Hello everyone!
I went for another ultrasound today at Jacksonville Center for Reproductive Medicine. I am responding “OK” to the medications and they plan to harvest my eggs on Thursday! YAY! However, please pray that they are able to harvest plenty of eggs. I do not really want to go through another cycle + harvesting. For one, it is quite expensive and it is also quite painful. The IVF Nurse Coordinator called today and advised me that there are at least 3 good ones, but I am praying that doubles or even triples before Thursday! Optimal retrieval is generally around 13-14. YIKES!
I am less than twenty days away from chemotherapy at this point. Yes, I am still excited and looking forward to my first session as this will mark the beginning of my journey to healing. 18 weeks of chemo–mastectomies–radiation–reconstruction. I find myself constantly battling with the thought, “Man, I am so ready to get this over and continue on with my NORMAL life.” But then I keep hearing Brother Austin DeLoach’s saying, “The joy of the journey.” Then I pause and dwell on what the sonographer at Mayo shared with me. She has also faced a battle with breast cancer and she looked into my eyes and said, “Honey, the Lord is trying to tell you to stop and smell the roses. I did not believe the Lord gave me cancer either, but he definitely used it to teach me a great lesson…to stop and smell the roses and to enjoy the moment.”
WOW, that hit me hard! How did this woman, who just met me, know so much? I have always been the control-freak, go-getter as many would like to say. I have set goals and I focus on achieving that goal. As we all know, the Lord says that we can only have one master. For years, I struggled with this. My master was achieving my goals to “impress” others and obtain material things. Now, although I struggle daily and I continue to battle with success and money and goals, I focus more attention on trying to please God and keeping him as my Master. The only one who I should even worry about pleasing, that for many years, I placed on hold. How shameful? But, although I fell/fall short of the glory of God, he still loves me. He still comforts me. He still walks with me. He still protects me.
“No one can serve two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Matthew 6:24
Last Friday, was definitely an emotional day for me. Not because I was trying on wigs or because I cut my hair SHORT, I mean Posh Spice short. BUT, because my wig was essentially completely paid for by Toni’s fundraiser. THANK YOU ALL! I am so taken aback by all of the support and love from you all. I cannot wait to pick up my wig this week and show it off! Love you all.
At church this weekend, I was really intrigued that Paul’s guards were rotated every 6 hours. During his suffering, he continued to glorify Jesus. I am going to make it a priority to glorify the Lord throughout my entire chemo session/journey. Quite symbolic to me that my chemo sessions are in fact 6 hours long. Now by no means do I find my situation the same as Paul’s. I just found it to be very encouraging and quite symbolic to me that Paul’s guards rotated in 6 hour increments.
Again, THANK YOU. Thank you to all who have prayed, sent cards, texted words of encouragement, called to check on me, and those who have purchased shirts/donated money to me. I am forever grateful. I am so overwhelmed and humbled by all of the support I have received from everyone. I love you all, dearly.
Please continue to pray for me (my healing and for my faith to continue to grow), my family, and Chason. The prayers are felt. I continue to be at complete peace. I know the Lord will use my testimony to offer compassion and love to others in the future. My testimony will glorify His kingdom and lives will be touched. I am forever grateful for this journey. Although it will be tough and bad days are quickly approaching, I also know that the good days will also be here just as quickly. BUT, ultimately I know that the Lord will guide me and comfort me, my family and friends (YOU ALL) will continue to pray for me and love me, and of course, Chason, will always be there to comfort me, love me, and encourage me.
xoxo,
Anna Vaggalis
ANNA.COURTNEY 