Tag: Strength

THE ENLIGHTENMENT OF CANCER ~ PART III ~

Posted on by Enlightenment Angels in August

THE ENLIGHTENMENT OF CANCER ~ PART III ~

The following day on August 28 and at 9:15 a.m., Rob & I met with a man who would be a
part of our lives for quite some time, Dr. Gopal Kunta, an oncologist who had a great bedside
manner and is so very nice to talk to. He stated that since I was a triple negative he would be very
aggressive with my treatment in that he would suggest four cocktails. So, between this information
and the fact that he is sending me for four scans, a CT, PET, MUGA and Bone scan, I wanted a
second opinion. With that in mind, I set out for an appointment with MD Anderson Cancer
Center for the following week. After my appointment with a doctor there who stated that while
my case is aggressive, four cocktails do not prove scientifically and beyond a shadow of a doubt to
be any better than just three. With this information in hand, I decided to stay with Dr. Kunta and go with just the three cocktails and lose the last cocktail as it would be hard on my heart in years to come. If there was no research in place stating that four was any better than three and if it were not for the fact that the results were the same no matter which way you went, then by all means I am going to not put any undue medical issue on my heart than is already going to be there. My scans were all set with a CT scan and a PET scan scheduled for August 31st, a MUGA scan for September 4th, and a BONE scan for September 1st.

As Rob & I walked into the office building for my first round of scans to come in a long
line of scans I looked around and noticed that we were all there for the same reason, Cancer. The
wait was not long, but intense at the same time. A nurse came out and called my name and off I
went. We walked outside to a trailer like building as this was where they did their CT scans. This
was a trailer that could be moved from office to office in order to assist everyone in need. The
nurse and I took the little outside elevator up to the doorway and in I went. As I walked in I
noticed this big machine to the left where I would later lay down and be scanned, a computer table
directly in front of me for the nurse to monitor me and then to my right was a chair where I sat
down and she prepared a little cocktail for me to drink, which looked like and tasted like flat
Sprite, but of course it wasn’t. It was a medical drink, which lights up your insides so as to see
what’s going on in there. After the CT scan I was escorted back into the office building where I
would be getting a PET scan. I was then taken back to a room where, when I walked in I noticed
this bigger machine that I would later be scanned by and was given another cocktail that tasted like
a smoothie, a coconut drink. But of course this too was a medical drink wherein it highlighted your
inner being so as to see it more clearly. All in all the scans were not so bad. The drinks you have
to take to do a CT scan and a PET scan were as well as could be expected.  I suppose they could have been worse. With all of that said and done, my results came back clean. It did not look as though the cancer had spread anywhere else.

On August 31st Rob & I met with Dr. Graham, a radiologist who we eventually would not
need, but did not know that at the time. I was nervous, a bit scared and still waiting to wake up from this because I just felt fine. But I would never tell anyone else that. I just prayed a lot and put it all – in God’s hands. My meeting with Dr. Graham, the radiologist was a good one. He is a very nice  man who as well liked the way Dr. Boardman and Dr. Kunta were being so aggressive with this as this is a very aggressive type of cancer and a triple negative. We spoke for a while and when Rob and I left, we both felt good about the doctors who were handling our case. Before we walked out the door, however, Dr. Graham gave me a notebook that I had been looking at in his office, the
LIVESTRONG notebook. A big binder with tons of helpful information for Cancer patients,
resources, a place for all of your receipts, your records that you will be getting and inspirational
stories. A GREAT notebook indeed for all to have.

THE ENLIGHTENMENT OF CANCER ~ PART II ~

Posted on by Enlightenment Angels in August

THE ENLIGHTENMENT OF CANCER ~ PART II ~

After I talked to Rob I then proceeded to Eric’s office where I sat down in one of the
chairs in front of his desk and just looked at him. He looked at me and asked me what was wrong
and I then proceeded to tell him about my call just now from Dr. Boardman. Eric is a cancer
survivor as well, a melanoma cancer survivor so he understood exactly what I was feeling and
going through. He went on to say that I will beat this without hesitation. I remember him saying
that the treatment today is not like what they had 20 years ago and he knew I would be ok. I
remember him saying this, but at the same time I was still in shock.  He is a great friend and boss.

