Our Chicago Trip

Since we are home I thought I would share where we went. We took off a few times and went to downtown Chicago. We went to the Sears tower one day and then we came back a different day. On that day we went to the aquarium and the museum. We had a great time.

We went bowling with my niece and her kids in Wisconsin and then we went home with her on Friday. We went to a pot luck at her church and then she took us to the airport. We had a good time considering what we were up there for.

The people at CTCA were very positive and that was good. We met some people from other places. Say a prayer for the Shepard brothers. One of them was not given much hope and it looks bad. We talked with one of them a lot and talked about church and all.

In my flickr you can see some of the pics I took. I was trying to do a slide show but don't have that working yet. Will try again later or tomorrow.

We're Home

It is always so nice to be home after being away for a few days. David bought balloons and made a little sign to welcome me home. (I guess Grandpa is meaner than Mama) Joe J and I are both so glad to be home. The doctor has given me a new kind of chemo pill. It is suppose to be strong and she gave me some anti nausea drugs to go with them. I will take them for two weeks and go back to Chicago in a month. If this seems to be working than I will get a two month supply. If all works out in a timely fashion than maybe I will be ready for surgery after Jason's wedding.

I had a doctor for the first time in my life tell me to quit losing weight. She said after we get rid of the disease than we can worry about the weight. As you can notice the outlook is so totally different than the two oncologists I have been seeing. She is so much more positive. That is the way I want to be. God is still in control and His will be done in this life that was given to Him.

Just wanted everyone to know I am glad to be home. Will start the new drugs this Monday because the drug store had to order them.

The Ride is Scary

Well I am plummeting down on my roller coaster ride. I was in to see the neropathic nutrition specialist, which is just some kind of doctor that talks about supplements and such. She had my blood work in front of her and so I asked her what my CA125 was. It has jumped from a 105 twenty days ago to 205, the highest it has ever been. That brought tears to my eyes immediately. I will see the doctor again tomorrow and then I will find out the plan of action. Pray for a Dr. Williams to make the right choices. I don't know if I will be able to be treated in Wichita Falls with chemo until I will be able to undergo surgery or not. I once again just need the will of the Lord in my life. He knows what is best and He knows the best path for me to take. I need Him to direct my path.

On a lighter side, we did get to go to the top of the Sears Tower yesterday. We saw the outside art gallery in downtown Chicago that is close to the water. At the top of the tower there is nothing but buildings as far as you could see. It is amazing. We saw the L Train but we didn't get out to ride it. To me it wasn't on my "must do" list while here. Joseph might disagree. It was pretty rusty and old looking.

After seeing the Doctor we should know our plans for Friday. As of today we will be heading home on Saturday.

Flying the Friendly Skies

We flew out yesterday from our airport with a connection in Dallas to Chicago. The flight was a little rough. We flew first class from Dallas to Chicago which was a nice experience. We had warmed nuts, and a fresh warm chocolate chip cookie. Our drinks were served in glass instead of plastic. So we are here waiting for the appointed time.

"The Lord's Will be done" This is really an orientation and or evaluation to see if they will accept me in the trial. They have said that I am the kind of patient they are looking for, but I guess they need to see me in person. I talked with one lady who has been a friend for many, many years and she was confused as to the condition of my disease. So here it is....and this is just the doctors reports, not the Lord's.

The tumors have all progressed significantly. There are so many of them now and they have grown so much they are not measuring and numbering them like they did. I do have some they are worried about and that would be the one major one between the colon and the bladder. The doctor in Wichita told me that if any of the tumors block my colon or digestive system I will go downhill fast. This is when I told him I have a wedding to be a part of in July. He said he could not promise me anything.

MDAnderson had said all the chemos have been tried and the tumors are smarter and stronger from them. They suggested now trying a clinical trial. Something different. I have been on a chemo pill since then because I was thinking, along with the doctor, that if we go at them a different way we may surprise them, trick them, whatever. My CA125, the drastic ovarian cancer blood test, was up to 101 before starting the pill. Last month it went to 105. The doctor seems to be happy because he said this is stable. I, of course, want it to go down.

