Mom's Favorite Song

He Knows My Name

I have a Maker
He formed my heart
Before even time began
My life was in his hands

I have a Father
He calls me His own
He'll never leave me
No matter where I go

He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
And He hears me when I call

This day last year....

we were sitting at Johns Hopkins in a waiting area while Mom was in surgery for over 10 hours. My mom's brother and his wife waited with us as well as our close friends, Mack and Kendra. This evening we were with Mack and Kendra on Dec. 26 again, yet instead of waiting for reports from the surgery like last year, we were enjoying time together as we laughed at a Tim Hawkins DVD and played the Wii in the comfort of home!

Happy Birthday, Dad!!!!

Yes, today is Dad's birthday! December is a big birthday month for our family...Lisa's (my sister) is on the 2nd, Dave's is on the 6th, Dad's on the 12th, and Ryan's (Lisa's son) on the 13th!

Yesterday Mom and Dad received the therapy boots that will allow Mom to do her therapy everyday at home for the lymphedema in her legs. The best part is that insurance covers it too! So now she won't need to go to her therapy sessions 2-3 times a week in Ocean View, and there are 2 boots so it only takes 45 min. at home instead of 1 hr, 30 min with the therapist (only 1 boot).

Also, Mom and Dad went to Hopkins on Thursday for a CT scan since the CA-125 numbers had gone up. The next day they were called and told that it appears that there is a platinum resistance so the chemo will be changed, and she will receive it every 28 days.

Mom has been feeling pretty good and has even been able to do all her Christmas shopping! December looked alot different for Mom last year, and we are so thankful she can enjoy the holidays this year! (Click here for the post from last year)

Another praise report is that God has provided so that my sister's family can stay at their current residence and will not have to move as originally thought, and Ali will be able to stay at the same school. This time last year, Lisa's family had just moved to Florida so that John could start a Master's program in ministry at Southeastern Univ. Today he graduates from the program, and as Lisa points out, "what has been accomplished this year is about so much more than a masters degree." Now he has one year to complete his thesis.

Update

Tomorrow, Mom will have her 4th treatment with 2 treatments to go (Dec. 14 and 21).

Over the summer, Mom developed lymphedema in her legs"which refers to swelling that occurs most often in your arms or legs. The swelling occurs when a blockage in your lymphatic system prevents the lymph fluid in your arm or leg from draining adequately. As the fluid accumulates, the swelling continues." Mom started receiving therapy this past week on Thursday and Friday about only 10 min. away in Ocean View. She really likes the therapist and has already seen and felt improvement. Dad was shown how to do the massages, and they showed Mom how she can massage her legs herself. Next week, she will have 3 therapy sessions.

We are excited that Lisa's family will be able to spend Christmas at Mom and Dad's. They will be flying into Baltimore on Christmas Eve Day and will ride with Dave and I to Delaware. Although they won't be with us for Thanksgiving, they will still enjoy time with family since our cousin, Jennifer, and her family live in Tampa less than an hour away. Uncle Ronnie and Aunt Judy have been in town visiting Jen's family so Lisa's family will enjoy time with them as well.

Here is an UPDATE on Lisa's husband, John (written by Lisa after their appt. at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL on Nov. 4).
The specialist asked many questions, looked at medical records, did a physical assessment, and gathered the info regarding all that has transpired since July 25th. Based on his knowledge, experience, and assessment, he believes that John has Transverse Myelitis. Here is a link that explains it in detail. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/transversemyelitis/detail_transversemyelitis.htm We believe this onset was probably from a viral infection - as John was sick with ear infections and some type of virus right before all of this started - so it may have stimulated some auto-immune issues that are similar to GBS. However his symptoms do not meet the criteria for GBS or PLS or ALS. Based on the fact that John made improvements after his first hospitalization, and has recently begun to make more progress, he feels that John should have significant recovery. He believes that the setback John had the end of September could have been exacerbated by a vaccination he received. We were told that he should focus on getting stronger in physical therapy and give it time. We feel a whole lot of relief that this is something that should get better over time, when there were other diagnoses mentioned to us that would have meant worsening symptoms as the years go by. Whew!

Thank you for your continued prayer and support for Mom and Dad!

Prayer for Team Wingate

For those who weren't already aware, Mom has been back at Hopkins for a CT scan and later a PET scan (which is used to detect cancer and assess its response to chemo). This past Monday was the appointment with Dr. Giuntoli to discuss the PET scan and the prescribed treatment. This Monday (Oct. 19) Mom will starts 6 weeks of chemo treatment (3 cycles). At the end of the 6 weeks, there will be another PET scan.

I know so many of you prayed for Mom and Dad before, and I have no doubt that every prayer was heard. Your prayers are needed again, and I thank you in advance for them.

Please pray:
~for strength for both Mom and Dad
~for remembrance of God's faithfulness in the past
~for the chemo to be effective and for healing of this area behind the bowel
~for minimal side effects
~for the pain in her abdomen/back to subside


Healer
You hold my every moment
You calm my raging seas
You walk with me through fire
And heal all my disease

I trust in You
I trust in You

I believe You're my Healer
I believe You are all I need
I believe You're my Portion
I believe You're more than enough for me
Jesus You're all I need

Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible for You
You hold my world in Your hands

Mom's in Florida!!!!!

