So It's New Year and I continue to be long-winded...:)

WOW!! Here we are in 2010. As many of you are doing I am looking back over the last year at so many things that have happened in my life. Celebrations-like the birth of our sweet Carrington Grace on 2/23/09 – can’t believe she will be 1 soon…my beloved and I also celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary on 3/26/09! We also had a few other life changing events…one many of you know of…I was diagnosed with Stage 4, metastatic, inflammatory breast cancer on 8/25/09 and then my precious one started preschool about 2 weeks after that – I remember being so worried he wouldn’t be able to make it without his mommy – lol. I am thinking he didn’t ask for me once…he might have asked for daddy but not for me – now what is that all about ! Anyways, he is fine as the first Saturday after school started, he cried because he couldn’t go!So now we are here….and I just wanted to share with you what’s going on in my head and my heart and my body if you care to know! I had a big chemo – treatment number 17 - the Tuesday before Christmas and it literally put me down for the most part and there were a few crazy things that happened that kind of stressed me out! Like after my Carboplatin bag…I had a coughing fit and my voice became raspy and I felt like my throat was closing…so they called in the head nurse and another nurse and they said that an allergic reaction usually happens after the 6th treatment with Carbo(I only take these on big treatments) and that I would probably not be taking it anymore – whoa, whoa…I am like I have 2 more big treatments and I have to have it!!!! I did mention to them that I had the same kind of closing in the throat thing a few nights before just randomly and I had not taken any Carboplatin then. So the nurse gave me extra Benadryl and something else to help AND it did…they always give me Benadryl before…this time I just needed extra so I am thinking they can do that just for the next 2.dontcha think! The nurse also said that when I see my Doc next(I usually only see him days of big treatments) to be sure to mention what happened without meds as well! The nurses at Carolina Oncology rock, I must add along with the receptionists and the phlebotomists – oh and of course my doc…they are all my friends, although sometimes I think they might think I talk too much - lol!! I do enjoy chatting with other “chemo friends” there and hearing their stories and then seeing each other again and again to see how we are all doing – once in the early treatment days – listen to me like I am some kind of chemo pro – lol…anyways, I met this lady and told her where my cancer was and she said that she had been coming for 20 years b/c her cancer kept coming back and I was like …not encouraged, but then she told me of her friend that has liver cancer and that it has never gone away that the docs just have it under control and it has been 7 years, that encouraged me although selfishly I want mine to be gone and never come back. That day I needed to hear what she was saying – I think God sent her my way to give me some encouragement! Wow…I digressed a bit from telling you about my chemo treatment crazies the big chemo before Christmas – Sooooo then I was on my last bag (I take 3 bags of chemo on big treatment days) the machine kept beeping and it stopped dripping AND that was scary…I kept thinking oh know my port is not working and I am going to have to go have tests run or I have some kind of clot…why I seem to think the worst – who knows. So just one more thing about that day – on big chemo days I am in a private room in a hospital bed so I wake up and EMS is picking up the lady in the room next to me…in my chemo brain for a second I was like have they come to get me b/c the way the rooms are set up…he had to bring the bed thing in my room to be able to get it into the other room! I pray that sweet lady is ok whatever may have happened!!!! That has only happened one other time when I was there for a herceptin only treatment and I saw the nurses running down the hall with one of those machines that you get the heart to start beating again...at this moment I cannot think of what it is called! But the reason seeing that heart thing is scary is b/c apparently the Herceptin MAY weaken your heart - but we shall see because God has got it covered no matter the case with me! Anyways, the beeping thing and the drip stopping on my last big chemo ended up being the tubing that the bag was attached to – Thank you Lord!!I am so thankful that my mother came to stay with me until I was strong enough to take care of my babies!! Ya’ll these big chemo’s are getting hard. In the beginning I know I was like I can do this and I still can as God carry’s me through AND I am not telling you all this for you to feel sorry for me – a prayer would be nice…just