Answered Prayer!

What more can I say, than God showed up in a BIG way, again! The oncologist walked in this morning and said the PET scan showed no evidence of cancer!! Yes, I asked my question about "how sure are you" and he seems very confident that if the spots were cancer, they would have shown up on the PET scan. The way he explained it, is that the bone scan showed the spots as "non-specific" so that's why he ordered the x-rays. He wasn't satisfied with just comparing the two of them, so he ordered the PET scan. Now, he feels quite confident.

I'm not sure it's sunk in with me as I still feel a little reserved about it all. Don't get me wrong...I'm thrilled and rejoicing about the good news! I think I just need some time to digest it all and wrap my mind around it.

Thank you for your prayers! My faith muscle is bulging today!

Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. ~Psalm 36:5

PET Scan

The PET scan is scheduled for Friday morning. so please pray for specific answers. I'm not sure what will happen based on the results of this scan. Either way, we'll be dealing with 2 out of 3 odds, meaning 2 will show spots or 2 will not. Even if this one doesn't show the spots, then I'm left wondering about the one that did and I'm sure you can understand my concern. When we're dealing with cancer, I want to feel 100% confident of the outcome.

Some ask...how are you handling all the stress? Or they say, I could never be that strong. Well, let me tell you, you never know how you will handle a challenge in life until it is placed before you and often times there is no warning. Fortunately for me, I already had a strong faith in God because He has brought me through some difficult times before. He has stretched my faith in the past so that I knew I could trust Him again! There have been plenty of anxious and emotional moments and I constantly have to place my trust in the Lord and not let worry overwhelm me. Honestly, some days are easier than others but God knows my heart and my thoughts and I'm honest before Him. I ask Him for strength and courage to be used by Him in this circumstance in my life. That is truly my hearts desire.

Our faith has been compared to a muscle, the more it stretches, the stronger it becomes. The best thing you can do is make sure your faith in God is strong enough to carry you through whatever journey unfolds. Challenges WILL come to all of us, in one form or another, throughout our life. Don't wait for a crisis before you stretch that muscle of faith. You wouldn't wait until the day of a marathon to prepare for it, neither should you wait to build your relationship with God.

Thanks for letting me share from my heart!

Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you. ~Psalm 55:22

Easter Celebration!

Little J liked playing with the eggs. Next year he'll be walking and right in the middle of the action.

The search was on for Scooter!

He had so much fun looking for eggs.

I love this age...each time he found one was total excitement for him!

Making mommy happy with a little pose!

All he really cared about was opening all the eggs and finding the surprises inside!








Buddy's turn to satisfy mom with the Easter "kodak moment".
He thinks he's getting too big for this stuff! Of course, he's
not too big for the fun and goodies!









Being grandparents is one of the greatest rewards in life!

Me and my girls!

There's nothing like spending the day with my family!

I know there's so much more to Easter than bunnies and eggs! I'm thankful for the time set aside to worship my Savior and reflect on His death, burial and resurrection!! What a day to rejoice! It's because of His sacrifice that I have hope and security for my future.

Having cancer has truly changed my life. It's made me appreciate, even more, the security, peace and hope that I have in Jesus Christ!

More Waiting...Waiting Is So Hard!

I finally heard from the oncologists office Friday but the news was really nothing more than I already knew!! The bone scan shows two spots and the x-rays do not! It's frustrating to have waited this long to hear what I already knew!! Hmm! The next step is to have another PET scan done and they will contact me the first of next week with the scheduled time, once they've received the authorization from insurance. More waiting...waiting is so hard!

This past week was very frustrating with dad still in the care center and being transported for dialysis 4 times a week now. Then mom ended up in the ER and spending a night at the hospital. I'm exhausted mentally & emotionally and maybe feeling a little numb to what's going on. I can quickly feel overwhelmed and find myself just going through the motions of the day, just trying to manage!

Even the little things in life have the potential to "send me over the edge"! We woke up Wednesday morning to find that thieves had stolen two flower pots from our front yard! Art and I just looked at each other in disbelief! We don't dare utter the words, "what else could go wrong?" We don't want to know!


I was catching up on my Route 66, reading through the Bible in a year with our church, when God brought this verse of encouragement to me:

Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken.

~Psalm 62:5 & 6

So, here I am Lord, waiting quietly before You!

Uncertainty About The Spots

Surgery went well on Tuesday...once again, I slept right through it! As always, I was happy to see my family when I woke up! There was a little change at the last moment when my oncologist decided to have the surgeon leave in my chemo port...hmmm??? This is a result of the two spots they saw on the bone scan the previous Friday. My sister picked up the films and brought them to me so that Art could take them to Valley Radiology today and have them compared with their x-rays (at the doctors request). We haven't heard anything back from them yet, so of course, we're just wondering what's around the corner and praying about the outcome!!

