Continued Prayers & Many Thank You’s!

“Faith enables persons to be persons because it lets God be God - Carter Lindberg”

Hi Everyone!

Starting off this entry in hopes that you all have had a good weekend as we all settle in to the New Year – still in awe that it is 2012! I know I wrote recently, but this is just a short notice to update you all on Mike and to continue to ask for prayers and lifting up!

This last Thursday, I was at work and it was the day that Mike was to start his Mega-Radiation, but something else occurred. I got a phone call from him assuming he was just letting me know he was on his was to his appointment…for what happened, I was not prepared but thankful that all became ok. Mike called and was not making sense. He was not slurring, he was just not making sense…almost as if was drugged and wasn’t putting words correctly together. I panicked and was thankful that he knew who I was, knew to call me and knew where he was…just a little disoriented. I rushed out of my office and called 911 to get an ambulance to our house immediately…I was not sure if it was cancer related, medication reaction or a stroke…I literally was at our house in about 7 minutes…I was praying the entire way to not let this be the day that a cop spots me and pulls me over for speeding…I can admit that I fully Thank GOD above for getting me home safe…the entire drive was a blur.

I got home, and ran in the house to see Mike completely coherent, still a little disoriented but knew the time of day, he was able to recall what happened and he was able to answer all the questions that were being asked to him. The EMTs did not rule out that he may have suffered a stroke, but from their evaluations and such, they did not feel that is what occurred. I myself did not feel comfortable driving us to the ER, so they piled us up in the Ambulance and took us there…they were able to continue to monitor Mike of all the vitals and such – all was at normal levels. We arrived to the ER and they admitted him and right away started CT Scans and testing. Praise GOD the CT scans came back normal with no signs of damage to the brain or signs of a stroke. The Doctor in the ER, because we know that Mike has the cancer in the spine, though no disease progression at this time, they did not rule out the fact that it could have been the spinal fluid affected and tickled the nervous system and caused these symptoms. She was happy that they were not prolonged, which she felt was a good sign. Because of the admission to the ER, he was not able to make his radiation appointment, but the doctor went ahead an approved it, which was GREAT so that they could start attacking the cancer that may or may not be there lingering. The doctors feel confident this is going to do exactly what it did when he received brain radiation for the tumors and his vision last year – Claiming it!

Mike will under-go another MRI this week to determine what exactly happened and to rule out disease progression. He underwent one on 12/28, and all was continue to be clean and clear, but in this case, all measure have to be taken – and for that we are Thankful! It was a very busy week last week, and Mike is surely worn out, but maintains his high-spirits, so he knows he must continue to rest and get caught up on his sleep.

We continue to appreciate all of you and your prayers and the action that all our Prayer Warriors on Thursday and came to our side, the prayers were surely felt and we are so thankful for you all! It is so comforting to have you all in our lives, if not in person at all times, we know you are there in spirit! I will continue to keep you all posted and anything new we find out about what exactly occurred on Thursday, and I will continue to update you as to how Mike’s radiation is going also! Please (as I know you always will), please continue to pray for Mike’s strength to continue to be restored and his courage and faith remain strong…for we know GOD is complete control and these things happen for reasons and keep us exercised in our faith – for these are just hurdles.

Much love to you all!!

XOXO Lyndie

You Can't Handle The Truth

“Truth is rarely writ in ink; it lives in nature - Martin H. Fischer”

Hi Everyone! Just a quick note I promise…maybe!

SO, as I had reported in a previous email that Mike was after the first of the year going to start a new chemo-combo that would attack the new spots and continue to work on any other areas that may be contemplating flaring or eliminate any underlying disease that lays dormant ( I always imagine cancer like that Mucus commercial as they check into the mucus hotel and dance around before they are hit with the cold remedy – ha!)…plans have changed.

