GOP Health Care Proposal Does Not Support Life

Text from report completed by "The Congressional Budget Office"

"Later, following additional changes to subsidies for insurance purchased in the nongroup market and to the Medicaid program, the increase in the number of uninsured people relative to the number under current law would rise to 21 million in 2020 and then to 24 million in 2026. The reductions in insurance coverage between 2018 and 2026 would stem in large part from changes in Medicaid enrollment—because some states would discontinue their expansion of eligibility, some states that would have expanded eligibility in the future would choose not to do so, and per-enrollee spending in the program would be capped. In 2026, an estimated 52 million people would be uninsured, compared with 28 million who would lack insurance that year under current law."

In case you haven't heard, the GOP plan to replace the Affordable Care Act is a disaster.  I don't think the citizens of this country voted for a government that would reduce the number of people covered for health insurance.  We need everyone covered under an affordable, quality plan.  I personally support a Single Payer System.

Please contact your local US Representatives and let them know your opinion on this very important issue.

As a Whole-Life Democrat I view their changes to be anti-life and pro-corporation/pro-CEO. Republicans claim to be Pro-Life, but in this instance they fail massively. For example, within the provisions, CEOs of pharmaceutical companies will get to write off their incomes thusly placing themselves on corporate welfare.  Tax breaks benefitting other companies in the health care industry do not directly benefit patients but rather go back to the companies relying on their "good will" to pass along the savings.  

I don't know about you but when was the last time a CEO passed the company savings onto their end-users.  This profit driven healthcare system has to go, in my opinion. 

It would be wiser to simply improve the ACA to lower the premiums and remove some of the barriers that prevent health providers from participating in the ACA.  My dream of a single payer system may never come true but I can live with simply renovating the existing Obamacare plan to make it better for patients, providers and insurance companies.  


Here is a link to the CBO report.  https://www.cbo.gov/publication/52486

Here is are links to contact your US Representatives and voice your opinion:

https://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

http://www.house.gov/representatives/


PS:  On the mend from my prophylactic bilateral mastectomy.  I can't believe how much pain I am still have though..ha.  I want to share a thorough post on the results of my pathology as well as my view on being pro-active when BRCA mutations are concerned.  I think I dodged a bullet. God was nudging me and I am so glad that I listened to Him.

Peace and Blessings,
Denise Archuleta

Upcoming Surgery and Interesting INFO on BRCA Migrations To Southern Colorado

Breast Cancer Avoidance

In 2012 as I was preparing for a consultation with a breast cancer surgeon for a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy (PBM), my ovarian cancer returned. Due to my recurrence the option of preventative surgery was taken off the table.

I remember at the time my mom had done some research on the BRCA migration within the Ashkenazi Jew population, noting that there was a pocket of people in Southern Colorado/Northern New Mexico carrying the mutation.  I am linking that article along with a few other articles on this fascinating research.  

I recently was told that our grandmother on my paternal side was of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage, which confirms my dearly departed mom's hunch that my gene was inherited on that side of my family.   Now to offer respect to people of the Jewish heritage, I am not exactly sure if our ancestry is actually Ashkenazi or Sephardic, as this is a whole new thing for me to absorb, but there are articles reflecting both populations in terms of the BRCA 1/2 mutation migrating to southern Colorado.

Here is an excerpt from the article in the Smithsonian: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-secret-jews-of-san-luis-valley-11765512/

"When Wright was told that the mutation was characteristic of Jewish people, she recalled a magazine article about the secret Jews of New Mexico. It was well known that during the late Middle Ages the Jews of Spain were forced to convert to Catholicism. According to a considerable body of scholarship, some of the conversos maintained their faith in secret. After Judaism was outlawed in Spain in 1492 and Jews were expelled, some of those who stayed took their beliefs further underground. The exiles went as far as the New World."

My mom used to tell me that grandma had maintained some rituals that were thought to be Jewish, but could not recall what they were exactly. I am desperate to find out. Those rituals were what made my mom curious as to the heritage of my father's mother, whom was otherwise a spanish Catholic.  

At the bottom of this post I will share a few

interesting links on the subject.  

Now that I have a window of opportunity for surgery once again, I am scheduled for a PBM  this February.  My wonderful gynonc was very supportive and successfully facilitated the process.  With warning that the breast surgeon may want to convince me otherwise, I met with her and defended my position.  Understandably breast surgeons are careful to be certain that patients are emotionally ready to undertake such a drastic surgery as opposed to surveillance (annual breast MRI/MAMMOGRAM).  I have been under surveillance since 2010 or 2011, not exactly sure, and I am tired of it.  

