Radiation, that is 
(I swallowed my pride and posted this picture…)
As I close this chapter in my journey, I look back and realize that I need to change some things in my life. I think the thing that I realize most is I put too much pressure on myself in attempt to try to please people, and I just cant afford to do that, especially right now. Right now is the time to be selfish with my energy and I give myself permission to do that.
I read this on 38lemon:
Be selfish. Now is the time to take care of yourself. In a lot of ways, this will test your friendships. Will your friends understand your relative unavailability or not? Certain friendships may fall off because of this. Other friendships will be steadfast. Don’t be afraid of that dynamic.
Anyone who has had a life altering experience can relate to those words.
Thank you to all of you who commented on my last post, I, again, read every single one. It was so hard for me to hit the “publish” button, Laura can attest to that fact. But I am glad I did, I cried harder last night than I have since cancer entered my life, and that is okay, it is okay to feel all alone, as long as you don’t stay in that spot for too long.
See, I do have bad days! But even in my bad days, I realize I am so enormously blessed…
Now celebrate with me!! I am done with radiation!
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Hi Heather,
I am praying for you to have a peaceful, rest filled weekend, giving your
precious body time to soak up the healing touch of the Lords hands. Let your hubby and kids love on you this weekend, and continue to rest big-time. You have earned every single moment of it Heather, good and faithful servant. ~*~Big Jesus blessings to you and yours today~*~Laurel in Ca.
Heather,
Congratulations! You did it! I am so happy for you- you are such an inspiration.
Jennine
Heather,
I am so happy that this phase is over for you.
I appreciate how honest you are with us. In doing so, you are also honest with yourself, which is priceless. This is just like all honesty…when you are honest, you don’t have to remember “the story” you told to hide the truth. It just makes life so much simpler. It helps those who love you understand better what your specific needs are at different times. Sometimes you need and want to be cheered up and have your mind distracted for a bit. Sometimes you need someone to listen…even when it’s only silence. Sometimes you need someone to hold you and whisper in your ear, “it will be alright; I’m here with you.” Your honesty teaches us all very important lessons.
I sit here with a diagnosis of cirrhosis. Although I seem fine on the outside, except for fatigue and immeasurable aches and pains, that means I am dying. Without a transplant, I will die…maybe in 3 years, maybe sooner, maybe later.
The thing is, as we have always known, “tomorrow is promised to no one.” Just when I’m thinking…maybe I should REALLY clean out my closet and make sure there is nothing left that I don’t want opened to the world…I realize ANYONE can die at ANYTIME. It could even be me…it could be TODAY. What I am learning, and what you are learning, is that evryday needs to count for something.
We have a different perspective that is good to share with the world.
Peace be with you,
Annamaria
Congratulations! I read your blog everyday, and keep you close in my thoughts and prayers. You inspire me, with you unfailing love and faith. To God be the glory, forever and ever.
Heather, I’m so glad this part of your journey is behind you. You are such a remarkable testimony to God’s grace. God bless you!
You are beautiful Heather!!! You are in my thoughts and prayers!!!!
Hang in there, you are such a courageous woman!!!
God Bless you and yours!
The beauty in you shines through… both photographs… thank you for being so brave here, living out loud, sharing the journey. If there are days you are tempted to think that these comments are just words on a screen that cannot reach you.. please remember that each one represents a person responding from their heart… to yours… and it’s real, and it is because of God.
I was checking for more news…and saw that the “end of radiation” post is still there. How fitting, that we should still be celebrating the end of radiation with you!
I hope the lack of postings means that you’re busy celebrating…and that’s all!
And the wig…it still looks beautiful!
Heather, Congratulations on being done with Radiation!! You continue to be such an inspiration!!!! Much Love, Sherri
How wonderful that you’re done radiation!!!! What a huge blessing!!!
And definitely you do everything you can to look after yourself and never worry about being selfish. You need to look after yourself first and not worry about anything else!
We all adore you and wish you all the best!!!!
Praise the Lord! Now the healing continues.. we’re always here for you. You go girl!