So, that last time I posted, I mentioned Mom's FIRST attempt to fly down to Florida before Ali started Kindergarten. We had booked her flight but then decided to cancel it since it wouldn't have been the best for Mom to have been around Lisa's son, Ryan, who was sick at the time.

Mom hadn't flown in about 23 years which was back when Lisa was involved in an Odyssey of the Mind event in Arizona. Today, Mom went through security and found her gate with no problems so before we know it, she'll be a seasoned traveler! She even made a friend...a woman was behind her in the security line, and somehow Mom discovered this woman was also headed to Lakeland. So they sat near each other at the gate, and the woman even sat next to Mom on the plane...and it's funny since Mom had said, "it would be nice if there was someone I could chat with next to me". Another connection they had is that they are both Christians...not sure how they discovered that...possibly because of the books Mom brought along. So that was just one more little way that God blessed Mom as she traveled today! Mom plans to fly back home on either Saturday or Sunday so Ryan and Ali will have almost a week with their Mom-mom!

Mom wanted to fly down to Lakeland, FL today so she could be with Lisa and the kids while John is in the hospital. For those who weren't aware, Lisa's husband, John, was diagnosed with Meningitis and Gullian Barre Syndrome in late July, and here are the recent updates from Lisa:

(As a follow-up to my post from August, John was able to come home from the hospital BEFORE Ali started Kindergarten which was an answer to prayer!)

Sept. 22
We have hit a little snag in John's recovery process and I wanted to ask you to please pray. It has been 5 weeks since John has been out of the hospital. While he was there for almost a month he made great progress - going from not being able to hardly move his legs while lying in bed- to being able to walk with a walker. He came home and started physical therapy 2-3 times per week. Progress seemed to slow down, even plateau. The end of last week, he was complaining of his legs feeling more tired. Sunday afternoon, he fell twice - having never fallen since being home. Today at PT, John was in the hydrotrack and his legs started to give way - causing an emergency evacuation that got the staff's adrenaline flowing! The doctor at the rehab suspects that John might be experiencing some kind of relapse.

Sept. 23
Last night after the neuro eval, the doctor suggested that the numbness could be caused by something other than the GBS, b/c he has some leg strength and his reflexes are good. There has been another series of back and brain MRI's - but nothing significant has emerged yet. They have started him on a IV steroid treatment, to treat any inflammation that might be contributing to this.

Sept. 24
From the beginning of this - when John was first diagnosed with the Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS) - it was also told that he had a very atypical presentation. There were some things that didn't add up, but he received the protocol treatment and improved as time went on and he had physical therapy. As he has been evaluated by his neurologist this time, there have been some things that have again not fit the GBS profile - especially hyper-reflexes and good muscle strength. Also - before, his right leg was the weakest - but this time it is his left leg. The neurologist has now narrowed this down to 2 possible new diagnoses, the first of which he is leaning more towards. They are called Multifocal Motor Neuropathy (MNN)http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/multifocal_neuropathy/multifocal_neuropathy.htm and Primary Lateral Sclerosis (PLS)http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/primary_lateral_sclerosis/primary_lateral_sclerosis.htm.He is seeming to think it is the MMN, and will be doing more testing to see. Treatment for the MMN often includes the mmunoglobulin treatments he received when they believed it was GBS. These 2 conditions are rare - so much so that the neurologist has hardly seen any cases. So it is possible we might be reaching out to some more docs in time, possibly at Mayo clinic in Jacksonville, who have more experience. For now, he will be finishing out his steroid treatments, and will be possibly be going to the rehab floor again. There will be some more testing, and we will go from there.

Sept. 28
Nerve study that seemed "good" but keep praying.... increased numbness in his legs and hands compared to last Monday.

So as Lisa requested, please pray for John and the medical staff who is treating him and trying to figure everything out. I also ask that you'd pray for strength for Lisa as well as she continues to her household and her job.

No more port!

Mom's port was removed on Tuesday (sorry I'm late on updating), and the surgery went very well! Since I'm still on summer break, I was able to go up to Hopkins to wait with Dad and also see Mom before/after her surgery. It was good to see Dr. Giuntoli again, a man we are so thankful for!

Mom was asking right after her surgery about the possibility of going down to Florida to visit Lisa and her family, and a day later, we had a flight booked for her. She heads down to Florida this Tuesday and will return the following Saturday. Mom wants some time to visit Ali before she starts Kindergarten on Aug. 24 and also wants to help Lisa while John is continuing physical therapy at the hospital. For those who weren't aware, Lisa's husband, John, has been in the hospital for 2 weeks after he was diagnosed with viral meningitis and Guillian Barre Syndrome which caused him to lose feeling from his chest down. He is doing much better now. He began his therapy with moving himself from the bed to the wheelchair, and most recently he stood with a walker. I know many of you have been faithful with praying for Mom, and if you would please pray for John as well, we'd appreciate it. The doctors have made Aug. 27 the discharge date/goal, but Lisa thinks it will be sooner and prays that it is so John can be home before Ali's first day of Kindergarten.