Later that evening and after Rob and I had discussed this in length, I decided it was time
to tell my family. I remember that I waited until I had my shower and was cleaned up, grabbed my
cell phone as I knew this was going to be a long night and proceeded to call each member of my
family – starting with my mom, my dad, my brother Randy and then my brother Jay. I remember
telling Randy that I wanted to be the one to tell my nieces in person and I would do so soon. I could not be the one to tell my nephews in person like I wanted to because they lived in Connecticut at the time. The calls were trying at first, but through each one I was very optimistic and had my faith that everything would be alright and advised my family of this each time I talked to them. That following weekend I went over to Randy’s across town where I pulled the girls aside by myself to have a talk. The girls and I always talk like this about many things so this was not going to be any different, just about a different topic. I love those girls like they were my own, so to see their eyes and feel their heart when I told them was heart wrenching, but I was very positive about it and told them that it would all be ok. I just knew it would be. I reminded them that our family were fighters and that is exactly what I intend to do.

On a warm sunny day in August, Rob & I went to the office of Dr. Boardman to discuss his findings. As we were waiting in the waiting room, I could see these books around a table on Breast Cancer and thinking to myself “really, am I really going to have to be picking up one of those books to see where my life is about to be headed?” When just at that moment we were called back to meet with Dr. Boardman. As we went into one of the examination rooms, Rob sat in the corner with a note pad and pen and I sat up on the table. He was going to be the one to take notes, ask questions and remember what the doctor said because I knew I was not going to be in any shape to remember exactly what he was saying. When Dr. Boardman came into the room and we began discussing my having Invasive Ductal Carcinoma “Cancer” and it is triple negative, I could not help but start crying and thinking “is this real?” as well as “is this really happening to me?” I felt just fine. I did not feel sick – I felt normal, healthy. I never once said “why me” just “is this real”. Dr. Boardman continued to give me my options and as I listened intensely at the words that were coming out of his mouth, my first thought was take them both, take them both because I do not want them. I advised Dr. Boardman that I wanted a Double Mastectomy and that was that. I only wanted to go through this one time. My reasons have specifically been that I only wanted to go through this pain one time and one time only, I did not need breasts (they only get in the way anyway) and if I had Cancer in one breast whose to say I won’t get it in the other down the road. The sooner the better I say. By the end of our appointment Dr. Boardman had scheduled my surgery for October 2nd at 1:30 and recommended an Oncologist that he thought we should meet right away and whom he thought would fight this cancer as aggressively as he was and that was going to be the only way to fight this, aggressively.

To Be Continued…

Nutrition Facts

Always with Light, Love, Strength, Enlightenment and Guidance!

CHARLIE CHAPLIN

Posted on by Enlightenment Angels in August
This funny man sums up all that we thrive for in life.  (Shared via Linda Shell)

As I Began to Love Myself – Self Love Poem by Charlie Chaplin

As I began to love myself I found that anguish and emotional suffering
are only warning signs that I was living against my own truth.
Today, I know, this is “AUTHENTICITY”.

As I began to love myself I understood how much it can offend somebody
As I try to force my desires on this person, even though I knew the time
was not right and the person was not ready for it, and even though this
person was me. Today I call it “RESPECT”.

As I began to love myself I stopped craving for a different life,
and I could see that everything that surrounded me was inviting me to grow.
Today I call it “MATURITY”.

As I began to love myself I understood that at any circumstance,
I am in the right place at the right time, and everything happens
at the exactly right moment. So I could be calm.
Today I call it “SELF-CONFIDENCE”.

As I began to love myself I quit steeling my own time,
and I stopped designing huge projects for the future.
Today, I only do what brings me joy and happiness, things I love to do
and that make my heart cheer, and I do them in my own way and in
my own rhythm. Today I call it “SIMPLICITY”.

As I began to love myself I freed myself of anything that is no good for
my health – food, people, things, situations, and everything that drew
me down and away from myself. At first I called this attitude
a healthy egoism. Today I know it is “LOVE OF ONESELF”.

As I began to love myself I quit trying to always be right, and ever since
I was wrong less of the time. Today I discovered that is “MODESTY”.

As I began to love myself I refused to go on living in the past and worry
about the future. Now, I only live for the moment, where EVERYTHING
is happening. Today I live each day, day by day, and I call it “FULFILLMENT”.

As I began to love myself I recognized that my mind can disturb me
and it can make me sick. But As I connected it to my heart, my
mind became a valuable ally. Today I call this
connection “WISDOM OF THE HEART”.

