“God has the final word on your life and His word is grace.” - Max Lucado

Health “Situation” Changed My Course

I had a plan for the year and then received a message that changed my course of action. Late last year I had a biopsy on something that didn’t look right. It turned out to be an invasive form of skin cancer on my face in a “very difficult area to repair”.

So, I followed the advice that I share with others:

Met with the doctor
Got a 2nd opinion and asked a lot of questions
Researched information online and with trusted sources
Spoke with family, friends, and colleagues about potential impacts

Then, I was brutally honest about the path forward, and took action.

This Too Shall Pass

All people experience challenges. There will be good days and bad days. People will show-up, and others will disappear. Our mental, physical, and spiritual well-being is on a rollercoaster in the process. That’s the simple truth.

The good news, for me, is that this is not life-threatening and will eventually be resolved. The bad news is that it is life-altering, I can’t hide what I’m going through, and it will take a lot of time, creativity, and fortitude to get through.

At the end of the day, we are responsible for our health. Self-advocacy starts with keeping our eyes and ears open, collaborating with our healthcare team, continuing to learn, speaking up, and having the humility to know that it’s OK to not have all of the answers.

Month of January Wrap-Up

In my last newsletter, 5 Key Questions, we reflected on what shaped your year so you can move forward with clarity, gratitude, and grace. Even if you’ve made new plans, and have to make a shift (for whatever reasons), I hope you realize you are not alone in this process. You may have to take a step (or more) out of your comfort zone and ask for help, and that’s OK. There are warriors in your tribe willing to step up and meet you where you are. It’s up to you to graciously allow them in.

What’s the gift? I don’t know yet. I pre-recorded some poetry readings for my website that I’ll be sharing throughout the year to stay connected with my previous “age and stage” of life. There’s no turning back, but there is a path forward.

What’s New:

Remnants of Grace: New poem written & recorded by Susan LePlae Miller

Find Out My Breast Density Day: Our partners at My Density Matters are hosting their 6th Annual Online Awareness to Action Day. “Together We Can Change the Story – Breast Health Journey Resources”, Wed. 18 Feb. 2026. Share the day with those you love.

May you always “Know your value, Live your values”.

✨Susan