Favorite Things Friday #17

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Good morning, friends!

First off, thank you so much for your kindness last week. I’m going to give you an update as one of my favorite things, because it’s probably my favoritest thing I’ve ever included;) So sounds like a perfect place to start today, huh?!

1. Letting Go of a 15 Month Fear

Oh gosh, finally. FINALLY. I’m done worrying about this large lymph node on my neck, you guys. So last week, I had an appointment with my Hopkins doc, which I discussed briefly in last Friday’s post. I was scared and anxious and about 100 other emotions. It was my annual CVID appointment, but we needed to also discuss where to go from here with the large lump in my neck that’s been there for 15 months. (I wrote about this same lump a year ago when I thought we were in the clear in this post). Removing is not an option because of its location – it’s far too risky. We tried, and had unsuccessful surgery last April. So I’d been having it monitored every couple months with ultrasounds and physicals, and I was very curious to hear what he had to say last week.

With butterflies in my stomach, he felt it on my neck for a while, stopped, looked at me and said, “We are going to stop worrying about this. It’s not going to change at this point. If it were lymphoma – if it were something awful, it would’ve morphed into that by now. Last year, at this time, we didn’t know, so I wanted it gone. Fifteen months later…that’s a different story.”

And then he smiled and said something that made me burst into tears. He said, “You’re going to be bouncing your 5 year old granddaughter on your knee one day and she’s going to say, “Grandma, what’s that bump on your neck?”

Oh man, the floodgates opened.

Ever since I was diagnosed with my immune disease in 2013, I really sorta stopped thinking far into the future. Morbid, I know, but my health is very unknown. I could be fine until a ripe old age, or I could get a whole heaping of not-so-fun things. We don’t know, so I just don’t really go there in my mind. Especially ever since this lump scare. I was pretty convinced it was serious, and I was terrified. So when he said that, the image of my old self with a granddaughter on my lap – I unraveled. With joy, with hope, and with the release of 15 months of living with fear always always always in the back of my mind, if not front and center.

So the fear is officially gone. My hand still automatically goes to touch the lump several times a day – but instead of trying to decipher if it’s grown, or feels the same…I remember those words and that beautiful, hopeful image my doctor gave me, with tears streaming down my face. When you’ve been worried about your life for so long, and someone gives you hope for your future, so that you’ll be there for your family, it’s the greatest gift in the world. And when it comes out of the mouth of a doctor who has seen the very worst – the one in a million cases – who always errs on the side of caution just in case – and who is the best of the best in the world at what he does – you can breathe again.

I hate the amount of time I’ve wasted worrying over these last 15 months. I hate that I didn’t 100% put my faith over my fear. I had my strong moments where I completely was at peace knowing God had this, but the devil would still creep in there way too often. But you can’t live in regret. And  if anything, this experience has brought me closer to God, so for that, I am so grateful.

I came home from that appointment, and Charlie and I snuggled on the couch, listening to the rain and catching up on Fixer Upper. I felt pure peace for the first time in a long time. It was a glorious afternoon.

Just thought I needed to give you all an update, since you’ve been so wonderful about checking in and telling me I’m on your prayer list. You guys really are the best. Thank you.

Now let’s talk about some MUCH lighter next couple of things, SHALL WE?!

2. Green, green, everywhere, green!

We had 80 DEGREE WEATHER this week, you guys!! Yes, it’s cold again, but still…that was enough to have me packing away the winter white accents and pinecones and busting green out all over! And since I’ve kept my fiddle leaf fig tree alive for – OMG ALMOST TWO YEARS (?!!!) – I feel like I could *maybe* be trusted with more real plants;) So my daughter and I hit up Home Depot this week and picked out THREE (I know, we were feeling overly confident) plants to add to the house. Say some prayers and cross your fingers, friends. This is huge for me. But I just love love love the pop they bring to a blah time of year. It’s like instant happy Spring vibes.

 

3. Barefoot Contessa Family Style Cookbook

This is one of my very favorites. I’ve got a bajillion post-it notes stuck in it, and almost every page has food splatters – always good signs;). Ina Garten’s recipes never let me down, and a lot of them use just a handful of ingredients. Her Shrimp Scampi is to die for, her Chicken Noodle Soup I’ve made about 100 times…and the Turkey Sausage Lasagna with goat cheese- YUM. The Provencal Tomatoes…oh, and don’t get me started on her Jam Thumbprint cookies – I’m drooling just thinking about all of it…

Here’s an affiliate link if you want to own this amazing cookbook – let me know which recipe ends up being your family’s favorite!

 

 

I hope you have a wonderful weekend, dear friends, with time to rest up, recharge, and maybe do a little plant shopping and yummy cooking! 😉

Comments

  1. Suzanne Logan says:

    So so happy for you Liz! God did have your back! Your hair looks great, I guess I hadn’t noticed before how long it has gotten. Love your posts.

  2. Anne Lepczyk says:

    THANK GOD! Prayer is so powerful!
    Phew, what a relief for you.
    Love ya!

  3. Lindsey Klein says:

    God is good! I completely get the fear thing, we are being tested in other ways and keeping the faith is sometimes harder then others. After reading this post I might have to go buy and try some of this yummy recipes too 😊❤️

  4. Yahoo! So glad to hear your report!! Have a wonderful weekend!

  5. Christa Brockway says:

    This post had me in tears. I can just imagine what you have been going through this last year.
    This is wonderful news!!! Praise the Lord.

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