She believed...

World Cancer Day is this Wednesday, February 4th. Do you know someone who is fighting, fought, or lost their battle with cancer? Can you name a few? I can, and my heart hurts for the many I know of, and the ones I've lost. So far, my mom's battle with cancer has gone well. There has been good news at every turn. Sadly though, there are too many who do not receive the news that they prayed for, that they long for. With cancer, I know it's a reality that, for my mom's battle, I could possibly not receive the good news that I hope for (with every fiber of my being) and if that’s what I dwell on and let go of the hope, I find myself stricken with grief. When this ‘journey’ first began, I had no words for God. “My mom has cancer” was too much for my mind to bear but thankfully God knows our hearts and does not need our words. Thankfully He gives us beautiful friends who say the words for us. He hears. He knows. He speaks. I don’t know about you, but I find that He often speaks to me through music. “Oceans” by Hillsong, was where I heard Him say “trust Me”, “I’m bigger than this”:
      Your grace abounds in deepest waters
      Your sovereign hand
      Will be my guide
      Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me 
      You've never failed and you won't start now
       .....
      Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders 
      Let me walk upon the waters
      Wherever you would call me
      Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander 
      And my faith will be made stronger
      In the presence of my Savior

“Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders” was hard to swallow at first though. I didn’t want Him to lead me that far. Not through possibly losing my mom to Ovarian Cancer like she lost her mom... but God IS good and my faith HAS been made stronger, in the presence of my Savior. Carlotta’s strength and faith in our God, has sure helped me stay positive too. Have you seen it? Have you heard Him through her? She’s an amazing woman. My mom is my hero.
Have you ever seen or heard this saying?

I've always really liked it and I still (partly) believe it. However, when I saw it again today I had a thought.... "There’s more to it than that though right?" Yes, because it's God who gives me the desires of my heart. It's God in whom I can do all things because He gives me strength. And after searching, these are thruths I came upon:
"It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken." Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. All this for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:13-18 (NIV)

This what Carlotta believes and because she believes this she has ______ (insert any of the following: hope, faith, strength, peace), knowing that God’s got her. That she can do this, with Him. And that’s why I ‘partly’ believe the original saying. It’s really only true though if you believe the whole truth... I see it more it like this: 

The journey continues!

Hello prayer warriors, supporters, and Ovarian Cancer awareness spreaders! We thank you for being there every step of the way of Carlotta's journey! Your prayers have been heard; your calls, texts, and cards have been an uplifting blessing; your yummy meals filled not only our bellies but our hearts as well; your teal wearing selves are spreading the word that all cancers are not just pink and you are being heard about this "silent killer"; and, last but not least, your monetary gifts have been a tremendous financial relief! Thank you!!

Since Carlotta's last chemo treatment in November, she has enjoyed better sleep, a better appetite, and more energy! Colie, Justin and their kids spent a lot of time with her over the holidays; wearing her out most days! We've even been to Disneyland (our favorite place) a few times- as you might have seen! 

As of November, Glenn and Carlotta had finally found a way to qualify for insurance. Carlotta has now been able to return to her chosen doctors through Beaver Medical Center. After all the paperwork and preliminary procedures, a surgery date has been set! {Insert your praise to God here 😉🙏☝️🙌} On Thursday, February 5th she'll head to Loma Linda University Medical Center where her surgeon's plan is to send a camera in through a small incision to first determine the size of the masses and extent of the cancer. If he determines that the masses are small enough to remove, he'll open her up to do a full hysterectomy and remove the masses. If, however, he finds that the masses are too large and surgery would be too invasive, he'll schedule her for three more rounds of chemo. I'm sure you've already sent even a quick prayer up for her...and that's what we're asking for now: prayer, lots and lots of prayer! God, we need you! We need you too family, friends- our prayer warriors and supporters! 💗 

Finally, though they do have insurance now, any financial gifts are still greatly appreciated. Your monetary support helps with the previous medical bills that she has incurred as well as current premiums and co-pays. You are such a blessing to us in any and all ways you support Carlotta through this fight against cancer. We love you! 

First Teal Tuesday!

Carlotta's support system is vast! You're wonderful and amazing! Thank you! 

T.E.A.L.= Take Early Action and Live   OR   Tell Every Amazing Lady

Awareness is going to going to be the key (as in all cancers) to help women know the signs, get early detection, and beat Ovarian Cancer. When we wear teal on Tuesdays, we open ourselves up to conversations about why we're wearing it. When we post pictures of ourselves wearing teal, we spread the awareness that there is another women's cancer, one they call 'the silent killer'. When we hashtag (#) our photos we connect with others who are battling and/or supporting. We invite you to join us each Tuesday! Wear TEAL!  

Now, we have some happy news to share! For the past five days, Carlotta has been feeling better! Some of the bloating has gone down! She has had less pain and is taking less pain medication! She feels God's healing, knowing He's heard your prayers.  She's sleeping better, able to eat a bit more, and is able to be up and moving (a little at time)!  I was speaking with her on the phone the other day and she was saying that too much laying around and watching t.v. had her agreeing with Rose, from the Golden Girls show.  

Picture it: Sophia is having chest pains and the girls talk as they wait for an ambulance.

Rose: “There shouldn’t be heart attacks. Or cancer, or anything like that. There should just be a certain age when you have to turn your life in, like a library book.”

LOL! She may have agreed to that statement, but truly believes that God is going to pull her out of this and she'll be here for us all in the years to come. From the beginning Carlotta has said, "God is good. All the time." Though she's had been in a lot of pain and was extremely uncomfortable, she believes this. This storm is just a short setback and she will continue to praise Him through it! In the meantime, please keep praying! Although she is feeling better, she's currently dealing with another side effect from the chemo we think.

She goes in for a biopsy on Wednesday the 8th. This will tell the Oncologist and medical staff exactly what type of Ovarian Cancer she has. They will be able to give her the specific chemo treatment for her type. As her mother had lost the battle to Ovarian Cancer years earlier, and by the tests and scans they've already done, her doctors have been almost 100% certain that it is Ovarian. Please be praying for the procedure and all the staff that will handle her biopsy. 

Side Effects Started

Carlotta's first round of chemo started Friday, September 26th. She had been told she could be there up to 8 hours, but with no complications that could have possibly arose, she and Glenn were home a couple hours earlier than anticipated. She was given a few new medications to take for the first few days after treatment. Unfortunately the side effects of those medications had her going in to the Emergency Room early Monday morning for severe pain and frequent urination. They administered her something for the pain as well as for the nausea she was experiencing due to the chemo. They ran a few blood tests and did a CT Scan to make sure there wasn't any new developments or infections. There weren't, and after her pain was at a tolerable level she was sent home with a prescription for a stronger pain medication. She spoke with her Oncologist and he said that unfortunately, due to the size of the masses, they are going to be pushing on her organs and causing pain. Pain management is all they can do until the chemo starts shrinking them down. Also, due to the pain and pressure, Carlotta is not getting much sleep. Please be praying for these specific things! We know you are and we are thankful! 

Welcome!

Hello Dear Family and Friends!

Welcome to our family blog about Carlotta's journey through 

Ovarian Canger-Stage 3C. 

This blog has been created to connect with our 'Oikos' to relay current news, information, doctor appointments, prayer requests, needs, and more. As you might understand, relaying information over and over again can be very draining on Carlotta, as well as Glenn and Nicole. We hope you'll utilize this tool to find the answers to Carlotta's current state and the resources to find out how you can help.
We cannot thank you all enough for your out pouring of love, support, and prayers. This is going to be a long journey but we know very well we are not alone in it. We are blessed, indeed!