We no longer need to fear arguments, confrontations or any kind of problems
with ourselves or others. Even stars collide, and out of their crashing
new worlds are born.Today I know THAT IS “LIFE”!

Charlie Chaplin

Charlie Chaplin

SWEET DREAMS ~

Posted on by Enlightenment Angels in August

I understand sometimes we do not remember our dreams, but know that we slept pretty soundly.  Just know this,

Dreams

Are There Angels

© Kathy J Parenteau

Are there angels here beside us as we journey life’s winding road,
Sent from heaven here to guide us along future paths unknown?

I saw an angel in my dream with an
iridescent smile,
raven hair, delicate wings and a
warm angelic style.
She bore a sweet resemblance to
someone I used to know,
but the era had lapsed, long since passed, for the winds of time do blow.
She told me of a heavenly land, a
paradise she claimed,
that awaits the souls of everyone who
worships God’s name.
She showed me living waters baring
life of endless flow,
unconditional love for our master above
a place where streets are paved in gold.
And when my dream came to an end she
kissed me tenderly,
whispered we’ll soon meet again when
God feels it’s meant to be.
In the morning I awakened to the
dawning of the day,
with my spirit a glow for I’d been
kissed by a rose,
in this dream I’ll cherish till my
dying day.

Yes angels walk beside us however
unbelievable it seems,
sent from heaven here to guide us
even in our dreams.

Always with Light, Love, Strength, Enlightenment, Guidance and OUR Warrior Within!  Have a great Monday my Angels and may your day be light and heavenly.  Cheers!

CUT THOSE CORDS ~ FREE YOUR MIND ~ FREE YOUR SOUL

Posted on by Enlightenment Angels in August

There comes a time when you wake up and realize that the people or person(s) around you are more negative than you would like and are simply draining you of all of you energy.  It is a hard process at times to let them go and move on, but for your own sake and sanity, you have to step up to the plate and just do it.  This has to stop and this will give you the encouragement and strength…

Cut Cords FREE YOUR MIND ~ FREE YOUR SOUL

Card Meaning:  Ask Archangel Michael to clear any old attachments to fear that stem form past relationships, freeing you from destructive patterns.

You drew this card because negativity connected to a past relationship is interfering with the situation you’ve inquired about.  Fortunately, this toxic energy can be easily vanquished with the help of Archangel Michael, a powerful angel who will release you from the effects of fear.

Anytime you or your partner experience fear within your relationship, a cord (similar to a leash made out of hollow tubing) is attached to both of you.  You may have cords (most people do) connecting you to your parents (living or deceased), siblings, lovers, those whom you’ve helped, such as students or clients, and anyone with whom you’ve shared a significant relationship.  Cords are nothing to be afraid or ashamed of.  They just need to be cut, as they can drain your energy and be the culprit behind physical pain.

Action Steps:

Think of a question or situation that you would like help with.  Then say aloud or silently:

“Archangel Michael, I call upon you now.  Please cut the cords of fear that have been blocking or draining me in the past.  I am now willing to trade all pain for peace.”

If you think of a specific person during this process, ask Michael to help you release the fear from that relationship.  You’ll feel your body shudder as cords are cut one by one.  Don’t worry; you can’t sever cords of love.  Repeat this process anytime you feel drained or blocked, as cords can grow back if fear returns to the relationship.

This card was drawn from the Angel Therapy Oracle Cards by Doreen Virtue.

WISH LIST FOR YOU

Posted on by Enlightenment Angels in August

Here is my Wish List for all of my dear Angels out there who make my blogging experience something to look forward to and so much fun in which to keep in touch with you all…

WISH LIST
WISH LIST

Always know that you have a friend who is there and will listen.  And when in doubt, sit in peace, sit in nature, listen to the surrounding chirps and noises in nature, listen with your heart and you will know that there is Love and Light in peace.  Your Angels are always near.

Always with Light, Love, Guidance and Strength!

ANGELS IN THE CLOUDS ABOVE

Posted on by Enlightenment Angels in August

When you need a little love, a little sign, or just a ray of hope, look up… You never know what you’ll see, what you’ll find, or what you’ll hear from within.

Screenshot_2015-08-17-21-36-49-1

Always with Peace, Love, Light, and Strength my dear Angels.

