Happy New Year

Everyone have a great night and be safe getting back home. Happy New Year!

Thought for the day

A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart, and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.

The Pathology Result

My pathology results are back. Apparently there was evidence of cancer in one of the lymph glands they removed, and it had moved into the muscle tissue as well, so next week I’m off to Birmingham again to figure out a course of treatment, which will most likely be chemo and radiation.

Just wanted to report that there’s nothing to report…

Well, Monday has come and gone and still no word on whether the cancer was contained with my surgery. Hopefully they will call tomorrow, and hopefully it will be good news. Until then I’m enjoying feeling better and better every day. No bleeding, no pain, just a lot of itchiness around the (five) small incisions they made on my stomach. I’m still not driving, not because I’m all whacked out or anything, but mostly because I don’t trust my response time.
As for Christmas, well, it was a really old fashioned Christmas because we couldn’t buy any presents. Not only could we not afford any this year, but with everything else that’s been going on, shopping just didn’t make it on the priority list. I should say we did manage to get our grandson a few presents and added them to the ones from his mother, under the tree.
The rest of Christmas we sat around, watched movies and ate a huge dinner that my husband prepared. And I am so thankful that I was here and able to enjoy Christmas with my family. It was a good time.

A Story About Brotherhood and Friendship

I’ve added this blog to my blogroll, 15 minute lunch. What a great writer and what a great story this is, where the writer pens a tribute to his deceased friend. It seriously choked me up.

After Christmas Repost

I think I posted this last year, but it’s so funny and appropriate I thought I’d post it again…

Top Ten Signs You’re Broke After Christmas

(I think this is from David Letterman)

1. American Express calls and says; “Definitely leave home without it.”

2. Your idea of a 7 course meal is taking a deep breath outside a restaurant.

3. You think of a lottery ticket as an investment.

4. You give blood everyday, just for the orange juice.

5. You finally clean your house, hoping to find loose change.

6. McDonalds supplies you with all your kitchen condiments.

7. Sally Struthers sends you food.

8. You go back for seconds at communion.

9. You’ve rolled so many pennies, you’ve formed a psychic bond with Abe Lincoln.

10. You rob Peter and then you rob Paul

Christmas Message 2011

This year’s Christmas message was an easy one to write. Maybe being diagnosed with cancer had a little something to do with it. Being sick definitely has a way of putting things into perspective. This year I want to focus on understanding and love. I will do this by addressing people in two categories. The non-believer and the believer.
To the non-believers I say this: God is real. No, I have no physical proof, other than my life, which has been spared many times due to God’s love for me. I do have stories I could tell you, but without a willing spirit, they would just remain stories and not reality. I understand that sometimes it’s hard to give God a chance. A look at the actions of some of those who believe can sometimes be disheartening. But let me just say that the actions of humans, who are prone to error, should not hinder you in a belief in God. One is human, the other is God. God allows us to make our own decisions and sometimes we make the wrong ones, but God is still there encouraging us to love and do the right thing. It’s like a parent who allows a child to decorate a cookie on their own. The result might be messy, but the intention and love is still there. Translation= Life is messy, but God is there to help us.
I also want to say this. If anyone wants to know if God really exists, ask Him and He will reveal Himself. Keep your mind open and look for the answer in small, gentle ways, because God, while being God of the universe, is still a personal God to each of us.
To the believers:
Love one another. Jesus gave two commandments, to love God with our whole heart, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Too often I see Christians attempting to expand their duties into the judgment department. This is the territory of the Holy Spirit. If you don’t agree with someone’s lifestyle, clothes, hair, actions or non-actions. Then rejoice, because that judgment call isn’t up to you. You are to remember that they are humans, prone to error, just as you are. You don’t know the circumstances or pain that may have driven them to where they are, only God knows. Just love them, as God loves us. And when I say “love them”, I mean everyone. Even wickedness cares for those who give it esteem. We are to love everyone. Listen for God’s voice and stop trying to achieve perfection and holding others to that standard. If we were capable of perfection then there would have been no need for Jesus to die on the cross. We are only made complete through God.

Merry Christmas and may God’s love shine down upon you.

Christmas is almost here…

So I thought I’d put up a little Christmas humor…

A Quick Note

Just thought I’d pop on and say that I’m back from surgery. Even though it hurts a bit, it’s not bad at all…just the getting up and sitting down parts. Apparently my uterus was enlarged 3 times its normal size, geez, no wonder my back and stomach hurt! As for the cancer part of it, I won’t if I need chemo or radiation until they call back with the pathology report. For right now though I’m glad the operation is over with and I’m glad to be back home.

About Last Night…

Last night was a really, really, really bad night. Really, it was. I chalk it up to the doctor pushing around on things when I was examined yesterday. But it was sneaky, it didn’t hit me right away. It hit me when I thought everything was fine. The pain started in and wouldn’t let up, no matter how much Advil I downed, and continued right up until this evening. On a scale of 1-10 it was an easy 7 or 8. When I was brushing my teeth I looked in the mirror and my face was just ashen. Forget the zombie makeup, this was the real deal. I am so glad that this is going to be over with soon. Even though I know it will hurt after surgery, I know it’s only temporary and basically comes down to the passing of time. Unlike this, which can strike at any moment. Ugh