Author: Valerie Powell
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The last two months have been a full spectrum of emotions. We started 2026 with pure joy, celebrating my mother-in-law’s 70th birthday. Days later was usual scans, Larry’s shenanigans, so many tears, and lots of talking and processing. Then it was the distinct promise of hope, restoration, and peace from the Lord, and finally the…
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As scan season approached at the end of the year, conversations kicked up about what my future scan schedule might look like. I’ve been healthy with no evidence of disease for over 8 years now, so it was probably time to space things out a bit. I had settled for a CT scan at the…
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Most surgery anniversaries, I’ve asked K.T. to tell me the story of what happened while they waited for Glanda to be removed. Years ago, I thought maybe if I could just see for myself what happened during surgery, it might provide some extra clarity, understanding, and healing for my soul.
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During my two week post-surgery recovery period, I built this website. I told the story as it was unfolding because I was at a total loss and didn’t know what else to do. I had skipped into surgery on Thursday absolutely stoked to get this thing cut out and be done with it, and I…
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It’s been well over a year now since I’ve written anything of significance, aside from an Instagram comment or meaningful text here and there. Don’t ask me how. I truly have no idea. I used to find myself here so often. Helpless. Lost. Needing to be here. Needing to write it out and make sense…
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July 6, 2017. Six. Whole. Years. This morning I got up and got ready for work, grabbed celebratory Starbucks on my way in, and settled into my desk for the day. July 6 is usually a day I take off work and many years we’ve gone as far as to leave Birmingham, because something about…
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Things get a little complicated when you’re a young adult that has been through cancer treatment and are ready to grow your family. The questions and racing thoughts are bountiful, and fear rears its ferocious little head far more often than preferred. It’s been a weird, frightful, and somewhat cynical place for me over the…
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I’ve always said I wanted twins. And my dreams have finally come true!….just not quite how I envisioned. In June, I found out I have twin vocal chord nodules (which I named because duh) and they’re benign and harmless. For real this time. Glanda fam, meet Ned and Ted. Those pokey little white bumps you…
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In January of this year, I received an email from Sue Evans M.D., MPH. I didn’t recognize the name so I scrolled down to her email signature. I remember seeing Yale University and immediately exclaiming, “YALLEEE!?”! What? I was for sure she had the wrong email address. But wait…she’s from Yale. People from Yale don’t…