And thanks for swallowing that pride and posting that photo. I know it’s hard to do but it made us even “closer” to you. We love you Heather – you are an inspiration to us.
Congrats!!! You are always in my thoughts and prayers!!
Samantha MaYe
Stopping in to see how you’re doing today, Heather. Hoping that you are having a restful and peaceful Sunday. I’m so happy that the radiation part is over. Now onto complete healing!! Goodbye to cancer!! God is blessing you in so many ways and has made you a voice for all of us to hear. Thank you!
Thanks again for sharing. I’m so happy for you and I’m still praying for you! D
I can only imagine your exhilaration at being finished with the radiation! CONGRATS!!! And if anyone deserves to be selfish (for a long time!), it’s someone like you!
Yaaaaaay!!!!!!!!!
And…you’re not being selfish–you’re simply making sure your cup is filled before you fill others. That’s called wisdom.
Love and blessings!!!!! gretchen
Congratulations! Thank you so much for sharing your life with us. You have deeply touched my heart and from all the above comments, you are touching so many lives in wondrous, positive ways! I agree with Gretchen; it’s not being selfish (though it may feel like it) to take care of yourself and make sure your own cup is full before helping others.
Will continue to pray for you and your family.
Renee’
Just came by to give you a ((((Hug)))) glad to see you are takin time off to breathe. Just want to let you know our prayers are still going up while you are hopefully laying down
.
Because of Jesus, obbie
Hi Heather,
I’ve been out of the bloggin loop for several weeks. What a joy to come back and read that your radiation treatments are all over. Halleluiah, or, as we’ve been saying in VBS all week – very loudly -WAAAAAA-HOOOOOOO!
Heather please go to my site and read my new, news. It could help you too maybe. Sue
http://sue123.blogforacure.com/weblog
Good morning Heather,
I see you have been resting and taking care of yourself. It is good to come to the home page here and see you have slowed down and are taking time out for you. I hope your body is rapidly on the mend inside and out, and that your spirit is resting too. Continued prayers for a very restful week, full of love, peace and healing touches from the Lord.
~*~Buckets of Blessings to you and your family today~*~ Laurel
Heather my boss at work gave me a great CD to listen to today – Her name is Jill Paquette – listen to “Only Jesus,” “Lift my Eyes” and “Free”. Love your faith – keep on growing in it sister!
Wooooooooooo Hooooooooooo!!!! Praising the Lord with ya’!!!!
Julie in Texas
I know you’re thrilled to be finished with radiation.
Here is something else written by David Welch on his blog 38 Lemon that will bolster your resolve to put yourself first during cancer treatment:
A good reminder
It is not my intent to suggest anything abstract here. My reminder to myself is that I must put my body first when making decisions about what to do. While I am on chemo, my body needs to be first and foremost. When tired, my body needs to rest, despite my want to do other things or be in other places or be with people. That is emotionally hard to accept, but I can see that even subtle changes to these boundaries have a ripple effect that can take dispoportionate time from which to recover. A good reminder.
*****
This man has a real Type A personality and it was necessary for him to change his instinctive “do, do, do”
to allow for more reflective periods of “just being and reading.”
Praise the Lord! So glad that you are done with radiation!!
Heather, thank you for always being so transparent. You bless so many by sharing your journey, potholes and scenic vistas, it’s all part of life.
Personally, I don’t think what you’re talking about is “selfish”. I guess I just don’t like the word, because it seems to be contrary to our faith. However, having said that, I think you nailed it on the head when you talked about not pleasing people. The only One you need to please is God. And yes, I think He does want you to take care of your body–it is after all the temple of His Holy Spirit. He wants you to devote your time and energy into making it well, and to spending time with that precious family that you are ministering to even when it is only by your presence with them as they share this journey with you.
You are one of my heroes, and I am praying for you and for your family, and I am so blessed and inspired by you, someone I’ve never even met. I pray that many would come to know Christ as a result of “watching” you here, that they would seek to know this hope that is within you, that they may have eternal life.
