Dear Ones,
To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1. This verse can really hold new meaning for me right now.
I do have good news however. The 24 hr. stay in the hospital was just a resting place. They didn't do another MRI. Dr. Kaplan my neurologist didn't see any real concern. She thinks it might have been a sleeping pill I took and not going to bed for about 40 minutes afterwards. (I remembered other stuff I needed to do after I took it). Oh my....who would have guessed that could be such a huge problem. I debated all the way to the pre-op room Tues. morning whether to tell Dr. Baker what happened. He repeatedly told us it was the right thing to do.....even though he put a STOP to the surgery and admitted me to the hospital. My spell in Sept. was enough to concern us all. Dr. Baker said in ways it would be even better to give my incisions more time to heal....although they are doing good!
Well the news now is....Surgery will beDec. 22nd. at 7:30 a.m. 3 MORE WEEKS!! I'm trying to understand the purpose....there is one I'm sure! So we will be spending Christmas in Co. We leave for Tx. in the morning. 1000 miles one way!! Will head back to Co. on the 19th. Want to get here a couple of days early to avoid the altitude headache that might have been part of it!
Once again I can't find enough words to thank you for the prayers for my family and me.
I'm always amazed how God's word is just right for me on days of struggle. Tues. morning the devotional in the "Our Daily Bread" read..... The storm will not last forever. Yet, while it rages, you can cling to the Lord's promises of love and faithfulness, for His "testimonies are very sure" (Ps. 93:5). Waves of trouble and grief may sweep over you, but you will not be swept away. He "is able to keep you from stumbling"(Jude 24). OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN IS HOLDING YOUR HAND....(WHAT AN AWESOME PROMISE...DONNA'S THOUGHTS)....By David Roper
WHEN ADVERSITY IS READY TO STRIKE US, THEN GOD IS MOST READY TO STRENGTHEN US!
Stronger now,
Donna
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
God's Timing Is Not Always Our Timing
Please continue to keep praying for Mom! I received a call from Mom about 15 minutes after the surgery should have started. She told me that they were at the hospital but have had to cancel the surgery for today.
They arrived to Derek & Michele's last night and when she was getting ready for bed she had another episode, similar to the one in September, but not near as bad. It only lasted about 10 minutes with no severe headache. Praise the Lord!
When they arrived this morning for the surgery, the doctor decided to postpone the surgery and admit Mom for further test I am thankful that she is in Colorado where the neurologist is that saw her in September. They will monitor her for a day and may order an MRI. The neurologist does not think it is anything serious at this time.
I know that Mom must be disappointed and that her and Dad are both ready to complete this process. Please pray for peace and comfort for them. Pray for wisdom for the doctors.
Thank you for your continued prayers! God is in Control!
Blessings,
Teresa
They arrived to Derek & Michele's last night and when she was getting ready for bed she had another episode, similar to the one in September, but not near as bad. It only lasted about 10 minutes with no severe headache. Praise the Lord!
When they arrived this morning for the surgery, the doctor decided to postpone the surgery and admit Mom for further test I am thankful that she is in Colorado where the neurologist is that saw her in September. They will monitor her for a day and may order an MRI. The neurologist does not think it is anything serious at this time.
I know that Mom must be disappointed and that her and Dad are both ready to complete this process. Please pray for peace and comfort for them. Pray for wisdom for the doctors.
Thank you for your continued prayers! God is in Control!
Blessings,
Teresa
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Yes Lord, I know you knew I needed to rest....but..........
did I have to break a bone in my foot the first day we arrive in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico????
I knew then you must have really meant REST!!!
Oh my....the journey moves on!!
Thank you so much for the prayers for us as we drove 2 cars to Tx. A special thanks to Scott Claypool who offered to drive me and my car and then the offer of Jeff Bradley when we arrived to Little Rock, Ar. to do the same. I know angels were around us the whole way! First day in Tx. (Nov. 8th) I had decided I wasn't going to Mexico...I was too exhausted...but by Sat. (Nov. 11th) I was ready to go!
It will be a vacation to remember. We had 3 beautiful condos on the beach! I went to my sister's condo to borrow a couple of pillows they weren't using. On the way back to our condo, I missed the LAST step and heard and felt a snap as my ankle turned and I went crashing down!! BUT...I LANDED ON 2 HUGE PILLOWS!!! No skinned knees, elbows or new boobs!!! GOD DOES PROVIDE!! THANK YOU LORD!! Why else would I be carrying 2 pillows when I fell? Think about it!!! It's awesome that the one who created our world cares enough about us to be there to intervene in our lives! Be sure to watch for those times in your day!!
