My Story in Amoena Life Magazine

You will find a portion of my story and involvement with LiveSTRONG in the Winter/Spring 2010 Amoena Life magazine. (Pg 12) (My story is a little confused as I actually had 2 separate stage 4 cancers, not 2 recurrences of breast).
They did make mention of the dragon boat program, as well.
You can download the edition from their website, call to order a free copy or pick one up at your local medical center.

http://www.amoena.com/us/TippsAndService/AmoenaLife/Snapshots/

Hubby got me a very special gift...a real yellow rose dried and dipped in 24k gold..for courage and survivorship.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

After Life

On Larry King, there was a panel of various doctors, scientist, "spiritual coaches", etc., taking part in a discussion of what they each believe takes place after death. What was suppose to be an intelligent exchange of each participant's ideals and beliefs, quickly turned into a heated debate, with, at times, forceful challenges for one to back-up the other's stand.
Funny how much passion seem to drive such uncertain conclusions among the group as not one participant could say with bold certainty or complete confidence what would become of the spirit or flesh of a man.

What this seemingly intelligent team of experts missed the boat on was that of -faith! Simple, childlike faith, as God's Word defines it.

If it is proof of heaven and hell that one seeks..without faith, it requires death for the convincing evidence.

After life......................

Pink Glove Dance

My son shared this with me and I had to share it with you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEdVfyt-mLw

Lessons from "The Christmas Carol"

Went to see my 'all-time' favorite Christmas movie,"The Christmas Carol", and what a way to kick it up a notch, by telling the story in 3D. There is no greater miracle than a changed heart and eyes opening up to truth.
How much time do we waste on materials of no real value or essence? How many precious moments do we miss with friends and family as a result of daily distractions? How many opportunities do we pass by to share hope and offer grace to our neighbors?
I love how the spirit, "Christmas Present", allowed Scrouge to see for himself the ill-will and pain that his very own hands were causing others. I have always thought about how blessed Scrouge was for being giving a second chance and the opportunity to make it right with his family and his fellow man.
We may not ever know what pain has come to others at the works of our own hands (or our words) and time waits for no man. As Jacob Marley explained to Scrouge, he built his chains link by link and yard by yard. What would happen if the world were given a real glimpse into the lives of others? I have heard it said that one person cannot change the world and I don't believe one person can.. but you change the world one person at a time. We still have time to break free from the chains of life that hinder us and keep us bound to the world's idea that hope is only found in fame and fortune.
As Tiny Tim would put it "God Bless Us - Every One!"

A Thanksgiving Prayer

Today I give thanks with a grateful heart for your presence and eternal love. I thank you for saving and cleansing me. I thank you for my family and friends. I thank you for the many blessings in my life. And I thank you for your healing power that makes me whole. I come to you with a spirit of gratitude and pray that you continue to teach and guide me.
Amen

"In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
-1 Thessalonians 5:18

Happy Thanksgiving!

Jump High And Carry A Big Stick

In Africa, boys are taught to "Jump High and Carry a Big Stick".

Though literally, for these children...there's a lesson here for us.

"Jump High"....Allow yourself to be so happy that you take a leap of joy?

"Carry a Big Stick".... Make the decision to be strong and prepared!

This Thanksgiving, why don't you add to your thankful list: joy and strength.

A Livestrong Request

Per The Lance Armstrong Foundation's request, I will be delivering the LIVESTRONG ACTION petition signatures to my SC Senators next week. This is a critical time in the debate as the House just passed its version of health care reform legislation on November 7 and the Senate is about to begin consideration of its health care reform bill. Throughout the month of October, more than 65,000 Americans signed the LIVESTRONG ACTION health care petition. The LIVESTRONG petition asks Congress to ensure the needs of cancer survivors are addressed in health care reform by supporting two key principles:
* No American should be denied health insurance coverage because of pre-existing conditions.
* No American should lose their coverage due to changes in health or employment. While LIVESTRONG supported the House health care reform legislation, they have not taken a position on the Senate bill at this time. Once the final bill language is released in the Senate, the debate is expected to take several weeks. I have been asked to visit with Jim DeMint and Lindsay Graham along the same basis as I did with several others throughout the country in DC back in 2007 but this time it will be on a one on one basis. I will be introducing myself as a constituent and a LIVESTRONG Leader and let them know that I have a health care petition that I would like to deliver. I am asking for your prayers and support as I do this as I know first hand how badly health care reform is needed in our country. There is no aspect of the failed health care system that has not affected me and my home directly. Please pray for me as I head up to see my Senators, that I would have boldness and confidence in sharing my own personal story. As much as I had to battle two stage 4 cancers, I battled the money/coverage issues that come along with them just as hard.

