Compassion International

Compassion International

Time does seem to go by in a hurry.  The child I sponsor in India will be turning 15 in January.  I began sponsoring him in 2005, when he was 8 years old.  I recognize the envelope immediately and carefully open the letter in anticipation of knowing that he is doing well and sometimes I am surprised with a photo.  As I write back to him, I am sure to include encouraging words and photos of myself and my family. 

I had a bit of a dry spell when I was in the thick of treatment.  This time, I explained it to him. I am hoping that I was careful in my wording and I would imagine that the translator will help in that area.

Being a part of this child's life has truly been a blessing.

If you are ever interested in becoming a sponsor, click on the link.

They also have a blog

Heaven

Did you get an opportunity to read John 11:1-44 yet?  If you don’t have a bible, here you go:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2011%20&version=NKJV

I heard a sermon recently discussing the shortest sentence in the bible.

 

³⁵ Jesus wept.

 

I’ve heard many sermons talk about why Jesus wept. To name a few:  1) He was sad that there was so much lack of faith, 2) He was sad to lose his friend, Lazarus.  We know that God would be glorified throughout this whole episode. 

It is interesting when you can truly bible “study” … dig deep down into the words and think about things in a different “perspective”. 

How about in Lazarus’ perspective?

Check this out…. Have you ever thought about Heaven and what it is like? How beautiful. How peaceful and loving. How marvelous.  Most importantly, the fact that in Heaven, we are in the midst of our Holy God.  Jesus knew that he was about to pull Lazarus back to earth, back to his earthly body and back from the embrace, protection and love of God.  Plus, Lazarus would have to die again when it was time to go back home to be with our Lord.

 

That would make me cry too.

It had never occurred to me and I just wanted to share this with you. 

I love imagining Heaven.  Two more things to share.  First, take a look at http://www.akiane.com/store/ This girl is now 18 and she began art at the age of 4.  God has truly given her a gift and I adore all her paintings.  Especially those she paints of Heaven.  Her poems are very thought-provoking as well.

 

I Can Only Imagine by Mercy Me

 

²⁵ Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. ²⁶ And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

 

3 Little Babies

Hi all,

Just a bit of an update . . . Sunday, I really jarred myself when I fell.  Let's just say: kitten + stairs and middle of the night = tumble.  It mainly pained my left leg.  Oh mercy me!

Momma cat had taken the 3 little babies somewhere for the last 10 days and we couldn't find them until yesterday.  In our garage!

 

This morning, my dog was doing her high pitched whine, so I turned on the porch light and sure enough, the little gray one was on our porch.  I threw on my coat and took the flash light out to find the others, but didn't find them.  I took off for work and Matt called later that the other two were in the bushes out front.  He brought them up and watched over them.  Momma cat seemed to ignore them and they tumbled over the porch a few times.  They are so wobbly when they walk .... like walking on ice.

I came home around 10:30 (vacation) and came up with a game plan.   We fit the cat station inside of a big plastic tub.  Momma could jump in and out, but the babies couldn't.  Nice and snug.  The weather is getting colder and we hope to find homes for them very soon.  Today, we bought little kitten bottles and food to begin weening them. 

By weening them, we can take her to get fixed and not worry about the anesthesia in her system and in her milk. 

Living in the Moment

What does it mean "Living in the moment" opposed to "Living for the moment" ?

Find out here at Christian Working Woman

Planning

Well, I went through the templates and for now, picked this one.  It doesn't allow a header or footer and it hides the gadgets.  Not sure I'm going to keep it yet. 

I was pondering on what to incorporate into my writings now that treatments have slowed down.  Figured out that I want to stay true to the title "Living in the Moment".  I want to write about whatever is on my mind on any given day and perhaps share some word of God studies that have intrigued me. 

Colorado

Maybe I can share some short stories or photography tips ... maybe just share things from my heart.

Writing is a joy to me. 

Next topic: John 11:1-44

Don't have a bible? http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2011%20&version=NKJV

Until next time ~

Today's Herceptin

This morning was my Herceptin (every 3 weeks).  Nurse Traci took care of me today.  I will miss these angels when my treatments are done. Traci mentioned a new chemo that is taken with Herceptin called Perjeta.  As with all drugs, this has some dozy side effects.

I've missed some work this week as I was overly-fatigued and then yesterday I thought I caught a germ.  Today, I made it to work after chemo and just getting through the day.

Definitely glad it is Friday!

Blessings to you and yours ~

More Kitties!

I have NO idea why it took momma cat so long to bring her kitties up to the safety of our front porch.  First, it was the white one (previous post) in the morning. Then later that evening, the gray kitten was laying next to the white one!  The following morning, the orange one was laying with the other two. 

We figure they are two weeks old.

Free kittens! Any takers?

Another Kitty

Check out my sister's re-design by merging 3 of her blogs into one fantastic, beautiful, informational site! http://teachteenparents.blogspot.com/  Very creative Christie.

Heather, where is your blog??? well, I might take you up on the research items from pininterest and such.  I'm looking for a neat thingy-a-bob to hold my earrings.  (hope school is going well for you!)

So, about the time we brought the two kitties in from outside, the momma showed up skinny again.  We figure she gave birth around Sept 21.  We looked everywhere for the litter, even thinking they were under our front porch.  Couldn't find them.  Lots of raccoons have been stalking our property.

Today, Momma brought her one and only on the front porch inside the carpeted kitty play station.   

It is all white and barely has it's eyes open.

Momma trusts us ... now we need to come up with some $$ to get her fixed. She is a neighborhood stray.

Still thinking about what to do with my blog .....

