Wonders and Miracles Podcast Interview

I had the amazing honor of being featured as a guest on the podcast WONDERS and MIRACLES on May 10, 2021.  

It is an interesting story how it came to be. About a year and a half ago, I was asked to write an article for the Utah American Mother's Association website.  You can find that HERE. Or to go to the direct link go HERE.  

The article was titled HAPPY IN THE HARD and it was about my tsunami of health trials that hit basically all at once.  One of our members saw the article and wrote me and told me I needed to share my story on the podcast Wonders and Miracles.  She made connections with the podcast originator and shortly after I was then asked to be on the podcast by Liza Lawrence who is the originator and host of the podcast.  She asked if I could be on it in December of 2019.  I was unable to do that at the time and so I wrote back and told her that I just would not be able to right then and she wrote back trying to urge me to do it but knowing I was just unable to squeeze it in at that time, I just kind of forgot about it and never wrote back. 

Fast forward to a few weeks ago. I received an email from Liza explaining her friend had told her about my story and she asked if I would be interested in being a featured guest. I don't think she remembered our previous correspondence. Interestingly enough, I had just listened to a talk about women needing to use our voices more in the world right now and not hiding them because our voices are in great need. So when this opportunity came I felt like I should just bury my fears and do it. It wasn't an easy thing to do, though it was an easy choice to decide. I felt like Heavenly Father had been preparing me with messages of how important it is for us to put ourselves out there even if it's scary so the world can have good things along with so much out there that is not good. 

She was very happy I agreed and we decided to record it on April 28th.  I really did not have a lot of time to prepare but I had printed off the article I wrote and went back through some blog posts and photos and felt like I would be good if I could just use my notes.  I got an email about 20 minutes before we were set to record to inform me that it would also be on YouTube. I wrote back asking about that and explaining I needed to have notes and so I asked if we could not do the video part. She said it was no big deal because she only has 100 subscribers on YouTube and one thousand on her podcast and to not worry about it all. Not worry?  haha  I would have washed my hair, had plastic surgery, a total overhaul had I known. JK (kind of).

 HERE is the direct link to the podcast. 
Or try THIS.

Lovely freeze frame. Just lovely. 

HERE is the YouTube link.

Truly honored and humbled to have been asked to be a featured guest on this amazing podcast @wondersandmiracles with Liza Weaver Lawrence. I am grateful for the privilege and opportunity to share some of the miracles I experienced during a time in my life when the rain was pouring down hard. 🌧☔️⛈

HAPPY in the HARD (aka Choose Joy!) American Mother's Website article

Happy in the Hard

Last year my longtime dream of running the Boston Marathon came to fruition for the second time. I was on cloud nine with great hopes of running it yet again in the future. Then, without warning, things took a sharp turn. Adversity seemed to strike in the blink of an eye without notifying me or alerting me it was on its way.

One of my all-time favorite quotes is by Martha Washington, who said, “I've learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our disposition and not on our circumstances.”

I always thought I believed that, but then life happened.

I’ve always tried to maintain a high level of fitness and health, but I learned firsthand that life is fragile and no matter how much we take care of ourselves, our bodies can still sell us out and surprise us with things we never anticipated.

Beginning in the late November last year, I was told I had a herniated disk. While I was trying to process that in my mind and how it would affect me as a runner I was diagnosed with breast cancer. That news came out of nowhere. Then two weeks before Christmas a fun family outing resulted in a snowmobile crushing my right leg from the knee to my ankle, breaking my fibula and tearing all my ligaments. At the time I did not fully realize the extent of the damage or how long the recovery would be. Showing up three days later for my cancer surgery in a wheelchair was not part of my plan. The surgery went as well as could be expected, but the following day I was diagnosed with blood clots in my leg. You could say I was feeling a bit overwhelmed, but also very grateful the clots were discovered (thanks to my physician husband) which literally saved my life. Still, I was unable to walk or put any weight on my leg and so I was basically laid up for several months. Not wanting to be left out of the party I was having, my mom was rushed to the hospital with chest pain and ended up having a quadruple bypass on Christmas Eve. Due to my current situation, I regretfully was unable to be there. How grateful I was that her 99% blockage hadn’t resulted in any permanent damage.

With my mom’s trauma under control my focus centered on treating my breast cancer.  Having had friends go through chemotherapy and radiation, I had an unsettling fear and worry about the whole process.  Although my surgeon was fairly certain I would need chemotherapy, I was grateful when my oncotype score revealed I would only need five weeks of radiation. During this time I was also diagnosed with severe osteoporosis, but my oncologist still insisted I be on hormone therapy pills for the next 10 years. Despite all that, the relief of not being subjected to chemotherapy was perhaps the best Christmas present I have ever received.