sharing! Let me tell you the nausea meds stop working and the only ones to take would put me to sleep and I cannot get up and make a bottle without having to take a nap afterwards. Then you have all the lovely other side stuff that goes with it – like being in the bathroom every 30 minutes for about a week along with a few others I will save you from having to hear about- sorry if that was tmi. I must say again…I am not trying to sound like Negative Nelly….just a glimpse into my crazy life – but if it weren’t crazy and dramatic…it wouldn’t be me – HA! So we had a nice Christmas at home with snow still on the ground and my parents were here…just low key! It was nice! PS – Isn’t that cool God gave us snow for Christmas this year!OK… a few more random things to share…I just can’t help it…Our Christmas was nice but I will tell you that Satan will get in your head and try and tear you down…like there were moments during Christmas week where a few tears were shed in me thinking...is this my last Christmas or here I am bald at Carrington’s first Christmas not being able to play with my kids b/c I am so weak and have to rest so much. Well, let me just get over myself and out of that crazy pity party that sometimes once it starts just snowballs into craziness!!!!!!! I mean it is so not about me anyways, let me not lose focus of WHO I am living for while He allows me to be here! Goodness, girl(that is me talking to myself)! But even in our feeling sorry for ourselves, God sends His encouragement in His word if we are looking for it in the right places – I pray I do not lose sight of where to look for encouragement – not in the world, but in the WORD! So let me just share with you some verses He showed me if you will- Acts 2:26-28(The Message) “I saw God before me for all time, Nothing can shake me; he’s right by my side. I’m glad from the inside out, ecstatic; I’ve pitched my tent in the land of hope. I know you’ll never dump me in Hades; I’ll never even smell the stench of death. You’ve got my feet on the life-path, with you face shining sun-joy all around.” I know that we will all die one day, but friends I am going to a place of celebration – when it’s time –the desire of my heart is to HOPEfully spend some more time here with my family before I go!!!!! My favorite part in the verse is “I’ve pitched my tent in the land of hope.” I love it – there is hope for the sick – God has the final say and I need not worry about when that is going to happen b/c that steals away the time I have today to be with my family and to live for HIM!!!! Another thing is I am giving God a Year, I mean I have been a believer since I was little and gave my life to Him, but as any child I am disobedient to Him – a lot. For example, having a real intimate quiet time of really reading His word and really praying, instead of just doing it just to get through it to say I did it- sad huh?!? I don’t do this all the time, but when I miss a day b/c it happens…it tends to snowball and then I’ve gone an entire week of only shooting up a prayer here and there or just at bedtime and/or meals and the relationship that I want with my Heavenly Father – well, that just don’t cut it! How would that help me get to know the very ONE in charge of my life who loves me so much that He sent His son to die for me, but yet I can’t get to know Him!!!!! CRAZINESS! Here is what I mean about Giving God a Year. I have been reading a book that my mother was given by a family friend – It is called Give God a Year, Change Your Life Forever by Carole Lewis. So I have taken a few pointers from in it in giving God a year! I will Pray and Obey! From Mrs. Lewis’ suggestion – I have gotten a index card and on one side wrote God’s Part(these are things out of my control I will pray about) in which I wrote 5 things…a few are to be healed from cancer, not worry so much(I obviously can’t do this one), then on the other side I wrote My Part(these I will obey)….and on there,along with a few other things, I put to do my bible study, pray and read the word before I read anything else(like FB, the paper, a magazine, etc)…even if I get up late and put on Praise Baby for my kids minds to be renewed – I will renew my mind at the same time and in doing so be a better wife and mother for that day anyways! I can always tell a difference when I have my quiet time in the person I am for the day…and I am pretty sure others can tell the difference as well – lol! Mainly, my Beloved who tends to get the brunt of my ugliness and he of anyone deserves that in the very least!!!!!!!!!So here is my life right now and what is going on with me.TWO more big treatments and then more tests to see what it is doing on the inside and then back to Duke at the beginning of March…so taking it one day at a time to be part of what God has in store!!!! Pitching my tent in the Land of Hope, Catherine

