Sunday, March 17, 2013

Home Again

Sorry it's taken so long to update, but we got home from Memphis. My tumor shrunk.. AGAIN! 

It was 4.4 cm back in August. This last time it was 1.9 cm, and they said they didn't know if some of that was scar tissue, or if it was all tumor. YAY! 

Still in shock that it just keeps shrinking. I blame it on the prayers, it makes me so happy to know that people actually care enough to try to persuade God to heal me. Biggest blessing in my life. I love that it 
just keeps shrinking!


My tumor, on the right screen is original size, the middle one is last time I went, and the left is after this visit. I don't know if anyone else can see, but there is that white circle (very noticeable on the right picture.) It goes away a lot in the middle picture, and the dark coloring is back in the left picture.

 We're all pretty proud to be St. Jude families.

 Me and Savannah of course! Cancer buddies for life! One of the blessings/friends that come from cancer.

 The art project that Savannah, me, and a few other patients worked on. It's so funny how awful it was.

 At Graceland!

 Donating mask holders and quilts to Ms. Penny, that people from my school made to send to St. Jude!


 Fabric room in Graceland.


 Even Elvis supports St. Jude.

 Diane and I in front of the Graceland Mansion.

 Touching a shark

 Touching a Sting Ray

 Dustyn, me and Krista at the Memphis Zoo.

                                            Dustyn and I.                             Matrix (Dakota) and I.

 Riding a Camel!

 View of the Peabody Hotel in Memphis.

 It may be scary, but Memphis has some pretty amazing churches.

 My friend Gaige and I. Cutest kid EVER. Just under 6 months old.

 Sweetest face.

 PRAY FOR GAIGE.

 The back of the Grizzly house.

 Diane and I in the garden.

It was a really awesome trip this time, cause I got to see some of my old friends. It's always nice to see my doctors, as well as meet new friends and hear their inspiring stories. I'm so grateful that I have so many amazing people in my life, to support me through the good and the bad, and be happy with me when I'm happy.

This last weekend I went to Moab with some friends. Diane was practically in tears.
Diane: "My baby is leaving me for the first time in forever."

Me: "Mom I'm almost 18, I'm practically an adult."

Haha, she cracks me up.

 Branson and I.

 Kina and I.

 Attempting, yet failing at trying spell Moab with our bodies.

 Kina and I.

All of us at Arches National Park.

Storytime! On the way home, we stopped in the middle of nowhere, and we were kind of scared, but needed to go into the gas station. While checking out, there was a funny cashier, who was asking lots of questions. Long story short, he found out that I'm a St. Jude patient, and was so excited to show me that he had some pictures of patients and explained that he was proudly supporting multiple different kids at St. Jude. He said "I saw one of those commercials of the sad, bald kids, and thought to myself I'm never not going to support a cause like that." (Or something to that effect.) Anyways, he donates 60 dollars a month to St. Jude. Amazing man. To think we were scared! It kind of gave me perspective that I shouldn't judge anyone.

Talking to Gary Farmer in the gas station

Then we went outside and the man behind us in line followed us out, still feeling eerie, he asked us in his aged voice, "Where are you going ladies?" I thought for sure I was going to get kidnapped or something! We told him we were on our way home. He continued telling us how he had Leukemia, and that he's glad there are good people like us. He handed us these slips:


It's not very good quality, but it was nice to know someone cares about making a difference. He told us that he was a Seventh Day Adventist. He asked us what religion we were, and we told him we belonged to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He told us he had a lot of respect for Mormons, and that they've never shown him anything but kindness. (Made me kind of proud to belong to such an incredible religion and way of life.) He ended with a prayer, and prayed for us to get home safely, and prayed that if it was the Lords will that he would heal my tumor. And if that wasn't his will, that I would be okay, and peaceful with that as well.

I'm so impressed at these amazing people I met last night. It was such an incredible experience. Right after I thought I wouldn't judge people anymore, I did it again, so it kind of double testified to me that we are all His children, and to love everybody no matter what, because he loves us and helps us, and if I'm expecting his help, I need to do my part.

Anyways, that's my last two weeks! Sorry it took so long for me to update.

I have so much love for all of you that support me, and I appreciate prayers more than you would know.
Much love: Rachel 

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Off to Memphis, again

So yesterday I went skiing and that was very fun! I have been doing it for 11 years and I love it! And currently I'm sitting in the airport on my way to Memphis, but our flight was delayed and we don't leave for another 2 1/2 hours. So I'm very bored. Anyways, going to get an MRI! Wish me luck!

Rach