Last week our visit with Dr. Tsao was not too long, because we were given some options. Mike could sign up for a study that would take 5 weeks of biopsy’s, testing, etc before we even got results that he was admitted, which at the end of those 5 weeks he may not even be accepted into the study. Mike was weary of this choice for the new spots on the liver made him nervous and pro-longing chemo did not sound appealing. We contacted Sr. Tsao’s office and let them know Mike’s feelings, so we scheduled our visit to discuss new chemo plans. Between that time and today, Mike has been experiencing some back pains, lower back pains related to the underlying cancer that had not changed, but yet was stable and causing some nerve damage. The day before our Oncologist visit, Mike met with an Oncologist Radiologist and he will undergo MEGA-Radiation for 7 treatments (starting tomorrow) to rid the cancer as it did in his brain last year (when the optic nerve was in jeopardy and the multiple brain tumors). The oncology team will then use radiation on the rest of the spine to ensure the disease is tackled and no reoccurrence (GOD Willing). For this we are very confident in trusting that radiation is a bad-mama-jama (at least for Mike), and this will knock out a HUGE part of the bone cancer (that could affect the nervous system in the long term) and rid of that!

Because the last visits have been SO amazing, I have trusted and went on our way – but the last visit with the report of new spots (yet I did not GOOGLE) I did research ALL the terminology from the reports and had my questions ready.

ALL my worries were put to rest today, for what I imagined what was happening – the Cancer landing on the liver and that meant that it was going to turn into the flesh eating disease and his system would shut down and then it was near the end. I told this to our Oncologist tonight and she giggled. She always is so polite and even avoids using too much “Dr” terminology with us to allow us to understand what exactly is happening is his system. She grabbed my hand and assured me that waiting for this chemo to start was not meaning that it would allow this cancer to engross his liver! In fact, the spots were so small and no other activity, it is normal and when radiation is done, she is confident it will take care of these spots too. Since this disease entered our lives, man your mind goes up and down and roller coasters all over the place. Then it sets into what happened on the latest episode of ‘House’ you may have watched or any other medical show even ‘Grey’s Anatomy’.

Well thank you to our team of doctors, they really do keep it real. She was very honest in telling me that since Mike has been diagnosed he has surpassed EVERY mark they have set for him pertaining to the “studies”, and prognosis set. She said tonight that he remains one of the healthiest patients she has (despite the cancer). In all he has not slowed down at all or showed any signs of slowing down and will continue to rise above this…his situations is continued to be miraculous!

In closing, I just wanted to remind myself and all, that like the quote above, statistics are written in ink, for we continue to live in nature – which I will continue to trust GOD --- HE continues to hold the truth and nothing but the truth --- I can handle it!

XO Lyndie

THAT Word!

“It is a mathematical fact that fifty percent of all doctors graduate in the bottom half of their class - Author Unknown”

I saw this quote and hesitated posting, because in all actuality, Mike has been blessed with an AMAZING team of Doctors not only at MD Anderson, but everyone from his Dentist to his Primary Care to all others that have crossed his path. He has been so fortunate to always visit a MD that takes his time with him, and will not let him leave the office till he is completely at peace and knows what is going on in his body.

Well the reason that I was jogged to write this particular post, was because though I feel confident in ALL of Mike’s doctors and continue to do so...but a common word used in the medial world is “prognosis”. Agh! The dreaded word – I almost feel this word is worse than the “C” word! Yes I really do. On the news last night, they had a segment about words that people are attempting to vote out of our current “dictionary/language”…you know the slang words that have become so embedded in our everyday talk --- Baby Mamma/Baby Daddy, LOL, Whatever and oh so many other words that have just become so natural flowing out of our mouths. However I for one want to vote the word prognosis out. The definition of prognosis is this: “A prediction of the probable course and outcome of a disease”. In all honesty I had never really heard this word too much until Mike was diagnosed. After that every time we spoke to someone, we were always asked “What is his prognosis”?