Got BRCA results today..it is negative which means I do not carry the mutated gene to put my precious children at a higher risk of developing breast cancer! :)

We've hit a bump in the road with the chemo - allergic reaction FOR SURE...

So as you can see from my earlier post I was SUPER excited to be able to be given another chance on the carbo! YAY! BUT!!!!!!!Just wanna tell you they doubled drugs in the beginning ..the kind that help with allergic reactions but.... As soon as it started so did many reactions. I am not sure if you remember from my last post about how I was just about finished with my bag and I had a coughing fit and my throat started closing...WELL....as soon as the bag started I started coughing and actually before I started the Carbo my nurse said, "I am bringing in some goodies just in case"...ok...I am soo thinking you are so not going to need them; HOW wrong I was-like I am in control of this process -lol! So as soon as I started the Carbo bag in a mere 15 minutes or so...I started coughing ...my eyes got real itchy I started breaking out in hives all over my body...itching EVERYWHERE, very flushed and in a short amount of time I could hardly see my face was so swollen, my nose was closed up...I saw my nurse through my window and I said I might need you in a minute..she ran in along with other nurses and they immediately unplugged the carbo and started giving me more meds.They said, "Of course your doc just left to do rounds at the hospital". Mike later told me he could read their mouths and they were asking if they should call 911?!?!?!? Or give me an epi pen(sp). Doc immediately turned around and came back and told nurses to hold off on 911 and epi pen. He came in and said "No more Carbo" My Beloved was standing next to me and I could see him reaching for tissue as he was upset to which kind of scared me. Of course, when the doc said this I started crying saying, "But I only have 2 more and it was working sooo good!" He said there are other meds???!!! I feel that God maybe saying "you've had enough of these and I will intervene and take care of the problem..where is your faith?" I do know that He has great plans for me. Like here I am thinking I've got it covered with these meds...but how wrong could I be!!!! He is in control of this entire process. Isn't it cool how HE works things out the way he does and provides you with the encouragement you need when you need it!!!!!!! Yesterday in my Quiet Time - Bible study part ..I am doing Experiencing the Words of Jesus: Hearing His Voice, Trusting His Words by Max Lucado! And the things I studied were exactly what I am needing then and today!! God is so good!!! :) One of the things I transferred into my journal was this, "Even when it's difficult. Even when it seems impossible. Even when we don't understand why" Jesus says in Mark 9:23 (MSG) "If? There are no 'ifs' among believers. Anything can happen." "Do not be afraid, only believe." Mark 5:36(NIV). One more thing from Mr. Lucado's bible study that just touched me and/or I feel God was encouraging me not to give up... "God is watching. For all you know, right at this moment he may be telling the Angel to move the stone[cancer possibly :)]. The check may be in the mail. The apology may be in the making. The job contract may be on the desk. Don't quit. For if you do, you may miss the answer to your prayers. God still sends Angels. And God still moves stones." Friends, let me let you in on something - I will NEVER quit even if I have to fight for any drug until I look like Will Smith when he ate the shrimp in that movie "Hitch" - lol..well at least that is what Mike told me I looked like..Because I asked him why he was upset and he said you looked like WS and a boxer at the end of a boxing match and I don't like it when you look hurt or sad :( BUt we are ok.. Moving right along to what God has in store and obviously this is part of the journey..so I'll take it!!!! One more verse to share with you...one of our pastor's son preached this week, also one of my bestfriend's son and he used a verse so many of us know but this time I took it differently. I am not trying to change the meaning but I feel like this I needed and it is just so true! I love it! It is our family bible verse for the week - Hebrews 12:1 (NIV) "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." Never thought it so...just like traumatic events that would be part of your race, that my race would involve one with cancer - crazy!!! Anyways, I am good now..still a little itchy..a bit tired from a crazy day and chemo and a bit wired from extra steroids on top of the ones I already take- blah ;)! So I am off to take some more benadryl before bed per my nurse just in case there is any carbo still left in my system! I am sooo thankful for such an AWESOME team of nurses who I love sooooooo much and my Doc for gving me the benefit of the doubt and caring AND for some of the most AWESOME prayer warriors, friends, brothers and sisters in Christ that I know who we get to stand in the gap for one another...no words!!!!!!! Running with PERSEVERANCE the race marked out for me! Catherine :)