My activity came to a complete stop as I convalesced for the next several months. This was foreign to me. I had to use a walker for the very little activity I could do, like getting in the shower or going to doctor appointments and radiation treatments at the Huntsman. Just putting on a single sock in the morning took a good five minutes or more. It was rather comical. I began to see how much I took for granted in my pre-injured life and was filled with deep gratitude for all the things I could still do. 

It wasn’t all bad however. Being forced to slow down in my daily life was actually kind of sweet. I just pretended that I was in a luxurious spa every day where people brought me three meals a day and took care of all my previous obligations, while I sat around watching old movies and catching up on my reading. Truth be told, I actually did very little reading because it took too much brain power. My brain was working overtime trying to heal a very long list of ailments and there was little energy left in it for much else. Kind of how motherhood makes you feel at times!  However, it was a nice respite from the fast paced life I was used to and not having a to-do list other than healing was freeing.

Despite the slower pace, this was a very challenging and frustrating time for me, but I knew I had a choice in how I responded. Early on I decided that I was going to focus on three things as I tried to patiently endure. I was going to approach this time with positivity, gratitude and humor. It wasn’t always easy, but making that decision going into it really helped me pull through some rough patches and made it possible to find happiness in the hard.

In March I received news that my talus (ankle) bone had died due to a lack of blood flow. The specialist called it avascular necrosis (AVN). He told me that due to the injury I would no longer be able to run. I was devastated. Those who know me know that is even worse than asking me to give up chocolate!  Running is one of my greatest blessings.  It is my therapy. Despite this news, I was filled with deep gratitude that I would at least walk normally again. However, the stubbornness in me chose to focus on the hope that I would run eventually.

In June I decided to see another specialist to get a second opinion and a new MRI. Thankfully, after much prayer and fasting, this doctor told me that my ankle was alive and there were no signs of AVN. I was gratefully stunned at the miracle I had received. As I write this, things are starting to get back to normal, and even though running is still in the far distant future, I am filled with gratitude that it is now a possibility.

Circumstances in life are not always ideal.  In fact, most of the time they aren’t. So, how can we still be happy when life gets hard? 

We all have challenges in our lives and we will have more in the future. That is a given. Most of them we can’t change or control. We can only control how we choose to react to them. One thing we know for certain is that we all only have a limited number of days here on earth. Each day we can either choose to focus on what we don’t have or focus on all we do have and be grateful for it. If we put our focus on gratitude and being positive, we can learn to laugh through our toughest challenges and we will feel the joy. 

In my home I have a sign with a quote by Gordon Hinckley. It says, “In all of living have much fun and laughter. Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured.”  That is pure wisdom right there, but ofttimes, we think we are only going to find joy once our trials and hardships are removed, when the truth is joy can be found  right in the midst of our adversity. Happiness is in the journey, so cherish the moments.

Time is so precious. Life is a gift. It is truly a miracle. It is ours for the embracing. Embrace it. Enjoy it. And while doing so reach for and find that joy despite what your circumstances may currently be. The choice is yours.

-Jodi Wilding

Happy in the Hard

*I published on a post a few weeks ago another article I wrote titled "Expect Miracles".  This is a different version of that, but with some repeats.  This one will be published on the American Mother's state website.

Happy in the Hard

Last year my longtime dream of running the Boston Marathon came to fruition for the second time. I was on cloud nine with great hopes of running it yet again in the future. Then, without warning, things took a sharp turn. Adversity seemed to strike in the blink of an eye without notifying me or alerting me it was on its way.

One of my all-time favorite quotes is by Martha Washington, who said, “I've learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our disposition and not on our circumstances.”

I always thought I believed that, but then life happened.

I’ve always tried to maintain a high level of fitness and health, but I learned firsthand that life is fragile and no matter how much we take care of ourselves, our bodies can still sell us out and surprise us with things we never anticipated.