Since the beginning of Mike’s diagnosis, we were never “officially” given a prognosis from our doctor. We did however find out after a little prying to get some sort of idea as to the reality of this disease, and though at one time I did regret knowing, I am happy I know now, for I can say Mike stared that 6-9 months in the face and flipped it off and surpassed anything that the Doctors thought he would overcome. As this moves forward daily, I have promised myself that I no longer want to know the prognosis moving forward. Even with the news of the new spots we have received, I do not want to know the “statistical opinion” of others. For one thing I have learned on this journey is that we are ALL different and GOD is the ultimate predictor of “prognoses”.

In the beginning, gosh I was a GOOGLE freak! Every report that came back from Mike’s scans, I shot to GOOGLE to figure out all that “Medical Language”. When he coughed a certain way or had a certain pain, I shot to GOOGLE and every article had a “prognosis” as to what the outcome with having cancer and these symptoms. AGH! It will drive you crazy! One day, I had a person from Mike’s medical team tell me “Lyndie STOP Googling Everything!”. That was hard to hear, because the internet is so accessible, but do you notice one thing – NOT everything is true! I mean really? It’s the internet where you get first hand at all the Make Ups and Break Ups of the Celebrity industry. It is where you can on Wikipedia create your own definition of a made up word – I know! Anyhow, though a prognosis is defined and at MDA (in Mike’s case) is results of years and years of studies pertaining to particular cancers, etc – I am choosing no longer to know Mike’s Medical prognosis and relying on a day to day of GODs prognosis for us.

As Human’s our prognosis changes daily. Shoot when I was in my early twenties, the way I was leading life, I was sure to not see my 32nd birthday – but the party hard ways and lifestyle I led, while in terms of all studies, I should have been in jail, dead or possibly others, GOD had other plans and I am here today. Now don’t get me wrong, some of the “prognoses” given have been dead on…BUT many others have not and continue to not be. We are in a world that is based on statistics…Marriage, divorce, likely of getting a disease by drinking coffee or talking on cell phones and so many more. I used to let these “numbers” consume me beyond belief! But now, as I have learned and really continue to (though seems easier said than done), I continue to give it to GOD above! He is the ONLY one no matter how many “statistics” are given, he knows the ULTIMATE TRUE prognosis of us all! For this I have so much peace in knowing that a doctor nor the internet will choose what is to happen to My husband or I. Thank you JESUS for that peace!

In closing, as we enter this new year, yes, I know that Mike and I cannot control the cancer nor what GOD has planned for us, but each day we wake up, we CAN continue to strive to do what is right…we may not ALWAYS get it right, but we sure will try! Also, we cannot control the cancer, we CAN control how we treat ourselves and what we put into our bodies, hearts and minds – for this I am thankful for this freedom! The freedom to NOT depend on these numbers – for they are just that…numbers. Yes, true people depend on these “statistics and prognoses” but for me and my household, we will continue to serve the LORD and trust that he is the one that will determine when it is our time. My husband has fallen because of this disease and he has risen above it. I hope for us all we continue to rise above ALL our “diseases” this year in 2012 – let’s plan to not trust our “human Prognosis” but depend on what GOD above has planned!

My prayer for us all this year: Dear LORD, we come to you humbly and with hearts wide open. We life our hearts and minds to you in hopes that you will continue to strengthen them in this coming year. We are nowhere close to perfect in Human form, but we strive to be perfect in your eyes in all that we do. For you are the reason we are here today, and have all that we have. You are the reason we wake up every morning and live our days. Please allow us in 2012 to continue to make it ALL ABOUT YOU! Thank you JESUS for this ALL – In Your Name please accept this blessing. Amen!

