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Introduction Text July 16, 2017 Figured I would give myself a little update. I am approaching my 7 year anniversary for being cancer free. So excited about that! As I write this my husband is in the hospital. After getting terribly sick at work the other day, an ambulance ride and the hospital running a ton of tests, they found blockage on one of his main arteries called the L.A.D. He is scheduled for a procedure tomorrow morning. We are so thankful! So many ways this could have been worse!. I was out of town and we are empty nesters, so IF this had happened at home we wouldn't have known for hours because his employer would have eventually called me looking for him. This could have happen when he was working out, on the elliptical no less, but didn't. It happened at work where someone who use to be a cardiac nurse was only feet away!!!!!!! As for me, my health challenges continue but see evidence daily that God has His hands on us and those around us graciously taking care of us. We only need to look up when things are down. Praise Him in the good times, Praise Him in the not so good times. HE is in control ALWAYS MAY 6, 2016 I have had 5 cancer free birthdays since the last entry. Number 6 is just round the corner (July 22). I have had several medical challenges these last few years. Neuropathy in my feet keeps me off my feet more than I like but I am still hopeful the doctor will find a way to turn that around. But besides some other issues that I won't bore you with I just had a brain aneurysm coiled!!! It was a painful but an amazing journey. Most aneurysms are silent but every once in a while my doctor says he has to address an aneurysm that comes with symptoms. Anyway, long story short, I feel like a new woman. I had forgotten what it feels like without a headache. AMAZING July 7, 2013 Well, I have reached my 3rd birthday as CANCER FREE!!! My birthday date is July 22 so I guess I actually have 2 weeks to go but I have it in the bag!!! The doctors all keep a close watch on me and I still suffer from neuropathy and a sluggish to non-existent metabolism but I am alive and cancer free so who am I to complain!!! July 24, 2012 Today was another colonoscopy! If you have never had one then you wouldn't understand. It is one of those sweet sorrow things - or - love/hate relationships. Considering I have had cancer I have come to appreciate their value!!! By the grace of God I will never go though all that again!!! The doctor just said again this morning that it was nothing short of a miracle - not that he needs to tell me that but I love hearing a doctor say it. Can you believe I know a couple people who would rather believe I never had cancer?!?!?! I've got pictures and scars to prove I did. But I don't have to prove anything to anybody! I am healed and that is "nothing short of a MIRACLE!" JAN 5, 2012 After having been diagnosed with cancer March 3, 2010 I dug my heels in even more than before. I was determined that cancer WOULD NOT undo all I had accomplished. Initially it didn't. But as cancer caused me to to lose more and more of my mobility, I did eventually lose ground. The doctors completely expected it but it still hit me pretty hard. I have been beating myself up over it for months - WELL NO MORE!!!! Cancer is over and so is feeling sorry for myself!!! I fell into the pity party because of the weight gain - not the cancer. I really want to make that clear. My faith runs deep and the Lord never let me walk a moment alone. In fact, I was healed - literally!! During this time I also had open heart surgery. That was also a DIVINE intervention experience. But the weight was different somehow. It was like I should have been able to "control" that. What is done - is done. I put all that behind me and I only have POSITIVITY before me. If there was EVER a time I am worth taking this journey again - IT IS NOW!!! July 20, 2010 I use to be a different user name - I had to change for personal reasons - hope this did not confuse anyone. March 3, 2010 Today I was diagnosed with rectal cancer. I am in the best health I have ever been - in my entire life. What if this had been 3 or 4 years ago?? Thank God it didn't - it happened now - now , when I am in the best shape of my life. Now that recovering will be esier BECAUSE I took off the weight. Of course I wish it didn't happen to me - why anyone???!!! but if it "had" to happen - at least it is now and not earlier. I have maintained my weight loss for 6 months. and it will maintained for many many years to come!!!! I have been on this "journey" since June of 2005. My new year's resolution for January 2006 was to walk to the mailbox everyday (six times a week). There were days I couldn't even do that!!! Eventually though I increased my activity level and on Memorial weekend of 2006 I went to the fitness center for the first time. My husband went with me which made it a little less intimidating. The first time on the treadmill I only lasted ten minutes. But I knew that the idea was to build on whatever you do -"Precept upon Precept". I read Joyce Meyer's book "Look Great - Feel Great" early on this journey and it really helped me learn that biting off more than I can chew was counter productive and a set up for failure. So I learned to be patient with myself. I have read many books on self improvement not just weight loss because I knew I was going to have to change the way I think. "Lean not on your own understanding, but in ALL your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path". When I find myself scratching my head due to lack of progress, I remind myself that God is RE-Sculpting me and that takes time. I have lost 144 pounds to date and only 67 to go to my goal!!! Aug 18, 2009 Today I reached my goal weight of 190 pounds!!! I have now lost 211 pounds. It took over 4 years but it was sssoooo worth it. July 22, 2009 TWO POUNDS AWAY!!!!!! Lost to date 209 POUNDS!! (211 after 2 more pounds) Tomorrow is my 4 year and 1 month anniversary of starting this journey. It all began with a prayer in 2005 and God has been in control ever since!!! "The steps were ordered by the Lord" Himself!!!! A year ago I asked God what was different this time??? I have done the exercise and nutrition thing before. But it only worked for a short time and eventually stopped working. I mean, no matter what I did - it didn't matter. All progress came to a halt. SO I asked God, not that I was complaining, but I asked Him "Why this time?, What is different about this journey???" And I felt His response just as clear as if it were audible. He said, "Yvonne, you aren't relying on man's understanding, You are relying on MINE!!!" Oh my goodness, that is so true. I mean that is what I have been doing the entire journey is watch and listen for God's guidance. And guided me He has!!! He has brought books and speakers, comments and otherthings that has taught me and encouraged me along the way. Not that I believed everything I have read or heard. Chew the meat and spit out the bones is what my sister says. I would learn what I felt the Lord wanted me to learn and spit oout the rest - LEANING ON HIS UNDERSTANDING!! My heart is so full with gratitude!!! I feel so overwhelmed with emotions that I would have a hard time decribing all that I feel at this moment. It is such a sense of accomplishment but more than that I am humbled so much that God really cares about WHATEVER you care about!! He doesn't "roll His eyes" at anything!!! He set supportive people around me too. That doesn't mean that they say and do everything right all the time - they are human too. But the support I have has been strong and encouraging. I am so thankful for each person!!! My prayer for anyone reading this, is that you find your torch and "run with it". It is YOUR journey. Look to God for direction because rarely does He do anything the same way twice. Don't try to copy anyone - God wants to show YOU the road for YOUR journey!!! Entry date 4/6/2009 I am 25 pounds away from my goal of 190 pounds!!! I am sssooo excited that I can just hardly even stand it!!! Some things are so different and others are the same. For example, I have more energy so I get to go hiking with my family instead of listening to all the fun they had, I don't dread going to the doctor as much cause I know the "fat" lecture isn't waiting. I heard a story once that someone told their doctor "really? why hasn't someone ever told me I am overweight?!!!" HAHAHA Can't tell you the number of times I wished I had the gall to say that to a couple doctors I knew. That is another story!!! I am NOT in constant pain. My knees don't hurt 24/7 moving or not. I don't have daily headaches either. My blood pressure is completely normal - NO MEDS!!!! So my health has really improved. I have health issues that aren't weight related but I'm not worried about them. I said that some things are the same: that's right, I am the same caring, loving person. I love and try to help any one I can. I have the same feelings I had when I was overweight, the same ones that were hurt countless times, some from well meaning people and some from people who thought I just needed to "snap out of it". ANYONE who has been down this road knows you don't just "snap out of it". If anything I have said hits home with anyone then I have just one thing to say - CHOOSE TO BE YOU!!!! You are your own best friend. NEVER give up on yourself - NEVER!!!!!

I reached my goal in August 2009. However, I had 2 major medical issues in 2010 and lost some ground. Hope springs eternal though so I am landing on my feet and optimism is running high!! Then my goal now will be to maintain my weight loss and new lifestyle!!!

I am working out 5 days a week. On the weekends I try to get in some activity that counts as a workout such as hiking or walking or something like that. It varies. It keeps me from getting bored. We eat so much healthier. I enjoy getting creative in the kitchen with different spices and foods.



"There's a difference between interest and commitment. When you're interested in doing something, you do it only when it's convenient. When you're committed to doing something, you accept no excuses; only results."

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