The blood test, from what I understand, measures the protein in your blood that this cancer produces. So if it is going down, they are shrinking. If it goes up they are growing and producing more protein. Staying the same makes me happier than going up, but of course going down makes me happier.

So now that more of you know more than you probably care to know, I will be "at rest" also until I get near a computer. The brochure from the CTCA shows they have an area on the fourth floor with computers and everything for the patients to use. They also have a website where you can post information on to your friends and family. Since I am here and just using the resources I guess I will not need to be "at rest". That is unless they get me so busy with tests and all that I can't get up here to the fourth floor again,.

Will miss you all, but I am hoping we will find time to enjoy the experience of going to Chicago. We are a lot further from Chicago than I thought we would be. It took about an hour and a half to get to the hotel from the airport. There was traffic problems some and that was on a Sunday night. I hate large city traffic.

Love Birds Arrived

Jason and Julie came up last night to spend the day here. I am glad and waiting for Jason to get over here to fix breakfast. He always does when they come up. I guess since they got in a little later than usual he will be a little later this morning. They sent me the link to their engagement pictures. Since they are so busy with the wedding plans and just being in "love" I put a hyperlink. I keep checking to see if they have updated their page but not yet. Sooooo.......anyways, I am just really glad they came to see me and will enjoy the day with them.

Joseph and I will also be getting ready for our trip to CTCA. There is suppose to be a computer room and they even give you a page to keep others informed. I will blog about that after we get there and find out what it is all about.

Anybody been to Chicago and want to tell us something we just have to do, or some food that is the best in Chicago?

Spring has Sprung

I was off today due to having my infusion of drugs. I picked up my brother who does lawns and we bought flowers for the garden. Someone, I won't mention names, sprayed the flower garden with Roundup to get rid of the weeds. I was upset because they thought they could get just the weeds and not the roots to the perennial flowers. Well guess who was right. Anyways, after purchasing a whole new flower supply my brother planted them. It is kind of hard to see right now but hopefully very soon it will look a lot fuller. Spring has sprung in my flower garden and I just love fresh flowers. I even had him pick a bouquet of Iris for the dining room table. Take some time to smell the flowers.

Hump Day

It is Wednesday and some say teachers just wish their lives away. Waiting for that spring break and vacation time. But in the process is hump day. Wednesdays have pros and cons. It is the middle of the week so after Wednesday you only have two days left for the weekend. (Common knowledge) It is also staff meeting day. It is church day. (YES) It is also the day we get to go to the library in school. Today we will not be able to go because of TAKS. We will not have basic skills and TEAMS pull out programs. I am just thankful we still have our planning time and the kids go to PE.

So there is a run down of my day. Have a great one ya'll.

TAKS Day

Today is the day for our kids to test. Please keep our Texas kids in your prayers today. I would say ex specially Alamo and Sheperd, but then we all have kids everywhere. For those of you not from Texas just say a prayer for our kids to do the best they know how. Too many kids are getting so scared they are not able to do their best. Therefore the test is invalid, but who can prove that to the state. Oh well, I won't ramble, I just wanted to remind everyone who doesn't have school age kids to say a prayer for those who have.

Thanks

His Temple

Our bodies are the temple of God. He uses us to glorify Him, much as Moses’ staff was used. The staff was part of the job that Moses did before God called him to do something specific for Him. God used Moses’ staff to perform miracles. God has called me to use what I have to glorify him, right where He called me. I will have victory when I share the testimony with those I work with, the children I teach. I need to let others see my hope in Him, which my strength comes from the Lord. Any success I have in this fight against cancer comes from the Lord. Now is the time for the Lord to show all that “He is the one in control." It is time for the Lord to receive glory from this sickness. Let me proclaim in the schools the power of God and then sit back and watch His marvelous work take place in this body, His temple.

from Crosswalk.com today
Rejoice in the midst of your trials. James 1:12 tells us we can truly rejoice in the midst of trials. Why? Because the victories are already won! Our victories are in Jesus and He already won the victory. That's why you and I can claim the victory. Regardless of your circumstances, you already have the victory. The battle is won!