Here we go....PET Result and plan of action

So as I mentioned in a status update recently I had a new PET scan just before Thanksgiving and brain scan results that came back saying "no evidence of metastatic cancer" in the brain :)...went and picked up report but Doc was out of town until this past Monday. I had a big treatment this past Tuesday and then left pretty much afterwards to head to Duke for my appointment yesterday...I am wiped out ....BUT I just want to tell you more details on my scan and what is going on...Not sure if you remember but my first PET when I was initially diagnosed with Stage IV, metastatic, inflammatory breast cancer...there were at least 10 tumors in my right breast, 4 on my liver, 2 on my lung and there was cancer in my left shoulder....SOOOOOOOO God has been listening to so many prayers and working just the way that HE wants to AND.....this most recent scan says that in right breast that the tissue is much softer and that the lymph nodes have shrunk, AND that the 4 tumors that were on my liver...well it says that they can only clearly identify ONE which in the beginning was around 11.9 mm...now measuring around 3.4 :) and that the other 3 cannot be identified with normal liver activity :)!I mean God is working it, just pushing that chemo through to do what He wants and I am lovin it!!!! The two on my lungs were measuring up to 5 mm and now are around 2-3 mm..the one in my shoulder...well it looks to be resolved - GONE :)! To God be the Glory...for the things He is doing and has done!!!!!!!! I am pretty excited b/c, friends, obviously I want it all gone...but it could have gotten worse and/or done nothing...God has it all planned out and I am just rolling with it but with a bigger smile on my face - to be honest!!!!! So....Duke Doctor says we are going to do 4 more cycles, I have already done 4 and look all that has happened according to HIS plan....so I go back in March and from there things may change...Maybe it will be ALL gone...this is my prayer anyways...Doc mentioned some clinical things going on..talked about injections, spacing out treatments more, some surgeries to be considered - ovaries being taken out b/c my cancer feeds off of estrogen, etc..Something he did say that made me feel even more excited about results was that when we were talking about the liver and how there is still one lesion on there ...he basically acted like ..no big deal..I was like why and he said that there looks to be hardly any cancer activity going on in the liver..yes, he said if they biopsied the liver which they are not anytime soon that there would be some cancer cells in there, but it is like the chemo has stopped the cancer GROWING in the liver and that is GOOD!!!!!!!! It reminded me that what I have is a manageable situation right now and not curable BUT God will have the final say in all that!!!! So, it has been good...I am happy at the way things are going and so are my docs! Can I just share with you some stuff...ya'll knew this was coming -lol...and I am sure it will not be too long -lol!!!Anyways, what was cool about yesterday is I have met a sweet lady on FB, Julia Pare, through my Aunt ...well, she goes to Duke and yesterday she had an app. and we got to meet in person and it was like we had always known one another...apparently people were moving away from us b/c they couldn't hear there name being called back b/c we were being so loud...it was not enough time so hopefully I will see her again there and then after my app. my Aunt Sally and cousin Maghan drove up and we had the sweetest time at lunch catching up...!!!!! I am sooo thankful for so many in my life for my family and friends I have met on here - who live in my computer, for my friends that I have not seen in many, many years but it is like it doesn't matter b/c our friendships have not changed...for living in a county where my family has been taken in and not one day goes by that I am not in AWE of the compassion in the students, the adults, the community!!!!!!! For friends who have travelled to share in sweet times of song and prayer!!!! For prayers!!!! For encouragement!!!! I am so thankful...if you only knew that that word is not strong enough to how much I really mean it in every way!!!!!! I am a bit off today..I have the entire mommy and chemo brain going on ...so I hope all this makes sense and I am sure there are typos...ok so I will wrap this up!!! In His Grip, Catherine

I had a brain scan yesterday..just for baseline????