We were on the 3rd floor with NO elevators. Of course crutches were out of the question with my resent surgery!!! So indeed I did rest! Lots of time reading with my foot iced and up on a pillow. It turned the whole foot, including the toes black and blue. Now it's sort of a yellow and doing much better. By the 3rd day I could put a little weight on it and I was able to find a hammock by the beach and really enjoyed the breeze and view!! The rest was wonderful! We returned Sat. afternoon with lots of really special memories made with 15 of our family members!!
I must share with you some really great news!!! The pain is much better. THANK YOU LORD! I'm now down to 1 Percets a day....no more Oxycotin or sleeping pills. I also want to thank my special friend Angie who I saw in Il. while I was home. She had the same surgery 10 months before I did. She needs to be the "Breast Cancer Cheerleader"!! Our time together was truly a gift from God. The one thing that really stuck in my mind was when she said, "Hey this is the new me and it's ok"! It may sound silly....I knew I would never be the same....but now my heart can say...."It's OK...this is the new me"! Thanks Angie!!
We had planned to be in Co. with our daughter Michele and her family for Thanksgiving....but I needed more than 3 days home before we left again. So the plan now is to spend Thanksgiving with our daughter Teresa's husband Tabb's family. We leave this Sunday (Nov. 26) and drive to Co.....arriving Monday late afternoon....surgery is Tues. 28th. Will need to stay in Co. for a week to 10 day so I can see Dr. Baker again before we head home.
When you are talking with God, please seek travel blessings as we drive to Co. (AND FOR ALL OF YOU IF YOU ARE TRAVELING THIS WEEK.) Also for the surgery Tues. Nov. 28th at 9:00 a.m. It should take 2-or 2 1/2 hrs.
Thanksgiving is my favorite time of the year. At least the 'political correct' people haven't taken that from us yet!!! I'm so thankful that in 1863 President Abraham Lincoln established this as a national holiday in the United States! I know many of you are busy planning what to fix (or where to go out and eat) with your family. Perhaps holidays are really hard for some of you that are reading this, because of events in your life that are really difficult for you now. My prayer will be that all of you have a special day....and time to express gratitude to God for his mercy and blessings in your life.
On my list of blessings Thanksgiving Day.... will be each of you! Thank you for taking this journey with me. I feel really humbled by the love you have shown me and my family. You have send me cards that must measure 5 inches tall and a REAM (500) sheets of e.mails of encouragement! (They are all in a note BIG note book.) How blessed can I be??? I only pray that God will guide me to people I can share this experience with who are hurting and need the same encouragement you have given me. It will take the rest of my life to repay your love.
Thankfully His,
Donna
A thought to leave you with: Before you woke this morning, God's thoughts were with you!!! :}:}
P.S. The silly spell check won't work...sorry no time to proof....if you have been on this journey with me...you should know by now...spelling wasn't my best subject!!
I knew then you must have really meant REST!!!
Oh my....the journey moves on!!
Thank you so much for the prayers for us as we drove 2 cars to Tx. A special thanks to Scott Claypool who offered to drive me and my car and then the offer of Jeff Bradley when we arrived to Little Rock, Ar. to do the same. I know angels were around us the whole way! First day in Tx. (Nov. 8th) I had decided I wasn't going to Mexico...I was too exhausted...but by Sat. (Nov. 11th) I was ready to go!
It will be a vacation to remember. We had 3 beautiful condos on the beach! I went to my sister's condo to borrow a couple of pillows they weren't using. On the way back to our condo, I missed the LAST step and heard and felt a snap as my ankle turned and I went crashing down!! BUT...I LANDED ON 2 HUGE PILLOWS!!! No skinned knees, elbows or new boobs!!! GOD DOES PROVIDE!! THANK YOU LORD!! Why else would I be carrying 2 pillows when I fell? Think about it!!! It's awesome that the one who created our world cares enough about us to be there to intervene in our lives! Be sure to watch for those times in your day!!
We were on the 3rd floor with NO elevators. Of course crutches were out of the question with my resent surgery!!! So indeed I did rest! Lots of time reading with my foot iced and up on a pillow. It turned the whole foot, including the toes black and blue. Now it's sort of a yellow and doing much better. By the 3rd day I could put a little weight on it and I was able to find a hammock by the beach and really enjoyed the breeze and view!! The rest was wonderful! We returned Sat. afternoon with lots of really special memories made with 15 of our family members!!
