The Mask is Back

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

Psalm 100:1-3

A few months ago, we had a blog where we asked for suggestions on what to do with my radiation mask. http://zacandstacie.blogspot.com/2009/08/mask.html. We were given some great ideas and being that today is yet another snow day here in Des Moines, we decided to finally finish working on it.

For those of you who think it's a bit strange to play around with a radiation mask, please understand that it has been healing for me. In the 3 years since being diagnosed, Zac and I have tried our best to find the good in all situations. This isn't what we would have chosen for our life, but it's what happened, so the only thing we have control over is our attitude. And we choose to laugh and have fun with life. This mask represents 5 weeks of my life that was very rough but throughout every moment we felt God's Hand of protection over my body. This mask may have been vital during treatment, but we know God ultimately protected.

I have one final thing planned for my mask and will post that in the next month when it's finished. But for now, are you ready for some fun? Please laugh with us as you look through our photos. : )

We started back in October and I dressed up to scare all the neighborhood kids for trick-or-treat night. There were some tears from Spiderman and Cinderella so I took it off and used it as our "treat" bowl. *

At Christmas time, we tried using it as our star on the tree. Although I'm not much of a decorator, I knew it didn't quite look right so we replaced it with a real star. When making supper I sometimes use it to strain my pasta. (Don't tell Zac!) **

It comes in handy as a very decorative nightlight cover.

We've been able to practice our putting indoors this winter.

We tried using it as a cover for our porch light, but realized my head is not big enough - Thank God!!! : )
In answer to does it "Sink or Float"....It sinks!

*No children were scared or harmed in this experiment.
**This pasta was not consumed. That's just plain wrong!!

Glory to God in the Highest

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the LORD. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Many of you may not have known, but Zac and I traveled to Iowa City for a couple appointments and tests on Wednesday. My oncologists wanted an update on my vision following treatment and also wanted me to meet with a head and neck specialist to address my hearing and also a couple small issues I've had over recent months. Although it does not match the glorious news the angels brought years ago (but nothing can compare to the birth of our Savior), we did have a little good news ourselves yesterday.

I started out with a hearing test. After testing, they are not concerned about my hearing at this point. Although the UofI did not test my hearing in June before treatment, I did have it tested here in Des Moines a year ago and it has slightly improved! As one doctor pointed out, I am very blessed to have full hearing in my left ear and only mild problems in my right. We then met with the head and neck surgeon. He addressed the atrophy I have in my face or the little control I have over the muscles in my face. He said it's amazing that I still have control over the muscles around my eyes (I'd say it's God protecting me!).

We were then off to the neuro-ophthalmologist. They ran many tests and took lots of photos. And in the end we received the good news that my vision and double vision has improved slightly. Some of you may know that on my glasses (used only for distances and driving), I have a prism. It's like a clear sticker on my glasses that helps the double vision. The doctors told me yesterday that I can try going without the prism for now!

Zac and I had a great day as it was encouraging to hear the news that there is slight improvement. There have been many times over the past few years that I feel so sorry for myself that I can't hear clearly at all times and have to deal with the double vision. But different things throughout the day reminded me that I am so incredibly blessed. I can still hear and see and it could always be worse. I also recognize that my healing is going to be slow. But we rejoice each day in the little blessings and improvements.

As we enter into the Christmas season, may we all remember the reason for celebrating - The great and glorious news that God sent His Son, Christ, to earth. He was born a baby and one day He made the ultimate sacrifice for us. "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. Hebrews 12:28b

We're back from Iowa City and had a good day. Once again, the tumor is "stable" as the doctor's called it. They said that it is basically the same size as before. We were able to look at the scans and a couple of the images looked as if it's slightly smaller, but the doctors explained that this could be because of how my head and neck were positioned each time during the MRIs.

We were able to get some questions answered and I also have more appointments set up - with an ENT dr and also my eye dr. I'm feeling great and it's so encouraging seeing my hair start to grow back, being able to eat foods I couldn't just weeks ago, and noticing slight changes in my vision and hearing. I've got a ways to go, but seeing progress! My next check-up is in February.

