Another flurry of doctor visits...yippee!

Met my oncologist today, and we liked her VERY much. Very straight-forward.  Long story short, I get a port put in this Wednesday, and need a few other things checked. Then we start 8 rounds of chemo every other week...translates into 4 months, assuming I tolerate it all well and things go smoothly.  During the off-weeks, I will see my plastic surgeon for his procedure. Not my favorite...

3 doc appts. this week. At least 2 next week.  It's a very good thing there is online shopping or I wouldn't be getting any Christmas shopping done!  :)  She does want to get started before Christmas, which is a bummer but what I expected.

SO thankful today for:

• My sister-in-law, Carolyn and hubby, Buddy who were my partners at the oncologist's office.
• Protection over my sister, Padge - she was actually admitted to the hospital last night suspecting heart trouble. Turns out it is something related to her bronchitis from a month ago.  She needs rest and Advil, and will be okay. But she was unable to join me...she was frustrated, and yet thankful it wasn't more serious.
• Dinner brought after a very long day.
• Seeing Bobby before he left.
• My ongoing Christmas elf, Kristen (and Buddy...putting up outside stuff!)  The house is looking festive!
• My plastic surgeon giving me a reprieve today from doing an expansion.  I was so thankful for that.
• Getting my stitches out!

I am learning more and more that there are things I am thankful for...I can't even remember them now, but try to give thanks at the time.  Blessings to you and sleep well!

Andi

Put a song in your heart!

Victory over the enemy can be yours for a song! Sing a hymn or a worship chorus as you march into your day or wrap up your evening. And if you can't sing, read one of David's praise psalms out loud. To begin and end the day with God's praise will do much to chase away dark thoughts, and open the door to peace.
(Compliments of Joni's devotional this morning)

If you know me at all, then you know how much I love music and how it draws me to worship. It ministers to me in ways I can't explain, and I am thankful for it.  LOVE Christmas music...not the silly stuff, but there are so many songs that point me to the precious gift of our Savior.  All year, I love music - from Classical to the Cathedrals to Casting Crowns - and mostly music that speaks of our Lord.  I do love a variety!

Today is a big day, I think.  I will be finding out what the next several months will be like for me and my family.  So, I think I will be singing my way to the doctor's office!

Have a blessed day...

Andi

Another Colmery Christmas tree has been chosen :)

I know that some day we will end up with significantly smaller trees, but yet another ceiling-scraper is laying in our garage...no doubt it will be a beauty and provide many days/evenings of lovely lighting and memories. One of my favorite Christmas tree memories is something Buddy does...since he leaves before everyone else gets up (most of the time!), he turns on the tree as he leaves so it is on for the kids when they get up. They thought it was magical when they were little, and still love it. They all love different things about our decorations - Megan loves the wreath over the fireplace, Kristen loves the tree (though there are some individual things she loved as a child and still loves - one particular stuffed Santa with fun hair!), Bobby loves the wreath/nativity/lights on the fireplace. I love our stockings, the Bible I leave open to Luke 2, and the lights on the front porch. Buddy agrees with Bobby, plus the snow globes and lights in the dining room. We definitely have fun decorating! But, more importantly, we love the reason we do it. I read on FB sometime this week how appropriate it is that Thanksgiving leads right into Christmas...the beginning of a thankful season, for the most precious Gift ever given...

 

Thankful findings today:

• Finding a Christmas tree in pretty good time. Playfully squabbled over 3 trees...any of them would be beautiful!
• A helpful hubby and son, lending a hand to help me up and down the hill to the field,
• Visit from a dear Mom/daughter duo...just like family and it was great to see them!
• Laughter in the car...our kids are nuts.
• Leftovers.  :)
• Rest for a weary body.

Some specific prayer requests:

• Monday's appointments - oncologist and plastic surgeon.  Wisdom with oncologist as we plan my chemo treatments.  I'm a little nervous.
• Wisdom to know my limits.  Doc says I can do anything I want (except heavy lifting) and  yet need to remember that I am still healing.
• To not get discouraged when I am still sore and tender, and get tired...this journey is nowhere near over!

Enjoy your day tomorrow...I pray that you are able to worship the Lord in sweet fellowship with others and deepen your relationship with the Savior.

 

A quiet day and a nice visit...

Boy was I tired today...woke up at 6, thought I'd be up and re-woke up at 9!  Just not like me.  But it was good.  Read and puttered and rested...then, one of my dearest friends visited for a bit.  One of those folks you have known longer than most, and it is immediately comfortable no matter how long you are apart.  We did our nails together in junior high, wore toe socks together (when they FIRST were popular!), shared countless sleepovers together - and I am so thankful we have stayed in touch.