Thank you for praying for:
-John as he presses on with physical therapy
-Mom's trip down to Florida

Wingate Family Week

UPDATE on Mom

~She gets her port out on Tuesday, August 4. ~

She had visit to the emergency room at Beebe Medical Center in Lewes via the ambulance on Thursday after not feeling like she could get out of bed that morning. Mom said it felt as if there were a force pulling her back down to the bed after she sat up. Tests were done that came back fine so there was no real conclusion as to what caused that feeling. It possibly may have been linked to her blood pressure. She hasn't had that feeling since but has had some slight dizziness.

~Otherwise, she is continuing to recover and rests when she needs to. She has been getting her sense of taste back so she's definitely been enjoying all the many flavors of food again!

On Monday, Lisa's family and I arrived at Mom and Dad's, and the fun began! Mom had fixed lots of yummy dishes for us...throughout the week we had crabcakes, meatloaf, oven-fried chicken, potato salad, broccoli salad, macaroni & cheese, corn on the cob and for dessert....blueberry pie with Breyer's vanilla ice cream and Tandy Cake. Dad also fixed his fabulous blueberry pancakes. Below are some pictures and a VIDEO from the week:

Ryan followed Missy under the table

Ryan lounging on Amigo

Amigo and Ali

Mom and Ryan

Ryan laying on Missy

Dad and Ryan sleeping

Ali and Ryan at the pool

Dad, Ryan, and Missy

Ali and Ryan on Ryan's very FIRST ride!

Lisa, Ali, and Mom at girls' lunch at Harpoon Hannas

Ali eating cotton candy in Ocean City

Ali singing "You Never Let Go" accompanied by John on the piano

(Remember to "pause" the music at the bottom to listen to this video).

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death

Your perfect love is casting out fear

And even when I’m caught in the middle of the storms of this life

I won’t turn back, I know You are near

And I will fear no evil, For my God is with me

And if my God is with me,

Whom then shall I fear? Whom then shall I fear?

Chorus:Oh no, You never let go

Through the calm and through the storm

Oh no, You never let go

In every high and every low

Oh no, You never let go

Lord, You never let go of me

And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on

A glorious light beyond all compare

And there will be an end to these troubles

But until that day comes

We’ll live to know You here on the earth

Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on

And there will be an end to these troubles

But until that day comes

Still I will praise You, still I will praise You

Follow-up appt. at Hopkins today

It's been 2 weeks since the final chemo treatment, and today Mom had a follow-up appointment with Ann Marie and Dr. G.
*It was discussed when Mom will have her port removed which will probably be sometime in July.
*Mom has had some swelling in her feet caused by fluid retention, and there is some therapy for that. They said for now, massaging of her feet will help along with walking short distances.
*Dr. G. ordered a sonogram, and that will be done at Beebe.

In other news, Lisa's family (and I) will be visiting Mom and Dad next Monday (July 6-9) so we're all looking forward to that family time together. I'll be sure to post some pics! I'm sure Ali will be our little photographer again and get lots of great shots!

That's about it...except for one last thing...can you guess what Dad fixed for dinner tonight? It had been quite a while since he fixed his Shepherd's Pie....and he does an EXCELLENT job too...it's quite yummy!

Happy Father's Day!

You've always watched over me, and helped me out,
You truly are the best father, without a doubt.
So today is your day, and I am proud,
You are my father, and I'll say it loud,
You raised me well, I've got to say,
Dad, I Love You, Happy Father's Day!
~Author Unknown


The song below was the song my dad and I danced to on my wedding day nearly 8 yrs. ago!



Father's Love by Bob Carlisle

Three feet tall and full of questions
You must have thought I was the smartest man alive
I didn't always have the answers
To every little how and where and why

Like Daddy, why's the sky so blue today?
Does Jesus really hear me when I pray?
When I grow up, will I be just like you?
Will I be tall and strong and brave?

CHORUS(1):
There is no power on earth like your fathers' love
So big and so strong as your father's love
A promise that's sacred, a promise from heaven above
No matter where you go... always know
You can depend on your father's love

Especially when it's cold, especially when you're lonely
When your little heart is lost trying to find it's way
I know the world is always changing
But, remember that some things never change

And even when my life on earth is through
There will still be a part of me in you
'Cause some things are forever
Nothing's ever gonna take my love from you

CHORUS(2):
There is no power on earth like your father's love
So big and so strong as your father's love
A promise that's sacred, a promise from heaven above
Did I hug enough, did I care enough
When you most needed me, Was I there enough
Enough to make you feel the power of Your father's love

Plugging on!

Mom continues to do well...she was told it would take about a month for her to feel more normal and for all the side effects to go away so she's being patient. She looks forward to her digestion being back to normal, getting her taste buds back, feeling more energy, and taking less medications.

