Prayers for Andi and Alisa

Please say a prayer for my melanoma friends, Andi and Alisa, who are both battling melanoma and fighting for their lives right now.  My heart is breaking for them and their families and I am holding onto hope for a miracle for each of them!  I know it can happen and I know that by faith, anything is possible!

 

 



4.5 Years!!

 

I just celebrated clean scans and 4.5 years remission!  This definitely calls for a "jump for joy"!  A few of my girlfriends tagged along with me to SF for a little getaway and for moral support.  We had a great time exploring my home city and of course, celebrating the good news!!

 

I have to admit, I had severe anxiety (maybe even more than normal) leading up to these scans.  I was having more nightmares than usual and it didn't help that in the recent weeks prior to my scans, a couple of my melanoma comrades weren't doing well.  That always leads to all kinds of doubt and fear of the cancer returning for me.  I just never take good news for granted and I don't ever feel confident that I will receive good news.  There was one small glitch in my good news however...My oncologist noticed that my scar tissue in my lung looked a little inflamed.  He thinks this is to due to a bad cold I was still going through (which was upper respiratory and sinus related).  It scared me a little, but he didn't seem too concerned about it.  He could tell that it made me nervous though, so instead of waiting 6 months for my next scans, I will be getting them in 3 months (here in Boise).  I just have to have faith that he feels confident it is nothing and just related to my infection.  I'm sure it is too, but I won't have 100% peace of mind until I get my next scans (in May).

 

Crossing fingers things will be ok and if so, I will get scanned again in August and then go 1 year between scans!!!

37 years, say what?!

 

It's hard to believe that I'm 37, which means I've entered my late 30's?!?!  I used to complain about turning another year older, but I have since learned that growing older is a privilege denied by many.  There was a time not too long ago that the number "37" seemed nearly impossible to reach, so I consider it the most precious gift to live to see another birthday.

Moments

 

One of my favorite moments from our trip to Costa Rica.  We had just finished a thrilling white water rafting trip through the jungle and stopped on a hillside for a drink, when low and behold, we witnessed this beautiful sight.  It was so breathtaking, the light, the green, the peacefulness of the forest.  We sat there in awe of this view for a few moments and I remember thinking, "This is what heaven will be like."

 

 

Kicking off 2015 with a bang!!

 

 All I have to say is that 2015 is off to a good start.  We spent 10 days in Costa Rica with family and it was a DREAM.  Seriously, I never wanted to come home.  In fact, I want to move there now! HA!

 

Traveling is so good for the soul. Traveling with the ones you love is the most precious, quality time you could spend together free of world cares and distractions.  We spent 10 days in paradise---zip lining through rain forest, rappelling down (and jumping off!) waterfalls, hiking in the jungle, boogie boarding and surfing in the waves, swimming in the warm ocean, observing (up close and personal!) wildlife, rafting down a river, horseback riding to some spectacular falls, snorkeling amidst tropical fish, kayaking crystal blue waters, soaking in lush hot springs, meeting new people, and stuffing ourselves with delicious Costa Rican food!  We also spent hours just laughing, talking, having dance parties, playing games, and hanging out together at "home".

 

It was a dream come true and a trip that we will never forget!!!  I am so thankful for the opportunity we had to go with extended family and share the experience together.  Life is GOOD!!!

 

(For more pictures of our epic trip, visit our family blog here and here.)