Happy Memorial Day. This is the weekend we stop to honor all those brave men and women who protect our country and allow us the freedoms that we so often take for granted. However, freedom does not come easy. I pray that as we gather with our loved ones we will stop and remember the soldiers (past and present) who have given so much for us. May God Bless America!!
Yesterday I had my blood work done following the May 15th chemo. The results were not so good this time; they were the lowest since I started my treatments. Of course, I got the "special shot" to build back before the June 5th treatment. Then, this morning I got up with swollen lips and sores in my mouth (a side effect of chemo also). The doctor called in some medicine that is supposed to clear them up and I am sure in a day or so that this too shall pass. Don't worry---they won't keep me from eating or talking, I can always find a way to do both!! All things considered, I still feel pretty good and count my blessings daily. Each day is a gift. Your prayers have brought me through so much already and I know they will continue to be a strength to me. Thank you dear family and friends.
I hope that you have a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend. We are looking forward to having some of our children and grandchildren with us. May God bless you and may God bless America.
My verse for today is: Psalm 117:1 "Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol Him, all you people." (He gave the ultimate sacrifice!!)
I love you guys,
Judy
PS A quick update: Sandra Byars is back in Emory recovering from an infection following her surgery. I talked with her a short while yesterday and she is still very sick but showing improvement day by day.
Two new prayer request:
Keith (Rev. Howard & Judy Mill's son in law) will have surgery to remove his pancreas and spleen. Remember his wife Allison also.
-and-
Eleanor Sweatt (Jason's mom) will have surgery on May 31st (shoulder)
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
It's The Final Countdown
I know that it has been a while since my last blog and I apologize for that. First of all, I hope that you all had a wonderful Mother's Day. There's nothing like having a day to reflect on the "blessing" of children and grandchildren is there? We love our family with a love so deep it seems endless but I can't even begin to imagine just how deep or wide or far God's love for us must be! He loves us with a love that can't be measured but it CAN BE FELT. It is that love that has brought me through these last five months and I praise and thank him for that every day!!
I am on "the final countdown". Yesterday I received chemo treatment #5. I wasn't sure if I would be able to take it because a few days before my scheduled treatment I began running a 100o temp (think it was a sinus infection). When I called the doctor he sent me a powerful antibiotic that I took right away and thankfully by Tuesday the fever was gone and I stayed right on schedule. Hopefully, today I took my last shot to build my bone marrow; that's the shot that makes me feel so bad. They told me after my next chemo I probably won't have to take it and I can't tell you how excited that made me feel.
It's funny what some of the side effects of chemo can be besides the "medical"-----It will probably be a long time before I am able to drink red fruit juice or ginger ale again or eat another saltine cracker. BUT "I will" look at each new day through different eyes and love with a deeper love than ever before. I will never take friends or family for granted or start another day without God's Word in my heart and a prayer on my lips!!!!
One more treatment to go. Can you believe I'm almost to the end? Thank you dear friends and family; your support love and prayers have been amazing. I could never be able to tell you in words just how much you mean to me. Thank you for walking this path with me. You've been there every step of the way. I couldn't have made it without you!! I will be forever grateful.
I love you guys,
Judy Ephesians 3:19 - Christ's love is greater than anyone can ever know.
PS Two praise reports for you:
My little grandson, Nathan, had tubes in his ears last Wednesday and is doing well.
Also, Sandra Byars is home from the hospital following the adrenal surgery. They removed the adrenal gland, an area along her kidney and her spleen. The biopsy on the adrenal gland was benign. She does not need chemo or radiation but it is such a rare type cancer they are still trying to decide what treatments and medications to give her. We are just thankful things are going well for her. Thank you for your prayers.
I am on "the final countdown". Yesterday I received chemo treatment #5. I wasn't sure if I would be able to take it because a few days before my scheduled treatment I began running a 100o temp (think it was a sinus infection). When I called the doctor he sent me a powerful antibiotic that I took right away and thankfully by Tuesday the fever was gone and I stayed right on schedule. Hopefully, today I took my last shot to build my bone marrow; that's the shot that makes me feel so bad. They told me after my next chemo I probably won't have to take it and I can't tell you how excited that made me feel.
