A Quick Report

Hi Everyone,
I just wanted to give you a quick report. I went in yesterday for the blood reports. Most of them were good. I'm still having problems building back my red cell count between treatments. It was low enough this time that I had to have an injection to help my body build it back up. Also, the platelets and the white counts were low as well. I especially have to be careful during this time not to become sick or exposed to anything. I guess this is why I've been so tired the last few days but, I'm not going to complain, everything else seems to be good and the nausea has gone away!!! Chemo works good fighting those cancer cells but, man, what it does to the good cells while fighting the bad ones is amazing. I've always heard that good wins over evil and that's what I'm depending on....that and THE ONE who holds my life in His hands!

I just wanted to update you with the latest news and to thank you for your prayers. I am so encouraged just knowing that you are there. It looks like another beautiful weekend. Have a great one. Every day is a new blessing. Love you guys, Judy
Psalm 16:8-11 (v.9) "Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth; my flesh also shall rest in hope.

Yikes! I've been zapped!

I am sorry that it has taken me so long to write to you again. I have had you in my thoughts daily and I know that you have been thinking of me as well. Your cards are still such an encouragement to me and your phone calls and visits give me that little burst of energy that helps me pass the time thinking "happy thoughts". My sweet neighborhood "team" came to the house last Monday night (before my treatments) with two more baskets loaded with food and water and magazines and so much more. I wish you could have seen them-- I looked out the window and saw 11 ladies marching down the street carrying the "cancer-flag" right to my front door. I felt like they were holding a parade in my honor then, I realized---that wasn't a "parade" it was "my army" marching on to Victory just for me. How priceless that moment was!!!! Little did I know just how much that sight would come to my mind during the days ahead and how much I would be encouraged by them!!

After my chemo treatment on Tuesday and the shot that followed on Wednesday, I've been zapped. Needless to say, I've never felt like a super hero figure but since my last treatments I've imagined how Superman must have felt when his super character got "zapped" and he lost all his energy and super powers. That's how my week has been; I've had a hard time recovering (especially fighting the sickness and weakness this week). Even today, Sunday,I am battling waves of sickness but, I realize it is only for a "season" and things will improve. In spite of all the after effects God's love has been evident and during those moments of weakness I grab my Bible. Today I turned to Psalm 91:1 "When I dwell in the secret place of the most High I shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I depend on God's protection--HE is my Super Hero. Marvin and I didn't go to Sunday School this morning but were in the morning Church service. What an awesome privilege to have that freedom and as always it was great. Our youth choir sang a special song today "The Lord Knows What to Do". What a comforting thought no matter what we are going through isn't it? He does know just what to do to meet our every need and I rest in that!! God YOU are my Refuge. I fully trust YOU!! I pray the same for each of you. Speaking of prayer, I have an update on Sandra Byars. Her adrenal biopsy came back benign which was good but, they are very concerned about how fast the tumor is growing. She will have a CT Scan and an MRI on Wed. 20th and then they will make a final decision about removing the adrenal gland or not. She needs us to keep her in our prayers. She and I both know we are surrounded by many wonderful prayer warriors and we thank God DAILY for each one of you. Have a wonderful week. I love you guys! Judy

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Oh, what a beautiful day! Every day when I get up I know that I have been given the gift of a new day. What a great weekend we had to enjoy. I hope yours was delightful and filled with God's richest blessings from start to end. Ours was wonderful; a break from the day-to-day routine. Marvin went on a hunting trip (Fri. am-Sat.pm) with three men from our church. I had to almost break his arm to get him to leave me but he finally agreed. I knew he needed this time away from being my constant "caregiver". He enjoyed every minute and even brought back a freezer full of quail---anybody know how to cook them? I don't!!!! While he was gone I got to spend Friday afternoon with Lara, Ashlyn, Carter and Pam. On Friday night until Saturday afternoon my friend, Nancy, came and we had a "girls spend the night party" just the two of us. Believe me, it was a WILD time (ha ha). Actually, it was special; we just enjoyed our quiet time visiting, reading and being together. What a blessing it is to have such a wonderful family and great friends!
Yesterday Marvin and I went to church and I got to go back to Sunday School for the first time since I began chemo. It was great being with all of them again. I wore my "new hair" (wig) for the first time and I think that surprised everyone. Without it I look like Kojak without a lollipop (for those of you who are old enough to remember that TV show). What a joy if was to be in God's House; a place of strength and comfort. His Word never fails to bring me what I need to face the days ahead. Tomorrow, Tues. 13th, I will go for my second chemo treatment. If I feel as well after as I did after the first treatment I hope to go by and see Jill, Mark and little Nathan. I haven't been able to see them for 21 days. Nathan got a chicken pox shot three weeks ago and the doctor said that I could not be around him for that long since it is a live virus. They have all had colds and been sick but now are well and I can hardly wait to get my hands on him!!
I will write again after the treatment to keep you updated. My verse today is: Psalm 37:5 "Depend on the Lord; trust him and he will take care of you". God has certainly taken care of me and I give Him the glory for all he has done in my life!! Your friendship and prayers are priceless. Thank you for your comments also; I enjoy them so much. I know I will win this battle with cancer--how could I fail with God and all of you on my team. I love you! Judy