This past week, Mom was called and asked to do the scripture reading at church on Sunday, and she said "yes" so she and Dad will have the opportunity to stand together and read from God's Word which is so full of His promises to us. This Sunday is special for that reason and also because it is Father's Day....and because it the FIRST Sunday service back in the main sanctuary (mold now removed)...and because the area bishop will be in attendance!

School is out now which means I'm able to visit Mom and Dad during the week now, and Dad has a break from his school bus route but is staying plenty busy with his lawnmowing (especially with ALL the rain we've been having). On Thursday night, we enjoyed our annual crab feast....we decided to try the new Old Mill Crabhouse (at an old Dough Roller location).

So Much in Love

Know that song by the Tymes? If not, click the video below to hear it! This song was sung to Mom and Dad this past week by one of the security guards at Hopkins when he saw them holding hands. The guard continued to sing even after Mom and stepped into the elevator!

In the elevator, there were 2 women, and one woman said, "I'm hatin' you!" when she saw Mom and Dad holding hands. Then she clarified and said, "you might not know that lingo so what I meant is "I'm jealous"!" HA!

On Tuesday, Mom fixed a meal and had friends over for dinner. Wednesday was her treatment, and then she had more energy on Thurs. and Fri. so she fixed some white chicken chili and her chocolate pie dessert. Mom can't really taste the dishes she makes, and we're hoping it doesn't take long for her taste buds to return after her last chemo. treatment so she can enjoy food again.

Two weeks from the last treatment is when Mom will go back to see Dr. G and find out how she will be monitored over the next months.

*CORRECTION* - ONE More Treatment to Go!!!!

Today, Mom and Dad met with a doctor on Dr. Giuntoli's team who shared with them that Mom actually only needs 7 cycles of chemo so.....next Wednesday is her LAST treatment!!!! It was Dr. G's assistant who thought Mom would need the full 9 cycles, and we're so glad she was incorrect!

CT scan results

Mom was able to get the results of the CT scan today over the phone instead of waiting until tomorrow when they meet with the doctor. The scan appeared the same as it did before the chemo so that is good. There is a nodule on the lung which was there before (but it also hasn't changed), and there doesn't seem to be concern about it.

Tomorrow, Mom starts the 7th cycle of treatment, and it has been determined she will have the full 9 cycle treatment (which means 6 more treatments including tomorrow). So we thank God for the positive report from the scan but also ask Him for continued strength and endurance for Mom. She is such a trooper...ideally, she would choose 6 cycles over 9 cycles, but she is remaining positive and knows she's in the best hands (of the staff at Hopkins and more importantly, the hands of our Creator who knows us inside and out). I was just rereading today an e-mail update I'd sent out after Mom's surgery that included a long list of so many little details that God used to show us He was "upholding us with His righteous right hand".

Thanks to everyone for your prayers, love, and support! So many of you have been such a blessing to Mom and Dad in so many different ways!

In pastures green? Not always, sometimes He
who knowest best, in kindness leadeth me
In weary ways, where heavy shadows be.

So, whether on the hilltops high and fair
I dwell, or in the sunless valleys, where
The shadows lie, what matter? He is there.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
His love endures forever.
Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord
or fully declare His praise?
Psalm 106:1-2

(Lyrics from the song If You Say Go)
If you say step out on the water and they say it can’t be done
We’ll fix our eyes on you and we will come
Your ways are higher than our ways
And the plans that You have laid are good and true
If You call us to the fire, You will not withdraw Your hand
We’ll gaze into the flames and look for You

*Correction*

The CT scan was actually yesterday (Tuesday). Next Wednesday, Mom and Dad will meet with Dr. Giuntoli, and Mom will start the 7th cycle of treatment (with the 2nd part of the cycle being the following Wed.). We're hoping and praying that June 10 will be the LAST day of treatment!

Memorial Day

This Wednesday is when Mom and Dad go back up to Hopkins for the CT scan. This is her "off week" of chemo when they normally have a break from driving up there. Another cycle of treatment has been ordered though it is pending the results of the CT scan. It appears she may need that cycle since the CA-125 level isn't quite low enough...it has continued to go down though...it is at 75 right now.

Last week's treatment brought back the fatigue towards the end of the week so Mom's energy level has been low the past 4 days or so. We did get out to one of Mom and Dad's favorite restaurants in OC on Sat. night (the Marina Deck...where I had my first taste of Smith Island Cake....yummmmm), but Mom couldn't really taste the fried shrimp she got there. On Sat. morning, Dad fixed his yummy breakfast (eggs, biscuits, melted cheese, and scrapple...pretty much our Christmas breakfast), and Mom enjoyed that. Eggs have been the main food that has continued to taste good throughout all the treatments.

Mom and Dad's new plan from Mediacom includes the caller ID, and they now have new phones with the caller ID display so don't be surprised now when you call and they are already aware it is you! Also, Mom has a new e-mail address: dbwingate@mchsi.com .

THANK YOU for your faithfulness in praying for Mom and Dad as they continue on this journey!

Galatians 12:9 But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. "

Blue skies again!

