Forged In The Flames

This week, the day after Christmas, I started radiation. As someone so wisely put it, this is to just make sure nothing is left (micro cells) after chemo and surgery. I will have a total of 25 treatments for the sternal, breast, and lymph areas plus an additional 5 treatments for the sternum. This brings us to a grand total of 30 total treatments Monday-Friday for the next several weeks.

That being said, I am so glad that I live close enough to the treatment center to be able to continue living a “normal” life. BUT, I live far enough away that it would make traveling to and from treatment every day very difficult. The treatment center works with a local hotel to offer discounted rates if you life s certain distance away. Thankfully, I qualified for these rates. So, from now until February, I will be living in a hotel Monday-Friday; going home on the weekends. I am excited to start back to work in the next two weeks (if all continues to go well) and I am beyond thankful for a job that is working with my schedule. I will be going to treatment Monday-Friday (super early before work this day so i can get to work) working Fridays and Sundays for 24 hours. While this time is going to be challenging for my family and I (as I will only be home on Saturdays), I am thankful that there are opportunities to make this time flow a bit easier. I am continually reminded that God has a plan and that my trust is in Him and Him alone.

I remember a few weeks ago worrying about how I was going to manage driving back and forth every day and then going to work on top of it. God provided and I now have a place to stay. He has seen me through this storm, and I continue to trust in His path. There are days my husband has to remind me not to worry and to trust God- and he is right. I pray that God continues to give not only me strength, but my husband and my children strength as well. This whole process is not only difficult for me, but it is difficult for them as well. The never failing and never changing aspect? God’s faithfulness, provision, and healing hand.

As we go through life’s storms, let us have faith in God. Let us not worry about tomorrow. Matthew 6:25-27 ” Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”

WOW…just wow. Can i say this louder to myself sitting in the back?? That last verse. I needed to read that tonight- I need to be reminded of this every so often (okay, like alot). It is a daily battle and one I continue to give to the Lord. God has even provided me a place to stay- to ease the stress and worry of driving back and forth. If He takes care of things like this, how much more will be take care of our lives? I thank Him and praise Him even in the middle of this storm. I know that He has me here for a reason.