SO MUCH TO BE GRATEFUL FOR...

What a great day to spend with family and loved ones!  --This year we will be gathering at Savannah's new home to celebrate life, each other and what we have to be grateful for. I am so excited and so happy!

This week we found out the results of my latest PET Scan.  -- bottom line - there was no cancerous activity. CANCER-FREE.  --Such love, such support, so many powerful prayers and it brings us to this - a day to celebrate - relief -- Wow!

God is good and His plan is perfect.  I look forward to Him showing me new ways to make a difference with the life He has given to me. 

Today our family and loved ones cherish life a little more.  We are awakened to the idea that life is not always in our hands.  We are here only for a time and we need so much to make that time matter.

As you all celebrate this day with those you love, please be sure to listen to them a little more intently, to hug them a little tighter, and cherish your time with them.  I implore you-- if you have any thing in the way in these relationships, make sure you do everything to reach out and mend what's broken.  This truly matters.

With BIG LOVE I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Psalm 100:4

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁴ Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

I BELIEVE I LOST A WHOLE WEEK!

Going through this experience has been very interesting.  I am very intrigued by how God will use this all for the good.  And I know He will!!

Last Monday, I got up as usual and started my day.  We usually have smoothies in the morning, chat, check the news before Stephen heads upstairs to start his workday.  As I relaxed there I began to feel nauseous, and began to get sick despite the many medicines in my cabinet.  It quickly became apparent it was getting out-of-control quickly!  -  The doctor's office requested we come in to see them.  All I wanted to do was curl up in a ball, but I knew better, Stephen, my rock would not allow that.  -When we arrived at the office they checked my blood cell count.  It was very low and my temperature was higher then they wanted - So off to Eastside hospital through back corridors and with the aid of wheelchairs and heat packs (severe chills).  At the hotel-like private room they piled blankets, attached me to fluids, anti-nausea meds and anti-biotics.  My doctor was not working, but came anyway to my room within a hour (I felt taken care of).  He thought I might be there until Thursday, but if my temp and nausea and white blood cell counts were in check I could go home earlier.

No one wants to stay in the hospital for long, but really I had a somewhat good experience!  I really felt taken care of.  The doctor visited me each day, the nurses were terrific and the room was comfortable.  As each hour ticked by I know I was better!  So nice.  Hubby stayed and my girls and my sister stayed with me.  I felt loved too!  So Wednesday they released me!  So happy and relieved!

So we arrived home on Wednesday afternoon as I began the business of recovering more, Steve came down with a flu!  My rock was down.  But Ahaaa, we had the answer to our many questions:  Why did I get so sick?  Was it some of the Chemo drugs?  Was I exposed to someone who was sick?  Did I eat something that was bad?  --No, it was a bug!  It took Stephen down for about a day and a half.  We quarantined him, and as much as I wanted to help him get better, we stayed separated for two days. As nice as that hospital stay was, we did not want to return.

The week went so incredibly fast - a blurr.  So we took a few more days of rest and now things are better.  Feeling strong and peaceful.  There are only 3 more chemo session scheduled.  Looking forward to 2014 - Looking forward to my grandson being born!  Looking forward to all GOD has in store!

Romans 8:28

Amplified Bible (AMP)

²⁸ We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.

LIGHT THE NIGHT WALK

My sweet sister made me aware of an organization and she has decided to do something that is so sweet, selfless and heartfelt.  She has organized a small group (We and Mrs. Jones) and is raising funds to walk for blood cancers this Thursday the 17th in Omaha, Nebraska.  Yay Wendy!

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society has a yearly event in several major cities called "Light the Night Walk".  This organized event raises money for the cure and treatment of Leukemia and Lymphoma.  I intend to get involved with this next year too, as I believe cancer is too common today.  We need to do what we can to combat this disease not only for those of us that are currently undergoing treatment but also for the future of the ones we love.  There were walks earlier this month in Atlanta and Athens, and I am sure there will be walks next October in the Atlanta area as well.

I encourage you to take a look at this website, and if you like, you can click on ways to participate or donate.  If you do decide to donate by Thursday, please be sure to search on - "We and Mrs. Jones".

http://www.lightthenight.org/ways/

Thank you so much and God bless each of you!

Chemo Session Two

Great news!  The treatment went very well today.  I was able to take all of the medications and was done at 4:00pm.  There will be no need to carry over until tomorrow!!  The doctor seemed excited by my progress. He said the blood work was perfect, and after examining me said he did not feel any of the enlarged lymph nodes!  He was very positive!  Your prayers are working!  Blessings!

NEW HAIR DOO

Friday I went to the salon with my two amazing daughters, as it was time to address "the hair". It was beginning to come out and rather than wait til it was "wispy", I decided to clipper it down --not bald, but very close. Was that hard? Well yes, though I am so glad that my girls were there and Brittany and Matt, our family stylists, were and have been over-the-top supportive! I was so grateful. They were all so encouraging, we laughed, chatted and hugged. I'm sure we were all on the verge of tears, but all stayed strong.

Later that night, I stood alone in front of the mirror and cried. Yes, it was hard because until that moment I could look at myself and say -- you're not sick look at you. You're fine. Now I look at the image that stares back. It is so different. I look like I am a cancer patient. It is real.

I've done real before. I've lost my parents, endured my husbands Navy career and of course labored for three wonderful babies -- so Real -- all of it. And since I've gone through those things, I am certain I can do this too.  I can find the joy in the things around me. I can keep perspective and focus on the right things. I've discovered in my life that God strengthened me when I lost my father and again when I lost my mother. He gave me wisdom in my marriage and grace through uncertainties. And amazingly although I didn't think I would make it through childbirth - I did!!!! He helps, He restores, and He will restore me in this too.

Psalm 23:3 He restores my soul...

INCREDIBLE JOY

Today I rested my hand on Savannah's belly and my sweet grandson, Soren Lind Wallace, kicked my hand. Oh sweet, sweetness of Life!!!  I am blessed.

Updates tomorrow!!

DAY 2 CHEMO +

Well as I understand it... Day 2 of Chemo is not normal, but due to the small reaction I had on Tuesday, it was necessary to go back in and finish all of the treatment on Wednesday. We started at 8:45 and finished at 4:00. Stephen and Savannah took shifts. It was so nice to have them there! -- I know that I have the loving prayers of so many of my friends and family, because I felt peace and continue to feel waves of peace. Thanks so much for the prayers they work!

Wednesday night was the toughest,  but I slept on and off through the night and a lot on Thursday and Friday. This morning, Saturday, was a better morning. Started the day somewhat normal. Stephen and I even went on a few non-medical errands. And what a beautiful breezy perfectly tempered morning!  These are the little things that I intend to watch for everyday--that will drive me through this journey.  The smiles on my beautiful daughters faces, the tender calls from my son, holding my sweet hubby's hand every chance I get and a simple beautiful breeze. It's time to live.