I have been telling myself for days that I will update this poor neglected blog.   “This afternoon I’ll sit down and write....”   Well, I’m pretty much always tired in the afternoon, and with five children, my spare moments have seemed pretty sparse, especially now that we’ve officially started home schooling! 

Well, I was just about to fall into the bliss of bed when I realized that yet another day has gone by without updating this blog.   So, I’m opting for a short update as better than nothing. :)

We are doing so well, and I know that the prayers of God’s people have a lot to do with that.   Like all of you, our life is not without trials, just living seems to be a challenge at at times, and that’s without cancer in the equation.   Cancer is helpful in a way, it has an ability to help you prioritize!

With seven weeks remaining in my chemo, I am so grateful for the strength that I have.   Some days I feel almost normal, just a bit more tired.   Other days, like today, I am suddenly stripped of all strength, and that’s when dear Dani rises to to challenge!   I slept most of the morning without even meaning to, and after lunch and a blood draw this afternoon, I slept until dinner.   What a blessing to have her here when I am suddenly so weak.   Hopefully tomorrow will be a stronger day.

The children are completely well now, for which we are so grateful.   Caleb has slept through the night for five straight nights, and I am rejoicing!   Wesley is currently obsessed with cars, and it’s about all he wants to talk about, Cars and Daddy. :)  Kate was learning to draw circles in her “school” today, while Shaina is learning to write her name and Noah is doing terrific with his reading.   Nathan and I are trying to balance life and responsibilities here with the weight of what we are facing regarding my health.   Such a strange balancing act!   We try to grab little moments to talk about the heavy things ahead, and we’re working on singing and praising more!

As far as my health, I head back next Tuesday for my next round of chemo.   We will be meeting with several doctors about the plans for my upcoming mastectomy and radiation as well as having a mugga heart scan to see how my heart is holding up against the herceptin.  

It may seem a bit confusing, that the cancer has reduced so much and is responding so well, but I still have to have mastectomy and radiation.   First of all, let me ask for your prayers for our wisdom.   We haven’t finalized any plans, and we are asking God for His perfect peace and clear direction.  

Our doctor’s advice thus far has been a unanimous voice saying that the only way to be as certain as possible that the cancer is gone is to follow through with surgery and radiation.  I would say that all along we’ve been open to a miracle, sometimes pleading for it!    Thus far, it doesn’t seem that an easy way out is in the agenda for us.   And in the same sort of terror that you feel when climbing the big hill on a roller-coaster, I am peering past chemo into surgery with the hope and confidence that this thing IS connected to a track somewhere!   My destination has been pre-charted, and I can just hang on for the ride!   It’s been pretty overwhelming to me at times in the last few weeks, I guess we wouldn’t learn and grow if it was all easy!

So, that’s where we are at.   My week after chemo has become increasingly exhausting, even  emotional,  but usually about 5-6 days afterwards I start to feel my strength returning.   I’m dreading that process again, but encouraged by the good results with my tumor shrinking.

I’ll try to write more later, I’m learning so much, and I long to share it with you!    Until then, I hope you enjoy this bit of an update on life.   Thanks for praying for us!