September 15, 2008 September 15, 2008

Hello all!  I am making myself stop and blog.  I have NO time!  Everything is back in swing.  I won’t bore you with all of the details, but we are going non-stop here.  Everything is great!  I am back at school and loving it!  It’s going to be a great year.  I still go in every three weeks for the herceptin, but that’s no biggy.  It will be over in Janauary.  All the surgeries are over, and I am so blessed to say that I finally feel normal again.

We have a team for the Komen walk.  Our team “Operation Strong” will be walking on October 4.  Come join us if you can.  There is information in the blog below about it.

I hope this finds you all doing well.  I want you all to know that you have blessed me beyond words.  I am eternally thankful for every thought and prayer during the last year.  (I can’t believe it’s been nearly a year!!)  You were an amazing support.  Your encouragement helped me so much.  It got me through many days.  I continue to pray God’s richest blessings for you all!

God bless,

Angela

August 4, 2008 August 4, 2008

I hope this finds you all having a wonderful summer!  I know we have had lots of fun and have been going and going….like the energizer bunny!  We’ve made lake trip after lake trip and have had a blast!  Our family has spent LOTS of quality time together this summer.  It’s been amazing and BUSY!  Mason has attended several camps in between the lake trips.  He just got back from church camp at Fort Lone Tree in New Mexico where he had a wonderful time and rededicated his life to the Lord!  That was great news!  Brynn has been busy this summer too.  She’s been hanging out with all her friends and bugging her brothers whenever possible!   Luke has become a master tuber (so he thinks)!  He is SO funny.  He can say anything!  He is quite the singer and has just this week started using the big boy potty, so he is REALLY proud of himself at the moment!

I KNOW I should apologize for not posting more often.  In the past week several people have mentioned to me that I haven’t wrote in a while.  I know I don’t have an excuse, but I have been going like crazy, and to be totally honest (and I know this is stupid!), sometimes I associate the blogging with being sick.  I KNOW I have got to GET OVER THAT!  There are so many things that bring back the sensation of being sick, especially certain smells.  The other night my sister was wearing this lotion from Bath and Body, and when she sat down beside me, I got this overwhelming nauseating sensation.  It took me a little while, but I finally figured out that it was the lotion.  I had used that scent in my bathroom as my hand soap whenever I was first diagnosed.  That is only a few instances of many.  I DO plan on blogging more often though. I apologize!

School starts really soon, and I am getting excited out it!  I have had a REALLY long break!  I look forward to getting back to normal in every aspect including work!  I will also be taking pictures again starting in September.  I am ONLY doing four sessions a month.  I PROMISED my mother I wouldn’t do any more than that.  I have been working on my new website for several months now and plan on publishing it in the next couple of weeks.  I took pictures of Christie’s little miracle, Laney Grace, a couple of weeks ago.  Her pictures are on my website for the world to see how beautiful she is.   Speaking of precious babies….I am going to be having a baby niece on or before August 18th.  Her name is Raegan, and we are SO ready to meet her!  Please pray for my sister-in-law Janet, Raegan, and my brother as they prepare for the big day!

My last stage of the reconstruction is coming up!  This Wednesday I have my last surgery.  Dr. Jane Rowley will be performing her magic again.  She is the woman!  I feel very confident in her hands!  It is just an outpatient deal, so I will come home that afternoon.  I’m a little nervous, but not bad.

My hair is back!  I am finally able to go without the wig.  The picture of me below is from about a month ago, so it’s grown a lot since then.  It’s still pretty short, BUT any day WITH hair is a better day than WITHOUT it!

Please be praying for my team in the 2008 Susan G Komen Lubbock Area Race for the Cure.  Our team is Operation Strong.  It will be held on Oct. 4th in Lubbock.   It’s a great cause that I owe so much to.  I feel the same way about this foundation that I feel about you all.  Without the Komen foundation and the money that they raise for research, I wouldn’t be where I am today.  I owe them so much!  I am planning on GIVING BACK by working hard to raise money for other women diagnosed.  I am attaching the link to the walk so that anyone who wants to can donate $ or register to be on our team.    If you sign up before Sept. 22, it’s only $20.  That is technically all you have to give, but our team is setting a goal of $100 each.  It’s really easy to do because when you register and join the team, you create your own page and email your own address book to get donations.  I am really excited about it!  Can you tell?? Let me know if you have any questions.   My e-mail is angela@abursonphoto.com.  The link for the Race for the Cure is

http://komenlubbock.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=274097

To donate $, click “General Donation” and follow the steps.  To be on our team (and I WOULD LOVE to HAVE YA!) click the “Register Here” link.  Make sure you sign up under our team, “Operation Strong”.  Thanks so much!!

Thanks for anyone that prayed for D during his heart surgery.  He is doing well and getting better everyday!  He’s WAY too stubborn to be down very long.  Please pray that he will have a quick recovery and that he will be permanently fixed of all cardiac arrhythmia.

Please pray for my dad and his back and neck pain.  He is still trying to figure out how to manage having a surgery and farming and raising way too many horses at the same time.  I know God will work all of that out.  He always does!

I feel like I have 100 other things to tell ya, but “chemo brain” I can’t remember them.  “Chemo brain” has taken the place of “duh” with me and all of my friends!   OK….I’ve talked enough.  I love you ALL and am praying GOD’s richest blessings on each and every one of you!!!!  Have a GREAT day!

OH yea….I MUST tell you all that I am married to the most wonderful man in the WHOLE WORLD!!! (and he’s probably gonna kill me because I put his picture on here!)

Counting His blessings,

Angela

Great News from Christie!! June 26, 2008

Christie had her scans today, and things are great!!  They showed no cancer!  Praise God!!  Her doctor even told her that they might skip the next bunch of chemo and go straight to radiation.  YAY!!!  Thanks for praying for her.  She has touched so many lives through this.  We both have an amazing testimony, and she has a beautful baby girl too!!!  I will have pictures for you to see.

Count your blessings and love everyday!

Angela

Please pray for my sweet friend Sue as she continues with the battle.

June 24, 2008 June 25, 2008

Really sorry it’s been so long!  I am doing really well.  Things are getting back to normal.  I’m getting stronger and feeling more like my old self everyday.  The kids keep me going and staying busy.  We are doing the summer doc, dentist, ortho visits and getting all of that taken care of before school starts back. However, we have had some down time.  We’ve done a little resting.

Incase any of you don’t check my friend Christie’s blog, she had her baby on Friday June 20th.  She is beautiful and perfect and her name is Laney Grace.  The “Grace” part explains itself and “Laney” means “Bright Light”.  Plus, “Lane” is Christie’s middle name.  She weighed 6 lbs 10 oz. and was 20 inches long.  She was a month early!  Isn’t that cool??  I went over there on Friday to see them and take some pictures.  They both looked amazing!  Just perfect.  Christie will be having some scans tomorrow to make sure there is nothing left of the cancer she once had.  Please pray for her.  She is very anxious about them.  She and I talked today, and I told her I knew exactly how she felt!!  It’s really so nice to be able to talk to someone who knows exactly how you feel. 

Again, I just want to apologize for not getting on more often and updating on my life and it’s happenings.  Like I said, I am just trying to get back to my normal self….physically.  I don’t know if I’ll ever be my old self mentally….(chemo brain!)   and I don’t want to be my old self spiritually.  The hair is on it’s way back.  It’s really thickened up.  My eyebrows and eyelashes are coming in too!  Thank goodness!!  Thursday I go for my “booby pump.”  I am half way through with that.  So far, it hasn’t been bad at all, not really even uncomfortable.   Brynn went with me last time.  I was kinda worried about taking her in there for fear that she would think a doctor would one day stick needles in hers and pump them.  But Jane (my doc) made her right at ease.  She’s hillarious anyway.  She just started giving her a hard time about being short and told her she needed to drink more milk.  By the time she was finished, Brynn was helping her. 

Kids are so funny, and it has been quite an experience with mine.  For instance, if Luke (our 2 year old) is around you might want to watch out because he might pull up your shirt looking for your “owies”.  Also, the other night I walked in on he and Brynn trying on my boobie pads under their shirts.  It was quite hillarious!  Brynn has become my style consultant on my hair…telling me that I shouldn’t wear it like a boy!  (How else am I gonna wear it?)  Anyway…..there’s really never a dull moment.

Thanks again for all of your support.  You guys are all so wonderful.  I pray God’s richest blessings on you guys.

Love ya,

Angela

May 12, 2008 May 12, 2008

 Happy Belated Mother’s Day to you all.  I hope you had a wonderful day yesterday.

So sorry it’s been a while since I’ve been on here.  It’s been pretty wild around here… as usual.  We had the annual Relay for Life in Levelland on May 2.  We had a great team…”Operation Strong.” We were decked out in camo and pink.  It was way cool.  We had two really cool banners too!  Kelly hauled her camper up there (you go girl!)  And we were ready for some fun!  We had a blast despite the fact that we didn’t hang all night.  The weather was horrible, and it got really cold.  I just wanted to share some pictures with you of the event.  We have some amazing friends and family!!  (We’ve known this for a while!)  We are very blessed!

I’m doing pretty good these days.  I am healing from the surgery…still a little sore and have a hard time doing some things.  I started the expander process…no biggy so far.  I am supposed to go in every two weeks for the “pump up.”  Soon, I’ll be looking like Barbie.  I might even go blond when I get some hair…..but probably not. 

At this point, I’m trying to forget cancer and remember it at the same time.  I know that sounds weird.  I can’t really explain it.  I just want it to all go away so bad, but I always want to remember how it changed me and my life not to mention the lives of the people I love and many others.  

I am reminded of it often because my hair is still pretty thin (even though it is thickening up ..I think).  My eyebrows and eyelashes are coming in slowly but they are still very sparse, and then there’s the “ouchies” as look calls them.  The surgery prevents me from picking him up and doing some normal everyday things, but I am managing pretty well.  I drove Brynn and Mason to the dentist today, and we made it home safely….even in 100 mile an hour winds!   I ran into a lady from Haskell at the Dollar Store yesterday while buying Mason the necessities to make a sugar baby, his school project.  She reminded me that her daughter’s cancer came back in a year and went to her liver.  I REALLY didn’t want to know that.  It has consumed my mind for the last 24 hours.  Eventhough I know anything is possible, to hear a personal story hits home.  I know that I have to continue to do everything in my power to keep it gone and PRAY because ultimately it’s in God’s hands, and He’s in control.  I have learned that!  So for now, I am going to try and shove all horrible memories of cancer out of my mind, enjoy my family, and LIVESTRONG!   

“You armed me with strength for battle.”  – Psalm 18:39

Patrick and I at Relay for Life 2008.

My brother, Michael, sister-in-law, Janet, and Luke.

Me familia…minus the guys.

My sister, Karmen, and Mason.  That’s Ginger (my baby sister) in the back looking like Elvis.

Patrick and Brynn walking the family lap.  She was pretty pumped up!

Me and some of the girls in the trailor.  It was getting pretty late, and we were getting a little silly with Bon Qui Qui.  As you can tell, at this point, I had ditched the wig!

Survivor sisters!

Christie and I posing.  Her hair is really MUCH thicker than mine.

The “Operation Strong” crew on the team lap.

April 23, 2008 April 23, 2008

• I just wanted to share some wonderful news with you that is totally overwhelming to me.  I went to see my surgeon yesterday for my post op appointment.  He was out of town when they dismissed me from the hospital, so one of his colleagues shared the pathology report with me that (just as the MRI showed) there was NO cancer anywhere.  I am assuming from what I have recently learned that often times the MRI shows nothing, but… when they send the breast tissue off to pathology, there is something, a trace, a microscopic cancer cell….something!  BUT in my case, there was NOTHING!  No trace that the cancer was even there!  EVER!  They tested 19 lymph nodes and nothing.  NOTHING!  ANYWHERE!  When he came into the room at his office yesterday, he walked in, hugged me, kissed me on the cheek, then grabbed my hand, and said, “You’re a miracle woman!”  I just kind of looked at him and asked, “Why?”  He said, “Because YOU are only the second patient that I have had in my career that this has happened to. (He’s been in the business a while.) There is NOTHING there!  That’s AMAZING news!!”  WOW!  What a testimony!  God has some plans for that testimony.  Just wanted to share and say thanks and share first hand the POWER of our GOD and the prayer from lots of dear people…many of whom I will never meet.  I am SO thankful and blessed beyond words!

• My friend Christie continues to do amazingly well on the chemo.  She has finished all rounds.  Praise GOD!  She is now just waiting patiently for the baby girl to arrive.  They are scheduled to induce in June.  I will be there taking lots of pictures to capture the day for them.  I can’t wait!  She and her husband Brent are not telling anyone the name of the baby, so everyone is extremely curious.  It’s kinda fun trying to guess what it will be.  I will keep you posted on her and the baby.  Thanks so much for lifting her up in prayer as I know you all do!

