Psalm 62:1-2

Thursday, September 20, 2012

I'm DONE!!

The day has finally come! I am finished with 7 weeks of radiation and my last 3 rounds of chemo. It has been an overwhelming day for me. Tears of joy all day long. The thought of being done and not being at the cancer center every day makes me so excited to think that normal life is just around the corner. I go back to meet with my doctor in a few weeks to discuss the next steps as far as follow up appointments and scans. Until then I will be recovering from this last round. The radiation burnt my chest up pretty bad so I am using some burn cream in hopes to clear that up soon. Even though I am still fighting through this last round of chemo, I have this splurge of energy just knowing that I am finished. I feel so relieved at this point to be home back with Stephen and our pups.

The Lord has been so faithful to me through everything. He has never once let me go. Even when I felt weak and incapable of fighting. He remained constant. I am so grateful for that and for His steadfast spirit that has lifted me up at me lowest. I continue growing and learning about the plans the Lord has for me and my life. This journey is just another part of my story written for His glory.

"Perfect, Jesus, no you won't let me go"

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Nat's Night

This is Kimba hi-jacking the blog momentarily! One of Natalie's best friends, Chelsea Yerger, is spear heading an amazing event to help raise funds for Natalie's ongoing medical care in 2013. She is putting together a wonderful fajita dinner, silent auction and live entertainment. It will be hosted at Lake Arlington Baptist Church on October 27th. It is going to be a wonderful evening of good food and fellowship. We hope you will join us in honoring Natalie and Stephen! To purchase your tickets visit the website - http://natsnight.myevent.com/

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Still going strong...

It has been a while since we have posted. Life gets crazy in the midst of treatments. A week ago today, I finished my first round of chemo and two weeks of radiation since I had my surgery. The regimen for chemo consists of infusion for 7 days. On the first Monday, I was there for 8 hours for infusion and then the tattooing and molding needed for radiation. Then, Tuesday through Saturday, I was there every day for 3 hours of infusion followed by radiation. I was also wearing a fanny pack every day that was pumping medicine through my port in my chest. I went back Sunday to finish the week with a shot to help with my white blood count. Needless to say, it was a looooong week. This past week I only had radiation so it seemed like a piece of cake. I have been feeling really good since my first round of chemo. I was having some issues sleeping due to the steroid medicine they would give me every day to help me feel good during treatment. I guess you chose if you would rather feel good the week of chemo or not sleep the week after. I would rather lose sleep any day than feel nauseous during chemo. I will have two more rounds like that. My next round will be starting on the 20th of August. I hate to even complain about my cancer and treatments. When I am sitting up there making friends with other people who are fighting a tougher battle than me, it makes me realize how much easier my journey has been. I am so grateful that I found out in January about my cancer and will be finishing up in the beginning part of the new year. Some of my new friends at the cancer center have been coming for years or they are back again for another battle. I can't help but sit and pray for them as I am receiving chemo because my heart hurts for them as they continue fighting. It has just become a part of their life. I pray God wraps His arms around them and gives them the strength He has given me. God always has a way to put things into perspective for me while I'm there. It has made me enjoy my days so much more than I ever have before. It has allowed me to be more positive about the little things in life. It has shown me that any news put before me is going to be handled by God, all I need to do is be still and obedient. He will work out the rest. I love looking back at everything since January 16th and see how God has been walking with us every step of the way. He knows exactly what is going to happen because He has already chose our story. We can still say "Blessed be Your name" and "It is well with my soul". All we need to do is trust Him and know that it will all work out for the absolute best for us and for His glory.

One of my dearest friends and her wonderful mother are planning a fundraiser dinner/silent auction that will be held at the church Stephen and I grew up in, Lake Arlington Baptist Church. It will be Saturday, October 27th, 2012. I will be posting more things as the details come together, but I wanted to just go ahead and let everyone know the date so you can mark your calendars! We will be entering 2013 having to meet our $12,000 deductible once more. We are so humbled and grateful that they are putting something like this together so that we aren't strained for finances.

Here is a picture of my hair/brows/lashes coming back! It's crazy how fast it starts coming back. I am trying to enjoy it for a few more days before this chemo takes it again.

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Yearn

Holy design
this place in time
that i might seek and find my God
my God

Lord i want to yearn for You
i want to burn with passion
over You and only You
Lord i want to yearn

Your joy is mine
yet why am i fine
with all my singing and bringing grain
in light of Him

oh You give life and breath
through Him You give all things
in Him we live and move
that's why i sing

I love the lyrics to this good ol' Shane & Shane song called "Yearn". Stephen's band, Reverchon, played it not too long ago and the words just stayed with me. Through everything that we go through, still wanting to yearn for Him and burn with passion should be our focus. We are saying, "no matter what You throw our way, no matter good or bad, we are still Yours. " We are alive in Him and if we allow Him to work in our lives, so many wonderful things can and will happen. I just love the idea of my heart burning for the Lord. What a difference it would make if we had such a deep passion for Him.