Beginning in the late November last year, I was told I had a herniated disk. While I was trying to process that in my mind and how it would affect me as a runner I was diagnosed with breast cancer. That news came out of nowhere. Then two weeks before Christmas a fun family outing resulted in a snowmobile crushing my right leg from the knee to my ankle, breaking my fibula and tearing all my ligaments. At the time I did not fully realize the extent of the damage or how long the recovery would be. Showing up three days later for my cancer surgery in a wheelchair was not part of my plan. The surgery went as well as could be expected, but the following day I was diagnosed with blood clots in my leg. You could say I was feeling a bit overwhelmed, but also very grateful the clots were discovered (thanks to my physician husband) which literally saved my life. Still, I was unable to walk or put any weight on my leg and so I was basically laid up for several months. Not wanting to be left out of the party I was having, my mom was rushed to the hospital with chest pain and ended up having a quadruple bypass on Christmas Eve. Due to my current situation, I regretfully was unable to be there. How grateful I was that her 99% blockage hadn’t resulted in any permanent damage.

With my mom’s trauma under control my focus centered on treating my breast cancer.  Having had friends go through chemotherapy and radiation, I had an unsettling fear and worry about the whole process.  Although my surgeon was fairly certain I would need chemotherapy, I was grateful when my oncotype score revealed I would only need five weeks of radiation. During this time I was also diagnosed with severe osteoporosis, but my oncologist still insisted I be on hormone therapy pills for the next 10 years. Despite all that, the relief of not being subjected to chemotherapy was perhaps the best Christmas present I have ever received.

My activity came to a complete stop as I convalesced for the next several months. This was foreign to me. I had to use a walker for the very little activity I could do, like getting in the shower or going to doctor appointments and radiation treatments at the Huntsman. Just putting on a single sock in the morning took a good five minutes or more. It was rather comical. I began to see how much I took for granted in my pre-injured life and was filled with deep gratitude for all the things I could still do. 

It wasn’t all bad however. Being forced to slow down in my daily life was actually kind of sweet. I just pretended that I was in a luxurious spa every day where people brought me three meals a day and took care of all my previous obligations, while I sat around watching old movies and catching up on my reading. Truth be told, I actually did very little reading because it took too much brain power. My brain was working overtime trying to heal a very long list of ailments and there was little energy left in it for much else. Kind of how motherhood makes you feel at times!  However, it was a nice respite from the fast paced life I was used to and not having a to-do list other than healing was freeing.

Despite the slower pace, this was a very challenging and frustrating time for me, but I knew I had a choice in how I responded. Early on I decided that I was going to focus on three things as I tried to patiently endure. I was going to approach this time with positivity, gratitude and humor. It wasn’t always easy, but making that decision going into it really helped me pull through some rough patches and made it possible to find happiness in the hard.

In March I received news that my talus (ankle) bone had died due to a lack of blood flow. The specialist called it avascular necrosis (AVN). He told me that due to the injury I would no longer be able to run. I was devastated. Those who know me know that is even worse than asking me to give up chocolate!  Running is one of my greatest blessings.  It is my therapy. Despite this news, I was filled with deep gratitude that I would at least walk normally again. However, the stubbornness in me chose to focus on the hope that I would run eventually.

In June I decided to see another specialist to get a second opinion and a new MRI. Thankfully, after much prayer and fasting, this doctor told me that my ankle was alive and there were no signs of AVN. I was gratefully stunned at the miracle I had received. As I write this, things are starting to get back to normal, and even though running is still in the far distant future, I am filled with gratitude that it is now a possibility.

Circumstances in life are not always ideal.  In fact, most of the time they aren’t. So, how can we still be happy when life gets hard?

We all have challenges in our lives and we will have more in the future. That is a given. Most of them we can’t change or control. We can only control how we choose to react to them. One thing we know for certain is that we all only have a limited number of days here on earth. Each day we can either choose to focus on what we don’t have or focus on all we do have and be grateful for it. If we put our focus on gratitude and being positive, we can learn to laugh through our toughest challenges and we will feel the joy. 

In my home I have a sign with a quote by Gordon Hinckley. It says, “In all of living have much fun and laughter. Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured.”  That is pure wisdom right there, but ofttimes, we think we are only going to find joy once our trials and hardships are removed, when the truth is joy can be found  right in the midst of our adversity. Happiness is in the journey.  Cherish the moments.

Time is so precious. Life is a gift. It is truly a miracle. It is ours for the embracing. Embrace it. Enjoy it. And while doing so reach for and find that joy despite what your circumstances may currently be. The choice is yours.

“Joy is a mystery because it can happen anywhere, anytime, even under the most unpromising circumstances, even in the midst of suffering, with tears in its eyes....”

― Frederick Buechner

*Expect Miracles*

Expect Miracles

One of my favorite cartoons growing up was The Jetsons.  I remember sitting on the floor in front of the TV on Saturday mornings watching their robot maid Rosie take care of the entire house while the mother, Jane, used her automated appliances with ease.  Then when my mother would call me to do my chores (vacuuming was my least favored), I would think how amazing it would be to have a programmed robot do all the work for me. I certainly didn’t think a cleaning robot would ever actually be a possibility in my lifetime.

