MK Update 5/18/2009

Hello Army!! What a beautiful day!! Just wanted to give you guys an update and let you know how I am doing. I am doing GREAT!!!!!! I feel just wonderful!! My last oncology appointment (in April) went well. I have my next round of scans scheduled for the last two weeks in July. I will have a full body PET scan as well as a CT scan of my brain (just to prove I still have a brain!!). I do have to admit that chemo was terrible but did offer a sense of security. But as time passes that sense of security seems to fade. Until recently I really have not even given thought to the cancer returning; however, I do have to admit that those thoughts have started every so slowly creeping into my mind from time to time. But, I know that is really just that dreaded old Fear Monster (aka the devil) trying to work his way in and I just whip that Fear Monster right out of my mind! I just tell myself that God is using those times to help remind me of my faith in Him and His faith in me!! It is that simple!!

I do have to share with each of you my awesome experience Sunday. Chris and I had the wonderful pleasure of going to church with Erin (my sister-in-law) to the Sylvan Hills Church of Christ. Jay was gone with some men from their Sunday school class on a camping/devotional trip--so he was not able to be there. I have never been to church with Jay and Erin (or my Grandma Bobbie--she is an active member there as well). But throughout the past 17 months I have felt very, very connected to this church and its congregation. So, I was very excited (and nervous) to have to opportunity to meet all of these wonderful people that have been lifting me (and my family) up in prayer. Oh wow--what an experience! Sunday school was amazing!! Jay sent a letter that was read in class and it was honestly the most fantastic letter I have ever heard in all of my life. It made me laugh and cry and made me so proud!! After that, there was a time for prayer and praise which was very moving and Kyle's prayer was so loving and heartfelt. Finally, the lesson was so moving. It was from Matthew 14 when Peter walked on water and became afraid and began to sink in the water. Oh man do I know that feeling!! So many times during this experience I found myself full of doubt (in myself and my faith) and full of fear--just sinking in the water. Yet each time I found myself sinking in the water there you were, my Army, there to help me see that the Lord is there to save me. So many times it was the people from Sylvan Hills Church of Christ--people I had never met helping me, witnessing to me, leading me to the One who will save and protect me no matter what!! Meeting those people and sharing time with them was honestly one of the best experiences of my life. To feel the love that people I barely know have for me, well it is a feeling I just can't describe in words other than to say it has moved me to tears several times since yesterday. What I love the most about all of the people of that church is that they have loved and supported Jay and Erin and Grandma Bobbie during this journey. For me, the worst part of all of this has been what cancer has done to my family--not to me. So to know that this body of Christ has been there all of this time to take care of Jay, Erin, and Grandma Bobbie is also an unexplainable feeling. Thank you to the members of the Sylvan Hills Church of Christ--you are so loved!! I will be back soon!

Finally, I want to ask each of you to join "Abby's Army". Abby is the 3-year-old daughter of a friend of mine--Morgan Conner. Abby is Morgan and Jason's oldest daughter and was recently diagnosed with a very rare form of brain cancer Gliomatosis cerebri. She is scheduled to have surgery Friday. You can follow Abby's journey at http://abbyreeseconner.blogspot.com I KNOW the power of prayer. Please pray continuously for Abby and her family.

Well, so much for a short update!! Thanks again for "listening" to me!! I love each of you more than you will ever know. Thank you for continuing to walk with me on this journey. I will continue to keep you posted and will certainly let you know the results of my scans in July. God bless!! Big hugs--big tears--big smiles--lots of love!!!! MK