I just don’t want to have to deal with a second cancer and the surveillance is starting to get depressing and burdensome.  It is very expensive and the worry is not completely addressed.  The breast surgeon did say that if I stayed on surveillance, breast cancer should be caught in an early stage, but early stage is too many stages.  I feel good about my decision, and because I did want this in 2012, confidence about this choice is strong.  I am grateful beyond measure that insurance will cover the procedure.

Secondly it is important to discuss genetic testing.  In 2010 my test was completed by Myriad Genetics, whereby which pre-approval and coverage for such a test was hard to come by.  Today things are different and there are a greater number of testing options available.  Thanks to a support group via Colorado Ovarian Cancer Alliance I was informed about a new test by Myriad called HRD testing.  This test can better predict the ability of parp-inhibitors to effectively treat cancer in women with a BRCA1/2 mutation.  

"By predicting response to PARP inhibitors, myChoice HRD can help physicians select the appropriate therapy for their patients. Both a positive and a negative HRD result can help drive treatment decisions. An HRD positive result indicates the patient is more likely to benefit from treatment with PARP inhibitors such as olaparib and rucaparib, while an HRD negative result indicates that the patient is less likely to respond to PARP inhibitors, and can be spared the time and toxicity associated with an ineffective treatment. myChoice HRD seeks to offer physicians the ability to personalize treatment plans for patients."  Myriad Genectics

My Choice HRD

"Jewish Ancestry In the San Luis Valley"

"Lethal Gene That Emerged In Ancient Palestine"

"The Next Exocus? New Mexico's Crypto-Jews Seek Liberation"

Facingourrisk.org

Peace and an Abundance of Blessings

Cancer Moonshot Webinar Jan 25th Please Register

Cancer Moonshot Webinar Link

Webinar Info: UPDATE:  Here is the link to the webinar on January 25th:  https://youtu.be/ci6GIRh0OmA As a woman who knows that ovarian cancer comes and goes throughout survivorship I feel very threatened by the push towards removing the Affordable Care Act. I do rely on Medicare to provide coverage for my healthcare.  Millions of people suffering with cancer and other long term chronic illnesses feel the same. Now that Donal Trump has officially been sworn in as our President we must forge ahead as one unified voice standing up for all of the vulnerable and explore our representatives in government to provide legislation that protects affordable healthcare for ALL! More opinions encouraged... Peace and Blessings! Denise Archuleta

Alarming Rate Of Depression In Medical Students

I came across an article about depression amongst medical students that needs to be shared. Unfortunately I am not surprised by this information. Students should be inspired and supported to perform at optimum levels, not browbeaten to prove their worth.

I used to work in healthcare as an occupational therapist before losing that career to rheumatoid arthritis. Healthcare  settings can, certainly not always, be very abusive. I witnessed this first hand. This atmosphere is never good for patients.

Not everyone in the healthcare industry should be a person who provides patient services. There are alternative fields within healthcare, such as lab work, that are less directly involved with patients.  But to take an eager, skilled, bright student and beat them down as part of medical boot camp is unethical in my mind. This approach to training kills students, doctors and patients.

Please pray for your medical care team.  

Peace and Blessings,

Study: More than a quarter of medical students are depressed, suicidal

http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/06/health/med-students-depression-suicide/index.html  

We Need Mercy

In the wake of the Presidential Election those of us with serious and potentially life threatening diseases are very concerned about what changes may come to the Affordable Care Act. 

Pray that politicians know the heart of Jesus as they make critical decisions that will effect the health and outcome of millions of Americans across the USA. God asks us not to worship money and unfortunately money worshippers are running the healthcare system. This has to change. A for-profit healthcare model does not work.

Here are two links that you may find helpful today.

The first is the link to The Divine Mercy Chaplet on You Tube.  I am praying this daily, and it will help you to learn this prayer.  It is beautiful, calming and connects you in a special way to our Lord.

The Divine Mercy Message and Devotion

http://www.thedivinemercy.org/message/

The message of The Divine Mercy is simple. It is that God loves us – all of us. And, he wants us to recognize that His mercy is greater than our sins, so that we will call upon Him with trust, receive His mercy, and let it flow through us to others. Thus, all will come to share His joy.

