Mandy Mouse Lives at Lydia House

Omaha author and Bible teacher, Tara Rye has created a long needed book for children, Mandy Mouse Lives at Lydia House is illustrated by Molinda Sunde.

Mandy Mouse Lives at Lydia House is the story of a Momma mouse and Mandy, an adorable creature with a curl that insists on flipping this way and that.

One day Momma mouse explained their predicament to Mandy. She’d lost her job and they don’t have even enough money for a jar of honey. Shortly they are evicted from their home and have no place to live. With no place to go, they got in their car and drove to a park not too far away.

Under the stars Mandy Mouse says to her Momma, “I love to watch the stars in the sky. They make me feel safe in the park late at night. The stars are bright and they give us light.” Momma Mouse smiled and patted Mandy’s head.

Although Momma and Mandy live in a car, the children at school do not know about the situation. After months of near starvation, Mandy cries out to God, “God will you show yourself to me?”

The results of that prayer are how Mandy and Momma eventually end up at Lydia House, a part of the Open Door Mission in Omaha, a special place for those in desperate circumstances.

Rye has added the Homelessness facts we need to know—three and a half million in our nation and two thousand in the city of Omaha are homeless today.

Although the story is about a mouse family, it pertains to the real facts around us. Mandy attended school and her classmates had no idea of her situation, or that she lived in a car. Every home should have Mandy Mouse in their library to create an awareness of the problems other families struggle with daily, homelessness is real.

Allow the Blessing

I couldn't believe the grocery delivery to our front porch, but we were blessed today when a friend filled our porch with eggs, home canned chicken in broth (for my nausea days), potatoes, pears, apples, and a watermelon straight from the farm.

At the time I wondered how to say thank you, how to pay back the kindness. Then I realized, I can't do anything at this moment except let my friend bless me and she did. Way beyond what I could think, dream or imagine. Wow. And the potatoes were all scrubbed, too.

The same dear lady is going in for surgery on October 22nd and I’m inviting all my readers to begin praying for Dee Miller right now. She has spent her summer growing a garden and all fall harvesting, canning, and preparing for the winter months.

When I sent Dee an encouragement note tonight I realized I was coaching myself in writing to her. Here are some things I mentioned:

• Prayer is the Key to Heaven and Faith Unlocks the Door” (an old gospel song.) Every surgery is MAJOR MAJOR SURGERY and you need the body of Christ lifting you in prayer. Tell your friends, neighbors and church now. Ask them to pray for your medical team, your neighbors, your parents and your immediate family. The enemy will use whatever he can at our most vulnerable moments.


• Remember, the day after surgery you will be the most vulnerable. Two weeks after surgery you’re going to think "I should....." well forget it! Get smart girl, let your men pamper you. Take care of your body, you only have one. Three weeks after surgery your gonna think it’s taking too long to heal, remember SLOW IS NORMAL.


• Forget being wonder woman, you spent all summer being Proverbs 31 lady of the house, preparing for such a time as this. Allow yourself every moment of healing necessary.


• In the first stages of his cancer, Gospel singer Roger Bennett said a pastor told him, “People are going to want to help you and the best you can do is to allow them to bless you at this time.”
  
  That all sounds pretty motherly and preachy, but I’m actually talking to me. On Tuesday I way overdid, worked five hours and ran errands. By night I hit a pain-filled wall. I’m learning it’s okay to ask husband for things. He says, “This is all a part of my caregiver package.”

One last thought. Last weekend we stopped by Kmart where I bought lotion. The loudspeaker blared: “Blue Light Special in the Grill Section.” Well if Kmart can have their “Blue Light Special," I can have a Lionhearted Kat Middle of the Night Special.

Anyone reading this special can purchase a Capsules of Hope: Survival Guide for Caregivers for $5 off the going price. Normally $18, if you tell me you saw this special, you can have the book for $13 (plus s/h if necessary).

This is a win-win-win deal. Many of you have asked how you can help me, well buying Capsules of Hope will help tremendously. You have blessed me. You can read the book and share with a caregiver (maybe someone you don’t know well, but you just want to bless them.) And, my monetary gain helps me on the days I’m not working. (win-win-win).

