Steffes Strong

09/07/2022

Never let your prayin’ knees get lazy!!!

05/07/2022

💥 Up at 5am!
💥In the MRI machine ( #20 something MRI) by 7:00am
💥Home to nap off the contrast brain by 7:50am
💥Saw Oncology at 10am
💥Headed home with lunch for my babes, a work out, and then 3-4 hours of home showings for my buyers.

Today was super low anxiety for me this time!!! Mind is healthy & in control!!! 🧠

Life after cancer can be a bit tricky, but, it also rocks & these are just little reminders to soak it all in, live all in, love hard, and ignore anything that doesn’t serve.

God is good. Life is blessed!

05/07/2022

To all my momma’s in the battle! You are loved. You are a hero! Though my journey is over… I can still feel the emotions and guilt as if I was still in the storm. 🤍

When Mom has cancer and treatments.

Her husband and children experience a whole new normal. Instead of mom up and about “running the show” doing laundry, supper and reading with them; she’s resting. Sometimes in bed out of sight, but most times on the couch to try and at least be in the presence of her most loved people. Her reason FOR battling.

She sleeps. She battles. She heals.
While “normal” goes on around her.

This is not easy.
This breaks a momma’s heart.
She will miss school events.
She will miss sporting events.
She will miss playing together.
She will be “present” but miss participating in over one years worth of her children’s lives. The little moments. Like game night. Playing outside.
Like bed time. Sometimes, on the bad days, we say prayers and good nights couch side not bed side. When you are 9; this is a hard part to accept.

But they do.

They all cover me up.
Bring me water or meds.
Give me random quiet kisses while I sleep.
Read to me.
Sit next to me just to be next to mom.

They get ready for school on their own and bring me their planners to the couch to sign.

They understand.

Mom gets so tired.
Mom doesn’t feel good.
Mom is edgy and irritable.
Mom’s cancer makes her brain over-stimulated so easy.
Mom’s memories are hit or miss.
Mom’s brain hurts.

They understand quiet and peace is good for mom.

They see moms bruises and ask to kiss them.

They understand when they don’t feel good; they kiss moms cheek and not lips.

They ask mom everyday how she is.

They understand hand washing always needs to be done in abundance!

They never complain. They are stronger than me.

This is not fun.
This is not easy.
Worth it? Yes.
Does that ease the hardships now? No.

This is our life. This is our normal. This is not a walk in the park for any of us. This will not be over for months yet.

This is healing me but wreaking havoc in the meantime.

My journey is very different from some, very similar to others. I choose to share A LOT~ the good, the bad and the ugly. It doesn’t mean it’s easier. It doesn’t mean I don’t struggle. It doesn’t mean real life haulted in any way.

This is cancer.
This is cancer treatments.
This is our life right now.

08/05/2022

Such a special weekend... Mother's Day (the best job ever) and 2 years ago we officially beat cancer!!!!!!! Yesterday was so fun. Today, we watch the boys play soccer & football. It's been a grand weekend full of happiness, joy, love and celebrating.

I’m here! Alive. Healthy. Raising my boys….

Life is so good!!!




5/8/2020
We did it! We BEAT cancer.

24/03/2022

Sometimes a momma just has to go to bed and crash at 8:15pm!!!!

Feeling so refreshed and full of energy this morning. Dishwasher loaded, laundry going, dinner in the crockpot, e-mails answered and ready for the day!!!

Mommas ~ Know when it’s time to hustle. Know it’s time to rest.

There has to be balance! 💜

18/02/2022

The only certain thing we know about Brain Cancer… 3, 6 or 20 years…. it ALWAYS comes back. We wait & we live!

My hearts aches at this news. But, I know Charlie Lonergan will get this set back over and done and continue kicking ass. Brain Cancer sucks.

Charlie is the epitome of LIVING! 🤍

Steffes Strong Tribe… my request; Prayers, and more prayers please, as Charlie embarks this battle again while also awaiting the arrival of his first child.

He’s one of my brain cancer hero’s! He’s got this! Let’s have his back while he fights again!!!

🙏🤍🙏🤍🙏

13/02/2022

🤍🙏🤍

13/02/2022

Thank you, all today, and always, for the love, prayers and support you give.

GREAT NEWS!! (With a little nudge from yours truly), I am graduating to 6 month scans (for the next 5 years)! Yes!!!! Less contrast filling my brain every year but still staying on top of things is a win-win!

