Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk

Under a beautiful blue sky in downtown Lansing this morning, Team Speak Hope gathered for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk.  At my best count there was 57 people who walked with us-Wow!  The group ranged from high school classmates to co-workers; from family to people who I met this morning for the first time.  All of them there to support me and to stand up against the awful disease of cancer.
Our team ended up raising a little over $3,400!  As we gathered in a circle just before the start of the walk, I reminded the group of how this all got started.  I set a goal of $200 and thought that I could probably get my parents and siblings to walk with me.  As I looked around at the 57 faces that were there today to support me, it was very emotional.  God has blessed me indeed!

I appreciate each person who was able to be part of such a special morning and those who couldn't be there but helped with donating.  "Thank you" just doesn't seem to be enough...but it will have to do!

October 26th-Day 25

One week since surgery and I had a follow-up appointment with the surgeon this afternoon.
I received my pathology report which he explained to me.  Further testing confirmed that the lymph nodes were indeed clear.  The breast lump was also tested and there were a good amount of clean margins around the area.  This means that I won't need to go back into surgery for any additional removal of tissue!  Like my Mom said, despite the fact that the cancer diagnosis is bad news...everything else has been good news!  Gotta be thankful for the good!
Next on the radar is my appointment with the oncologist on Thursday.  Hoping to get a clear picture of when chemotherapy will start and how all of that will work.

Team Speak Hope-Leslie Booher will converge on the Capital in Lansing tomorrow for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk.  We are currently the #1 team for fundraising!  Go God!

Never Once by Matthew West

Standing on this mountain top, Looking just how far we've come.
Knowing that for every step, You were with us.
Kneeling on this battleground, Seeing just how much you've done.
Knowing every victory was your power in us.

Scars and struggles on the way,
But with joy our hearts can say, Yes, our hearts can say.
Never once did we ever walk alone,  Never once did you leave us on our own.
You are faithful, God you are faithful.

Scars and struggles on the way, But with joy our hearts can say,
Never once did we ever walk alone.
Carried by your constant grace, Held within your perfect peace.
Never once, No we never walk alone.

-Matt Redman

It hasn't even been a month but I look back at what God has brought me through and am amazed.  He has had his hand in this the whole way through.  He has been with me through each test, scan, doctor visit and more recently, surgery.  Never once was I ever alone.  And as I continue down this road of treatments and recovery, He will be there, I will never be alone.

Oct. 22nd-Day 21

Each day after surgery gets easier.  It's amazing the things you take for granted in life!  Like washing your own hair, itching your back or opening a tight jar lid.  I have to say that Kyle has been so good to me, not that I'm surprised, he's a great guy!  But he's had to wash & condition my hair twice now, he did lots of laundry and cleaning this weekend and waited on me with great patience.  I was up doing things more yesterday and saw that I could go a little longer in between taking my pain meds.  Thank you to Mindy Hasselback for dinner last night...my family is not going to want to go back to my cooking!
One of the highlights of the day yesterday was my Dad, sister and brother-in-law running in their first 1/2 marathon.  I was so sad not to be able to be there to see them cross the finish line.  But then my sister called and said that we had to listen to AM 1340 as they were going to be interviewed by this radio station.  Of course the station didn't come in on our radio inside the house so out we went to sit in the car where the station came in perfectly.  It was so cool, but very emotional to listen to this interview live.  I even got teary while listening to the recording again last night.  I love my family so much and this just reminded me how much support & love they have for me!  My sister recorded this interview with her phone.  The YouTube link can be found on my Facebook page if you would like to check it out!  Go Team Leslie!!!