• I am getting stronger every day.  I am still pretty sore, but it’s nothing compared to chemo.  I really think that stuff conditioned me!  I still have the drains in, and they are pretty annoying, but I can’t complain.  I know they are doing their job and helping me heal like I should.  All surgeons say that everything looks great and in the end, I should have a great cosmetic result!  OH….the light at the end of the tunnel!    The hair is somewhat coming back in I suppose.  You know, it’s been growing since January when I started the evil taxotere, but it didn’t come back in thick.  It’s VERY thin actually.  It’s been a month since the last round of chemo, and I know that it just takes a while for it to come back.  It’s baby fine….like duck fluff!  I’m thinking that when that’s all out of my system and it decides that it won’t be hit with it again; surely the thicker more course hair will decide to makes its presence again.  I HOPE IT DOES!  I know at this point in my life that seems like such a small thing to fret over, but nevertheless, it’s on my mind.  I’m praying for new growth because someone told me during this that He cares about the small things too. 

Thanks for always being there!

Love always,

Angela

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 18, 2008 April 18, 2008

I have some great news to report.  First of all, I am home!  YEA!  The surgery is over.  It wasn’t that bad at all.  I got to come home yesterday afternoon.  It’s always good to be home eventhough I slept well at the hospital and had an overall good stay. 

The second part of the good news is the best.  The surgeon came to my room to release me yesterday to give me the greatest news.  The pathology report from the mastectomy showed no cancer anywhere!  Not in the lymph nodes and no microscopic cancer cells anywhere!  What a relief that was!  We all breathed much easier after that news.  Praise God! 

I am home now and taking it easy, but I feel great!  Much thanks to good drugs!  I have been a little surprised at how good I feel.  I even put makeup on yesterday and today!  I will have the drain tubes in for a week or two, but I guess I can tolerate that. 

Thanks to all of you for the prayers.  That prayer pager has been going wild!  Thanks for the comments on here and the cards.  ALSO thanks so much to the silent ones who I will never know that are praying.  I pray for HUGE blessings for all of you because YOU ALL have blessed us more than you will ever know. 

Another thanks to the awesome high school bunch for their wonderful blessings! Thanks for the pink shirt day in honor of me (I loved the picture!) and for the cool pink paper chain.  I heard they were trying to break a Guinness Book record with the length of that thing.  AND they are donating all of the money to the American Cancer Society.  That is so awesome!  What a GREAT idea!  Thanks for all of that.  You all have been a huge support to me through all of this!

When I came home yesterday, this was the scripture in my Streams book.  PERFECT!

The hand of the LORD has done this. Job 12:9

Love ya,

Angela

April 17th 2008 April 17, 2008

We love you Angela!!!

Students and Staff at Levelland High School show their support by wearing pink on the day of Angela’s surgery.

April 14, 2008 April 14, 2008

 WOW!  Is it really April?  Is it really April 14, 11:40 pm?  Time goes real fast.  For the past few days, I have really felt like my old self again because I have been racing the clock going 90 miles an hour.  GO..GO..GO.. We have been going none stop today and all weekend for that matter.  When you know you’ve got something like this coming up, you try and get things done over time, but it never fails that at the end I still have a million things to do.  We had a ballgame to go to tonight in Denver City, so that made things even faster, but I wouldn’t have missed it, especially since I can’t be at the one on Wednesday.  Mason and his crew played well!

 Well….I am glad to say I AM NOT nervous, anxious, worried or any of that! I just wanted to write enough to let you all know that.  I am excited!  AND I KNOW that God is in control! 

Please pray for no complications and a smooth ride through the surgery, oh yea AND….a good pain tolerance!  I know you are praying for me and the surgeons and nurses. Your prayers are very powerful, and words cannot express how much I thank you for them, and I thank YOU God….for answering them.

With love from the depths of my heart,

Angela

April 8, 2008 April 8, 2008

Well I would be preparing for the surgery tomorrow EXCEPT they cancelled it.  I feel horrible because many of you don’t know.  You are leaving comments and that prayer pager is going off like crazy!  I found out tonight that my peeps at the high school are wearing pink tomorrow!  SO sorry!  I’ll save it all for later or re-read or something since we’re having to take a rain check…

I woke up last night in the middle of the night not feeling real well.  I was congested in my head and chest and my throat hurt a little bit.  We went out of town this past weekend to participate in the West Texas Walk for Autism in honor of our niece Taylor.  It was a fun weekend, but I was tired when we got home Sunday afternoon.  I was tired and achy yesterday but figured it was just from going.  My body isn’t used to doing much but sitting in this red chair.  Then, when I woke up feeling yucky I thought ,”OH no….great timing!”

I didn’t think it was that bad though…maybe a little cold.  I didn’t have any fever, so I thought, “No big deal.  I can take some vitamin C and kick this, and I’ll be good.”  The day went on, and then I talked to Kelly who said I should call Rhyne, my surgeon, just to let him know, so I did.  I left a message with the nurse explaining a little about my situation.  Later on, she called me back.  She listened to me talk 90 miles an hour telling her my plan.  Then, she quickly informed me that Rhyne was going to cancel.  She said it was too big of a risk to go into surgery even with a little cold.  I was so ticked!  I was SO ready to do this!  Plus, Mason is playing in the National Little Dribblers Tournament next Wednesday in Levelland, and I was so pleased that the timing of this was going to work out so that I could most likely go and watch his game.  I knew I wouldn’t feel great, but I figured I could make it up there to watch him.

I stayed  mad for about 5 minutes thinking this isn’t fair…just having the normal pity party.  I went and got in my bed….BAD ATTITUDE!  Then God spoke to me.  He was like, “Girl, you are an extremely SLOW learner!!!!  Do you not know that I’ve got this by now??  Come on….calm down.  There’s a reason.  This is not all about your time!”  You know, looking back on that, if it would have been anybody but God, they would have ended the conversation with some thing like….oh I don’t know….MORON???  After that, it was different.  I got ya loud and clear God!  10-4 good buddy!!  I’m still a little upset about missing Mason’s game, but I know He has a purpose, and I am certainly cool with that! 

Romans 8:28 (The Message)

“Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.”

I went to the doctor this afternoon to get a shot and some antibiotics to get me well.  I tested positive for strep throat.  I consider it a definate blessing that I got sick today and not tomorrow or Thursday.  That could have been really bad!  This way, I should be good and well by the time I have the surgery next week.  After I left the doctor’s office, I talked to Kelly who informed me that her dad (who is assisting in the surgery) was sick and vomiting with a virus.  All things happen for a reason.  Please pray for him to get well.  He is such a precious man.  He has taken great care of me in all of this!!  He has truly been my angel!

My surgery has been rescheduled for next Tuesday, the 15th.  It’s supposed to start around 7:30 AM.  I told Mason that the upside to all of this is that all of our family will be in town for my surgery, so they can just cruise on over to his game.  Pretty convenient, huh? 

Thanks for all of the prayers and comments.  They lift me up more than you will ever know!!  Please pray for Christie tomorrow as she is hit with another round of chemo.  She is getting closer and giving God all the glory as she is feeling much better and baby is doing GREAT!  She is so amazing!

I want to especially thank my girlfriends for bringing lunch to me today and for Cassandra’s sweet thoughts.   I had a great time.  You are some true rescue heros.  I LOVE YOU GIRLS!   You keep me real!

Thanks for all the love and support!  Lots of love to you ALL!!

Angela

April 2, 2008 April 2, 2008

Just a quick note and prayer request.  My friend Christie is in the hospital tonight (Tues. night / early Wed. morning) fighting a virus.  They thought it would be best to admit her to give her some IV antibiotics and fluids.  She has been having a hard time fighting this one off.  Please…..PLEASE pray that she kicks this quick so that she can go home with her family.  Also, please pray against any other illness she may come in contact with while there, and that she can get some rest to help her strength for the fight.

 Thanks so much for that.

Love,

Angela

March 31, 2008 March 31, 2008

Well it’s official!  I had my MRI on Friday, and today, I met with my surgeon to officially hear the report.  Although he didn’t have the paper in his hand, he spoke with the radiologist who informed him there was nothing on the MRI.  NO CANCER!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  After my surgeon Dr. Ryne informed me of the results, he did a physical examination ….I guess just to make sure.  While he was checking for himself, his exact words were, “Wow!  That’s amazing!”  I will never forget those words.  I thought it was so appropriate that he chose the word “amazing”.  That’s our GOD!  He is AMAZING!  It gave me chills when he said that because it brought back memories of how many times I have thought and said that exact word throughout this whole rollercoaster!  AND one more time….He showed me just how amazing He is! 

I also met with the plastic surgeon Dr. Rowley today too.  That went very well!  I really liked her, and I liked what she had to say.  We decided to do expanders and implants.  This is a surgery that she performs regularly, and I feel very comfortable that she will do a great job.  She informed me that this will be a process that will not be complete until August.  The first part will take place immediately after the mastectomy.  Then there will be a second surgery (a lot less complicated) to put the permanent implants in place. 

I feel like such a huge weight has been lifted, and for the first time since the diagnosis, I actually feel somewhat like Angela again even though I look very different!  I am VERY aware that I will never be the same again, and 90% of that is in a good way.  It has changed my life in so many ways for the better.  However, there will always be a worry that will hopefully turn into just an awareness of cancer.  I know that there are chances of it coming back, but I am NOT going to live in fear.  I am going to take care of myself.  At least then I can’t blame myself.  (That’s another topic for a future blog!)  This is also why I am choosing to have the double mastectomy, and all of my doctors agree that especially at my age, it’s not a bad idea!!  There is no official word on when that will be yet, but we are hoping it will be on April 9, next Wednesday.  The plastic surgeon said that worked for her, but Ryne’s office was closed by the time we figured all that out, so they will work that out tomorrow.  It’s really kinda complicated when there are so many people involved.  I know it will all work out though.  God has it all under control!  I’m just working on being still and knowing.  I still have far to go, but MAN I’ve come a LONG way!

Thanks again to all of you and sorry it has taken me so long to tell you that the cancer is gone.  I texted everyone in my phone on Friday when I got the unofficial word, but I was hesitant to put it on here officially until today.  I have so much to write…..so many things yet to say….some of which will take some time, time for me to work out in my heart and my mind, and time on here.  There are just so many feelings that I have felt that I haven’t shared with anyone, and some I probably never will.  However, after time when I am reflecting on those feelings I think they will be easier to deal with and hopefully explain.  ( I don’t know if any of that makes sense??) 

The power of prayer has been amazing as well!  Thank you all for that!  I KNOW that I will never be able to pay it all back, but I definately intend on paying it forward! I pray great and wonderful blessings to each of you.  I thank God for you and for what you mean to me and my family.  I will never forget the amazing support you have shown us.  I have no doubt that God has put each of you in our life for a reason.  You all have taught me so much about how to be a good friend and definately a better Christian.    Thanks so much for that!

Love,

Angela

March 27, 2008 March 27, 2008

Is it just me or can you believe it’s already the end of March?  Some days times seems like it is flying and others it seems like it’s barely moving.  Tonight, I’m gonna keep it short because I am tired, I have taxotere watery eyes, but most of all because Patrick is writing a research paper. 

I am gonna keep it short and simple.  I am a tad bit nervous about the MRI that I am having tomorrow morning.  This will be the first test since the chemo.  My friend Kelly told me the other day, “Don’t worry Angela.  That cancer is long gone.  From the effects that chemo has had on the rest of your body, I’m sure it NEVER plans to return.  It’s scared it off for good!!”  I think surely that’s right, BUT I am human.  Please pray for a good report on that.  NO MORE CANCER! 

Also, pray for Kelly.  She is having a minor surgery in the morning.  Nothing big, but keep her in your prayers.  She is a nurse, but nurses are human and even nurses hate IV’s.  Please lift her up. 

Christie continues to do well…I think.  I didn’t get a chance to talk to her today.  We played phone tag because she was so busy out on the town I think.  No really I think she was working.  This (to me) means she must be feeling pretty good. 

Hope all is well with all of you!  Thanks for the faithful prayers.  I love you all!

Angela

March 22, 2008 March 22, 2008

Hello everyone and Happy Easter!   We headed to my mom’s house on Tuesday to try and break things up.  Trying to have a good spring break and recuperate from a round of chemo is a hard thing to accomplish, but it has worked out ok.  Patrick and the kids have gone fishing and visiting all the family while I sat on the couch watching HGTV.  The side effects have definitely been better this time.  THANKS FOR THOSE PRAYERS!  I am sure it helps to get out of the house.   I am doing well.  This has probably been the easiest one so far.  The mouth sores are not as bad.  Thanks so much for all the thoughts, prayers, and uplifting comments.  You all make this so much easier.  I will blog more next week when I am home.

Love to you all,

Angela

March 14, 2008 March 14, 2008

We’re done!  NO more chemo…..NADA!  From now on I will only have Herceptin which is really not chemo and doesn’t make me feel bad!   They don’t know about radiation yet, but he said I may not have to have that because I am definitely having a double mastectomy.  Not a “vasectomy” as one of my students said.  They asked me when I was going to have my vasectomy.  That’s another story.  Let’s just say that one left me speechless for a minute, but I did answer it ………and hopefully explained it……professionally.

Well you know that I had to write today.  I had to just put that date down because it helps make all of this so real!  It’s kinda like a surreal feeling.  I told Dr. Cummings today that it feels like it did when I graduated from college.  After you’ve gone to school for so long, it’s hard to believe you’re done!  I know it could have been a lot longer, but I am so thankful that it wasn’t. 

