Tomorrow morning will be my second chemo treatment. I've been having blood work done every week and the blood counts (white cells, platelets, hemoglobin) that dropped about 10 days after my last treatment have come back up, and I am feeling ready to tackle the next challenge. Thank you, again for all of your prayers and healing hugs. They are working!

A lady came in to work last week and after standing out in the lobby for a while, told me I had beautiful hair! It was one of my wigs, of course, but it made me smile from ear to ear. I honestly thought the thing was screaming, "I am a WIG!" My friend, Christina, took me to buy a second wig, and everyone seems to think it is more me. It has even fooled a few people who know me. I think I've got a few people at work considering getting wigs cuz they are so easy. No more bad hair days! Maybe we could even have a "wear your wig to work" day!? Just a thought.

Oh, and very exciting, this past week I picked up two new friends I will be getting closely acquainted with, my new prosthetic breasts. My sister has me calling them, thing one and thing two. They are incredible, and it might sound silly, but they help to make me feel more whole again. As soon as I told my brother, he asked me if they were double Ds. I told him they were double, alright. Double As! The lady who fitted me warned me about sittng them around the house, especially with dogs around. She said other women have told her they can easily become very expensive dog toys! They even come with their own adorable zip-up suitcases! The first night I had them, I came into the living room and told my mom I had put my boobies to bed. "Yeah," she said, "and your hair is laying on the kitchen counter!" We cracked up!

Speaking of my beautiful mom, we just found out this past week that she has been diagnosed with early stage type II diabetes. She is supposed to go to a class to learn about what to do next and will start testing her blood sugar. From what we understand so far, they will have her try to control it with diet and exercise first. If this does not work, then oral medication will be next. We are certainly hoping that insulin never comes into the picture, but even so, my mom is a very strong, incredible lady. She is already arming herself with information from the doctor. We figure, we have already been eating more healthfully. We'll just adjust our diets to suit diabetes as well. Nonetheless, prayers are most appreciated and most helpful. Please also pray for my new found friend and partner in this fight against breast cancer, JoAnne, who lives in Florida. She is a few months ahead of me in her treatment and has given me insight like no one else. Her white cell count is dropping, and the doctors are not sure why. Please pray that she will not have to endure the bone marrow sample that they are considering doing. We prayed together the other night on the phone, and I know God had his arms wrapped around both of us.

This morning at church we got to lead the 3- to 5-year-olds in a lesson titled, "I will trust God in hard times." As I went over the lesson plan I kept thinking about how perfect the theme of this lesson was and how it happened to land on the Sunday we were teaching, knowing full well that God knew exactly where I would be and what we would be dealing with on this very day. Just reminds me of His presence in my life in an unexpected way. I love being with those kids. They don't hold back; they wear their hearts on their sleeves. They throw their arms around you and treat you just the same as they always do. Here are some gorgeous get-well cards from some young ones I know.



At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.
Luke 10:20-22

A veterinarian I work with, Dr. Mitchell, had her 3-year-old boys draw some pictures for me just before I had my surgery and with no coaching from her, they drew a picture of a storm and a picture of a rainbow. I really believe God was speaking to me through those pictures, reminding me of His promises no matter what storm I am facing. Thank you, God, for child-like faith. Help me to run to you and throw my arms around you unashamed, no matter what the weather forcast.