SWORD OF STRENGTH

Posted on by Enlightenment Angels in August

Tell me what you see!  I see Archangel Michael and his Sword, the Sword of Strength ~ There is something about a sword and this sword in particular that gives one inner strength to face the world and your inner self for positivity (should you need to) in order to ward off any and all offenders whether physically or mentally.  Should you need a little help or encouragement, this should do it.  Take a look and tell me what feelings you get from it:

Archangel Michael - Sword
  Archangel Michael – Sword

Archangel Michael – No matter the situation, no matter the challenge, Michael stands ready with his sword and host of Angels to protect and serve all who call upon him for assistance. He clears the path of obstacles, he gives us strength and courage to carry on during the dark times in our lives. He fills us with hope, inspiration, and faith that the Universe is always on our side. Michael protects against negative or psychic attack and astral debris that can cling to our energy fields.

Don’t you just love this and the positivity and strength it provides!

Always with Light, Love, Strength and “your” Warrior Within!

ANGELS, FAITH, BELIEF, LIGHT and UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

Posted on by Enlightenment Angels in August

Don’t you just love the knowing that your Angels are always with you.  Just look up, call for them, ask them to guide you, show you, and be with you.  I always do because I just know – I know they are there, with me – all the time.  They give me strength, courage and comfort.  I have Faith, I Believe and I Love them for being there.  They are my rock!

comfortguardiancomfort

As Always ~ With Light, Love, Guidance, Strength, and Positivity my dear Angels.

COMFORT

Posted on by Enlightenment Angels in August

There is comfort in knowing and believing that your Angels and Guides are with you.  There is comfort in knowing that I do have the strength to fight anything that comes my way ~ I just have to believe and have Faith.  There is comfort in knowing that when I leave my baby “Caesar” at the vet that he is well taken care of – even though he will be upset with me when I pick him back up.  There is comfort in knowing that though it aches to be so far away from family, that they are all well, happy and well taken care of.   There is comfort in knowing that today is Friday, it’s a beautiful day and it is going to be an even better weekend.

      Comfort

            
Thank you for spending a little time with me today and reading my post.  May you enjoy a great weekend with your loved ones on these beautiful days ahead.  Always with Light and Love my dears!  Cheers!

YES ~ CANCER SUCKS, BUT…

Posted on by Enlightenment Angels in August

Yes, Cancer sucks, but at least we have great individuals out there either working in the medical field helping others in some way or those on the back end of the medical field (behind the scenes so to speak) trying to and sometimes finding cures for such diseases.  Like these two gentlemen I have the honor and privilege to call my Angel friends: Elliot Kahen, who is a  Molecular Biologist who helps to cure Cancer in children; and his father, Howard Kahen,  who is Shadowmaster at Pasco-Hernando State College, President at Reflections Medical Aesthetics and Diagnostic Radiologist at Radiology Associates West Pasco.

Once you have Cancer, it is always, in some way shape or form a part of your life.  It will be there forever, there is no forgetting about it.  It never goes away, mentally anyway.  They don’t tell you about that part of it when you are diagnosed or going thru the procedures.  Or after for that matter.  For me, getting the treatments and the surgeries were hard, draining, cold, exhausting (both mentally and physically), but the hardest was after.  The constant reminders of Cancer everywhere you look, the constant reminder when looking at yourself in the mirror every day, the remembrance of when you couldn’t look at yourself in the mirror because of the surgeries, the scars, the mental images of those times that never truly go away, the images of the loved ones worrying about you, the image of your spouse or caretaker taking care of you on a constant basis, the loved ones lost to such a disease, and then you remember and have the knowledge that you are in fact, still here to celebrate your life.  You stop, you smile at yourself in the mirror, you acknowledge that time and then you move on.

Move on – that’s right – I said it.  Move on.  You give yourself a little time to think and ponder and then move on.  Remind yourself that you fought Cancer and won.  You move on because you fought it like a champ and won! You are a Warrior, a Fighter, a Survivor!  You are here to Live Life to the fullest and by God you are going to do it!

You also remind yourself that you are always, in a way, still fighting Cancer in everything you do and everything you eat.  Your top priority is yourself!  Exercising for a healthier you and eating the proper foods for a healthier and better you. Your life is precious and your body is a precious vessel that should be treated as such because you only have one life and one body to live in.  So, why feed it junk food, why not exercise to take care of it, why do you even have to ask? It’s simple, I workout and give 110% because it makes me a better person, it makes me feel better about my self and I know my health is better because of it.  It’s that simple.  For me anyway.

