February's Over

Just been taking it real easy the last couple of days because I've felt a little under the weather (tired, nausea, and "headachey.") But I've got good books to read, people who come to visit, and Olympics to watch. Can't believe that tomorrow will be March already!
Hope your week is a good one!

Love, Sandra

Raining

A rainy, coastal B.C. day. I went to school this morning to watch the school's own "Olympic closing ceremonies." Such fun! Don't seem to have a whole lot of energy for anything else - except some reading and crossword puzzles. My sister's coming over for tea later. Yesterday I went to Bible study in our complex again. I hadn't been there since before my surgery. We're looking at the book of Mark and yesterday we studied Mark 12.
"Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength (Mark 12:29-30)."

Love, Sandra

Patience x2

I spent some time at school this morning and it was so good to see students and teachers! I am energized just going there and it makes me want to be teaching again. Time for a heavy dose of patience!

Waiting in Him,
Sandra

This is My Father's World

I was playing that song on the piano today - just had to play it considering the beautiful, sunny day we had!
This is my Father's world: O let me not forget
that though the wrong is great and strong,
God is the ruler yet.
The Lord is King, let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let the earth be glad.
I hope you can revel in the glory of God's creation this week. I'm just glad to be able to have some thinking time to process all the information given to me on Friday. And I'm looking forward to feeling well enough to get out a little more and do some things. This morning I was even able to go to church again - on the first Sunday of Lent.

In His love,
Sandra

As Good As It Gets for Now

I've just returned home from the cancer clinic and you're the first to hear my news! It'll help me process the information as I write this out to you. The news is mostly good, although incomplete at this time. We are still awaiting more test results, since one of the "markers" was inconclusive and needs further testing. Once those final results come in, my oncologist will take all the information to a "conference" with other oncologists to see what should be done. There is a possibility of more chemotherapy if the test comes back a certain way but at this point we are going to do nothing!! The tumour this time was much more aggressive than last year, faster growing, and completely different. However, they are confident that the surgery removed it all and so any further chemo would be to kill off any stray cells that escaped into the body. There will not be any radiation for sure. The surgical site is clean.
So there you have it, as best as I can tell you now. God's mercies are new every morning! He continues to answer prayer and now I ask you again to pray for the best test results so that chemo is unnecessary. My next appointment will be March 22. Now I need to continue healing from surgery and that is going well.
Thank you so much for your thoughts, and cards, and visits, and flowers, and prayers. Your support and encouragement upholds me and keeps me going.

In His loving care,
Sandra

New time

Tomorrow is a big day because I see my oncologist for a detailed explanation of the complete pathology report and what, if any, treatments will come next. My appointment time was changed to 1:00 p.m. (Fri.,Feb.19) and I will let you know the results via my blog. Don't expect any news until later afternoon. Please pray for calmness, and good news! (I really want to keep my new, curly hair!)

Abiding in hope,

Sandra

Wait and Hope

I'm living in hope right now - hope that the visit on Friday will be positive through and through and I won't need anymore chemo or radiation. I can't imagine my body being able to handle that. I just want to be done with this cancer journey. I just want to live a "normal" life again - whatever that is. I just want to be teaching and busy. I like this "hope quote" I received from a friend:
Until the day when God shall deign to reveal the future to man all human wisdom is summed up in these two words, - - wait and hope. (Alexandre Dumas 1802-1870)

That's what I'm doing - waiting and hoping and I know my hope is firm in Jesus, my Saviour.
I'm feeling pretty good, a little sore, but my legs aren't as painful as last week. Perfect time for Olympics, since I need couch time anyways.
Enjoy the sunshine today!!

Hoping in Him,
Sandra

Bimbo Cupcakes

What a wonderful weekend with friends! It's so good to catch up and visit and just enjoy each other's company. Today I went to see my mom and dad as well. It was a beautiful drive because the sun was so bright and warm. I'm feeling good today, a little stronger all the time. I've still been napping most days but today I stayed up all day (of course, I got up pretty late)! And now I'm snacking on a delicious bimbo cupcake. Mmmm.... delicious!

Love, Sandra

Sparkly Encouragement

My cousin came over today and spent the day with me. (Thanks, cuz! I loved it!) We went to the library and did a little grocery shopping. Tonight 2 friends from Alberta are coming to visit and stay the weekend. My wound is slowly healing - it's taking a little longer than last time and it's a little more tender, I think. But it looks good - no sign of infection.
Thank you for your encouragement cards, Grade 3 GEMS class. They are beautiful! I love all the sparkles. Your cards and prayers are definitely an encouragement to me.

Love in Christ,
Sandra

God Answers Prayer!

This morning I went to see the surgeon and he told me that the cancer had not spread to the lymph nodes. There is NO lymph node involvement! Isn't that FANTASTIC? I was so delighted to know that I would not need anymore surgery. There were two small tumours in the breast so it was good to have had a complete mastectomy. They were still pretty close to the chest wall, but not intertwined in the tissue - also good. So now I wait to see my oncologist next week Friday (the 19th) and she will have a course of action ready for me. The tumours were grade 3 which is the highest. I'm not sure the implications of that but I will learn more next week Friday. The report was not complete as of today.
I'm so thankful for this answer to prayer. I'm just so happy that this time the cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes. Now the incision just has to continue to heal and I have to continue to get my strength back.
"Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." (Romans 5:5 NASB)
Thank you again for your faithful prayers. I could never do this without the support of all of you, family, friends, colleagues, and students.

Hoping in Him,
Sandra

My Help Comes from the Lord

Doesn't it feel like spring is in the air? What gorgeous sunshine today! I was even outside for a bit as I went to the health clinic and the library. (Don't worry - I didn't drive. I have friends staying with me each day).
"I lift up my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."
I just thank God for His help and love day by day. He makes it so I won't slip or fall. He watches over me, sleeping or awake.

In Him,
Sandra

Company

It's been a good day. I'm able to sit up more and be out of bed for longer periods of time. Why, I even got dressed today! How's that for progress? My surgery site is not very sore at all and the health care nurse said it looked good. My caregivers have been awesome and I love having the company at my house. Thanks, staff, for the wonderful sunshine basket! It was so fun to open the little packets. My bed was covered in wrapping paper and gifts this morning.

Resting in Him,
Sandra

Naps and rests

Thanks for fixing my computer connection, Jon! Now I can update my blog. My nephew is out from Alberta - it's good to see him. I had a good day today. I have a hard time staying up for a long time but with rests in between, and an afternoon nap, I am doing well, I think. Thank you so much for your cards, and phonecalls, visits, and prayers. I am continually amazed by the love I feel and the "communion of the saints" that I experience.

Love, Sandra