Place your order at lionheartedkat@cox.net and mention the “Middle of the Night Special”
(Kat's Breast Cancer Photo shoot coming this weekend.)

Once upon a time a most fluffy bunny lived in Kat’s most beautiful front yard. She (must be a she, her little ones followed her everywhere) nestled under a front hedge where an inquisitive Kat watched her from her porch swing. Every so often, Mama’s head peeked from the hedge and then the little ones hopped out one at a time to nibble at the well trimmed delicious green grass.

Kat’s elderly neighbor Ethel said Mama Bunny and her little ones visited her yard, too. Often Ethel counted the babies and then email Kat, “Saw them all again today. They are really growing. I told them not to go into your back yard with the dog. Hope they heard me.”

Kat and Ethel enjoyed the bunnies for a couple of months. They never did have as much fun with the squirrels. The black squirrels hop everywhere and taunt Paddy dog continually. Never have had an albino squirrel visit our yard…..but today….

If you see the albino squirrel on my blog, let Teresa Slack know. Be sure and find all the other posted photos, too. There are about 15 squirrels out there. Teresa is giving away a $15 Amazon gift card and a can of mixed nuts to the winner with the most photos found first.

Have a fun day, I’m off to the hospital….think your travels on the net sound like more fun.
Still Lionhearted Kat

Check out these blogs to find the squirrel

Sandi Rog: http://www.sandirog.blogspot.com
http://www.thebookdoctorbd.blogspot.com
Mid Stutsman http://www.midsnovelidea.blogspot.com
http://www.midspointofview.blogspot.com
Elizabeth Bussey http://www.ebussey.blogspot.com
http://www.wisdomwalk.wordpress.com
James Tate http://www.Daneymoco.blogspot.com
Dianne Sagan http://www.diannesagan.wordpress.com
Kat Crawford http://www.lionheartedkat.com
http://www.sftlm.blogspot.com
Kelly Klepfer http://kellyklepfer.blogspot.com
Marion Marchetto http://www.marionmarchetto.com
Lisa Lickel http://www.livingourfaithoutloud.blogspot.com
http://www.lisalickel.com/cgi-bin/blog
Tamera Kraft http://www.wordsharpeners.wordpress.com
Penny McGinnis http://www.encouragementjourney.blogspot.com
http://www.pennyspicks.blogspot.com
Molly Dawn Edwards http://www.buuklvr81.blogspot.com
Carla Gade http://www.carlaspathways.wordpress.com
Sally Hanan http://www.sallyhanan.wordpress.com
Elizabeth Byler Younts http://www.byelizabeth.blogspot.com
Chawna Schroeder http://www.chawnaschroeder.blogspot.com
Teresa Slack http://www.youcanwriteanovel.blogspot.com
Karin Beery http://www.therehastobeabeginning.blogspot.com
Vicki Moss http://www.livingwaterfiction.com

Information Overload

NO MORE TODAY, PLEASE.

I’m on information overload.

I’ve read the books, talked to numerous breast cancer patients, researched on the internet and have now been in the offices of several specialists for more hours than I can count.

I have more appointments than I know how to juggle. When this Lionhearted Kat started to hide behind one great big paw, my caregiver man jumped into the arena. He asked questions, explained details I didn’t grasp, and patiently sat in a cool consult room for hours.

What would I say to a woman not yet diagnosed with breast cancer?

Did you know 15% of breast cancer is not detected in a mammogram, a self-exam is important.

1. Know your breasts well. They are not just something to fill out a blouse, or the “girls” as called by the two on “What Not To Wear.” They truly aren’t given to us to flaunt before a guy or get a husband. This is precious tissue, a gift just like our hearts, lungs, ears, eyes and limbs. We should understand what makes them work and every woman owes it to herself to self-exam.

2. If you detect something different during a self-exam, take care of it immediately. I waited six weeks. I’ve learned that six weeks makes a huge difference. Now I’m faced with Stage II cancer, not a simple lump easily removed.

