Making Memories & CHRISTmas Video

Merry Christmas to you and yours!!

It has been a full year since I updated this blog regarding our family and my health.  As this year comes to a close we all reflect on what has happened and what we are thankful for.

The short story is - we are doing fantastic!  I have had several PET scans and CAT scans this year and each test has come back CLEAR.  Most days I feel "normal"; I sometimes tire easily, but that is most likely due to age not my past illness.  My next oncologist visit is in February. 

Each passing year includes highs and lows.  Our family had much to celebrated.  2016 brought the one year anniversary of discovering I had lymphoma.  Wow, am I thankful for my family doctor and a routine office visit.  This year included a birthday where my sister would have turned 50 and the birthday that I turned 47 - the age my sister passed away.  Each day is so very precious.  This year also included the one year anniversary of me being cancer free!

 I have lots and lots of very fluffy (with tight ringlets) hair that gives me a laugh each day.

We were thrilled to enjoy Spring Break in Hilton Head with Mark's family and an exciting summer trip with my Mother, Brother-in-law and family in Italy.  Making memories every day!

Avery is half finished with her senior year in high school and Alyse is a sophomore.  Both girls make us proud each day.  Mark is doing great and continues to keep us all on our toes.

We have many friends that have lost family members this year and we know they will be struggling with the "difference" this holiday brings.  We have many friends with family that were diagnosed with cancer this year and continue with treatment.  Life is hard. 

I have learned to be intentional.  Make time for friends and family.  Make memories.  Love the Lord.  Thank God each day for the simple things.  Lean on Him. 

We wish you the Merriest Christmas. 
Have fun!
Celebrate the birth of Jesus. 
Rest with the Lord - He is with us everyday.

"The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" (which means "God with us").  Matthew 1:23

And LAUGH! 
Merry CHRISTmas and have a HAPPY and HEALTHY 2017.


Christmas 2016 from Amanda Y. McBrayer on Vimeo.

Pisa, Italy    June 2016

Pondering

Merry Christmas!

It is hard to believe that 2015 is coming to a close.  We are anxiously looking forward to a wonderful New Year; each and everyday is a wonderful gift!

I am continuing to enjoy my new retirement and some days I feel totally like my "old self".  I had a good checkup with my oncologist last week.  I'll see the radiation oncologist in January and have a 6 month PET Scan in early March.  Mark is doing great and the girls continue to make us very proud.  

In the Christmas story in the gospel of Luke we are told:
19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.  
Luke 2:19

I pray that each of us 'treasure' and 'ponder' not only during the Christmas season, but every day.  Treasure the gift of our Savior Jesus Christ.  Treasure the many blessing God has given us.  Treasure our family and friends.  Treasure wonderful memories of loved ones that are no longer here on earth with us.  We also need to ponder; ponder what it is that Christ is up to in our lives. Be still, listen, ponder.

Thank you again for helping our family during the unexpected events this year.  We are looking at every day events a little different these days.  We treasure them all.  We are so thankful to God for His healing, peace, and strength.  Praise God from whom all blessing flow!

We did not mail out Christmas Cards this year, but we did have a fun night at home.  
Merry Christmas from the McBrayers 2015 from Amanda Y. McBrayer on Vimeo.

Hope you have a laugh - we sure did.  

Merry Christmas!

All Clear.... Plus some Violet

I had a PET Scan Monday, September 21, and Mark and I went to the appointment with my oncologist Thursday, September 24, to hear the results.  Appointment day was super emotional.  But the day ended with tears of joy!  Praise be to King Jesus!  My PET scan was clear! 

After my doctors appointment I went to Target for some "therapy".  I am a thrifty nerd and was using the Cartwheel App to check for coupons on the items I was purchasing.  I am certain that Cartwheel was the only App open on my phone, since I often make sure all Apps are closed to save battery (nerdy me). 

True story. 

I really can not make these things up.