Love, Shelley
wow 175 Comments! Your so Popular! (I say that in real life in a chinese infliction in my voice like the guy from 16 candles.)
I’ve been crazy busy, not been able to comment but reading as often as possible.
Your picture just makes my heart sing. Honest to goodness say out loud right now, “Praise the Lord!”
I go away for a few months and come back and look at you! Kickin butt! =)
Congratulations Heather!!! And yes, I so agree that now is the time to be a little selfish. Bless you, bless you, and bless you. What a brave person you are for taking the time to bless all of us with your words and wonderful pictures.
Where are you? I miss your sweet spirit!
Congrats on finishing this course in your life. It took courage, and faith. I must admit, Heather, it isn’t so much your strength that I admire as it is your transparency. You are so real about everything you think and feel…and even when it isn’t “Hallelujah”…somehow, it always seems to end up that way. And that, my friend, is gorgeous.
No matter how rough your day, I still see Jesus in you.
Dear Heather, I am thinking of you today!!!! I am praying for you and your family.
I don’t think I’ve commented before, but I’ve been following your story for a while. You’ve come quite a ways from “inoperable,” haven’t you?
Anyway, I just wanted to say “congratulations!” and that I admire your attitude toward the whole thing.
WA-HOO!!!!!
You’re finished – it’s-your-birthday-you’re finished – you’re rockin!!!!
(to be said while chanting and dancing at the same time!)
It’s going to be something to look back on this milestone later in your life, mainly for yourself, but also for your family, and all of us in your bloggy family too!
Now, that’s enough of me yakking. Go celebrate!!
Congrats! You rock!
Heather
You are an amazing woman!!! Your testimony shows the reality in being a Christian that we do suffer, we do get down, we hurt, we cry and thru it all we still have Jesus. We are human not super humans. Thank You for being transparent you are such a testimony!!!! Thanks for letting us know when you are hurting so we know how to pray for you. Thanks for being you.
CONGRATS:):):):)
Heather-
Is everything OK? Haven’t hard from you in a few days. Praying everyday for you!
Take care-
Shari
A FOLLOWER JUST HOPING YOU ARE OK. I PRAY YOU ARE . KA
I have been following your story, and you are such an inspiration. I hope you are ok, you haven’t posted in a few days..
Hi Heather,
. Take care and when you do post again, it will be great to hear how you are. ~*~Healing Hugs to you from Ca. tonight~*~ Sleep Tight! Laurel
It is good to see that you are keeping your word to rest and take time
out from pleasing all of us out here in blogland. It is so enough to know
that the radiation is over and you are taking a break. I am praying you sleep so good every night, waking up refreshed to your family and taking naps during the day as you heal. You have touched my heart so much in
the short time I’ve become a regular here and I love you for your honesty and trust in the Lord, (no harps or halos attached)
Coming out of lurking to say Yay no more radiation! Your story is inspiring! I am praying for you and your family! I hope all is well!
Dear Heather..Haven’t heard from you for a few days.
I hope that you are feeling well and that everything is alright!!
I hope you are getting lots of rest!
Love Terry
My prayers are with you and your family each day………
Praise God!! You have been an incredible blessing as I read your journey through cancer and treatments. Praying God will continue to be close and real to you in the days ahead!
late to encourage – as always. i’m so glad you’re through with the radiation!
and i’m sorry about you feeling bruised the other day. i’m so sorry. i am so glad that you are so transparent in your blog – i think your transparency is helping so many people. thank you for being so open.
we’re still lovin’ and prayin’ for you.
I am so glad you finished radiation. I pray that it was successful. You haven’t posted in a while. I hope you are alright. You are in my prayers.
Hooray for you! Great pictures, and I hope you continue to feel better and better.
You are my hero. Congratulations.
Your strenth inspires me. I wish I could reach out and give you a hug…here’s your virtual one…HUGS!
Amen, Phil 4:13
hugs gp in montana
let me try that again
Phil 4:13
Amen, g-d is good
GP in Montana
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