3. Realize not all breast cancer is the same. Because your friend or your Aunt has breast cancer doesn’t mean you know the outcome if you by chance develop breast cancer. My Aunt had cancer and radical bi-lateral mastectomies. She did not have chemo or radiation. She did have hormone blockers. My cousins wife has cancer, also underwent bi-lateral mastectomies. She had six months of chemo and will have no radiation. Me, well, I have cancer, I’ve had two surgeries and unlike theirs, I’m blessed with having chemo, radiation and hormone blockers. Today I learned I’ll have another surgery after chemo.

4. If you are diagnosed with breast cancer, don’t be mislead into thinking you’ll lose weight. Today Dr. Rozak said there are such good meds to stop the nausea many BC patients gain weight. They sit around not feeling on top of the world and eat.

5. Unfortunately, one in four women will probably end up with breast cancer—70% will be hormone positive, like me. The good news about breast cancer, it is treatable.

Yes, I’m on information overload, but with my caregiver hubby chuckling in the corner making sure I drink my fluids, take my pills and sleep, with my family cheering me on and with the prayer support, I’ll make it through this another adventure—not one I chose, but I do believe even this is designed by the one who created me in the beginning.

Read Psalm 139…..God knew me in my mother’s womb and He still knows where I am today.

Scrapbook Encouragment and Support

It’s Tuesday night. Feels like I’ve lived a whole week today. Up at 4:30 a.m. Off to work with my sweet driver Sherri shortly after 5ish. At work I felt like I’d freeze one minute and rip off my clothes the next. I got so cold I plugged in my winter heater and used my sweater coat for a blanket across my knees—for all of about ten minutes—then it’s rip them clothes off and turn on the fan. See why I’m tired? It’s a lot of work dressing and undressing.

Cassie stopped by my desk about ten. “Did you hear the all call? We have a meeting up front.” She ushered me through the bare aisles. Obviously everyone else had listened. When we walked to the center of our company Cassie nudged me to the center of the group. I heard Dan, our President talking about Sarah, one of our sweet little co-workers who is moving to Washington. I assumed the meeting was to tell her goodbye. So much for assuming, the meeting was called for me. Yeah, me. I’m rarely at a loss for words, but this really really surprised me.

Dan handed me a beautiful purple, velvet covered scrapbook with my cute lion face from this blog on the front cover. What fantastic support. Four women did the scrapbooking, one did the photography, all my co-workers wrote me encouraging notes laced together with scripture.

I’ve felt very confident I’m not going through this cancer battle alone, but today all my co-workers assured me they are my support and they are praying for me. I couldn’t read the notes there, too weepy. I packed the album to my appointment this afternoon and shared it with several people while we waited. We had an ultra long wait because Dr. Silva had an emergency today. Today’s wait wasn’t bad, I made a new friend.

I saw a ball cap on an obviously bald woman, asked her if she’s a Dr. Silva’s patient. Yep, she is. We have an appointment to talk later this week. She’s a single mom with two teens and a twenty-six year-old. Her cancer has spread much further than mine and is now in her breast and her bones. She’s a nurse and works two jobs to keep her family together—how has she handled her chemo? Well, that’s what I’ll know by the weekend. In only the few minutes we talked I knew I’d met another woman to add to my list of inspirational and motivational mentors.

Funny thing, I know I have that dreaded disease called cancer, but I’m feeling pretty good, I look okay, and I know I’m loved. What more can we want in life.

There’s more to write about, but it’s time to call it a day. Check my caringbridge site to read more of the actual outcome from today’s consult.
Tomorrow I'll try and post a couple things about the book--several asked, it's so cool.
PS: I managed to learn the names of the nurse and a front desk gal, too. I'm learning this is important in my cancer treatment, more about that later.

Found a photo, but on someone else's computer without my photo manager and stuff, I'm lost. So here's the skinny for tonight. Had a great day. It's late and I'm finally wearing down. Thought maybe by now my friend Sharon might call back. We haven't seen each other in fifty years. She called this evening, while we are talking she's freaking out. "Oh, Kat, you won't believe this. I'm breaking out. Blotches everywhere. It's all over my legs." She checked her tummy. "Even my stomach." Sounded like allergic reaction to me. Assured her I'd find people to start praying. Hope it's nothing serious, but as we talked we were both thinking "Urgent Care" here I come.