It's funny what some of the side effects of chemo can be besides the "medical"-----It will probably be a long time before I am able to drink red fruit juice or ginger ale again or eat another saltine cracker. BUT "I will" look at each new day through different eyes and love with a deeper love than ever before. I will never take friends or family for granted or start another day without God's Word in my heart and a prayer on my lips!!!!
One more treatment to go. Can you believe I'm almost to the end? Thank you dear friends and family; your support love and prayers have been amazing. I could never be able to tell you in words just how much you mean to me. Thank you for walking this path with me. You've been there every step of the way. I couldn't have made it without you!! I will be forever grateful.
I love you guys,
Judy Ephesians 3:19 - Christ's love is greater than anyone can ever know.
PS Two praise reports for you:
My little grandson, Nathan, had tubes in his ears last Wednesday and is doing well.
Also, Sandra Byars is home from the hospital following the adrenal surgery. They removed the adrenal gland, an area along her kidney and her spleen. The biopsy on the adrenal gland was benign. She does not need chemo or radiation but it is such a rare type cancer they are still trying to decide what treatments and medications to give her. We are just thankful things are going well for her. Thank you for your prayers.
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
And The Owl Blinked
Greetings to all!
I heard a sermon not too long ago entitled "And the Owl Blinked" and I have thought back to that message many times during the past 5 months! This message was about how, in the blink of an eye, your life can change and take on a whole new direction. Perhaps one you had not wanted to take. How true that is isn't it? Just this past week I have seen another "change". Lara, Britney Carter and Ashlyn finally packed the cars and headed to their new home in Minnesota. They left on Friday afternoon and, praise the Lord, arrived safely in Minnesota on Sunday. Thank you for your traveling prayers for them, they had a safe and uneventful trip---kids, dog, goldfish and all!! The moving van with all their belongings should arrive this afternoon or tomorrow and they can truly begin to settle-in. As glad as I am that they are safely relocated, at the "blink of an eye" I find myself feeling sad and missing them so much already. (I think I have finally reached the end of my tears!) Thursdays will be lonely for a while. Carter and Ashlyn always came to play every week on that day. I am praying sincerely for God to show me a "new purpose" for my Thursday afternoons; I know he will fill it with something special! Marvin and I already look forward to having a new place to visit. We have never been to Minnesota before. I know our time with them will be even more special.
Yesterday I had an appointment with my surgeon. I had found a troublesome lump in my right breast last week and wanted to have that checked out. He seems to think that it is nothing to be concerned about at this time but plans to keep a close watch on things. He and the oncologist are discussing when to do another CAT scan and also what to do about the mass on my thorax. Please keep that in your prayers. They will probably wait until chemo treatments are finished in order to get a good reading. (I still have 2 treatments left--the last one on June 5th). I am thanking God daily for his goodness and care. Other than the nausea and the effects from the shots that I have to take, I have come through each treatment without any real complications. I know that is also a result of your many prayers for me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all that you have done and continue to do for us. "Prayers are precious jewels". The Owl may blink---but the Keeper of our Soul never sleeps"!!
I love you guys,
Judy
IPeter 3:12 "For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous and his ears are open unto their prayers."
PS Please remember Sandra Byars; her surgery is May 9th at Emory.
I heard a sermon not too long ago entitled "And the Owl Blinked" and I have thought back to that message many times during the past 5 months! This message was about how, in the blink of an eye, your life can change and take on a whole new direction. Perhaps one you had not wanted to take. How true that is isn't it? Just this past week I have seen another "change". Lara, Britney Carter and Ashlyn finally packed the cars and headed to their new home in Minnesota. They left on Friday afternoon and, praise the Lord, arrived safely in Minnesota on Sunday. Thank you for your traveling prayers for them, they had a safe and uneventful trip---kids, dog, goldfish and all!! The moving van with all their belongings should arrive this afternoon or tomorrow and they can truly begin to settle-in. As glad as I am that they are safely relocated, at the "blink of an eye" I find myself feeling sad and missing them so much already. (I think I have finally reached the end of my tears!) Thursdays will be lonely for a while. Carter and Ashlyn always came to play every week on that day. I am praying sincerely for God to show me a "new purpose" for my Thursday afternoons; I know he will fill it with something special! Marvin and I already look forward to having a new place to visit. We have never been to Minnesota before. I know our time with them will be even more special.
