That's just what I am doing these days following the chemo treatments, "holding on". There are two very important appointments coming up in the next few days and I would be very grateful if you would remember them in your prayers.
The first appointment is on Wednesday (Aug. 1). I will go to my OBGYN for a check up. I haven't been in five years and I know that was foolish, especially in light of what has taken place over the last seven months but I let "other things" get in the way of making the appointment until now. I am a little anxious about this visit and I have to keep my focus so that I don't run off and dwell on the "what ifs". Then, on August 6th, I go back in for my first CT/Pet scan since my surgery and final chemo treatment to see how things look at this point in my recovery.
I will write and let you know the outcome from both tests as soon as possible.
Till then I'll keep "holding on".... to the hope that the cancer has been controlled, "holding on"...to the hope of a cure and "holding on"...to the Father's Hand!!
I love you guys,
Judy
Isaiah 41:13-For I, the Lord thy God, will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.
SPECIAL PRAYER REQUEST: Joan Odom (niece of a dear friend) has found out that she has cancer all over her body. Last week they found 3 tumors on her brain. Doctors give her 6 months to live. Please pray for her and for her family in the days ahead. Thank you!
Monday, July 30, 2007
Saturday, July 21, 2007
I Am So Thankful!
I am so thankful for THIS DAY. No matter what it brings, God gave me today and He will be with me in it. Every day I feel stronger and that my healing is going well. It's great to "taste" food again, to have energy to play with my grandkids, to cook meals and to enjoy the day without sickness or fatigue and even to look in the mirror and see some "fuzzy little hairs on top of my head"!!
I am thankful for doctors and chemo and medications that, hopefully, have knocked cancer back so far that no traces will be detected on August 6th.
I am thankful for friends and family, time to sort and shift "priorities in life", time to appreciate each new day, time to see health as a gift and time to reach out to others in need.
I am thankful for time to turn my eyes away from self and lift them to God, the very one who created me and holds me in His hands. I will praise the Lord forever!!
I am thankful to each one of you for your love and faithfulness to me. Every day I still receive a card in the mail; someone God sent to give me words of comfort and encouragement. How will I ever be able to let you know how much you mean to me? Thank you for letting God use you to bless my life!
And.......I am thankful for each opportunity God gives ME to "pass it on to someone else"!!
I love you guys,
Judy
Isaiah 40:31-Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not be faint.
PS Sandra Byars surgery went well. The surgeon seems to think they were able to blast all the cancer cells. They will know more after the next CT scans. Mark and she are so thankful for your prayers and so am I.
I am thankful for doctors and chemo and medications that, hopefully, have knocked cancer back so far that no traces will be detected on August 6th.
I am thankful for friends and family, time to sort and shift "priorities in life", time to appreciate each new day, time to see health as a gift and time to reach out to others in need.
I am thankful for time to turn my eyes away from self and lift them to God, the very one who created me and holds me in His hands. I will praise the Lord forever!!
I am thankful to each one of you for your love and faithfulness to me. Every day I still receive a card in the mail; someone God sent to give me words of comfort and encouragement. How will I ever be able to let you know how much you mean to me? Thank you for letting God use you to bless my life!
And.......I am thankful for each opportunity God gives ME to "pass it on to someone else"!!
I love you guys,
Judy
Isaiah 40:31-Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not be faint.
PS Sandra Byars surgery went well. The surgeon seems to think they were able to blast all the cancer cells. They will know more after the next CT scans. Mark and she are so thankful for your prayers and so am I.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Test Results
Hi dear friends,
Just thought I would give you a little update on "happenings" this week. On Tuesday I went in for a sonogram and a mammogram on the right breast. The sonogram showed several areas of what is believed to be small cysts. Dr. Hardcastle seems to think that every thing is alright at this time. He said that when I go in on Aug. 6th for the Pet and Cat Scans they should show us a more detailed reading and we will have a better diagnosis at that time. If everything appears OK after the scans he wants me to repeat the mammogram again in four months just to watch everything very closely. Of course, I am a little concerned about this latest finding; my biggest fear is that the cysts will turn into cancers later on. However, I will wait for the results of the scans and try not to jump to any conclusions! For now I am rejoicing in the fact that my strength is returning and I am feeling better with each new day. As always, I ask that you will remember these things in your prayers. I know that the God who created me will care for me and I trust and rest in Him!
Have a great weekend. I love you guys,
Judy
Psalm9:9-10 The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you Lord have never forsaken those who seek you.
NOTE: Sandra Byars will have radiation treatment at Emory on Tues. July 17, to destroy the adrenal tumor on her liver. Please pray!
Keith Woods is improving daily. Praise the Lord!
Just thought I would give you a little update on "happenings" this week. On Tuesday I went in for a sonogram and a mammogram on the right breast. The sonogram showed several areas of what is believed to be small cysts. Dr. Hardcastle seems to think that every thing is alright at this time. He said that when I go in on Aug. 6th for the Pet and Cat Scans they should show us a more detailed reading and we will have a better diagnosis at that time. If everything appears OK after the scans he wants me to repeat the mammogram again in four months just to watch everything very closely. Of course, I am a little concerned about this latest finding; my biggest fear is that the cysts will turn into cancers later on. However, I will wait for the results of the scans and try not to jump to any conclusions! For now I am rejoicing in the fact that my strength is returning and I am feeling better with each new day. As always, I ask that you will remember these things in your prayers. I know that the God who created me will care for me and I trust and rest in Him!
Have a great weekend. I love you guys,
Judy
Psalm9:9-10 The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you Lord have never forsaken those who seek you.
NOTE: Sandra Byars will have radiation treatment at Emory on Tues. July 17, to destroy the adrenal tumor on her liver. Please pray!
Keith Woods is improving daily. Praise the Lord!