For those who sent email, I can see you wrote, but for some reason on this computer, I can't view the messages. Grrr. Oh well, by the weekend and another computer I'll figure it out. (Did I say Roger where are you?)

Jill I see you are trying to put the crit group together on another night, great. My only problem is getting there. Possibly Teresa or Glennette will join, I'll check that out as we go along. Oh, well then there is this thing called "Cancer" that might interuppt my plans, too. I do hope you keep moving forward on your ideas anyway, you have my full support grlfrnd.

Then back to that thing that's interuppting my life. Did I tell you a six-year old gave up his window seat for me? He shrugged his shoulders like no big deal. Bobbed his cute little curly locks and grinned at me. "It's alright, I don't mind," he said. Then later when the flight attendant said, "Mrs. Crawford, you need a wheel chair, right?" That little guy looked at me, his eyes wide and said, "You handicapped?" Cute. You should have seen his mothers shocked reaction. Priceless. Kids are sooooo real.

But back to this thing. I've found myself saying, "Please be careful of my left arm, I've had surgery." That makes people think frozen shoulder, broken arm, or possibly pulled muscles. I realized tonight I avoid the C word. Gotta get wild and wooly with this THING that no longer lives in my body, but has created a hole in my future. Cancer demands respect, you can't avoid it, step around it or pretend it's not real.

Oh and one other reminder, it doesn't matter if cancer has history in your family. I only have one Aunt that had breast cancer. You see, cancer doesn't respect the gene pool. Remember ladies, be good to yourself. Have a mammogram once a year and self exam often. You only have one life, use it to the fullest.
PS: Have you found my other blog A Caregivers Corner? I did post there today for the first time in months. Life is just too full to get everything done I want to do before I'm done here.

I’m flying to Oregon tomorrow. Husband is choosing to stay home as #1 caregiver for Paddy dog, our special child still at home. This month Paddy celebrated his tenth birthday. In December 1999 Tilly, our second border collie died. I said no more dogs. Then I said no dogs until spring. Husband still took me to the kennels and even to the humane society. Those people really freaked me out.

We filled out all the adoption papers, answered a gazillion questions and then those people—I call them “those people” rather than other names—turned husband down. Said he wasn’t a good candidate to adopt because his dog had just died after ten years.

When we left there I thought husband might forget the dog getting, but he didn’t. The next day I called our daughter in Oregon after work. We were chatting away when a horrible ruckus took place on the front porch.

“Mom, what’s that noise?”

“Must be the neighbor kids selling something.” I let husband answer the door. In bounded three adorable border collie pups. One merle colored, one black and then this yellow fur ball with black patches, yes, that was Paddy Awfulous O’Reilly’s entrance into our home. He came straight from a pig farm. He’d rolled in so much farm stuff he smelled a fright and looked a deep tan/yellow cream colored. The owner gave us a Christmas discount when I continued to say “no dog.”

Husband gave Paddy three baths before he cleaned up real pretty.

Paddy’s smart as a whip. He shakes hands with both paws, plays dead, sits up, tells us where the cookies are and can spell forwards and backwards. He opens the door to let himself out and he also says his prayers. He’s also my protector.

Paddy is also smart enough to know when you enter a hospital you keep your yap shut. In December 2002 when husband was fading fast, our family doctor said to call our children from Oregon, “I’m not sure Gary will make it through the weekend.” That’s when I decided a paddy visit might stir husband from the pits. I asked my friend Jean to help me and prince that Paddy is, he walked through the hospital like a Champ winning Best of Show.

There are many reports about animal therapy, but I’m here to tell you, puppy visits aren’t always as beautiful as portrayed in the movies. Husband freaked when he saw Paddy. He grabbed his stomach and kept saying, “No! Paddy, No!” Afraid he’d have a ball of fur in his lap.

The good news is, we brought husband home from that hospital and he and Paddy still live in my house. I’m sorry husband isn’t traveling with me, but I love our Paddy dog and understand that he and his master need each other. The other really good news is, my visit to the hospital this month was only an overnighter. My cancer isn’t rare like husband’s pseudomyxoma peritonei. Hopefully, I won’t need a Paddy visit, I’ll manage all treatment from home. For that I’m so very grateful.