancer and I’m not saying it wasn’t scary and devastating to some degree. I certainly could have lost my life, but I didn’t. I was lucky to be alive. I lost something that I could certainly do without. I lost something I could replace, for the most part, like normal. He had lost his ability to feed himself, touch his child, even scratch his head. He couldn’t stand, walk, or run. He would never be able to hold his wife or child again. He would never play football with the guys, work on the family car, or feel the secure grip of his wife’s hand. The enemy took stole his ability but God restored his inner strength. 

What did I have to complain about? I am so blessed. My friend who just recently had a mastectomy, will undergo chemo and must fight to keep her hair, and that’s scary. My other friend has been fighting cancer for a while now. She and he husband are exhausted. The enemy has stolen their happiness at times, but God restored their joy. 
Still another friend just buried her mom who fought cancer for the last year. I might have no feeling in my chest, but I can still hug my grandchildren. I may not me able to feel under my arms, but at least I still have them. I’m lucky to be alive, just like Travis, and feel blessed I can still spend time with my grandchildren, serve in my church, and continue to love and be loved by a good man. The enemy keeps trying to steal my mind but God restores my passion. 
During November when we are reminded to be thankful, I can always be thankful for the things I still get to do, even if it looks a little pink down this road. Cancer stole the lives of my friends and family. Cancer stole my client’s hair and steals many hours of their day. Cancer steals our energy, our thoughts and our money. But, it can’t steal my gratitude for the blessings I still have and the things I still get to do. The enemy tried to take to that too, but God restores my gratitude daily. 

I’m keeping my blessings ever before me, because the enemy will always try to remind me of what cancer steals instead of what God restores.