What A Wonderful World ...

Tuesday I had the privilege of attending the first Cancer Survivors and Caregivers Luncheon hosted by Mary and Dick Lowe at Baylor All Saints Medical Center in Fort Worth.  It was a wonderful time.  There were tables set up that we visited before the lunch began.  We chatted with women I have met along my journey.  These women are all breast cancer survivors and such an inspiration to me... just their very presence has inspired me.  I met new friends and was able to share my blog so the information can reach as many as possible.  I continue to Praise my awesome Lord for all that He has provided me.

Above:  Alverna, my friend and adopted sister
accompanied me to the lunch.  She looked absolutely
beautiful.  If you remember, Alverna took me to
all my chemo treatments.  When I started
chemo, she helped me make it through many days by
bringing me groceries that I thought I could eat, fixing me
food, calling and checking on me.  Thank you does not
seem to be enough for her support during those difficult
days when my family could not be with me.  

Above:  One of the most wonderful things that
Alverna and I got to experience was a chair massage.
Joni was the massage therapist and might I tell you,
that she was wonderful.  For all that Alverna does
for her family and friends, she deserves a much longer
massage than five minutes.  

Above:  Everyone was assigned a table and we were at
 table 17.   We were seated with others who had the same
type cancer as me.  I was the recipient at our table of
the beautiful hydrangeas 

Above:  Looking across the area.

Above:  The speaker is Sherree Bennett,
the sweetest lady you will ever meet.  I met with
Sherree before my journey began.  

Above:  The North Texas Laryngectomy Society Choir
graced us with the song...
What a Wonderful World.
It was so emotional for me.  I watched this group of
five who fought throat cancer and won.  Here they are here today,
pressing the buttons on their necks singing.  They were truly a blessing.

Above:  Dr. Alan Johns, Survivor and Author
of "The Lump".  A man's journey through
breast cancer.

Above:  The incredible Joan Katz herself.
Three time breast cancer survivor and one time
bladder cancer survivor.  She was an incredible speaker
with so many inspiring words.  Her topic ...
We Have, We Will and We Can ...

I forgot my real camera and was using the camera on my cell phone.  I just had to have pictures so I could share on here although they are not the best.

Sherree reminded us 'not to waste our cancer'.  I knew early on that I was not going to waste the opportunity to 1) share my awesome Lord and 2) make available as much knowledge as I possibly could to other women and men regarding breast cancer and treatment.  God has provided many open doors for me in both areas and I always take the opportunity He gives me.  My passion is to share Him with others as I do not know how anyone could walk this journey without Him.  And I love being able to educate women in all aspects of this disease.  I will continue this until the day the Lord calls me home as I know I am doing what He wants me to do.

At the end of the luncheon, Sherree announced that the newest diagnosed person at the table would get the potted hydrangeas and at our table that was me.  You might have guessed it ... and I'll admit it ....
I cried.  I have come so far since my diagnosis on September 15, 2011, but my emotions continue to run very high when I think about the love and support that I have received.  People say that my words bless them ... I say that I am the one that is blessed.

Cancer and cancer treatment is a journey.  The journey we would not have chosen to take but some of us have to.  Attitude is so important when dealing with this dreadful disease and it's dreadful treatment but if you look around at all you have, you will see the blessings as you go through.  Hold on to your
HOPE ...

2 Corinthians 4:16-18  So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Do not allow anything to steal your HOPE ... not even cancer.  Cancer put a bump in my road, a mere detour but it will not steal my HOPE, my FAITH, my LOVE, or my JOY.  

Blessed and praying blessings for all.

gkmorrison12@gmail.com

Quick Update ... more to come!

Life has become rather busy for me.  I'm thankful for feeling great and being able to do my 'normal' activities again.  I miss being able to write my blog but please stay with me as I've got lots of really neat things to share.  In the meantime, I took pictures of my gardens and my flowers ... enjoy and I will be sharing much more this evening.

Only God can make flowers and trees ...

He put me in charge of seeds and weeds.

Blessings!

Above:  The trellis by the patio and the two
big planters of zinnias.  Little pot has a rosemary
twig growing in it.

Above:  Relocated my hummingbird feeders.

Above:  I love my zinnias are blooming.

Above:  Just planted sunflower seeds in this
big planter.  they are coming up.  

Above:  Trumpet vines that I got from Bonnie
and Buddy's house.  Was trying to root them
but I think they have croaked. 

Above:  Old wagon with rose moss.  The rose
moss has hung on for about 3 years now.

Above:  Trellis that sits with the herbs and
peppers.  

Above:  Herbs

Above:  Jalepeno peppers ... they are HOT!