My prayer everyday through my walk with cancer is asking my merciful Savior to use me. I know I am going through this for a purpose. Sometimes we don't see and understand that purpose until later, but I know my God is a God of grace and mercy. So whatever my purpose is through this, I want to be used in a way that God receives all the glory and touches other peoples lives in such a way that they wonder where my strength comes from. I encourage you with whatever is going on in your life to let God use you. Yearn for God with a burning passion that flows in and through you and unto others.

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,for our “God is a consuming fire.” --Hebrews 12:28-29

Friday, July 6, 2012

The Next Step...

Well...16 days has come and gone since my surgery. I have to say the recovery from the double mastectomy wasn't too bad. If I had to complain about anything it would be not being able to get out of a recliner on my own for a few days, sleeping in a recliner, eating in a recliner basically being best friends with a recliner. After about 6 days of our friendship I was done. I decided that was about enough and I slowly started getting back to a somewhat normal way of life. At this point, I am pretty close to being fully recovered. There are a few things that I still am having a hard time doing with my right side where the lymph nodes were removed . I can't complain though. The Lord truly gave me every bit of strength to get through the crazy week our family endured. My Nana passing within two weeks of being diagnosed of cancer a few days before my surgery was tough. I was constantly reminding myself that God knows the timing of my surgery and He knows the timing of taking my Nana to be with Him. Dealing with that and not being able to attend her funeral was a hard thing. I know in my heart she wouldn't have wanted my surgery to be postponed for any reason, and that was such a comfort. We were able to spend a couple of hours together a few days before she passed and I am so grateful for that time. I am so thankful for her positive attitude and contagious sweet spirit. No matter what was put before her, she was going to have a smile on her face. I was blessed to have her as my angel at my surgery.

I wasn't really sure emotionally or mentally how prepared I was to see myself the first time the bandages were removed. I know the Lord prepared me every step of the way though. I can honestly say I haven't shed a tear. I remind myself that this isn't the end and that reconstruction can happen in January if thats what I decide and we can take that route financially. Once again... just like my hair doesn't make me Natalie Jones my boobs don't either. God has truly taught me that beauty is from within and my heart chasing after Him is the most beautiful thing in the end. I am also so thankful for a husband who constantly lifts me up and encourages me everyday through this journey.

We met with our doctor today to discuss the next steps. He suggests doing 2 or 3 rounds of chemo along with 6 weeks of radiation. There are pros and cons to doing the chemo and not doing the chemo which is more of a preventative treatment for the future due to the size of my tumor when it was found, my age and the fact that no cancer was detected in our family. If I choose to do the chemo, the side effects could be, blood transfusions due to potential kidney damage, nerve tingling/numbness (neuropathy), partial hearing loss and a chance of developing leukemia down the road. If I choose to not do the chemo, I take a higher risk of developing cancer later in life and at that point it could possibly only be treatable and not curable. Needless to say, I was on information overload when I left the doctors office. I am still not sure at this point what option I am going to chose. Stephen and I are going to pray about it and decide what option seems best. Please pray that God will make the choice evident and clear to us. I know that whatever way we end up going with, He will guide and direct us just like He has been doing.

A HUGE praise (save the best for last) the pathology report came back after my surgery and the tumor was NOT detected and the 9 lymph nodes that were removed came back with NO cancer! So thankful! Talk about the power of prayer! Thank you so much for praying.

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Progress on My Beautiful Wife

Well, Round #6 of chemo is complete! That's the last of the originally scheduled chemotherapy treatments. So much reason to celebrate for that! There will most likely be another 2 or 3 rounds during her radiation treatments as well. The side effects from this round of chemo weren't too harsh on her body this time either, which is always a good thing. Natalie is recovering this week rather quickly so far and is looking forward to the next steps in this journey.

After meeting with her surgeon, Dr. Mary Brian, we have now set a few things in stone. The first being the date of the surgery. It has been scheduled for June 20th with a 4 hour pre-op session on the 19th. The second thing that was decided was the type of surgery. Instead of having a single mastectomy followed by radiation/treatments and then another mastectomy, she has opted for a full double mastectomy before starting her treatments followed by reconstructive surgery later this year. This will be beneficial on a few levels for her and should work out great in the end.

With each appointment, as I sit in, visit with and listen to the doctors and surgeons talking about the things that my wife will need to do, I can't help but to think "This is real life. This is really my bride, my love, my joy having to endure these things that no one person should have to go through.". Thoughts like this make me contemplate the very real effect of sin in our world. The reason we even have things like diseases such as cancer. Thoughts like this fuel my hatred for sin, but thoughts like this also fuel my love, desire and need for my Savior. He is the one thing that has defeated sin and rose victorious. He is the one reason why we hope. Why we know Natalie will be ok no matter what the outcome. Romans 8:28 says, "For we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Natalie and I will continue to bring God the glory He deserves in and through all of this.