I have to say it's such a blessing to have a day like today with the sun shining and temps in the lower 70's!

Yesterday, Mom and Dad were thrilled that things moved along so quickly with Mom's chemo treatment. Usually, there is time spent waiting but NONE this time, and they were able to leave earlier than normal! They met with Dr. Giuntoli, and he said not to get too wrapped up in the CA-125 numbers which was good to hear. A CAT scan will be done on May 26, and if it appears to be clear, Mom may be done with her treatments. So we ask prayer for patience over the next couple weeks and for a positive report from the CAT scan!

Last week was the "off week" for treatment so it was a higher energy week. Mom had an appointment with her heart doctor, and he said they've been doing the right thing by taking her blood pressure twice a day and adjusting Mom's blood pressure medicine according to the numbers.

Thank you for continuing to bless Mom with your prayers, cards, and thoughts! Since she has hi-speed internet now, so she can view my blog more easily AND you are welcome to leave comments below the posts!

(Remember to silence the music at the bottom of the blog before viewing videos!)

Happy Mother's Day!

It was such a gorgeous day to celebrate Mother's Day! We went to church and then headed to Salisbury for lunch at Brew River. Salisbury was our destination since we needed to stop at Best Buy to get more RAM for Mom's computer. Mom and Dad got set up with hi-speed internet this past week, and thanks to Dave, they are able to Skype now and SEE Lisa's family in Florida and chat with them! Mother's Day was all the more special since everybody was able to see each other face-to-face!

Mothers and Daughters

You can see it in their eyes,
in tender hugs and long good-byes,
a love that only moms and daughters know.

You can see it in their smiles,
through passing years and changing styles,
a friendship that continually seems to grow.

You can see it in their lives,
the joy each one of them derives,
in just knowing that the other one is there...

To care and to understand,
lend an ear or hold a hand,
and to celebrate the memories they share.


My Mother's Heart
by Jill Lemming

My mother's heart is so tender
and her face has a gentle glow
She's my friend and my inspiration,
she's the sweetest mom I know.

She gives herself so freely
to those who share her life
She clearly loves her children
with the love that comes from Christ

Her eyes are full of compassion
her voice is soft and mild
She lives for helping others,
leaving "heartprints" all the while.

My mother's love is special
and grows sweeter with every year
God blessed me with an angel;
she's my precious mother, dear.


Proverbs 31:28
Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:

Today was Mom's 2nd time back at church, and we went to breakfast at the Froghouse afterwards. Mom pushed herself to go and was pretty tired afterwards. The last two Mondays she has had treatments, and the weekends following have brought fatigue. With the fatigue, it's important for her to drink alot and get her blood pressure back up since it usually gets low.

Mom and Dad have such supportive neighbors. Their next-door neighbor continues to take care of Missy on Mom's treatment days when they're away from home for 9-12 hours. One of their neighbors has had them over for dinner a few times and this past weekend brought over a couple DVD's she'd borrowed from the library. We watched Miss Potter, the movie based on Beatrix Potter's life...she's the one who wrote the The Tale of Peter Rabbit. Dad didn't think he'd like it, but he ended up enjoying it too....and it was interesting to watch the additional footage at the end that gave more detail about Miss Potter's life.

Mom made Strawberry Pretzel Salad and Tandy Cake on Thursday so we enjoyed that over the weekend. She had purchased a jelly roll pan at Kohls with her gift card with the intent to use it to make the Tandy Cake, and she wasted no time trying it out! She seemed to enjoy the cake but didn't have much taste for the Pretzel Salad....however, she did like Dad's Shepherd's pie.

Mom's bloodwork from Thursday revealed that the number for the CA-125 blood test is down to 111. She is near the end of the 6 cycles suggested, and the number needs to be below 30. A week from tomorrow, they will have their appt. with Dr. Giuntoli, and I believe the plan is for her to have a CAT scan.

It is looking like Mom may need more than 6 cycles of treatment (the limit is 9). We know God is still at work, and we give Him all the glory for what He has done and what He will continue to do. We pray that God would continue to guide the team of doctors treating Mom. Thank you for continuing to lift up Mom in your prayers!

This afternoon, we were watching a stand-up comedy show on Fox (ya know comedians are good when they can be funny AND clean!) Anyway, this guy below is named Tim Hawkins, and he's pretty funny...we all got a kick out of him. We didn't see this video on TV today, but I found it on YouTube. (As he says, sometimes it is a bummer that Chic-Fil-A is closed on Sundays, but it IS pretty cool that they are able to give their employees that day off AND still be so successful!!!)

Happy Birthday, Mom!

TODAY is Mom's birthday, and she had a great day! She was up early and not able to go back to sleep so she headed over to Salisbury earlier than planned. She was at Kohls by 7:30am...a true shopper! A friend planned to meet her for breakfast at 9:30am, and Mom got lots of shopping done before they even met! She had fun using her gift cards to Kohls, Michaels, and Cold Stone Creamery!