Cummings said that we would do a breast MRI the last week of March and do the surgery April 7, 8, or 9 depending on what the surgeon says.  I am SO ready to get them off and start over!!  He has told me several times that I might have the option to do a lumpectomy with radiation, but I am definitely not going that route.  That is something that I have never questioned throughout this ordeal.  I need them gone…..won’t miss them…..don’t trust them at all!   As I have said before, “I liked them when there were 15 years old, but I’m not diggin’ the 32 year old ones anyway!”  Plus, it has to increase my odds of it coming back.  I totally understand that there are no absolutes, but there are no absolutes with anything in life…. except our almighty God.  He is the ONLY absolute.  No matter how bad it gets, that doesn’t change.  He doesn’t change.  Isn’t it awesome that we have that?  Because He gave His life for us, we have an absolute!  Man, I am so thankful for that, and Easter is coming!  How cool is that? 

Thanks so much for the prayers for Patrick.  He got the results today.  They told him that he has a mild form of something called NASH which stands for Non Alcoholic Steatohepatitis.  OK?  I had researched a little….ok I had spent HOURS on the computer trying to figure out what it could be, and we had just about figured that is what it was!  Therefore, we really weren’t surprised when we heard it.  We still think it was caused by the rapid weight loss from the Atkins diet several years ago.  It’s basically a fatty liver with a little inflammation.  We hope he can control and fix it with a low fat diet which we are already on…yet another big change in our lives….for the good!  Everybody is getting healthy in this house.  There are no other choices!

I have done so much research throughout this whole thing.  I have spent many hours on the computer reading and informing myself to understand and because I have had so many side effects.  They are beginning to call me the “Side Effect Queen” at Joe Arringtons.  Cummings words were that I had “set a new standard for side effects.”   My nurse today asked my friend/nurse/her colleage Rhonda about Taxotere (the drug I’m on now) causing mouth-sores.  Rhonda answered immediately, “For Angela it does!”  All this to say, I must have had more side effects than other folks.  NICE!  (serious sarcasm!)  I guess I thought I was normal until today.  Well…..kinda normal….the jury is probably still out on that one….depends on who you ask.  This has lead me to think that I am supposed to help inform people about side effects.  That’s part of my mission.  To help people get through this chemo thing.   

I guess the thing I have learned is that people (me) naturally think doctors and nurses know EVERYTHING, but they don’t.  They don’t because they can’t.  They’re human.  They’re BUSY!  They are some of the busiest people I have ever met.  I THOUGHT teachers were busy!  They go non-stop treating sick people, and they are good at it.  They are some of the most amazing servants.  The are so full of love, and you can see it in their eyes.  They love people!  It just makes me smile thinking about them.  And Cummings….wow….he is one of the most humble and sincere individuals that I have ever met.   The problem is, like any other profession, they are SO busy, and the medical world is constantly changing!  Faster than any other profession in the world!   Therefore, there are facets of their profession in which they don’t know all about the latest.  Without a doubt, the doctors are most certainly researching all of the latest treatments.  They are absolutely up-to-date on the treatment options and what’s best for their patients.  I trust that, and I definitely trust Cummings.  The word on him is that he one of the best in the latest and greatest research.  However, they don’t all have time to research the latest and greatest in side effect prevention.  They MUST prioritize, and I had rather their priorities be on the treatment.  I can live with the side effects.  Therefore, as I have said before, we all must be active in our own health care.  Like your doctors, trust your doctors, but we have a brain, and we should use it to inform ourselves as best we can without freaking ourselves out! 

Please keep my dad in your prayers.   His name is Mike Adkins (for those of you who don’t know him).  He has suffered for so long with a neck injury from an accident years ago, and the pain is excruciating and consumes his life most days.  Please pray that he finds a doctor to help him and fix this problem forever!  We know that God can heal him and doctors can help!

One more request…I met a really sweet lady today from Brownfield named Trish Johnson.  She was in the chemo room with her husband getting her treatment.  She has the exact cancer that I have and has had the same treatment.  It was so nice to talk to someone that has the exact same thing.  Please pray for Trish as she continues on her journey of survival.  She is finished with the bad stuff and has had the surgery.  She is on the Herceptin and on her way to being finished.  Pray for complete healing to her body as she recovers from this.  Thanks so much for this!

OK…I’ve talked enough.  Thanks for all of those amazing prayers.   I thank God for you guys and your faithful prayers for me and our family.  I pray for you all great blessings and happiness! 

Love to every one of you.  Even if I don’t know who you are!

Angela

March 10, 2008 March 11, 2008

Well tonight I found myself on Christie’s blog thinking, “Would she just write already!”  I get impatient when she doesn’t have something new everynight because her page has become part of my nightly reading. 

I guess that’s kind of like the “pot calling the kettle black,” huh?  So I realized what some of you think when I don’t write often, and I’m not even in the same writing league as Christie. 

Speaking of her, she is doing well.  She is feeling pretty good for her third treatment.  She still has no nausea, only fatigue which is so amazing!  She has new really cool sonogram pictures of her baby posted on her site.  If you haven’t seen it, you should check it out.  Just click on the link over to the right here, and it’ll take you there.  That baby is such an awesome miracle of God!  She is growing like crazy.  It’s really cool!

Things are going well here in the Burson household.  You KNOW what this week is!!  OH YEA!  Last treatment!  WHOO HOOO! (for you Stan!)  It almost seems surreal that this is nearly over although I know it will take at least a month to start feeling better.   A friend even told me today that it might take a year before I start feeling like my old self again, SO I’ll be ok with 80% in a month or two until I get back to normal.  I guess by now I should have learned that I will take whatever % God gives me!  “I really do know God that it’s not always about my plan.  I promise I AM getting that.” 

I’ve gotten much better in dealing with the anxiety of all of this.  The whole saying, “Let go, Let GOD,” has become my mission statement.  I sometimes think it hourly.  It’s the ONLY way I deal with the unanswered question of “is it gone?”  Even though I say that it is, and I feel that I am cancer free already, every little pain makes me think, “Is it there?”  (I know that’s the devil trying to make me afraid.)  I guess that’s all normal, but I do KNOW that it’s a slap in the face to God for me to question that athough I don’t see it as I am doubting Him.  I don’t know exactly what you would call it.  I guess my “chemo brain” can’t think that hard right now.  More on that later.  God definately spoke to me Sunday night while we were at church listening to the kids sing.  He really laid it on my heart that everything was going to be ok and to not be afraid.  Then HE told me to listen close as Mason’s group sang the last song.  (This is really cool!)  I had no idea what they were gonna sing because I am so far removed from the kid’s choir thing this year, and Mason doesn’t talk much about…well….anything.  They sang the song “Voice of Truth” by Casting Crowns.  WOW!  You talk about speaking to me!  I was overwhelmed with emotion, but tried to disguise it and did a pretty good job since my eyes were watering like CRAZY already! 

This brings something to mind.  Brynn asked me the other night after our nightly prayer when and if she’d ever hear God speak to her.  I know what she’s waiting on.  That’s a hard one to explain to a five year old.  I just said you can feel it in your heart.  She seemed like she understood.  Kids amaze me! 

Please pray for Patrick as he has a liver biopsy tomorrow.  They have determined that he has a “fatty liver.”  This could have been caused by rapid weight loss three years ago from the Atkins diet.  The biopsy will determine how bad the “fatty liver” is.  Please pray as they go in with a needle and extract a small chunk of his liver, Ouch!  We are praying that it is no big deal and something that he can fix with diet and exercise!  He said tonight as I was researching natural medicine and ways to help both of us, “Maybe this is good that we are working out all the kinks in our 30′s.”  We have definately become more aware of our health!

Thanks to the people at Avalon Day Spa for an awesome day this weekend!!!  Barbara, my new friend and they owner of the spa, is a two time cancer survivor and such an inspiration.  If you get a chance to visit this place, you WILL NOT be sorry!

Until next week or something really eventful happens!

Angela

March 6, 2008 March 6, 2008

Well I’m still home.  They informed me Monday that I would have to stay home this week because of my blood counts.  They feel I am at too high of a risk to catch something, and there is quite a lot of stuff going around.  I feel pretty good.  Everyday is better, and I gain more strength.  It’s just taken a little longer this time because of my blood counts.  I think they kinda determine all of that.  This staying at home deal is not my thing, so it’s hard to figure out if I still feel bad because of the chemo or from doing nothing.  I think it’s probably a little of both.  I guess my thing is that I have to remind myself that the chemo adds up and is going to probably make me sicker and more run down everytime.  That’s just what it does.  It’s hard for me to wrap my mind around all that though.  Despite how my body feels and has felt for a while now, my mind is still the same ole’ healthy 32 year old that it was when all of this began. (Well, I do have a few memory lapses and some “chemo brain”.  But for the most part, I’m still the same…..in my mind. )

I received lots of texts yesterday from my kids at school.  I knew exactly when they released them from the test for lunch because my phone started buzzing like crazy!  They were so excited and confident that they had done really well.  They couldn’t wait to let me know.  Thanks so much for the prayers for them.  I know they helped!

We’re headed to Rochester, Haskell, and Munday to see our parents and grandparents tomorrow.  I can’t wait!  After being at home for a solid two weeks, I really can’t wait!  We haven’t been home to see all of them since Thanksgiving, so we’re all really excited. 

We are about to start the birthday extravaganza at our house.  All of our kids are born in March.  Luke will start it off as he turns 2 on Monday the 10th.  I can’t believe he is 2.  He is so big and talking all the time saying anything and everything.  We are all constantly laughing at him.  He can’t say some of his letters which makes it even funnier.  He’s hillarious.  He always has his little figures or people in his hands (spiderman, superman, farm animals, any random McDonald toys), as many as his little hands can carry.  He calls them his “duys.” Because he can’t say his g’s, he can’t say guys.  So naturally, we all call them “duys”.    

Mason will turn 12 on the 16th.  That’s the wildest of all!  Talk about big!  He’s almost as tall as me, and he’s such an awesome kid!  Very helpful!  Couldn’t do it without him!  He had a great basketball season this year.  They were undefeated all season.  He made the all-star team too which will be playing in the national tournament in April.  We’re very proud of him and his many accomplishments. 

Then there’s Brynn.  She will be 5 on the 26th.  Again…wow… Where does the time go?  She’s all about princess, diva, fashion, etc….. all the things that are not at all like me, but we make it work.   At least once a week, we have to sit around the living room and have a fashion show saying, “Give it up for Brynn Burson!” as she enters in some crazy garb.  Needless to say, there aren’t many dull moments at the Bursons.  As many of you know, the 14th marks my last bad treatment, so this is a busy and exciting month for us! 

Thanks again to all of you for reading this and for your thoughts and prayers.  I will never be able to put into words what your friendship means to us.  Soon, this will all be over, but the lessons will live forever in my mind.  One of the biggest ones is the lesson of the diligent friend.  You guys have taught me that firsthand.  Thanks for that.

Love,

Angela

March 3, 2008 March 4, 2008

Tonight I am doing pretty good.  It’s been a crazy past couple of days.  Just about the time I started feeling better, the mouthsores came with a fury.  They are vicious little things!  I went Sunday without saying many words at all, but today, I was talking a little. (You know how hard that is for me!)  Tonight, I got to go hang out with my girlfriends for a little while at Missy’s house.  That is something I haven’t done in a LONG time.  It was much needed!!  I have been in my house for so long!  I am really starting to become socially disturbed!  I went to Lubbock today to get my bloodwork done, and they told me my white count was too low which means I won’t be going back to school tomorrow or probably at all this week.   This makes the first time they have told me that.  They say the chemo is cummulative which means that it all adds up, I guess.  They have me on Levoquin, a pretty high powered anti-biotic to get my white count back up.   Please pray for everyone to stay well and healthy!  I hear so many scary things about the flu and people being bad sick.  Pray for everyone to be shielded and healed from this nasty stuff.

My kids take the TAKS test on Wednesday which means that tomorrow is the last day in class with them before the test.  Therefore, I am more than a little bummed that I won’t be there.  Please pray for them on Wednesday as they take one of the biggest tests of their teenage lives.  They are gonna do great!!  We have a big goal of 100%, and I know we can do it!  I’m gonna blog to them from here on out.

Hey guys….

You know this is killing me!  The one day that I get to give my all time motivational kick-you-in-the-behind speech, and I can’t be there to do it!  I guess I could type out a bunch of last minute stuff that I’ve told you 100 times, but the bottom line is that YOU know and I know you WILL be fine becuase you know all that stuff!  YOU BETTER!

You are great writers!  You’ve proven that.  I guess by this time you are also great readers.  I have heard some wonderful stories about you reading.  You have no idea how happy that makes me.  Jonas texted me after school yesterday telling me about his new book that he’s half finished with.  I know that is just one of many great stories you guys have for me.  I can’t wait to hear them all!  I can’t wait for you to see how having your head in those books for the past few weeks will make those TAKS stories that much easier!  

