It took an illness like cancer to make me realize just how blessed I truly am.

It is still a scary, uncertain time for me, but I have my faith in God to sustain me, not to mention, the love generated from my family, friends, my church family.  Their support and generosity has been nothing short of extraordinary.

My name is Hope Washington.  I live in Racine, Wisconsin, with my husband Tom, our three teenage sons (Patrick, Maverick, and Scout), our younger daughter (Sydney), and my mother, Irene Mae.  I go to a wonderful Baptist church not far from my home if I am feeling up to it; if not, then the church comes to me.  

I also have breast cancer.  It has cost me my one breast, but not my life.  I am in the middle of chemotherapy, which robbed me of my hair (I'm as bald as Telly Savalas) and my health, but not my spirit or will to live.  I am very determined to beat this thing.  I do have my bad days, but somehow, some way, I get through them; it is only by God's grace that I have.

My husband and family have been with me the entire time I have been at the hospital (well, all but Sydney; when I'm in the hospital, my Mama watches her, so I don't have to worry); my church family also comes to see me, where they pray for me and lift me up with their words of encouragement.  

I don't know what I would do without any of them.  I am truly a blessed woman.

I don't know what I would do if I didn't have God in my life.  I can't imagine having to face something like breast cancer (ANY cancer, really) without having God in my life.  My life would probably be a lot more scarier, not to mention, sadder!  God has gotten me through some incredibly hard times (the diagnosis, the frirst rounds of chemo, the surgical removal of my breast, the side effects of the chemo, etc.) and I know that He will continue to be with me, no matter what happens.  The worst that could happen?  Me waking up in Heaven, staring at the Beautiful Face of my Lord and Saviour!

While that does sound great, I don't plan on dying anytime soon.  God ain't finished with me just yet and I plan on doing all I can while I am still able to.  I am still recovering from my surgery and dealing with the fact that I will have to wear a prosthetic breast, so I don't look so odd or lopsided to others.

Well, I am going to my chemo appointment in a bit, so I will end this.  Pray it goes well, and pray I don't get sick from the side effects again!  I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy; cancer is NOT easy to go through!  Yet I am determined to beat it, so I will do all I can to do so!  Also pray that the chemo helps get rid of the bad cells and that I have a good report from the cancer docs! Any and ALL prayers are very much needed and appreciated!  Thanks in advance!

~Hope.

~To be continued.~