HALLELUJAH!!!!

I opened "Jesus Calling" this morning and saw this facing me on the month of November:

"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus"
Philippians 4:19

How true it is prayer warriors!!!! When I finally stopped - well, slowed down - my self-pity party, I started to realize how much worse things really could be. I have not been hospitalized, I have not developed life-threatening complications or had issues that have halted, delayed or otherwise compromised my treatments. In light of all of that, I'll never forget the experience that Darin had in the waiting room during my PET scan (long before any surgeries or chemo treatments). He witnessed two women - one bald as could be - discussing their cancer treatments and one, the bald one, was expressing how happy she was that even though her cancer had returned and she was going through chemo for a second time, she at least hadn't had to be hospitalized (purely due to the chemotherapy side effects) this time around. I am grateful that my "complications" have been skin lesions, swine flu and some random virus. I am grateful.

And so, having had that revelation I made peace with pneumonia and MRSA only to then receive the call from MedExpress to say that the radiologist read my x-ray (it was just the doctor on Saturday) and determined that there was no bacterial infection present. In addition, the lesion on my shoulder that they cultured didn't grow any type of bacteria at all. So... they have no idea what it might be, but it is not infectious or dangerous. Can I get an "AMEN" from the congregation?!?!! Praise the Lord for some incredibly good news and praise Him for all of your faithful prayers.

However, regardless of this wonderful news, we are still gun-shy and have decided to proceed with our previous decision to place me under house arrest. ha ha. I'm sure that I will venture out from time to time, but on a truly limited basis. I just want to be smart and to make it through the rest of chemotherapy on time. I am floored by the number of you who have already called TODAY to do grocery shopping and whatever else we may need. I know I've said it about a hundred times already but... we are so blessed to know you all!!!

Thank you so much for praying with us and staying with us through this crazy nightmare. I was encouraged by my little devotional once again when I got to the page for today...

"Do not be discouraged by the difficulty of keeping your focus on Me. I know that your heart's desire is to be aware of My Presence continually. This is a lofty goal; you aim toward it but never fully achieve it in this life. Don't let feelings of failure weigh you down." whew... it is a relief to know that God knows my heart and my intentions and that I'm not letting Him down by being human.

So... let's see if we can get through this week without acquiring anything new before the next chemo date. It would also be nice if everyone could just attend school on schedule (this too, is a lofty goal... ha ha). Here's to more "normal"! (please???)