Rev. Tiffany McDonald

Tamoxifen

As part of my treatment plan for breast cancer, my oncologist prescribed me Tamoxifen for ten years. Tamoxifen is an “old” drug, meaning that it has been well-studied, and it’s cheap! It is an estrogen suppressant. You can read a study about how being on it five years has fifteen year benefits here. I haveContinue reading “Tamoxifen”

Garage Sale

This month I have been consumed with a garage sale. The prep took 3 weeks of sorting, making decisions, and letting go. The actual sale was 3 days of sorting, making decisions, and letting go. It was all worth it, and now I am exhausted. My girls don’t really play with toys anymore. When KContinue reading “Garage Sale”

Unlocking

This last year or so I have focused inward, and my outward focus is mostly limited to those with whom I live. I feel like I am about to emerge from that time, but I’m not completely ready yet. This time has been a gift, and it has also been odd. Covid-time came at aContinue reading “Unlocking”

A Bible study

https://faithlead.luthersem.edu/let-your-yes-be-yes-and-your-no-be-no/ Here is a link to a Bible study I wrote about faith and healthy boundaries. It can be done alone or with a group.

Annie Jr.

This weekend my older daughter performed in her middle school production of Annie Jr. She played an orphan, and she loved her role. My husband and I went to opening night, though by then she had already performed the play for each grade at school. We could not have been more proud. Her facial expressionsContinue reading “Annie Jr.”

Lent

In the Christian Church, Lent is a period of 40 days (excluding Sundays) leading up to Easter. Sometimes people give something up, fasting from a specific food or activity to help them focus on God. Others take something on, like a spiritual practice, to bring them closer to God. It is often used as aContinue reading “Lent”

Normalizing Callbacks on Mammograms

My first mammogram was an abnormal experience at 37. It was diagnostic, but instead of having a cyst aspirated, I learned I had cancer. Since I finished treatments, mammograms have been a yearly task to prove that I am still well. This year was a little different. I went in with my usual good attitude,Continue reading “Normalizing Callbacks on Mammograms”

Suicide Prevention

Someone that I cared about a lot recently died by suicide. He was 16. I could go on and on about how great he was. His smile was contagious, and every time I think of him, I smile. More importantly, I want you to know this resource: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ (en español: 1-888-628-9454; deaf and hard of hearing: 1-800-799-4889)Continue reading “Suicide Prevention”

Spiritual Practices

Luther Seminary’s online magazine, faith+lead, is doing a series on spiritual practices this month. I wrote about how I adapted my spiritual practices while enduring cancer treatments. You can read it here. Even without health challenges, trying a new spiritual practice can be fun and helpful. What helps you connect with God? What practices mightContinue reading “Spiritual Practices”

Ornaments

Every year Grandmother bought me an ornament. As a child, the purpose was that when I moved out and had my own tree, I would have enough ornaments. And I did. In high school, she began buying me the Mary’s Angel series keepsake ornaments from Hallmark. Eventually, she gave me money, and I purchased theContinue reading “Ornaments”