All I have to say from here is that it’s all about the attitude.  I know that’s something we’ve talked about before, but I want to say it one more time.  It’s ALL about the ATTITUDE!  When you wake up tomorrow morning, don’t start dreading this test.  Get pumped up about it.  I know you think I’m crazy and well…I probably am….ok YOU know I am, but really…do it!  Mind over matter.  This is your time to shine….your moment!  The more pumped up about this test you are, the faster it will go and the easier it will be.  You know this stuff.  It’s certainly NOTHING to worry yourself about.  Enjoy it!  See it as a game, and you’re gonna win.  Just be positive…HAPPY….ready….and rested!  Make sure you get ENOUGH sleep.  If you’re working late (Hector) ask to get off by 8.  Your boss will understand that it is TAKS night.  I promise!  If not, give them my cell #.  You all have it.  Now I’m gonna say it again.  Get enough sleep.  That doesn’t mean sleep until 7:45, and run to school just in time to slide into the desk.  Get up early.  Take a shower.  Then, put on the nicest thing you have.  I mean look GOOD!  Because when you look good, you feel good and when you feel good, guess what??  YOU DO GOOD!!  Make sure you eat a good breakfast too.  VERY IMPORTANT!  Don’t eat something with a lot of sugar in it because then you’ll get a sugar high and crash after the first story.  Eat something that’s going to last.  Man, I could go on forever, but I’m gonna shut up. 

Just remember that I LOVE YOU…SO MUCH!!!!  Every one of you have already made me so proud to be your teacher.  It’s been a hard year for you, and I know that, but you have done well which is exactly what I would expect from such an amazing group of people.   I will definately be thinking about you and praying for you on Wednesday as I do everyday. 

Love and miss you all, 

Mrs. B

PS.  Remember to use the dictionaries!  I promise they will let you this time.  Also, hug Mrs. Barsch.  She drove all the way to Lubbock on Sunday to get me this mouthwash for chemo patients.  It’s makes my mouth feel much better.  I had never heard of it.  She’s been really good to us!

February 29, 2008 February 29, 2008

Happy Leap Year! (if that’s even something you wish people.)  Today, I went to Lubbock for my weekly Herceptin treatment.  They are the treatments that don’t bother me and are turning off the oxygen to that Her2New receptor.  (Wow! What I’ve learned in such a short period of time.) They are also the ones that I will be taking every three weeks after surgery for a year.  Which means that this STUPID port and I have to get along until January 2009.  OH well… I can handle that, and we are gonna have a party when it comes out!  But the first party is coming much sooner than that!!

It just amazes me every time I walk into Joe Arrington’s.   It does not feel like a cancer center.  The people are amazing.  You’d think it would give you a sick feeling, and sometimes there is a little sick feeling in my stomach because I know that I am going to feel bad following the visit, but for the most part, it’s nice.  I like socializing with the nurses and other patients.  Plus, I know that this medicine is kicking my cancer, and I definitely like that part. 

I saw my Builderback friends today.  Man, what a cool name, and they’re just as cool as the name!  I love them, and I can certainly tell that they love each other.  That’s what life’s about   Please continue to pray for Sue as she continues her treatments and her battle with this STUPID junk.  She is an amazing lady.  Also, pray for “curly”.  He’s pretty sweet too.  If you ever have a chance to hear the Singing Women of West Texas, you ought to check it out.  I hear Sue has an awesome solo.  I plan on seeing them sing soon. 

Christie is doing great!  Still no side effects, and she’s giving God all the glory!  What a great story and testament she is and will be to many people.  Please continue to pray for her and baby girl Devitt.  She will be here before we know it. 

I am feeling better tonight after a long week.  I even gave the kids a bath tonight.  That is such a HUGE thing because by the time I was finished I felt like I had competed in the Tour de France!  Granted my kids are pretty high maintenance, but that is just ridiculous.  However, it’s my reality.  Lately, all I can think about is getting strong again.  I can’t wait for my skin to be soft, have energy and feel like a normal thirty-two year old mother.  I am vowing to myself to take it easy after this is all over.  I am going to rest and do what I want to do.  I am not going to be afraid to say no to the things I don’t want to do.  There are going to be MANY!  I am taking the summer off with pictures.  I am going to do about 5 seniors that I had already arranged this spring and will probably start back up SLOW in the fall.  I am the creater of my own chaos, so I can only be mad at myself.  But I have made myself a promise to change.  This is one of the biggest changes I will make following all of this, slowing down and making time for the important things in life!

My wonderful mother went home tonight which is always a good sign because it means I can make it on my own.  I COULD NOT do any of this without her.  She is my complaint listener, back rubber, chauffeur, cook, laundry lady, house keeper, kid bath giver, car pool lady, friend, etc…. Dealing with Brynn in the mornings is enough to do anyone in, but she even handles that with grace.  She is amazing!  We have a good time together.  The sad thing is I am sick most of the time she is here.  That will SOON be over though! 

I know sometimes I don’t blog often.  Sorry about that to those who worry.  It’s just bad timing.  The week that I am home after treatment, I usually feel bad, and it doesn’t make you or me feel better to get on here and complain.  Then, the second and third weeks after treatment, I go back to my old life which is full time mother, house keeper, teacher, blah..blah..blah..  

I want to share something with you that I read tonight right quick.  I very often read things that speak to me now.  Perhaps because I am listening closer, I don’t know.  It is worded a little old school, but just hang with me for a minute.  Maybe this will make sense.  I loved this because it applies to everyone going through a struggle.  Everyone has something that’s “crooked” in his/her life. 

Consider what God has done: Who can straighten what he has made crooked? Ecclesiastes 7:13

We may wait til He explains,

Because we know that Jesus reigns.

It puzzles me; but Lord you understandest,

and will one day explain this crooked thing.

Meanwhile, I know that it has worked out Your best –

It’s very crookedness taught me to cling.

You have fenced up my ways, made my paths crooked,

To keep my wand’ring eyes fixed on You,

To make me what I was not, humble, patient;

To draw my heart from earthly love to You.

So I will thank you and praise You for this puzzle,

And trust where I cannot understand.

Rejoicing that you do hold me worth testing,

I cling the closer to your guiding hand.

That crooked thing? that puzzle? to me is obvious.  This ordeal, no matter how tough, has made me a better person.  I have to remember that.  I hate the stuff, but I can honestly say that I wouldn’t do it any different.  I was a little humble, but patience was not in my vocabulary until now, and I am still having lessons on it daily!  I am also extremely stubborn because He still has to get my attention with little things even through all of this!  It is in such crooked paths though that He shows his strength, love, power, grace, and imparts lessons that I will never forget. 

Until next time which may be awhile, I love ya and thanks for the prayers!

Angela

February 23, 2008 February 23, 2008

I’m back!  Sorry it took so long for me to write.  I have even recieved phone calls.  Thanks Eddie for checking on me!  It’s been crazy around here.  We’ve had pink eye and basketball and a brand new washing machine that’s been broken for two weeks!  Never buy a GE washing machine from Best Buy!  (There…glad I got that off of my chest!) 

Speaking of chest…I had chemo yesterday.  7 down and ONLY 1 to go!  OH yeaa!!!  I am already starting to celebrate thinking of how close this whole thing is to coming to an end!  Dr. Cummings said that after my last round on March 14, I would go back for a breast MRI the last week of March and have surgery somewhere around the 2nd week of April.  No time at all! 

You know, in some ways this has seemed like the longest time, but in many more ways, it all seems like a blur.  I still find myself thinking “Am I going to wake up from this dream?”  I remind myself often that this is nothing God and I can’t handle!  He is my strength!  But as crazy as it sounds being in this situation, I still don’t pray like I should.  Everyone always tells me, “oh girl, that’s where we come in.”  I don’t know why I struggle with that so much.   I usually do well during my week off after chemo, but after that, it’s back to the whole finding the time thing again.  The day is crazy busy.  Then, when I lay down at night, I am so exhausted that I usually fall asleep after “Dear God…”  I know He knows though.  That’s one of the amazing things about our God is that he understands.  And in my life…there’s lots to understand! 

I saw Mrs. New yesterday.  She is one of the ladies that I took a picture of and put on my blog last time.  She is such a sweet lady.  Joe Arrington is really the neatest place with the neatest people.  Everyone patient you meet has a different story and is such an inspiration.  Please pray for a cure.  They are making great strides in cancer research and treatment especially in the world of breast cancer.   Mike, one of my nurses and I were talking yesterday about this.  He said that in every area they are moving forward, but in the area of breast cancer research, they are progressing like crazy.  Which is great since they told me last time that like 65% of the patients they treat at Joe Arrington are breast cancer patients.  Isn’t that crazy!  A BIG reason breast cancer research has progressed so quickly is because of the Susan G. Komen Foundation.  What an amazing blessing that foundation is to so many people!   I told Mike that if I were 20 when I was diagnosed, I might have entered a different field of study.  I’m glad I didn’t though.  I love my students!!

Let me say that again… I LOVE my students!  They are so good!  We have started something new at school.  For the first time in about four years, we went to the library and checked out books for outside reading.  I decided that although them passing the TAKS was my goal, we already had that whooped!  They are doing awesome and have worked really hard.  They are really good writers.  So my new goal for them was for them to know what it’s like to be so into a book, they couldn’t put it down.  At first they were complaining saying, “Uhh, we don’t read!”  I worked on them for about a month and showed them the movie “Freedom Writers” (a must see!)  That really helped pump them up about reading.  Mrs. Dinkins the librarian was the kicker though.  She reads every young adult fiction book that comes through the library.  She is awesome.  Anyway, she pulled so many good books for them.  She put the right ones in their hands.  Now, they are hooked.  They can’t stop.  I was having to tell them to put their books up.  (Something I NEVER though I’d say!)  I have given them 6 weeks to do their outside reading, but many of them are already on their second book.  I just had to brag on them.  I am very proud.  It’s very uplifting to know that they’re reading.  I even got a text from one student the other night letting me know that he was reading.  That made my night!  Please pray for them this week as they prepare for the TAKS test.  They will be taking it a week from this Wednesday which is March 5th.  I will not be with them this week, but Mrs. Barsch will, and she is a God send!  Thanks Sherry! 

I will shut up now, but first I have to quote some of my reading from my devotional for today.  I’m tellin’ ya, this Streams in the Desert book is AMAZING!  I look forward to reading it every night!  AND it speaks to me every night!  I hope this speaks to you as it did me.  I thought of you, John Wiley, when I read this tonight.

And there came a lion. (1 Samuel 17:34)

It is a source of inspiration and strength to us to remeber how the youthful David trusted God.  Through his faith in the Lord, he defeated a lion and a bear and later overthrew the mighty Goliath.  When the lion came to destroy his flock, it came as a wonderful opportunity for David.  If he had faltered and failed, he would have missed God’s opportunity for him and probably would have never have been the Lord’s chosen king of Israel.

“And there came a lion.”  Normally we think of a lion not as a special blessing from the Lord but only as a reason for alarm.  Yet the lion was God’s opportunity in disguise.  Every difficulty and every temptation that comes our way, if we receive it correctly, is God’s opportunity.

When a “lion” comes to your life, recognize it as an opportunity from the Lord, no matter how fierce it may outwardly seem.  May the Lord open our eyes to see Him, even in temptations, trials, dangers, and misfortunes.

********

 One more thing…

Please pray for healing for everyone.  There is sickness everywhere.  I have stopped going out as much because of this flu.  Patrick and Mason are both feeling bad tonight.  NO more sickness!!

Love ya,

Angela

February 9, 2008 February 9, 2008

Tonight I was not going to blog.  I haven’t felt real well today and have been a bit down.  That really doesn’t happen to me much…honestly.  I am usually a pretty happy person, but I have just felt bad lately, and it’s hard to be joyous when your feeling bad.  A little while ago I was feeling feverish and decided that a soak in the tub might make me feel better and boy did it!  It was there in my little bathroom that I had one of the most profound experiences of my life with the Holy Spirit.  I just feel overwhelming lead to share my prayer with you.  It’s nothing fancy.  Just a conversation…raw and unedited.

Dear God,

Man, you are amazing God.  I love you so much.  I just want to thank you tonight Lord because I know I am getting better.  I feel it.  And I KNOW that it is all because of You.  Without You, I would be nothing.  I just want to thank You for the little things I used to never even consider, like feeling well enough to enjoy my kids and husband and being a happy person.  You give me that!  I know you do.  I am so blessed.  I can’t say that enough or with enough passion!  I AM SO BLESSED!  I have the most amazing family and an awesome group of friends.  I don’t know what I would do without them.  They are so awesome Lord, and they continue to lift me up, but it’s you Lord, YOU who carries me.  It’s YOU who gives me everything I need to make it through the day.  I know that.  You have made me realize it, now more than ever.   This is something I have always known, and I am so sorry that it has taken me so long to REALLY see it.  I just want to thank you for making me see it! And I never want to forget it, but always feel it just as I do now!  I also want to thank you for such a sweet sprited group at Joe Arrington.  You definately led me to the right place.  That place has you written all over it.  I know that with You as my pilot and the Joe Arrington bunch plus my friends and family as my crew we are gonna have a safe landing!  I know that the cancer is gone because YOU have rid my body of it, and I THANK YOU!