Yesterday I had an appointment with my surgeon. I had found a troublesome lump in my right breast last week and wanted to have that checked out. He seems to think that it is nothing to be concerned about at this time but plans to keep a close watch on things. He and the oncologist are discussing when to do another CAT scan and also what to do about the mass on my thorax. Please keep that in your prayers. They will probably wait until chemo treatments are finished in order to get a good reading. (I still have 2 treatments left--the last one on June 5th). I am thanking God daily for his goodness and care. Other than the nausea and the effects from the shots that I have to take, I have come through each treatment without any real complications. I know that is also a result of your many prayers for me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all that you have done and continue to do for us. "Prayers are precious jewels". The Owl may blink---but the Keeper of our Soul never sleeps"!!
I love you guys,
Judy
IPeter 3:12 "For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous and his ears are open unto their prayers."
PS Please remember Sandra Byars; her surgery is May 9th at Emory.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
All systems "GO"
Another answered prayer--yes, I was able to have my chemo treatment on Tuesday. The blood work was good so I'm still on "schedule". Only two more to go, praise the Lord. I won't miss those treatments one bit but I have found myself getting attached to some of the people who take chemo with me each time. There's the frail little "80" year old lady named Virginia, and Julie, a single mom who lost her 22 year son to suicide last year and the cute little lady who wears an artificial leg (and takes it off when it gets uncomfortable) and many more who are facing not only cancer but all these other things as well. (I can't help but think about them and pray for them too). Those five hours we are together we learn a lot about one another. It gives us a chance not only to share about our lives but to share and encourage each other in the Lord. I must say, not all but most, know the Lord and I can't imagine walking this path without knowing God is walking with us! It is my prayer that something we say will plant a seed in every heart.
Today is my low day. After the shot I am down for about 48 hours, feeling pretty sick all the time and aching but I know this too shall pass. It sure makes me even more thankful when the "better days" finally get here!!
I hope that you have a wonderful day. Thank you once again for your love and prayers. I feel each one. I pray for you as well and I love you dearly.
Judy
Romans 12:5 We are many, but in Christ we are all one body.
Today is my low day. After the shot I am down for about 48 hours, feeling pretty sick all the time and aching but I know this too shall pass. It sure makes me even more thankful when the "better days" finally get here!!
I hope that you have a wonderful day. Thank you once again for your love and prayers. I feel each one. I pray for you as well and I love you dearly.
Judy
Romans 12:5 We are many, but in Christ we are all one body.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
The Good-TheBad-The Ugly-"The Best"
The Good:
Hi Friends, I hope you are enjoying these beautiful days we are having this weekend. Isn't it "good" to feel the warm sunshine again!! Marvin and I had a "good" trip to the mountains this week. We rented a little cabin up in the Tennessee mountains for three nights of rest and relaxation and had a great time. It was so nice to get away and enjoy the beauty of God's creation and spend some quality time together. It doesn't matter what season of the year it is when you cross over those mountains; the scenery is always breath-taking. There was still a good bit of snow on the ground from the last cold snap and we even saw a little black bear on the side of the mountain on our way home.
The Bad:
Well, it's not really "bad", just a little set back in my treatments.....I'm still doing great ,all things considered. When I had my blood work last Tuesday both the red blood cell and the white blood cell counts were really low. They gave me three injections to help build them back up and I am feeling better now. My prayer this week is that when I go in for my next treatments this Tuesday that the blood work will be good enough to get the chemo. If not, I will have to reschedule and wait for it to get better. I'm trusting that all will be OK so that I can get another treatment behind me! After this treatment there will only be two more to go. Praise the Lord! He has been so good to me and met my every need so I trust and rest in Him to work this out as well.
The Ugly:
What's ugly? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder so I will leave this one up to you to decide what the "ugly" is. I can only say the thing that looks "ugly" around our house are the brown bushes and flowers that got damaged by the cold. Hope your plants made it! We're going to miss the pretty spring colors this year aren't we?
The Best:
The best, THAT'S ALL OF YOU! I thank God for each one of you. You are a blessing to me. Thank you for keeping in touch with me through this blog site. I always think of each of you every time I write and I pray that God is showering you with His love today.
I love you guys,
Judy
The Good News: Psalm 144:15 Blessed are the people whose God is the Lord
PS Sandra Byars will have her adrenal gland surgery on May 9th. She and Mark appreciate all your prayers. I will write again as soon as possible after my appointment on Tuesday and give you an update. Till then, God bless!
