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Adjustment Period
You know what happens when you write a blog post with “abundance” in the title? The enemy swoops in and attacks, causing you to question every line you typed. But, let me tell you, the enemy ain’t got nothin’ on my King [I know, preach Devin!]. For every doubt, every question, every bit of melancholy, Jesus meets me. He’s reminding me that I don’t have to be crippled by chemo for Him to carry me! Summer ended. School started back. I expected the hardest part of the transition to be my eldest starting middle school. Nope. The hardest part of school starting back was going back into the routine of “school normal”…
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Three Months Out – Abundance
A little over three months have passed since my final chemo treatment. I had my first follow-up appointment last week, and it felt surreal walking back into the oncology clinic. There are days when I almost forget that the last eight months were anything other than normal – and then I remember and am instantly thankful to be at this point in recovery! Since the last time we were together, school and all the activities have ended, we’ve beached, and summer has fully descended (and throw my birthday, our anniversary, and Reese’s birthday into the mix as well). I’m actually looking at my calendar to remember what has happened because…
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6 Weeks Out – Recovering
I am six weeks out from my last chemo treatment. I wish that meant I could snap my fingers and be at Disney to celebrate (with no crowds and perfect weather and no details to plan and for free), but it really just means that I’m actually doing most all the things that I normally did before (which in truth is it’s own kind of celebration). Physically, I feel pretty GREAT! My energy is back and my stamina is building tremendously. Reflux is waning. My body is allowing me to do things I haven’t been strong enough to do since November (I sometimes forget that my body underwent major surgery – and then I’m…
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How’s She Doing? All Done!!
Today, Monday, April 10 marks the day that I actually feel like chemo is over. It’s the end of the 4th cycle. My last treatment was 3 weeks ago, and I can now officially picture all the medicines starting to fully cycle out of my body. The steroids that have been infused with each treatment really caught up with me this cycle. Reflux and weight gain were the effects I was most warned to expect prior to chemo, and wouldn’t you know, the warnings were correct – dang steroids! Spring is in full force with newness everywhere. That’s how my body feels – new. All the sloughed-off cells revealing young cells ready for…
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No Really, I’m Good
By popular demand, we’re doing another tank order. Link to order is below. Thanks! Tank Order Form Link
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Cast Iron Magnolia. Who Knew?
When I originally tiptoed into the world of blogging, it was at the urging of a couple of friends as a way for me to share recipes. When setting up the site, I wanted a name that was fun and perhaps a little meaningful. Cast Iron Magnolia popped into my head and wouldn’t go away. The name felt a little silly or melodramatic to me at that time, but obviously I went with it. The reference to Steel Magnolias cannot be missed, and that was intentional. Southerness would ooze throughout my posts – people needed to know what they were getting into.[ I also want it to be noted that this…
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Strength in Weakness
I haven’t done this in a while. I wouldn’t say I’ve been avoiding it, but honestly, I haven’t had any desire to write. I personally hit a wall after Mom’s surgery. Tiredness hit, the weight of all of this reality hit, the adrenaline wore out, and my children ran out of their reserve to share mommy. But now, I’m here. Today is a small step just to fill you in on what’s been happening since May. Mom’s mastectomy surgery on May 5th went very smoothly. Recovery went very smoothly as well. She went back home to Eupora about a week after surgery and life was trucking on. Home health came…
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Stone-Washed Stockings and My Homeroom Mom
When I was in the third grade, my mom was the homeroom mother for my class. I never questioned this at the time, but looking back, I wonder how on earth she made this work. Mom’s job was running a daycare out of our home. There weren’t lunch breaks or days off, or any of those other things that allow working-moms a touch of breathing-room. So, how she put together parties for our class remains a mystery (not to mention before Volunteer-Spot and email and Facebook and texting…). I tell you this to set the stage for a memory that has grown in significance to me as I journey along this…
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Tanks are for Filling
There is really no “honeymoon phase” when someone you love is diagnosed with cancer, but if there were, I would say that our family is definitely past it. The last couple of weeks have been more trying as this new normal settles in and wears all of us down. Even still, I see our Father’s love and care down to the smallest detail. Mom handled the infusion of her 3rd treatment well, but the actual day was difficult and long. So long in fact that we missed her appointment with the surgical oncologist. That was a tough blow as we are quite ready to find out when surgery is to be scheduled…
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Psalm 3 – A Prayer
Please pray this scripture (customized from Psalm 3) with me. Pray it over Mama, or yourself, or whoever in your life needs to fight or is giving up. “But you o Lord are a shield around HER, HER glory, and the one who lifts HER head high. She’ll call out to the Lord, and He’ll answer from His holy mountain. She will lie down in sleep and wake again because the Lord sustains her. She will not fear though an enemy has invaded her body. And the the army attacks her insides, feeling like the enemy. Arise Lord! Deliver her, my God! Bring her strength and hunger and the energy…
affectionately known as "Mama Devin" to some…