21 Things I'm Thankful for on my 21st Birthday!

For my birthday (which was two days ago) I wanted to make a list of the things in my life that I am truly thankful for. I wasn't sure whether to make it things I am grateful for in this exact moment, or big things that I am generally grateful for, so I did some of both. And even though I've been feeling pretty sick these past few days, it helps to try to focus on the positive. So here is my list  in no particular order (although I had MANY more I could have included):

•  Mom and Dad who have been my rock these past 21 years.
• Chris and Alex- the best brothers I could ask for
• All of my aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents who have supported me in love and who I love so much
• Hope Church, Third Presbyterian, and Newspring Church
• Snow on the ground outside- I love white Christmases!
• Growing up in Richmond
• Furman University which has been the perfect fit for me and has become a second home while I’ve been there
• Kappa Delta, O-Staff and RUF at Furman and the incredible friends they have given me
• All of my doctors and nurses working to make me healthy all over the US
• Heart to hearts
• My wonderful apartments at school and my roommates
• The knowledge that God has a plan for my life and that God is good
• Pictures to remember every moment (I got a camera for Christmas and my aunt just made me a scrapbook for my birthday that I have been pouring over, making me especially grateful for pictures now.)
• All of the love and support that I’ve had in 2010. It has been a tough year, but I have never felt so loved in my life.
• All of the kids I have met tutoring at different schools in Greenville
• All of my incredible friends in Richmond and at Furman who have been there for me through thick and thin
• The adults who have supported me through my battle with cancer and who have been there to let me vent to them
• My recent trip to New York with my mom
• No new cancer spread at my last checkup!
• Books and music to brighten my days
• The past 21 years of my life!!
• 
  

"For I consider that the present sufferings of this time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." Romans 8:18

Wonderful Time of the Year

The past few weeks have been insane. The semester ended at Furman in a whirlwind. The weeks after Thanksgiving were full of tests, projects and finals. But there were also Christmas parties and KD events in those weeks too though, making all the work a bit more bearable. It was very hectic, though.

And then when I got back, my parents surprised me with a trip to New York as my 21^st birthday present! My mom and I left on Monday and just got back today. It was an incredible trip. We went to three Broadway shows, shopped and walked all around to see the Christmas decorations. Despite the freezing temperatures, it was beautiful. My mom and I had so much fun seeing the city and being together.

I am over halfway through my third cycle of the medicine. And so far, it has been so much more manageable than the other cycles. Recently I have been feeling completely exhausted, but it was such a blessing that I was able to push through that while I was in New York.

I absolutely love the Christmas season. I love the decorations, the lights, the carols and the Christmas trees. I love everything about it!

Saturday is my 21^st birthday! I don’t really feel that old yet, but in some ways, I feel so much older. If that makes any sense. This past year has brought so much change in my life. It is crazy to think what amazing changes the Lord will bring with this coming year!

This is my first birthday being sick. I pray that I can feel okay, even if just for that one day, to celebrate and enjoy the festivities. I pray this for everyone else with cancer too. It is just so hard sometimes, and I hate the idea of anyone being sick on Christmas. I pray that it can simply be a time for everyone to be thankful for their blessings and rejoice in the birth of the Lord.

Richmond is also due to get a ton of snow on Saturday! So maybe we will have a white Christmas! Merry Christmas everyone! And I will try to post more frequently with my thoughts and reflections now that life is slowing down a bit.

"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness, a light has dawned...For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." -Isaiah 9:2,6

How Far I've Come

Sorry for the lack of posts recently! Getting back into school since Thanksgiving Break has been a complete whirlwind of tests, papers and projects. I cannot believe that the semester is almost over! It has flown by.

Saturday made me a nine month cancer survivor. It is really unbelievable to think. I can’t help but think that this time last year I had no idea I was sick.  I guess sometimes ignorance is bliss. It is crazy. It’s almost like I cannot remember what my life was like before I knew I had cancer. Everything has changed so much.

In nine months, I have come so far. The two months after my surgery were brutal. I really look back on that time and cringe. Everyday was a dark battle, a choice to keep pushing forward, a fight against despair. I hardly kept a meal down for two months. Right after my surgery, it was a struggle for me to sit up in bed for ten minutes at a time. And walking even a few steps would completely drain all my energy, and usually result in me getting sick. I was going to the hospital nonstop, and having to constantly see doctors, or try new medicines. And I was usually in extreme pain from either the surgery or from side effects of the radiation. If I left the house, I usually had to be pushed in my wheelchair, because walking was too draining. One night in the middle of it all, I was talking to my dad and said, “I can’t remember what it feels like to not feel sick.” That was the lowest I’ve ever been. The memories still terrify me.

At that time in life, I would have never dared to dream that I would be back at Furman this fall, much less that I would be well enough to complete a whole semester on my own. Honestly, I am shaking right now as I write this, just thinking about it all. God is truly good.

I am getting ready to start my third round of chemo treatment. Although there are not tumors still present in my body, the doctors believe that there are still cancerous cells, so it is necessary to stay on the medicine to slow down any spread. I am not excited for it, but at least I know that it is helping, which gives me the encouragement to continue. And I will be on a reduced dose again, so hopefully my body will tolerate it better.

Thanks again for all the prayers and support. I really don’t think I can ever repeat this enough. It means the world to me.

"Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress. He sent out His word and healed them; He rescued them from the grave." -Psalm 107:19-20