PS Sandra's cousin, Judy Sinclair got the results back from her surgery. All of her lymph nodes were negative. She will go back to the doctor in two weeks to find out what treatments are to follow her surgery. She thanks all of you for your prayers as well. There is no update from Sandra Byars and the results of her adrenal biopsy. Her doctor has been out of town but I will let you know as soon as I hear from her. We will just keep on praying!

A Birthday Afternoon

Today was a great day! God truly answered my prayers for today and gave me the desire of my heart. Yes, I WAS able to go and celebrate Ashlyn's 5th birthday with her and we had a wonderful time just being together. The look on her face when we drove up at her house said it all...I think she was excited to see us but, I know she couldn't have been nearly as excited as I was to be there! Another answer to prayer came at the Oncologist Office. I went this morning for the blood tests and things have improved. My Hgb was 11.3; if it had been below 11.0 I would have had to have an injection to build it up so I got in by the skin of my teeth but, I made it just the same!! Normal is between 11.0 and 18.0 so they want to see it go up more before next week and it should. My red blood count was 3.0 which is still low (should be between 4.0 and 6.0) but my platelets were up from 135 to 215 which was better (should be between 150 and 450). I still have another week to rest before chemo and so by next Tuesday these results should be even better.

God has truly been so good to me. I thank Him so much for today; it was such a great day. As I face next Tuesday I know that the chemo will once again take it's toll on my body but I also know that God will meet my every need. I am learning to "rest in Him". My verse for today was Mark 11:24 "Therefore, I say unto you, Whatever things ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them and ye shall have them". Pray, believe, that's what I am doing and I am strengthened by knowing that you are doing the same. Thank you so much dear friends! Love to all, Judy

Sending Love this Sunday

I was reading in Ephesians this morning and came across this verse (Eph. 3:19) "May you have the power to understand the greatness of God's love---how wide and how long and how high and how deep that love is". It is hard to comprehend the depth of God's love until I had this thought: GOD WOULD RATHER DIE THAN LIVE WITHOUT US now, that's real love!!! He has shown me in so many ways these past few months just how great and deep and comforting it is to know that love. I can cast all my cares at his feet and he will show me the way because he loves me that much!!

Today is Sunday. I wasn't able to go to church this morning and I really am missing not being able to participate in worship and song with my church family. Marvin has gone and I know he will fill me in when he gets home. Since my last blog on Tuesday, I have come down with a bad case of that old flu and can't seem to be able to get the fever below 99+ so I am staying at home and out of crowds trying to build back my immune system before next Tuesday. I will go in this Tuesday for another blood test and should know if things are doing better. My next chemo treatment is the following Tuesday (13th) and I have to improve in order to receive the treatments by then. Please pray for me.

I have two praise reports today. My friend Sandra Byars had her biopsy of the adrenal gland on Friday and it went without complications and she is home. It will be a few days before the pathology reports come back. Also, her cousin, Judy Sinclaire, had her breast surgery and all went well with her. She is home recovering and when we hear from her reports I will let you know. Please keep praying for these sweet ladies.

This Tuesday, March 6th, is my little granddaughter Ashlyn's 5th birthday. I am praying that I will have a good enough report that morning that I can take her a little birthday cake and spend some "grandmother time" with her and little brother Carter. I know that all the grandchildren (Chad, Rebekah, Ashlyn, Carter and Nathan) all know just how much their Nana loves them, but I have missed my weekly visits with them so much. I keep reminding myself, "this is only for a season". Each day is a new day, I will be glad and rejoice in it and will be content where God has me for today.

Hope you all have a wonderful Lord's Day, worship Him, He loved you so much He would rather die than live without you!! I will write again on Tuesday after my doctor's appointment and hopefully "my birthday afternoon". Love you, Judy