My scan is stable. NO change; except for a tiny sign that the "black hole/ void" is curling in on itself a bit, which is normal.

I also saw this new Neuro-Oncologist for the 2nd time only today and she's passionate about getting me feeling my best. A large blood work up and we've got some vitamin deficiencies to address which should help a lot. A prescription Iron and a few others she recommended and then we recheck in 2 months. If that doesn't work, it's iron infusions and I'm so ready to do that if need be.

And, as I always do on these long days, I got home about 3:15pm and CRASHED!

(I did sneak in showing my client a house today between appts, of course).

In April, it will be 3 years since we found this crazy beast. In May, when we go gray, it will be 2 years since we called it "good" and stopped chemo (due to the pandemic hitting).

Cheers to LIVING, FEELING WELL, FIGHTING, MOVING MY BODY, and still being CANCER-FREE!!!!!!!

16/07/2021

A nudge. 🙏

25/06/2021

When you’re husband floods your text inbox with “beautiful” and “stunning”. Literally in tears. I’m so anxious to see the rest! This was such an amazing experience. Thank you, Nicole Mills!!!

Friends over 40… I highly recommend you contact Nicole and be part of this experience and campaign!!

"Turning 40 while in the middle of a brain cancer battle taught me a lot. Growing older is such a gift. Ladies, embrace your age! Love yourself in abundance. Be confident! There will always be struggles & imperfections. Let it go and love your life!" - Jen Steffes

❤ Amazing advice. Jen came in for her 40 over 40 campaign session yesterday and obviously rocked it! She's faced a battle that we all pray we'll never have to face, and she's come out of that battle with a wisdom that doesn't simply come with "age." When faced with a challenge such as brain cancer, I can only imagine it helps to realign your priorities. How could it not?? Lord willing, we're here for 100 years, if we're incredibly lucky. I don't know about you, but I refuse to spend anymore of what time I have left here worrying about wrinkles, cellulite and all of my other "imperfections." I've got so much I still want to do and beating myself up over the stupid stuff will only slow me down. Every day should be treated as a celebration of life and that's difficult to do if you're not loving yourself. 🥳❤ Thanks for the reminder, Jen. ❤❤❤

Hair and makeup by the talented Amber Berry. 💄

25/06/2021

NMP shares another sneak peak from my 40 Over 40 Campaign Photoshoot. Catch the full video and a glimpse in to the magic she does… it’s incredible on my or her page!

Give me all the taffeta and a crown; for I am a lil extra!!! And, proud of it!!!

“The world gave you so much pain and here you are making gold out of it” ~ Wow, Nicole. You are incredible!!!

Ladies, book your session!!!! Show up for YOU!

#41

22/02/2021

https://caringbridge.org/visit/jennysteffes/journal/view/id/6034404a153b09f128014c52

No news is good news... I’ve been terrible about updating. But, finally~ here’s an update!  𝔸𝕟𝕠𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕣 𝕕𝕒𝕪 𝕠𝕗 𝕔𝕖𝕝𝕖𝕓𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟!!!!    I will never, ...

25/01/2021

Kicking off 2021 with Season 3!!!!!
Almost 3,000 plays ... so cool!

Today I try out my new mic and talk about birthdays, therapy and setting boundaries!!

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grace-gratitude-perseverance/id1486094967 =fb539cc8-8acc-4dd6-839d-61088cc37fad

‎Self-Improvement · 2020

05/12/2020

I had the amazing honor to talk with Matt Logan from Matt Loganspeaks about his daughter, Deej, and Matt shared about their unthinkable tragedy and how’s he has honored her memory and created a legacy of helping educate and support others.

We discuss moving on vs moving forward and how tough circumstances reveal who we really are.

You can listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grace-gratitude-perseverance/id1486094967 =557822d0-994b-478b-88d1-c27b2d90ee3e

05/12/2020

New Episode!

“Jami & Scott’s Story ~ Through the lense of Faith”

Jami shares with us how their family has walked through difficult and beautiful seasons all while hanging on to their faith. It’s a beautiful story from one of the most admirable of women. From a transplant to adoption~ this family perseveres and continues to serve others!

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts!

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grace-gratitude-perseverance/id1486094967 =e7ce71a5-3434-41db-acd8-543e85957f77