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.