Well, I thought it only fitting that I write this in a "special" color. After surgeries, long recovery, and all the "stuff" that was involved with that, guess what? I am not going to do chemotherapy! It is an amazing feeling! Maybe I shouldn't be this excited, but I am! I went to the doctor yesterday, and he gave me the choice, but it really wasn't going to help me all that much, and I'm taking another pill for the cancer for 5 years (Arimedex) and I've decided not to have chemo. I found out he wouldn't do it if it was him making the decision, and neither would his nurse, so it was kind of a no-brainer. The side effects far outweighed the benefits for me. So finally I can say we're in the final stages of this part of the journey. After my radioactive iodine treatments next week, and reconstruction in January or February, I will just be taking that pill every day for 5 years, and being closely monitored at M. D. Anderson. I feel like the weight of the world has been lifted! Thanks be to God, and to all of you for praying and encouraging me. This is truly great news, and I am thrilled beyond measure!

Well, I'm still here. I'm very proud to say that I'm getting a little stronger every day. I can do 2 laps walking around our street. Today I'm going to try for three. It's amazing what little milestones will do for your spirit. I got dressed up and went to a wedding with my sweet husband on Saturday night. I made it for 3 hours- yea! Then we went out to dinner with friends Monday night- another yea! Yesterday they started the expansion on me, and that hurts some. They will continue to do that every week until we get to the right size. Then I can have my reconstruction any time after that. I still think I'm going to wait until January. I won't know about whether I have to have chemotherapy for another week or two. But, I don't have to have radiation- big huge yea!!
Today I drove for the first time. Believe it or not, I was a little shaky. But I just went to the dentist to get my teeth cleaned. Then I came home and took a nap.
I just want to say something about my husband. He is absolutely amazing! He is the most incredible nurse to me. I don't think I'd be in nearly this good of shape if I didn't have him to take care of me. I think he is going to get lots of stars in his crown. This whole experience has been really good for the both of us.
That's about it for right now. I'm reading a great book by Ann Graham Lotz on knowing God- it's called "The Magnificent Obsession." And a precious friend gave me a new devotional book that is fabulous, so I am thoroughly enjoying my 'resting' at home. Thanks to all of you who keep praying for me, and calling me, and checking on me. I am so grateful for each one of you.

Well, sweet friends and family, what a ride this has been so far. I am home, resting comfortably, thanks to many bringing me food, and constant 'doting on' by my husband, who hasn't left my side hardly in the last 10 days. I am a truly blessed woman~ God never abandoned me- not when I had to go back into surgery for the second time, and not when all the chaos erupted on Sunday, and I had to be rushed back into surgery a third time, or even when I needed to go to the bathroom and couldn't (I know- TMI). He has shown Himself to be there the whole way. All I had to do was say hello and acknowledge His presence, and chat with Him.
Today was a little surreal for me. It was "The Day" that I was supposed to unbandage myself, and check everything, and make sure all is fine under all the wrapping. I must say, I approached this with no small amount of fear. But I kept crawling to the Lord about my fear, and He kept letting me know that I didn't have to react to that "feeling" but to stand on His word that 'Perfect love casts out fear.' I have been claiming that I am healed, and that there is now just this physical process of healing going on. And when the time came today, my sweet daughter helped me to unbandage, and it was all good. Thank you Lord. I believe alot of people have agreed on asking God to heal me completely, and He is honoring those prayers, and He is in the midst of them. My faith is being built up even as I climb the hills of this journey. I love the verses in Mark 11 that say Have faith in God. "For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, "Be removed and be cast into the sea," and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says." Wow! I do believe God! My mountain is beginning to crumble and get thrown out.
I will have to be very "serene" for the next many weeks. For all you who know me, that is generally not a word describing me. :) But I believe God has alot to show me and teach me, so 'serene' I will be. I am actually excited about it. There's still alot to come, but for this weekend, until I go to the surgeon on Tuesday, there is rest and healing going on in the Belin home. Again, I can never say thank you enough for your prayers. Keep 'em going!!! Much Love, Blair

She's home!!!