Time for a Re-Design

Next week is my Herceptin. After that, I'll wait 3 weeks and do it again.  Besides the chemo drip and a few back issues, my intense journey with breast canSURVIVE is winding down. 

Writing this blog has been very therapeutic and I love sharing my photos and thoughts (not sure if anyone cares to read them!)

So, what's next?

Well, I've been thinking that there are other things in my life that interest me and I don't always have to (or want to) talk about canzer.  That can get boring.

I'm thinking about getting creative with the design and figure out how to segue into another topic, yet keep the information (history) in tack.  I will plan it out and organize it and then introduce it .....

For those of you who know me, do you have any suggestions on topics?  Or, has this venue played itself out?

It's October!

As I turn the calendar page to another month, I again reflect upon the last 11 months.  Most of it seems like a blur, but not when you are going through the thick of it.  There were some dark moments not so long ago.  But they have faded and are but dim memories.  None that I ever want to relive again.

I love capturing Reflections

Fall is my favorite season.  God's voice whispers to my heart as my eyes take in the colors that are so alive, so vivid. I want to stay inside the frame and bypass winter. If only I could.

Well, I'm finishing up the regiment of steroids .... wondering if I am going to get more "manly" between that and the estrogen blockers .... (just kidding).  My back is still giving me fits, but I am fighting back.

Jackie, my ball is IN USE!

Next week is my Herceptin.  I'm not scheduled to see any doctors until January.  No upcoming tests.  Weird.

I'm losing a little bit of my "expression" again.  Have to pencil in some brows. Must be an effect from the Arimidex (Anastrozole).  I'm not concerned about it. After everything else .....

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Have you had your mammogram yet?

Motherhood

I had my first hair cut today! Ashley did a great job of shaping it so I don't look so scruffy.  She is expecting a baby in about a month and it must be hard to be on her feet all day.  I told her my "baby" turned 26 today!  Thinking of pregnancy, I began to think about the whole experience.  I don't ever want to forget. 

Baby dropped and is position - 26 years ago

I do wish I would have done some things differently as a mother.  But I sure do love 'em ~

Birth. Death. The world keeps spinning. Life goes on. What are you doing each day you have breathe? Are you loving deeply? Are you making a difference? Do you have joy? What about peace? Count your blessings .... I'm sure you have many.

MRI Results on my Back

The doctor came flying in the room (as usual) and said "No Cancer!!"  I just stared at her as my mind tried to register what she was talking about. Not once did I think of the word when I was getting the MRI on my back.  But to think, she was .... it's true, everything that gets tested will always have an underlying alert.

So, what are the results?

Trouble in the L4-L5 S1 area.

A pinched nerve, herniated disk, nerve roots, spinal stenosis.  I think I have some studying to do.  Treatment: steroids and some serious exercise for the back.  Sis, I need to blow up the ball.

At least I'm not crazy .... well, that's still debatable.

I will survive this too ~



Two More Additions

This morning we got up for church and I got a "jump" start to my day.  I pulled the shower curtain aside and to my shock (and horror) there were two wolf spiders side by side.

The size of camels ... I mean half dollars

 

Matt! I know you don't like spiders any more than I do, but bring your big shoes and get 'em!  Trust me, I was looking EVERYWHERE all morning getting ready.  Now, how DO they get in the house?  Beats me ~

 

The weekend went by fast again.  I'm getting ready for a short nap, but wanted to post some happenings.

 

Remember the little ones that were born in our garage?  Well, husband has been feeding them, petting them, naming them

 

So, you know what I'm going to say next ....

 

Yep, they are in the tub right now getting bathed.  Say hello to

 

Blue





Muffin (as in Rag-a-muffin)




Here's the momma

If you read the tab "All About Me", you will see our motley crew.  We are a sucker for strays.....

Dem Bones

The hip bone's connected to the back bone
The back bone's connected to the neck bone,
The neck bone's connected to the head bone,
Now shake dem skeleton bones!
Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones.....

For some reason, I had this song going around in my head as I waited for the results of my bone density test. 

After chemo this morning, I made my way to Doc Esther to get the results of the bone test and the echo.  Echo is fine enough..... my back is another story. There were a lot of numbers running across the screen, but the bottom line, it is time to look into it deeper but not time for extra meds to offset some of the Arimidex (Anastrozole) effects. 

Osteopenia

 

 

Osteopenia refers to bone mineral density (BMD) that is lower than normal peak BMD but not low enough to be classified as osteoporosis.

All I can tell you is that I can't stand for more than 5 minutes without excrutiating pain. 

Nope, I haven't mentioned this yet ... you had to listen to just the canzer stuff, why zing you with another issue?

Anyway, MRI w/contrast is scheduled for early tomorrow morning. After work, I picked up the recommended dosage of Calcium 600 mg / Vit D 400 iu / Magnesium 400 iu (Caltrate).  She also wants me to do some strength training. 

 

If I had the strength, I would be doing it!

A friend of my sister, Jackie, gave me a gift called the pure fitness ball.  She uses it all the time so I'm gonna do it too.  I can't wait to meet her to get all the tips she has learned during her own journey.

(just need to get it blown up)

My friend, Sally, gave me a wonderful gift that I keep at work.  It is THE BEST thing in the world. It's funny to see expressions from people as they get closer to my desk ... a small humming sound that you just can't pinpoint! Besides massage, it heats....

Nurse Rose took care of me today with the Herceptin.  I sat right next to the machine that holds all those wonderful heated blankets.  Plus, I had my blue afghan that Jane made!

 

I've gained 3 pounds :(  My blood pressure was a little high.  Doc wants me to get a flu shot this year.

 

Did you know I'm in my 10th month of treatment?