Veins

Well...yesterday and today were headache days again. This morning I went for bloodwork but that didn't go too well. After three tries we decided to stop and try again tomorrow. Three new bruises is enough. I also have a head CT scan tomorrow. Please pray that the veins will be "poppin' up" and the scan will go well. Is there a special food you can eat to make veins thick and bountiful?
A day sure goes by quickly. Evenings are the best time for me because then my headaches are gone. What a blessing to be able to sleep and rest well.

In His love,
Sandra

A Saturday Blessing

Hey, I've not had a headache at all today and I didn't have to take any strong medication to keep it away! That's a first in a couple of weeks. How wonderful!
Thank you for continuing to pray and sending words of encouragement and strength my way. Psalm 145, Psalm 20, and Tear Soup, among others. I sure am feeling the support and love of God's people and I feel so blessed to be in His care.
"The Lord is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made." (Psalm 145: 13b)

Yes, He reigns!!
Sandra

More tests

An early morning wake-up call from the hospital asked me to come in today for a renal ultrasound. So I had that done today and hopefully it will give us some answers about my kidney problems. Yesterday I saw my GP and he ordered the ultrasound. He thinks the headaches, swollen legs, decreased kidney function, and high blood pressure may all be related and part of the same problem. Please pray that we can get answers in this next week. Meanwhile I feel like a walking pharmacy - so many different drugs!
It was a good afternoon of visits with family and friends, phone calls, cups of tea with cookies, and now a quiet evening.

Love in Christ,
Sandra

Step By Step

I went to see my oncologist this morning and there are a few problems we have to look into. My kidneys are not functioning well, my blood pressure is too high, my legs are swelling up again, and I have just too many headaches. The biggest thing is that the tumour marker has more than doubled. My oncologist wants to wait one more month in the hope that the tumour marker will still go down before she starts any other chemotherapy. I am on a chemo drug right now but it doesn't seem to be too effective at this point. In the meanwhile I have to see my own GP to solve the other problems. I'm just thankful to be breathing so well, but there is the possibility, of course, that the fluid will build up again. Please pray fervently with me that the cancer will stop advancing and the tumour marker will go down.
I am looking forward to another friend arriving this evening and I hope that I can do a little more now that the breathing is easier. What a journey - with so many twists and turns.
"And step by step you'll lead me - and I will follow You all my days!"

In His footsteps,
Sandra

What a difference!

The fluid has been drained and I noticed the difference right away. I can breathe deeper and easier. It took several hours but the procedure went smoothly. The drainage site is rather tender but that will heal. I had a migraine headache, however, so that made the day a little harder. This evening I'm feeling much better and I'm finally able to stay awake for a few hours. I'm looking forward to sleeping comfortably tonight. Tomorrow morning I see my oncologist. Please pray for wisdom and strength and a plan for how to proceed next.

Love,
Sandra

Grace Alone

This morning I played piano in church and I really enjoyed being able to do that. I would have liked to be able to sing along but that's too difficult right now with my poor breathing.
I go into the hospital tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m. and the procedure for draining the fluid takes 2-5 hours. My sister-in-law and my friend will come with me. I will probably be sedated or put under because I can't eat overnight and someone has to take me home.
As we sang this morning: "Grace alone which God supplies,
Strength unknown He will provide.
Christ in us, our Cornerstone.
We will go forth in grace alone."

In His strength,
Sandra

Blackberry Crisp

We made a very delicious blackberry crisp for dessert tonight! I have a friend here and we've been having a very good time - visiting and looking at pictures and baking a crisp and talking, and talking, and talking some more.
Even though it's been difficult to get around I have enjoyed the snow outside. This morning we could see prints in the snow - I think possibly the deer were walking around my house, looking for food, I guess. It's pouring rain outside now. Could be a pretty slushy mess in the morning.
It was a good day today and as long as I don't do too much I can breathe alright. On Monday morning early I will have my lung drained. I'm looking forward to the relief it will bring.

Blessings,
Sandra

COLD!!

