December Already

December 1, 2014.  Time is flying, zooming to finish the 2013 year.  Thanksgiving has gone by, and our hearts have turned to the season of Christmas.  Wow.  I am SO thankful to be here...living today.   Thank You God for sustaining me month by month, day by day.   In June, at the time of the wedding, I wasn't so sure about what Thanksgiving would look like, but I got to celebrate with my precious family, eat too much (yes, even for my appetite)  and talk and laugh with loved ones all weekend. God is good!
  
Last Monday I started radiation treatment at CARTI in Searcy. Excellent doctors, excellent staff.   My doctor set up a plan for where they were going to radiate.  Both days they worked on marking the spots with Sharpies... (a nice version of tattoos for cancer fighters.)  I also had radiation treatment on those spots both days.  They are amazing... trying to get it all going quickly in order to back off some of the pain in weeks ahead in those areas. They are treating my spinal T7, the head of the humerus  and the humerus, some nodules in the chest area, and my right clavicle.  I went back on Friday with our oldest son, Jesse, who was here for the weekend.  I will be going this coming week to get the radiation daily, and then part of next week.  I think the total number of treatments will be 13.

Last week I also saw the urologist. He wants to schedule my next stent replacement surgery right when I finish the radiation.  That is an outpatient event, every two months.

Lots going on with me physically right now.  Here are some specific prayer requests:
                                       
    *Radiation this week and next will go well.  No damage to those areas, and
      especially no damage to the trachea and the lungs.  Healing will come.

     *Going to begin lymphedema treatment on the fluid in my legs this week.
       Three times a week I will get a special massage and wrapping treatment
       on my legs.  This is an 8 week schedule.

      *Next week I will have stent surgery.  Please pray for kidneys and stents to
        be healed.
                                                                                                                    
       *After the radiation,  I may begin chemo again.  We will re-evaluate then.


There's also lots going on with my heart, emotions and my mind too.

When I first heard the news about the scans not being good, I was certainly sad. I felt an urgency to do what I need to do to leave this world.   Write some important letters to loved ones.  Think about what needs to be paid attention to and what needs to not be given attention.  Saying what needs to be said.  Keep my eyes on Jesus and Life,  not focusing on death.   Such a balancing act! Too big for the flesh to carry out.  Only can be done with the Lord's Word clearly resounding in my ears.  I am going to the Scriptures constantly for hope, for His Peace,  for answers,  for His promises,  for His holy perspective vs. my earthly eyes, and more.

Daily, I am trying to manage the medical and walking by the Spirit.  I am leaning on the prayers of SO many dear family and friends  to hold me up, night and day,  helping me not lose heart. That is a huge, huge blessing from God and all of you!  Thank you!

Father,
Thank You.  You have faithfully brought me this far on this difficult journey.  I love You.  You have helped my whole family. Thank You.  You have given us answers to questions, wisdom for our doctors, guidance for our home.  Thank You.   You have sent troops of prayer warriors to step into the fight.  Unafraid to join the battle, they have been such encouragers to our family, Lord.  Thank You for sending them to fight and encourage.  I'm so, so grateful. Thank You again and again.  I love You, O God.  Help me with life today...and to not get too far ahead, but to "lean not on my own understanding, instead trusting in You, O God."  I love You.
Your daughter,
Lisa Carol