Hi Friends, I hope you are enjoying these beautiful days we are having this weekend. Isn't it "good" to feel the warm sunshine again!! Marvin and I had a "good" trip to the mountains this week. We rented a little cabin up in the Tennessee mountains for three nights of rest and relaxation and had a great time. It was so nice to get away and enjoy the beauty of God's creation and spend some quality time together. It doesn't matter what season of the year it is when you cross over those mountains; the scenery is always breath-taking. There was still a good bit of snow on the ground from the last cold snap and we even saw a little black bear on the side of the mountain on our way home.
The Bad:
Well, it's not really "bad", just a little set back in my treatments.....I'm still doing great ,all things considered. When I had my blood work last Tuesday both the red blood cell and the white blood cell counts were really low. They gave me three injections to help build them back up and I am feeling better now. My prayer this week is that when I go in for my next treatments this Tuesday that the blood work will be good enough to get the chemo. If not, I will have to reschedule and wait for it to get better. I'm trusting that all will be OK so that I can get another treatment behind me! After this treatment there will only be two more to go. Praise the Lord! He has been so good to me and met my every need so I trust and rest in Him to work this out as well.
The Ugly:
What's ugly? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder so I will leave this one up to you to decide what the "ugly" is. I can only say the thing that looks "ugly" around our house are the brown bushes and flowers that got damaged by the cold. Hope your plants made it! We're going to miss the pretty spring colors this year aren't we?
The Best:
The best, THAT'S ALL OF YOU! I thank God for each one of you. You are a blessing to me. Thank you for keeping in touch with me through this blog site. I always think of each of you every time I write and I pray that God is showering you with His love today.
I love you guys,
Judy
The Good News: Psalm 144:15 Blessed are the people whose God is the Lord
PS Sandra Byars will have her adrenal gland surgery on May 9th. She and Mark appreciate all your prayers. I will write again as soon as possible after my appointment on Tuesday and give you an update. Till then, God bless!
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Do you see the cross?
I am sorry it has been so long since I last wrote to you on my blog. It has been a hard week I must admit to you (lots of nausea and tiredness and weeping this week) but, praise the Lord, I am beginning to feel better now. It looks like each treatment will have this effect on me so I just have to prepare myself for that and take one-day-at-a-time and rest in Him. It makes me extra thankful for the one week between treatments when I actually start to feel like my "old self" again. (Ok, ok, I know I'm "old" all the time but you know what I mean!!)
Tuesday (4-17) I go in for my blood test to see how my red blood cells and platelets are doing. I will let you know those results as soon as I can. I have noticed that I am bruising a lot easier these days especially where I have to give myself those "wonderful" shots. They changed the injections from one powerful shot to one shot for five days in a row. That is supposed to be less intrusive but still a necessary part of the treatments. The shots are supposed to stimulate the blood system (bone marrow) to make white blood cells, helping to fight infections. They must be working because I have been able to stay well. I'm thankful for that.
If everything checks out ok on Tuesday, Marvin and I plan to go to the mountains for a few days next week. We both need some R&R and some quiet time away together. Also, Lara and Britney have had a small set-back with the closing of their house and move to Minnesota. They were supposed to close this Thursday on their home here but because of complications on the buyer's end, it has been rescheduled for next Friday instead. Of course, I am so grateful for another few days having them still here in GA. That means I can hold and kiss my grandbabies one more time. But, it also means another week of "separation anxiety" and saying goodbye all over again. In spite of everything, we know that God's timing is perfect and we trust Him to work things out for them.
Have you noticed our new family photo on the blog? Check it out. Do you see the hidden cross in the background? It's actually part of our front window pane but when I look at it I see the cross and it reminds me of just how blessed our family has been. God is so good isn't he? I am comforted in knowing that no matter how many miles there are between our homes, our hearts are always connected and the family circle remains unbroken. I love my family so much and I love you, dear brother and sisters (my extended family). I thank God always for bringing you into my life. Your love and prayers bring me such strength and your friendship is truly a treasure! The Cross makes us family too!
I love you guys,
Judy Romans 12:10 "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love."
PS An update on Sandra Byars. She is awaiting the scheduling of surgery to remove her adrenal gland. It has to come out. I will call her and get an update. Please remember her in your prayers. Thanks.