I must share with you some really great news!!! The pain is much better. THANK YOU LORD! I'm now down to 1 Percets a day....no more Oxycotin or sleeping pills. I also want to thank my special friend Angie who I saw in Il. while I was home. She had the same surgery 10 months before I did. She needs to be the "Breast Cancer Cheerleader"!! Our time together was truly a gift from God. The one thing that really stuck in my mind was when she said, "Hey this is the new me and it's ok"! It may sound silly....I knew I would never be the same....but now my heart can say...."It's OK...this is the new me"! Thanks Angie!!
We had planned to be in Co. with our daughter Michele and her family for Thanksgiving....but I needed more than 3 days home before we left again. So the plan now is to spend Thanksgiving with our daughter Teresa's husband Tabb's family. We leave this Sunday (Nov. 26) and drive to Co.....arriving Monday late afternoon....surgery is Tues. 28th. Will need to stay in Co. for a week to 10 day so I can see Dr. Baker again before we head home.
When you are talking with God, please seek travel blessings as we drive to Co. (AND FOR ALL OF YOU IF YOU ARE TRAVELING THIS WEEK.) Also for the surgery Tues. Nov. 28th at 9:00 a.m. It should take 2-or 2 1/2 hrs.
Thanksgiving is my favorite time of the year. At least the 'political correct' people haven't taken that from us yet!!! I'm so thankful that in 1863 President Abraham Lincoln established this as a national holiday in the United States! I know many of you are busy planning what to fix (or where to go out and eat) with your family. Perhaps holidays are really hard for some of you that are reading this, because of events in your life that are really difficult for you now. My prayer will be that all of you have a special day....and time to express gratitude to God for his mercy and blessings in your life.
On my list of blessings Thanksgiving Day.... will be each of you! Thank you for taking this journey with me. I feel really humbled by the love you have shown me and my family. You have send me cards that must measure 5 inches tall and a REAM (500) sheets of e.mails of encouragement! (They are all in a note BIG note book.) How blessed can I be??? I only pray that God will guide me to people I can share this experience with who are hurting and need the same encouragement you have given me. It will take the rest of my life to repay your love.
Thankfully His,
Donna
A thought to leave you with: Before you woke this morning, God's thoughts were with you!!! :}:}
P.S. The silly spell check won't work...sorry no time to proof....if you have been on this journey with me...you should know by now...spelling wasn't my best subject!!
Friday, November 03, 2006
The Journey Continues..Heading to Tx, Sunday
Hello Special Ones,
Just a note to bring you up to date. We have enjoyed the short 10 days we have had in Il. visiting family and friends.
I want to share a couple of neat things that have happened since I last wrote:
1. Remember me telling you about a song called "Servant's Heart" that has meant so much to me written by Randy Whitten? I met Randy last year at the YMCA when he did a concert. I have this song on CD that played all summer by my desk as I worked. Well if you scroll down a couple of e.mails ....a day or 2 after my surgery Oct. 17....there are 2 notes (click comments) FROM RANDY!!! (Randy I would have liked to replied, but this blog will not let me see anyones e.mail address that sends a comment, and your CD with the song and your e.mail address are PACKED!) It was so very special that you signed my blog!! What an amazing world we live in that you found my blog!!
2. Remember Beth Rudy....the gal God put in my life the day I learned I had cancer. Beth was one of our guests at the resort who was attending a Christian writers convention at the YMCA.
Beth is the one who made this blog for me! She was there to pray and cry with me by the banks of the "Big Thompson River" that runs through the resort!! Here's the really neat part....Beth lives in Pa. I didn't know when I'd ever see her again and.....last week-end she was at a conference just 30 miles from where we live when we are in Il...AND THIS CONFERENCE HAPPENED DURING THE SHORT STAY WE HAVE HERE IN ILLINOIS!! The speaker at the conference was Henry Blackby who wrote "Experiencing God". This book changed my life and also was what helped Beth feel the call into her ministry writing "Prayer Pal"! Beth and our niece Melissa Milbourn were on a 'spiritual high' and it was awesome to spend time with them!! Totally God's timing!!
I will never feel I have enough words to express how much your continued prayers for me and my family mean to us. I'm still struggling with pain.....but not the horrible pain of the expanders. I look forward to this passing some day!
As you pray, I'd like to ask for travel blessings as we take 2 cars to Tx. We will arrive Tues. evening to our home there. I'm concerned with the long drive. Then 3 days later.... the following Sat. Nov. 11th we fly to Cancun for our family vacation. Please pray for strength and safety for all of us. I'm going to look for a palm tree and crash.
