A heavy heart.

During our lifetime we encounter many relationships. Typically these are formed in a close proximity to where we live or who and what we are associated with in our daily lives. From time to time though God twists and turns our paths to align us in a way that brings about unexpected friendships. Over the last 9 months I have been blessed to have my path deviated towards a new sisterhood. A sisterhood based upon hope and a fighting chance against breast and ovarian cancer.

Over the summer God blessed me with a BRCA Sister who is very much like myself. We have numerous similarities in our BRCA story that have allowed us to find comfort in each other. This last month has brought with it sadness for her family, and our conversation last night produced many questions for myself.

How do we provide comfort? "I'm Sorry." This universal phrase is the most quickly spoken in times of hurt and sadness, but there should be more that I can provide to my dear friend. "I will be praying for you and your family." A call to action! I can and will be a prayer warrior for my friend and her family. They will forever be on my mind and my prayer list, for if anyone can provide the miracle of complete healing it is my God!!! In the same breath though if it is not a miracle of healing that God will provide it is peace, understanding, and a soft heart. There is still a yearning in my heart to take my friend in my arms, being the embrace that helps to hold her together in a moment of grief. To be able to shed tears for her hurting and that of her family.

I know that God will show me what is the best course for comforting my friend, and I hope to be completely aware of it when He does. In the mornings when we first wake up we do not know what God will bring us throughout our day. Knowing this it is easy to justify being speechless in moments of shock and surprise. I would personally like to be better prepared for times like these in the future. My path is a new one to me, but I feel that I can better prepare myself for instances that would normally leave me with so few words of comfort.

When we give of ourselves we are a blessing to others! I hope to be a blessing more often!

Have a happy Tuesday!

Summer is over, and the kids are back to school!

Well Hello again to everyone!

I have to apologize for neglecting my blog throughout this summer. After my surgery and recovery in June my summer took on a life of its own and nearly left me behind. So, I guess it is time to give all of you an update and then we can start anew for the fall!

I completely feel that my breast reconstruction has been an amazing success! Just after the 4th of July I went for a check up with my PS(plastic surgeon). Everyone was extremely pleased with my progress and the outcome of my exchange surgery. In October I will be going back for another check-up. When we go back my implants should have had plenty of time to settle into their new long-term positions. As far as Cody and I are concerned we have no complaints. Of course, in comparison with the touch, feel, and look of expander's who could possibly complain? My scars are starting to slowly fade, and I am even more comfortable with my new foobs and body than I have been in years!

For those of you who have been keeping up with my blog you know that my Mother's Day gift this year was an elliptical. I have absolutely loved it!!! Thus far I have lost about 8 pounds, and have a much toner and more physically fit me. The past 9 months have truly been life changing for both me and my family. I feel better, look better, and have a much improved attitude in general.

During the month of August I was also able to re-establish myself with my gynecologist in Amarillo. This was a good visit for me. I had been a little apprehensive about finding a gyno up to the task of my new found demands. My mind had wrapped itself around this task as one that would be discouraging and unpleasant. I was completely ready to visit numerous doctors and not settle until I had found one that was on the same page as me concerning my BRCA status. I had completely talked myself into the worst case scenario. Luckily though, my fears were unwarranted and quickly put aside. My gyno is not completely up to date on the practices concerning women who are BRCA+, but she was very interested in becoming more educated. She was more than willing to take me at my word for the recommendations for screening, and also wanted to visit with my genetic counselor. In my mind this is a win, win, win situation. Not only is my doctor going to become more informed, I will be properly screened, and we can possibly help other women with the same concerns by educating ourselves!!! How could this be a bad thing? Especially since my genetic counselor will be receiving copies of my test results, and in constant contact with myself. Since my doctors visit I have also been informed that all of this months screenings have come back normal thus far. Yeah for me!!

Cody, the kids, and myself had a wonderful summer! I finally feel settled in our new home. It took a while considering all of the surgeries and recovery periods, but we are home and it is truly a blessing. I decided in July to take some time off from the everyday demands of life and spend some much deserved time with my family! This decision turned out to be a very rewarding one!

I am looking forward to picking my research notebook back up and re-visiting my earmarks, tabs, and highlighted notes. There is so much that I still need to research and educate myself on. My request from you is that you don't give up on me. We are a busy little family just like all of you, and time is a quickly bought and traded commodity in the Timmons house these days!

God Bless, and I look forward to visiting with you soon!

Katie's Celebration

Katie has finished her 6 months of Chemo!! I know she is extremely excited! She is also looking forward to having her expanders exchanged for implants.

Congratulations Katie!! You did it!