Thanks

An Awesome Revelation

http://www.roncarpenter.com/?p=491

Austin Livestrong Challenge/P3C3 Ride to Austin

Austin Livestrong Challenge 2009

Palmetto Peloton Project/Livetrong Upstate Army SC Members "Challenge to Conquer Cancer"/"Ride to Austin".

The Austin Challenge was a huge success: 6,200 riders, runners, walkers and 900 volunteers participated in the Challenge this weekend and $4 million was raised toward the fight against cancer.

My "Friend Dad"

My best friend from college, who is also a 3 time breast cancer survivor, dad has been diagnosed with a brain tumor. He had been told that it was in his bones but they were wrong, PRAISE GOD! and they have not yet gotten a biopsy on the tumor. He goes for pre-op on Wed and more test and has surgery scheduled for the 28th. This is the most precious man you could ever meet and he has always been my favorite "friend dad". His name is Bill Powell and he needs folks to pray and BELIEVE with him. If you are a survivor or a supporter of a survivor, please think back for a moment of what it was like to be put through these horrific test, signed up for the "waiting game" against your will and then told after all of that..that they have to do surgery to verify IF it is cancer.

If you know what I am talking about, please stop what your doing and call his name out in prayer.

A Love Encounter

To really think about how much we are loved by the Creator of this Universe...to even try to understand the Love of God will overtake us and leave us unable to stand. To have a true encounter with God's Love is more than we can endure. If we allow even a portion of His Love to touch us in the softest of ways, it will consume us. But, I want this! I want this Love to bend me low and I want to feel every breath He breathes on me. I want to hear His heartbeat and taste His Mercies that the Bible tells us are new every day.

I want this Love Encounter!

Please listen to the song God laid on my heart this morning after receiving such an awesome testimony from my friend concerning her sister's test coming back negative for cancer.. after she had been told she only had a 15% chance of surviving what they thought was a late stage aggressive cancer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoC1ec-lYps

Amoena Magazine

Notified today that Amoena Magazine will be featuring my story in their December issue.

Livestrong Day 2009

What a beautiful day for a Livestrong celebration.

What's better than family, friends, laughter and being on the water?

Today is LiveSTRONG DAY!

Lance Amstrong was denied insurance when he needed it most.Today is LIVESTRONG Day. Thirteen years ago today,Lance's doctor told him he had advanced testicular cancer.What most people don’t know is that at the time, he didn’t have health insurance.In the following weeks,he received letter after letter from the insurance company refusing to pay for his treatment. He was fighting for his life but also for the coverage that he desperately needed.The legislation currently being debated in Congress is not just words on a page for many cancer survivors,it’s a matter of life and death.Now,as this debate enters crunch time, we need your help to ensure that what happened to Lance doesn't happen to any other American.


livestrongaction.org/campaigns/healthcare


No matter what side of the healthcare debate your on, I am sure everyone would agree that NO American should be denied health insurance coverage because of pre-existing conditions or changes in health or employment.

Atmosphere of Expectancy

"The atmosphere of expectancy is the breeding ground for miracles". I heard a pastor say this a long time ago. How sad that we cannot separate ourselves from the world enough to expect for miracles anymore. I have had many tribulations in my life but just as many miracles, some instant and some, a process, but all were harvested from seeds sown on the grounds of expectancy.
Whatever the need is, keep expecting!

Hong Kong Festival, Atlanta 2009

Great Festival.

To watch the Survivor Ceremony at the Atlanta Festival, visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUEf4k3anfg&layer_token=4a322a34178bf288

9/11

REMEMBER.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to me
Happy Birthday to me
Happy Birthday dear me
Happy Birthday to me............

Regardless of adversity, it's a good life & I choose to celebrate it and share it! Cherish it and respect it! Protect it and claim it! Live it and let it live through me!
And most importantly be thankful to God for it!

-me

LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Campaign Commitment Video

http://www.vimeo.com/3855670

Philly...

My son and I took in the incredible historical sights of Philly......