As I stand looking at socks, totally out of the blue, my phone loudly starts playing a song.  Can anyone guess what song was playing? 
No. Kidding.........
"Stronger" by Kelly Clarkston was suddenly blaring in the middle of Target.  I have shared in the past how this was my sister's fight song.

Read about "Stronger" here.

So now, I am a crying lady, looking around for someone to share this moment with in the middle of Target.  I fumble with my phone and see that somehow Pandora has opened and started playing. 

WOW! 

I do not believe this was a coincidence.  It was an intentional reminder for me that I have a Big God and  Big Sister that are watching over me.  A God Moment. 

I love October and all the pink associated with it.  But, did you know that September is Lymphoma Awareness month?  I am excited to participate in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Light the Night walk in Huntsville.  Would you consider joining me? 

Click HERE to see my Light the Night Fundraising Page

 

 



 I will have blood work checked in 3 months and another PET Scan in about 6 months.  Our family is so thankful for your support and love.  We are so blessed.

I pray that each of us look for the God Moments in our lives. 
I pray for friends and family that continue to battle cancer.
I pray that each of us continue to seek our strength from our Heavenly Father.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Psalm 46:1

Pause

Treatment is complete!  I finished the radiation treatments at the end of July, right before school started for us.  I was just beginning to really feel the physical effects of the radiation about the time that the treatment was drawing to a conclusion.  My neck and chest were beginning to resemble a piece of toast left in the oven too long.  Thankfully after the old roasted skin was gone (imagine scrapping the burned black edges on a piece of toast) I have beautiful new fresh baby skin; I've never looked younger! (lol)

As I was finishing up my treatment regime, our family was gearing up to start another school year.  After much prayer and consideration, as a family, we decided that it was time for me to retire again.  This is my third "retirement" and it has never felt better!  I am so thankful for the wonderful friends at Monrovia Elementary School; the teachers and staff at MES made the last few months in the Spring bearable.  They were extremely kind, helpful and loving to our family and I will miss them and the children very much this school year.  BUT, I am LOVING being at home and focusing on our family, gaining my strength, and working to strengthen my relationship with the Lord.

Mark and I were blessed to be able to attend our church's youth Back to School Retreat (along with over 300 awesome youth and leaders) a few weeks ago.  The name of the retreat this year was "Pause".  The theme was "I will hit pause in my life so that I might rest in God and have lasting joy!"  I hope the messages taught over the weekend meant as much to the youth as they meant to me.  I am pressing pause.  Our family has dropped a few activities so that we are not running from here to there every day and we are striving to divert that energy to more Kingdom work.  I pray that each of us are able to PAUSE and focus on what is most important; our relationship with God and our relationships with others.

The next big event on my medical calendar is a PET scan in September.  We are praying that the PET scan confirms that all the lymphoma is gone and there are no more cancer cells in my body. 

Our family appreciates your continued prayers.  We also ask that you pray for friends that are still in an active fight against cancer. 

I pray that each of you are able to PAUSE and rest in God and have lasting Joy!

Rockin' Radiation

I began daily radiation treatments on June 24 and am about half way through the treatments.  I go to the clinic daily and see the Radiation Oncologist weekly.  I am happy to share that I have felt very few side effects.  I do have some strange "tingles" a few hours after the treatments, but nothing like side effects from the chemo - I'll take "tingles" any day! The radiation is focused on my chest and neck area and I have not had too many issues with my skin thus far.

The doctors gave permission for me to continue with some of our summer plans.  The girls, my Mother and I had a fantastic trip in June!  The pace was fast, but I did have time to rest in between seeing fantastic sights.  We were all thrilled to be able to travel together; I celebrated big at the Eiffel Tower.  The jump wasn't quite as good as my high school days, but I'm happy that I did make if off the ground!

My hair held on as long as possible, but I finally had to make the decision to get a buzz cut. I opted to go with the rocker look and kept a few bangs.  Wow, it is so much cooler than long hair; another great cut for the summer!

