Outshine Ovarian Cancer Anniversary

Karen Ingalls (@kareningalls1) recently celebrated a blog anniversary at Outshine Ovarian Cancer. I have been following along with Karen and her story for quite some time and have read her book Outshine: An Ovarian Cancer Memoir.  Outshine is an inspiring book that not only chronicles her battle with ovarian cancer but shows a deep faith and spirit.

Karen had a giveaway to celebrate the anniversary of her blog. I was a lucky winner of this beautiful plaque that now graces a shelf in my office alongside a photo of myself in my early days of illness and a beautiful glass that belonged to my paternal grandfather (one of the few possessions of his that I am able to have in my home).  The plaque reads: I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength…Phil 4:13 .  Thank you Karen for such a lovely gift.

Since writing Outshine: An Ovarian Cancer Memoir, Karen has had a recurrence of cancer and gone through yet another round of treatment. Karen is a brave lady and I am happy to call her a friend despite never meeting in person.

Courage & Survival

Back in May during MCS Awareness Month, I was asked by  friend and fellow blogger Karen Ingalls to be a guest on “Outshine Ovarian Cancer”.  I had scheduled it for the end of May and then my dad had his fall and we postponed it until June.  I am happy to say that today I am Karen’s guest blogger.  My guest blog post is entitled,  Courage & Survival.

Please visit Karen’s blog, Outshine Ovarian Cancer, and read my guest post.  I am in awe of Karen’s courage.  Karen’s book, Outshine – An Ovarian Cancer Memoir , is about her battle and her courage to fight ovarian cancer.  Karen is in the midst of a second go round with cancer and continues to show her amazing spirit and courage.

Heart of a Caregiver

For those suffering from chronic illness whether it be environmental illness (like mine), dealing with POTS, endometriosis, Marfan’s Syndrome, or Cancer, we rely heavily on our caregivers.  If we are fortunate, our caregivers are kind, caring, supporting, and will go to any extreme to help us battle through.  For me my biggest and most supportive caregiver has been my husband.  He built me a safe house, worked hard and sacrificed to allow me to go out-of-state for medical care, and shopped for me.

My dear blogger friend Karen Ingalls knows all to well what it is like to need a caregiver.  Karen battled Ovarian Cancer and her husband was beside her all the way.  Karen wrote a wonderful book entitled Outshine: An Ovarian Cancer Memoir.  Karen’s story moved me; the courage and inspiration she shares in her book is something that can benefit anyone no matter their chronic illness.

Karen recently discovered that her cancer has returned and will soon be fighting another battle.  She recently wrote a post entitled Praise and Gratitude to Caregivers.  In this post she shared a beautiful poem entitled Heart of a Caregiver.  Please take a moment to hop on over to Karen’s blog and read this lovely poem and learn about the wonderful and inspiring Karen Ingalls.