just a quote to ponder on....

“When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will then know peace”

Growing up the thought of being 25 years old seemed so far away and when I got to that point I would be so old, so far I'm right! You ask a person in there 40's and 25 is a "spring chicken". I have one thing to say, if 25 is a spring chicken I don't ever want to be 50!! I know that God has a plan for me and that he would never give me more than I can handle with His help. These days I have found myself wondering... how much more God?

From my last blog, (which I am fully aware was a long time ago, Michelle) things seemed to have been getting better and now worse. I had my radiation therapy and was looking forward to the recovery process. I had been slowly gaining strength back. Don't get me wrong, I still can't run to the end of my driveway, but non the less, better than before. Last week I caught an awful cough/cold from my hubby... thanks babe. What to most would be just a common bug, hits me twice as hard with a weak immune system (Grave's is an auto-immune disease). For most, a few doses of Sudafed and you're good to go, but with Grave's I'm not aloud to take any antihistamines. Believe me when I say that sucks!

The night before last I was at home and I started to get a headache. This "headache" sooned turned into me laying on the couch in severe pain and blurred vision. I took some Advil and went to bed. Yesterday morning, I called the doctor. By lunch I was at my desk with my head between my legs on the phone moving my 4:00 appointment to ASAP!! Jimmy had to come get me from work and rush me to the doctor. Turns out I am having intense stress induced migraines. The doc says I need more rest... not just slowing it down but slam on your brakes rest. She gave me some sleeping pills and some emerency migraine pills. They seem to work, yesterday afternoon I had another and it was gone in 10 minutes after I took the pill.

I know that this blog has served as a bad news post for me since I started it. It was intended that it be a good news post, where I could share my blessings. I have one blessing to share as of now. All that has happened has made me a prayer warrior. I still have a hard time praying out loud in front of others but my God knows that I have called on Him and He will be the one that pulls me through this. Well, maybe one more blessing... through all of the turmoil, I have been unbelievably loved on. I take advantage sometimes the people who care for me, but when I'm down and they come to the rescue, I truely feel their love. Thank you to all of you. :)

I see the end of the tunnel!!

For those of you that have seen or spoken to me in the last few weeks, you know the battle I am fighting... On Sunday, August 10th, I woke up feeling extremely faint and weak. After noticing that I had lost a great deal of weight over the last few months, I felt it time to see a professional. On the following Tuesday, I had blood tests done. On Thursday, I had more blood tests done. After all this, it was discovered that I have extreme hyperthyroiditis. To keep it short, my thyroid is on overdrive! My doctor referred me to an endocrinologist... Unfortunately, the specialist had no available appointments until September 18th!

Fortunately for me, I have a large group of prayer warriors standing behind me. On Saturday night of last week, I met with the Broome/Gompers clan to have a time of prayer on my behalf. My special friend, Sandy, was kind enough to do some research and locate a few other endocrinologists in Charlotte. Monday morning I called the doctor to give them one more chance to get me an earlier appointment before I scheduled elsewhere.... needless to say, I had a call back from them by 11:00am saying they had a last minute cancellation and could see me that afternoon. God is good!

I met with Dr. Robinson and after a quick examination, it was clear to him that I had Grave's Disease. I find it easier to tell you to google the term, rather that explaining it to you. In short, it is what triggered my hyperthyroiditis.... The doc did one other test to confirm before telling me treatment options. His prognosis was correct.

On Friday of next week, September 5th, I will have to have what it is called a radio-iodine treatment. Basically a direct form of radiation to kill the overactive part of my thyroid. After three months, I will more than likely be put on a thyroid hormone that I will have to take for the rest of my life.

I realize that these types of issues are not very uncommon, but it doesn't make them any easier to swallow at 25! I have a small request and that is that you keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I go through the procedure next week...

Anyone married knows that everyday with your spouse is not a piece of cake. There are times when you disagree about one thing or another and you feel the need to let the other know. I do my fair share of being the informer in these situations. My husband, who claims to have no patience, would agree. He has come out the "better man" many times. This past week, he who has no patience has been patient with me. I am thankful for this.

Beyond being frustrated with each other and getting over our differences, we have reason to smile...

This morning I went to Christenbury Eye Center to have a consultation done for a Lasik surgery procedure. I hate the thought of glasses and contacts for the rest of my life so this was exciting. I will have the procedure done before the end of September this year. The smiling doesn't end here...

Many of you that know that Jimmy has worked for his family business for his entire career, minus a few months here and there. Recently he has been given the opportunity to spread his wings a bit and he seems to be flying. He was given a promotion to be the manager of the body shop and although this heavily increased his work load, it has given him room to grow professionally as well. This morning he called me absolutely excited... he got his own business cards. This means little to most but huge to him and I am so proud.

All though both things are small to most... It makes me remember that even the small blessings count.

the reason why...

So today I was reading the blog of my dear friend Sandy Broome. She makes a comment about the reason why people "blog". There are so many reasons; updating your friends and family about your every day life, venting about the things that are going on, tracking the small things that happen in life that you don't want to forget. All of these are understandably good reasons to blog. My reason? I need an out. I need a place where I can right down the thoughts in my head... to get them out of my head. I am a worrier. It is my nature. I can not change it. I try and lay things down to God. "God, this is yours now, I'm done with it." This sounds simple enough, right? Wrong. This would be a huge thing to be freed from.

I live, what you might call, a priviledged life. I get what I want most anytime I want it. I have an outstanding husband (even though I am fully aware sometimes I don't deserve him). I have a beautiful home and an excellent job. I have what some would call fairytale. I forget sometimes though. I want to make a point in my blogs to try to recognize the things that I am thankful for rather than dwelling on the things that cause me to worry. If you are my friend and reading this, hold me accountable. :)