Oprah

Hi Everyone- Sorry it has taken me awhile to get another blog out. I went to see Don Piper of the book "90 minutes in Heaven" on Wednesday night. I needed a bit of time to think about what all he said and absorb it. I also spoke with my counselor about my thoughts. See, I have struggled with what I believe. I am working on my spiritual journey and have so many questions and am trying to understand and learn. Don Piper had a vision of Heaven, and for me it was hard to understand that vision. It seemed so unreal to me. But he was great in the fact that he talked about the "new normal" which I am trying to figure out in myself. He also talked about how God IS in the miracle business, that was good to hear!!! It was also a church service and they had everyone who had a "burden" who wanted to, come up so they could pray with us. My mom and sister went up with me, it was a good experience. I am very glad I went. Thank you Julie, Julie's mother, Barbara, Brandi, Kelly, Andrea and my mom for going with me. I wanted to invite any of you who are interested to read this book, "90 minutes in Heaven" by Don Piper. Maybe in the next couple of weeks, we can have some type of book club through the blog to get feedback and opinions of what everyone thinks about it. I am going to see if Doug can possibly put up a chat area, such as Chris and Jennifer Ireland habe on their blog so maybe I can set a date and we can all chat about it. If you are interested let me know. I hope it will change lives. Oprah, this book is a good one for your book club too, hehe. (Because I am sure she reads my blog every day, I am sure she has the time, ha)

I want to thank you all for sending your letters in to Oprah. I have heard about so many connections, that I have a good feeling that my dream of going or being on Oprah will come true! I talked to my neighbor and friend, Brandi, who actually taped a show, paused it at the end when the credits were rolling to get a producers name. She then proceeded to call Harpo productions and left messages for 2 assistants. Much to our surprise, she got a phone call yesterday from one of those assistants, Megan. She told Brandi that they have been on hiatus for the past couple of months so they are just getting back to work. She told her that the best thing to do was continue to inundate them with emails to them. So, keep up the good work. Brandi also suggested sending letters through the topics that Oprah has for her shows.... "Are you on a spiritual journey" and ugh, I can't remember the other one, I will find out though. So, I think if we keep at it, she will just want us to stop hounding her, she will have to respond, right?

Well, I got all my testing done so I can start the new study and new medication. I had another CAT scan this morning as well as bloodwork and an EKG this afternoon. I have officially become a pin cushion. As my friend Sara said this morning, you didn't even flinch, Shawndra, when they started the IV. It doesn't even phase me anymore. I should be starting the chemo next Wednesday. Again, I am a bit nervous, for the side effects (hair loss, facial acne-like rash, nausea, vomiting, fatigue). I will learn more about them next Monday. I can only imagine, I will finally get on Oprah and I will have this horrible acne rash and no hair, oivay. anyway I will show my true beauty, my beauty within. I will let that shine and nobody will even notice the external blemishes.
I want to thank my friend Sara who is here with me this weekend. She is a great friend from college who brings so much happiness into my life! I want to thank my mom, I can't thank her enough for all she does for me. I want her to know that I cherish her, each and every day. I rely on her so much and I don't want it to go unnoticed. She is truly an angel to me as she is to everyone around her. I hope I am like her, I want to be like her!! I love you Mom. You are probably wondering how Ella is, I haven't talked about her much lately. She is as fun as ever. She is still going peepee in the potty once in awhile. She is putting her shoes and socks on, but always the shoes are on the wrong foot. It is so funny, you would think she would get it right at least 50% of the time. She is talking so much and so well. I am impressed that she now says "thank you or chank chu" on her own once in awhile without me prompting her. She is so kind and sweet, I want to teach her to be kind as she grows up. That, I believe is so important. I don't doubt that she will be, her personality shines and she is kind hearted.
I am spending the weekend with my friend Sara, yaa! We are just going to hang out like old college days. I hope you all have a terrific weekend. Gotta go get Ella who is talking up a storm in her bed, naptime is over. Time for the poo (pool). love, shawndra