Above:  The jalepeno pepper plant that little
bunny Fu Fu demolished is coming back.

Above:  Trellis by the tomato garden.

Above:  I love all the tomatoes.

Above:  Back fence trellis'.  Morning Glories
in the middle and Hyacinth Beans on each
side.

Above:  The mimosa tree that was planted early
spring.  

Above:   A look back .... 

Above:  Morning Glories coming up on one
side of the arbor trellis.

Above:  Hyacinth Bean coming up on the
other side of the arbor trellis.

Above:  Alyssum (baby's breath) around the
red bell pepper plants that my neighbor
gave me when they were mere seedlings.

Above:  Front flower bed.  Elephant ears
are thriving.  

Above:  So glad today is the day that Justin comes to mow.
I love the fact that my St. Augustine grass is thriving. 

I hope you enjoyed the pictures.  I love sharing my gardens and I Praise the Lord when I go outside every time that God gave me enough energy in early spring before I finished chemo to get my gardens put together and get them planted.

Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.—Hebrews 13:15

Another update coming this evening ... in the meantime, keep a smile on your face, offer a smile to someone without one and talk to our precious Lord.  He loves to hear from you.

Blessed and praying blessings for you.  

gkmorrison12@gmail.com

A Little Lunch and A Lot of Chat ...

Friday I had lunch with one of my survivor sisters, Leslie and our mutual friend, Donna.  Such a small world sometimes ... I started chatting with Leslie one day during chemo and ask her where she worked.  She told me and I ask her if she knew Donna and to my surprise, it ended up they were best friends.  We were able to get together yesterday and catch up in many areas ... Leslie and I as well as Donna and I.  We met at B J Brewhouse by NE Mall ... really enjoyed my salad and all the chat.  Poor Donna was subjected to Leslie and I talking about cancer treatments, side affects, radiation, etc.  Dear Donna, if you read this blog ... please know that next time we will not talk about cancer and treatments.  It was a lovely lunch and being together was a blessing to me.

When I left lunch, I ran by Kohl's.  I had my 20% off coupon and a $10 in Kohl's cash that I found in Alicia's room.  I figured I would see what I could find and I haven't been shopping in a while.  As it turns out, I found some blouses and a wonderful pair of Skecher's sandals.  My feet aren't the best so it is a requirement that I buy good shoes.  Anyway ... I got to the check out and the young man rang me up and I handed him my Kohl's cash and 20% off coupon and he said why don't you pick one of these scratch offs and see if you get a 30% off.  I picked one and it was 15% off so I said ... Can I draw again?  He let me and another 15% off ... I laughed and said ... well you could combine them and make 30% off ... and HE DID.  So with my 30% off and my $10 Kohl's cash I had quite a lot taken off my purchase.

Not sure what today has in store ... whatever it is ... I'm up for it.  I got the house straightened and cleaned yesterday and all the laundry done.  I love my Friday's off.  What's on tap for your weekend?  Leave me a comment ...

A few pictures of what I saw this morning as I stepped out on the back patio.

Above:  A morning glory bloomed this morning
after the rains.  This is the trellis by the patio.

Above:  Left:  Herb and pepper garden.

Above:  Tomato garden in middle and cucumber squash bed on
right.

Above:  The fountain.

Above:  Trellis' along the back fence.

Above:  Official NWS rain gauge.  I think we got at least 4 inchs
of rain.  I had failed to empty the gauge from last shower.

Above:  Mimosa tree.

Praises:
*  My survivor sister, Judy, came through her lumpectomy on Thursday and was up and about yesterday.
*  My survivor sister, Wendi T., doesn't have to take her last round of chemo which was scheduled for Monday.
*  Seeing and catching up with my survivor sister, Leslie, as well as seeing, Donna, a long time friend.
*  Only 11 radiation treatments remaining.
*  New grand baby will be here May 30.
*  The rain we got yesterday.  Unfortunately my my son in law's shed he was building, blew over.  Damage unknown at this time.
*  Mother's Day is tomorrow and I'm here to celebrate with my girls.  I'm so happy that they are Mothers and celebrate this day with me.

Prayer Requests:
*  My friend, Debbie K. who lost her son last week in a horribly tragic auto accident.
*  My survivor sister, Wendy L. in Amarillo, as she continues through her chemo treatments.
*  My survivor sister, Michelle, as she continues with her final chemo treatments.
*  Anyone who has recently found out they have a dreadful disease.
*  My remaining radiation treatments.

Thank you for your continued prayer, support and love.  I continue to say that I am blessed beyond measure.

John 1:16  From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.

Blessed ...

gkmorrison12@gmail.com