Love, Angela

For some reason the song Indescribable by Chris Tomlin came into my head during this prayer.  I love that song and as I sang the lyrics “you placed the stars in the sky and you call them by name!  You are AMAZING God!”  I was completely and totally, absolutely, more-than-ever overwhelmed with emotion.  I am not a big cryer, but I have been known to cry when the kids sing this one at church.  Hearing kids sing does that to me though. 

When I got out of the tub, I was a 100% different person.  I had no fever, and I felt the most overwhelming sense of strength and power.  God’s power.  Nothing else.  There IS nothing more.  You are AMAZING God!

I am sharing this Chris Tomlin video of the song Indescribable that I found on You Tube.  I just wanted everyone to hear what I was hearing in my head tonight as all of this went on.  Love you guys!  Thanks for reading.

(As I was typing, Brynn came and got in the bed with me.  When she asked me what I was doing, I told her I was typing my prayer.  She wanted me say, “Brynn says, ‘You’re good God!’”  How amazingly perfect is that!!)

February 7, 2008 February 7, 2008

Well I wish I could say that it has been an uneventful week, and compared to some it has, but we did end up in the Lubbock ER last night until 3 AM.  I wouldn’t technically call that uneventful.  This week has been ok.  So far, the mouth sores aren’t bad…a few, but nothing like last time (Praise God!).   I have been fighting this head/chest junk for a few days, and I guess it got the best of me.  Last night I started running a high temp, so they told me to go in so they could determine what it was. I was feeling REALLY bad!  We called Patty to come and stay with the kids until mom could get here.  Mom was still in Lubbock thank goodness! I was so sick and cold, but I managed with 100% God to put my eskimo hat on (I looked ridiculous, but I DID NOT CARE!) and get in the car.  I also grabbed my “clinging cross” on the way out the door.  It was the first time that I took it with me.  I look at it a lot and admire how beautiful it is.  I keep it in my kitchen, so I see it all the time.  For some reason, last night was the first night I took it with me.  I’ve decided that I needed something more tangible last night.  I was so sick and had zero strength, so on the way there I just started rubbing it.  I had my eyes closed so tight.  (I know Patrick was thinking I was loosing it!)  At that point it dawned on me that I was not going be lay down and just be sick.  At that point, God and I started fighting this illness.  I visualized strength and decided that it wasn’t going to get me down.  I kept telling myself I was perfectly fine, not sick at all.  Before we got to Lubbock, I was feeling much better.  They decided it was some kind of bacterial infection and after loading me up on IV antibiotics, they let me go home.  Patrick was so sweet the whole time.  I know he was worried, but he’s always so calm.  He also (as he usually does) found humor in the emergency room.  I don’t know what’s worse…being in the ER sick or being perfectly fine. 

I am feeling better tonight.  I’m definately not myself still, but I’m back on track.  I am trying to be very positive.  After all, I saw first hand how that works. 

Thanks for all of the prayers for Christie.  She is doing awesome!  She has had little or no side effects from the chemo treatments and attributes all of that to prayer.  She is so sweet and vibrant.  She lost her hair this last week and didn’t bat an eye.  You go girl!  Thanks to everyone for the prayers.  Thanks to Patty for coming and saving the day last night.  Maybe one of these days I can return the favor. 

I know most of you read and don’t comment.  Don’t ever worry about that.  I KNOW you are thinking about me and praying for me and my family and I am so blessed to have you as friends.  For those of you who do comment, thanks so much.  I look forward to reading what you have written.  Words cannot tell you how encouraging it is.  I also have some really faithful card senders, and I want them all to know how much I appreciate them.  THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.  Thanks to Traci and Donnie and Earlene and Dan for the weekly cards.  You guys have a ministry.  One lady, Betty Geisler, I have never even met is faithful about sending me cards.  You are all teaching me so much about Christian love.  Between you all and our Lord, I am constantly learning many lessons everyday.  Thanks for that.

February 2, 2008 February 2, 2008

Yesterday was treatment, and it was a great day!   I was SO EXCITED to see Eddie and Sue Builderback again!  I met them in October on the day of my first treatment.  They are the all time sweetest couple.  I love just seeing them.  They are always smiling and so happy.  Most of all, they love each other so much, and it is apparent and radiates.  I can’t even really explain it, but they just make you feel good.  Maybe it has something to do with Eddie’s curls! Sue is such an inspiration to me.  It was great to see you guys!     

                                 

                                           This is Eddie and Sue!  They are the cutest couple ever!

                                   Mom, D, and Karmen went with me.  They were great company!

 

       D checking out the decor in the chemo room!                          Mom and I trying to pose.

Christie came to visit me yesterday in the chemo room.  She looked so beautiful as always.  Her hair is coming out and bless her heart she is very anxious!  It hurt me to see her so worried about her hair.  I assured her it would be ok.  It’s just hair.  I know that she knows this, but she will soon see it doesn’t have much at all to do with who she is.  It WILL grow back!  YEA!  We are so good for each other.  She is really probably more good for me than I am her.  I wish she didn’t have to go through this, but it is nice to have a friend who truly knows how you feel!  We talked about how amazing it is to see God everywhere. 

                                           

                                                         Christie and I in the chemo room!  I love that girl!

Until this happened to me, I considered myself a good person and certainly a Christian.  I took people meals and helped people out whenever I could.  I was active in my church, but I didn’t see things at all like I do now.  I have always loved people, but it’s different now how I love them.  Even people I don’t know, I love!  I wasn’t perfect then, and I’m still definately not, but so MANY things have changed.  I am so glad to say that my walk with the Lord continues to get slower…we’re down to a slow stroll now, and I am loving it.  One of these days, we will just stop and sit on the bench or something. (That will probably be when the kids are grown!)  I was SO busy before that I just didn’t have the time that I should have for Him.  (Man, that’s hard to say. ) Nothing was really a priority because it couldn’t be.  There weren’t enough hours in the day to do and do it well.  Looking back on last year specifically, it’s just a blur!!  There were way too many things going on!  I was a wife, mother of three (you know what that includes), teacher, photographer (that’s two jobs), taught children’s choir at church, directed the Christmas musical at church, and there are other things that I can’t think of I’m sure.  To top all that off, Patrick was going to graduate school at Tech.  Don’t ask me how we fit all that in, but so many of you do the same things.  I know you’re thinking, “I feel your pain sister!”  I call it STUPID busy!  People would ask me how I was and all I could say is, “Stupid busy!”  I was insane!  I would go to bed every night somewhere between 2 and 3 in the morning and know that only I could do something about it, but I didn’t know how.  “Be STILL and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:12  If you’ve read my past blogs, you are totally with me on this.  I am telling you, this is HIS first and foremost lesson for me now.  I know we will move on to other things soon, but right now HE is still working on this one.  I’ve just never been much on still.  Even when I was kid my mother tells stories of me “climbing the walls.”  I’m getting better. 

OK…I’m going to shut up now and show you pics of my new friends.  Please pray for these sweet people.  They are so strong and courageous.  Just seeing their faces inspires me!

    

        Carrie Webster (left)   Norma New (right)                  Eloida Timmons having her LAST chemo treatment.

Carrie Webster and Norma New are mother and daughter.  Both Norma and Carrie have had breast cancer.  Carrie is cancer free and Norma is now going through chemo for the 4th time.  She now has cancer in her lungs.  She is so sweet and beautiful.  Please pray that this chemo regimen will cure her from all cancer forever!

Eloida has been going through chemo for colon cancer.  She was having her last treatment on Friday.  Please pray that she is cancer free.  She is such a adorable lady with a sweet smile.

                                           

                                                          Here we are socializing in the chemo room.

January 30, 2008 January 30, 2008

Well…. I would definitely have to say that the wind has been BLOWING in Levelland for the last few days.  Just when you think it is going to die down for good and be calm, it’s starts blowing again!  I’ve discovered one thing worse than the windy and sandy West Texas days though, windy and sandy West Texas days with a wig!  My friend Tori called me yesterday morning to let me know that there was a wig advisory!   WOW!  It was insane!   Someone asked me if I held on to my wig when I walked outside.  I said, “No, I just walk and think, ‘if it goes, it goes and I am not running after it!’”  I was actually more worried about being struck in the head with a flying object than my wig coming off.  I felt like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. 

Hopefully, I won’t have to worry about that much longer.  My hair is definitely coming back fast.  It feels like baby hair though and is real light.  It is not all coming back yet just some of it.  I am hoping that it doesn’t all come back gray.  I have heard of that happening.  Oh well if it does, it does….there’s always Clairol!  Tonight I took my hair off at church in front of a pretty large group of people.  I don’t do that very often, but I REALLY like doing it.  It feels good!  I can’t really explain why, but it does.  My friends call me Mrs. Clean.  That’s really my fault because that’s what I called myself once when cleaning up a mess at my house on New Years Eve.   Soon I won’t be Mrs. Clean anymore and this phase will be over.  I CAN’T WAIT!  Tonight Brynn and I were getting ready for bed and I took my little Under Armor cap off.  She rubbed by fuzzy head and said, “Thank you!”  I asked her who she was talking to and she said, “Your hair.  I’m thanking it for coming back!”  I thought that was pretty sweet.

We’re remodeling at our house again.  It took Patrick nearly a year to get over the first project, but he’s back at it…like he needed something else to do!  He is working on the kids bathroom.  That is really one of his most favorite things to do, and he is so good at it.  I think it stresses and de-stresses him at the same time, so he ends up even.  I know it will look great when he is finished. 

I was one of the “fill in” youth people at our church tonight with Kenny and Janessa Berry.   There were 33 kids there.  I was pumped about that!  I can tell that they are a great group of kids.  This was the first time I have done anything with the youth.  I have worked with they younger kids, but not them.  We had a good time.  I hope they did too! 

Again, I just want to thank you guys for the prayers and thank God for his mercy, grace, healing power and strength.  I feel the most like my old self lately as I have since all of this started.  It’s amazing the things I used to take for granted.  I pray that I never forget this experience and remember to always thank God for all of the little things.  I know I say this a lot, but I am SO thankful for this experience.  Even though it is a BAD thing (don’t get me wrong), it has really allowed me to think and see things I never would have before.  Until this, my boat of life has been pretty steady.  The boat hasn’t really rocked much.  I have lost some loved ones and been faced with a few minor obstacles, but nothing like this.  I do think the smaller things prepare you for times like this though.  I believe in that without a doubt!  I am beginning to understand the following scripture: “‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. … For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10, NIV).

My friend Christie continues to do well.  Thanks for the prayers for her and her little girl.  If it works like mine, her hair will come out tomorrow.  Please remember her then with prayers of peace, comfort and strength.  Also, I have a new request.  A father of one of my kids at school is going through Leukemia.  He has treatments everyday.  I can’t imagine.  Please pray for him and his family as they battle this together.  

One more thing….I have treatment on Friday.  Please pray for NO side effects this time.  I KNOW that “with God, all things are possible” and I am BELIEVING that they will not exist this time, and that I will be a living, breathing, walking, teaching, no mouth sore having testament to that!  I can’t wait!

January 27, 2008 January 28, 2008

Well….I have a really cool thing to tell.  I have a little shadow of hair growing on top of my head!!  It’s not much, and it’s not really thick or anything, but hey, it’s there, and it feels really cool!  It’s technically not supposed to grow back with this new regimen, but it seems to be coming back…..at least a little bit. 

 This has been a good week!  YEA!!! Thanks for the prayers.  It’s because of you guys and our Lord that I am able to go to school and show people what the power of prayer looks like.  I’m truly feeling the prayers!  I went back to school last week.  School is so good for me because it makes me forget that all this is going on.  The kids at school are great, and I love them all so much.  They help me more than words can say.  I really do enjoy my time spent with them even though I am constantly aggravated with them for one reason or another.  I guess that’s called dealing with teenagers!  Right now we’re getting geared up for TAKS.  Please pray for these guys as they prepare for this test to determine whether they will graduate next year. 

My LHS friends are so supportive always.  They are amazing, and it is so nice to work in such a caring environment.  Thanks to my English Bunch for taking really good care of me when I’m gone!  I also want to thank Ray and Kenny for being so good to me.  You all definitely make this easier to handle!  

Today, my devotional read, “Sometimes the trial will be difficult, but ‘the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast’” (1 Peter 5:10)

So often I think about how very difficult this walk would be without God with me.  It’s not an easy experience, but He sure makes it tolerable! There are so many people who face things daily…. alone.  Please join me in praying for them to have the joy and peace that comes with knowing our Savior.  I am going to quit writing now for fear that I am sounding like a preacher, and I am so NOT qualified!

January 21, 2008 January 21, 2008

Tonight I am finally feeling better and hopefully on the downhill slope.  I HATE mouthsores!  They are miserable and have interrupted my life for long enough.  Thanks to all of my prayer warriors for your help in making them go away!!    They are not all the way gone for sure but they will soon be….I know it!!!  I went to Lubbock today and did the usual bloodwork, and I also went to see the opthamologist about this little thing that came up on my eyelid sometime ago.  He said he thinks it’s a cyst, but removed it and sent it off just to make sure it doesn’t have anything to do with the cancer.  Please pray it’s nothing!  I just cannot tell you all have thankful I am to have you on my team thinking and praying for me and my family.  I am SURE that you are the reason this has been easier to bear.  I am very happy to say that I am going to school tomorrow.