I must say one of the greatest blessings of living in this day and age is my Robot Vacuum.  I love how this technology has blessed my life. The first time she (we named her Rinda) cleaned my floors, I felt like I was living the dream just like Jane Jetson. It was so liberating to let a little machine take over an endless chore of mine, freeing up a good chunk of my time. Truly, a miracle of an invention to me!

Miracles are everywhere if we have eyes to see.  Being a mother trumps all other miracles as we marvel at the development of a child inside the womb.  Could there really be anything more miraculous? 

Albert Einstein said, “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”

I have experienced so many miracles.  And we all do everyday.  Isn’t it miraculous that you woke up this morning?  And that the sun came up and none of us had to do anything to make that happen!  You are breathing right now and you don’t have to make that happen.  And what about your heartbeat?  It just keeps beating away and you don’t even have to think about it. Just that fact that we are alive is a miracle. Life is fragile and can honestly be taken from us in a split-second without any warning or preparation.

When we can feel gratitude and joy for the simple things we usually take for granted, then no matter what is happening in our life at the moment, we truly start to see the miracles that are everywhere around us every day. 

The past seven months I have witnessed and received many miracles due to several challenges that seemed to hit all at once in my life. In November I found out I had a herniated disk in my back that would limit my activity.  Two weeks later, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  Two weeks after that, a snowmobile crushed my right leg from the knee to my ankle, breaking my fibula, tearing and spraining ligaments, and doing a lot of damage to my leg.  Three days after that, I had surgery for the cancer and the day after that I was diagnosed with several deep vein blood clots in my leg.  I was unable to walk or put any weight on my leg and so was basically laid up.  A week later on Christmas Eve, my mother had quadruple bypass open heart surgery and I was unable to be there. I looked up to the heavens to see if there was a bow and arrow pointing down and I was the target.

During all this time, I was waiting to hear if my cancer treatment was going to require chemotherapy.  I prayed with great fervency that I would be able to avoid it but all signs pointed to it being necessary.  When I got the computer model oncotype score back from my happily surprised oncologist telling me I would only need radiation followed by hormone suppression therapy, I knew I had just received a great miracle!  There are no words to describe the profound gratitude I felt.

My activity came to a complete stop as I convalesced for the next several months.  I had to use a walker for the very little activity I did do, like getting in the shower or going to doctor appointments and radiation treatments at the Huntsman. Just putting on a single sock in the morning took a good five minutes or more.  I began to see how much I took for granted in my pre-injured life and was filled with deep gratitude for all the things I could still do. 

It wasn’t all bad however. Being forced to slow down (or stop altogether) my daily life, was actually kind of sweet.  I just pretended that I was in a luxurious spa everyday where people brought me three meals a day and took care of all my previous obligations while I sat around watching old movies and catching up on my reading.  Truth be told, I actually did very little reading because it took too much brain power. My brain was working overtime trying to heal a very long list of ailments and there was little energy left in it for much else. Kind of how motherhood makes you feel at times!   However, it was a nice respite from the fast paced life I was used to and not having a to-do list other than healing was freeing.  I had time to just enjoy my visitors and my family.  I wasn’t constantly running from one thing to another. I had “time” to just enjoy this wonderful miracle of life. I also got a taste of what it must be like to be a pampered princess. Bless my poor husband and loving sons who turned into my man servants. 

Despite the slower pace, this was a very challenging and frustrating time for me, but, I knew I had a choice in how I responded. Early on I decided that I was going to focus on three things as I tried to patiently endure. I was going to approach this time with positivity, gratitude and humor. It wasn’t always easy, but making that decision going into it really helped me pull through some rough patches. I watched a lot of I Love Lucy and Carol Burnett reruns. They say laughing is the best medicine and if anyone can make you laugh it is Lucy and Carol!  

I began physical therapy in January for my knee and ankle and in March I went to an ankle specialist who told me that my talus bone was dying due to a lack of blood flow from avascular necrosis (AVN). He told me that due to the injury I would no longer be able to run. I was devastated. Those who know me know that is even worse than asking me to give up chocolate!  Running is one of my greatest blessings.  It is my therapy.  It is my livelihood. 

