Dear Friends and Family,

Thank you for helping us with your prayers, caring about and following our story, and affirming God’s work  via texts, visits, and “likes.”

How am I doing? Stronger! Tim says I’m at 74%.

Today, my run (bouncy walk) pace was the fastest it has been since Oct. 14, 2014! We’re biking 15 miles, 2-3 times per week. I’m back to grocery shopping and cooking meals. And I’ve had the summer off, learning to rest.

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;  my hope comes from him.  Psalm 62:5

And I’m also struggling and need prayer.

Here’s the latest:

Radiation Treatments – Finished 33 daily treatments on June 2. Surprisingly emotional.

At my check-up, doc was surprised to see entirely healed skin. Remarkable! Thankful for your prayers and my daily green juice chug.

Medical Oncology – Tamoxifen: “A Wonder Drug” or “The Drug from Hell”

June 10 I began daily Tamoxifen, “A Wonder Drug” according to my oncologist, “The Drug from Hell” according to a survivor friend.

If the surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation didn’t kill all the cancer, five to ten years of a daily hormone blocking drug may keep any remaining estrogen fed cancer cells from growing. Wonder Drug! 

Drug from Hell? The side effects have been life-altering, and some are potentially life-threatening. Whether it’s the meds or months of disrupted sleep, I’m not myself. Imagine PMS – every day, month after month.

Sick of myself and knowing my family must be sick of me, too, I asked Tim, “How long can you put up with this?”

“Five to ten years,” he smiled.

He loves me.

Please pray -for the drug to do its work (wonder drug!) and for relief (more meds?) from hellish side effects. (And pray for Tim!)

Spiritual

I’m increasingly aware of how my life is just a breath.

Sometimes this awakening results in paralyzing fear. Not fear of dying, but fear of bad news, battling cancer, missing out, and leaving my family sorrowful.

But God reminds me:

They do not fear bad news (can be literally translated “malignant report!”); they confidently trust the LORD to care for them. Psalm 112:7

I sought the LORD and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fear. Those who look to Him for help are radiant with joy…Psalm 34:4

Other times, this awakening motivates me to get busy telling the stories I know I’m supposed to tell – declaring His faithfulness and power – ways I’ve seen Him work and come to know Him, more and more. 

Telling stories is easier than writing them, and Zach is able to make them look and sound good. Voila! Videos.

Occasionally, people tell me how God is using the blog and videos for good, for themselves or to help friends. Please join me in asking God to use it all for good – waterfall of blessing!

What’s next?

• Physical Therapy to relieve nerve pain and break down cording in my arm, result of scar tissue.
• Monthly port flush.
• 6 week appointments with Medical Oncologist for check-up and labs. And my favorite part: A syncopated greeting from Dr. B’s minion, “Let’s-get-the-weight!” Followed by announcing that weight and emphasizing any change. Right in front of Tim. Oh what fun!
• October mammogram to check for local recurrence.

A Harder Hard

“Remember when that hill was a struggle?” Tim encouraged, as I arrived at the top not nearly as out of breath as I used to be. I’m getting stronger on the hills.

Hard hills on the Illinois Prairie Path and through the Forest Preserve might seem laughable to my family and friends in North Carolina and even more ridiculous to my friend in Austria. Hard hills? Really?

Sometimes I hesitate to write these prayer updates, knowing many of you face a harder hard. A handful of personal friends would love to trade my hard for theirs. And an even bigger circle of acquaintances would gladly trade. And then there’s the worldwide suffering. Isis. Poverty. Cancer. That’s a hard hard.

But I keep asking because your prayers are real help. They strengthen me to make it up my hard hills – not nearly as breathless.

Thank God:

• I’m stronger!
• Your love, prayers, and encouragement
• Hair – no hats! (But some pretty hideous hair days!)
• The Wonder Drug
• Tim’s patience and love
• Reports of God using the cancer for good
• Teaming with Zach

Ask God:

• Wisdom to cope (take meds?) with the “drug from hell”
• Death to any remaining cancer cells
• Walk as a dearly loved child of God. Living a life of love. His.Princess.Warrior. (Believe the truth!)
• Energy and clarity of mind and power of the Spirit to write, tell stories, comfort others, and prepare to start teaching again
• Waterfall of blessing, no worries in a year of drought. Bearing much fruit. (Jer 17:8)

Thanking God for you!

Love, Becky (His.Princess.Warrior.)

He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many. (2 Corinthians 1:10-11)