Uninspired and Laying Low - filled with thanksgiving!

I haven't written lately as little seems to inspire or motivate me. My drug side effects are way less volatile which is great but they remain a nagging presence in the likes of chronic fatigue, loss of appetite coupled with nausea, sores in mouth and on my fingertips, acne and last but definitely not least... diarrhea - which is controlled as long as I keep enough Imodium on board.

While not much inspires me and my happy happy disposition seems fairly artificial, I do remain grateful that in the midst of this rotten disease I am reminded of God's grace and His perfect provisions and plan.

Over the last month I have felt well enough to meet up with friends and enjoy some great fellowship, food and laughs!

I was able to play golf with two of my oldest and dearest high school friends, Keith Seekford and Chuck Hardison as well as dear friend Mike Krone!  

I also attended all of Lilli's soccer games.  She played great this season and was really able to see how tough AND how rewarding the goalie position can be!

We also got to watch Lilli participate in her first 5K race.  How lucky was she that Ashleigh Hammer flew in the night before - just in time to run the race with her.  Nothing but love for that girl!!!!

I have had the thrill of going to Hunter's school to watch his spring sing and enjoy my first Grandparents' Day at Hill as well as hanging out this past week with him while his mom

worked.  I love that little grandbirdy of mine.

Additionally, I've had a few hours of just relaxing with Rich at the Dirt Farm Brewing Company and played a round or two of golf. I've also been able to drive myself when and where I needed to go.

       

Last week was a bit rough with more side effects and just feeling achy and blah as well as a bit down emotionally.  Which I'm sure is why I'm less than motivated to post. On Friday I put up a post on Facebook that said “I AM STRUGGLING! I’m just saying”  Within minutes I had friends posting and praying for me.  I received 56 comments in a matter of an hour or so.  The comments buoyed me and must have had a direct line to God as my spirit was lifted, I ate dinner and enjoyed a nice evening with Rich watching World Cup - US Women’s Soccer.  I had an amazing day on Saturday - able to eat 3 meals with almost no nausea, shopped with Lilli for teacher gifts and visited with Rich’s brother Bill.  Yesterday was such an awesome day.  We started by spending time together on our front porch, then heard an uplifting sermon and worshipped with great praise music at PBC.  The icing on the cake was being visited by two long time friends Larry and Rita Moon.  It was truly the highlight of my week.  God knew just how to bless me this weekend.  I needed time with family, prayer and the love of some great friends.  I’m still smiling from my visit with Rita and Larry.

I met with my oncologist last week and he was pleased I was managing the treatment so much better.  He thought I looked great and even commented that he liked my new haircut!!  I told him other than the nagging back pain (which I called sciatic pain) everything was pretty manageable (of course I would have told him a different story this past week).  He wants me to have a full body bone scan and ct scans.  He wants to see where we are and take a good look at my spine.  He doesn’t want me to do any more chiropractic work or play golf!  What no golf!!!! I was scheduled to play in an outing on Sunday!  He said the last thing he wants to do is to keep me from things I enjoy doing, but he wants to look at my spine first.  I told him ok, once I played on Sunday I would lay low until we met to discuss the scans.  I did play Sunday a week ago.  I had great fun, but honestly haven’t felt as good since then and have been laying low.

That’s all for now.  Remember to love others extravagantly.  Be authentic - sharing your struggles and victories with others.  Remember your authenticity with another may be all it takes for them to not feel alone and to feel loved.  It’s pretty easy.