The Divine Mercy message is one we can call to mind simply by remembering ABC:

A - Ask for His Mercy. God wants us to approach Him in prayer constantly, repenting of our sins and asking Him to pour His mercy out upon us and upon the whole world.

B - Be merciful. God wants us to receive His mercy and let it flow through us to others. He wants us to extend love and forgiveness to others just as He does to us.

C - Completely trust in Jesus. God wants us to know that the graces of His mercy are dependent upon our trust. The more we trust in Jesus, the more we will receive. 

The second is the link to Healthcare.gov https://www.healthcare.gov

Plus:  I am nominated for a Best Health Blog contest by Healthline.com.  I could use your vote

Hi Denise, Congratulations! Nobody Has Ovarian Cancer: The Soft Whispers of a Fierce Blow is nominated for Healthline’s Annual Best Health Blog Contest! Check it out here:

http://www.healthline.com/health/best-health-blogs-contest

Every year we take a look at the top health blogs to honor & recognize them. This year things may look a little different, as we’ve updated the contest and taken strides to make sure everything runs smoothly & everyone has a good time voting for their favorites! The contest has a nomination period, starting now, until November 21st. After that, you can vote once per day for your favorite blog up until December 12th when the winner will be announced. Once voting begins, we’ll send you a reminder email so you can share with your followers. Remember, the blog with the most votes will receive a $1000 cash prize! Let me know if you have any questions. Congrats and good luck! Maegan -- Maegan Jones 

Thank you Meagan Jones for the nomination.

God Bless You All

Be The Light

Do you sometimes feel like this?  Doing something other than the intended activity???  In this clip I thought I was taking a selfie...ha!

I was up all night with never ending flushes of hot flashes and night sweats.  I am not sick, that I know of.  Today it has been one hot flash after another, after another, after another.  My ears won't stop ringing, I am exhausted beyond measure. I can't get comfortable in my own skin today.  Not sure what is going on.  I had an infusion of Rituxan and IVIG in the last few weeks, maybe that is it? 

I can't focus. So I write in my blog hoping that it will help.

When I feel like I do today I rely on prayer and reflecting on my retreat experiences, along with looking through photos of happy times with loved ones.  I don't have the energy to walk outside today.

This little clip was taken at a retreat center near Carroll, IA. I drove Sr. Anne Marie back home from our retreat for women with cancer. She had injured her back. It was an honor. Tiring indeed, but well worth it because I had precious 1:1 time with our Sister in Mary. I knew that she would bring along an abundance of protection for us with her guardian angels.

My mind and heart wander frequently to the memories of our retreat because those times nurtured my spirit and replenished hope for my future, no matter how it is revealed.

Please say a prayer for all those suffering with pain and angst from cancer or any other chronic condition, for those people are in need of light. 

Be the light.

God Bless you!

Visit Sr. Anne Marie's retreat:

http://www.homeofthetrinity.com

A Prayer For Peace In Time Of Sickness 

O Lord, Jesus Christ, Divine Healer, 

grant me peace of mind 

and perfect trust in You 

in my time of distress. 

Give me control over my fears. 

Grant that I may be cooperative 

and patient with Your Will, 

trusting that You will restore me to full health.

Amen

Reflections On Our Retreat

Reflections On Our Retreat:

The richness of this past retreat for women with cancer cannot be expressed or summarized in just one post.  

I walked away feeling so much lighter as we had released some of our spiritual and emotional baggage!

This retreat is: A Place of God's Love and our Blessed Mother's Love

A space of quiet calm where God’s voice can be felt and heard.

A place to see old friends and feel their hope and courage.

Where one newly diagnosed woman was being comforted by her sisters and the Lord, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother.

Where a woman who feels she is coming to the peak of her life on earth says she is now ready for the angels, after being in chemo for 6 years straight.

Where women who are NED living with the scars of cancer are seeking solace. 

Where women who are in treatment now wait scan results with greater peace and strength knowing there are no bad outcomes because our ultimate destiny is with the Lord.

Part One:

We are immortal!  This sinks in as I calm down from the tediousness of traveling to Corpus Christi.  The first night we gather for dinner, talk a little amongst ourselves, to get oriented to this place of peace. I call it my "oasis of hope".  It was wonderful to see familiar faces and to see new faces.  We take a deep breath of relief knowing that for the next 3.5 days we get to "Be with God" without interruption.  We will get to know our Blessed Mother and learn about how she helps us to reach our Lord, especially in times of sorrow and pain.  