I felt a little anxious because I had never been a patient at St. Joes but since that is where my doc wanted to schedule surgery and he's a key player, I decided I would comply with his wishes! Two of my friends from my Home Team (Bible study) work at St. Joes and so I was greeted and hugged by each of them before my surgery and before they went home from working all night! Thanks Beth and Colette for taking time to encourage me!

I'm pretty sore but getting better each day. I said the doc lied to me when he said it wouldn't be as bad as last time...guess he's never had expanders put in his chest!! Thanks for your prayers for my recovery and the uncertainty about the spots. Please pray that the doc will have wisdom as he evaluates and makes decisions!

Bone Scan and More X-Rays

Thanks for your prayers about my hip. I talked with the PA at the oncologist office today and she said the hip scan was normal. Then she went on to say that they did find two "spots" they were concerned about...one on my 9th rib on the left side and one on the right side of my skull. The PA asked if I could remember any serious injuries to those parts of my body. Hmmm...NO! So, off I went for more x-rays this afternoon. I was very concerned about these "spots" and I called my family and a few people to ask for prayer. I was feeling a little anxious about the spots and had questions about the surgery tomorrow. Fortunately, a few short hours later, the oncologist office called to say they got the radiologist report and the x-rays were normal. Praise the Lord! They want us to pick up a copy of the bone scan and bring it to them so they can compare it with the x-rays.

I guess once you've been diagnosed with cancer of any type, the possibility and concern will always be there that it could spread or reoccur. I'm not sure if you ever get to a point where it's not in the back of your mind. As I continue to trust the Lord with my health I want to be sure and give Him praise for the way he has worked in my life these past 5 months! It's been an incredible journey, for sure!

Thank you for your continued prayers! It's such a comfort to know that so many people are lifting me up before the Lord. Tomorrow, as I go in for surgery, I'm trusting God for that incredible peace He has promised and has faithfully provided in the past!

At times I've thought it would be nice to know what lies around the corner in my future. Today, I'm thankful that life only unfolds one day at a time! God only gives us what we can handle and in the portions we can digest.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of it's own." ~Matthew 6:34

A Little Unexpected Twist

Last week when I visited my oncologist, we discussed the pain I had been experiencing in my hip. I wasn't overly concerned because I was told that joint pain can be a result of the chemo. The doc kind of through me for a loop when he ordered a bone scan and an x-ray. He said we needed to make sure there was no cancer or signs of metastasis. Wow...I didn't see that coming and I don't like the "M" word anymore than I like the "C" word!! I guess once you're diagnosed with cancer, you have to assume that cancer could be hiding anywhere in your body.

I went for the scan yesterday and to my surprise, they scanned my entire body and not just the hip. I guess I might as well get the biggest bang for my buck, as they say, huh? Art was teasing me about glowing since they injected me with the radioactive solution. He keeps me laughing!

Of course, I don't have the results yet but my oncologist office called while I was on the table and requested the report and they promised it first thing Monday morning. I'm hoping to hear something shortly afterwards. My surgery (to repair my flat) is scheduled for Tuesday and they just want to make sure everything is clear beforehand. I'm grateful that the doc is being so thorough and not taking any chances, although, I believe there's nothing seriously wrong.

Thanks for keeping me in your prayers as I continue to trust the Lord each day!

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. ~ Psalm 91:1-2

My little Buddy wanted me to post this pic of him with his dukes up. Everytime I look at it, it reminds me that I may be fighting a battle but I can still smile! Thanks Buddy!!

Happy Birthday Stacey!!

Stacey was an answer to prayer and a dream come true! We had tried to conceive from the time we were married in 1979 and it felt like an eternity! Finally, after lots of prayer, tears and medical intervention, the exciting news came that a baby was on the way. Back then (makes me sound old) we didn't find out the sex of the baby, in fact, the ultra sound pictures were so new, it was hard to tell it was a baby! Regardless, we knew that this child was truly a gift from God and we just prayed for a healthy baby (okay, secretly I hoped for a little girl).

She was born on March 5, 1981 in Phoenix to parents who didn't have much to offer monetarily but that didn't seem to matter at the time. We were excited as we awaited the birth of our first child and we knew that somehow we would manage to provide. We had a home and hearts that desired to be parents and big faith in our God.