Philly Livestrong Challenge

The Philly Challenge was incredible.....6,500 survivors and supporters walking, running and cycling to pick a fight with cancer. 

As I crossed the finish line, the announcers began to play "Three Little Birds", which is one of my favorite songs.


Singing:"Don't worry about a thing, cause every little thing gonna be all right!".................................

Philly Challenge

YAHOO!!!! I plan to SHOUT all the way to the finish line in Philly this weekend!

WAGE A FREAKIN WAR!

One foot crossed the finish line today and the other is airborne as I complete the final chemo in a 6 hour stretch. It has been a long 8 months, believe I will complete this round with a grand total of 36 cocktails. What a good day it is to hear you are done with chemotherapy..what a good day it is to be able to walk out of the cancer center knowing that you have beat cancer (healed) again and what a good day it is when you can share that with family and friends. 
There are many who have not had that good day yet. After many conversations with God over the past months, I know that my purpose is to be that of a solider..to fight for others to have freedom from this enemy, cancer, and to have that good day... that Independence Day! 
It's the obligation of the survivor!
I challenge my friends, family and community to stop picking a 'grade school playground pansy fight' with cancer and 'WAGE A FREAKIN' WAR!'... and the way to start is by "having the back" of someone in your community that is fighting cancer. Find a creative way to provide a little joy for that person as  laughter does a body good like medicine. Share the hope that you have with them (be sure you have hope first), cook for that family, stock their pantry or just be that one email that comes in every day with those "You Rock" notes and above all pray for them. 
We have the incredible opportunity to be there for one another as human beings yet we are so wrapped up in "the stuff'" of life that we miss miracle moments. 
I have decided to wage war on cancer and his side-kick satan and as long as there is breath in my body and I continue to wake up every morning, I will be that hope for others. God has given me life, breath and joy and I choose not to waste it on shallow living.
So to cancer and your side-kick, satan, IT IS ON!... and I already know we win because I have read the back of the book!

An Obedient Stranger

While in the cancer center waiting room about to be taken back to chemo amongst way too many precious others, I might add, I noticed a lady across the room who continued to glance over my way and then quickly turning away. After several moments of this, I began to seek God in wonder if I was being asked to speak to this lady in hopes to offer her encouragement, knowing she was there for her own personal reasons. Suddenly, she comes running over to me, stoops down to look me in my eyes, which is when I noticed hers were full of tears, placed a pretty strong grip onto my arm with one of her hands and leans into me. She then precedes to tell me this: "God has just told me not to question Him but to get up out of my chair and come to you to tell you that no matter what you've been told or what it looks like, you have not lost your healing." She did not know me and I did not know her but she said to me that you have not lost the miracle you received years ago and that you are still healed. She said that God has favored me and there will be showers of blessings that I will not be able to contain poured out in my life in the next season. She proceeded to "Speak in the Spirit/Tongues," then she grab my same arm with her other hand and I felt electricity move through her body to the point that she almost fell. She then said to me that God has shown me great favor and that I have walked in healing because I have spoke healing. She said I am rewarded because of my trust in Him. She then hugged me, called me sister and told me to walk in it. She went out of the doctor's office as they had finished seeing her mother shouting all the way.
Now I am not crazy enough to think that everyone would believe this or accept it but how do you explain that this lady knew that I was told I was completely free of cancer 5 years ago (I have the doctor's report to prove it) and how did she know that every time someone talks doubt to me or says I had a reoccurrence, I cringe!
How did she know that I would not call her crazy and tell her to go away from me? If God did not tell her these things then how did she know? She had brought her mother in for a check up, which she does every six months but I had never seen her before nor had she seen me.
If I have learned anything about God, it is this - He is faithful! He just spoke to an open vessel, she made the choice to be obedient and I, in turn, received a real Word from God. I have to tell you...while she was speaking to me, the Holy Spirit told me to be quiet and just rest in what she would say to me.
I thanked her and that was all I could do. I was left with a peace and a deep joy that I could never explain to you with words. I have to tell you, friends, when you know God and you really have relationship with Jesus, there is no shame in life or fear in death. I will live and I will spend everyday of my life proclaiming His Goodness. I went back for the chemo and slept like a newborn baby wrapped up in her daddy's arms. All because of an obedient stranger.
God offers us the opportunity to minister and be an instrument of hope and healing.
Let's take it!

A Broken Vessel

Psalm 31:12 "I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel".