Last night, Mom and Dad went to Outback for dinner to celebrate Mom's birthday a little early. Food has lost its flavor again, but as before, she does feel like eating and is doing well with maintaining her weight so way to go, Mom!

Tomorrow night, a neighbor is having them over for dinner, and this weekend, Dad plans to fix....can you guess....Shepherd's Pie!

Marching on....

Last week, Mom had more energy near the beginning of the week, so she took advantage of it by doing some shopping with a friend in Salisbury. While she was waiting at a seating area for her friend to finish shopping, Mom had one person tell her she looked like a model in her jeans and denim hat.....another person said she looked so relaxed! :-) Mom got some new summer clothes that fit her better just in time for these warmer temps we've had lately!

I had the chance to visit Mom and Dad today while Mom was receiving her treatment at Hopkins. It's not always easy for the nurses to get the IV in place and find the port, but Mom is a trooper and was patient with the nurses (it's also tricky since Mom has small veins).

Dad continues to take excellent care of Mom...they are monitoring her blood pressure closely with a cuff they're borrowing from a neighbor.

I ask that you continue to pray that God and the chemo would remove any cancer cells from Mom's body during her treatments. It's hard to believe it's been 4 months since Mom's surgery, and I continue to remember what a blessing it has been to have God on our side as well as all of you on this journey. At the Kimmel Cancer Center at Hopkins, when you leave the parking garage, "HAVE A SAFE JOURNEY" is painted across the wall...that struck me one day that it said "journey"....

I went to a concert on Saturday night that featured Meredith Andrews ("You're Not Alone" from my playlist), Chris Sligh, and Natalie Grant. Below are the lyrics and link to "Our Hope Endures" by Natalie Grant.

Our Hope Endures http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xg6b5T7I6VE

You would think only so much can go wrong
Calamity only strikes once
And you assume that this one has suffered her share
Life will be kinder from here

Sometimes the sun stays hidden for years
Sometimes the sky rains night after night
When will it clear
But our hope endures the worst of conditions
It's more than our optimism
Let the earth quake
Our hope is unchanged

How do we comprehend peace within pain
Our joy at a good man's wake
Walk a mile with a woman whose body is torn
With illness but she marches on

Emanuel, God is with us
El Shaddai, all sufficient
Emanuel, God is with us
El Shaddai, all sufficient
Emanuel, God is with us
El Shaddai, all sufficient

We never walk alone
This is our hope
Our hope endures,
the worst of conditions
It's more than our optimism
let the earth quake
let the earth quake
let the earth quake
Our hope is unchanged

Welcome back, Taste Buds!

So yeah, Mom has been loving being able to taste more foods lately! While in OC this past week, she enjoyed a yummy BLT. On Friday, Mom and Dad had dinner at a friend's house and on Saturday, met some friends for dinner at Outback. Today, with her lunch, Mom ate an entire container of potato salad herself and later made some Taco Soup for dinner. She has gained 3 pounds so that's a pretty clear indication that she's enjoying food again!

Also....Mom went to church today for the first time since early December! She felt very encouraged by all the hugs and words of love....thanks, all of you at Mariners who are reading!!! The next time Mom goes to church, she will most likely be at my old elementary school (Lord Baltimore in Ocean View) since Mariners needs to close the building due to mold that was found :-(.

Mom's birthday is coming up (April 29) so I asked what she'd like for her birthday. She mentioned a Michael's gift card since she interested in starting some type of stitching perhaps like what my mom-mom does (embroidery on pillowcases and tea towels). So we'll see what Mom ends up deciding to do!

It seems each time I talk to Mom she tells me about another person who is following this blog, and I want to thank all of you who are visiting since I know it means you care about my mom and are praying for her! Mom and Dad truly appreciate all the cards, phone calls, etc. that they have received. She was just saying a little earlier that it means so much to know SO MANY people are praying for her!

Tomorrow is the beginning of the first treatment of Cycle 5, and they will be meeting with Dr. Giuntoli as they have been every three weeks. Click HERE for a bio of Dr. Giuntoli. We are very thankful for this man and his excellent team!

Dr. Giuntoli

HERE you will find a few stories from women who have been treated at Hopkins for ovarian cancer.

Praying for:
~a pain Mom has had in her side for a few weeks...praying that the doctors will keep this at the forefront of their minds and address it accordingly
~safe traveling and smooth day of treatment at Hopkins tomorrow

Praising God for:
~the simple pleasure of enjoying food again :-)
~so many high energy days
~the encouragement He's providing through so many of YOU

Open for Comments!

Feel free to leave a comment, word of encouragement, scripture, etc. (since now you do NOT need a Google account to leave a comment)!

Happy 35th Anniversary!!!!!!

(Mom and Dad shortly after they got Missy in March '08)

Yes, today Mom and Dad celebrate 35 years of marriage!!!! They celebrated a little early and went to the House of Welsh in Fenwick on Saturday. Tonight, some friends are joining them for the ribs special at Bethany Blues.

EASTER

Last week, I shared that Mom had little side effects right after treatment and has so much more energy than she normally does that week of treatment.....and this past week was the SAME!!!! This week is her week off from chemo so it should be another high-energy week....WOW...3 weeks in a row!