XO Lyndie

The 5 C’s of Cancer – Mikes Journey Continues

“The 5 C’s of Cancer --- You Did Not CAUSE Cancer, You Cannot CATCH Cancer, You Cannot CURE Cancer (YET), and You Cannot CONTROL Cancer – But GOD CAN! – Random Insert on a Board in a Exam Room at MDA”

I only felt this title for this entry was appropriate, because just today in a random Exam room, this was written on the dry erase board. It was something that I for sure needed to see today, and I am thankful for the reminder! I am not sure if it was written by a patient waiting for the doctor to come in killing some time and hoping to leave some inspiration for the next patient. I am not sure if it was a nurse, doctor or a staff of MDA, but either way, I am glad that it was there when we got in and I hope it remains for many others.

Well first and foremost, Mike and I hope you ALL had a wonderful Christmas with Family/Friends Near and Far! We also wish you the best New Year’s weekend ahead ringing in 2012 – just remember to be safe in all you do! Mike and I have opted to stay home with the “kiddos” and sit outside by the chiminea and ring it in with ourselves and the LORD above!

Today was our first meeting with Mike’s Oncologist since before the Thanksgiving holidays and my has the cancer been busy in his body since his last Pet Scan! The overall visit was good, and he remains stable in all the areas that were mentioned before with no Major activity (except for the lymph nodes that remain to fight this cancer and are inflamed). The only downfall to this visit is that they did pick up a spot on his liver. It is very, very small and was not a huge alarm to the Oncology team, but Mike will be starting chemo very soon after we ring in the New Year! I am no professional (yet) at this cancer stuff, but I did know that a risk of Stage IV lung cancer is that is does metastasis to other areas of the body including the brain (which is clear), the spine (which is still clear), the adrenal glands (which has not occurred) and the liver (which now has a less than centimeter spot).

Mike’s clinical trial that he started at the beginning of 2011 (I still cannot believe it is 2012 almost), will be over 12/31/11. His brain/spine team says he has Done VERY on this study, better than many others – for this we are grateful and happy that Mike was able to be a part of research that will hopefully be used to find cures for others with the same cancers. So with this being said, his Oncology Team and His Brain/Spine team will be working closely together in the next couple of weeks to determine what new chemo-combo is going to benefit him the most – I will for sure keep you all posted!

Mike prior to his diagnosis has experienced back problems (since I have known him) and with the cancer, they have gotten worse with the extensive procedures to his spine including the Lumbar Punctures, the cancer to the bone (which continues to heal) and just the cancer in general. Used to he could pop into a chiropractor and get a quick “Snap-Crackle-Pop” and feel better, but it is highly discouraged for him to receive those and/or massages due to the damage and healing of the bone…so they have created a new mixture of medicine that will help alleviate this pain while the healing continues!

You know this was not the BEST visit we have had, and I surely was not “Kart-Wheeling” out of MDA today, and yet my mind is a little confused and my heart is hurting for this new report, my heavenly heart and mind remain focused on GOD above and know that this is ULTIMATLY his plan for Mike. I don’t understand quite yet what all this means, nor what this new chemo will hold for Mike’s Cancer, but I do know one thing – well a few things --- Mike since this diagnosis has found GOD above and has given his life to the LORD. Mike has been an inspiration to SO many others that has including getting some people back in church, making mends with family/friends and ultimately just giving it ALL to GOD as he requests. It has brought Mike and I closer than ever and through this I did not just gain a great relationship with my husband, I have developed the Best Friendship ANYONE could every ask for.

You may wonder as you read this “is she scared”, “Is he scared” and maybe even be gasping and feeling sorry for us --- please do not. GOD has brought us this far, and I know this journey is FAR from over! As I said, GOD does not ask much of us even though he did give his ONLY son so that we may live our lives – and for this he just asks us to praise him for it ALL – Large and Small and Even when we fall (< ---- I have said this many times, but SO true!) So as I close tonight, know that Mike and I are surely uncertain of the “unknown”, but we are sure of how powerful our GOD is above and continue to trust him with ALL he hands us while we are here on this earth!