In June I saw another specialist to get a second opinion and get a new MRI. Much prayer, fasting, and blessings went into preparation for that appointment as I prayed intensely for another miracle.  I had been blessed with many people praying and fasting for me and I felt like I had enough faith for another miracle (at least as much as a mustard seed), but I wasn’t sure if I would be granted another one.  Yes, I know that God can do anything, I have a firm testimony of that, but there are limits aren’t there?

After reading my fresh and current MRI, this doctor told me that my ankle was alive and there were no signs of AVN.  I was stunned. Yes, I received another miracle!  I cannot deny the power of a loving Heavenly Father who has blessed me with miracle after miracle!

I don’t know why sometimes we are given the miracle and other times we are only given the strength to endure the challenge.  But I do know life is full of joy and love and no matter our circumstances just being alive is a miracle in itself.

We all have challenges in our lives and we will have more in the future. That is a given. Most of them we can’t change or control.  We can only control how we choose to react to them. One thing we know for sure is that we all only have a limited number of days here on earth. So each day we can either choose to focus on what we don’t have or focus on all we have to be grateful for.

Time is so precious.  Life is a gift.  It is a miracle. It is ours for the embracing as long as our arms aren’t already too full with our to-do lists. Embrace it. And while embracing it, expect miracles!

*Monday Memos*

*MONDAY MEMOS*

   

 (If pictures are too small, just click to enlarge) 
Weekly recap of my rather crazy, insane, but fun and rewarding life!

dear monday, HAPPY 80th BIRTHDAY to my MOM!!!!  Wow, I can't believe she is 80!  I am so grateful she is still here and home!!!  SO GRATEFUL!  Things could have turned out the other way so easily.  I am so blessed to have her as my mom.  As well as my dad.  I have truly been born of goodly parents.

Here is my post on Facebook:
• ❉HAPPY 80th BIRTHDAY!!!❉ .....to this incredible woman I am blessed to call my Mom! She is the SWEETEST, FUNNIEST, KINDEST, CUTEST, MOST UNSELFISH woman I know! She makes friends for life with complete strangers, everyone who knows her loves her, she is the life of the party, she is a riot to be around, and she has spent her life in the service of helping others. I am so grateful for her in my life! She has been through a lot the past few weeks and we are so grateful is doing well and on the mend! ☆ If I can become even half the woman she is I will consider my life a success! I love you Mom!
ღೋ ══════════╗
* ░H░A░P░P░Y░*80th* ░B░I░R░T░H░D░A░Y░! *
╚══════════ ೋღ

This walker was a joke my friends gave me for my 50th birthday but my mom had just had hip surgery and so needed hers. TODAY it wouldn't be a joke but for real as we are BOTH using one as we recover. Never saw that coming! LOL HAPPY 80th BIRTHDAY MOM!!! 

Today we had an appointment with Dr. Cannon at the Farmington Huntsman.  He is a very nice man.  Dave thought he was being funny by taking this photo.

He did an exam and then explained how the radiation treatments work.  My results are still not back!  Sigh....  But, that just gives me more time to pray for no chemo.  I will need 19 treatments of radiation or four weeks at five days a week.  I have to get a mold made of my arms and get a few tattoos!  Haha  He talked about if I need chemo and I asked how I would do that since my leg is still not healed and Dr. Poretta said they wouldn't start it until the leg is healed.  He said we might have to do radiation first.  Even though that is not regular protocol.  I really liked him.  I am so happy I am doing all this at Huntsman.  I feel so confident in all the docs.  I go back tomorrow to talk to Dr. Henry the oncologist.  I am getting pretty good in a wheelchair.  LOL  We went to Jimmy Johns in Layton for lunch.  I waited in the car because it was too much effort to get inside with the walker.  We both love Jimmy Johns.  We then went to Costco. My very first place I have gone other than the hospital and doctor appointments.  It was so nice to be in a store!  Dave wheeled me around in a wheelchair and pushed a basket at the same time.  I'm OUT!!!

We got a cake for my mom's birthday today.  I got the coat I was looking for and got one for my mom for her birthday!  Love it!!!  Dave took a few photos to commemorate the occasion!  Hehe  

Which color?
I got the blue.
Got my Mom the purple maroonish one.

We then stopped at my parent's house and took her her cake, some food, and birthday gifts as well as Christmas presents too.  It was so nice to visit with her!  

She is looking good.  My Dad has been such a trooper through all this.  He looked pretty tired and worn out.  They both did, but at least she is on the mend.  We didn't stay long because Dave had to get back to work.  My leg was really giving me fits.  Mainly the back of my knee for some reason, but holy, it hurt.  There was a party tonight for my mom that I was planning on going back to, but once I got home, I knew there was no way I could be on my leg again.  I just went upstairs and elevated it and ended up having to take a Tylenol (oh no!) for it.  Dave encouraged me to take a pain pill but I tried the Tylenol first and it helped.

dear tuesday, today I had my appointment in Farmington with Dr. Henry.