Short post tonight, as I'm super tired. Hope to talk to you all soon!

Trip to Iowa City

He is my loving God and my fortress,

my stronghold and my deliverer,

my shield, in whom I take refuge.

Psalm 144:2

It's already time for my next MRI. My last one was August 19 and now we're heading back to Iowa City tomorrow morning (Nov 2) for my next check-up. The last few months have included lots of highs and also lots of lows. I've been sick on and off as my immune system is weak due to the treatment I went through. I seem to catch every bug that's going around. I've had strep throat, a cold, a sinus infection, and the latest is a rare skin rash. But the positive through all of it is that I've had no major headaches!

On the bright side, in the past few weeks, my hair has started to grow back! My sister, Haylie, the stylist, had to take a look and we were all so excited that it was just starting to peak through. And even better is that it's the same color as the rest of my hair (there's a chance it could have grown back differently). The other good news is that I'm starting to gain back my taste buds. I haven't been able to eat cooked tomato foods (like pasta sauce, pizza sauce, salsa) because of my taste buds. They would leave a horrible, bitter taste in my mouth. However, in recent weeks, I've been able to eat these again! We also have hope that my hearing is getting slightly better. I was able to talk to Zac on the phone with my "bad" ear and feel like I could hear him better than before. But we'll need to have it checked in months to come. One by one, things are starting to heal.

Please pray for my MRI and appointments Monday. We are praying for a great report from the MRI. We are also hoping for answers to some of the questions we have. Pray for great wisdom for my doctor's and nurses. We will keep you updated on how things go!

How Beautiful

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. Romans 5:6-11

As you may have noticed, I've added a new song for you to listen to. The song is "How Beautiful" by Twila Paris. It's often played at weddings, so I think I always assumed that it was about the bride and the groom. But today I heard it and really listened to the words. It actually talks about how beautiful Christ is. He laid down His life for us. He took all our sins. He made the ultimate sacrifice. And how beautiful is the body of Christ, the children of God who give and forgive. And how beautiful is the one who waits for heaven, who glows with the promise of heaven.

How beautiful is Christ! I pray that each one of you reading this knows how beautiful He is!!! Because we were unable to follow all of God's commands and therefore sinned against God, God sent his son, Jesus Christ, as a sacrifice. Christ gave his life on the cross, so in exchange, we could live for eternity. All we have to do is ask God for forgiveness and accept his son into our hearts as our Lord and Savior. How beautiful it is to know that we'll be heaven one day.

And how beautiful is the body of Christ - those of us who have believed in Christ. Zac and I have experienced the beauty and love of so many of you over the past few months. You have loved us and cared for us. You have encouraged us and prayed for us. You are truly beautiful.

Please read the words below and let them sink in. How beautiful is Christ and what he has done for us. May you know that and live that out each day. May you accept the beauty of what he's done for you.

How beautiful the hands that served

the wine and the bread and the sons of the earth.

How beautiful the feet that walked

the long dusty roads and the hill to the cross.

How beautiful. How beautiful.

How beautiful is the body of Christ.

How beautiful the heart that bled,

that took all my sin and bore it instead.

How beautiful the tender eyes

that choose to forgive and never despise.

How beautiful. How beautiful.

How beautiful is the body of Christ.

And as He laid down His life

we offer this sacrifice

that we will live just as he died:

willing to pay the price, willing to pay the price.

How beautiful the radient bride

who waits for her Groom with His light in her eyes.

How beautiful when humble hearts give

the fruit of pure lives so that others may live.

How beautiful. How beautiful.

How beautiful is the body of Christ.

How beautiful the feet that bring

the sound of good news and the love of the King.

How beautiful the hands that serve

the wine and the bread and the sons of the earth.

How beautiful. How beautiful.

How beautiful is the body of Christ.