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Celebrating
Greetings Everyone,
Tomorrow is a special day to celebrate this great country and the freedoms that we enjoy; I hope it will be a great day for you and those you love.
Today I am celebrating as well. First, I am celebrating my freedom in Christ and the thankfulness that I feel when I think that God allowed me to be born in this great country--America. I am celebrating the love of family and friends and the freedom to worship at the church of my choice with God's people.
Another thing I celebrate today is the great report that I received at the doctor's office. The white blood count and the platelets were back up in the high normal range today for the first time in a long time and I feel like I am truly beginning to heal and that my life "before chemo" is slowly coming back. (Marvin and I have been celebrating this good news all afternoon.) To God be the glory---I am so thankful for His healing hand!!!
I praise you Lord and
I love you guys!
Judy
James5:13 Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray. Anyone who is happy, let him sing praises.
Tomorrow is a special day to celebrate this great country and the freedoms that we enjoy; I hope it will be a great day for you and those you love.
Today I am celebrating as well. First, I am celebrating my freedom in Christ and the thankfulness that I feel when I think that God allowed me to be born in this great country--America. I am celebrating the love of family and friends and the freedom to worship at the church of my choice with God's people.
Another thing I celebrate today is the great report that I received at the doctor's office. The white blood count and the platelets were back up in the high normal range today for the first time in a long time and I feel like I am truly beginning to heal and that my life "before chemo" is slowly coming back. (Marvin and I have been celebrating this good news all afternoon.) To God be the glory---I am so thankful for His healing hand!!!
I praise you Lord and
I love you guys!
Judy
James5:13 Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray. Anyone who is happy, let him sing praises.
Monday, July 2, 2007
A Time Line--Seven Month Later
Greetings,
It's hard to believe that it has been seven months since I heard the words, "You have breast cancer" and on Wednesday July 4th it will be one whole month since my LAST chemo treatment and that one week ago this past Saturday I was coming home from the "unexpected" hospital stay!! Where does the time go? I'm feeling so much better I have to keep reminding myself to still "take things easy". With time and the Lord's help, I am starting to heal.
Last Wednesday I went to the oncologist for the follow-up visit after the hospital stay. The platelets were back up in the normal range again but the white blood count had dropped below what it was on the day I checked out of the hospital. Since the white blood cells are the ones that help fight infections they gave me a shot that helps speed up the body's ability to make new cells. Tomorrow (Tuesday) I have another appointment to check on my progress and see how the whole count looks now. I am praying that the reports will be good. I will go back once a week for blood work and then on August 6th I will have a CAT and Pet Scan done to see how everything looks now that the chemo treatments are over. Until then I need to rest, rest, and rest. Until the white counts are up I am still on the diet of no raw fruits or veggies because of possible bacterias and I have to stay out of large crowds for a while longer. Marvin and I did get to go to church yesterday. We set up in the balcony (our little spot away) but did not go to Sunday School yet. We have the greatest class and we miss being with them but we know before long that we will be back with them again. (And, of course, I miss my time with all of you as well!) That's been one of the hardest parts of the past seven months, not being with the people I love!!
Through it all, God has been my strength and my help these last 7 months and I praise Him daily for his grace and mercy. Time means everything when you measure it by God's timetable. In these past seven months I have learned so much and seen so clearly just how powerful and awesome the hand of God can be. I lift my eyes to the hills where my help comes from!!
I thank God daily for all of you----you have been my strength and help as well. Your cards, prayers, visits and delicious meals have been such a blessing to us. I can never thank you enough----there would never be enough "time" to tell you how much you mean to us. We pray that you have a safe and happy 4th. May God bless America and may God Bless YOU!! I will update again soon.
I love you guys,
Judy
Paslm 121:1-8 I lift my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
It's hard to believe that it has been seven months since I heard the words, "You have breast cancer" and on Wednesday July 4th it will be one whole month since my LAST chemo treatment and that one week ago this past Saturday I was coming home from the "unexpected" hospital stay!! Where does the time go? I'm feeling so much better I have to keep reminding myself to still "take things easy". With time and the Lord's help, I am starting to heal.
Last Wednesday I went to the oncologist for the follow-up visit after the hospital stay. The platelets were back up in the normal range again but the white blood count had dropped below what it was on the day I checked out of the hospital. Since the white blood cells are the ones that help fight infections they gave me a shot that helps speed up the body's ability to make new cells. Tomorrow (Tuesday) I have another appointment to check on my progress and see how the whole count looks now. I am praying that the reports will be good. I will go back once a week for blood work and then on August 6th I will have a CAT and Pet Scan done to see how everything looks now that the chemo treatments are over. Until then I need to rest, rest, and rest. Until the white counts are up I am still on the diet of no raw fruits or veggies because of possible bacterias and I have to stay out of large crowds for a while longer. Marvin and I did get to go to church yesterday. We set up in the balcony (our little spot away) but did not go to Sunday School yet. We have the greatest class and we miss being with them but we know before long that we will be back with them again. (And, of course, I miss my time with all of you as well!) That's been one of the hardest parts of the past seven months, not being with the people I love!!
Through it all, God has been my strength and my help these last 7 months and I praise Him daily for his grace and mercy. Time means everything when you measure it by God's timetable. In these past seven months I have learned so much and seen so clearly just how powerful and awesome the hand of God can be. I lift my eyes to the hills where my help comes from!!
I thank God daily for all of you----you have been my strength and help as well. Your cards, prayers, visits and delicious meals have been such a blessing to us. I can never thank you enough----there would never be enough "time" to tell you how much you mean to us. We pray that you have a safe and happy 4th. May God bless America and may God Bless YOU!! I will update again soon.
I love you guys,
Judy
Paslm 121:1-8 I lift my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
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