BUT WAIT...THERE'S MORE!

Today Mother and I went to the cancer center and met with the doctor who will be treating her. He gave us very encouraging news.
*She does have myelodysplasia, and it's serious. BUT...
*It is not leukemia.
*It can be treated with drugs similar to chemo, but without the side effects.
WOO-HOO!
*This treatment will likely put her disease into remission.
*It will make her feel better, improve the health of her blood, and take stress off the heart.
*She does not need the care of Hospice at this point, but can continue with them for additional support. That is still to be decided.
*This is not a guarantee that she will recover. But it is a very promising outlook for improved health.

We are very happy with this doctor, who took at least 30 minutes with us, answering questions. He told her after he closed the door that until we had all the information we needed, she was his only patient. I like that. A lot.

We still rest in the unfailing love of the Father, and are so very grateful for what we learned today. Thank you for your prayers for our family.

Myelodysplasia

I had never heard this word, didn't know it is a blood disease, didn't know that it leads to leukemia. I know now.

Just over a week ago my mother was admitted to the hospital to prepare her for a heart valve replacement operation. However, her platelet count was low and needed to be improved in order for surgery to be done. Through a bone marrow test it was discovered that she has myelodysplasia. It is in the process of becoming leukemia, and has been doing so for probably about two years.

Yesterday I brought Mother home under hospice care because this is an incurable disease. She will not recover from it. But she will go into the presence of the Lord when it claims her life.

God's Word brings our family great comfort.

II Corinthians 5:1 "Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands."

I Thessalonians 4:13 "Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope."

Our hope is in the faithfulness of the eternal God; in Jesus, who defeated death on the cross; in the Holy Spirit who sustains us.

He Knows My Name

You know how sometimes a song just gets stuck in your head? You can't get it out no matter what you do? Isn't it annoying when it's the obnoxious jingle for a commercial you hate, one of those that, when you see it come on the screen, you can't get to the Mute Button fast enough?
Or the extremely repetitive theme music for the ride in the amusement park, the one that plays approximately 72 times during a 4 minute ride (OK, I'm exaggerating just a bit.), where you want to get out of the little boat and swim to the exit. I'm not naming parks or rides, but you all know which one I mean, don't you?
This is not one of those songs. This is a song that has been in my mind the past two weeks as I've prayed for my friend and her family during the loss of their son. I have been reminded of the limitless love of God to me, beginning before I was born. To think that this God, Creator and Sustainer of the universe knows my name and loves me just blows my mind!
Be sure you turn off my playlist so you can hear this song. Hope you love it too.

What is your life?

Late Friday night I received word via email that Andy, the son of a very close friend, had died on Thursday. His death, which came after a non-life threatening accident at his job, is at this point unexplained. He was in his late 20's.

My heart is broken for my friend and her family, and I can't imagine the pain they feel. She told me that it is the worst thing she has ever had to face. What they hold on to is their trust in God through Jesus Christ in all things.

After hearing this news, and being a mother, my thoughts turned to my own children and grandchildren. I was reminded to cherish my time with them because none of us knows when death will come. Scripture says that life is just a vapor that appears for a little time and then is gone.

All of us who knew this young man and his family are shocked. However, his death did not take God by surprise. And because Andy had put his trust in Jesus Christ, he is absent from the body but present with the Lord. What a comfort!

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

We live in central Florida. You know, Florida: the Sunshine State. The place with Mickey Mouse, warm tropical breezes, palm trees, sunburned tourists and snowbirds.
Well, this morning it is 17 degrees here! We knew the forecast was for low 20's in our area, but when that happened before 11 PM, I told my husband that I would turn on the water at the kitchen sink to a trickle so the pipes would not freeze. (It usually works!) When I went back to check on it after an hour or so, there was no water running. The pipes were already frozen.
Fortunately, we still had a gallon of water in our hurricane supplies from last year and were able to give drinking water to the dogs and cats. But more importantly, I was able to make coffee. Yeah, gotta start the day out right, especially when it's this cold.
Now, I'm a Florida native, as were my parents and grandparents. Unlike them, I really like cold weather, so I'm not complaining about this cold snap. And it won't last long. We say that in Florida there are two seasons: Summer and two days of Winter. Just kidding. We also have Spring and Fall for two days each. (Wink, wink)
Wherever you are, stay warm. It's cold outside.

FOR TODAY (January 15, 2009)...

Outside My Window...It's sunny, but for Florida, it's cold!

I am thinking...about all the things I need to get done before the day is over.

I am thankful for...my warm, snug house.

From the kitchen...a Cuban dish called Picadillo. January is missions emphasis at church and tonight is the international dinner.

I am wearing...short sleeved t-shirt, sweat pants, warm socks.

I am creating... scrapbook pages. I say that almost every time, don't I?

I am going...to finish this and then get back to my "to do" list.

I am reading... Soul Survivor by Phil Yancey. WOW! Great book.

I am hoping... to get my closet cleaned this weekend. Too much stuff!

I am hearing... my washer and dryer, my snoring dog. How can he sleep all day, fall asleep beside me on the couch in the evening, then get into his bed and sleep all night?????

Around the house...it is quiet. I love quiet.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...Take supper tomorrow to some friends who have a major illness to deal with. Hmmmm. What to fix????

I'm so glad to be able to participate with the others in this Notebook entry. You can visit The Simple Woman's blog

HERE!

Number One Resolution

According to Fox News, the number one New Year's Resolution for Americans, according to a poll, is not to lose weight or stop smoking. It is to get out of debt.
Our church is among many across the country that is offering a 13-week program to help families do just that, become debt free. It is called Financial Peace University and is designed and taught via DVD by Dave Ramsey. It gives participants the information and tools they need to get their finances under control. It is an awesome program, and I recommend it to everyone, even if you don't have a lot of debt.

There isn't enough space here to tell you all that is covered in the lessons. Go to daveramsey.com, enter your zip code, and find a class near you. Then sign up and go. You won't be sorry.