Quick post. I'll write more tomorrow. But for now, Praise God!! that mom came home today.

Labor Day

Hopefully you're enjoying a restful holiday today. The hospital is very quiet.

Mom is resting well. She may or may not go home tomorrow.

The main prayer request right now is that her blood pressure would remain stable so that her body can properly heal.

Thanks for checking in today.

Stable

Mom's out of surgery. They found the vessel that was not behaving and took care of it.

She's in ICU recovery until tomorrow. On the weekends, the regular recovery rooms are closed.

The doctor was very encouraging. Thanks for the prayers.

Pray for Blair...

This morning we had a dramatic episode. The details aren't important, but Blair is back, again, in the OR having more surgery. It looks like high blood pressure is complicating her recovery. I think she is in for the same reason as last time. There are so many blood vessels involved, and they keep opening back up and bleeding.
Please pray that this will be resolved.
The plan is for her to be in the hospital until Tuesday at the earliest.
I'll try to update when she's out of surgery.
Thanks for your concern and prayers! And PRAISE GOD her doctor was able to come in on this holiday weekend!!! He is a blessing.
Dr. Sacks - pray for him and his sweet family.

Hello sunshine!

She danced.
I saw it.
She got up this morning and walked around the room... stopped... and did a little dance. Woo hoo! We're on our way.
Now we're waiting on some grub.

Sleepytime...

Even though mom wants me to post that she's "barely alive," I think she's doing great. =)
They took out her IV tonight, which was driving her crazy. That also means she can take her meds orally and is eating well. Yipee! Small steps.
We made a lap around the nurses station earlier. For a little while, she seemed to be "full of energy" and in very good spirits.
Her dr. stopped by to check on her this evening. That helped her feel more confident about things. I think she's a little nervous after the bleeding incident. She really doesn't want to have to go back in for anything! Who can blame her?!? Doc said she looks good, and thinks they took care of everything. The plan is to see him tomorrow and then hit the road.

Pray for her to have a good nights sleep.
Pray for good pain management.
Pray that my dad and I will be able to take care of her drains without any problems.
Pray that her body heals quickly and pray against infection.

Off to sleep - Goodnight.

Some surgery to go...

I heard this morning that Blair is going back into surgery today to clean up some bleeding. Apparently this is not a big deal at all, just a perfectionist dr. who doesn't want to take any chances. Thank God for him! I'll take a dr. like that any day.

So, Blair will stay in the hospital overnight tonight and come home tomorrow.

This surgery should only last an hour. And I just got the word that they have taken her back to start anesthesia now.

You know, she was supposed to go home yesterday. We were told very early on that the hospital was over capacity, she may not even get a room at all and would only be there one night. God made a way for her to be there 2 nights in a room, and thank goodness! He is so faithful.

Pray for the doctors, and pray for Blair's spirit. She is once again having to adjust her schedule. It's a great reminder for us all that we are not holding the calendar, HE is. And because He is good, we can just go with the flow.

Blair is doing great!

Just a quick post. Mom woke up with some pain this morning... she hadn't had pain meds since yesterday evening! They gave her something and she's comfortable again. Great news. I am so impressed that she went all night with nothing. What a superwoman!

She's coming home today. I'm sure it will be nice to get settled in her own bed and hang out with friends and family.

Meals link

Just in case you need the link to sign up and bring food, click on the pink link:

Blair's Dinners Sign Up

If it's easier for you to email me, feel free to do that too.

Walking into the hospital this morning at the crack of dawn seems like several days ago. It certainly has been a long day... full of blessing.

We enjoyed the waiting room fellowship and the comments, texts, emails, phone calls, pages etc. from so many of our dear, sweet friends.

We did not get to see mom this evening. Around 6pm, dad went back to check on her. She was still "waking up," and he thought it best to let her rest some more.

I got a phone call this evening and our "Pink Princess" was on the line. Blair is doing great. I mean, really great. She sounded good. She received her very own room (yea! an answered prayer) and perked up significantly. Greg will take the night shift.