I remember coming home from the hospital, a young 19 year old mom, with this new precious child. I remember feeling like I was "playing house" and someone was going to knock at the door and take her away. From the time I was a little girl, I dreamed about being a mom and it was finally a reality!
















(Big Papa had his hands full!)

Now, our little girl is a grown woman and the mother of three adorable little boys! Our joys have been multiplied many times over as our family has grown. Each child brings something new and unique...characteristics all their own.

Last night, we all celebrated at the restaurant of her choosing, Carlos O'Briens. It's fun to watch her and Jeff with their little guys...brings back fond memories!

Life changes when you become a parent and for me there are no regrets. My children have truly been one of my greatest joys in life and I would do it all over again, in a heartbeat!

The girls and I have so much fun together! I love to spend time with them, talking, laughing, shopping, watching movies...there's never a dull moment when we're together!

You may be 27, Stacey, but in our hearts you're still our little girl and we're so very proud of you! You have a heart of gold and a willingness to be used by God. He must be so proud of you, too! Happy Birthday!

Kids Are So Funny!

Yesterday I visited my dad at the care center, along with Sherry, Stacey and the boys. As you can imagine, there's never a dull moment with three little guys in tow. Here is just a glimpse into our visit...

Buddy (6 years old) was having a discussion with Great Grandpa about his Navy ball cap that he proudly wears. Buddy was admiring the American flag pin and then questioned him about the other unique pin on the hat. Great Papa (as they call him) told him that pin was very special and that it had been given to him by the President of the U.S. to which he quickly asked...which one, Abraham Lincoln? Needless to say we all burst out in laughter!

Scooter (3 years old) is very inquisitive and was having a hard time sitting still and visiting. He was curiously checking out everything in Great Papa's new room. He opened up the freezer door of the little refrigerator and declared...that's where you keep your clock! It was the thermometer! Again, the laughter erupted!

Time with my grandsons is always priceless! On this particular day, it was good medicine for my dad and it was great to see him laugh so hard!

Show Us Yours

My friend is looking for paint color ideas for her living/family room and asked for people to post pics of theirs. So here is a pic of mine! We chose a color called Dapper Tan at the design center when we purchased our home, so the entire house is two tone. It looks great but needed some additional color to perk it up a bit. I picked out a garnet color (ICI Brand) for an accent color in the great room and my hubby did the work. It turned out beautifully as always...he does great work and makes it look so easy!

My Heart...Christ's Home

This morning, our home is buzzing with repairmen from various trades. January was the one year mark of us moving into our home and it's time to have repairs made under the one year warranty. My hubby diligently made a list of everything that needed attention and submitted a request for service. Some of these items were things we've had to tolerate for several months as we waited for the appropriate time to submit our request. Then, we had to wait for the repairs to be scheduled and the different trades to come and take the appropriate action.

It struck me, how my heart is Christ's home and all too often it's in need of repair! Perhaps it's a wrong attitude, doubt, fear, laziness, etc. The good news is that my heart comes with a lifetime warranty!

I don't have to wait for the annual repair list to be created! I don't have to wait to submit a work order and then wait for repairs to be scheduled. Instead, I simply go before the Lord, as soon as I realize there's a problem, and ask Him for assistance. He's available 24/7 and is waiting for me to call on Him for help. He responds and immediately goes to work repairing my heart. It's up to me to do proper maintenance and keep it in good condition but when I fail and it's in need of repair again...He's always there! His love never fails!

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. ~Psalms 73:26

What A Sweet Surprise

One night last week, Sherry and I stopped by and enjoyed a cranberry fizzie drink at Village Inn with my mom while she had dinner. Sherry and I had already ate but mom needed to grab a bite to eat before visiting my dad at the care center. I didn't want her to eat alone, so I told her we would meet her there.

As we walked in, I saw a couple of familiar faces. These were folks we knew from a church we attended in the north valley years ago. I had seen him a year or so ago when I found out they lived across from a house I had listed for sale but I hadn't seen them since then. I stopped by their table and spoke with them briefly. Of course, they didn't know about my breast cancer so I shared how God had been watching over me and I explained that I was just meeting my mom before we went to visit my dad.

Long story short...when we got ready to leave, the waitress told us they had picked up our tab!! They were already gone when we found out but I'm sending a thank you note in the mail! How wonderful to know that there are such caring people in our world! We hear so much about "bad people" and the things they do but it's comforting to know there are "good people" with big hearts out there! We were fortunate to encounter these two and be blessed by their kindness and I know that God will bless them for their generosity! Thanks John & Nina...for being a blessing in our lives!

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. ~1 Peter 4:10