Busy, Busy Day

It looks like it is going to be a busy day. Julie is having a personal shower hosted by her sister in Dallas. She (or Jason) wants me to come and meet her mother. I really want to meet them also, but I never know what to wear when I first meet someone. My mother always taught us how important first impressions were.

The boys are going to Oklahoma for the Hot Rod Show and Jake's Ribs. I hope they have a great time. David was saying it was going to be very hard since Dad really loved Hot Rods. I told him his Dad would want him to enjoy it, even without him.

I am hoping Kim won't mind hanging around stopping in Grapevine for dinner so we can meet Jason on his way home from work.

Brandon is hoping to get home in time to go to an ROTC event. I am leaving that in the hands of God because I am not sure he needs to go.

I hope everyone has a very blessed day. God is good and I have been feeling a lot better towards the end of this week. As Sis. Shahan said last night, she tells people to keep praying for her, we are storing them up as Sis. Freeman spoke of. It's not like God can't answer with just one request, but He keeps touching us over and over again. With each new problem, he has to reach down and touch us again. And He does, and we are very thankful. Once again, as always, thank you for all your prayers.

And I work with some of the greatest people in Wichita Falls. Not only do they care about the children we work with but they show love and concern for others. I have continually received cards in my mailbox. I have received flowers, either picked or bought numerous times. And they have giving to me financially to help out when they feel I may need it. They are very giving people. My prayer warrior friends, say a little prayer for God to bless the staff of Alamo.

Have a great weekend all.

Chemo Day

My CA125 went up a few points last month, from 101 to 105. The doctor says since it flutuates a few points we will just continue the pills. Of course all this is just so that I am not sitting around until we go to CTCA later this month.

So I asked.....

I told my teenager about the elementary students and then asked him so whose fault do you think it is. He answered, "The parents." I guess I am just not getting through. I asked why was it the parents. He said because they should have known where the children were. So I told him you could blame them for bad parenting skills but didn't the boys know what they did was wrong. Of course he had to agree they did, and then so whose fault is it. The kids. Well, here a little, there a little.

But oh how frustrating at times.

Parents at Fault, NO

Boys not at fault in attack
A judge, however, refuses to free the suspects in the beating of a homeless man amid self-defense claims.

Can you believe that two elementary students and a 17 year old beat a homeless man and the parents are saying it was not their fault. So why is it okay for boys to beat this man so badly? I am so tired of children not taking responsibility for their actions. Of course, how can they when the parents give them excuses.

As some know I have had problems with one of my teenagers. I have prayed and prayed for him and asked the Lord how I can teach him. I believe the Lord gave me the answer to my prayers from the teenagers mouth. The child said, "I need help and you just don't know how to help me." Wow, when I heard him say that I said, "What?" How dare he put the blame for his behavior on me. It was as if my eyes were opened and I let him know that his father and I have given him everything he needs to be successful. We have taught him right from wrong. The Lord never asks more from us then we are able to give and he expects him to do right. It is not my responsibility for him to behave. His behavior is a direct result of his choices. Grant it he may not think of those consequences in the moment but nevertheless they are his choices. I guess this is why parents want to blame others, because as parents we feel the blame for our child's behavior. And rightly so in some instances, if the child has not been taught by example the right way to live, but then the responsibility has to turn over to the individual. The one who is old enough to make their own choices when they know what they are doing is wrong. Those elementary boys knew it was wrong to beat the older man and now their parents are trying to give them excuses for their behavior. Let them suffer the consequences for their behavior, after all it was their behavior and they knew it was wrong.

