Long Lost Friend

Have you ever met someone and just knew instantly that you could be great friends?

Nine years ago in September my husband and I were married. We went on a cruise to Mexico and New Orleans. About half way through the cruise, we met a couple from England, Claire and Matthew. We all hung out for the rest of trip. We took Matthew to Hooters (He had never been) and Claire and I purchased Boa's while in New Orleans. We had a great time together. When the cruise was over, we came home to Indiana. Claire and Matthew returned to England. We wrote letters for several months. On Christmas Eve, I returned home to find a box of red carnations on my doorstep. They were from Claire.
Claire had a baby boy. I had a baby boy. We both got busy and quite writing.
Sometime last month another girlfriend called and said that someone from England was trying to find me. I checked out the site and the posting was actually from 2003. It didn't have an e-mail address but I remembered Claire's from way back then. I sent an e-mail and waited...........

About five days later, I got an e-mail from Claire. I was so excited. She is 13 weeks pregnant with her second child. She lost her father to lung cancer about 18 months ago and the baby is due on his birthday. She cried when she read my blog.

To think that we only spent about four days together (Yes I know it was my honeymoon) and have developed this friendship. I sure hope we don't ever lose contact again. Maybe one of these days I will be able to go to England to see her. Wouldn't that be wonderful!

God's timing is ALWAYS Perfect

During the pizza sale, a gentleman that I do not personally know had purchased $40.00 in pizzas but written his check for $540.00. I had heard that he lost his wife to cancer. I wrote to him, thanking him for his generosity and filling him in with the good news that I had received. I assured him that the money he had donated would help others with this dreaded disease.

I had decided to share the profits from the pizza sale with others who are struggling with bills and expenses associated with breast cancer. I had one person in particular who I intended to bless but wasn't sure when or with how much. She has had to endure the full expanse of treatments for her cancer. She has had two surgeries, is currently going through chemo, will have radiation after and then on with reconstruction. She has insurance but as we all know, it is still a financial burden. I figured she could use some blessings!

She was the first person I called after my diagnosis. We had been friends before but now it is a different kind of friendship. I went to see her today at work. As I drove, God kept telling me $250.00. I figured this was a good amount, since it was half of what the gentleman had blessed me with. I was going to get cash but the bank was closed. So I wrote her a check from the benefit account. Of course she didn't want to accept it but I explained to her that it was half of the amount given to me and that I had promised this gentleman that I would help others. She relented and accepted the check.

When I arrived home, I had a letter from this gentleman. Here is a portion of it:

I lost my mother to Cancer when she was only 42 years old. I was in the Army in Vietnam at the time which made it even more difficult for me.

Then in 05' I lost my wife to cancer.

So I guess what I am trying to say is BE STRONG-Have Faith in God and cherish each day. Fight the good fight and my thoughts and prayers are with you and your boys each and everyday.
God bless you and live a long and happy life. Peace be with you and smile each day.

Also take a moment each day just for yourself to reflect on where you have been and all the great things ahead of you!

Thank you, Mr. Morris and I will do my best to follow your advice!

What a week!

Well most of you already know but Tuesday I was notified that I would not have to go through Chemotherapy. My Onco typing came back that the cancer was a very NON aggressive type. My chance of reoccurrence with only tamoxifen would be 3% in 10 years. The doctor did not feel that chemotherapy could reduce this percentage. Prior to this test returning, they were saying that I had a 15% chance of reoccurrence in 5 years so this was a huge decrease. Typically this test takes at least two weeks to come back but mine came back early. I was to start the therapy on Thursday. I can't even begin to express my thankfulness to God for all of His work!

So once I found out that my hair wouldn't be falling out I figured I needed to get it professionally fixed. It is still darker than I am used to but it looks a whole lot better. For those of you who saw the black hair, I hope you agree.