We will then drive back to Co. for Thanksgiving with Michele and family and on Nov. 28th I'll have the next surgery to make the 'headlights'!! (nipples)Tee Hee! It's amazing what can be done in the days we live in today!!
Since we will only be in Tx. 3 days to unload and pack for vacation.....I'm not sure I'll be back on until we return from Mx. Nov. 18th.
As I sign off tonight....I wanted to share part of a devotional. I'm just amazed at how God knows the words I need!! It's written by Dave Branon and it's called "Temporary"....
In 1 Peter, the apostle described an exchange of tough times for good results. He was writing about the temporary tough times that come into our lives even though we haven't chosen them, and he indicated that they can have lasting benefit. We rejoice during our trials, not for the trial itself but for the coming glory and honor, which is permanent!!
Tough times can bring pain and sadness---and they don't seem to promise any good news at all. But Peter told us to "greatly rejoice" in them (1:6-7) He wanted us to look ahead to the forever joy that is promised---a joy that will help us understand the temporary tough times!!
You dear ones are in my prayers also....it seems each of us have tough times and I pray you can feel and know that God is with you and me!!
Rejoicing,
Donna
Just a note to bring you up to date. We have enjoyed the short 10 days we have had in Il. visiting family and friends.
I want to share a couple of neat things that have happened since I last wrote:
1. Remember me telling you about a song called "Servant's Heart" that has meant so much to me written by Randy Whitten? I met Randy last year at the YMCA when he did a concert. I have this song on CD that played all summer by my desk as I worked. Well if you scroll down a couple of e.mails ....a day or 2 after my surgery Oct. 17....there are 2 notes (click comments) FROM RANDY!!! (Randy I would have liked to replied, but this blog will not let me see anyones e.mail address that sends a comment, and your CD with the song and your e.mail address are PACKED!) It was so very special that you signed my blog!! What an amazing world we live in that you found my blog!!
2. Remember Beth Rudy....the gal God put in my life the day I learned I had cancer. Beth was one of our guests at the resort who was attending a Christian writers convention at the YMCA.
Beth is the one who made this blog for me! She was there to pray and cry with me by the banks of the "Big Thompson River" that runs through the resort!! Here's the really neat part....Beth lives in Pa. I didn't know when I'd ever see her again and.....last week-end she was at a conference just 30 miles from where we live when we are in Il...AND THIS CONFERENCE HAPPENED DURING THE SHORT STAY WE HAVE HERE IN ILLINOIS!! The speaker at the conference was Henry Blackby who wrote "Experiencing God". This book changed my life and also was what helped Beth feel the call into her ministry writing "Prayer Pal"! Beth and our niece Melissa Milbourn were on a 'spiritual high' and it was awesome to spend time with them!! Totally God's timing!!
I will never feel I have enough words to express how much your continued prayers for me and my family mean to us. I'm still struggling with pain.....but not the horrible pain of the expanders. I look forward to this passing some day!
As you pray, I'd like to ask for travel blessings as we take 2 cars to Tx. We will arrive Tues. evening to our home there. I'm concerned with the long drive. Then 3 days later.... the following Sat. Nov. 11th we fly to Cancun for our family vacation. Please pray for strength and safety for all of us. I'm going to look for a palm tree and crash.
We will then drive back to Co. for Thanksgiving with Michele and family and on Nov. 28th I'll have the next surgery to make the 'headlights'!! (nipples)Tee Hee! It's amazing what can be done in the days we live in today!!
Since we will only be in Tx. 3 days to unload and pack for vacation.....I'm not sure I'll be back on until we return from Mx. Nov. 18th.
As I sign off tonight....I wanted to share part of a devotional. I'm just amazed at how God knows the words I need!! It's written by Dave Branon and it's called "Temporary"....
In 1 Peter, the apostle described an exchange of tough times for good results. He was writing about the temporary tough times that come into our lives even though we haven't chosen them, and he indicated that they can have lasting benefit. We rejoice during our trials, not for the trial itself but for the coming glory and honor, which is permanent!!
Tough times can bring pain and sadness---and they don't seem to promise any good news at all. But Peter told us to "greatly rejoice" in them (1:6-7) He wanted us to look ahead to the forever joy that is promised---a joy that will help us understand the temporary tough times!!
You dear ones are in my prayers also....it seems each of us have tough times and I pray you can feel and know that God is with you and me!!
Rejoicing,
Donna
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)