We both wish you ALL a wonderful weekend as you raise your sweet tea or glass of champagne and countdown with Dick Clark to a New Year that has so much to offer. Know that we love you so much, and even though we do not see you often or maybe not at all right now, know we love you ALL! This has been a radical year and I cannot wait to see what 2012 has in store for us – Hopefully much more inspiration and unbreakable bonds built across our nation!

OXOX Lyndie

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year – XO Lyndie and Mike

“The total history of almost anyone would shock almost everyone - Mignon McLaughlin, The Neurotic's Notebook, 1960”



Wow! CHRIST-mas time already then the New Year --- Amazing! I love the rush of the holidays. I feel it’s not just the shopping of gifts or the excitement of the upcoming vacation and rushing around to see all family. I feel it is the reality of the year coming to an end and it wakes and shakes up the procrastinator in us all and we are suddenly on a time line to get our year-end honey do’s done and prepare for the new year! I love it actually and it adds a little pep to my step!

Also, this time of year we all come together as family and friends, and not all of us, but a lot of us are able to put the past issues of the year (or years) behind us (even if just for a day) and come together not for the presents or the good food, but come together as one to celebrate JESUS’s birthday and all that the season means!

I have borrowed the below entry from a friend of mine. I read it and it really made since and has had me reflecting on my answers (even though it is not a true quiz) it surely has my mind pondering. Take a moment to read:

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade’s worth of World Series Winners

The point is none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special!
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money or the most awards…they simply are the ones who care the most.



Now if I had to really answer these questions, I assure you I could put on a mad GOOGLE search and find out for you. AND we all know that I am one of the biggest TRASH-ality followers, and though I could not even tell you the infamous question “Now why are the Kardashians famous?” Though I cannot answer that, I am still guilty of watching. I even indulge in a little fist pumping action with Jersey Shore and cringe at the Botox treatments the Real Housewives under-go. BUT I know in my heart MY reality and the people that are a part of it.

This CHRIST-mas is very special this year to Mike and I. As we know everyday is not promised, yet we assume we will wake-up the next morning – and when we do, I remain thankful for such a great GOD to allow me another day to keep doing something right. This time last year, Mike was fresh from brain surgery and had just started chemotherapy. Now all who spent the holidays with us last year and even the first 6 months of Mike’s treatment know that with the steroids he was on (per the treatment requirements) he was not the best of company. At this same time, we had to face the reality that this may be his last CHRIST-mas – though treatment seemed to be working and GOD was blessing us with miraculous results, it was still so new to us. Mike has now surpassed the 6-9 month prognosis and has celebrated his birthday this year and now the wonderful CHRIST-mas holidays!

I wanted to insert the above questions because, though I am not good at history, and I tend to forget the ever-changing headlines, I can answer ALL of the questions pertaining to people in MY everyday life. In fact, I can give you more than just two, five or a “few”, I can guarantee if YOU are reading this, I am speaking of you. Mike and I have been blessed with AMAZING, I mean AMAZING family, friends, co-workers, doctors and so much more! I am not super good with names, but I have a face etched in my mind forever! As I am writing this now, I have a swirl of faces flying through my brain with a memory attached to it. Maybe a memory of us as young kids putting on a “talent show” for our parents dressed in mom’s clothes and heels. Maybe a memory of sneaking out of the house for the first time to ONLY get caught as we rounded the front of the house. Maybe a memory of a friend in need making that midnight phone call with nothing to say, but to just to hear your breath on the other end. ALL of these are great memories and each one makes me smile – maybe that is why I am always “Kart-Wheeling” and feel the sun on my skin – for ALL of you have helped me create so MANY good memories that they out-weigh the bad ones.

Because of you all, this past year, though VERY stressful, heart-breaking at times and scary, because of YOU, Mike and I both have experienced such love while enduring such pain at the same time. YOU ALL deserve so much from Mike and I, and unfortunately we have yet to win the lottery, so I hope this letter will stay forever close to your heart and remain priceless. Mike and I thank you so much!