I will say this, that maybe some don’t… Cancer was a gift!  Yes, a gift.  It wakes you up from your foggy existence here in life and makes you see things that you didn’t either see before or appreciate before.  Most don’t or didn’t see it until something like this comes up and smacks you in the face and says “Stop and Look Around, Life is Too Short to Keep on Like This!  What are you doing that you think this is important in life?”  It makes you rethink everything you ever knew or thought you knew.

There is no doubt in my mind that there are Angels around us, looking over us, keeping us close.  There is no doubt in my mind that my Lord and Savior are always there and have always been there for me.  Even when I thought I was alone.  I have no doubts!

So, my Angels, my message is this… love yourself for exactly who you are, for exactly your shape and size, for exactly your hair color, love yourself and others because at the end of the day, none of that stuff matters.  Take care of yourself and your body because it’s the only self and body you have.  I’m not going to love someone for their hair color, for their shape and size, or whatever else.  I’m going to love them for what’s inside, the way they take care of themselves, the way they treat me, the way they treat others and my family.  That’s it.

Now, go and remember to look up and smile because you are loved and cherished more than you realize.

CHEERS MY ANGELS ~ WITH LIFE, LIGHT, POSITIVITY, STRENGTH, BEING THE WARRIOR WITHIN, GUIDANCE, and LOVE!

CHANGE = STRENGTH

Posted on by Enlightenment Angels in June

Change comes in all forms and at any given time whether you are ready for it or not.  Whether it is a passing of a loved one, a Change in residence, a Change in ones health, or just a Change of heart.  Change is all around us.  I know Change can be difficult, but in the end, Change must occur in all living things in order for us all to grow.  Most times it does not make sense, the Change(s) we endure, but in order for you yourself to grow as an individual we must find a way to accept our Change(s) and overcome.  Change can and will, if you let it, make you stronger.  Sometimes Change can open ones eyes to new experiences, Change lets you see life through a new set of eyes due to a diagnosis, and most times Change lets one be that positive light to shine for others to see and possibly, just possibly, your Change will help someone else in need accept his or her Change and help hm or her to be stronger because of it.

I myself have had my fair share of Change(s) over the years.  And many were not pleasant.  But, though they were, at times, tough to go through, I held onto my faith and the knowledge the this too shall pass.  Change had to occur in order to get me to the place I am now.  A place of strength, a place of positivity, a place of enlightenment, and a place of mindfulness.  Through these Changes I became more aware of the things I would and would not accept out of individuals, how they treated others and how they treated every other living thing around us.   Life is too short!

Yes, I could have taken the negative roads, the roads that lead down a harder path when these Change(s) occurred.  But I made a choice that I would not give into that path because that path was not an option and had no light at the end of the tunnel.  Strength, Life, Light and Love were and are the only path for me and I try to share that with my family and friends when they ask or might need a little inspiration.

With that, I attach the below poem I found that can give us all the strength and light we need when it comes to any type of Change in life.

the_secret_4.jpg~original

Thank you for taking time out of your day to read a little about Change = Strength.  Cheers!

THE VIEW, THE POSITIVITY & THE EAGLE

Posted on by Enlightenment Angels in June

Do you see this view…

sunrise

This is the view we live for, we fight for, we love.  Of course, same goes for family and friends, but at the end of the day, this is peace!  This is mindfulness and happiness!  I know at times it’s hard to stay positive in the light of life troubles, a diagnosis whether it be for yourself, for family or for a friend, but being and staying positive is imperative.  Why not be positive…

Positivity

I am not saying I’m perfect and positive 24/7, but I do my utmost to be positive 100% of the time.  I’m not hiding from the world, I just choose to see the brighter things in life and all life’s little nuances.  Why speak negative about all things, even the little things and let negativity creep in when you can put a different spin on life and speak only positive about situations even though they might upset you.  Just (as the penguins say) smile and wave boys, smile and wave!  Choose the flip side and speak positive about life.

Like the Eagle, show no fear, but only great strength!!  Fly above it all!  May your heart soar like an Eagle!

Eagle

Have an amazing day!!