It's been a while since I've updated, so if you don't follow me on social media you may not know that I am done with active treatment! My last radiation session was on November 1st, so I've been enjoying six glorious weeks without any kind of treatment!

The next step in my cancer process is hormone therapy, which involves taking a daily pill...for the next ten years. My oncologist wanted me to start on Tamoxifen first to see how I react to that and I've been on it for about three weeks and I haven't had any bad reactions so far. 

In January I will check in with my plastic surgeon, my oncologist, and my radiation oncologist and see how things stand. I will also have a 3D mammogram in January and I'm currently waiting to hear back from a genetic test. Reconstructive surgery will happen sometime in 2020, perhaps as early as February but possibly not till April or May.  Lots of things still to be determined, but overall I am feeling healthy and gaining strength and I'm so glad to be through what seems to be the worst of it.

As I walk through this Advent season and look ahead to a New Year, I am so deeply grateful for all of you! I want to take this chance to say a huge thank you to each one of you...for the prayers, the flowers, the notes, the emails and texts, the gifts and all of the meals. I could not have made it through the past 11 months without you. There have been moments where I have literally felt lifted up, buoyed and strengthened beyond my own power and I am convinced it was the prayers that so many of you have offered up on my behalf.  Thank you for providing meals for my family for almost five straight months! What a gift to not have to think about food and know my family was being taken care of when I could not do it myself. Both Scott and I are so thankful for each and every one of you and for your presence in our lives and our children's lives over the course of this year.

This season has provided a unique opportunity to experience different aspects of Christ's presence in my life. And more than anything, I have experienced that he is, indeed, the Prince of Peace. I pray that you may encounter the peace of Christ in this Christmas season and as you walk into this new decade. Merry Christmas and Cheers to a Happy 2020!

Isaiah 9:6,7--For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.

II Peter 1:2--May grace and perfect peace cascade over you as you live in the rich knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.