Journal entry by Ann Helton —
My kids tell me that friends ask somberly, ‘How is your mom doing?’ and they reply, ‘Oh, she’s great - she’s walking, hiking, traveling, biking, mowing.’ And then the friends must wonder, ‘What was all that about??’
Well, it’s been one year since the Great Utah Debacle. And it’s true, I am doing great. I am writing to thank you for encouraging me along this journey! I know that a huge part of my good recovery has been due to your prayers and support. My reason for writing to you is to encourage you to carry those prayers and support to others in your life. You have no idea how much your encouragement can lift a person - even if they don’t tell you (like I had no energy to tell you individually much of this past year!)
So my life carries on and I am back to ‘normal’ activities and that feels great! Between the cancer and the broken foot, I don’t want to forget this past year.
(Compare these photos one year apart: hospital in Utah last September ~ to ~ hiking in the rain and crossing
3 unexpected streams this September!)
I don’t want to forget the gratefulness for how far I have come and how the little things in life are that much sweeter.
(Compare these photos one year apart: hospital in Utah last September ~ to ~ hiking in the rain and crossing
3 unexpected streams this September!)
I don’t want to forget the gratefulness for how far I have come and how the little things in life are that much sweeter.
This bible verse is a good one for me. “For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Zephaniah 3:17 This is what God has given me and it makes my life free and light.
I don’t know my future and I don’t fixate on that at all. I am just enjoying the journey that God has allowed. I will continue to have a blood test (Ca125) and appointments with my doctors every 3 months.
September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, so I am including symptoms of ovarian cancer for your reference. Interestingly, I only experienced the first two, so this cancer can be a surprise. (Believe me, if we had known we wouldn’t have gone on vacation to Utah last September!)
Signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer may include:
- Abdominal bloating or swelling
- Quickly feeling full when eating
- Weight loss
- Discomfort in the pelvic area
- Fatigue
- Back pain
- Changes in bowel habits, such as constipation
- A frequent need to urinate
And in reference to my broken foot, there doesn’t seem to be a Broken Foot Awareness Month, so just watch out for those sweet gum tree balls on the ground all year! 🤣 teehee
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