It's a Celebration

It’s a Celebration

Today, I celebrate the bravery of women who have passed away and the survivors of breast cancer. From them we learn and keep fighting.

I am a woman of faith. No matter what I’m going through I praise my God. As a believer, you must understand everywhere we go, we take the adversary’s territory. This is why we get attacked. I have one warning, when my God shows up, RUN!

Something amazing happens when you let go and let God. The need we may face is great, but His grace is GREATER!

My pathology report is in:  

Negative margins mean that no cancer cells can be seen at the outer edge of the tissue that was removed. This is the best way to ensure that all cancer was taken out.

Lymph Nodes – negative, no cancer found, nodes are clear

Praise the Lord! Under the authority of the blood of Jesus, I have two words for the adversary, bow down.

In the middle of darkness, God has a miracle. Darkness came to develop my character. Darkness happens in a moment. Acts 16:16-25

God may not reveal His reasons, but He has revealed His character to me.

Isaiah 41:10 Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

I walk in His favor. I fight in Faith.

Blessings,

Donna Guzzo 

It's Recuperation Time

I'm recuperating slowly but surely. Am gaining speed when walking; eating better, moving my arm; all the things I suppose to be doing. What I seem to do best is sleep! I serve a Supernatural God. All glory to Him. I find myself rejoicing as I go through this journey. 1 Peter 1:18 I was not bought with silver or gold.

My heartfelt gratitude to my family, Pastor Wes & Bev, all my prayer warriors, and friends.
Thank you Naomi and Julio for visiting on surgery day and for bringing food from Don Juan's.
Thank you Cheryl for visiting yesterday and bringing delicious Italian food. Your company is always good for my spirit.
Thank you Janet for the beautiful flowers and your Puerto Rican spaghetti. I love your sazon!
Thank you Maria Medina, former LEE supervisor for the books and pink T-Shirt. I miss you!
Thank you Laurie C. and Melissa for walking with me through this journey - you both are my inspiration!
Thank you Kristy for not only taking care of me, but taking care of Scher to give us a stress free moment.
Thank you Community Relations staff for helping Cheryl during the Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon.

Cards are arriving. I look forward to mail time. It is soup for the soul to read your well wishes and receive your blessings. Thank you for reaching out.

Love and blessings,
Donna G.

Today is the day... Surgery

 

 

Today is the Day....

Donna had surgery at 7:30am.She is home resting. The doctor said that the lymph nodes weren't affected by the cancer. The pathology results will take a few days.
Thank God for all the blessings in Donna's life that includes family and friends.
She wants you to know that she is doing well.
Now begins the recuperation.

Radioactive & Nuclear = I am on Fire

Radioactive & Nuclear = I am on Fire

It’s been two weeks since cancer impacted my life. It’s been two weeks of claiming healing, praying for my doctors and having a spiritual experience like no other.

Since then, I have spent numerous hours at Mayo Clinic for a breast clinic evaluation; met the surgeon; chose my medical team; had lab work; had an MRI with sedation; more lab work and had another evaluation to be cleared for surgery. All tests, praise God have come back good. Lab work shows normal red and white cell count. The MRI does not show any spread of cancer. PTL

Today, I had an ultrasound for radiation seed placement with sedation, followed by more mammogram images; and had radiation nuclear medicine lymph injection and scan with NO sedation. (I got lightheaded and fainted) during the mammogram following the procedures. Unbelievable – the mammogram, really? The seed placement process uses a thin needle to place a tiny radioactive seed directly on the cancerous lump. It acts as a beacon on which the surgeon can hone in; removing the lump, the seed and potential cancerous tissue in the margins around the lump.

The last appointment was with a radiologist named Robert who had warmed up the room temperature before my arrival. The nuclear section of the hospital is amazing. I felt like an Avatar! Robert talked so much, and was so much fun, I ended up dreaming of being on a fast ride at Disney. The Radioisotope Injection for Sentinel Lymph Node Identification uses a dye or isotope which moves from the tumor to the lymphatic system. The first node to turn blue or contain the radioactive material is the sentinel node. During surgery, the sentinel node is then removed and immediately examined by the pathologist. The results of the test help to determine the next steps in my treatment.

The amount of radioactive material injected is very small and poses no threat. I am full of energy today.

Thank you Glenn and Scher! Thank you Ruth. Thank you Jessica M/IT. Thank you Naomi, Sunny and Denise H. for your blessing today. Laurie Clarcq, I always saw you as the best speaker ever, now I see you as my angel on earth, giving me tips and a heads up of what is yet to come. You prepare me well. You are my inspiration!

I am now at home, in awe of how much love and encouragement I am receiving from my family,  friends, my local church and even my LA church. Get Well cards are arriving; more and more I hear about my name being placed on several prayer chains. Thank YOU!

Tuesday, March 24 is the big day. I will meet with my surgeon very early in the morning. I have prayer warriors in place from all over the world. Angels are on call and God Himself will guide the doctors from the throne. Dear Cancer, there is simply no room for you here. I serve a Victorious God. I am on Fire!

Blessings,

Donna Guzzo 

I'm worth fightin' for; He told me so

I’m Worth Fightin’ For; He Told Me So

The past two days have been a blessing spending time with family and friends. I have received many encouraging bible verses, and messages. I celebrate and honor each and every one of you. I respect your time and appreciate you reaching out.  