On Thursday, Mom prepared an early Easter dinner since I was there on my Spring Break Wed. night-Fri. night. She fixed ham, baked pineapple, mac n' cheese, seasoned green beans, baked potatoes, cornbread, and cherry pie. Mom needed little help from me...all I did was shred and slice some sharp cheese for the macaroni and do the dishes. She had to get a different ham, and she made the mac n' cheese a little differently so she wasn't sure how they would turn out. Everything tasted fabulous as it always does! And the company was great as well since Mom had invited over a sweet couple who they've been friends with for a long time.

On Friday, I was in the kitchen when I saw an Edible Arrangements van pull up in front of the house so I said, "Mom, I think you're getting an Edible Arrangement!" If you're not familiar with them, they are so pretty, and the fruit always tastes so fresh! It turns out they were from some friends of theirs who they would be seeing that night for a surprise birthday party for the wife. This party is the biggest social gathering she's been to since before her surgery so it's such a blessing that she feels the energy to go and is comfortable being out and about.

Mom sported both of her wigs while I was there. The first wig (more curl) she got was from a store in Rehoboth and the second one (more straight) is from the Amercian Cancer Society catalog where she's gotten her cute hats. They both look great on her...the first one has highlights in it, and the 2nd one is more the color her hair was before.

On Sunday, Mom and Dad are planning to go to their favorite place for breakfast in Bethany, The Froghouse, and they're invited to a friend's home for Easter dinner. Mom continues to eat pretty well, but everything still tastes the same so she looks forward to being able to taste again when the treatments are over.

Dad is busier now that lawn mowing season has started. It seems to be good timing though since Mom's energy levels have been higher recently.

Mom's CA-125 levels have been dropping significantly after each treatment cycle, but this past time, they only dropped a little. She is at 160 right now, I believe, and they need to be at 30 or below. She has completed 4 cycles of treatment and has 2 more to go to complete the minimum of 6 cycles. She may need to receive more depending on the CA-125 levels. Click here to find out more about CA-125.

April 20 - Treatment 5a
April 27 - Treatment 5b
May 11 - Treatment 6a
May 18 - Treatment 6b

I ask prayer that despite the CA-125 level report received yesterday, Mom and Dad would continue to be encouraged and reminded of God's faithfulness in the past. Our God who loves us so much that He sent His only Son to die for us knows our needs and will continue to provide!

FORGIVEN

A little boy had just been tucked into bed by his mother, who was waiting to hear his prayers. But he had been naughty that day, and now it was bothering him. So he said, "Mama, I wish you'd go now and leave me alone. I want to pray by myself."

Sensing that something was wrong, she asked, "Bobby, is there anything you ought to tell me?" "No, Mommy," he replied. "You would just scold me, but God will forgive me and forget about it."

That little boy understood one of the greatest salvation benefits of all—the reality of sins forgiven. The Bible indicates that in Christ "we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins" (Col. 1:14). We who have received the Lord Jesus as Savior enjoy freedom from sin's eternal condemnation (Rom. 8:1), and we can also have daily forgiveness and cleansing (1 John 1:9).

The apostle Paul said that salvation provides these added benefits: we are justified (Rom. 3:24), and we are at peace with God (5:1).

We should never get the idea that our sins are taken lightly by the Lord. But when we acknowledge our guilt with true repentance, God is ready to forgive because of what Jesus did on the cross. It's up to us to accept it. — Richard De Haan

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small:
Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all. —Watts

When God forgives a sin, He never brings it up again.

Pleasant surprise

A little synopsis of Mom's week:

Monday - chemo at Hopkins
Tuesday - drove for the first time since early December
Wednesday - lunch with co-workers
Thursday - dinner with friends in OC

Normally, she doesn't feel like being out and about the days right after chemo so it was a pleasant surprise for her to have so much energy. We wonder if the increase in energy was related to the decrease in her blood pressure medicine...who knows, all we know is it was a very nice change!

On Friday, she started to feel tired again, and she's also feeling tired today. She enjoyed feeling enough energy to be able to eat out this past week, but food is still tasting pretty much the same. It's good that she feels like eating though since it's important that she's getting enough calories and fluids.

Thank you for your continued prayer and support! Mom continues to get encouraging cards from thoughtful friends and family, and it is such a blessing to know so many people are praying and thinking of her!

FANTASTIC WEEK!!!

So, YES, this was a wonderful week for Mom! No chemo last week so that played a big part in her having more energy and feeling like being out and about!

Tuesday
-appt. with the heart doc....her dosage for blood pressure meds was cut in half
-shopped around at Macy's
Friday
-dinner at Cactus Cafe
Saturday
-shopping at Peebles in Rehoboth
-dinner out with Mack and Kendra
Sunday
-listened to Danny Tice's sermon on TV (Bay Shore Community Church)
-also listened to Charles Stanley on TV...I didn't realize he had a Sun. morning program. I started receiving his free InTouch magazines after reading some of Mom's magazines on the beach this past summer...highly recommend them...you can subscribe at http://www.intouch.org/.