My friend Christie is doing amazingly well!  She has had no nausea whatsoever and has only been a little tired.  She found out last week that she is having a little girl, and they are so excited.  She is such a strong amazing woman of God and is in track to touch lot of lives through this.  One of the Lubbock stations is doing an interview and following her to several doc appointments and chemo.  She is a little worried about loosing her hair, so pray for her next Saturday as she faces that.  I know she will be fine.  She is beautiful!

Thanks again to all of you for everything!

Much love,

Angela

January 20, 2008 January 20, 2008

Well…10 weeks left, and I am DONE with this chemo thing.  I CAN do this!  Thanks so much for all of the prayers!  I couldn’t do this without any of you.  I have certainly been amazed through all of this and have learned so much.  There are blessings everywhere!  I have never been the type of person with enemies but rather lots of friends.  This experience has just affirmed my love for people.  When I can’t go anymore you all carry me through with all of your kind words, comments, cards and sweet prayer.  YOU are awesome!  I am blessed! 

Luke is feeling better.  He is definately back to his old self again….thank goodness.  Kids really bounce back!  After he got a little antibiotics in his system, he was bouncing around the house like a pinball!  He makes me feel better just watching him use his abundant supply of energy. 

Brynn, our drama queen, has toned down her drama…thank goodness!  She is growing up and getting easier to deal with.  She’s always “praying” for somebody and it’s great to listen to as she says, “Dear Lawd” like she is from the deep south or something!  Hillarious and so sweet.  We’ve just about decided that “Lawd” is a cross between the words God and Lord.  It really doesn’t matter, He listens just the same.

Mason has officially started basketball season with his first game on Saturday.  They rocked!  It looks like it’s going to be a fun season!  He is such a good boy and has so many good friends in Levelland.  He helps me so much in every way.  I couldn’t function without him….and he NEVER complains.  (He didn’t get that from me!)

Patrick is constantly going.  He basically does everything and NEVER complains. (That’s where Mason gets it.)  He is the most amazing husband and father.  I definately couldn’t function without him.  I love him so much!  He makes sure everything is normal even when I am really not feeling well.

My mom has gotten the track from Munday to Levelland down!  She is wonderful!  It’s not ever a good thing to be sick, but I’ll have to say it is nice to have it young because you still have a young mother to take care of you.  Definately couldn’t function without her!

My bone pain and the muscle aches are gone.  Thank goodness!  I am feeling fine except for my throat and mouth.  What I thought was strep throat, I have now decided is chemo induced mouth sores.  I think I might had rather have strep throat.  I can barely talk because they are everywhere.  Please pray for them to go away and not come back! 

Love you all and special thanks to Karen and Sid, Leann and Kent, Betty Geisler, Tracy and Donnie, Dan and Earlene, Jolanna, Christie, Debra Salley, Ember, Missy and Patty for the uplifting comments, cards, and meals.  They are all so very appreciated!

Angela

January 17, 2008 January 17, 2008

Well the Bursons are officially sick.   Maybe I spoke too soon.  The first few days after chemo were great!  Then came the bone and joint pain.  After which the sore throat followed.  Luke has been croopy and so after hours of crying last night, Patrick took him to the ER and he has strep throat and a double ear infection.  I don’t know for sure if that’s what I have, but the Dr. called me in antibiotics today to help my throat and congestion.  Please pray if you think about it.  Pray for Christie too.  She had chemo yesterday and when I texted her this afternoon she was feeling ok, but pray that continues.  She is having a girl.  I am so excited for her.  I KNOW she’ll be tough.  She has no other choice.  Thanks for everything!  Love ya!

January 12, 2008 January 12, 2008

Hope this finds you all doing well and feeling God’s blessings.  I know that I truly am feeling them today.

As many of you know, I had my chemo yesterday, and today, I feel great!  (Considering that they pumped 3 1/2 hours worth of chemo through me yesterday that’s truly an amazing blessing.)  This morning I got up and felt fine.  My mother couldn’t believe it when she came to give me my nausea meds, and I didn’t need them.  That was an awesome feeling….for her too.  I’m not sure who was happier.  I even ate pancakes this morning.  I hope I am not speaking too soon, but it looks like the worst is over!  AMEN! 

I cannot thank each of you enough for the prayers and cards.  I especially want to thank Erlinda Griffith for her weekly cards since my diagnosis and Jerry Ann and Dayla for the cute little clipboard  (I had been wanting one of those.)  It is such a special feeling to know that you are in the thoughts and prayers of so many….even some you have never met.  It is emotionally overwhelming to receive cards from people you don’t personally know and to know that they are thinking and praying for you.  WOW!  Thank you all so much for allowing me to see what you do for people.  I have BIG plans in doing the same for others someday soon!

This is a picture of Kellie, Dr. Cummings Nurse Practitioner, and Suzette one of my amazing nurses.  Thanks girls for everything!!

Also, thank so much to all of the JACC staff and Dr. Cummings and his amazing medical team.  You all are great, and I appreciate you more than you will ever know.

I pray for all of you to have an amazing week and hope that you will take the time to see all of God’s many blessings!

January 7, 2007 January 7, 2008

Hey friends!  I am trying to get better at this blogging.  My friend, Christi, has inspired me to write more.  She is really making me look bad! Today was my first day back at school with students.  It was a good day and went by really fast.  I can officially say we are back in the swing of things around here.  That break was really nice, and we really got some much needed rest, but it is nice to be back to normal too. 

I am really feeling pretty well considering I am half way finished.  I really didn’t think I would feel this well at this point.  The chemo is drying my nasal passages and head totally out though.  Please pray for that (especially the head) and the fears about that.  I KNOW it’s nothing, but it’s there and I think about it because it is.  My eyes are still watering like crazy and my eye lashes are almost totally gone.  I think I have like two on my right eye and that is a funny sight let me tell ya!  BUT….you know what?  It’s almost OVER!!!!

I’m kinda pumped because tonight I cooked supper, gave kids a bath, did laundry, and I am feeling a little normal because I don’t feel like I am going to pass out.  OH YEA….I also joined the gym with my friends Kelly and Lisa!  They have been so good to me.  I have so many awesome friends that I wouldn’t know what to do without.  I also have an AMAZING husband that I don’t say much about.  He is literally superman!  I couldn’t make it without him.  He does just about everything around the house two out of the three weeks…..man, I love him!

The kids are just rocking along being their little normal selves.  Luke, our baby, has learned 100 words in the last month.  It’s amazing how they grow.  Thanks so much for the prayers from all of you.  It is an incredible thing to know that so many people are behind me and praying for my total healing.  I am very blessed, and I KNOW that my God is taking great care of getting that done!  This summer it will all be a thing of the past thanks to HIM and the awesome JACC team!

Love you guys!

Angela

January 5, 2008 January 5, 2008

Today was my first day back at school for a work day….no kids.  That’s been my first day without any children in sometime now.  It was different.  Much quieter…peaceful.  Luke went back to daycare.  He was very happy to see Kimber and she was extremely shocked at how many words he had learned while away.  Brynn went to work with her daddy, and Mason, like me, got a break.  However, I’m sure that his consisted of hanging out on the couch and playing video games.  He is pretty deserving though; he helps out a lot.

This evening we decided we were tired of looking at the Christmas stuff, so it came down!!  That always feels good.  It’s good to see it go up and it’s nice to see it come down, but afterwards the house looked so empty! Chad and Kelly came over and helped us re-arrange and move furniture and pack up Christmas stuff.  They are so good to us, as are all of our friends! 

After we got the Christmas stuff taken down, I went to Reisi’s to see Christi.  I COULD NOT WAIT!  She looked great!  It was a nice visit, and I smile when I think of them.  They are an amazing bunch.  It is just so comforting to be able to look into someone’s eyes that knows exactly how you feel.  Brent probably won’t let us get together again though because we talk to much.  We could talk forever!  Sorry about that dude!  Maybe it will get better, but…..probably NOT!    It’s always so amazing to read her page.  http://www.carepages.com/ServeCarePage?cpn=ChristieDevitt&cid=eminvite  I encourage all to go there and pray for their sweet family.

We talked about how we are both planners…..well I’m not such a planner but a control freak; she’s the planner.  Anyway, we talked about how through this God has shown us that we are not navigating this ship, or driving it.  Sometimes we might be part of the crew (although I really think that’s you guys through your diligent prayers and thoughts).  I think His intentions for us (or me anyway) is to relax in the dingy trailing behind the boat….just lay back and kick my feet up and let Him take over, knowing that He is in control, and with that all will be fine.  Now, if you know me very well, then you know that is extremely difficult.  I don’t ever relax too much, but I’m learning.  He is a good Teacher!

I do have a prayer request.  Please pray that all fear and doubts will subside.  That’s a real hard thing to ask because saying it or typing it makes you admit it.  Sometimes a person’s fears and doubts dictate their lives.  I do a pretty good job of not thinking about the “c” word most of the time, but I can certainly see how it can and will continue to haunt you if you let it.  I do know that my God is much bigger than fear or cancer, but I could use a prayer on this one lately.  There….I said it.  It’s over, I got it off of my chest! I tried to back out several times and erase it, but I made myself type it.  Wow!  (I feel like I have just stood up and said, “Hello, my name is Angela, and I’m an alcholic!”) It’s amazing how hard it is to admit something that you keep to yourself.  It feels pretty good afterward though.  Thanks for listening…..and from the bottom of my heart, thanks for the prayers.

I thought I would share this from one of my devotionals… 

“Speak to Me about everything.

Listen to Me at all times.

Feel My tender nearness, substituting at once some thought of Me for the fear.”

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear because fear hath torment.  He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”  1 John 4:18

A few more pictures… December 31, 2007

Mason getting his new digital camera for Christmas!

Brynn and Luke posing in my wig!

Bald is Beautiful!  My cousin Jeff and I couldn’t resist posing for this pic. 

December 30, 2007 December 31, 2007

                                                

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone!  Thank you so much for all the prayers!  I started feeling decent just in time for Christmas!  It has truly been an amazingly blessed holiday season!.  This year we stayed at home in Levelland and everyone came to us!  It was really nice.  No packing the car and loading EVERYTHING up!  We stayed in our pajamas for days and played.  We had a blast!  And got some much needed rest!

December 30, 2007 December 31, 2007

 Dr Cumming’s scheduling queens!  They are awesome and always smiling!

 My mom and Vikki, the research nurse.  She is so sweet!

 My beautiful nurse Betty! She takes great care of me.  Man, I love her!

I took these pics with my new iphone, my Christmas present from my mom and D.  It is a really cool gadget!

These pics are from my last visit to Joe Arrington, where I hopefully had the last of the “bad stuff.”  (4 treatments down and 4 more to go!)  We’re half way through the hockey season!  YES!  Dr. Cummings didn’t really have much to say.  I did get a new drug called Avastin this time.  It is pretty new, and I’m pretty pumped about that and feel fortunate that my insurance company payed for it!  Thanks BCBS!  He did do an examination and seemed pleased with what he saw and felt….and that’s all I’ll say about that. 

Please keep praying for my friend Christi and her precious unborn baby.  They did her surgery Dec. 22.  She seems to be doing well from her blog.  They removed lymph nodes and found cancer there, so she now has a port and will start chemo soon.  They are calling it stage 3.  She is an amazing woman of God and will be changing many lives in the coming months….she’s already started.

I have new pictures from Christmas with the family and of the much anticipated “BALD HEAD”.  I’m kinda slow about all this, but I promise they’re coming.  Check back shortly!

December 18, 2007 December 19, 2007

Well…ok…let me see…. I need to tell you all how much I THANK YOU for your support!  Whether or not you are commenting on here (which I love by the way) or sending me cards, calling me, or calling my prayer pager, or one of those many people that tell me that you wanted to type something in the comments, but didn’t really know what to say, (I think it intimidates many that the world can see this!) words cannot begin to tell you enough, how amazing you are and what you have done and continue to do for me and my family.  When I can’t find the strength to make it another step, it’s YOU that pick me up and get me there….ALL of you!!!   You will never know what a blessing you are.  YOU + GOD make a great Angela’s A-Team!

I want to let you know about several friends that I have that I recently found out are going through this whole breast cancer thing!  OHHHHH I hate saying  it and typing it.  Since I don’t have their permission to tell you who to pray for, how about let’s just pray for a cure!  Let’s go big with these prayers!  After all, the bible says that He wants us to pray for the world first and our personal needs second.  “One of his disciples said to Him. ‘Lord, teach us to pray…’  He said to them, ‘When you pray say: ‘…Your kingdom come.”  (Luke 11:1-2)  It took me a while to figure this one out.  (Some of you used to joke about me “not getting it.” So with this chemo brain that I have got going on now, you can imagine how much worse it has gotten.  But I finally got it!  God’s priority should be our priority and his priority is the whole….the masses.  And like all sinning humans, we are too focused on ourselves and our little worlds to get that.  The little book that I so love says that “our prayers should not start with the closest to us and gradually move outward, ultimately praying for the expansion of God’s kingdom throughout the world,” they should begin there!!  Basically, I am saying that we all (especially me) have a much bigger job to do in this big picture of life as a Christian.  Wow!  I’ll have to admit, I do feel a little overwhelmed!