Tuesday (4-17) I go in for my blood test to see how my red blood cells and platelets are doing. I will let you know those results as soon as I can. I have noticed that I am bruising a lot easier these days especially where I have to give myself those "wonderful" shots. They changed the injections from one powerful shot to one shot for five days in a row. That is supposed to be less intrusive but still a necessary part of the treatments. The shots are supposed to stimulate the blood system (bone marrow) to make white blood cells, helping to fight infections. They must be working because I have been able to stay well. I'm thankful for that.
If everything checks out ok on Tuesday, Marvin and I plan to go to the mountains for a few days next week. We both need some R&R and some quiet time away together. Also, Lara and Britney have had a small set-back with the closing of their house and move to Minnesota. They were supposed to close this Thursday on their home here but because of complications on the buyer's end, it has been rescheduled for next Friday instead. Of course, I am so grateful for another few days having them still here in GA. That means I can hold and kiss my grandbabies one more time. But, it also means another week of "separation anxiety" and saying goodbye all over again. In spite of everything, we know that God's timing is perfect and we trust Him to work things out for them.
Have you noticed our new family photo on the blog? Check it out. Do you see the hidden cross in the background? It's actually part of our front window pane but when I look at it I see the cross and it reminds me of just how blessed our family has been. God is so good isn't he? I am comforted in knowing that no matter how many miles there are between our homes, our hearts are always connected and the family circle remains unbroken. I love my family so much and I love you, dear brother and sisters (my extended family). I thank God always for bringing you into my life. Your love and prayers bring me such strength and your friendship is truly a treasure! The Cross makes us family too!
I love you guys,
Judy Romans 12:10 "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love."
PS An update on Sandra Byars. She is awaiting the scheduling of surgery to remove her adrenal gland. It has to come out. I will call her and get an update. Please remember her in your prayers. Thanks.
Sunday, April 1, 2007
Easter Greetings
I hope that you are enjoying this beautiful Lord's Day. For a lot of you this will will be "spring break"; no school for a whole week! You may have noticed the new family picture on my blog spot today. The Mitchell family gathered to celebrate the Easter Season together this past Saturday and we took a new family photo. It will be the last time for a while that we will all be together. Lara, Britney, Carter and Ashlyn will be packing their belongings and moving to Minnesota on April 14th. I know that God has opened the door for them but it still makes me so sad to think that they will be so far away. I will have to depend on God's unfailing strength to say goodbye but, He will help me bear it, I know. My unfailing love goes with them always!!! Please pray for them as they travel to their new home.
This Tuesday (4-3) I will go for another chemo treatment. It will be #3---I'm half way there with only 3 more to go after this one. That's a happy thought!! It took me a little longer to recover from the second treatment than it did the first one so I'm not sure what to expect this time but I am learning how to plan my days between treatments and that helps. Your prayers mean so much and I can't tell you enough how much strength Marvin and I feel just knowing that you are there.
This next week is an important week in the life of a Christian. As I go through the next 7 days, I want to focus -not on chemo or cancer-but, on "the road to the cross" and how much God loves me. How hard it must have been when Jesus climbed that hill and lay down His very life so that I might live. Now, that's LOVE, a love that I didn't deserve but that God freely gave. " Because He lives I can face tomorrow". May you and yours experience His love this week wherever you may spend "spring break".
Psalm 31:24 "Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord".
I will write again soon.
I love you guys,
Judy
This Tuesday (4-3) I will go for another chemo treatment. It will be #3---I'm half way there with only 3 more to go after this one. That's a happy thought!! It took me a little longer to recover from the second treatment than it did the first one so I'm not sure what to expect this time but I am learning how to plan my days between treatments and that helps. Your prayers mean so much and I can't tell you enough how much strength Marvin and I feel just knowing that you are there.
This next week is an important week in the life of a Christian. As I go through the next 7 days, I want to focus -not on chemo or cancer-but, on "the road to the cross" and how much God loves me. How hard it must have been when Jesus climbed that hill and lay down His very life so that I might live. Now, that's LOVE, a love that I didn't deserve but that God freely gave. " Because He lives I can face tomorrow". May you and yours experience His love this week wherever you may spend "spring break".
Psalm 31:24 "Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord".
I will write again soon.
I love you guys,
Judy
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