24/07/2023
Happy July 24th!! Today I celebrate my “happy healthy anniversary!” It was 10 years ago today that I called my Mom in tears because I had been told the words, “You have a brain tumor.” I am forever grateful for where the experience has taken me. In these 10 years so much has changed in life and I look a life differently. It is truly a gift that I thank God for every day with trust in his plan for me. No matter what that day brings. Today I am closer to him than I was 10 years ago and I will always try to spread the love and his purpose. I am a healthier eater (and water picky and sometimes I take 10 minutes to order at a restaurant haha!), love the sunshine even more, and an even more positive person than I was before. Joy is everywhere and I can always find the bright side.
The last 10 years have been full of those happy moments with a natural bright side! Two of the happiest moments were marrying the man who is my everything and becoming a Mom. Josh and Baker Ann are two of my biggest blessings that I cannot describe my love for. While I was writing this post the song, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” came on. Happy tears came because I would do anything for Josh (Josh Cox) and Baker Ann. It also made me realize how family and friends who would do anything for me when I found out I have a brain tumor.
From July 24, 2013 to today there were so many hearts, hugs and hands given to me….
❤️Folker (Lindsay Wilson) picked me up from the hospital after I found out. I’ll never forget how strong she was and she made my laugh. She said, “Everything happens for a reason….McDreamy may be your surgeon.” Laughter really is a good medicine.
❤️Molls (Molly Mae Sears) left her hair appointment with wet hair to be at my house and stayed with me that night. She did much, much more, she probably knows more about my tumor than me (Molls wrote the "About"/description of this page) and would do anything for me.
❤️Nothings stops my Mom who is truly the best and who I pray to be. Mom and Aunt Sally (Sally Branch) were here early next day. I have never have had such a need for a hug from my Mom in my life.
❤️Rach was my personal driver. She drove me to pick up Mom and Aunt Sally, dropped off MRI scans, grabbed food and much more than driving.
❤️Aunt Susan (Susan McCollegan), Sean (Sean McCollegan) and Cal came to add laughter and more love. Sean got bucket list to do checked and we went to Cooter’s Nashville. More laughter.
❤️Friends came over for a pizza night to bring hugs and more laughs. We had a beautiful sunny Sunday morning at Church then brunch with family and friends before our flight home to Springfield.
❤️Several friends from home came to my parents’ before we left for Mayo. I remember sitting around the kitchen table telling old middle school and high school stories, laughing. Blake (Blake Lowther) told me he was praying to the gay Gods…Elton, Cher and Brittany. Jenna Diann, Jaclyn Hains, Caeli Richards, Nacy Tai Ryerson, Megan Howard,
❤️Yvi, the previous Pastor at our church and her son, came to pray and be with us before we ventured to Mayo in the morning. She also delivered the handmade prayer shawl from church. Psalm 40.
❤️The four of us took a family drive from Springfield to Mayo in Rochester. Yes, we all had that unknown feeling but we didn’t let it stop us from enjoying the time in car as a family. I still remember smiling, laughing along the way, and thinking how grateful I was for the four of us to be on this adventure together. Bill-Julie Davis Katie Davis Swisshelm
❤️One day I got a bunch of Facebook notifications. So many friends and family members had changed their Facebook profile pictures to a picture of us. The smallest things I felt so much love!
❤️Even while at Mayo we found laughter. Usually brought by my Dad, my Sister had some doozies too, and we still laugh about those comments and moments!
❤️All of the flowers, cards, food and gifts sent and delivered from family and friends (even from the random nice guy Mom met in the hotel laundry room!) while at Mayo, and home, I truly felt the love. I knew I was in everyone’s prayers.
❤️My closest Arkansas girls, Camille (Camille Cook Thompson, Mea (Meagan Hobbs) and Jenna (Jenna Slade) came for a much need girls weekend while I was still at my parents’. I remember waking up from a nap and hearing their voices and laughter out on the patio with my family. It made me so happy they were there!!
❤️The doctors, nurses, MRI team and others who gave, and still give, me the best care it is a gift.
❤️So many MRIs and radiation appointments, friends were there with me or keeping my parents company!
….And many, many, many more friends and family that would go above and beyond for me.
These memories were a few of many and just the beginning of my amazing adventure. I am so grateful to have today to reflect back and I am forever thankful for my trust in God making it an amazing 10 years!
Thank you to my family, friends and everyone here who have been there along the way!! ❤️ You all keep me strong and are still making me stronger. Your love and prayers make all the difference and I am so grateful for you!! I wish you the best and pray for you happy healthy adventure to also be an amazing one!
❤️❤️❤️
P.S. I tried to tag everyone I gave a shoutout but it wasn't working for some. That was...Rachie, Sami, Emma, Aunt Susan, Sean and Yvi! ❤️
From surgery to today. It was fun looking back at the pictures we have shared over the years!! Forgot how good I got at that side ponytail!!😂
