Biopsy Done so I'm Packing My Bags

The biopsy went very smoothly this morning and I didn't faint, nor did I feel anything. The doctor was very good at preparing me for what was coming next and that helped me not to feel so tense. Thank you for upholding me with your prayers. God definitely answered prayers for peace, calmness, and strength. I will receive the biopsy report from my doctor next week Wednesday (Jan.6). Now I will try to put that out of my mind as I pack my bags and head out on Thursday with my brother, mom and dad to New Jersey to attend my nephew's wedding. I am really looking forward to seeing my oldest brother's family and enjoy a wedding celebration! There's nothing like a wedding in the family to take your mind off of biopsies and such things.

Love, Sandra

I Know He Knows

Some piano playing...
some thinking...
some praying...
some visiting...
nibbling at leftovers...
watching a movie...
reading a good book...
That makes up another day that God created,
through sore legs,
another day in His strength,
another day in stillness before Him.
I know He knows,
and I'm relying on that.

In His peace,
Sandra

Christmas greetings to you all!

Just want to wish all you readers out there a very blessed Christmas, even though for some of you Christmas is already over. We are having a wonderful day here at my house and it's just good to be together with the family. Dad and Ardie treated us with beautiful Christmas music - piano and harmonica. My nieces and nephews have enjoyed playing all sorts of games from pool and ping pong to monopoly and quirkle. We exchanged gifts this afternoon and enjoyed seeing what everyone received.
I attended the Christmas Day service this morning and played piano for a group that sang For Unto Us a Child Is Born from the Messiah. They did a fantastic job and I was blessed. It was difficult to be in church but I'm glad I went.
Christmas Day 2009 is almost over. Immanuel, God with us!

Love, Sandra

Christmas Eve Eve

It was a good day - full and fullfilling. Friends called or stopped by for a quick visit; a cup of tea. My sister and I shopped for groceries in preparation for Christmas Day. My family will be coming over to my house this year, and I think I'm ready. Just a few last minute things to do tomorrow.
OK, time to get ready for bed. It's rather late already. Just wanted to connect and say thank you for your continued prayers.

Love, Sandra

Through the Tough Times

We had a wonderful celebration of mom and dad's 55th wedding anniversary on Thursday. We enjoyed a delicious dinner and had a relaxing evening just visiting together. Yesterday I brought my sister and brother-in-law back to the airport and then drove to school to attend the Christmas chapel. It was so good to see the students and after chapel I managed to make a visit to every classroom. How absolutely delightful that was! Of course, it also made me wish I could be teaching again but I will have to be patient.
Today I received a card with a beautiful verse. Let me share it with you because it says what I want to say.
When we are going through tough times in our lives, Jesus doesn't stand on the outside of our difficulties. He is in the midst of each thing we walk through in life. He is there to speak peace to us, to calm the storm, to assure us of victory, and to walk with us into a new day." (Roy Lessis)
I'm clinging to that promise - that He will walk with me now and always into each new day.

In Christ alone,
Sandra

Christmas decorations

This afternoon my sister and niece came over and we put up Christmas decorations. We had a good time doing that and I was able to enjoy myself, too. It's good to keep busy since my mind is so filled with things to come. My biopsy is scheduled for Dec.29 - I was hoping it could be sooner but I guess all the holidays don't help.
Tomorrow my sister and brother-in-law from Alberta will arrive and stay with me for the next few days. My mom and dad are celebrating their 55th wedding anniversary on Thursday and we're having a family dinner.
Yesterday I had 3 deer come right by my house, looking for food in the snow! The snow was pretty, but I'm glad the rain has come and cleared the roads.

Love,
Sandra

What Can I Say?

It's hard to know what to write. I talked to both my oncologist and my GP on Thursday night and Friday. Tests show that I need a biopsy again and it is recommended to be done soon. Needless to say, I am anxious about what this all means but I cannot get ahead of things. I don't have a biopsy date or time yet but I hope it will happen this week. I will keep you informed as my mind takes in all this information and tries to adjust. Sometimes I am calm, other times I am very restless. I am not very focused on anything but baking helps settle me down so I've got lots of cookies and muffins in the house. Please pray for miraculous results and peace that passes all understanding.

Hoping in Him,
Sandra

Be Still

I just came home from our complex Christmas party. It's always enjoyable to get together with neighbours and visit around hot apple cider. Today just went by so quickly! My cousin came over this afternoon for tea.
Went for more tests today. Hopefully by Friday I will know more. One day at a time...trusting and resting one day at a time. Be still, my soul...

Waiting

Just want to connect with you, even though I'm not sure what to write at this time. The doctor's visit was OK, and subsequent tests are resulting in more tests so I am again waiting uncertainly for results. And that's the hard part of this cancer experience - waiting and waiting and waiting some more. Never knowing where things are at; never sure of what's next. I feel stopped in my tracks again, although the last few days have been better physically speaking and pain-free. I made my library run again today, and picked up some groceries and baked some squares. I was busy transposing music at my computer and then I sat at the piano to play it. Now I'm relaxing with a book, trying to rest in Him and wait patiently. What were those verses I wrote out in my blog last time?

Love, Sandra

Because There is Hope

Today has been a better day again with more energy and not-so-achy legs. That's good! It's easy to become discouraged and think I am back at square one, but I know that is not the case. Thank you for your continued prayers and encouragement along the way. Please pray for a good doctor's appointment tomorrow morning. I am apprehensive about the visit, and the mammogram that follows a couple of hours later. I won't have results until next week sometime probably. Anyways, just letting you know what's up.
We had a good Bible study today on Mark 10 and this afternoon I did some quilting downstairs. I'm cooking a small roast in my crock-pot and it's making my house smell pretty delicious!
"Yet if you devote your heart to Him and stretch out your hands to Him... you will stand firm and without fear. You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by. Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning. You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety" (Job 11:13, 15-18).
What a promise, eh?

Hoping in Him,
Sandra