I took this of Dave this time because is always taking one of me.  Dr. Henry is really nice.  She examined me and I told her I was really hoping for no chemo.  She said the results were STILL not back!  Crazy!  We talked at length about chemo and what the results will have to be to avoid it. My tumor was upgraded to a grade 3 which is the highest and so that is NOT good, but my lymph nodes were good and it was hormone receptor positive and Her 2 negative which are all good. They put all the numbers in the computer to get the oncotype.  Best case is a 1 to 18 which is low risk and NO chemo.  19-25 is in the middle and not always sure what to do.  Anything over 30 means chemo for sure.  So, I'm praying for a low number!  She was very nice and when I told her how bad I didn't want to do chemo, she told me that there is still a chance I won't have to.  What a relief to hear that, but I was still pretty nervous. I have been trying to work on replacing my fear with faith. Not as easy as it sounds, but I have really been doing that.  I know there is a lot of power in faith. 

We headed to lunch at Tony's Pizza. We ordered it to go.  We shared a meatball sub in the car and got some pizzas to go.  

We took one to my parents.  Right after we arrived Home Health came in for their evaluation and so we waited until they left and then visited a bit.  My Mom looked really good and was doing pretty well.  We had a good visit.  We came home and Dave had meetings tonight. I just headed upstairs and rested.  And prayed.  Dr. Henry said she would call as soon as she got the results.  She said for sure by the 18th.

dear wednesday, IT'S A MIRACLE!!!! 

Today I received a miracle straight from heaven!!!  One of the best days of my entire life!!!  I was praying really hard and sincere about a lot of things but mostly that I could be blessed with a miracle of not having to do chemo.  I was casting out fear and trying to hold onto faith.  I visualized getting the phone call and feeling so happy when I was told my oncotype was lower than 25 and I wouldn't need chemo.  I told Heavenly Father that I had tried to endure it well and that I would be so grateful if there was any way to avoid chemo. I told Him I knew He could move mountains and so I KNEW He could make my numbers low.  I told Him I was trying to cast out the fear and have only faith that it would happen, then the phone rang.  It was a SLC number.  I knew it was the doctor calling with the results.  I was calm and answered it and she said, "Is this Jodi?  This is Dr. Henry.  Do you have a minute?"  That was a little worrisome, but I said yes.  She then said, "Your results came back.  And I have good news.  Your oncotype is 16."  Oh. My. Gosh!  I was stunned.  My heart stopped.  I was stunned.  

  

THIS MEANS NO CHEMO!!!

I told her, "Oh my gosh!  That is the best news ever!  THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!"  She went on to talk about the fact that I would not need chemo but she would have Dr. Cannon get in touch so we can move forward with the radiation.  She then talked to me about the chemo hormone therapy pills and side effects and how that will work.  I was SO relieved!  SO SO SO RELIEVED!!!  I cried.  I couldn't contain the relief and joy!  I have worried and stressed about this so much.  I have been so sick inside to think I would have to poison my body and I DO NOT HAVE TO!  I can't believe it!!!  What a HUGE BLESSING!  It truly is a MIRACLE!!!  I called Dave in tears.  He told me later, he was sure I was going to tell him it was high because I could barely talk when he answered.  I guess when I told him it was 16, he thought I was starting to say 60.  But he was positive anyway.  He was so happy for me as well.  I text the boys and my parents and Sky called and was so happy for me.  What a great thing.  I have learned so much from this.  So much. And I still have so much more to learn!  I feel so grateful and can't quit thanking Heavenly Father for this amazing miracle!  I text a million of my friends who have been asking so often if I have heard anything yet.  I was on the phone responding for a long time and thanking everyone for their prayers because I KNOW all the prayers offered in my behalf had the power to make this miracle happen.  I have had so many prayers and people putting my name in the temple.  Everyone is very happy for me.  Wow!  I am just so happy!  

Dave brought me an Old Grist Mill turkey bacon pesto sandwich and a raspberry roll to celebrate!   I got the sweetest text from my friend Lesa Stevenson.  Diane must have told her.  She was so kind and concerned and told me she wants to take me to lunch when she gets back from being out of the country.  She told me, "We are praying for you."   It made me wonder the timing of it all.  I wonder if an apostle prays for you, if it carries more weight.  Or if it is more powerful because their faith is greater than ours.  But, I have to wonder.  I got the call of no chemo and then I found out I was being prayed for by an apostle.  Gives me chills. 

