Final Radiation and Flight to St. Louis

This morning was my final radiation treatment for the rest of my life I hope! They told me that I would continue to "cook" for a week or so... so I should keep a close eye on my skin for additional burning. The Dr. gave me a prescription cream that is also used for severe burn victims, it seems to be helping more than just the neosporin did. My blisters are starting to heal and hopefully I won't develop any more. All in all I got through my 33 early morning rituals with no problems, if you know me you know I'm NOT a morning person, but I had to be for this so I could continue to work with as little interruption as possible. Now a few more Dr. visits for the final tests, scans, bloodwork etc. and I should be able to return to life as I knew it before March of this year.

I don't think I'll ever be totally the same as I was before as this experience has changed me profoundly, I will never be as casual about life, mine or anyone else's! At the same time I will never hold as tightly the things of life or even the people I love, they are a gift from God and ultimately they belong to Him, not me... I just praise Him for allowing me to have them in my life for a season, a beautiful season. Bill has been a rock through all of this and our love for each other has never been stronger or more fullfilling, so in a lot of ways cancer has blessed me.

On our flight to St. Louis we ran into very bad weather, I'm usually a real white knuckles flyer but I was very calm... in the midst of other passengers screaming and crying in fear and praying loudly for God to spare them. I was amazed at my own composure, I wanted to stand up and say "today was the final treatment for my cancer and the timing was such that I could just make it to my nieces wedding, God would not gotten me this far just to have me die in a plane crash, my family and friends have been praying for me for months, so we are definitely going to be OK!" I really was at total peace with a situation that even had the airline attendents clinging to their seats, when we landed the whole plane applauded and several people were crying. I don't mean to sound arogant about the fact that God would spare my life, I just felt very sure that I was in His hands no matter what and I know all the way down to my socks that God is in Control.

Whatever you do remember to count your blessings and focus on the good times of your life.

The tanning bed actually is the "Burning Bed!!"

Well, I’m almost done with my radiation treatments… only 4 more, and these are done with a lesser dose of radiation that is very specifically aimed at the incision site. Thank Goodness! What I jokingly referred to as the “tanning bed” has turned into the “burning bed” and I’m pretty “well done”, I should heal pretty quick now that I’m not getting blasted with such a high dose each day. I realized a little too late that I should have been putting the salve on the area under my arm as well as on my breast from the very beginning and I probably wouldn’t have gotten so burned, I didn’t notice that the radiation was effecting that area until it was pretty red. I have noticed being very tired, just as others had told me I would be, but otherwise I’ve held up well. Thanks to lots of prayers! I hope what I’ve learned from this experience will help others in the future who face this journey.

I’m looking forward to getting my life back to normal and hopefully having my energy level improve. We are leaving for St. Louis right after my final treatment, and I’m so excited about being there with my family. What a blessing they all are to me! We have lots of new babies in the family and I’m really looking forward to meeting them.

I’ll be reading the scripture at my niece’s wedding, it is really beautiful and is the same scripture used at her parents wedding over 25 years ago.

My devotional today was titled “Whose Way?” Proverbs 16:9 “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps”.

The popular song “My Way” is a perfectly good tune, but it’s not a good guide for life. If you’re looking for life’s perfect prescription, you’d better forget about doing things your way and concentrate on doing things God’s way.

At times, even when you’re trying to do God’s will, you may feel stumped and wonder, “What now, Lord?” But if you earnestly seek God’s will for your life, you will find it in time.

Sometimes God’s plans seem crystal clear; sometimes our vision is more cloudy; sometimes it’s just not the right time for Him to reveal His plan to us. So be patient, keep searching, and keep praying. If you trust the Lord to determine your steps, He will be faithful to guide you. And in time, He will answer your prayers and make His plans known – even if it’s only for the next step. Today do things His way, and you’ll be eternally glad that you did.

Nothing takes God by surprise
Everything is moving according to a plan,
And God wants you in that plan. Billy Graham

Blessings to you all!
Sue

Long time no post

Hi Everyone,

Sorry I've been absent so long. I'm doing really well and am trying to get back in the groove as much as possible. Today I began week 5 of radiation and I am feeling slightly sunburned but not too bad and the technician says I'm doing better than most at this stage. Keep praying I still have 13 more sessions in the "tanning bed"...

I'm so excited that I have a new Grandniece, Lilliana Clare born July 30, she is so beautiful and she has lots of very blond hair. Congratulations Ben and Nicole... good work! The sweater is for when she grows a bit and when the weather gets cooler. Hope she likes it.

I'm also busy getting ready for the 3rd annual women's retreat at our church. The theme this year is "God is in Control", pretty appropriate for me right about now. It is so exciting and amazing watching God's hand put all the pieces together as the retreat starts to take form. I was sort of concerned about being able to get it all done this year with my focus and stamina a bit inhibited... then I remembered I never do it... God does! All I have to do is listen and then follow His instructions and it will be wonderful.

The Power of Perspective

For most of us, life is busy and complicated. Amid the rush and crush of the daily grind, it's easy to lose perspective. But we must not let that happen. When our world seems to be spinning out of control, we must seek to regain a proper perspective by slowing down and turning our thoughts and prayers toward God.

Each morning, as we awaken to a new day - and to a new set of challenges - the pressures of everyday life can overtake our thoughts and our hearts if we let them. That's why we should consult the Creator early and often. When we do, He will touch our hearts, He will calm our fears, He will lift our spirits, and He will help us keep our challenges in perspective.

Would you like a daily dose of proper perspective? Then ask God. He will answer and help you to walk in His truth.

Teach me Your way, O Lord, I will walk in Your truth. Ps. 86:11
P.S. This verse just happens to be the theme for our Vacation Bible School taking place this week.