Mike and I do not have a lot, but we have each other and ALL of you. And though each relationship with you all are completely different and have its own dynamics, I feel all have the same foundation which is love! Mike and I wish you a Wonderful CHRIST-mas Celebration and a Wonderful NEW Year! Know that on this day, YOU have made a difference in our lives without even knowing it. I hope that everyone reading this will find their internal sunshine and “Kart-Wheel” mentality to flip-flop into this New Year!

XO Lyndie

It’s CHRIST-mas Time In The City – Ring a Ling!

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other. ~Burton Hillis


My oh my – where has this year gone? As I sit here looking over the calendar, I am in amazement of being just a few weeks away from CHRIST-mas Day and then New Years Eve! As always, there is just something that enters the air the day after Thanksgiving. It makes even the most annoying of annoying errands that you have to run pleasurable with the Holiday Music in the air and all the decorations that fill the isles – but at the same time, I must thank the REAL reason for this season – Jesus above!

So in all that, I hope I don’t bore you to tears, for this may be in normal Lyndie fashion, a lengthy note, for it has been a while since I have written. I don’t even know where to start, but I am sure I will find some order ;)

As for Mike’s health, I will start with that. Mike had Scans and MRIs done prior to our vacation, and when we got back we sat down with both his Oncologist team and Neurology Team. Brain and Spine remain clean and stable – nothing new, and Dr. Groves is still calling Mike a miracle! As I have mentioned prior, he is on a clinical trial for the chemo treatment Avastin – the trial ends at the end of the month, but Dr. Groves, because Mike has done so well with the treatment, he wants to keep Mike on it even into the new year to ensure that the cancer stays gone. The BEST news of this all is though Mike will no longer have to endure the normal Lumbar Punctures  This makes him very happy. You know he is almost a legend down the halls in the Brain/Spine center – haah! Every time we are there, the doctors and nurses always assure him “yes, we know you – we have heard of you!” haha! Needless to say he has not ALWAYS taken the Lumbar Punctures very well!

As for his visit with the Oncology team, the cancer still remains non-apparent BUT there was concern for he has 3 lymmhnodes that are a little inflamed. The doctors said it could be his body fighting off cancer that is not being picked up on scans or simply just his body fighting of another infection like a cold. He will undergo another PET scan at the end of this month and from those scans, they will determine whether or not he will continue to receive his “Kung-Pow” Chemo or if he will be put on another maintenance type, maybe even an oral dose. As always (AND I KNOW YOU DO) Please keep him lifted in prayer – He has done so good and I know GOD above has future plans for him leading a life W/O Cancer!

We both hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday! Ours was a lot of fun! Mike and I packed up the 3 wet-nosed kiddos and headed off to Alabama and then Tennessee – we were SO fortunate to have such beautiful weather our entire trip – GOD surely was smiling down upon us! Mike had never met my Dad’s side of the family, but once they all met, I tell you it seemed as he has been part of this family for YEARS! Gosh Alabama is gorgeous and just breathtaking! I attached a picture I took of Mike on top of one of the highest points in Alabama and I just called it “One with GOD” – I cannot put into words of how this state makes me feel. To have all this beautiful, GOD made land around us, just kept us in awe the entire trip! Our family was so accommodating and for that we are so grateful! Diesel, Duke and Dozer were a hit also! Their noses were going a million miles an hour taking in all the new smells and all around them! It was sad to leave, but we have a lifetime full of memories to keep with us! Aunt Jan made a wonderful Homemade Turkey feast for us while we were there --- mmm! I can still taste that dressing and fixings! After that, we were Tennessee bound to spend time with Aunt Cissy!

