Chemo, Thanksgiving, Christmas,Trip Plans....

    I think it is time I update my "blog".   It is nearly impossible to think, pray and hardly "enjoy life" during the chemo week.   But, God always brings about the HOPE that it will be over after about 5 days, so here we are.  Day 6 after chemo.      This time I was pounced with a "cold" about a day after my treatment which has proven to be another challenge on the immune suppressed system.   But, I have not had a cold/virus in over a year.  That is a PRAISE.   To watch how this works out will be interesting.
     Thanksgiving was fun.  Kathy's family, Ruthie's family, Paul's family, along with Andy Peak, Margie and George Harton and Agustin and I joined at Kevin and Juli Peak's newly built home in Evington, VA, for our wonderful traditional dinner.  We missed Andrea and John and family but they were with John's family.  
I stuffed and baked a turkey and Andy fried a turkey!  Margie brought sides and Sarah brought her home-made pies. Others shared their goodies and we had  fun and thankful times together.
     The week before my last chemo I was really feeling great, so I volunteered to sing on Christmas Eve at Peakland Baptist, our church, "O HOLY NIGHT", a traditional song I have sung for many years except last year or when I have been sick.  I really have the hope that I can do it even if it is 7 days after the next chemo (Dec.18).  Life is interesting these days when you plan short periods of time ahead and then HOPE and TRUST.  I have a great fall-back for the solo if I cannot do it, our interim minister, Dr. Michael Cheuk, can just do it for me or with me as a duet☺
     Which brings me to the next plan, and that is going to visit Agustin's family in Colombia.  I got "permission" from my doctor to schedule my chemo treatments so we can take a couple weeks in Colombia.   I look forward to seeing the family, enjoying the warm weather (in February or March?) and just feeling "normal".   I am, however,  apprehensive about several things about the trip.  I will have to be careful about germs and food I can eat and digest, etc.  But, with planning and God's help, we can make it down there and back...and, probably in wheelchairs at the airport☺Instead of doing the whole trip in one day, we will split it in 2 days going and returning.  The trip is tiring for "old" people like us☺☺HAHAHA   But, where there is a will there is a way, as my mother used to say so much☺
      Now for some thoughts on life this past year and what I have learned from books about cancer patients that are very important to me.
      One big thing I have learned is that the end of life is nearer than we may know just because we have cancer.  If we choose to use our time to forgive, forget, understand weakness in others, look to the Bible for Words of encouragement and growth, look to books written by people who want to share their experiences, we have a whole new set of challenges.  These challenges take place in every moment and day of our lives after our diagnoses and even before!
   Not holding grudges, keeping jealousy out of everyday family and friend life, and forgiving others happens to be a strong theme in most of the cancer books I have read.  Since we cancer patients feel we now have a "deadline" where it wasn't too pending before, holding bitterness, anger, resentment or regret are not part of God's plan for our lives. And, as a cancer patient, I am very aware of wanting "God's plan for my life" here and for eternity!  
    Thinking on to these holidays with my family whom I love deeply, I share this verse from Romans 15:13 (The Phillips Translation)

"May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace in your faith, 

that by the Power of the Holy Spirit,

your whole life and outlook 

may be radiant with HOPE."