Ways you can continue to help

As this journey has progressed, God has been faithful in every way we could imagine to continue to hold us in this time. For that, we are so grateful. We have began to get an idea of how long this battle will last by information from our doctors and testimonies from other cancer patients. With Natalie unable to work, and medical bills that don't seem to have an end in sight, please be in prayer that finances will be the last thing we would have to worry about even into 2013 as the journey will continue with scans, tests and medications every few months.

"Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.

Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken." Psalm 62:1-2

Welcome our new precious niece, Hattie Marie. She is already supporting her Aunt Natalie in this journey. We love her so much!

Also, be praying for Natalie's Nana. She was just diagnosed with cancer. We will be finding out more details with her soon. Please pray for her and our family as we support her in this journey. Her sweet and encouraging spirit is already so uplifting.

For daily updates/info/pics throughout this journey, follow us on Instagram and Twitter!

Instagram
@thatonejones
@natjonesy

Twitter
@thatonejones

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

God chose me

The night of Monday. January 16th 2012 will always be the night God "chose" me for this journey. Stephen and I were headed home from the store to make a new recipe I was trying to be a chef of a wife which sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. That's when the phone rang and the evening took a totally different direction. The only two words I got out of the whole five minute conversation was "malignant" and "chemotherapy." To be honest the first thought when the words were spinning out of control in my mind was " I'm going to lose my hair." I know that's pathetic but let's be real I have been growing my hair out since I was a sophomore in high school and I'm a woman... we have hair. We pull up at our house and we are just sitting there crying together and trying to gather what had just happened and what had been said. In my mind, I wanted answers to so many questions. How far along the cancer has progressed? What treatment looks like? Why God chose me? Why at this age? Doesn't God know we were wanting to have a baby? Should I get a second opinion? Maybe this was a mistake.

Stephen and I headed to my parents where my two brothers and sister in law all sat down and not only shed tears together but laughed and tried to find any bit of humor out of what God has placed into our lives on this night. We got a game plan together on how we were going to begin this journey. We huddled together and prayed to our big God and poured out our hearts, confessed our worries but that we trusted Him with our fears and questions. I am so blessed to have a husband and a family to surround me with love, prayers and encouragement on that night. God knew exactly who I needed in this life for this journey. He continues amazing me every step of the way. He shows me that He is so much bigger than any worry or situation that I am given and to just trust Him. Beginning with insurance issues, delayed chemo, liver issues the Lord has been so abounding in love to say Natalie "Trust me in the good, the bad and the unknown." He will always provide the way. I have learned in this journey that its not always our timing and about what we want. It's about what is best for us according to God's plan even when we don't understand at the time. It has taken me a long time (and still learning) to realize and understand that. This journey with cancer has been a gift. I know at first that is a crazy and weird thing to understand. The gift of cancer has given me the opportunity to show people the reflection of Christ even in the midst of my hardship. Isn't that what its about? Reflecting God even when things get rough and out of our control. I decided from the very beginning I wasn't going to "waste" cancer. I was not going to waste this opportunity to show people that I have a bigger and better God than this cancer and with Him, I was NOT going to be shaken. I was NOT going to be scared. I was NOT going to let it bring me down. I am so grateful for the things God has taught me in these last few months. Things I could have never learned if it wasn't for me going through this. Sometimes He works in crazy ways and takes you on crazy paths, but ultimately when we trust in His sovereign plan, we are so much better off then any other way we could have chosen.

One of the hardest things as a woman was losing my hair and God has shown me that my hair doesn't define me. I was sitting at home alone on Thursday, February 16th and my hair was coming out to the touch. That was pretty emotional for me to see. I knew it was going to happen and I even talked about it like no big deal, but to actually see the clumps falling out and filling the trash was way harder than I thought. The next morning I decided to shave it. I wanted it off. Stephen and I sat in our bathroom and the razor started and that was it. The first few pieces were gone. I thought that it was going to be a lot harder to have shaved my head, but once it was all said and done I felt a huge burden lifted off me. God has shown me that its not about my hair. Yes, it was hard to lose something that I loved and something that makes me (or at least I thought) a woman. We as women get so wrapped up in our outer beauty that sometimes we forget to focus on our inner beauty. It is when we put our hope and trust in the Lord that we can discover the true beauty that is deep inside. God reminded me that my hair is going to come back, its not gone forever. It doesn't make me Natalie Jones. I would have never had the opportunity to learn this deep truth if it wasn't for cancer.

Those are just a few things God has taught me. We would be here all night if I told you everything!

Round 5 starts Monday and I am ready! I know God has His arms wrapped around me. He is my absolute strength every day. I am grateful for that.

"Thank you Lord for giving me this gift to show me how to love You more, trust You in everything and reflect You."

Psalm 62:1-2 " I will NOT be shaken"

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