Tennessee was equally as pretty, but not too much site seeing for it was raining pretty much the time we were there. Aunt Cissy was so accommodating to us as well along with all her “wet-nosed” kiddos – A LOT of toosh sniffing between all these guys/gals! We made some yummy Chicken/Sausage gumbo while there and just enjoyed the time chatting. After leaving there, we popped back into Alabama for a few more days but left early due to a storm heading in – I sure have to say that we had a GREAT time, but once we hit that Texas state line, there was just a sigh of “No place like home”. We spent a night at the Lake Cabin and got some family time in there too – then home it was! Man – as anal as I am, I usually would have been unpacking and cleaning, but Mike and I both literally jumped into our PJs and went straight to bed!
Let’s see – what else…Mike continues to work full-time (Praise JESUS) for continuing to instill strength for his body and bones. We attended his Christmas Dinner/Party last night, which was a lot of fun – It is fun to see people outside of work and let loose a little. Dixie remains good to Mike and we are thankful for this! As for me, work is great! We held a food drive and with the help of all our wonderful tenants and staff, we donated over 500 pounds of food to Houston Food Bank – it was very fulfilling and wishes we could do it every month! OH and we have our building decorated for CHRIST-mas – makes it so fun coming into work and seeing all the lights!

Because Mike and I felt our vacation was our CHRIST-mas treat to each other, we opted to not get gifts this year and just donate our time to MD Anderson and all that are not able to be at home for the Holidays. BUT we did start a “swear” jar recently and already up to 26.00! I’m telling you, I am not much of a curser, but since Mike’s diagnosis, it just comes out – we are REALLY working on this…BUT we decided whatever we have accumulated by the new year, we are going to get a chimena – we have always wanted one, just that little something that you don’t buy yourself --- but we are supposed to be having a chilly winter, and we love sitting on the porch, so it works out PERFECT!

I feel this year has flown by, and it almost at times seems like a blur of all that has happened – surreal even. Mike and I remain SO Blessed in so many ways and continue to thank GOD above for it all – Large and Small and EVEN when we fall! This year has been a true testament of our faith and belief; knowing that there is something BIGGER than his Cancer, Bigger than all of us and we continue to trust solely in HIM and know HIS plan is coming to pass – for it does not always happen when WE want it, but it does not stop us from knowing HE has not forgotten about us – we have learned patience! We have learned a new kind of love and we have become closer and stronger. We continue to be far from perfect, and we have stopped trying to seek perfection, for it will not come…we are happy in being us and being perfect in GODs eyes.

In closing, family and friends – Mike and I wish you a wonderful CHRIST-mas season. We wish you all a great time when you are around each other. It has been such a year of miracles for us and many others. It has been a year of heartache and mending. It has been a year of discovery! Mike and I thank you, each one of YOU for allowing us to share our lives with you and being a part of this journey. Words cannot express the gratitude that we have in our hearts for YOU. You have seen us in our happiest days and our darkest, yet continued to be our Family and Friends, as it should be. I know this journey is not over, but because of GOD above, he sure makes it bearable!

Wishing you ALL a magical, festive and warm Holiday Season and a VERY Blessed CHRIST-mas!

XO Lyndie

The Day (It Felt My Our World Stopped) But Realize Just a Brief Pause

“I know not what the future holds, but I know who holds the future - Author Unknown”


And for our future, I know it is ALL in GOD’s hands.

My oh my! I cannot believe we are approaching Thanksgiving! Where has this year gone? We have gone from freeze, to unbearably HOT summer, drought, rain and now possible tornadoes (as of tonight’s forecast in Houston). I was talking to a friend the other day, and we discussed (for we are both having a year that has consisted of people we love battling Cancer.) and we were sharing our journeys (way different from each others), but yet the same…as we are both not parents, we feel we have defiantly been instilled some serious life lessons and challenges of being a care giver.

