Update

Just a quick update.

I got the last dose of chemo this morning and set up appointments with Dr. Faulkner (radiation doctor) in two weeks and to go back to see Dr. Waples (Oncologist) in a month.

This dose hit me hard.  I couldn't even do my Walmart run after because I was too exhausted.  Came home and slept and am still in bed.   (Tom set up the computer back here in the bedroom again.  I really hate that I missed the Walmart run.  That is the safest time to get out there right after I've had the chemo.  Ah well, two more weeks and I can get out there for good.  My BP was really high before they started the chemo and I'm sure it was just nerves but I didn't cry this time (even though I wanted to...lol).  It was back to low when it was all over.  8-)

I know the next week will be bad and I think I'm ready for it.  Keep the prayers going up.  I really appreciate everyone out there.

Don't Waste Your Life

I'm sitting here waiting for a call from the girl I was telling you about that was just diagnosed with breast cancer.  I pulled out my radiology reports because there was a lot of stuff that I have forgotten. 

She tried to call me earlier but I was in a teleconference and she sent me an email saying the number was no good.  I asked her if she dialed a '1' in front of it because we are considered long distance from everywhere else around here.  Yeah...we're out in the boonies...but I really do loving living out in the middle of nowhere.  They gave us free nationwide calling on our phone because we couldn't call anywhere without it being a long distance.

Carol recommended a book to me this morning that I went out and bought that I think is going to be awesome (I read the first chapter before buying it).  It is called "Don't Waste Your Life" by John Piper.  Wonder if she is trying to tell me something?  HA!

The girl just called me.  She has been diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma (just like I was) but she is at the stage of trying to decide whether to do a mastectomy or a lumpectomy.  She wants to have both breasts removed and never have to worry about breast cancer again.  Her tumor is .9mm in size which is very small and she won't know the staging until after surgery.  I told her why I decided on a lumpectomy but didn't really discuss the chemotherapy yet.  I told her to call me anytime to discuss the different stages of the cure to the disease as she has questions.  She was not nervous or worried about anything.  I have to wonder if she is still in shock from the diagnosis...but then again...she just might not be a worrier.  Some people have that gift.

Not much else except for work going on here today.  I have to go get the chicken wings ready to turn them into chicken wings Parmesan.  YUM...one of our favorite meals.

Hope everyone is having a GREAT day.  8-)

Things That Change You

So much for weather reports, cat stories, and chemo whining.

Let's talk about things that change you.

Finding salvation in Christ...

Your first kiss...

Your first true love...

The first time you lie... (yeah, everyone lies at some point in their life, whether to protect someone or out of shame or for one of a million other reasons.  It happens and it changes you forever.)

A mother's love...

A father's love...

Extreme Joy...

The first time you are angry...

The first time you are deeply sad...

The death of someone you love...

A best friend...

Going through something difficult and realizing that people care about you...

Yeah...you have changed me, believe it or not.  I've gone through life feeling fairly self-sufficient and God has brought me down to a low point and made me realize that I need people more than myself.  I can't tell you how much your prayers and caring have meant to me...thanks for that change.  8-)

If you feel used in your changing of me, then see what Max says about the God and his use of people.

"God Uses People

By Max Lucado

 

I know those I have chosen. John 13:18 

Would you choose a wanted murderer to lead you out of bondage? Would you call upon a fugitive to carry the Ten Commandments? God did . . . Called his name through a burning bush. Scared old Moses right out of his shoes!

The reassuring lesson is clear.  God...uses people to change the world.  People! Not saints or superhumans or geniuses, but people."

By Grace Alone -

-T

BIG SNOW Today

It's been quite a day today...woke up this morning to about a eight inches of snow with drifts up to one to two feet.  You guys are gonna get so sick of the different weather conditions in my yard but here it is in case you are interested.  Tom had to take a personal day today because he couldn't get out to go into work.  Of course, work for me didn't stop because of the snow since I am working from home right now.

If you remember, this Skyshed Pod sits on a deck that is about a foot high in front and 18 inches in back.  (built on a slope)

Not going to be sitting on that bench any time soon...

 Out the front...kids and dogs haven't gotten to the snow yet.  That won't last long...

Here Tom is trying to shovel out the side driveway so that he can get his truck out...

Here he is driving out of the driveway...GO TOM.  (He's going to the store to pick up some food for this week.)  This trip was taken about 12:30.  No sun to melt the snow yet and it is about 32 degrees out.  You can also see that the neighbor's Labrador Retriever has made its way through our yard and even came up the steps to our porch.   Yeah...you don't see the dog, but his prints are there...he and the neighborhood kids were having fun in the cul-de-sac. 

Bye bye, Tom!  You can just see him at the edge of the house, going up the road.

We also cleaned house this morning.  Whoo whoo!  We're ready for our chemo treatment on Thursday now.  House is clean and fridge is stocked. 

Hope everyone is having a great day!