Bucket List Design - Shelli's Story

Last Friday, Tracy at

Tracy's Trinkets and Treasures

gave me this wonderful Blog award.

                                                         

THANK YOU, TRACY!

 I've given this a lot of thought. 

And as much as I appreciate this award, instead of telling

you about myself, I'd really like to take this

opportunity to tell you about a truly remarkable woman.

 This is Shelli's Story!

Her courageous and continuous battle with cancer.

I met Shelli in April of this year when she contacted

me about doing some window treatments for her kitchen.

Shelli's house is BEAUTIFUL! I featured her dining room in

Oh, You Beautiful Walls!

I knew Shelli was battling cancer but as we worked together I saw

a glimpse of the journey she has been on.

On May 23, 2007, at the age of 46, Shelli,

a vivacious & beautiful

wife and mother of 2 teenagers,

was diagnosed with

Stage 4 Inoperable Endometrial Cancer.

She had just lost her mother in March to Breast Cancer.

 Shelli regularly visited her doctor. Like many of us when she

began experiencing difficult monthly symptoms, she talked to her

doctor about options and in August of 2005 chose to have

an Endometrial Ablation. This is a procedure that basically

eliminates severe monthy symtoms in most women. 

Two biopsy's came back benign.

  Nine months later the bleeding was back.

Like a regular period, every 28 days.

But something didn't seem right.

In November of 2006 she had a trans vaginal catscan

to make sure everything was OK as well as checking

her kidneys and bladder.

The results came back

clear with no sign of anything abnormal.

Six months later, in May 2007,

Shelli had a hysterectomy for fibroids.

Cancer was discovered

all over her body!

Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer, Stage 4.

She believes the ablation masked the signs of her cancer.

Be still and know that I am God

Psalm 46:10

Shelli told me that for the first year after being diagnosed she did

nothing creative. She only focused on the cancer and her

treatments. Which were intense!

She began a Clinical Trial which ran through November 2007,

that removed the cancer in her major organs.

She immediately began a 2nd Clinical Trial which

had to be stopped in September of 2008 due to

severe hemorrhaging.

She almost died.

He will cover you with his feathers, and under his

wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your

shield and rampart.

Psalm 91:4 

She is now on a continuous weekly chemo treatment.

Taking treatments every Tuesday for 3 weeks,

 with one week off, then starting all over again.

  To date, she has had over 100 Chemo Treatments.

These treatments will not stop unless the cancer returns,

 in which case she will begin her 3rd Clinical Trial.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,

will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6

At the end of her first year of treatments, a friend invited Shelli

to go shopping. During this shopping trip she bought a few things

for her house.

 Shelli has always enjoyed decorating and being creative!

This began a new phase of her treatment!

Shelli said her love of decorating returned and she

decided to begin working on projects she had wanted to

accomplish before cancer.

These window treatments are part of her

Bucket List!

The difference with Shelli's Bucket List is the perspective!

My impression here is Shelli does NOT think of her

Bucket List as things to do before she dies.

Her Bucket List consists of things that bring her joy.

Joys that keep her focused on things other than her cancer.

 

She focuses on things like ...

Seeing her 16yr old daughter graduate from High School.

Thoughts of becoming a grandmother.

What paths will her 19yr old son take in life?

Going with her husband to watch him drive a car at the

Texas Motor Speedway! (One of HIS dreams!)

And continuing to make her house a home for her family!

Shelli said her faith and trust in God has brought her this far!

She said she purposely did NOT ask her doctors

to tell her how many months or years she should have.

"God knows my time." Shelli said.

The doctors did tell her she has already lived years longer

than they expected.

I will not die but live, and proclaim what the Lord has done.

Psalm 118:17

Shelli wanted me to pass along several points she feels

extremely important !

Be aware of what your body might be telling you.

Endometrial Ablations may mask cancer symptoms.

Just because you have a hysterectomy does not mean you cannot get ovarian cancer.

Pap smears only detect cervical cancer.

                       

   She also wanted to stress that in this busy day we live in

we take so many things for granted!

Be aware of your Blessing around you!

"Don't sweat the small stuff!"

Thank you, Shelli, for the privilege of being your friend

and telling your story.

(I hope I have told it accurately!)

The scriptures are all verses which have been special

to Shelli during this journey.

To you all...

Have a Wonderfully Blessed and Healthy Day!

Edit: My precious friend lost her battle with cancer on December 19, 2011.

She will be greatly missed and well as remembered.

 

I'm sharing Shelli's Story at: 

Momspiration Monday at Mom's by Heart

 Motivate Me Monday at Keeping it Simple
Met Monday at Between Naps on the Porch
Socialize with Me at Simponized Crafts

  Show and Tell at Blue Cricket Design
Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Chic Cottage
Fabric Fun Thursday at Cheap Chic Home
Sunday Showcase at Under the Table and Dreaming