As you may have noticed my last post was very matter of fact. yep. I have kidney cancer. yep. we are hanging in there. yep. reality is settling in.

First, good news. We were able to get in to see the urologist aka “this type of cancer expert” on December 8, 2017. The feast of the Immaculate Conception. Mary’s conception full of grace and without sin. God planning ahead and preserving our Blessed Mother to carry His Son. Pretty much my favorite feast day, because 1. I’m a fan of the blessed mother and 2. It just shows God’s faithfulness.

I’ve found myself anxious to get to the appointment to talk about the treatment options to get Marty, T.L.S. out. Yep, I named my tumor. He was first named Martin by me after my cardiologist who played like Dr. House and his test recommendation found this little sucker. My mother on the other hand calls it The.Little.Shit. so a friend of ours combined it into Marty, T.L.S. Yep, he’s gotta go. It was nice of him to grow off the side of my kidney, instead of inside, but still he is not welcome.

Anyways, I was thinking the past few days about how I don’t want my thanksgiving to be filled with heart disease and cancer so what is my thanksgiving made of this year? What’s yours? do share!

T: Totally belonging to Christ. There is no way I would still be standing here without Faith that I belong to God and His plan is far greater than my understanding.

H: Hopkins. They have done more in the 14 months that we have been going there to understand my heart disease and now my kidneys than what was expected. I have a cardiologist who made a visit at 7:00pm after a full day of appointments just to check in after the cancer diagnosis was confirmed. They go above and beyond.

A: All of you. You are our prayer warriors, supporters, loved ones, friends, all of you that makes our “family”.

N: Nonnie’s memory. My grandmother fought lung cancer courageously and heroically. She lived on magnum ice cream bars when she was so sick. She always answered my Monday night phone calls with words of faith and courage, even when she felt so sick. I found myself asking what would Nonnie do, how would she fight? Like hell!

K: Kristin. My life. my story. Knowing God chose to tell the story of salvation with me in it. (AND YOU TOO).

S: Sherry. You know that lady I am lucky enough to call my mom. She some how manages to meet work deadlines, volunteer at church, snore in a recliner next to me laying in a hospital bed for days on end, pray for me, love me, laugh with me, take on doctors and watch her daughter suffer and yet still have faith. Her faith could move mountains.

G: Those crazy Grassons (and of course the johnson’s) . The goofballs I’m lucky enough to call my family. A phone call away to activate my prayer warriors (including the poor clares..My Deacon uncle does adoration for them). We know if we ask, that’d be here in a jiffy.

I: Ice cream of the coconut milk variety. Yep, thats right. Being lactose free and being able to enjoy after a long hospital stay.

V: Victory of the heart. Having this blog to share prayer requests and my thoughts/heart and having the story of the past two and a half years and being able to look back on God’s faithfulness.

I: Individuals who choose to bear Christ to others. There are days I don’t feel God’s presence, but I am always reminded by these individuals by their faith that He is here.

N: Nurses. Every nurse I have ever had. I would have never made it through all these hospital stays without the nurses who treated me like they were caring for their own family member.

G: God’s faithfulness. Even despite my doubts, joys, trials, he remains the same loving God.

We all carry much into thanksgiving. A year full of joys, sorrows, loss, the addition of a little one to the family, health, illness, friends, family, hurt, laughter, joy. We all have something. I pray whatever you carry into this Thanksgiving, that the Lord nestles you into the sacredness of His heart and feels your heart with peace.