Tag: kindness

I’m supposed to be writing a column on kindness right now. There are so many stories of kindness floating around in my brain, but I can’t seem to catch hold of any of them long enough to actually write about them. I just keep thinking about tomorrow (my pre-op appointment) and next Tuesday (my mastectomy).

I’ve called The James twice to ... Read More

I don’t even care that I have breast cancer right now. I really don’t. Do you know what I’m distraught about? I’m grieved that the parents of two Park Christian students had to bury their sons this week. I’m grieved because it feels like the entire nation is divided over recent decisions by the Supreme Court. I’m grieved because a ... Read More

I made it through my first public speaking event post-cancer diagnosis! I’m sure it would have been much better had I had a professional speech writer, but since none of you offered your expertise in that area, I muddled through on my own.

I talked about being a kid and visiting my mom’s husband in prison and about becoming Miss Wisconsin ... Read More

We’ve all been there, in line at the grocery store, when either we came up short or the person in front of us did. Maybe that’s why last week’s column about the woman who paid for the elderly man’s groceries resonated with so many of you.

I get to speak tomorrow for the first time in almost a year! My friend’s dad is in Rotary and was in charge of picking the speaker, so I’m pretty sure I’m part of the friends & family plan, but I’ll take it!

Now I just have to figure out what to say…

Before moving to Ohio, I loved speaking. I felt ... Read More

I’ve been praying for years that God will help me develop more patience. Can I just say, be careful what you wish for? It has occurred to me that God is developing my muscle of patience by actually forcing me to flex that particular muscle. He apparently wants me to be an active participant in my growth, although I’ve told ... Read More

Just after moving to Ohio, I did something really weird. I was standing in line at the tiny neighborhood grocery store when a man came up behind me with a case of beer. He had to hold it because my groceries were taking up the whole conveyor belt, so I shoved some things forward and said to him, “That looks ... Read More

I’ve heard that one of the side-effects of chemotherapy is a fogginess of thought called, “Chemo Brain” and that one of the major side effects of radiation is extreme fatigue.

I’m not going through chemo or radiation right now, so can someone please tell me why I’m experiencing the side effects?

Just the other day, a girlfriend asked me a simple question: ... Read More

Mark this down: At age 11, my daughter, Jordan, has decided to become a missionary. Unfortunately for Jordan, her parents have not, so she will have to hit the pause button on that dream for a few more years.

We meet with the plastic surgeon tomorrow. I’ve decided to go ahead with the single mastectomy instead of the lumpectomy. Doing the lumpectomy would have meant radiation, and if the surgeon couldn’t get enough clear tissue around the tumors, she would have had to go back at a later date and do the mastectomy anyway. If I want to gamble, ... Read More