She Laughs Without Fear of the Future

So, life is a journey!

I never know who will read these blogs, so forgive me if you already know some of my background and I tell you more information than you need :)

In July of 2009, I had a bone marrow transplant to treat mutliple myeloma, a blood cancer that in short is simply too many plasma cells that like to attack your bones and major organs.  I was blessed enough to have caught it extremely early, thank you Lord!  After much prayer, fasting and consideration I decided to go ahead and have it treated.  This was a difficult decision, because the outcome I would've preferred was a miraculous healing prior to treatment!  God gave me an unhumanly amount of strength to cope through this treatment and diagnosis! (Not to mention the unfailing support of family and friends, of course!)  I know beyond the shadow of a doubt that His hand was on me through the whole thing, and I came out kickin'!  Take that!  Also, Romans 8 tells us that God causes ALL things to work together for the GOOD of those who LOVE Him and are CALLED according to HIS purpose.  I definitely know I love HIm, and I'm called according to His purpose, so the conclusion I draw is: He will make it Good.  

Since December 2012, I've been keeping an close eye on my blood counts, where the abnormal protein that determines my "remission" (let's call it what it is though, healed!) was slowly creeping up.  So, for a little over a year I've been praying and seeking wisdom on what comes next.  I completely, wholly and truly believe in healing.  I know that Jesus bore stripes on His own back that literally paid for every sin we did or ever will commit, and any sickness or infirmity in our body.  I KNOW this beyond the shadow of a doubt.  I don't doubt that He can intervene at any time.  I struggle daily with the decision to have my condition treated medically, because I know we serve a GREAT God who can do anything!  But at the end of the day, I have a peace about my decision.  I pray for my doctors, coordinators, nurses... for wisdom beyond compare!  And although it is a struggle (maybe that sounds crazy to some of you, but hear me before you judge me) I do have a peace, and I belive that Gods timing is perfect, and most importantly, He has a future for me.... and you ;)  This was not a decision made over dinner in a weeks time....

OK--that being said!  Most of you I know and a lot of people have been curious and I just want to give you all an update so you can be praying wtih me and expecting a miracle!

I will be getting chemo on Monday to lower my negative counts so that healthy stem cells can be collected within a week or two after the chemo.  Following stem cell collection, I will be admitted for 16ish days where I will have another bone marrow transplant.  

(quick interjection.  Thank you SO much to my family, church family, co-workers and friends who have shown an overwhelming amount of love to me the past few months!!!  I seriously can't covey my grattitude because I feel so undeserving of everyones kindness! so thank you!)

My ask to you is to simply pray!  Specifically the chemo on Monday that I feel awesome when it's over..... no side effects, nausea, vommiting, diahrrea, bladder problems, etc.  Those are the big ones!  If you could do one thing, it would be to pray!

Now-maybe some of you read the above, regarding my faith.  And just to touch on that very quickly.... maybe you're just wondering about that.  Maybe it just sounds like babbling.  I want you to know that God has proven Himself to me over and over.  Earlier in life and through this situation... He has spoken to me regarding my situation in the craziest ways!  Customers at my job, friends with insight they shouldn't have, and the ability for me to have peace and sleep at night :)  I am not this strong on my own..... and thank God, becuase HIs strength is made perfect in our weakness.  

So I love you all, I'll keep you posted, feel free to text me or message me and I'll keep you all up to date!  

xoxoxox

Leslie