A New Year for Hope

 

Welcome to the New Year! A time to start again, a clean slate, so to speak.  New opportunities to grow and be grateful.  Personally, I have been struggling. I believe it is due to the medication.  Some days I'm perfectly fine, others not so much. It is funny how the thought of cancer returning affects your life daily.  Sometimes I feel the mention of cancer as being a trigger for people who have lost family and friends to this disease, but I need to remember the hope I have.

The hope I have in Jesus. Where am I placing my hope?  Am I focusing on the one who can heal? Hope is an important part of our healing journey. Our attitudes also have an effect on our journey.  Am I focusing on the negative or the positive? Having a positive attitude helps to decrease stress, improve our quality of life, and build a stronger immune system. Having a positive attitude also helps our relationships. We need those relationships to support us as we go through the process of radiation treatment, chemotherapy, or surgery. 

 I am grateful I never had to go through chemo or radiation treatments. I have heard stories of the effects of these treatments.  My sister also had to go through chemotherapy. I remember the day she decided to shave her hair (she had beautiful hair) and the many bottles of medications she had because of the reactions she had to taking them. One of the best stories I remember about her is our trip to New Mexico.  She wanted to visit friends and family one last time.  Many memories were created during that trip. The first one began when we began our drive.  We were already in Flagstaff when she remembered she had forgotten her oxygen.  The instant fear in me knowing she forgot her oxygen.  Questions flooded my mind.  Do we need to go back? Will she be okay?  She reassured me she would be fine. I know God was with us on that trip.  She did not need her oxygen during our trip.  Believe me, I thank God for walking with us every day. I never saw her angry, sad, depressed, or having a negative attitude. She would only say it was all about love.  Love, Love, Love.

I thank God we have Hope in His Unfailing Love.  "But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love... Psalm 33:18

I thank God for his unfailing love every day.  We have so much to hope for, even when we are going through trials and daily struggles.  I praise God that his mercies are new every day. I am also grateful for my bible study group.  My bible study leader reminded us that God always remembers.  He remembered me that day and provided what we needed for the journey. He never forgets, and even though it doesn't feel like it, he remembers you, too!

Scarlett

The End Of A Difficult Year

 It is hard to believe we have come to the end of another year.  A year filled with fear, hope, love, anger, depression, disappointments, and challenges.  I thank God every day for bringing me through these challenges. I am grateful for my family and friends who have prayed for me and have been there for me. I am also thankful for my pastor and my church family.

 Finding out I had cancer in June and all the decisions we had to make. The fear I felt, and the many nights I cried, not knowing where this diagnosis was going to lead me. The ups and downs of life, as well as the uncertainty of the future.  Even though I am cancer-free today, it does not mean that it will never return. I struggle with this fact, especially when I hear of someone else I know diagnosed with some form of cancer. I have been trying to learn as much as I can about this disease and how it can affect my family in the future. I have also tried fundraising for cancer research and helping cancer patients through the American Cancer Society.  This only added to my frustration; it seemed as if no one was interested, or it just didn't matter. I still try to understand why I developed cancer in the first place and how my DNA mutated.

It's even been harder to maintain a change in lifestyle, diet, and exercise, especially during the holidays.  I seemed to make it through Thanksgiving okay, but Christmas has been a little more challenging. All the snacks, parties, desserts, and foods are very tempting. Even when some of those gifts are given, or desserts are requested. I felt so disappointed when I found out I had gained four pounds. You begin eating desserts, and before you know it, you've eaten more than you realize.  The stresses of everyday life have also been difficult.  My son, his son, and his daughter have moved in with us temporarily.  It has been a difficult transition, as our lifestyles are extremely different.  I'm trying to refrain from all the junk food, fast food, and fried foods, which are what they consume.  The convenience of fast food has led to a huge decline in my own health. My husband tells me to continue cooking as I did before, and if they eat, that's good; if they don't, that's okay too.  

Although life is more stressful today than usual, I know I have nothing to fear, and it will not always be.  God is with me every day.  He is my firm foundation and my refuge.  God is faithful through all generations, and I am extremely grateful for all these things.

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, "

                                                                                                                   Hebrews 12:28

Although this year has had many challenges and fears, it has also had love, hope, and healing. Not only physically, but emotionally and spiritually.  This year has helped me to realize I have friends who care and are praying for me.  I have family who love me even when some days I feel alone and empty inside. We can not live life by our emotions because sometimes our emotions lie to us.  We need to trust in God and learn to live by that fact more than emotion.  I have hope for the coming year, no matters what happens God is with me always.  This is truth, not my truth but God's truth and that's what matters most.

Scarlett