Happening Next Week

It appears that my Cyberknife procedure will be next week on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. We were hoping for this week, but we're just happy they can do the Cyberknife. It's an outpatient procedure, so I'm happy to get to come home.

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My mom hurt her back picking up Ella. Please pray for her healing.

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Romans 15:5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:

Eph. 3:14-16: "For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;"

Cool Quilt

No info about when Cyberknife will occur yet.

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One of my very best friends whom I met while teaching several years ago, made me this quilt. She used T-shirts from our marathons we ran together and other running theme and teaching theme T-shirts. It's her first time making a quilt, and she did an amazing job! Thank you Lanette! You are awesome.

Puffy

So I've showed everyone pictures of my family, but I've failed to show my sister! Really because I'm not liking the puffy-steroid-face I'm displaying in this photo! Next to me is my beautiful sister Dana who came to visit a few weeks ago and will be coming out this summer, too. She's a runner as well.
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Looks like my Cyberknife procedure will be either Thursday or Friday. I'll make sure I post before then.

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Psalm 92 1-5IT IS A GOOD THING TO GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD, AND TO SING PRAISES UNTO THY NAME, O MOST HIGH:To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night,Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound.For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.O LORD, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep.

Family and Running

My aunt came to visit this weekend. It was fun seeing my mom and her sister together. And Aunt Nancy was the hit with Max and Ella.

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I get my blood tested a couple times a week. And today my counts were good. So no blood transfusions needed.

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My brother ended up getting 3rd place in the race he ran for me. But it was by .01. So for all practical purposes, he got 2nd. And if he hadn't revealed his banner for me, I'm sure he would've been in 2nd. His girlfriend Michelle made the cool shirt. Thanks!

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Deuteronomy 32:9-11 9 For the LORD's portion is His people, Jacob His allotted inheritance.10 In a desert land He found him, in a barren and howling waste. He shielded him and cared for him; He guarded him as the apple of His eye, 11 like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them on its pinions.
Psalm 17:7-9

All is fine

Thank you for all the prayers yesterday. Everything went very smoothly and I was so distracted with all my tests that I wasn't even hungry. And as usual, the nurses and techs were incredibly kind.

My tests all came back well. My blood counts and such were all up. I don't have pnemonia or anything like that.

I was also able to get out and meet with my small group from church. It's been a while since I've been able to hang out with them, so I am very, very happy about that.

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Hungry

I try to be positive and not complain....really. For the most part I'm okay with everything...I'm even now okay with getting an evening and morning shot.

But today, I am apparently not able to eat or drink anything past 9:20 AM . Now with the steroids I take, I am ALWAYS hungry. And if I don't eat or drink anything , I become incredibly lightheaded.

Mind you, it's something I have to do for some testing I'm having done, but still, I'm not happy about it. It probably won't be until 3:00 when I can eat again!

And now I feel bad about complaining! I am alive and just should be happy about that.

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Exodus 23:25 And give worship to the Lord your God, who will send a blessing on your bread and on your water; and I will take all disease away from among you. (Basic English)

Just more info.

Well, we are still waiting approval for the cyberknife with our insurance. But we do plan on doing it.

I'm working on my strength with physical therapy that my mom helps me with.

Thank you so much for your prayers. It has been over 2 days, and I have not had the burning leg shingles pain. That's a huge relief.


My brother ran a race for me and raised over $1000 to help stop breast cancer! Thank you to everyone who contributed! He's the one in front with the red shorts and white shirt. I think he ended up in 2nd or 3rd place. Thanks Scott!

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It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Thy name, O Most High; to declare Thy loving-kindness in the morning, and Thy faithfulness by night... For Thou, O Lord, hast made me glad by what Thou hast done, I will sing for joy at the work of Thy hands. How great are Thy works, O Lord! -Psalm 92:1, 4-5

A little dancing

Ella is in a dance class with a neighbor. Aren't they adorable!
Unfortunately I didn't get to church today. Trying to avoid any infections.

Trying the Cyberknife

Obviously a lot has happened in a week, and I'm sorry I have not updated that much. I'm still not able to walk. And I've been in and out of the hospital with blood and platelet transfusions. They also found a bloodclot in my leg. And if we get the okay from the doctors, we're going to try the Cyberknife procedure, while continuing with chemo.

And I have to take this time once again to thank God for marrying me to my very patient, smart, persistant, godly husband.

And my mom continues to be nothing but a saint.

Eph. 3:14-16: "For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;"

Happy Easter

Here's a picture of Max who always dresses so nicely.

Cameron made a headband for himself and our nanny's baby. Don't they look adorable!

Ella enjoyed collecting eggs! She was the only one not whining that she wasn't getting enough!

We had a good weekend. I got to go to church, and I hadn't been there in a few weeks. So that felt good.

Also my mom made an awesome Easter dinner with ham, sweet potato casserole, corn, asparagus, macaroni & cheese, crescent rolls. All very yummy.

Still can't walk. And tomorrow I'm getting another blood or platelet transfusion. Maybe it will give me more strength.

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Matthew 12:15 Great multitudes followed (Jesus), and healed them all.

Luke 6:19 The whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virture out of him, and healed them all.

BBBD Update

Cari had the first of 2 BBBD therapies at the U of M on Wed and again today at 7:40AM. First one's disruption was went very well. When she got back to her room and started waking up one of the first things she asked for was "food". That is a very good sign. As always, please keep her in your prayers that today's procedures is successful and that she will be on her way home tomorrow.

Cari's Mom

BBBD

Today I am back to the hospital. They're going to do the Blood Brain Barrier Disruption. I'll be at the University of Minnesota for about 3 days if all goes well.

appt tomorrow

There's not really much new to say. I have an appointment with my oncologist tomorrow. So
I'll have more info after meeting with him.

Here's a verse one of my dear friends has sent to me.
Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all of you who are weary and loaded down with burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Place my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest for your souls, 30because my yoke is pleasant,and my burden is light.”

And here's something else you might want to read http://proverbs31devotions.blogspot.com/2009/04/walking-through-valley.html

Not good news

I got the results from my MRI back. The results show worsening cancer in my spine. Doctor Hunt, who does the Blood Brain Barrier Disruption, allowing chemo to get into the brain and spine, isn't really sure that's a good idea anymore. But we're convincing him to try at least one more time. What other choice do I have? Just do nothing? That's not an option I'm going to take right now.
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Proverbs 16:20, "Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord." (NIV)

MRI Test

I made it through my 2 MRI's these past two days without any intermittent pain. I had the burning pain before and after the tests, and it still continues but not during the test. So that was good. They tested my head and my spine.

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If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
—James 1:5-6

Still home...which is wonderful of course. I have a lot of help at home with my mom, and our sitter Sara is very helpful with the kids.
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I'm still on a lot of medication that makes me drowsy. In the morning, from vitamins to antibiotics to steroids, I take about 12 pills! It's a little less at night.


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I only had 3 episodes of intermittent burning pain last night when I was trying to sleep, so praise God for that.


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As with most chemo, it's making my hair fall out. Which means it's working, so that's good. You can't see it too well in this picture, but I have a reverse mohawk!

That dent in the back is where I've had brain surgery before.

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And I wish it were, but none of this is an April Fool's joke.

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I do have a big prayer request. Thursday and Friday I have an MRI of my head and one of my spine. I'm very worried about having the burning pain during this procedure where I need to lie completely still.

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Cast all your cares upon Him for He cares for you. 1Peter 5:7