Our first talk with Sr. Anne Marie is powerful, a gentle yet striking reminder that living on earth is not the endpoint of our lives. Our immortality is the foundation upon which the remainder of the retreat rests.  What matters to God is not our jobs, our income, our fashion, our hair, our cars, our clutter…..what matters to God and matters to each other is HOW WE LOVE.  How we love effects the manner in which we enter into our immortality.

How I interpret this:

Our baggage and emotions can and do interfere with how we love.  Releasing baggage frees us to live and Love greatly.

Before I go to bed and upon awakening in the morning and during the day I check myself:  How did I love today?  When I interact with family how did I love?  When I speak to my doctors and nurses, how did I love?  When I go to the store and greet my neighbor, how did I love?  These things matter and the energy we give is the energy we receive.  This effects our health, our pain and our outlook on our lives.  I am choosing to Love as much as possible.  I have not always been this way, especially when I was angry about my diagnosis. 

Ask yourself: How did I love today?  That is my question to you for now.  

Peace and Blessings,

Servivorgirl

                                     

Our Lady of Corpus Christi Retreat Center Link

Physician Assisted Suicide Is Not For Me

It is time for a serious discussion. Colorado is now opening up the option to allow physician assisted suicide for "terminally ill" patients and this is the wrong move.

As a cancer patient I am opposed to physician assisted suicide. As a person of compassion I am opposed to physician assisted suicide.  As a child of God I am against physician assisted suicide. As a human being I am opposed to physician assisted suicide.

Let me tell you why.

First trust that I know what stands before me in terms of suffering a death from ovarian cancer or its treatment side effects. Lying in bed with a swollen belly suffering concurrent system failure. I do not want to have this pain and suffering but I know that hospice and ongoing palliative care beforehand will minimize the pain. Maybe I will be graced with a death in the middle of my dreams and all my worries are for not......but that is not for me to decide.

Humanity, life itself exists in conception, birth, and natural death. We are advanced now and have more and more resources than ever before to support a person moving from this earthly life so that their final days can be in peace with family and friends, to help them, hold their hand as they make this most precious transition.

The desire to control our lives and our bodies is so strong that we will go to immoral lengths to maintain this illusion of control, going beyond reasonable and ethical means to achieve it.

To induce premature death is wrong in every way conceivable by me.  I look at this from a spiritual view and it is obvious to me that such actions are against God's Will. From a human perspective it is cruel and inhumane to deny any living person the right to pass naturally for in this process we also are allowed very special and unique graces that prepare us for eternal life.  This process allows everyone to grow and love beyond what they could have imagined and this can be done in a way that is not unruly and unbearable. Medicine has now advanced to allow for dying in peace without prematurely killing someone before the time has come naturally.

I need you to hold my hand as I go, not counsel me on taking a death drug so that everyone else can feel better about my death. The fear of death is so strong that we as a culture have fabricated in our minds that it is "ok" to kill someone before they are ready to go as some form of dangerously misguided compassion.

To help form some sort of boundary: If a person requires super extraordinary means to live of course they need to be let go to pass from earth naturally.   If a person is terminally ill and suffering as they are on their way to die naturally,  we are obligated as children of God and in all matters of human compassion and dignity to provide the best comfort care possible so that person is most restful and peaceful as they die.

Please do not tell me that you have given up on me and that you do not want to be with me as I go in a natural way.  Please do not abandon me in my hour of need.

God created me.  God is not to blame for any suffering I endure, either now or when my time to go has arrived.  God, through the death of His son our Lord Jesus Christ, knows fully and understands every detail of pain, angst, fear and suffering.  By living the Way of the Cross with Jesus I find comfort in my own suffering.  What this means is not that it is "okay" or "easy", no it is the opposite: pain is pain.  What this means to me is that there is purpose in this suffering, for each moment that I endure any form of suffering brings me closer to Jesus who suffered for all of us.

Knowing God and loving God is the way to learning how to face our death, to face our fears and to face our pain.

We are not here on this planet to kill each other, as some sort of mercy killing. No no no. We are born to be loving and to help each other, to serve each other.  If we stay on that track we will not abandon each other in their time of death but do the opposite: We will embrace this most holy time and support that person as they pass naturally from this earth into eternity. THAT is Love!

