Dear Deer

Yesterday afternoon I began another round of chemo with the navelbine drug. It went very smoothly and I didn't get really sick from it. I only received 75% of the drug, however, because my blood was too low to get the straight dosage. I was very tired and ran a bit of a fever last night but it went away on its own. Today I slept much of the afternoon but that was alright. At least now I have some energy to write in my blog.
Last evening I watched two deer in my backyard as they ambled through the complex, munching on shrubs and flowers. They are such graceful animals, even though they can be a bit of a nuisance. I wish they'd eat the slugs that keep devouring my marigolds.
Sabbath blessings to you. I won't be attending church tomorrow because my body isn't strong enough to fight off germs and I know there are a few of them flying around.

In God's love,
Sandra

God's Surprise

This morning I was up early saying a sad good-bye to my company. We had such a wonderful week together and it was hard to part ways again. I wish the world wasn't quite so large, don't you?
Yesterday I had an appointment with my oncologist. After much talking and deliberating she decided to hold back on the harsh chemo drug for now. She was happy to see me feeling so well and doing things and she just didn't want to make me sick again. She was pleased that I had stayed out of the hospital and didn't want to set my body back at this time. She was concerned that I had lost weight and urged me to eat as well as I could to put that weight back on again. So I am going to have the same chemo drug as the last three cycles and pray that goes well. This is the time for my body to stabilize and build up again so I'm strong enough for that harsh drug down the road. You know, I'm perfectly fine with that decision and I marvel at how God has orchestrated this new plan. It's His little surprise as an answer to prayer; as a way to ease my apprehension at this time. I stand amazed at His ways! He always knows what is best!

Thank you for your continued prayers.
Sandra

Cream Puffs

Last evening we had an impromptu quintet practice. I played for a men's singing group and they all came over to my place last night so we could sing together. We sang our old favorites and even learned a new song. I was going to put up a picture of the quintet but that'll come tomorrow maybe.
Today was a full and enjoyable day. I walked through my flowers this morning, visited and had lunch with friends, picked up my wig all washed and re-styled, had tea with big and little friends, sat at my computer, watched a video, and ate a cream puff. That's my new favorite food - my sister makes delicious cream puffs!

Grateful for good days,
Sandra

Precious In His Sight

Last night I went to the first concert of the 2012/2013 VSO season. It was a great concert with a Spanish flavor and lots of rhythmic energy. Fun! This morning I went to church and it was so good! "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints." (Ps.116:15) That was the sermon text and we focused on Psalm 116. " I love the Lord,for He heard my voice." (Ps.116:1) God loves His children and when they die it grieves Him, too. We, His children, are precious to our Heavenly Father. I'm just so thankful for the good days, the days that I have energy to do some "normal" things. Thanks be to God for answered prayers.

Precious in His sight,
Sandra

Creation Praise

Good morning! I don't usually make a morning message but before my day gets too busy I just want to let you know that I am doing well. My doctor suggested I stay on a particular protocol for the nausea and vomiting and that has really helped me to feel much better the last couple of days. Not only that, but I have some very special company from Ontario staying with me for a week! It's great to be able to enjoy time with them and be able to keep food down, too. Yesterday we drove along Highway 7 all the way to Harrison Lake. We saw a lot of herons along the way, and even some eagles, and it was just so good to be out and about. We were just a little too early to see the salmon running, however. We walked around a bit at Harrison and even enjoyed an ice-cream cone. What an absolutely marvelous day! What a great God we have!
"Let(us)praise the name of the Lord, for His name alone is exalted; His splendor is above the earth and the heavens." (Ps.148:13)

Singing His praises,
Sandra

Oops - Not the Day I Expected

Today began well but kind of deteriorated. My stomach just wouldn't co-operate and by the time I was supposed to be thinking supper, I was throwing up instead. Oh dear, not the way I was hoping the day would go. So I'm back on the anti-nausea drugs to keep my stomach feeling better. It's settling down again so maybe I'll be able to eat later on. This morning my sister and I brought my wig away to be cleaned up and re-styled. I took it out of its little case where it had been stored the last few years and now I'm getting ready to wear it again. I like it, though. I think it still looks nice.
Please pray that the next week and a half will go well. I don't have treatment again until next week Friday and I would just love to feel good until then.

