Wednesday, November 4, 2009

um..what to title this? what to title this?? how 'bout .....nope! I got nothin'

Here is my one minute synopsis for you... (it will only be one minute long because my head can't take anymore than that... I have been at various doctors appointments since 8am this morning)...
Upcoming Events in my life: November 5th (tomorrow)---MRI to show if cancer has spread and how much, etc. November 11th-- appointment with oncologist (I am told he is a funny looking vegetarian that will try to convert me! Just wait until he gets a piece of this meat loving carnivore!) November 17th 9am-- double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery all in one (I think they call this a two-fer, except I am sure I will still get billed by EVERYONE involved! he!he!) Then I recover... then I start chemotherapy.....that is a little glimpse into the not so distant future. But alas, the one minute update is over and onto what is really weighing heavy on my mind......
HOW TRULY BLESSED I AM!!! I have decided to make a comprehensive list of why this couldn't have happened at a better time in my life...(and no, I don't have a sick sense of humor, this is for real!) These are all in random order, just like my brain!...
0. (This is before #1).. My Morgan!!! My breast cancer book holding, question asking, soft hearted, strong spirited, handsome, caring, loving teddy bear. And you should take your teddy bear with you EVERYWHERE!! And I do!!!
1. Morgan has an AWESOME job and the boss even said that he can work "remotely" sometimes (wherever I am) on his laptop... I mean, come on... how cool is that!
2. We have good insurance... you just can't beat that!! I talked to a friend from High School today that has breast cancer too and is about 10-months ahead of me in the treatment plan and when she found out she had cancer, she had NO insurance..... So count your blessings, Or mine, rather!!!!
3. My In-Laws are not only retired now, but also off their mission and are going to be an intragal part of my recovery/helping with kids process..... Gotta love that blessing!!!! That blessing has about a million blessings all rolled into one!!!
4. My parents are helping out a lot! Including, but not limited to, letting me stay in my brothers room while he is off gallivanting... oh yea, I mean: on his mission. Coming with me to all my appointments today, paying for lunch today (sweet), doing a full research paper amount of research including buying me the book, "Breast Cancer for dummies" (do they know me or what?!) and the list goes on...
5. I know this is a weird blessing, but when we didn't get to adopt Zachary, I was REALLY disappointed. But now I feel that was a blessing from a caring, understanding Heavenly Father. He is where he needs to be and I am able to have one less child to figure out amidst the chaos. So actually Zachary and I both get blessed with this one!!
6. My kids!! They have been wonderful about everything. Of course they don't understand it all, but they understand the "love" part and that is what truly matters!
7. My friends and ward family in Bagdad: This is a list of so many wonderful people... I can't even begin to tell you how much love I have felt from our little "mecca"!
8. Living in a small town. I count this a blessing for many reasons... namely the above named reasons.
9. We don't have a house payment right now!!! Hallelujah!!!! that is pretty much all that needs to be said about that one. You can also refer to #8 on that one...
10. My sister took me out to dinner tonight at the coolest restaurant ever!!! That is just the neatest thing! She told me she found a food that reminded her so much of me... Can I just say that I am sure YUMMY!!!! Come on? Macadamia encrusted chicken!!! It don't get no betta than that!!!
11. My kids are old enough to be taken care of by others... No babies, that is such a blessing! (Just don't take that the wrong way.. babies are wonderful!!! Just not right now!!!!)
12. I had my 4 kids early in life even though society liked to view me as weird... Who's weird now???
13. My "Internet friends"--- yup that would be you!!! those friends that I lived by once or just knew from "somewhere"--- I love you all!!!
14. My "extended family" --- my what an awesome support group I have around me!!!

Oh my goodness... there are sooooooo many blessings I can think of, I just wanted to throw a few of them out there for your eyes!!! Just to let you know that I am thinking about them!!

15 comments:

Shumaker said...

Christa you are such an amazing person. Even in what coulkd be the darkest hours for many you seem to be so grateful. I know you are going to be an inspiration to so m any including me. I am really going to be doing every thing I can to get out to see all of you this next year. I am so glad you have that big teddy bear to take with you every where you have to go at the time. I am sure he brings you great comfort. Miss you all so much.

Team Caldwell said...

prayers your way chiquita. go for DD or bigger. va va voom! Just think, you can be a big chested version of GI Jane! No I am not mean... well maybe -but not to you! Just trying to bring a smile to ya! Keep us posted and let all of us know what we can do

Coltharp Golden Years! said...

Christa, Jennie's (Davenport)been keeping me posted on what's happening with you. For some reason this has struck some strong chords in my heart, and since I'm fervently praying for you, I thought I wanted to get to know you better. So I went to your blog. And I got a glimpse of who you are and what you are all about, and I'm so glad to know you in this small way. Here's one more person praying for you and your wonderful family! Jennie's mom, Cathy

Krista said...

Hey Christa! I found your blog through the Hulse's blog. I wish I was there to help out but I know the peeps in Bagdad and I know you'll have tons of help. We miss you guys and everyone else. Just know that we are thinking about and praying for you guys. Love ya.

Unknown said...

chris, come home. i miss you like you can't believe. i am starting to know how you felt after logan died, helpless, but just want to be with you. i can't even hold it together at the doctors office today. i miss you. come home. i love you.

nickndest said...

Wow! Thats all I can say. Everyone says everything I feel. You're amazing, you should go with some va va va vommness, I'm praying for you, I wish I could be there with you, and I love you tons.

Bonnie Hynes said...

yay! Mikey and I were agreeing that this is the perfect time. You ARE blessed! Good luck, I'm glad you got to talk with Shelly--Stay STRONG!!

annebabe said...

what a beautiful post! There is so much to be grateful for, the Lord's plan is full of tender mercies. Glad you are still miss sunshine, attitude is everything. :)

Grama Karen and Papa Lund said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Grama Karen and Papa Lund said...

Christa, Christa, Christa, we love you so.
Mom and Dad Johnson

Grama Karen and Papa Lund said...

"Count you many blessing and it will surprise you what the Lord has done."
"I will not leave you comfortless"

"Peace I give unto you. Not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not you heart be troubles, neither let it be afraid."

"We have come to know the Lord in our extremities."

"How Great Thou Art"

Blessings your way, we pray.

Mom and DAD Johnson

Happy said...

Johnson Family: What an inspiration you are to all of us. Thank you for sharing your feelings with us. I am so glad that we were a part of Bagdad and there are days that we wish we were still there, but being close to family is cool too, as you ALREADY KNOW!! We will keep you in our prayers and keep you in our thoughts daily and we will keep up with you through in the internet.

Have a blessed day Johnson Family and remember that we are put thru so many different type of trials, but we grow from these trials and are inspirations to those around us, and YES YOUR FAMILY IS SURELY THAT TOO ALL OF US.

We love you and miss you tons.

Mark and Questa

Jennie said...

Wow, Christa...one more reason that you are just one of the most amazing women I know. I can't even tell you how much energy of my thoughts and prayers have been revolved around you lately and I just love you! Can't wait till you come home. And Sam misses his "Miss Christa."

B said...

Hey Christa, let me know if you need anything. You know we are still in Mesa, along with everyone else. Hang in there! Becky

Anonymous said...

Christa, just checking up on you. My first thought when I pulled up to Becky's last night and seen your car that I was going to walk into an emotional crying huddle. But, you were smiling and laughing and explaining everthing. You are so positive, amazing and inspiring. Now, I will try my best to hold it togeter around you cuz your blog makes a big baby out of me. Thank you for sharing your feelings. Saying lots of prayers.
Love ya, Penny