My Facebook post:

I want to thank all of you who have been so kind for praying for me while I have been dealing with a few challenges this past couple of months. 🤪 I am here to testify that there is great power in prayer and those prayers were heard and answered and I am so GRATEFUL to each of you for them and for your concern. I am also here to testify that MIRACLES do still occur as I have received the very miracle I have been praying so desperately for. My oncotype results came back and I am so happy to report that I will not need to do chemo!!! It truly is a MIRACLE because everything was pointing in that direction. I will still have to do several weeks of radiation as well as chemo hormone therapy (pills) for 5 -10 years, but I am very grateful for those treatments that help stop the cancer from coming back. I have learned so much and will continue to learn about the workings of faith, hope, and prayer through this journey and I am feeling very blessed and so full of gratitude! Thank you all again for your continued prayers in my behalf. #HaveMiraclesCeased #ISayNAY #IBelieveInMiracles

dear thursday, 

I woke up to another text from Lesa Stevenson this morning.  She is so kind and is heading out of town today (Rome) but we are going to do lunch when she returns.  Today Taylor came home for the day.  He brought me lunch.  So nice of him.  He also worked on the list I gave Dave.  I read a lot today in the Boston Buddies book.  Mr. Cat keeps me company no matter what hour of the night.

This week is the first time I have actually felt like reading since this all happened.  I got up at 4 a.m. to go to the bathroom and I couldn't go back to sleep and so I read until Dave woke up at 6 a.m. and then we read scriptures.  I then showered and got ready for the day.  Showering is getting much easier now that I can put a little more weight on my leg.  Cast off possibly tomorrow?  We shall see.

I made one of the Book of Mormon comfort quotes book for Janet.  I had Dave deliver it to her.

My dear bloggy friend Nancy sent me this in the mail.  It's homemade AND purple!!! She is the best!! THANKS NANCY!!!  I love you!!

Someone posted this on FB and I thought it was so beautiful and so I had to share.

Dave's first Man-richment night in the ward. LOL He won!

dear friday, I slept in the bed last night and it was miserable.  Not sure if the chair has caused that to be an issue or what, but not good. I had slept on the chair for almost 3 hours before and so I managed about 5 hours last night.  I got up early and showered and got ready in anticipation of getting cast off.  But no boot yet.  I have to wait for it to arrive before I get the cast off.  I came down and practiced the harp for the first time in over a month!  I have a lot of work to do to get it back. But I enjoyed it.  My back was not nice today. :(  Bonnie brightened it up with a visit and these!

 OH. MY. GOSH. BEST CUPCAKES EVER!!!

And this little book that is amazing!  I sure do love my friends and I am so blessed with so many amazing ones!

Taylor was home all day. McKay showed up and then they both went to meet Sky and crew to go to a Fun Dome kind of place.  

Taylor and McKay are kind of photo bombing the middle one.

Dave worked really late.  He brought home the cast tools so he could cut off my cast here since I had no ride to the clinic.  I was a little nervous about it.  Especially since he told me he hadn't cut one off for a while because he pays other people to do that now.   I was REALLY nervous when I heard the saw!  It looks very sharp and dangerous even though he says it can't really hurt you.  I wasn't convinced.  He began the process and I thought I was going to have a heart attack because my heart rate was so high!!!  LOL  He was very patient with me but holy that was scary!!! I honestly thought he was going to saw right through to my leg and then I would bleed and not stop because of the blood thinners I'm on.  

It was a very long process and I was so done by the time he was done! I somehow survived without any injury!  hehe   It feels like I lost about 10 pounds without that thing but we weighed it and it was only 1.8 lbs.  Shocking.  

The only downside is now my foot and leg won't straighten the right way because of how the cast was on my foot.  I can't get it to flatten to the ground.  And I can't straighten my knee at all without some serious pain and the fear of pulling a muscle.  Great.  Now what to do?  My ankle is still VERY swollen as well and still purple.  Not sure what is going on but Dave is worried and concerned and looks like I will be getting an MRI after all.  Sigh.....

