Mothers Day

     I had a great Mothers Day.    Yesterday Ruthie brought me a card and flowers, Agustin gave me flowers chosen by Kathy,  Kathy is getting me some nice new clothes that are more my size now that I have lost weight, and I had a sweet visit from Paul and Hailey and kiddos tonight to top off Mother's Day❤
     This AM Agustin and I went to the church service and out to eat Mexican.  I have not been out to eat Mexican since I was diagnosed back in November.  It was a treat even though I chose what I could eat and what I could not eat...still a pleasure feeling " normal" and having "quality" of life.            
    Today after church, I actually "hugged" people and was not obviously obsessing over "germs"☺
      I have been reading an interesting book called, "Love, Medicine and Miracles" by Bernie Siegel, MD.   I am learning a lot, even if I don't totally understand all of the ideas he suggests.☺
     Another book I read before that was "A Reason for Hope:  Gaining Strength for Your Fight Against Cancer" by Michael Barry.  This was really inspiring to me and both books suggest that our immune systems can be influenced by our thinking, our praying, our loving, and our peace of mind.  That no doctor is going to be able to "determine when a person has reached the end of his or her life."  They can relate statistics but only God determines the length of our days on earth.
    For example,  at the beginning of this new journey in my life, I thought I would just go the obvious way of hospice since pancreatic cancer was such a fatal kind of cancer. Statistics say that I could have had only 6 months without any chemo.   Since then, I have learned much more about what is going on in my body and have seen results from a shrinking tumor after lots of prayer, strong chemo and the hope that comes from knowing that my attitude can and does influence what is going on at the moment with the cancer. I am in my fifth month since diagnoses and don't expect to be dying this year, at least☺
     I have not been lonely, I have not felt unloved, I have an appetite with no pain which really surprises me and have such tremendous emotional support from my family, friends, books I read, meditation with God and scripture,  and the medical staff at the cancer center.  I have never thought that I was a "fighter" but I do think now that my "fight" is to be a survivor for as long as I can.  This can only come with  "hope, courage, clarity of purpose, and assurance of God's love for me."
     A big challenge I have for next week when I go in for chemo (May 22) is to hope that my platelet count is up.  But most of all, that I won't feel nauseated as we approach the day of chemo and walk  into the cancer center.   I am learning that one's  mind can influence the way one "feels" and if I can think the opposite of feeling nauseated as I enter the cancer center, that may help for the rest of the week.   That will be my prayer anyway.
     I have also thought that all the chemo preparation they give you at the beginning can be taken in a negative way.  The day we went in for "chemo counselling", we were told about all the side effects that could come.  IT was emphasized that I may or may not have these side effects but psychologically they were already being instilled  into my thinking.   That is how I feel at the moment about nausea.  I cannot possibly be nauseated by just walking into a cancer center before I have even started the chemo treatment!!!  So, that will be my challenge next week.
      Now for the update on my sister Margie's health.  She is still suffering from constant coughing and weakness.  But, she saw an ENT Allergy specialist and has found out that she will need surgery to remove hardened infection that has adhered to all sinus cavities and vocal folds not treatable by antibiotics at this point.   She is waiting for the surgery to be scheduled.  This sinus condition evidently has been going on for several years but was never diagnosed until the CT scan of her sinuses last week.  
      We always have something to pray about and I will be praying for her relief and for the return of her good health in plenty of time for their wedding Aug. 12. ❤  She will marry Dr. George Harton.
        
     Psalm 31:24   "BE STRONG AND TAKE HEART, ALL YOU WHO HOPE IN THE LORD."

       Children of the Heavenly Father