Next, I want to tell you about my friend Christie who has told me that I can share her story.  She is beaudtiful inside and out.  She has the most amazing spirit and is always upbeat and smiling.  She has a precious little family, a husband and a 1 1/2 year old baby boy, and has recently found out that she has another baby on the way.  She also found out last week that she has breast cancer.  I am asking for BIG prayers for this precious family and especially for Christie and the baby.   Of course as you can imagine, she is beside herself, but CERTAINLY knows that GOD is in control!  It is 100% of her priority to glorify Him through this.  She is definately one that will face this head on with grace and courage.  She has an amazing support group.  Please visit her care page http://www.carepages.com/ServeCarePage?cpn=ChristieDevitt&cid=eminvite.  When you get on, you have to register, and then you can visit it, read her blogs and comment.  Please comment because it really lifts her spirits and encourages her.  She needs us!  She will be having a mastectomy on Friday, 21st possibly followed by chemo in the 2nd trimester.  Please PRAY for healing and for protection and all of the other many things you can think of like “peace that passes all understanding.”  Also, pray for the doctors as they team up with the Cancer Center “tumor board” and discuss how best to treat this situation.  Since she is pregnant, she can’t have any tests ran (MRI, CAT scan, bone scan, etc…)  This just leaves more unanswered questions for the moment.  However, we know that God is in control, and He is much bigger than any cancer!  Let me say that again…..MUCH BIGGER!  So please if you have a minute, look at Christie’s page.  Get to know her.  She is an amazing woman and you will be blessed to read her words of encouragement and faith.  You can help in her mission with your prayer.

Anyway, I can’t tell you all how much I appreciate what you all are doing for me.   When I can’t, you get me there.  ALWAYS…. You don’t have to call or come over or comment for me to know you are there.  I feel you!  It is AMAZING what you do. .  

Love to you all during this amazing holiday season,

Be BLESSED!

Angela

PS.  Today was a breeze compared to last time!  No complications!  WHOO HOOOOO!  (That was for you Stan!)

December 8, 2007 December 8, 2007

Well…..I TOLD YOU that I would write again soon….and I am.  I am really kinda proud of myself because I didn’t figure I would.  I am having a hard time going to sleep, so I thought I would share something with you. 

A dear friend of mine that happens to be my neighbor gave me a book a while ago.  It is called Streams of the Desert by LB Cowman.  I highly recommend this book.  If you are human, this is the book for you.  Everyone needs a copy.  It is truly amazing.  It is a daily read with a scripture, and how it applies to our life.  I read it every night, and it seems like God is saying,  “Dear Angela.”  It’s way cool.  I have already given a couple to some of my friends who were facing some bumpy roads.  I hope they love it as much as I do.  ANYWAY…there are often nights that I read the pages and want to share, but there has been one lately that won’t leave my head. 

On December 2, I read a scripture in my book from Hebrews 2:10 and of course it was perfect for me to hear.  It read, “…perfect through suffering.”  Now first of all, I am not suffering much.  I still look pretty much the same and act the same.  I am really ….most of the time…I’d say at least 90% of my normal self. (Did I just use normal and self in the same sentence? Ha!)  So I didn’t think about myself when I read it.  Instead I thought about all of the many people out there with horrible things that have happened to them and continue to have trial after trial.  I think about all of the people who are having a really hard time dealing with something and can’t get past it.  The awesome part of it, and this whole thing for that matter, is that it allows me to see much clearer and constantly my MANY blessings.  It also makes me see how amazing suffering with God is vs. suffering with out Him.  I can’t imagine!

One part of that days reading said, “Suffering is a wonderful fertilizer for the roots of character.  The great objective to this life is character, for it is the only thing that we can carry with us into eternity.  And gaining as much of the highest character possible is the purpose of our trials.”  This makes me think of Patrick’s parents, Tim and Linda.  They are wonderful Christian people and very giving of everything they have to expand God’s kingdom.  They have endured their fair share of suffering in their lives.  Along with the normal trials of life, they lost their oldest son when he was 13 to a brain anurism; then later had a miscarriage in the third trimester.  Linda has suffered with severly crippling rheumetoid arthritis for over 30 years. (However, she CAN still outwork just about anyone I know.) Then besides all of that, several years ago, Tim found out that he has a digenerative muscle disease which will and has allowed him to loose most all muscle function.  We all know people like that who have had one thing after another.  They are either the strongest people you know or the weakest, but most often the strongest and most faithful.  I have witnessed some of the most amazing faith through both my mother and father in law.  Even after all of their years of suffering, there is an amazing positive attitude that no matter what, we will always be ok.  I guess you look at life and think, God got me through that trial and He will most definately get me through another one.  Of course, there are the blessings that are in abundance, and it seems to me that they are focused on most often. 

I think that we have to focus on our blessings.   They are what CAN, along with God, help us get through anything, and it is through the suffering that we start to REALLY realize the endless numbers of God’s blessings that exist in our lives.  His Biggest One being our reason for the season.

December 5, 2007 December 6, 2007

Well…..I’m back….finally!  I want to apologize to some of you who check this often for updates.  I have not been very good at doing it.  My new goal is going to be to write little and write often; however, if you know me very well, then you know that I ALWAYS have a lot to say!     I am going to try and start tonight and make this short and sweet.  We’ll see……..

 I had a bit of a crazy week last week.  They pushed my chemo back until the Monday after Thanksgiving which was nice considering that we got to go and visit our parents.  We had a nice break and headed back home for chaos starting Monday. 

On my chemo days, I usually have blood work at 8 am, doctor’s appointment at 9 am, and chemo at 10 am, but on Monday when I arrived for blood-work, the nurses discovered that something was wrong with my port. (A port is the small device that is surgically implanted into my skin attached to several inches of small catheter that is then attached to a main artery.  This is how they give the chemo without having to do an IV and blow out every vein in your body. I just thought I would explain that since 2 months ago, I had no idea what it was!)  Anyway….back to cutting it short, it was hurting me, and they knew something was wrong, so they sent me for a die test and discovered that about six inches of catheter had broken off and had fallen into my heart.  Now, that’s a strange feeling to see your heart with a big white stick looking thing stuck in the middle of it.   Anyway, needless to say, I didn’t have my chemo that day.  Instead I ended up at the “Big House” as my adorable nurse Betty calls the old Methodist Hospital.  They immediately sent me there to have it retrieved. 

While there I learned that this is not something that happens very often.  As a matter of fact, like 1% of people with ports have this happen.  Someone said it happens in Lubbock about once a year.  Nurse Betty said I should by some lottery tickets. 

I went to the basement several hours after arriving at the Big House and once there, I was in the best of care!  Dr. Donaldson and his bunch were awesome.  I will never in my whole life forget them and am forever grateful for their excellent care and dedication.  They told me when I went in there that it might take anywhere from 5 minutes to an hour.  They went into my jugular vein first.  I said, “Hold it.  I thought the jugular was the one that will kill you if you cut it.”  They said not to worry, so I didn’t.  Besides, I had other things on my mind 6 inches of something in my heart!  They were successful in pulling it out after about 45 minutes, but as they were pulling it out, about an inch of it broke off again.   This time it was in my pulmonary artery.  I’m sure there is not even a percent for that!  At this point they seemed a little worried.

Let me stop here and explain something…..I read lots of scripture these days.  I have a book that I read everyday not to mention the many cards that I receive in the mail, so I have several scriptures that I turn to.  BUT there is this one that is everywhere, and if it’s not everywhere, it is everywhere in my head, and has been for some time now.  “Be still and know that I am God – Psalm 46:10  I am totally convinced that this is what the big Man is trying to tell me. I am such a goer and a doer and a busy idiot and a control freak, and sometimes a loud mouth and a know it all and a control freak…yea I said that twice……and through all of this, he wants me to stop, drop, go limp, relax, breath and “chill out,” and how about letting him do it since after all he is the creator of the universe!  DUH!   Well….back to my story, this is something that, until a few days ago, I haven’t really shared with anyone, so you can imagine my surprise when on the way to Lubbock Monday morning, my dear friend Joanna texted me this same scripture.   If I only knew then what I would know a few hours later….

As I lay on that table watching the entire process of them “fishing” the catheter out of my heart, I was saying, “OK Lord, I am still and I AM KNOWING!!!”  They ended up going through my groin to retrieve the small part that broke off again and 2 1/2 hours later, we got it.  Again, the staff in there was awesome.  They stuck it out, and it was very frustrating.  Imagine a threading a needle in a tornado.  This process was similar since they were basically threading one catheter with another all the while being thrown about by my beating heart.

The next morning I went in to take the old port out and put the new one in.  Dr. Nichols did a great job on that.  I love her!  Then I headed off to get my chemo. where Betty and Rhonda hooked me up.  They are great people! 

Anyway, praise God that is over, and I am ok.  I went back to work today.  God is so good to me.  He is definitely teaching me through all this that all I have to do is be still.  He is “perfectly” capable of taking care of everything!

“Mission Short Blog”  ——failed!

Angela’s A-Team T-Shirts November 15, 2007

Hey to everyone anywhere interested in a Angela A-Team Shirt!  I want to take your orders and get them sent to you.  Please include your size and your mailing address.  Please mail $12.00 for the shirt and $1.50 for the shipping, and I will mail it back to you as soon as it is printed.

Missy

Levelland Compress

500 Maple Street

Levelland, Texas 79336

All the money raised from the T-shirt sales will go directly to Angela’s Fund.

Any questions, please call me…. 806-893-9047

Thanks,

Missy

November 13, 2007 November 14, 2007

Man, I can’t believe that it’s already November the 13th!  That is just crazy!  As I am typing, Patrick is putting up the Christmas tree.  Things have been going pretty well here.  Today was my second day back at work as this treatment was a little tougher, so I was out the entire week last week.  I was really happy to get back in the swing of things.  My mom was here the entire week last week and that was such a blessing.  She is amazing!  It was so nice to have her there all the time.  It just puts everything in sync while I’m out!  Thanks mom!  Love ya!

The leaves have really started to fall around here.  This season thing is so symbolic of the cancer and everything going on in my life and body.  Soon everything will be dead along with my cancer and this spring all will be new!  God is so good!  He is EVERYWHERE, and I love it!  He has blessed my life so fully!  It is amazing to just watch Him and how He is working everywhere.  I can actually say for the first time in my life that I been able to see with my own eyes His work in progress.  It has been the most amazing thing, and one day I will find the words to explain it, but for now,  I am just sitting here with jaw droppingly amazed!

People never cease to amaze me around here!  Levelland is an awesome place to live because of the amazingly generous and thoughtful people.   I know for sure that I am blessed beyond words to have the friends and community support that I have. 

I found out last Friday that I will have 4 treatments of the hard stuff; then, I will start another type of therapy.  It will not be as hard on my body and will not mess with my hair, so in January, it will start growing back!  I am so happy for that; however, it is very convenient not to wash and fix hair when you don’t feel well or have any energy.

I have been planning for sometime now to talk about the cancer and how I found out about it.  I have women ask me questions all the time wondering how I found out.   The real reason that I know I have cancer now is simply because I listened to my body.  I just felt like something wasn’t right, and I couldn’t really pinpoint what it was.  My breasts had ached a little all summer, but who doesn’t have funny pains?  Most of the time we just dismiss them and think we are thinking things up, right?  Well, on Labor Day Weekend, my family had taken our last trip to the lake, and on the way back I was supposed to stop and take pictures for some friends, so we took two cars, and I rode home by myself.  For some reason, the entire way home I searched for something….what, I didn’t really know, but I did self exam after self exam until I put my left arm down and felt under my armpit.  I felt a large lump.  It really freaked me out!  The next day, I made an appointment with the doctor.  She just thought it was some sort of infection in my lymph node ….due to shaving or mastitis….so she put me on antibiotics.  After fourteen days on antibiotics, the lymph nodes hadn’t gone down, so she sent me to get a mammogram and a biopsy.  The mammogram really didn’t show anything as 31 year old breasts are really dense and usually don’t (which is the reason they don’t use mammograms as a screening tool until 40).  The biopsy was the first sign of cancer, and a breast MRI later found 2 tumors in the right breast.  One is the size of a quarter and the other is somewhat smaller than that.  I guess you always think that COULD happen, but I was definately surprised to find out that it was cancer…..especially at 31 years old with no family history.  That’s something new that I found out….most breast cancer is not family related.  In fact a SMALL percentage is!  Most of all breast cancers are sporatic.   I also found out that the tumors were estrogen and progesterone postive and something called HER2 positive.  The cool thing about that is that they have medicines to treat these things, and the cancer usually responds very well to the treatments.   