dear saturday, the foot is still very painful and I can't put ANY weight on it.  I'm starting over again.  I think the cast was a bad idea.  It's going to be really hard to get my muscles and joints back to where they need to be.  My foot is a full inch off the ground and I can't straighten it or my knee enough to get it to reach the floor.  Makes for some awkward walking. We put on the boot today and it seemed to be okay.  It is high enough that it makes it the perfect distance so I can put weight on the leg while wearing it.  It felt SO good today to shower for as long as I wanted without worrying about getting the cast wet!!!  It was great!  I washed my hair and it felt so good.  Sky and crew showed up around 6 or so.  We were going with Troy and Carol to the Toast to Bread concert tonight.  My very first outing unless you count doctor's appointments and the one trip to Costco.  I am hoping my leg will handle it.  We decided to bag dinner because that would be too long for me.  We met them there.  Dave got a wheelchair from the clinic and pulled into a spot on Washington Blvd about half block from the Egyptian theater and got me in the chair and then said he couldn't park there and so pulled out leaving me alone on Washington Blvd on the sidewalk!!!  Nice.  I had to wheel myself to the theater hoping no bad guy would get me first!  lol  We saw Lori P. as we walked in. She came over and had this sad look on her face and just gave me a huge hug without saying a word. She is a FB friend and so she has followed what has been happening.  I think people in wheelchairs get a lot of pity.  LOL  I still had to get out of it and walk down a few stairs to get to our seats.  That was kinda scary.  We found Troy and Carol and the concert was great except the sound was off and much too loud.  

We headed to Waffle Love after and they wheeled me in the middle of Washington and 25th street!  Lucky I didn't get run over!  Lol  Most excitement I've had in a long time! Hehe

The waffles tasted SO good!!!  Troy got an amazing one and shared it with us all. 

When we got home, it was tough getting up to my room because my back was in miserable pain.  I have no idea why unless the boot is too heavy and pulls, but holy cow, I was in tears!!!  I hope this isn't going to be something I have to keep dealing with!  It was bad!  Different pain than the disk pain.  

dear sunday, I'm only a couple weeks behind on this now.  I have been able to go downstairs and be on the computer for an hour so now.  Then the back and leg start to hurt so I am forced to head back up and elevate it.  My leg is really peeling bad. That is a good sign because it means the swelling is going down.  

My ankle not so much.  Carol told me some exercises to do for my ankle.  She also told me I need to do something to get things stimulated and working or things will not wake up and it will be bad. She told me to scrape the sides of my leg with a butter knife as well to get the tissue moving around too.  She also said to do some contrast baths.  Heat for 5 minutes and then ice cold water for 2 and repeat three times.  I can do that.  Today I did the butter knife and loofah-ed the leg.  It is so crazy how much it is peeling. But that is a good sign.  For the first time I saw that my foot was looking like the swelling was dissipating a bit.  So grateful!  Carson came in my room this morning but Sky got upset with him for disturbing me (he didn't) and wouldn't let him come back. The cute little thing was calling me from downstairs and so I came down and played some games with him including a bean bag toss.  He is so much fun.  Sky can be pretty stern with him.  I guess it's good but hard on the grandparent!  We then went upstairs and watched a movie and snuggled together per his request. We watched Monster Trucks. It was actually a pretty good movie!  haha  I rested for a bit but never could actually fall asleep. Wish I knew why!  Then Dave brought me dinner. I was seriously SO hungry!  It was spaghetti and so yum!  I was so grateful.  I was so happy my ankle was looking a bit better.  I still can't put any weight on it unless it's in the boot though.  I went to bed about 8 pm.  So beat.

I had some cute friends deliver this cute CELEBRATION bottle with candy in it and a purple loofa!  HOW did they know I needed the loofa!  :)  (Naomi and crew)

And a dear sister in our ward brought these over. (Elaine) There is a story to these.  I was craving chocolate chip cookies something fierce and so I said a little prayer that just possibly someone would be inspired to bring some since I was unable to make any.  And....there ya go!!!  How amazing is that???  She was very inspired. HF is VERY present and is helping me along this journey!

And a BIG AMEN to that!!! hehe

dear random,
This was a thing going around on FB this week to post your first profile picture and your current one to see how much you changed. I couldn't resist.

Jumping on the band wagon.

THE "HOW HARD DID AGING HIT YOU" CHALLENGE upload your ‘first’ ever profile pic and your most recent profile right next to it 👇

How much have you changed?

Must be that Oil of Olay.

Here is the REAL one 10 years apart.  

This one is still my best photo. Guess I should have used it.

These two are the most beautiful couple!

I saw this on Bryce's post and made me laugh! If I had time I would go back through my pictures and find MANY photos just like this on my runs.  I LOVE to do the same thing!!!  The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.  hah

 McKay was tagged on this and I thought it was quite hilarious!

A couple more of my funeral quotes:

dear quotes,