Hi, Everybody! Sorry I didn’t get this out earlier today, some got it and some didn’t. I missed the email send and the post to here, so you are reading this a little later than some. But, it’s still just as enjoyable, I hope! hahahaha Well, where do I begin! Once again, I’ve waited so long to update you, that so many things have happened I’m not sure where to begin!

The first thing to tell you is that there is NO MAJOR BAD NEWS in this letter and only a tiny bit of down note, it is hardly worth calling bad news! Everything is good and upbeat. Things are totally going well for me, and I’m just very glad to be able to share it all with you. Much more than my medical situation is going on right now, and that I will share also.

First. They did do a second radiation for the small areas that are on my pelvis. The Rad Oncologist was hoping we wouldn’t have to, but the pain from them just wasn’t being controlled, so we went ahead and radiated the area where they are. The only side effects again are some fatigue.

I had another Zometa treatment this past week. And I’m so hoping that I don’t have a strong reaction to it again. This is the only piece of down news. I spent a bit over a week in pain and strong discomfort from the Zometa. They told me when I started that since it was a bone enhancing med, and would cause my bones to produce more, that my thighs particularly would be uncomfortable since they are the largest bones.

Well, they missed, or I did I think every bone in my body hurt!!! And of course, I didn’t call to get permission to up my pain meds, or get something stronger. I just kept thinking each day would be the last and it would be better tomorrow, but of course, it wasn’t. Finally the end of the week, Marcus told me if it wasn’t better by Monday I was GOING to call the DR. Well, it did finally quit, but I had a DR appt that Monday too, so all worked out.

It was much like a Fibro episode, only about 10 times worse, since instead of just the muscles hurting, the bones had joined in the act and we were just having NO FUN! But, I knew what it was, and it only lasted about 5-6 days, and it won’t happen again, because the DR said, “Ok, this pain is not getting under control with the meds you are taking. Let’s look at some alternatives!” and so we did.

Man, does it ever feel good to be nearly pain free! I haven’t been there in more than three yrs! I’ve got a long acting, slow release, pain med, plus my side meds for my other aches & problems. Then I have a fast acting version of the slow acting, for “breakthrough pain.” For these times when I’ve over done it, or had a treatment, or for whatever reason, the pain just gets worse than usual, and then I take the smaller dose, but faster booster pill. I’ve only had to take the booster pill once. I’ve been on this regime since Wednesday, and for these five days I’ve felt better than I thought I would ever again! I even got up today and unloaded and reloaded the dishwasher, tho Marcus said I should save my energy for this evening (I’ll get to this evening later!!!) But, I felt good, and had some energy and just wanted to do something productive for once, and it didn’t hurt me a bit, and I still had plenty of energy for this evening.

I had PT today, and an eventful evening, plus a bit of exercise, so maybe tomorrow I will be reaching for the breakthrough pills, but if so, it was well worth it, and not bad for being day six with nearly no pain, just some residual aching! Can we all say Hallelujah and Praise the Lord?!?!!? Isn’t He so wonderful? Because you know that absolutely none of this is possible without His blessings, and all is planned according to His Will. So, He has either decided enough is enough, or that I deserve a break today (a much better one than I’ll ever get under those golden food arches or who knows, He may be priming me for even more important work.

It’s really funny to feel like one of God’s chosen messengers. I think of Jonah, who chose to live in a fish instead of obeying. While I think I’d rather forgo some of the trials I’ve gone thru in order to be a strong witness or empathetic messenger for someone, I certainly don’t think I would choose disobeying (and especially not living in the belly of a fish!!!) I can’t imagine it took Jonah long to discover that following the guidance of God is much better done willingly than by being “encouraged!”

I’ve been there too. I did learn a long time ago, thru experiences that when God wants you to go some place or be somewhere, or do something seriously enough. He WILL make sure you get it done. Of course, he can’t make you do it with grace and to His glory, but once you figure out what it is He wants, wouldn’t it be quite silly not to do the best job you are capable of, knowing that He will give you all the tools and knowledge that are required of the job? I actually felt like He might take a 2″x4″ board and get me struck in the head one time when He was having a particularly difficult time getting me to go & do what He wanted. I’ve learned to listen and learn a whole lot better since then hahahahaha

Oh, I did promise to come back and tell you about this evening, so I best do that before I totally run out of your time My oldest sister has lived most of her life in Texas and surrounding states, always down about the Gulf. And I have lived all my life up north, all but the first six months, in northern Indiana. Needless to say, we haven’t seen a lot of each other during our lives.

I am 54 yrs and if memory serves me right, prior to tonight, I’ve seen her only three times, the first two being when I was 13 & 15. The last being five yrs ago this past summer. And yes, you understood that correctly, I saw my sister tonight.

She just was blessed with 3 grandchildren in the last couple months, 2 from the same daughter-in-law, the 3rd from her daughter who happens to now live in the next town over from me. So, while she was off gallivanting around visiting new babies, she snuck in a little time for supper with my family and me. The only thing better would have been for it to have been this coming Friday night, when my oldest son will be here to travel to Iowa with us for my Father -in-laws 90th birthday party. But, I’ll settle for getting two of my children and my husband to be able to meet her and a short but wonderful and enjoyable visit with her.

I don’t ask the Good Lord for too many favors, but this is one I didn’t even feel qualified to ask for, but I got anyway. Isn’t it amazing, that even tho we don’t ask, He knows our heart’s desires, and fulfills them? I’m hoping this is a sign that I’ve been obedient to Him and have been a blessing to His Kingdom and glory. Maybe it’s what happens when we try harder to focus on pleasing Him and making sure we are following His leads and directions. I hope so, because it sure was a wonderful blessing for me.

I’ll close with a link to a booklet that my daughter & I have been working on with the pics of her daughter, Zylea.

http://preview.tinyurl.com/5vkyso

It’s at Walmart, and they will make you sign up or sign in to view it, but I think it will be worth the bother to you, and they don’t send you any spam or anything if you don’t want it.

Also, check back in a couple days on my website, and I’ll have some pics of my sister and I, and our families enjoying supper. Till then, may the Lord Bless and keep you and may He always strengthen and build you to suit His needs and may you always see the guidance and follow directions

Blessings, Sherry