A Treasured Gift.

Earlier this week I received such a wonderful, wonderful gift. It was Prayer Shawl knit by my three daughters. Along with it came three wonderful letters of love.

It started in Maine where Sarah chose the yarn and the pattern. Sarah's chose the pattern "Old Shale" which has hills and valleys. She thought this represented the ups and downs of chemo. As a Prayer Shawl is knit, the knitter prays for the recipient. I will wrap myself in it during the chemo infusion as a reminder of their love and prayer.

Sarah knit part of the shawl, then sent it on to Becky in Massachusetts who continued the knitting. Sarah's prayer while she knit was for the "Peace of God. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you, I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let our hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. " John 14:27

Becky's prayer was for comfort and knowing God's care. "And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you" Matthew 6:30

After Becky knit a section it was brought to Chicago for Beth to complete.
Beth's prayer focused on strength for me. 1 Chronicles 16:11-12 'Look to the Lord and HIS strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders He has done, His miracles...."

Chemo #4 is anticipated for Wednesday. The shawl will be with me, along with the message and prayers it represent.

Thank you Sarah, Becky, and Beth

Anna Heredia shows her Alice to Aspen; Will Klein, now 4 years old, is happy with his basket; Eleanor Williams looks over her Easter eggs.

Chemo # 3 is ongoing

Chemo #3 was possible today.

Our bodies have amazing abilities to recover! After everything being very low last week, I have returned to good lab results. My White Blood count was up to 6.9 today....NORMAL. Platelets up from 128 to 259...NORMAL
Hemoglobin 12.7.....low, but within NORMAL range.
The infusion of chemotherapy was possible and at the full dosage. So thankful that this can be possible.

Side effects, thus far, is primarily the extreme sensitivity to cold. I have to drink tepid, warm water. Reaching into the refrigerator to take something out requires the use of a hot pad. Even reaching to get washed clothes from the machine requires gloves to transfer to the dryer.

Other side effects related to your GI system are controlled with drugs....all kinds.
Hair loss continues.....sort of like a little chicken with some downy fuzz and some longer lengths. Lots came out with my shower this morning. Maybe it will grow back curly???? or red??

During the infusion this morning, I listened to Tim Keller speak on
Praying Your Fears. He referenced Psalms 3:3...
"But you are a shield around me, O Lord, my glorious One, who lifts up my head. To the Lord I cry aloud and he answers me from his holy hill."

Thank you to each of you who continue to uphold me with your prayers.

Unable to have Chemo # 3

While my next Chemo was scheduled and anticipated to be started today, my neutrophil count was too low to be able to have it given. Thus everything is on hold for one week. I will then again have blood drawn and depending on those results proceed with another round.

I am assured this happens and going to a 21 day cycle for one time will not adversely affect the outcome.

The Chemo has lowered most of my counts. This will give a week to have my bone marrow recover.

A friend shared a verse with me this afternoon. Psalm 112: 7-8
"He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.
His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes."

Lord, Help me to trust and not fear.

Downs - Ups - New Uses for a Vacuum

This week has been all of the above.

Downs - mouth sores with white spots, sore throat, difficulty swallowing, and a cough, all coupled with a low white blood count.

Ups - After being evaluated, an injection to stimulate my bone marrow to produce more white blood cells, a very strong antibiotic started to combat a sinus infection, frequent mouth care.....all of the above, with the help of medicines, have improved somewhat.

This was all in the week that I 'feel good.' It is hard to eat when it hurts in your mouth, and when your intestines hurt from the antibiotics. One aspects seems to stimulate another effect.

It is also a struggle to keep a perspective midst not feeling good and fairly constant fatigue. That is when we really rely on your prayers and support.

A new use for the vacuum - take the hose to your hair. It is a great way to further thin your hair if you are on chemo. AND....it is a one step task. You do not have to clean up the floor, your bed, your clothes and every other place it land.

Chemo #3 is tomorrow. Pray for minimal side effect.....and further killing of cancer cells!

Happy Easter - HE IS RISEN

HE IS RISEN, INDEED !

"In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade." 1 Peter 1:3

Christ's death was the sin offering for my sins. But he did not stay dead....He AROSE and LIVES.

It is the resurrection of Christ that we acknowledge and celebrate today. Because He lives, we have the HOPE of eternal life with him.

With others around the world....and our son in Mongolia

Тэр амилсан үнхээр амилсан

HE IS RISEN, RISEN INDEED. ALLELUIA!