Today I woke up feeling apprehensive. I recognized this feeling was not from God. See, the enemy needs space to operate. Since I recognized what was going on, I spoke to it, and said: “You cannot have my joy.”

Sometimes when we are faithless, God is faithful. He whispered in my ear, I’m worth fighting for. I belong to Him. What started with a feeling of fear, turned into LOVE.

As I meditate on today’s church-service message of death, (which by the way, was awesome), and my encounter with fear… the message I keep hearing and receiving is the following: I will go from surviving to thriving. He made me to excel as His daughter, a wife, and a mother. Everything that I do reflects Him and my beliefs.  

I was tempted and tested. See, the enemy may poke all he wants, but he has no discernment, so he waits for me to react; he waits for my confession.

“I declare the enemy knocked out. I declare this decease knocked out. I declare my Commander-in-Chief has won the fight.” 

1 Corinthians 10:13

Blessings, 

Donna Guzzo 

Becoming Radioactive

Becoming Radioactive

It has been a productive and happy week. MRI results came in as expected, praise God. Thank you Janet Robles for keeping me busy and calmed prior to the procedure. We even did a little get away from the hospital to Bahama Breeze.

I have spent the last two days having lunch and/or dinners with friends. Today, my dear friend Denise Gaitanzis took half a day off from work to take me shopping to my favorite boutique in Ponte Vedra, J. McLaughlin. Major damage in the name of surgery.   

I am mentally and physically as prepared as anyone can be facing breast cancer surgery.

Pre-Op on Monday: A radioactive seed localization, or RSL will be inserted in me. The process uses a thin needle to place a tiny radioactive seed directly on the cancerous lump. It acts as a beacon for the surgeon; making it easier to remove the lump, the seed and surrounding tissue in the margins around the lump.

Surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, March 24. No time yet.

I am grateful for the long weekend off from work. Am looking forward to spending time with my family.

Proverbs 3:5: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not depend on your own understanding” 

Love and Blessings,

Donna G. 

Igniting My Faith

Igniting My Faith

Today is about real passion; a real encounter with my Maker.  I see the love of Christ through each and every one of you. Thank you for the outpouring love and support.

As strange as this may sound, I would not change a thing, because this experience gives me a different perspective of my God. I have chosen a great team of doctors who have demonstrated love, care and yes… patience with my questions.  Notability app has become my number one tool to write, record and even take pictures. Remember, I have been married to a journalist for over 20 years. I have learned a thing or two, about getting answers.

As I prepare for a long day of more testing and sedation, I am not apprehensive. I am confident and energized to spend part of the day with my husband and my dear friend, Janet Robles. 

At work, I am having fun planning a fashion show called 450 Years: Tracing St. Augustine’s Roots; “A Night in Spain,” a fundraiser for RSVP of St. Johns County. We will train and equip volunteers to match student’s needs. It doesn’t get better than that!

I appreciate each and every prayer. I thank you for your obedience; where science ends, the Supernatural begins.

Love and Blessings,

Donna G. 

Feeling Grateful

Today was a great day of  friendship and encouragement.

• Thank you prayer warriors; Wes, Bev, Julie and Raleigh!
• Thank you Janet and Ruth for delivering food, and for keeping in close touch. 
• Thank you Yohanna for the daily youtube songs. 
• Thank you Ruth for the assurance of taking over my blog, once I go for surgery. 
• Thank you Naomi for the Christian CD's - all downloaded on my iPad.
• Thank you Cheryl and Christina for your support and understanding. 
• Thank you Cheryl & George Freeman for your ministry. 
• Thank you Linda V./RSVP volunteer extraordinaire, for helping me at the office. 
• Thank you Kristy and Julianna for your generosity at Panache treating me to a Swedish massage and haircut/toner. 
• Thank you friends for your words of encouragement via Facebook, text, calls, etc. 

Love you all. Happy Spring break everyone!

Donna G.

"I heard the words, no woman wants to hear; breast cancer"

“I heard the words, no woman wants to hear; breast cancer”

Cancer, in less than a week, has impacted my life. It has brought to my attention to enjoy what’s important and who is priority right now. Each day I now smile about what is going well.   

I have put together a team: my family, prayer warriors, researchers, doctors and friends. My family and I have found the best course of action by interviewing/consulting doctors. Over the weekend, within 24 hours of finding out the news, I had a surgeon lined up, referred by two different sources; and was accepted as a patient at Mayo Clinic. We are taking the necessary steps to treat this. I am a strong and determined woman. Cancer will have to deal with me and my God. I consider myself blessed and fortunate that the tumor was found early and the prognosis is promising. As a Christian, I do not have a spirit of fear, and I firmly believe some good will come out of this.

My focus is:

#1 My God, “So be truly glad.  There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while.  These trials will show that your faith is genuine.  It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold.
 (I Peter 1:6-7).

#2 My Family & Friends / Team of Doctors – I am thankful for my husband and daughter. I am blessed to have the support system I have.

#3 My Work and Civic Duties – I will always be planning the next event.

I share my faith and love with all of you who have been supportive throughout my life journey and decisions. I thank you for the texts, the messages, the research, the referrals, the meals, the books, the CD’s, but most of all, I thank you for who YOU are! 

God bless.

Donna Guzzo