Things I am thankful for today:

• Christmas music (and I am glad we wait until after Thanksgiving dessert to play it!)
• A daughter that I believe is part elf...she is already knee-deep in decorating!  Dad is right there with her, checking lights to put outside.
• Kids who enjoy our traditions - we're not fancy, but we have fun.  Christmas tree shopping tomorrow with everyone!  I don't know how much field-traipsing I will actually do, but who cares...
• Hot tea on a chilly afternoon.
• Good books when I'm weary and not sleepy.
• Online shopping!
• A Savior that is worthy of so much more honor and glory than we often show Him. And I love celebrating this time of year - all thanks to His being willing to be born like us, live and die for us.

From "Jesus Calling" devotional today...
"To protect your thankfulness, remember you reside in a fallen world, where blessings and sorrows intermingle freely. A constant focus on adversity defeats many Christinas.  They walk through a day that is brimming with beauty and brightness, seeing only the grayness of their thoughts...how precious are My children who remember to thank me at all times...Rejoice in this day that I have made , for I am your steadfast Companion."

I am daily more aware of how much I need His constant companionship.  I am truly thankful for all things I list here, and am aware that blessings and sorrows mingle...often, in the same hour, I am happy, content and fine while also fearful, nervous and tired.  Help me, Lord Jesus, to remain in Your arms each hour...

Blessings to you all.
Andi

What a day of thanks!

Finally just sitting, with Bobby sacked out on the floor, and Buddy, Kristen and I watching "Monsters, Inc.".  Very nice day and SO thankful for the following:

• Delicious food from many people! Bobby's stuffing was/is wonderful, the pies delicious, everything yummy and I love leftovers!
• Sister, daughters, niece, husband, mom...so many preparing and cleaning up dinner so I didn't overdue it. (Who, me?!)
• Paper plates for dinner - BEST idea ever! (except for marrying my honey...)
• Laughter with my kids in the kitchen last night.  I am SO thankful it doesn't hurt to laugh!
• A chance to rest before everyone got here.
• Enjoying my new laptop...compliments of my honey's generosity. Found a good deal and now have work at my fingertips, especially since I am home so much more these days.
• Obviously, the grace and mercy that I don't deserve from a heavenly Father Who loves me far more completely and imaginatively than I can grasp. So thankful He saved me. So thankful He is good...all the time.
• Another Thanksgiving with my Mom and Dad. Haven't seen Dad eat like that since he was sick!  But, it is his favorite meal of the year.  (He tells me every year that it was the best he's ever had.)
• Surprise visits from friends bearing cookies and flowers!  (You know who you are!)

Looking back over the last 3 months, it has already been quite a ride.  I have my emotional days, and won't pretend the next parts will be easy-breezy...but, the Lord's hand is so evident. His love surely does endure forever and His compassions are new every morning. Great is HIS faithfulness!

Perfect example...there is a particular woman from this area that I have been told I should chat with...she has been having a similar situation and we had surgery within a week of each other.  Don't know her, didn't know her phone # and just hadn't gotten around to finding it.  Wouldn't you know who walked in to the doctor's office yesterday?  This woman!  We met and had a good chat until we each had to go back to see THE SAME DOCTOR!!  Weird?  Not really...just one of those little things the Lord does to encourage and remind me He is in each and every detail.

Hope and pray you have been able to find things for which to be thankful today.  Seek Him and He will be found.

Thanksgiving...and I am so thankful...

"The power of the Good News is released in your life when you allow your weaknesses to showcase the awesome might and love of our Savior. Plan on doing that today."

This was in Joni's devotional this morning.  I pray that this happens in my situation. We do have a mighty, gracious Savior Who cares for our every need and hurt.  Every day, there is something encouraging and motivating for me.  So thankful for that.  Had a bit of a rough morning, just woke up stiff and sore, and achy...I know it is to be expected, but just gets discouraging when I want to do more than I can.  Kristen was so patient with me since, of course, I get teary-eyed easily, No surprise there! But, we made it to Shady Maple, got all our goodies for Thanksgiving and I couldn't have done it without her...the shopping cart was too heavy for me to push!

Thanksgiving...in the midst of so much going on, there is SO MUCH for which I am thankful.
Thankful for the following today:

• Bobby is coming home today!  Yay!  Home will be complete!
• Kristen's willing heart to serve me and love on me.
• Megan's eagerness to help when she is home. And our planned time together tomorrow, even if it is a doctor's appointment!
• A husband who is so kind.
• Friends who are good cooks!
• Encouragement from so many every day.
• Continue to be amazed at how the Lord has indeed guided me every step of the way...and for the doctors who have cared for me.

Stitches out tomorrow...Oncologist next Monday...surgeon the next week...and so it goes!  We are getting very familiar with Rt. 401.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving...
Andi

Precious fellowship...

Got to church this morning, and it was good to be there.  Granted, we hung in the back and ducked out pretty quickly, but good to be with 'family', get some gentle hugs, sing and hear God's Word.  So thankful for a pastor who takes his calling seriously and speaks the truth so well.  Communion was sweet. 

Time for rest and delicious soup (thank you, Joie Culbert!  You're a good cooker!).

Have a blessed Sunday...
Andi