Monday, February 16, 2015

Doing Battle, Week 21



The novelty of being done with chemo treatments and being able to start back in on life has not worn off. People ask me how I'm feeling and I love declaring that I feel good...it makes me giddy. It also has me getting ahead of myself, wishing we could just be done. I'm ready to re-enter the life I used to have and my patience with the process grows thin...it works much better when I just look for the grace in this day and not try to peek around the corner to tomorrow. Contentment can be found even in the midst of difficult times. Its a lie that a perfect life exists and once we find it we'll be happy.


A doctor this week asked if I'd been running. I told him it'd been since my marathon in October and he said, stethoscope in hand that I still had a runner's heartbeat. That was good to hear! It also makes me long to start running. And longing to run makes me afraid to know how much I've lost in the past four months.

I've been approved, if not encouraged to exercise during radiation. Not sure I'll start running, but I've started to ease back into a morning routine that includes a workout. I want my body to be as strong as it can for the next beat down. :)

Even though I considered it a "free" week, I still managed to do two doctor visits and an MRI and countless phone calls setting up appointments and making arrangements for medication, etc. Almost a week later I still haven't heard any results from the MRI, so I take that as a sign that there were no surprises. The oncologist did review the CT Scan and said it was in line with what he was expecting....basically that we need to get radiation going.


 I know its a small thing, but in the past week I've had my veins accessed twice and both times they were successful the first time. What a relief...and so much more painless than accessing the port. Everything is relative, I'm learning.


I got to see "my" nurse, back from her Haiti missions trip. She was asking me where we are at and was thrilled to hear who my radiologist is....she highly endorsed him.

I'm so grateful for the incredible people I've met in the healthcare industry. Doctors, nurses, scan techs, janitors, receptionists...I feel so privileged to have such incredible care and its been fun getting to know some of them on a deeper level. I have no idea what my primary care doctor looks like, so its a new experience to see people on a regular basis or for extended periods of time.

For instance, there were just two ladies working the MRI room and no other patients, so I was able to engage them both in conversation and hear their hearts. Pretty cool.

Every day I get up trusting in God's great love for me, thankful this life is not resting on my shoulders. His plans, though I understand only in part now, are so much greater than me.

Thank you for your faithful prayers and thoughts for us. We're so grateful for the community that surrounds us...what a gift!


Sunday, February 15, 2015

Project 365, Week 7

I'm sitting at my desk, watching beautiful white flakes yet again and trying to comprehend this much snow. Its so pretty coming down, but there is no place for it to go! 

Last night Shaun got home "early" and he felt like it was such a huge break because he didn't need to be back for 16 hours...his biggest break in weeks! We took full advantage, eating dinner together then piling on the couch and watching a family movie. 

I'm so grateful for another week. My heart is so full!

February 8
After church we headed to my brother's house to visit with his family. We missed him, but had a great time seeing everyone else.






 We were notified about 8 PM that there would be no school the next day. The kids immediately headed out and went down a bunch of times on their snow tube. It was crazy cold!
February 9
Avery and Melody have perfected the snow day snowman pancake.
 Later, it was still snowing but my doctor's appointment wasn't cancelled, so we loaded up and took a drive. Everything was so pretty!
 February 10
You already saw my pictures from the 10th, this is what Melody and the girls were doing while I was visiting a college with R....
 ...and while I was at the my MRI.
 February 11
This was a castle with people eating inside.
 It was great to be back at the library with this guy. Our local place has a great story time for 3-5 year olds, complete with stories, songs, a craft and a snack (and parents aren't allowed in the room, so quiet time for mommy ;).

Aiden looked so big compared to the other kids there. As I helped him out of the car, held the hand that reached for mine to walk down the sidewalk and got him safely into the room with the teacher, I thought, a little sadly, that story time at the library that I've been doing for about nine years is quickly coming to an end.
 Later we had a surprise visit from the 16 year-old, who was in the area getting his learner's permit...to drive! This make nephew #2 and I just can't believe we got here so quickly. I asked these three to pose in their blue and white uniforms....so sweet.

 More blue and white. :)
February 12
With Melody around, Aiden had someone else to explain his aircraft to. And word has it, she's pretty good at finding pieces. ;)
February 13
Going through the post-school Valentine's party loot.
 Except this owl came from Amanda to Avery.


 My vote for most clever treat.
 Watching Daddy's basketball game...sadly, the last one of the season.
February 14
Twins!






 We stopped to register for T-ball. Aiden was ecstatic and as we were getting out of the car he was talking about how he was the best hitter....on the t-ball team! The boy does not lack confidence.

Friday, February 13, 2015

Its Still Snowing

It is and has been SO cold! So cold. In fact, the kids haven't really been able to play outside very much but our last snow day we ventured out to cousins house. When I got back from the doctor, they were making the most of the mounds of snow left at the end of the cul-de-sac. So, like a chicken, I sat in my warm car and took some pictures.

The bright colors and the happy smiles make the cold and snow more bearable.

Its still snowing, said Eeyore gloomily. And freezing. However, he said, brightening up a little, we haven't had an earthquake in a while.










 Trevor prefaced this with, Hey guys...watch this! And called it "the body", I believe. I'm not sure of the ins and outs but it involved standing at the top and throwing himself down.