Put Your Dancing Shoes On!

January 20, 2014. A day I will never forget.... It has been 960 days since the adventure began. It will never be over, but today it reached a pinnacle I had been waiting for...for a very long time. 


Whether you have been journeying with me from the beginning, came in mid-way, helped me finish out treatment, or met me after it was all over, you should celebrate today. Because without my prayer warriors, encouragers, cheerleaders, caregivers, fellow adventurers, medical family, and especially those who know the darkest moments of fear, tears, and confusion...I couldn't have made it.


God is good, no matter what. That's what we say when we are in the middle of the cancer battle. All the time we are hoping for healing. Never losing hope yet facing the truth that healing may not come, we commit to give God the glory.


Some of my friends and fellow adventurers did not make it. I think of three beautiful ladies who are worshiping at the feet of Jesus today. Families left without mothers grieve what we all fear cancer will do to us. There were others I saw in the treatment room who are still in the midst of their battle. Some friends have since had new diagnoses and have endured the walk to recovery. Some are just now beginning their own journey. Some will do all this for the rest of their lives. Yet I still hear them giving God the glory.




Cancer causes much disruption and distress. It interrupts life. When the diagnosis comes, your focus shifts to the multitude of appointments you must keep. What you can eat that might actually have flavor since your taste buds are damaged and lacking now. Watching your platelet count and hoping it doesn't go too low to get your chemo. The fatigue from the radiation keeps you from some activities you love but teaches you to appreciate the rest of a good, refreshing, long nap.


When you finally reach the end of treatment you have so many new people in your life. The treatment room nurses. The radiation therapists. Doctors. RNs. NPs. APNs. PAs. Fellow patients. Facebook friends you haven't really met but heard of your story and wanted to pray for you. All people who are rooting for you and wishing you the best. Finally the radiation burns heal and your hair starts to grow back.


But your journey is not over. You have at least five years of constant observation by all those doctors who got you through. Every few months you see someone. They all encourage you. They urge you onward. They smile and say, see you in twelve weeks.


You  hear things like:
Everything looks good
                    You're doing well
                                      Keep up the good work
                                                                     A+ today


But the words I have longed to hear. The words every doc has held back. Those are the words I finally heard today.

C A N C E R     F R E E !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


So put on your dancin' shoes, people! It's time to do the Holy Ghost Hop! (Only you Carman fans will get that.) Seriously, celebrate with me!


Give God the glory! He leads us through good times and bad. He holds us up when we can't take another step on our own. I will praise God for healing me. I will share my story again and again and again. I will honor those who don't hear these precious words and continue to work to encourage everyone to take good care of themselves and to seek medical treatment and screenings. As long as I can speak or type, I will tell people of God and what he did for me.


Now, let's dance! Raise those hands! Turn the praise music up! Celebrate Jesus today!!