So instead of voting to support physician assisted suicide, vote to provide more resources to those who are dying and their families to afford time off from work, to make sure their are no financial barriers to palliative medications and to increase services covered by Medicare and Hospice that allow for companion care, nurses aides and paid family leave.

On a side note: At the heart of this problem is the independent nature of the typical "American" person. If you are from an ethnic family, such as an hispanic or asian culture, there is an automatic response within these cultures to adapt to changes within the family.  They move their parents to live with children as the parents age.  This process allows for the aging to have the support they need. People are honored more than money.  Making America Great again SHOULD mean enabling families to continue to honor their loved ones, NOT just acquire wealth and property.  Richness comes from people, love, relationships and loving God.

Our "independent" culture is not prepared to increase and maintain the resources necessary to allow for a terminally ill person to die naturally, painlessly, with their loved ones able to be at their side on a daily basis.  Never give up on believing in the true value of life and the life of those you love. They deserve to die naturally, supported with care to make this process as painless as possible, so that they can spend time enjoying each drop of sun, each drop of rain, sharing memories and smiles, and to say goodbye without haste.

On another side note:  I know that people in the medical profession are probably the most hardened when it comes to experiencing angst with human suffering, I understand that.  Take advantage of all possible resources available to help you, as a person of compassion,  cope with the ongoing exposure to suffering.  Your job is very important and if you are burning out seek a chance to work in a different area for awhile. Your heart and love is important, take care of yourself if you are facing too much suffering.

Strengthen our culture of LIFE!

http://news.nd.edu/news/61556-nd-expert-gov-jerry-brown-s-assisted-suicide-decision-selfish-and-short-sighted/

Democrats For Life of Colorado Video Feed Against Assisted Suicide

God Bless you!

Link to November Ballot measures: http://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Initiatives/ballotContactList.html

VOTE "NO" on Prop 106

Food For Thought On Ostracization

Food For Thought:

I started researching this today because I saw an article about how isolation can
lead to an early death.

http://www.healthnewswebsite.com/social/social.html

Being ignored is a form of ostracization, a slow social death.  Something to think about as we ignore the elderly, the sick, the homeless, those who aren't cool enough, those who aren't rich enough, those who are not "like" whoever thinks they are so important that everyone 

must be like them to be worthy of their time.  

I personally know women who have experienced this and it is unfair because when someone is on the receiving end of being ostracized, there is no two-way communication, no chance for reconciliation.  

And if you are in a position of being isolated, ostracized or abandoned, please seek counseling and participate in discussion groups, church activities, community activities and find old friends who can be there with you to help strengthen you heart.  

Prayer is a wonderful way to offset the effects of loneliness.

https://books.google.com/books?id=55m9ieKIZQQC&lpg=PA294&ots=CaJHynee2G&dq=ostracizer&lr&pg=PA301#v=onepage&q=ostracizer&f=false

Peace and Blessings

George Winston Thanksgiving

People Magazine Article Gene Wilder Saying Goodbye To Gilda

"For us, it all started on the first Sunday in January 1986. We were driving to play tennis in Los Angeles at a friend's house. Gilda began to feel what she described as a fog rolling in. She said, ''I can't keep my eyes open. I think I'm going to fall asleep.'' She lay back and looked like she had taken a sleeping pill. We made it to the tennis courts, and once she started playing, it went away. "

That extreme, extreme fatigue was one of my early symptoms.  Please link to this article posted in People Magazine, a heartfelt interview with our now dearly departed Gene Wilder.

http://www.people.com/article/gene-wilder-tearful-goodbye-gilda-radner

Peace and Blessings

Liquid Biopsies Improve Ovarian Cancer Recurrence Detection

Liquid Biopsies Improve Ovarian Cancer Recurrence Detection



Compliments of Colorado Ovarian Cancer Alliance research news.



http://www.colo-ovariancancer.org



Peace and Blessings

7 Year Cancerversary. New N.E.D.

I have to admit I am having a little difficulty concentrating because I just watched the Democratic National Convention and then stumbled across a live Periscope feed of Blake Shelton playing at the Grizzly Rose in Denver, Colorado. Wow! Love him! Talk about contrasting experiences.  He is now playing "Footloose", HA.  I am having a blast.