 I have learned so much about so many things since all of this began only a short while ago, but MOST of all, I have learned that people need to listen to their bodies!  Don’t dismiss stuff because you think you are being over sensitive, or you think that you are worrying about too much.  I don’t mean to MAKE yourself worry too much!  Just go get it checked out if you think something could possibly be wrong!  Don’t be scared.  Deal with it.  The sooner you do, the better off you will be.  Quit putting things off, and go get checked!  Most cancer is something that in today’s world is very treatable WHEN FOUND EARLY!  So don’t hesitate to listen to yourself!  The other MOST important thing I have learned is that doctors (God love em’) don’t always know everything!  It is VERY important that YOU have to take control of your own health care.  Be persistant.  Ask questions.  Question them if you need to.  Research on your own (but not so much that your freak yourself out).  If you make them mad, then you need to find another doctor.  Despite their education, you have been with yourself for a long time, and you know yourself and your body pretty well!  Besides that, YOU are paying them!!!!!  I think for years, people, especially previous generations, have sat on their hands and listened only to their doctors.  Now, don’t get me wrong.  I am not saying that that is totally a bad thing, but people need to be more assertive.   It is YOUR life you’re talking about, not theirs.  I want everyone to understand me 100% here.  I think many doctors are great and caring Christian people, and doctors are most certainly NOT my enemy.  They are great.  They save lives and are currently saving mine….for which I am greatful!  SO…..I am not telling anyone to go attack a doctor.  Just play a more active role in your health care, and know that it is ok to not always agree.  After all, they are only human.   OH yea…..and above all, I’ve learned….at all times rely on God.  He is just waiting patiently for you to!!  Love ya!

October 29, 2007 October 29, 2007

Friday night, some of my friends had a benefit dance for me at the middle school.   They are so sweet to do something like this for me.  I could never thank them enough.  They made Angela’s A-Team T-shirts and were wearing them at the dance.  It was really cool!  I am so blessed to have the world’s greatest friends.  Everyone has been so awesome. 

The dance was for grades 6-8 and a constume contest.  That was really cool because Mason is a 6th grader, so he went.  He and a couple of his friends dressed up like girls, and they had a blast! 

Thanks so much to Rho Lamba, Juan, Lori, Brandon, Cody, Destinee, and Barbara!   

Love you all!

October 28, 2007 October 29, 2007

The hair is gone!  They said it would all fall out and it did Saturday. 

 Friday my head started to hurt like I had loosened a tight ponytail.  I could grab anywhere on my head and hand fulls of hair would come out.  By Saturday morning I decided that I had to do something. 

Now, this whole hair loss thing is not something that a female ever contemplates happening.  I am sure males subconsciously think of this at some point in their lives and wonder how they will deal with it, but not women.  Therefore, the experience is foreign.  So when I was faced with how to go about getting rid of all of this hair, I didn’t really know what to do.  I knew that I didn’t want to prolong the inevitable, but I didn’t really want to take a shower either because then I would have to call a plumber!  I had to come up with a solution to my problem.  So I decided to pull it out.  Yes, that’s exactly what I did…..one handful at a time.  Freaky isn’t it?  It was exhilarating!  I grabbed the bathroom trashcan and put it up on the vanity and got after it!  I would grab one handful of hair and chunk it the trash and then grab another, alternating hands until it was pretty stinkin’ thin.  I called Brynn in their after a while to show her.  She was pretty amazed.  Remember that she has been expecting this for a while.  She proceeded to help in the pulling.  It was great!  She and I were cracking up and having a blast pulling my hair out.  The crazy part about that is we REALLY were.  It was not sad at all! 

My sister arrived later and helped me shave my head.  That was pretty cool.  She shaved it with the clippers first and then with the razor.  There are many people in this world that live a full long life and die without ever knowing what having a bald head feels like.  My dad is not one of them!  HA  (He did tell me that at least mine would be coming back!

Meanwhile, Patrick and Mason were at Mason’s football game.  (We were trying to make it, but gave up after the whole hair pulling extravaganza!)  They were pretty shocked when they got home!

October 24, 2007 October 25, 2007

The Hair

Well…I went to get my hair cut the other day.  I have decided that hair is way over-rated!  I am really liking the short hair thing and am preparing for the no hair thing.  They say it will all fall out, but so far it has not turned loose!   I told my kids that it would soon be gone, and Brynn, our 4-year-old, keeps asking me to take my hair off.  She is very interested in the hair part.  My kids at school and I have talked about the fact that the no hair day is coming, and I told them that I was getting a wig.  I told them that if they get 100% on the TAKS they could see me bald.  There will be some kids work really hard for that!  Whatever it takes!  I went to The Wig Trend today after school and picked out my wig.  Now, that was a trip!  With my hair, (it’s like carpet), I never thought that I’d be entering a place like that.  You never know!  A beautiful lady working there was very helpful.  She had a wig on and you would have never known.  She might have been a little older than me, but not much.  She said that she lost all her hair once and never quit wearing them.  She said she has more wigs than clothes!  I love it!  She was just another person that I have met that I would have probably NEVER met otherwise.  I told Patrick on the way home.  This could be really convenient!  I might keep it forever! 

Life

Breast Cancer and Cancer is everywhere….because it is Awareness month.  I don’t know how I feel about that because if I want to forget it, it seems like I can’t.  It’s even on my glass cleaner!  The Susan G. Komen foundation is a great thing and it amazes me how many things have the little pink ribbons on them.  My mom, sister, and friends are going crazy buying things that have the ribbon on them.  It’s really sweet.  It is scary yet comforting to see how many other people are dealing with and have dealt with the same thing. 

I am learning so much.  It’s crazy!  I am trying to change the way I am eating and am doing really well.  I have read several things talking about foods that are good and bad for cancer.  I am staying away from sugar and bad carbs and trying to eat more whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables.  I am convinced that it can have a lot to do with it.  If I’m wrong it certainly won’t hurt anything.

I got my bloodwork back this week that I did through the wellness program at our school.  It was perfect!  I had all of that done about a week or so before I found out I had this.  You think when you get all that back, and it looks good that you’re healthy….which….I am…..I just have a little cancer.  Better to fight it with!!! 

GOD is everywhere!  He is just like the little pink ribbon. 

Sherry, my dear friend and neighbor, gave me a devotional that I read everyday.  Today it said, “I will make you into a treshing sledge, new and sharp.” (Isaiah 41:15)  I am really liking the sound of that!  It makes me almost feel like wonder woman or something.  It goes on to say, “Our lives are very mysterious.  In fact, they would be unexplainable unless we believed that God was preparing us for events and ministries that lie unseen…”  That’s exactly what He’s doing with me.  I am SURE of it!  I am way too loud and outspoken and have way too many friends to take such a back seat role in expanding His kingdom!  Exactly what my role will be I don’t know yet, but I know He plans to use me in a bigger way.  I know that. 

I have some awesome friends, and let me tell you there are LOTS of them.  You never really sit down and write a list of your friends, or ever really stop to consider how many people you love and love you.  This has been overwhelming and humbling.  My friends have done so much to help me (I’ll never be able to re-pay you all!) just by their texts, prayers, e-mails, comments, IM’s, cards, gifts,food…..not to mention the friends I work with and how they have helped me out at school (especially while I was gone for those two weeks).  It has just been amazing to see how awesome people are….EVERYWHERE!

My family and I have always been extrememly close, and this has made us all that much closer.  I tend to expect things from my family, many times don’t say thanks near enough.  They have been so awesome!  My siblings were rotating last week so someone was always here to help out in the evenings.  They have dropped things cold and come running over here to help out and make all of this work.  Thank you all so much for that

October 16, 2007 October 16, 2007

Wow!  How time has flown in the last couple of weeks!   I feel like I have been having a serious out of body experience!!  It has definitely been a roller coaster of emotions with the extreme highs and lows I have felt lately.  I stand truly amazed at how many friends and family I have that love me!  I love all of you so much! 

I am asking for prayers for the LHS volleyball team, a dynamic group of girls with HUGE hearts.  They were in a bus accident earlier today in Brownfield.  I don’t know a lot of specifics, but I do know that the bus was turned over and a few girls were taken to Lubbock.  Several of these young ladies were involved in a bus accident a couple of years ago when they were headed to a basketball game.  Please pray for their peace, safety, and healing as they deal with the fears that now come with entering any vehicle and especially a bus.  They came to my house last night and brought me cards and an angel wind chime.  Then, they said a prayer for me.  How sweet is that??  Praise GOD they are okay!!! 

The first round of chemo is officially out of my system, and I am feeling much better.  My dear sweet mother left this morning with a little hesitance.  She headed back to be with her kids at school.  I know they need her too!  I received such a sweet card from them today!  Thanks so much for that HHS!  Today is mom’s birthday.  Happy Birthday Mom! 

I feel great!  I am very ready to go back to work tomorrow and get those LHS juniors back in full grammar swing!  I can’t wait to see them!    

I just want to say thanks to everyone!  I find myself speechless when it comes to doing this (I KNOW many of you are shocked) and it takes a while to find the right words.  I never feel okay with what I have written.  I guess what I am trying to say is that I cannot thank you all enough for your thoughts, prayers, words, cards, food, gifts, FRIENDSHIP, etc…. I KNOW and feel that I am one of the most blessed people in the world!  I also KNOW that this is one of the best things that has ever happened to me because it has allowed me to look at life with a new set of eyes and see how truly blessed I am!  It is my prayer that none of us ever forget this and that we remember how blessed we are every single day! 

Check out my slide show on my previous post.  I added it tonight.

I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!

October 12, 2007 October 12, 2007

WOW!!!  This is absolutely the coolest thing I have ever seen or been involved with.  First of all,  let me start by thanking all of you so very much for this.  Thanks to Janessa for putting it all together.  Right now I am sitting at Joe Arrington’s Cancer Center getting my chemo (they have wireless internet!  WHO HOO!!)  It is so cool because as I am getting the treatment, I can read all of the cool things that people are putting on here.  GOSH, I miss my kids at school!!!!  We will definately be going back to grammar when I get back because some of your grammar is really stinkin’ it up!! 

 Today has been awesome!  God is so good!  I was a little nervous at first I won’t lie, but it has been such a cool day so far.  The treatment got a little delayed which is why I am still here, but I have met some really cool people.  It’s nice to look at this and text people because it keeps my mind off of things.  I have the most amazing friends and students in the WHOLE world!  I love you guys! 

 

 They are saying that I might be a little nauseous and tired, but I should be able to go to the kids games tomorrow (which I am very excited about!)  They have wonderful medicine for the nausea, so that is way cool!!  I brought my camera with me today, so I have taken several people’s pics (doctors, nurses, patients).  There was the neatest little couple in the chemo room with me today.  I feel like God placed them there for us.  There is a picture of the man.  He is the one with the cool mustache.  His wife was getting a treatment, and she was so beautiful.  She didn’t look a bit sick.  They were such an inspiration.  Please pray for God’s healing on her body.  Her husband came back up after they left and visted with us to share their story.  They are amazing!  I thought I got a picture of both of them, but it wasn’t on my camera when I got home.  Maybe I’ll see them again.

The doctor gave a pretty good report today affirming that there is no other cancer to be found in the bone or other organs.  OH YEA!!!  So we just have six month of chemo (hey…it’s just a hockey season), and then the surgery, and it’s a thing of the past! 

God has really given me such a peace about all of this, and I know that all of your praying is definately helping in that area.  I am praying for all of you that God uses this to teach us all a little something.  Take from it what you want, everyone is different. Just know that he is totally AWESOME!

See ya,

Angela

Angela’s A-Team October 10, 2007

The outpouring of love the Burson family has received this past two weeks has been incredible. Until now, they did not realize just how special they are to so many people, but through our prayers, visits, cards, calls, and food we have shown them just a glimpse of how truly loved they are. Patrick and Angela are so grateful.

We have also learned some things over the past two weeks. First, we have learned that our God is amazingly faithful. He has blown us away, time and time again. We have learned that Angela is a woman of beautiful strength and an inspiration to us all. We have also learned that nauseating chemo drugs and the smell of chicken enchiladas don’t mix! And we’ve found that as much as Angela is a people person, she also longs for her family life to return to a sense of normalcy. After all, all of this is for sick people, and she’s not a “sick person”.:-)

We, their dear friends, want to be sure that the blessings are not overwhelming. We want to know that we are helping to make this time easier. In the next few days, we will be making some changes in the Care Calendar. We will try to schedule food during times when smells may not bother Angela. Patrick thinks that treatment weekend might be a great time to take the kids to McDonald’s. (maybe gift cards would be a great way to help out) We will also try to mark off some days on the calendar for family time. 

Please know that your care and concern are deeply appreciated. Patrick, Angela and the kids have never felt so special.

We will be updating the the Care Calendar with dates to signup for meals and things, we will also post days that food is not needed, again thank you for all you care and concern.

If you have any questions you can call Janessa Berry @897-5321, Angie Vest @891-1227 or Joanna Runkles @239-8094

The website for the calendar is www.google.com\calendar  username angelasateam@windstream.net and password aburson1.

We are in the process of “cleaning” up this site, if we have deleted your comment we are sorry, PLEASE go back on and leave Angela another comment.  If you will leave the comment under her posting that would work great and she can keep up with the comments she hasn’t read.   She is posting her updates under “Angela’s Words.”

Thanks again for the outpouring of love.