This is Friday's! Sorry for the delay, I have been trying to write this for a couple of days, but either I was to sick, busy in the store or when I would sat down to write it, I would get so tired & I would have to lay down. My Final "Thankful of the Day"
35 radiation treatment down. 0 to go!!! It feels good to type that!!! While I don't believe it's true that every cloud has a silver lining, I do believe that even the most negative life experiences can teach us something that we can take into the future with us. It's often hard to see or appreciate whose those specific things are when we're in the midst of them. It's often only later on, with time & hindsight, that we begin to appreciate what we've learned. Today I am thankful for "The Finish Line". Today is a very surreal day; it's almost bittersweet... Some days, I wasn't sure this day was ever going to come. I am finally breathing a sigh of relief as I am done with radiation treatments & I definitely went out with a bang! I definitely didn't take the easy road to treating my cancer, but I got it done! I'm still in shock & just sit here staring off into space with a huge smile on my face during my last treatment & just want to take it all in. Before I left Thompson Cancer Center, I received a "Diploma" certifying my graduation from radiation treatments.
As I drive away. Tears roll down my face. I did it. Mama I did it. I made it. I'm so happy. I won't be sick anymore. I'm so scared. Is it going to come back? I'm so drained. It keeps running through my mind. Why won't it stop? The fear is getting to me. On the inside, I'm crying for help! I need to hold my mama's hand. I tell myself "Be patient & tough; someday this pain will be useful to me." I look in the mirror. I look at myself through a moment of silence. The world is moving faster now. Feeling at my weakest but showing more strength, being at my lowest but suddenly lifted above higher than I have ever been. I feel like a different person. Heartaches crushed my spirit. I want to smile again. I desperately want to have a happy heart again. I know I can't fix it on my own. God sees my situation much better than I do & I can trust that he always has my best interest in mind. We only see a tiny piece of the big puzzle & God has the entire puzzle in his vision. At the end, I find reason to look back at my journey. Empty words almost echo within themselves. I answered the phone to the words "Mrs. Landrum, We have your test results back, the biopsy came back cancerous". The day that changed my life & forever made a distinction in my memories of either "before cancer" or "after cancer". I close my eyes & stare into the dark, & wonder, How in my darkest moments, my most fearful times, when faced, became my bravest. Yet through all of this I am reminded of how God has numbered our days & He alone knows the plans, He has for us. I'm learning not to put my faith into my feelings because they can be so wrong. I, We, need to do our best to continue on with our lives the best we can. Some days will be easier than others. I'm devastated, but not defeated. I still have an amazing group of family, friends & love ones that I've had through all of this to help keep me going. We're on a changing course now. But you have helped me deal with life; You've been a stable force. When I have had to follow, New Directions, You were there. When the world was hard on me, You always seemed to care. When nothing held together or made the slightest bit of sense at all, You have always helped me restore my inner confidence. Everyone needs someone who is reliable & true. Through these moments I have endured it all from everyone walking beside me each step along the way. As of Terry, He told me that I might as well get used to the fact that he is by my side & cast the same shadow as I take these steps in life. He has held my hand through it all, pushed me to keep fighting & helped keep me strong. He doesn't stop... or at least he hasn't yet. I know it will eventually all catch up with him, but hopefully by then I'll be fully healed & able to care for him. He has done more than I expected & not because I have asked that of him. He has done whatever has needed to be done & he's done it without complaining. He had a lot added onto his already full plate, but he somehow is still standing. I'm very lucky to have him by my side! This will take some Time & Time does Heal & We will Heal. This life is so short, yet this life is only a minute apart of eternity with Christ. My Journey is Dedicated in Memory to My Mama; I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. I want to Thank You for the help if it was through a moment of silence, through a prayer, through a donation of time & energy. Every ounce of love- no matter it's form-is fuel for the fight. Anything you want to share, please do! As always thanks for being in my life!