I'm feeling a tad exhausted in the woodlands tonight. 2 out of 3 of my kids can't sleep. Life happens, doesn't it?

Well, today has been a good day.

Blair is open to visitors tomorrow afternoon. Bruce used his serious voice to petition the doctors to let her stay an extra day, so as of now, that's the plan.

Call us if you want to come by. She's in room P 1103.

We thank God for His provision and for you!

To Him be the glory.

two thumbs up

Well, we have good news to share!!!
The surgeon just came out to tell us that her part of the surgery is over and was successful.
Clean margins and at this point the pathology shows clear lymph nodes!!! Praise God!!!
The final pathology will be in in a weeks time. We'll know the final word then. But for now, we are very blessed by this good news.
What an answer to the our prayers.
Blair has about another hour with the plastic surgeon, putting in the tissue expanders. Then it's off to recovery.
Let's pray that she'll have a room. We were just informed that the hospital is overbooked. What?!?! We'll be fine no matter what, but it would be nice if Blair could rest until Friday in her very own room.
I'll check in later...

Waiting...

Blair went into surgery at 9:11am. So far we've heard her vitals are good.

We'll get another update around 12pm. I'll check back then.

Thanks for your prayers and well wishes.

We have arrived!

With a few hours sleep and coffee in hand, we are settling into the Camelia waiting area of MD Anderson hospital.
Mom has been moved back into the surgery waiting area. I think the plan is for surgery to begin around 8am.
We listened to Rich Mullins in the car and sang "Awesome God" together. It was good traveling music for us, as it has always been. We heard Rich's music playing the soundtrack for our many trips to Colorado. It conjurs up great memories of family time in the mountains and good feelings.

We listened this morning as the next song played, it's lyrics were fitting:

Sometimes the night was beautiful
Sometimes the sky was so far away
Sometimes it seemed to stoop so close
You could touch it but your heart would break
Sometimes the morning came too soon
Sometimes the day could be so hot
There was so much work left to do
But so much You'd already done

Oh God, you are my God
And I will ever praise You
Oh God, You are my God
And I will ever praise You
I will seek You in the morning
And I will learn to walk in Your ways
And step by step You'll lead me
And I will follow You all of my days

We prayed together and thanked God for this journey and what He's teaching us all.

And round and round we go...

Well, you may have received an email with our changes, but I'll post them here as well...

Blair's doctors told her this morning that she will have to undergo two separate surgeries instead of this one we've been "looking forward to."

Her tumor is larger than they anticipated and will need a little radiation after the mastectomy, before the reconstruction.

Tomorrow we will be at the hospital as planned, but mom's surgery will be much shorter. The good news is that her recovery will be shorter, too! Let's look on the bright side.

Now, she will be home on Friday.

Party at the Belins this weekend! Just kidding.

Once they see how the tumor is reacting to the radiation, they will go ahead and schedule her reconstruction. That will be the very long haul, with a very long recovery. Keep checking back, because that is when she'll need the most help.

Nothing like a little last minute change!

Please continue to pray for Blair. She'll probably update you herself a little later. I think she's a bit shell shocked to say the least. Pray for her spirit and her confidence. We are ready to get all of this over and done with!

Praise God that He knows the plans when we don't!!

Jeremiah 29:11-14a

¹¹For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹² Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. ¹⁴ I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity."

So this blog has to be fun sometimes...

My mom is going to kill me.

You have to go to yearbookyourself.com and play around! It it loads of fun.

This is a photo of our lovely Blair from 1962, just before Milton Bobbisox came to pick her up.

I'm laughing, anyone else??

Flash forward to 1968. Blair has really come out of her shell.

This was taken just before her very first Earth rally. You know how Blair loves to plant trees and recycle her water bottles!

Okay, I could post a couple more, but then I'd really be dead meat.

I know what you're saying,

"Don't you have 3 kids you're supposed to be looking after??"

Well, yes. So off I go. Hope you enjoyed Blair's blast from the past. And seriously, get onto that website. You will crack up. All you do is upload a photo of yourself and then pick yearbook photos from the 50's to 2000, and laugh until you cry!