Earlier today a new friend from the Colorado Ovarian Cancer Alliance and I drove to Evergreen for lunch.  Evergreen is a quaint mountain town not too far from Denver.  It was very refreshing to get some mountain air and look at a beautiful stream.

It is my 7 year cancerversary! Praise God.  This time exactly 7 years ago I was headed to bed after prepping for my surgery. My dearly departed mom and her sister were with me the night before and took me to my surgery in the wee hours of the morning.  All I felt was their love and my fear, and I prayed for God's mercy to shine upon my suffering and to relieve me of this awful cancer.

Here I am today, going to lunch with a friend, watching political history be made and catching Blake Shelton via a technology that did not exist 7 years ago. Crazy.

I have learned that people living with cancer cannot look back but must look forward and reach out to as many resources as possible. This is critical because your condition is going to change, moving towards the better and then towards the worse, and then the better......etc.  It is just that, a constant adjustment to condition, treatments, surgeries, side effects new and renewed, and blessed breaks from the suffering. This is not predictable necessarily so other people have a heck of a time being able to plan how to be there to support you. It forces us all to be flexible, to live in the here and now and to be patient.

Not everyone wants to be patient, or flexible.  Living in the present is no small task, especially if you came into ovarian cancer possibly as a result of medical neglect, like I did. We go over and over and over and over the steps that led to this disaster. You may remember my story is defined by being told several times that I was "too young to have ovarian cancer" so they never looked when I kept telling them my symptoms.  Other things happened as well but it took a lot out of me and my family dealing with my rage.  I am so very sorry for that still.  Especially that my mom listened so much.  My cancer hurt her in so many ways.  God rest her soul.

Psychological counseling is necessary in most cases of cancer care, I personally believe. It is just too much to try to ask a single person or family to bear on their own.  Cancer offers no certainty and everyone in the patient circle of support is effected, and in different ways.  I wish that psychological and spiritual counseling were mandatory offerings for patients and their loved ones.  One day I hope.

My faith in our Lord Jesus Christ has sustained me this whole time and without Him I am not sure I would have survived.  He brought to me the gynonc and care providers I needed to heal and still does.

I am currently on a break from Avastin for several reasons.  The first thing is that my recent scan showed no evidence of disease. Glory be to God. I am thrilled. I cannot believe it. Avastin has chipped away the tumors one tiny dot at a time.  Amazing!  My recurrence began in early 2012.

After having 45 or 46 Avastin treatments my blood pressure has begun to rise and my urine protein is increasing.  Those are concerning to my gynonc, and to me, so this is a good time to take a temporary break.

I battle extreme fatigue.  An example: I volunteered for World Vision this past Monday at an event to enroll people in their child refugee support program.  I was there for 5 hours.  Afterwards I slept 14 hours straight through, not hearing 3 separate alarms.  This makes it very difficult to work, but I am looking for part time work to begin in October.  I am hopeful.

The plan is to go on maintenance Avastin in 3 months because that is what is needed to keep ovarian cancer from spinning out of control.  Cancer cells adapt and can become less responsive to treatments over time.  It is very risky to stop Avastin for too long but I need to rest and to recover from all of the many treatments that I have had.

I thoroughly enjoy the treatment team and my new gynonc at Anschutz Cancer Pavillion.  They are caring, thorough, professional and well staffed.  It is an NCI designated research center so I feel that they can handle any special needs a patient may have.  Praise God.

I still rely on my therapy cat, Marilyn. She is my little angel.  She likes to play chase after her morning meal, ha.  That means two or three jolts across the apartment.  I need the exercise.

I still take things a day at a time but can make longer term plans now. I can see myself enjoying next summer, WOW.  I start and end my days with Our Lord's Prayer and Hail Mary. I give thanks at every meal.  I go to Mass because I love God and need God in my life for without Him, nothing works. He keeps me hopeful and steady in this world of unpredictability. If someone gets upset with me or targets me I take a breath and then pray for them, doing all I can to not get entangled in anything negative. It is not completely unavoidable but I do the best I can.

As always I am eternally grateful to family and friends who have stood by me through thick and thin over these past 7 years and thank them from the bottom of my heart.  Each day is a gift from God, a miracle in the making and I pray that each of you gets to experience that "joy" of light each and every day.

God Bless you for all of your love, prayers and support.

Denise

Reverend Doctor William Barber II addresses the DNC—Part I