I'VE FALLEN AND I CAN'T GET UP

     So here is the story. On cloud nine from completing chemo the day before, I enjoyed a quiet morning with coffee, music, doxies, and reading.  Before me was the prospect of an entire week of making my own agenda, doing exactly what I wanted. Visions of spring cleaning, preparing the yard for spring, quality time with my family, and a good book. I went to the kitchen to fix breakfast. After opening the dishwasher door to get out a pan, I was sidetracked by my doggie - peeing on the floor, no less.  I went to the living room to clean up the mess and put him out the back door. I turned around to enter the kitchen forgetting about the open dishwasher door. I flew across the open door and landed with the full force of my body an my ceramic tile floor, directly on the left hip. Excruciating pain and terror. On the floor unable to move. So grateful that my sweet husband was at home. We tried for a half hour to get me off the floor, but to no avail.  My daughter's fiancée  arrived and carried me to the car  (no easy task!). It was then that I knew that my injury was severe and that we should have called EMS.
     If you are waiting for my revelation as to why this happened to me,  I must disappoint you. I have given every ounce of courage and faith be a good cancer patient, to accept the constant poking, prodding and drugs that medical professionals administer while wearing protective clothing.  People incorrectly quote a scripture by saying that God won't give you more than you can handle.
1 Corinthians 10:13 says, "no temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted more than you can bear.  But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it."  Of course, life brings us more health problems, financial problems, family problems, social problems, than we can handle. If WE could handle all that life throws our way, we would not need to depend upon GOD.  God's promise to his children is that he will meet us in our circumstances of life and carry us through.
     I am clinging to the scripture from 2 Corinthians 5:7. "For we walk by faith, not by sight."  I am lying flat on my back unable to move, much less walk. Being in this situation is more than painful, it is terrifying. On occasion, the enemy tries to take control of my mind with overwhelming panic, self pity, and depression. I just tell him to leave me alone because I am a child of The Lord Jesus Christ and he can't have me. My faith does not alleviate the pain, it does not mend my broken bone, but it guards me from spirit damage. The tears still come, the regret of that moment of distraction does not fade, but my trust in my Savior who has promised never to leave me or forsake me never waivers.

GUESS WHO COMPLETED CHEMO TODAY.........

THIS GIRL! 

Six months of cancer treatment - done!  Time will tell if and when additional treatment will be needed, but for now, I will go return to monthly labs to keep an eye on things. After treatment today, Steve and I hosted an ice cream party for the staff and patients. It was a fun way to say "thank you."  Here are a few pictures of our little celebration today with some of my favorite people.  Oncology professionals and cancer supporters / caregivers cannot be thanked enough.  The folks at Texas Oncology - West Texas Cancer Center treated me like a queen throughout this entire scary process. I am grateful for each of them.  My sweet Stevie spent countless hours sitting with me during treatments and taking care of me at home. And to my precious friend, Dr. H. Bailey Stone, thank you for reminding me of the promise of God found in Deuteronomy 31:6.

Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you;  he will never leave you nor forsake you.