So, I had treatment yesterday - just herceptin and then right afterwards I had a brain scan and the ladies there were soooo nice. They aren't allowed to tell you anything, but I try and read into it...during the test one of the ladies said "The pictures are looking good, we are almost finished" So she could have said ...you are doing good...or something like that...maybe she was giving me some hope :)! Well, you know how we do or at least I do and my sweet friend Becky Zeigler who came from Swansea to take me where I needed to go was with me and we think it is fine...you know with all our medical background - lol! Well, my friend Tamara...although she does not have a medical degree-she might as well - is my hook-up for Duke and she has some connections and she shared this with me about the test.These are her words- "I did speak with someone about the brain scan vs PET scan results. They said the results from PET scan should be conclusive and the brain scan ordered should just be for baseline only. In a nutshell….if the PET scan showed nothing then the brain scan probably won’t either….if it does it doesn’t matter because the chemo and God have it under control." She knows how to look at my scans and she said that my initial PET did look at my head and neck and that it said there are no signs of metastatic disease in the head or neck - I hope I said that right Tamara :) Can I just share with you that I was able to go to Charleston this past weekend to see soooo many people! My entire family(my little sis and her family of 6 from Florida, my older sis and her family of 7.5 - my niece is expecting, and my lil bro and his wife and her sis) was there and we got to share some time with some aunts and cousins!!!! It was a nice time!!!! We basically had our Thanksgiving dinner since many of us will not be able to be there then! AND I just realized I did not take any pics of everyone...oh well, I have the memories in my heart! It was a whirlwind weekend...I am sooo thankful that I was able to see some of my sweetest childhood friends whom I have not seen in about 10 years or more...it was an emotional time in my heart to see them b/c I love them sooo much...but we did good about not crying for the most part...so much has gone on in each of our lives and it was a bit overwhelming but WONDERFUL to see them...there is something about seeing someone in person to "see" that they are ok! Then, on the way back from Charleston on Sunday...we decided to stop on a whim and visit our Swansea family. Swansea is where my beloved had his first administration job and that is the first place that I have ever lived away from home! And they are still like family to us...So we got there just as church was about to let out and I was just going to wait outside the doors to give some friends some hugs when they came out and the youth pastor was like go on in and opened the doors(these are the doors by the stage - so I was facing everyone) and I just went in during the invitation...interrupting church in my jeans and flip flops and went right on in and stood on the second row- but that was not my plan...I was like oh no...but then I didn't wanna be rude and just shut the door back, you know. I did not mean to interrupt church but I needed to see and hug our Swansea family ...some of who I have not seen in about 10 years! And the precious people that they are welcomed us back with open arms! And we got to stay for lunch b/c they were doing a youth fundraiser and those of you who have been to Swansea...know that Swansea folk can cook and it is never just a little bit!!!!! :) That was just a sweet time with some special people!!!! So it was a bit of an emotional weekend and I know some of you are like why does she tell us this stuff...well I am not sure why ....just b/c friends and family share what's going on in there lives and b/c I am long-winded it will not fit in my status...lol! Thanks for listening to me share just to share! Catherine PS - Next Tuesday is my PET scan to see if the tumors are shrinking in my other organs...please pray if you don't mind!

A new PET Scan has been scheduled to see how well things are shrinking on the inside

Well, I had a big chemo today and I am a bit more tired than normal...I don't know if that is b/c they - whoever they are -lol say that as the build up of the chemo you will feel more side effects. ( I think the they's are just different doctors and people and stuff I have read in books in case you needed to know -lol) Well, I don't get nauseated b/c of the meds they have put me on Praise God...so I can take being tired...I mean hello I have an 8 month old baby girl and a 4 year old litte boy to keep up with - without chemo I think that is just part of life - but wouldn't change it for NOTHING!!!!!! :) I have recently spoken with my Doctor at Duke..he called me at home at 9:45 pm from home to make sure that he wouldn't have any interruptions in talking with me - how AWESOME is that - so compassionate - Anywho, he asked how my breast was doing - what a question - lol - anyways, I told him what the docs said here and I told him I was praying it was doing the same on my liver and he said "Almost 100% of the time if it is working on your breast then it is working on your liver!" WOOHOO! I must be honest and say I am a bit apprehensive to get too excited b/c who knows, you know! SOOOO he told me that he resent orders for brain scan down here and that the liver biopsy is just something to do in the future..I think when I go back to see him next on Dec 2 he really just wants to see how well the chemo is working and go from there!!! So that is the deal there!Today when I saw my Doc he said he would like to go ahead and get a PET/ CT scan scheduled to see what is going on inside and that the tumors seem to still be shrinking and my breast is getting softer compared to how hard it was in the beginning! :)So, my PET/ CT scan has been scheduled on November 24th and should find out results after Thanksgiving! I mentioned to one of my nurses today about when would the brain scan be and she said she would check with the Doc and possibly do it same time as my PET!!! So we shall see!Can I just share something with you - I am crazy I know but I don't know why I just always like to share with ya'll ..I just want too! It might be more than one thing so sorry! :) A few weeks ago I went to a store I always go to to buy baby clothes and a sweet, sweet young lady was there who I have talked to since b4 MIcah was born "She said are you ok" - since I looked different . This is the first time I had seen her since getting sick and I told her the deal and she said "Are you going to be a SURVIVOR" I know she meant no harm whatsoever ...some people just don't know what to say - I took no offense but at the same time I didn't know what to say..I said " I hope so" She said she would pray for me and I was off on my way. So then I started researching when do you become a survivor! I can't remember where I read it but I read something that said, "If you make it through the conversation of when your doctor tells you that you have cancer, then you are a survivor" - Cool! Then around the same time was the Komen race everywhere and I was looking at some pics from a survivor sister of her at her race and I saw people holding up signs like 1-5 year survivor and I thought ok..when I shared with her that that gave me encouragement she said there was actually a sign that said 1 year and under survivors :) I love it!!!!! And as if God didn't think that was enough for me to KNOW I was a survivor ALREADY, I got a very special gift from someone I have never met and it was a beautiful box and on the front it said Survivor and on the inside was a beautiful Survivor Angel ornament with these word - SurvivorTo celebrate your wondrous strengths and spirit so divine-You believe in miracles in the most cherished time.Your simple hopes and graceful dreams ride high on precious wings-This angel gently joins the chorus, for you it joyfully sings!Speaking of dreams..sorry..I told you it might be a little more..just one more...I received a journal that I have never heard of and thought I would share..It was pink with a pink ribbon on it and on the inside someone had already titled it "Catherine Peake's Pink Journal of Dreams " and in the card with the journal this person had said that she had already started the first page..I will tell you I read it cried - for excitement, for hope, for anticipation for new hair :)...you will "hear" why...the first Entry said "When I get well: I will wear pink ribbons in my hair and run on the beach with Mike, Micah, and Carrington! I will chase butterflies and marvel at God's wonders....YES, YES, YES I will!!!!!!It may not have made you as emotional but I just thought I'd share! So I guess that is way enough for now in my long-windedness! Until next time!A 77 day survivor sister, Catherine :)