Now this is the real deal right here!

I'm so excited that my 2 sisters are flying into Houston today!!

My mom is very happy to have them here as well.

Tonight promises to be full of fun, laughter, fellowship and prayer.

And perhaps some plaid & taffeta and a good hair tease if things get really out of hand!

"Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life” (Philippians 4:6–7 MSG).

There is a part of me that is definitely not looking forward to next week, and yet there is a part of me that is very excited about the healing that is to come. Right now I'm bouncing around a bit in my head between fear and strength. I guess that is pretty normal. I've been going like gangbusters to ready my house, and get all my "stuff" done, so I can 'not think' about my to do list for awhile. One thing I do know from this journey so far. It is that the support, both in prayer, and in notes, and physically, of friends and family is absolutely hugely important to me and my handling of this situation in which I find myself. This certainly was not anything that I had planned for my summer, or any other time... My Bible is glued to my side most of the time now. It truly is God's living, breathing Word. I find my most comfort there. God tells me in Deuteronomy 31:8, "Do not be afraid. The Lord will go before you and will be with you. He will not fail nor forsake you." And in Jeremiah 30:17, He says, "For I will restore health unto you, and I will heal you of your wounds, saith the Lord." How amazing to know that He has already visited my operating room, and will be there during my operation, and will not leave me. I have known for a long time, that when life gets very difficult, and you have reached the bottom of the rope, He is below you holding you up. He is always there. And that's a very good thing, as Martha Stewart would say.

MY STORY!!!
Ok, so it took me three times to type my story right, where I wanted it to be. I'm the worst at this blogging thing, but here goes.

I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, and breast cancer, stage 2, in June, 2009. I had a complete thyroidectomy around July 15th, and have been through more testing than I care to remember for everything else. I also had a surgical biopsy (under general anesthesia) on my pancreas for a mass ( benign!), and I have had tests on one of my adrenal glands, which I don't know the outcome of yet- but the biggest thing for me is what's coming up next Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009. A bilateral double mastectomy with reconstruction from my abdomen- a 10-16 hr. surgery. I'm a little dis-whatever with that- it's long and pretty ugly- alot of pain- ok- I will just think of Jesus on the cross- that was really alot of pain.
Then 5-7 days in the hospital, and 2-3 months of recovery. I plan to beat those odds, but I will do whatever I'm supposed to do to get well.
That is the super short version of my summer and illness. I want you to know that in everything God has proven Himself to be MORE than faithful and true, and has shown Himself to me many times through His Word. The longer I live, the more I realize that He is in the middle of our trials always. My mother died of breast cancer at 64, and I was granted the privilege to be there at the end, and He proved Himself true. Now I face this battle, and I have seen Him with me at my darkest times. What a precious journey this is- to walk with my saviour through a dark tunnel and know He is right by my side the whole way. I will give Scripture later, but it is late, and I need to go to bed now. I'm very human, not anyone special, except to the Lord, and my husband :), and it's late. My daughter made this blog for me, and I'm going to try to keep it up for the long haul. "Consider it pure joy, my brothers (and sisters), whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develps perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4. A lofty goal, at the very least!

Fixed a glitch...

Sorry if you've had some trouble accessing the "comments" section. I think we've worked out that kink. I (ali) have no idea how to run this show, so this is a learning experience for me! 

One down...

Well, for my first post to my fancy new blog that my sweet daughter (who's writing this) created for me, I'm happy to say that all is well. Relatively speaking.

I had a neck dissection yesterday, and yes, it's exactly what it sounds like. This has been a whirlwind week! I went in for a neck biopsy on Monday. They determined that indeed, the tumor on my thyroid was cancerous. I met with my surgeon on Tuesday. She had a cancellation and booked me for Wednesday surgery. Wow!

I came home today around 3pm. I'm resting, in a little pain, talking like a frog, but immensely thankful for the friends who have visited and prayed for me. There's a long road ahead, with details to come. But for now, I'm going to bed.