Oh yes - it's certainly winter out there. It's snowy and cold! Tonight is supposed to go down to -14 Celsius. That's cold for this corner of the country. It sure looks beautiful, however.
This morning my brother took me for blood work. Because there weren't a lot of people out I didn't have to wait one second in the lab. My veins co-operated and the blood work was quick and painless.
This afternoon my GP and oncologist set things up so that I can have the fluid drained from my lungs. I can't have it done until Monday because I am on blood thinners right now and I have to be off of them for about one week before the procedure can be done. That will really help my breathing to be less laborious.
It was a good day today. I got to visit with all my brothers and sisters, by Skype or phone or in person. I thank God for the gift of today.

In my Saviour's loving care,
Sandra

Snow coming?

I just finished sewing a little tablecloth for the table in my kitchen nook. That was fun to do. But now I shall connect with you again. I didn't realize that I haven't posted all week. Oh dear!
This morning I checked in with my doctor because my right side has continued to be painful and it's just been difficult to move around and breathe. As long as I remain still I can manage but it's been this way for three weeks now. I got some new medication and that's eased the pain a bit and I also went for an x-ray to check out my ribs. I'm so thankful for our health care professionals - their care and compassion.
Have a wonderful day tomorrow. There might even be some snow out there by the morning.

Love, Sandra

Always the same

A relaxing, quiet day. My niece left this morning so the house is very still again. My breathing continues to be less painful and for that I am very grateful.
I received a beautiful calendar from a friend and it has The Lorica printed on it. The Lorica is a prayer for protection and I've been listening to that song as written by Gayle Salmond, and sung by Steve Bell. It's going around in my head and it's been such a comfort to me. Yesterday in church we heard a sermon on Psalm 102 - changes all around us, but God is always the same. What a calm assurance!
"In the beginning You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands.... But You remain the same, and Your years will never end." (Psalm 102:25,27)

In His love,
Sandra

Breathing easier

Today was the best day of this week. It wasn't so painful to breathe and that made a huge difference on the day. I'm literally breathing a sigh of relief. I had more energy and so my niece and I went to visit my sister and my parents. We had a nice afternoon, even though the weather was rather dreary and wet. I'm just amazed at how mild it has been this winter so far.
And I am amazed and encouraged by God's love shown through His people - phone calls, a beautiful calendar, visits, family time, prayers, cards in the mail, meals to the door, and gentle hugs.

Love, Sandra

The small things

Today another of my nieces arrived to stay with me for several days. I love the company. I had another niece here for a week and a nephew stayed a couple of days as well. The last few days have been difficult because my right side is rather painful. Both my GP and my oncologist think it is pleuritic pain caused by some sort of irritation to the lining of the lung. So every breath is rather painful and it's best when I am very still and not doing too much of anything. I am very good friends with my recliner chair right now, that's for sure!
My nephew installed a new faucet in my kitchen this morning. Now I don't have to worry about the handle flipping off, like it was doing before. Ah, the small things that make such a difference!
It's nice to be blogging again, just keeping in touch with you. I'll have to put up some new pictures on this post. And the last few days really affirmed for me that I cannot teach right now.

In His love,
Sandra

2012

Just thought I'd like to start blogging again...
As you may already know, the cancer is once again present in my body, specifically in the lining of my left lung. I can tell that I have to work harder for my air, especially when I am lying down, and when I'm trying to sing a long phrase. I will not resume teaching in this new year and that I will desperately miss. However, I know that I need to rest right now. My body is working hard - I am on blood thinners for a clot in my left leg, and my kidneys have decreased in function, probably from all the drugs I've been on. I am now on a new drug and that new drug has to do two things by Jan.24, when I next see my oncologist. It has to lower my tumour marker, which continues to rise, and the fluid in my left lung has to stop piling up. Please pray with me for healing.
It's 2012, a new year, and I have no idea what this year will hold. But this I know for sure - God will be in this year - in His faithfulness, His love, His care, His compassion, and His grace. In Him alone I place my hope. In Him alone I go down this road of uncertainty.

Blessings to you in 2012!
Sandra