I will finish the radiation treatments around July 22.  I am scheduled to have a PET Scan in September to confirm that all the cancer is gone.  

Psalm 103:1-6

¹ Praise the Lord, my soul;
    all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
² Praise the Lord, my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits—
³ who forgives all your sins
    and heals all your diseases,
⁴ who redeems your life from the pit
    and crowns you with love and compassion,
⁵ who satisfies your desires with good things
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

We praise God for forgiving our sin.  We praise God for healing.  We praise God for His love and compassion.  We praise God for providing us with friends and family to love and support us these months.  We have much to be thankful for.

Please continue to pray for our family as I go through the next few weeks and complete the radiation treatment.  Pray that the cancer is totally eliminated.

Chemo Complete! Now A Time for Rest

Praise God from whom all blessing flow!
  
Round 6 is in the past (May 21) and chemo is COMPLETE!  It is a fantastic feeling to know that portion of the treatment is behind me.  I slept through our 23rd wedding anniversary (May 23) but Mark continued to take extra good care of me.  After a week of resting at home, I was then able to recuperate at two places we really enjoy.

Pensacola Beach and Smith Lake.  

                               

The next phase of my treatment plan is 3 weeks of daily radiation.  I count it a blessing that you must wait several weeks for all the chemo drugs to exit the body before you are able to begin radiation.  I am excited to have several weeks with NO treatment and only a few doctors appointments.  The timing could not have been more perfect.  My doctors have given me permission to travel on a long planned very exciting trip with my Mother and 2 daughters.  We are off to make some wonderful memories!  

We will be home from the trip just in time to begin radiation the week of June 22.  I will go to the clinic everyday, Monday thru Friday, for 3 weeks.  I completed the radiation "simulation" this week.  It included something like a CAT scan and also the creation of this really cool mold. 

 It is critical that I do not move during the radiation treatment. The affected lymph nodes were really close to my heart and lungs.  The goal is to zap only the portions of my body that had the lymphoma; I think this custom mold with me strapped to the table will do the job.

My hair continues to thin, but thus far I've decided not to shave the remaining hair.  I am happy with thick headbands, scarves, and hats - I still have a few scraggly bangs to pull to the front.

Matthew 11:28-29
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

I feel like our family has been given a time for rest.  God desires for each of us to rest with Him. 

Thank you to everyone that continues to pray for our family.  Prayers are being answered.  Prayer gives me strength.  Prayer gives us all strength.  

In Sickness and In Health

Round 6 will be Thursday, May 21.  A great way to celebrate our last day of school, don't you think?!  The hair continues to fall out, but WOW I had an extra blessing with a super full head of hair to begin with.  Every morning Mark looks at me and says "Huh, this might be it" (time to shave it off).  I will see my Oncologist next week and hopefully confirm what's next.  The doctors have given us permission to make some summer plans - so we are excited about that!

The first several days after a treatment I am extremely lazy and no fun to be around.  This Saturday, May 23, is our 23rd Wedding Anniversary.  We have decided to postpone the celebration until a later date.  

I have always loved Mark.  But my guy has stepped up to support me, love me, listen to me whine and hug me when I'm down.  He is going to meetings for me and drives the girls to activities that I normally do.  He is my cheerleader.  He is continually asking if I need anything and will deliver whatever I need without a complaint (even in the middle of the night). He is making trips to the grocery store and washing dishes.  He does research and goes into the doctor's office with a list of questions.  And most importantly, he leads our family in prayer.  Twenty-three years ago we stood in my childhood church and pledged to love each other in good and bad, sickness and health.  Our marriage is even stronger due to this disease.

1 Corinthians 13
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  

Despite our challenges the last few months, Avery and Alyse, have finished the school year strong; we are extremely proud of them - straight A's all year.  We are thankful for their small group leaders at church that have loved them, listened to them and prayed with and for them.

Thanks again for your love and support!  
"Praise God from whom all blessing flow."
We got this!