We are not forgotten..we are a constant on His mind. We see a once, seemingly perfect piece of treasured pottery with perfection and purpose. But in life, perfection is shallow and boring..it's the imperfections and flaws that produce character and intrigues the hearts of man.
Brokenness transforms us, brokenness creates in us a new heart, a new mind, greater understanding, compassion, hope, incredible joy, appreciation, respect, creativity, and true rest.
In brokenness, we find ourselves open to new visions. We grow bold and step outside of what has always been our norm. We can find life, real life, in brokenness. The Potter's hands will remake the broken vessel and it will be as new again. He has chosen these vessels and they have chosen Him, He will gather the pieces of the broken vessels and once again in His love-scarred hands create for Himself a masterpiece.

-Angie Suttles

Upstate SC Dragon Boat

I was excited to have birthed the first Dragon Boat Program in the Upstate based in Anderson. I am looking forward to launching additional programs throughout the Upstate that will benefit all cancer survivors and their caregivers, as well as, strong breast cancer survivor teams that will compete throughout the Southeast and Canada.

A Livestrong Moment

One of our awesome USA soilders was on the flight home with us yesterday and after we had taken over the plane by taken over their loud speaker, trying to entice passengers to sing "Proud Mary" and had to explain that we were breast cancer survivors gone wild, a very soft-spoken soilder shared his own personal story of cancer with us. He told us his 4 year old little boy had just finished 41 chemo treatments and that his mom was also a two-time survivor of breast cancer. I gave him a couple of Livestrong wristbands and he in return gave me a couple of official US flag patches that soilders wear on their uniforms. I couldn't understand why the pattern of the flags appeared to run in the wrong direction until he went on to explain - he said the USA always looks to the future. He told me to "Look to the Future" and I told him to "LivesSTRONG" - what an incredible moment of sharing strength and confidence. We shared a moment of looking to our futures with courage and hope and I will never forget it. I will carry those flags the way I wear my Livestrong band, proudly and with boldness as I will never let cancer have my future.

2nd Place Medals

We took 2nd place and metaled in the International Breast Cancer Dragon Boat Festival in Windsor, Ontario survivor's race on Saturday.


Incredible weekend full of so many "soak 'em
up" moments.





(Blog more later)

Ready to PaddleStrong

Leaving for Windsor, Ontario tomorrow for the International Breast Cancer Survivor Dragon Boat Festival. Going to be hanging out and racing with and against the toughest women in the world - "breast cancer survivors". I cannot wait to take part in this spectacular event and testimonial to the amazing strength and endurance that can birth from life's trials. Survivors will be coming from all over the world and will paddle side by side in several 500 meter races. Whether my team gets to that finish first or not will not matter, as I know, I am already victorious.

4th of July

Freedom Is Not Free!

"We believe these slender yet strong paddles, though rooted in this soil of past memories, rise skyward to the future in a spirit of reconciliation and hope."




Exactly what the dragon boat paddle is to the cancer survivor.

*click on the pic & check out the story.

Wrightsville Beach, NC - A Week in Kayak Heaven

The "Six Bronze Paddles" (Inspiring Story that I will blog about later - very much like the cancer survivor and the dragon boat).

Mansboro Island

Pains of the Past, Preparation for Purpose

He Is Jealous For Me

This song has been playing in my head all day...
John Mark McMillian wrote this song after losing his best friend in a car wreck but you really need to hear the testimony...please watch:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7UFoym8jI8&feature=related

After being up all night with stomach pain which has basically been nothing more than "left overs" from chemo last week, this beautiful song began to play in my head so clearly and has ministered to my heart and mind throughout the day. John Mark's friend lost his life but what an outpouring of worship that rose up out of these ashes of pain and suffering simply because his friend's last hope was for the youth of our world to understand the Love that our God has for us.

I typed out the lyrics in hopes that you would read them (really read them) and think about how His Winds and Mercies has weighed you down in order to cover and shelter you from the storm's of life that would have surely overtaken you and left you broken.



He is jealous for me,
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realize just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

And oh, how He loves us so,
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us so
Yeah, He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.
Yeah, He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.

We are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,
If grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.
So Heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss,
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about, the way…He loves us,

Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.
Yeah, He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.

National Cancer Survivor's Day

Ugly Disease,
Beautiful People!

We CELEBRATED our lives and friendships............