And so once again it just feels better to get it out and talk it through. Thanks for listening, or should I say reading.

Happy Birthday Sis

I just wanted to say Happy Birthday Ann. My older sister is ?? today. Always there for me. I was so excited to have her in church with me Sunday night, even though it was to hear her granddaughter sing. I hope you have a very blessed day, Sis!

Have A Blessed Week

The beginning of a new week which started with great services yesterday. It should be warming up this week and you are here to celebrate this wonderful time. Watch the spring flowers bloom and enjoy the beautiful outdoors. This is the "week" that the Lord has made, "let us" rejoice and be glad in it.

Happy Easter

What a beautiful time of year. I hope everyone has a very wonderful Easter. Remember all that the Lord has done, why He came. I can't help remembering the stripes He bore on His back. Who am I that a King would live and die for? Who are any of us? But isn't it wonderful knowing the reason for life, knowing that we are His and He loves us. I hope many who do not attend church regularly will attend a service tomorrow and feel the presence of God. Make up their minds that God is the one who is worthy of all our praise and make a commitment to God. To attend church and worship the Lord. After all it is HIS day. Happy Easter. He rose again for YOU !

Peace in the Midst of the Storm

Teenagers are gone for the weekend. YES!!! Holiday Youth Convention thank you. The boys are gone and peace and quiet is mine. Hope you all have as peaceful days as I plan on having for the next couple ones. :-)

I went to the doctor today and had my blood drawn. Had Avastin infused into me. I will call tomorrow and get my numbers to see if I continue the chemo pill at nighttime or start a new chemo drug. My doctor kept saying you look so good, you don't look like someone with this kind of disease. I told him I try my best to stay positive and I call on the Lord. He just shakes his head at me.

God is able.

Illinois Here we Come

Illinois is in the near future. I got the itinerary today and Joseph and I will be flying out from Wichita Falls, to Dallas, to the Cancer Treatment Center of America. Keep me in your prayers. It will not be until the middle of the month, but everything is set. Thanks for all your prayers,

Happy Birthday to my Brother, George

Well, my big brother had a birthday today. So I just have to say happy birthday big boy! I love you very much. Those of you who are my prayer buddies, say a prayer for my brother, George. He had shingles on his face and he has been in a lot of pain. He needs to have the Lord touch his eyes and his face. Ask that the Lord would take care of that and that George would know it is God and soften his heart up to the Lord. It is time for him to give his life to God.

Let me tell you about my big brother.

He was the one that stuck close by me growing up. If I had a problem with my older sister or other brother I just had to tell George, he took care of it. One time I was having a problem with some guys at school. I told my brother about it. The next time I was at school they parted the hall for me.

George hated school. Hated everything about it. He loves cars and trucks and took after our father and was a great mechanic for years. Then he began driving the big trucks. He loves his job. He has always been a faithful husband and supporter to his family. He is married to Joe's sister and they live in NY. Diane goes to church and their daughter and her family, but George never has. I don't understand why. He is a good man. But, then you have to think of Nicodemus. He was a good man also, but we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Oh well, you understand me, I just want him to be saved. I want him to feel the joy of living for God. It is such a great life. Your only regret coming to God is that you didn't do it sooner.

I'm off of George, aren't I? Well, he is I believe 56 today. When we were young it was the two of us who ran away. We had a secret fort in the barn among the stacked hay. He quit school and worked hard when my father left. He bought Christmas presents that year. He came down for my Thanksgiving last year and I am looking forward to him coming down for Christmas this year. I may surprise him again this summer and go see him, or maybe he will come see me on one of my trips to Chicago.

Thanks everyone!
And happy birthday George!

Happy Birthday Joe

I would just like to remember my husband on his birthday and wish he could hear me say, happy birthday. In memory of Joe:

I'll always remember you. My April Fool Baby!