When my Grandpa was sick a few years ago, prior to his passing, after beating lung cancer, he, I felt just because of older age his health began to deteriorate. I watched my Grandma time and time, day after day, stay so strong through it ALL. Everyday held something new. As my Grandfather grew older his visits to the hospital became more frequent. I watched my Grandmother and because being married for almost 59 years, I felt the strength that she had was just from being together for so long and I thought it was just what you do when you get older. After my Grandfather passed, my grandmother and I a few months later went to visit his gravesite and at that moment I saw the first (what seemed to be a tear) in my grandmother’s eye rolling down her cheek. I looked at her, almost in astoundment, for I had NEVER seen grandma cry. Not that I did not think she should, for I know she surely was sad, but it just was not what I was used to seeing. I asked her what she was thinking, and she simply said “I miss your grandpa”.

At the time, I didn’t pry too much, for I wanted her to have this moment, this moment that she deserved to breathe and know that her husband of 59 years was in a better place and no more hurt or pain. A little while later I asked my Grandma about that day, and just mentioned I of course knew she had to feel some pain, but never had I seen her emotions through the years. In all honesty, Grandma and grandpa were bickering up until the day he passed…not un-normal at all, for being married for 59 years, I assure you, as my grandma has said, she loved that man to death, but they still got under each other’s skin. Up until the day grandpa passed, my grandma was the BEST caregiver ever…even before he was sick. She would make his coffee, make his dinner plates, wash the clothes, make sure he took his meds, and all that comes along with it…she did not do it because she became his caregiver…she did because she cared.

Up until Mike was diagnosed in the summer of 2010, he was the “man” of the house. He mowed, he fixed things, he did all the man is “supposed” to do. I cooked, I cleaned, I washed and did what the woman of the house “does”…boy our world changed! Now do not get me wrong, but Mike really has not at all during this time let go of his “manly-hood”, but our lives did change and I took on a WHOLE lot more than I knew what to expect. Like the majority of Households we are a 2-income household, so when Mike had to take time off to fight this disease, I continued to work my full-time job, but when I arrived at home, I continued my job as a wife and caregiver, which threw me into a 24/7 job that I was not entirely prepared for, but I pulled up my boot straps and continue to get the job done.

All who know me; I am smiles at all times. I have my super bad days, I curse, I cry but for me to bring it out for the world to see, yes it only makes me human, but when you become a caregiver of someone sick when the mentality of that person is SO important, I maintained my Kart-Wheel personality through the darkest days. My days became consisting of no focus at work, because my mind was steered towards making sure that Mike was taking his meds, was he eating, when he does not answer his phone – was he still alive and not went into a seizure or coma (now granted, thankful to ALL prayers and God above, Mike was not too too sick during this time of treatment and surgeries) but ALL thoughts race through your head…ALL thoughts, even the worse. I lost so much sleep due to setting my alarm every hour on the hour to ensure he was still breathing and not running a fever due to chemo and medication. Due to our strong faith and beliefs, Mike has received his latest results a little over a month ago and there is no active cancer (that the scans are able to detect)…there is Hope!

As one caregiver to another, the BEST medicine for your loved one is to maintain a positive attitude. This is not always easy, and times seeing Mike laying in a hospital bed receiving Massive amounts of chemo, waking up to him vomiting uncontrollably, witnessing him barely touching anything on his plate at dinner (worrying that he is getting enough nutrition), trying accommodate each and every need even though you are dog tired from a long day at the office (or taking care of other family) and all other aspects that come along with being a caregiver of a loved one, it remains the BEST medicine for the one you love.

Not only to ALL that are fighting this disease, I along commend ALL caregivers…for the day that you get that phone call asking for you to join your loved one for the results of recent tests…the day your life changes forever…I proudly call you my sisters and brothers in this journey…for unexpectedly we are given the rubber boots and shovel…continue to take it ALL with much stride and continue to find something to believe in…for I am thankful everyday for MD Anderson and what they are doing for my family…

Mike is now back at work full-time, but as a wife/caregiver my job is never done…but I now hold a gift that can never be taken from me…strength, experience and most of ALL love from ALL other caregivers I have met. I recommend you to utilize ALL of MD Anderson’s networks, for I have met So many people that I can relate to and thankful to now call friends…