Birthdays

Birthdays have taken on a whole new meaning.  There is a new ACS commercial that sings Happy Birthday and expresses the sentiment "more birthdays less cancer".  That brings tears to my eyes.

Consequently, Gary and I have decided to celebrate every birthday as if it were the last...   Some big trip or activity that is on our "bucket list'.  Everyone should cherish their birthdays instead of dreading them.  Embrace and celebrate!

Pictures are at the rehearsal.The first is me and our Texas son, Greg.  The last is Maudie Hodges, my mother-in-law from Arkansas, and Jimmie Hodges, my sister-in-law from Indiana.

Amen and Amen

A dear, long-time friend sent me a one line email yesterday that spoke volumes to me.  It read:  "Thank you, Jesus".  That was it.  Nothing else because there is nothing else that needs to be said.  Thank you, Jesus, for helping me through this surgery, for the good results, and the rapid recovery!  (and thank you, JK)

I am still feeling a little better each day and learning to deal with the ostomy.

I am finally including some wedding pictures that Dana took at the rehearsal.  It was a beautiful, spring day at a lovely park on the Tennessee River.  The first picture is the groomsmen idea of adding to the "rainbow" theme for the wedding.  The second picture is the bride's reaction!  The last one is at the rehearsal dinner. Bless her heart, she still married him.  You just have to love this girl.





Freedom Papers

Last night (Saturday) at 6:15, I flew the coop and came home.  Hallelujah!  This house never looked so good.  After waiting for this and then that, we finally got to sign the final release forms.  I can't believe it takes so much paper to accomplish everything.  My brother and I inherited a pine plantation in Arkansas.  We have always harvested saw logs but maybe we should switch to pulp wood!

I had a good night's sleep and am doing so much better this morning.  This surgery has been rough, I have to admit.  Harder than I prepared for.  My abdomen still feels like a boxing match took place inside it (and at times is still going on).  My intestines are still waking up from the anesthesia and clamp down on me just to remind me I have done bad things to them.  An occasional cough sends me grabbing for my pillow, but all in all things are looking up.  I had a good path report that I'll go into tomorrow--have to keep you coming back.

If anyone ever sends me any wedding pics, I will post them.

Tomorrow's the Day

Well, the wedding is history, and it was wonderful.  Bride and groom both showed up for the ceremony on a beautiful spring day, and it was very moving.  I cried!  Tears of happiness and joy for them and for me that God was gracious and allowed me to be there.  The whole weekend was exciting and busy.  We really enjoyed seeing our families from Florida, Louisiana, Indiana, Arkansas, and Illinois.  The rehearsal dinner went off without a hitch (except for the groomsman and wife who were left at the hotel--thank goodness for taxis).  I told Dana that the decorations looked very nice to have been done by a very pregnant lady and a cancer patient.  I had brunch on Saturday for 20 family members which was a little stretch but well worth it and lots of fun.  I want you to know I even danced the twist at the reception!

This sounds like the Old Testatment, but today is preparation day.  I'm sure most of you know what I mean--no food day!  I just had a nice, warm bowl of broth for breakfast and now feel like going back to bed.  I had a little stomach bug on Sunday and haven't eaten much since Saturday so my stomach is already pretty empty.

We are to be at Huntsville Hospital surgery check-in at 5:30 a.m. tomorrow to start the fun.  I wonder how many times I'll have to spout off my birthday.  1948 really sounds like eons ago.  I have threatened to have it tattooed to my forehead, but that was before I learned how much tattoos hurt.

I have had lots of unreasonable anxiety about this surgery, but then the Lord reminds me that He will never leave me or forsake me and I am at peace again.  And I can already feel the many prayers that have been made for me.

Hope to be able to write to you from the hospital (I'll be there 5 nights).

Showers of Blessings

It is so exciting to experience all the blessings I have received since getting my shocking diagnosis.  I think that only when the sky is the darkest can we appreciate all the wonderful people God sends into our lives. 

I already knew that my Sunday School class was the most wonderful group of ladies anywhere.  But I have grown to love and appreciate them even more in this difficult time.  God has given me the most caring, loving friends in them.  I could never ask for anything more.  They have been so faithful to pray for me and never fail to lift my spirits. 

Countdown to the Wedding

Last Monday before the wedding on Saturday!  Wow, everything is moving so fast that I'm not sure I'm prepared.  In fact, I am pretty sure that I am forgetting something important.  Oh well, maybe everyone will be forgiving.

We are really looking forward to our out-of-town guests and getting to visit with them.  It is a long trip for them and we really appreciate the effort. 

I have a doctor's appointment this afternoon, and we need to pay some bills and sort insurance "stuff" then I'm putting next week out of my mind. 

HAPPY WEDDING WEEK

Moses

Did I catch your attention with the title of this post?  More about it later.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the last few weeks!  I have felt good and the weather has been warm and occasionally sunny.  But in the back of my mind is always the nagging awareness of upcoming surgery and more months of chemo.  I have been more apprehensive about this colon surgery than the other four surgeries.  Maybe I just know too many details about it!  I have especially been worried about finding that the tumor has gone through the wall and into my abdomen.  The other primary worry has been having a problem that would necessitate a permanent colostomy.

But at our lowest points, God has a wonderful way of reminding us of what we already know but sometimes lose sight of!  I've been using "Open Windows" to read through the Bible this year.  I have to admit that I tended to get bogged down in some of Moses writings but Deuteronomy have been a joy and comfort.

"Observe the commands of the Lord your God, walking in His ways and revering Him.  For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land... Deut. 8:6-7a

God is good all the time.