Passing on some encouraging words from the Doc

It's been a few weeks and I have had some encouraging news from my surgeon and my oncologist here and thought I would share! Sorry..it has taken me a bit to let you know...you know how life gets :)...anyways...I saw my surgeon a few weeks ago and he is real outgoing and stuff which I love and he says "WOW, I can't believe what a positive response you are having with the chemo" He said the tumors are still there but they really have gotten alot smaller :) and says I think we are really close to a mastectomy..I say...ok doc..listen..I don't want one saggy boob and one perky one for the rest of my life - that I am plannning on being long and he says I usually do not suggest double mastectomy but would for me - ha!!! REALLY that was all in fun (although he really said that ) BUT I will take a bald head and no boobs - since boobs are overrated :) forever if I can live :) I hope you got all that ...I know I kind of write in not right English - but I am thinking you are getting my jist- OH or I can just blame it on chemo brain :)! So then when I saw my oncologist this past week before my big cocktail he basically echoed what the surgeon said...he even had to refer back to his notes to be reminded of where all the tumors are...So they are there but they are shrinking - Praise the Lord - because whether I am healed supernaturally or by medicine we all know who is directing this entire thing of HEALING - OUR HEAVENLY FATHER- how AWESEOME!!!!!!! So my beloved is like ...when are we doing some tests to see if the tumors are shrinking on my liver and the doc says he does about 6 cycles so ...in the next few weeks we will be seeing if it is working on my liver and I am soooooooo praying that it is!!!!!!! I have not been scheduled for a brain scan yet and am waiting on Duke to contact me about that and some other things and will let you know ! Thank you soooo much for all your prayers and support ...God really is soooo good ALL the time and surrounds us with brothers and sisters in HIM all the time we just have to open our eyes and "see" it, you know!!!! You all, whether in big and/or small have helped in ways more than you can imagine...I have to say some days are so much harder than others as you ALL know this with things going on in your own lives...but I just want to share something... Lately, I have been struggling with "looking back" so to speak...you know thinking of a "before cancer" memory and kind of just dreaming in the moment that I was there and not sick and then I went to this women's conference at my church this past weekend and the speaker there shared a verse that I have heard many times but you know how God speaks to you when He's ready - Isaiah 43:18-19 "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." Isn't that AWESOME!!! I mean, I would have never thought ok my "new" life would be to be "hemmed in" with cancer ...at least, for now...BUT God doesn't say ok now it's time to stop living...no He says " a new thing" - pretty COOL!!!!!!!!! I mean no one wants to be sick or die or have someone die you love soooooo much, but He has promised to do a new thing and I am looking forward to it! :) So, I am a bit long-winded...I just wanted to share about my bald head and my little ones! In the beginning, remember Micah would always want me to wear a hat and/or scarf...well the other day I was asking him which hat or scarf to wear - decisions, decisions - lol and he says "Mommy, why can't you just go outside with your bald head?" :) Precious :) And I usually have a hat on with my sweet Carrington, and I put one on the other day and she just kept trying to pull it off! I guess, we are past that part huh...just a tidbit of ya ;) So, thank you all soo much for EVERYTHING in EVERYWAY!!!!!!!!!! In Him!!! Catherine :)