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Despite Our Best Efforts

Image ~ ~ Becky Michel

Dear Family and Friends,

What does “by faith,” “standing in grace,” “hoping in the glory of God,” look like when the downpour of loss and grief and life’s “hard” pelts, relentless?

Jacqui and I were drenched in metaphorical truth this morning.

Why blog after 16 months of nothing?  Because we all get pelted – despite our best efforts.

Forever grateful,

Becky

P.S. Quick Update

  • I’m learning what it looks like to rejoice when facing all kinds of grief. Breast Cancer #2 launched three years of life’s “hard.” Currently grieving the loss of my Mom. (July 18, 1940 – May 19, 2018 – two years after we lost Dad)IMG_4992
  • Good News! All six-month mammograms have been clear!
  • Daily Tamoxifen (meds to keep cells from feeding on estrogen) seems to be working – no metastases – but the sleep disturbances and memory issue side-effects have been life-altering.

Satisfy us in the morning with Your unfailing love so that we may rejoice and be glad all our days! Psalm 90:14

When It’s NOT Cancer – but Toxic Nonetheless: Living “By Faith”

Image ~ ~ Becky Michel

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Feeling “Dearly Loved!” I passionately declared “But God is BIGGER!” in the Stories of Lasting Change video Harvest produced last spring. Four minutes worth seeing! Inspiring (and you’ll want a “But God” tattoo!) May my life show this truth – more and more! 

Dear Family and Friends,

When a cancer survivor experiences stomach pain daily for nearly a month, her oncologist orders a CT to “make sure we didn’t miss anything.”

But if that cancer survivor has recently watched the entire Sherlock series for the first time, she might dig for a less obvious (and more benign!) explanation for her pain.

Tim is calling me “Sherlock,” and I like it! (You may recall: Sherlock is actually a girl’s name.)

After some investigation and experimentation, I have been pain free for a week. And I think I’ve discovered the source.

Super gross BUT not cancer! (Remember the hickeys and spider bites after breastcancer#1?)

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Update 5/28 – Trending Stronger

Image ~ ~ Becky Michel

IMG_2557Dear praying friends and family,

Thank you for helping us with your prayers!

A friend from school told me her church prays for me every morning, and last week I met a handful of people who said, “You don’t know me, but I feel like I know you. I pray for you every night.” I am so encouraged when you remind me, “We’re praying for you!”

Here’s the Latest:

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Update 4/2 – Because you Care and Many Pray

Image ~ ~ Becky Michel
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3/22 Check-up only — no chemo! (I know – why the weird face? Mint? But Tim looks great!)

 “I can be fun – when it’s absolutely necessary – for short amounts of time.” -Tim Michel (When discussing what I need most from him.)

Dear praying family and friends,

Although I had high hopes of completing my promised four part post, “Facing the Facts,” I was only able to write parts one and two before entering a month of BIG TIME, day to day,  facing the facts.

That last chemo (3/1) was a doozy, and I was too pooped and foggy to blog a single word.

Today’s post is an Update. I’m wishing it were art, but I realize it’s more like a list written in crayon.

Because you care, and many pray – and I need you.

Here’s the Latest:

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Facing the Facts (Part 1) – A Year of Drought

Image ~ ~ Becky Michel

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Dear praying friends and family,

Do you know I’m blogging for three reasons: Prayer. Declare. Share.? Have you checked out the “About” page? Because…

As my final chemo treatment approaches (Tuesday), I’m super reflective and need to write about all three, so I’m posting in four parts: 1. A Year of Drought  2. Forever Side Effects  3. Girlhood Dreams  4. Lifelong Prognosis. Unless…

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Good Medicine

Image ~ ~ Becky Michel

Dear Friends,

I love to laugh!

A student once confessed he could hear me and my students laughing from his Latin class next door. When he went home, he told his mom, “I want to be in the laughing class.” I like that!

A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing… – Proverbs 17:22 (Amplified Bible)

Cancer Humor

My first laugh-out-loud incident since this diagnosis was something a radiologist said after he biopsied my breast.

I laid there fairly traumatized – it’s not painful, but emotionally (and physically!) I’m exposed –  and fairly certain of an impending 2nd cancer diagnosis.

Although teary and spent, I realized this man’s expertise is a gift to me, and full of genuine gratitude I say, “Thank you. Really. Thank you for helping me.” And he responds,

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Update 2/14 – For Better or Worse

Image ~ ~ Becky Michel

scanned-photo114.jpgDear praying family and friends,

You’re tenderly asking, “How are you feeling?” As promised, here’s my Update – but it’s not coming from steroid induced “Power Princess” as I had anticipated in my previous post.

  • Becky’s Fairy Tale World:  “Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo,” magic wands, and dancing the night away with Productivity.
  • Becky’s Fractured Fairy Tale: The “Super Ball” felt more like a mosh pit!

Here’s the Latest:

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