In Christ's love,
Sandra

My Wake-up Call

This morning a blue jay came to my bedroom window to wake me up. What a wonderful wake-up call. He rustled in the shrubs and checked out my yellow roses and then flew away. I've had a good weekend, although more pain than usual, and I've been very tired. I went for a walk with my sister before noon and was surprised by how warm it was already. And now it's only 7:30 p.m. and it's dark outside. The days are definitely getting shorter.
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." (Josh.1:9). I can't even imagine walking this road without God by my side. I'm certainly not strong or courageous by myself but I just keep hanging on to His promises because I know He's right here beside me.

In His love,
Sandra

Cycle Three Completed

Thank you so much for all your prayers! My blood count was high enough to have chemo this afternoon. Even the chemo nurse was surprised, I think! I'm just so thankful I was able to stay on schedule. That completes another cycle of this drug and the next cycle, beginning on Sept. 28, will include one new and more aggressive drug. So I will enjoy my hair for a few more weeks and then it will be back to hats, and scarves, and my wig.
I'm feeling OK right now and staying on a pretty high anti-nausea protocol so hopefully I can keep food down this time around.
"Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds." (Ps.72)

In Him alone,
Sandra

Replacement Day

This afternoon I had both nephrostomy tubes changed. It went very smoothly but it's a little painful now. Just having new tubes put in causes some pain because of the moving around that happens inside my body. I am put under for the procedure so I've just been a little groggy since coming home again. The neph. tubes have to be replaced every six weeks and today was the first time both sides were done. At least they are both on the same timeline.
I'm hoping a good night's sleep will mean I can wake up pain-free in the morning. What a gift it is to be able to sleep in peace and awake feeling chipper once again. God made our bodies so amazingly intricate and able to "bounce back" after all they go through.

With thankfulness,
Sandra

Autumn Air

I'm doing so much better again. After a pretty miserable Saturday evening with lots of vomiting, I was able once again to eat and gain some energy back. I'm sleeping through the night again, and the jittery feeling is gone. This evening I went for a small walk with my sister, brother-in-law and niece. It sure feels like autumn in the air, especially with the cool breeze. I love it when the days are still pleasantly warm and the nights are refreshingly cool. It seems like the leaves are already starting to change colour. I must sign off - I'm getting rather sleepy and my bed is calling me. Good night. Have a wonderful week and take some moments to feel the changes in the air.

Blessings,
Sandra

What Shall I Write?

Shall I tell you how nauseous I am or how excited to have a friend coming to visit? Shall I let you know that I can't stop yawning because I'm so tired, or that I'm reading so many books because I can't sleep at night? Do you want to know how things can change so drastically from one day to the next? What a journey! How glad I am to have God as my refuge and strength! I sure couldn't walk this road on my own power. "Because Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You." (Ps.63). To God be all the glory, praise, and honour!

Love in Jesus' name,
Sandra

Reaching to the Skies

This morning after I had my dressings changed, my sisters and I went to Mill Lake for a small stroll. The weather was just so gorgeous that we couldn't waste the opportunity for some September Vitamin D. My onc. said I needed more of that anyways. It was just so warm and sitting on a bench looking at the ducks in the water was just the perfect scene for contentment and joy.
I continue to feel more like eating, my stomach is settling, and though there is still some restlessness I think we're getting that under control, too. I am ready to go for my chemo again tomorrow. This will be the last 3-week cycle of the one drug that I'm on. By the end of September we will begin a new chemo regimen with more aggressive drugs. So since I'll be losing my hair again, I got it cut nice and short yesterday, and guess what? A few curls crept back in. What a treat!
"I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is Your love, reaching to the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the skies." (Ps.57:9-10)

In God's love,
Sandra

From Rough to SO Much Better

What a rough weekend I had! No fun at all! I couldn't keep food down, I was restless, and had a bad headache. I just didn't feel like me. Last night my brother and sister both stayed with me and things slowly improved. Today was SO much better and I've been eating better and keeping food down. I just am feeling stronger again and back to my "old self." Ahhh...another answer to a lot of fervent prayers that went up. You just never know what to expect from day to day.
Tomorrow is the first day of school. I'm sad that I can't be there and am unable to teach. Students and teachers, I hope you have a wonderful day, and a fantastic year - exploring and discovering with a purpose in God's big, beautiful, fascinating world. I'll be there in spirit and I'm singing beside you at opening chapel. Blessings!

In God's strength,
Sandra