One day Mom was at the grocery store with Dad and said she didn't feel tired like she has before after walking around Hockers. Also, Mom was checking her e-mail this past week (I knew b/c they have dial-up and I couldn't reach her when I had a cooking question) so that's another indication that Mom was feeling better this past week....and those of you who have sent Mom an e-mail over the past couple weeks, now you know she got it! :-)

A sweet friend of Mom's gave her a book called When God Weeps: Why Our Sufferings Matter to the Almighty written by Joni Eareckson Tada and her pastor friend, Steve Estes. For those who aren't familar with Joni (pronounced "Johnny"), she has lived as a quadriplegic for over 30 years and has ministered all over the world. Mom has been reading this book, and I'm going to order it as well. If interested in reading reviews of it, there are plenty on Amazon.com, and I listed one at the end of this post.

Tomorrow, Mom and Dad head to Hopkins for another treatment and have another one the following Monday. These days have become part of the routine, but that doesn't make it any easier. The day of the treatment isn't fun, and the days after aren't either, but I pray that the Lord would keep at the front of her mind that this is all temporary and that her energy will come back. Mom and Dad have become more accustomed to how Mom reacts and responds to the chemo, and they're trying to control the side effects the best they can.

On a different note, I wanted to commend Nascar...wonder why? Well, this afternoon before leaving Mom and Dad's, the race was about to start and I was amazed at what happened before our national anthem was played...there was a prayer! And later, the cameras even showed a racing team down on their knees in a circle praying...it's just refreshing when so many people are trying to take prayer out of everything, and it has remained in Nascar.

Praising God for...
-increased energy level this past week
-faithful friends, family, and neighbors
-for Ali (Lisa's daughter)...she turned 5 on Thursday and got to go to DISNEY on her birthday! :-)

Praying for...
-a smooth day of treatment and for the chemo to be ready so there is less time waiting
-continued strength for Mom and Dad

(A review by Michelle Holderman of When God Weeps:
"When God Weeps: Why Our Sufferings Matter to the Almighty" is one of the absolute best books I've read concerning the issue of "Why do we suffer?!?" and "Does it really matter to God?" A friend recommended this book to me, as I have struggled with my own chronic illness and the whole 'Why?' 'For what?' 'How come?' mentality. Plainly put, suffering is hard. There is nothing "glorious" about it. Since dealing with my disease and after reading this book, I've come to see that suffering takes us to a whole new level of God's grace. It accomplishes things we may not truly understand in this life. It is a teacher, albeit a difficult one a lot of times, but it draws us closer to God. It produces endurance and sharpens our character. Joni Eareckson Tada co-wrote this book with her pastor friend, Steven Estes, although Tada wrote the majority of it. I receive so well from her, because of all she has endured. She is an inspiration to me. This book is scripturally based and the firm, honest, yet compassionate approach to this painful issue was very well articulated. Sometimes, that can be a difficult feat to accomplish in the face of tragedy. I think so often, we as Christians may view "suffering" as something that involves only religious issues, when in fact, it permeates through every facet of our lives. This is another topic they touch on. She talks a little bit about some of her own struggles and gained insights over the years, and introduces us to a lot of people she's met along the way, who also endure suffering. "Endure" meaning to live with, to cope with. She asks the hard questions, but doesn't give 'pat answers.' This book is really more about the truths of God regarding suffering, than just 'suffering,' itself. There is a difference. )

Good news!

More good news...the numbers for Mom's CA-125 blood tests have continued to drop! They are now down to 188 (decreased by 100)!

Mom usually goes for treatments 2 Mondays in a row and then the next Monday off, and this week is the "off" week so she and Dad are both glad not to have to spend the day at Hopkins tomorrow. Although, she does have a check-up appointment with her heart doctor in Salisbury on Tuesday.

Praises:

~Blood test numbers have continued to drop.

Praying for:

~All to go well at the appt. with the heart doctor.

Thank you for continuing to pray for Mom and Dad!!!!!!

On another note, some of you may know that I am a Tastefully Simple consultant. "Founded in 1995, Tastefully Simple is the original national home taste-testing company. With over 50 delicious and convenient gourmet foods and gifts, we offer 'the food you love, the time you deserve'." From now until the end of June, whenever you place a Tastefully Simple order, 36% will be donated to the American Cancer Society. See below for some of my favorite products!

To order:

1. Visit http://www.tastefullysimple.com/ to view the all the products (which need 2 ingredients or less to make). Also, be sure to check out the recipe section!

2. E-mail your order to me at lwiltsey@comcast.net along with your address and phone number.

3. Your order will be shipped directly to you.

4. Payment can be made by check or credit card (Mastercard or Visa).

5. Thanks in advance for contributing to the American Cancer Society!

Some of my favorites:

Bountiful Beer Bread

Spinach Dip

Dried Tomato and Garlic Pesto Mix

Perfect Parmesan Biscuit Mix
Warm the Oven Savory Cheese Dip Mix\

Corn Black Bean Salsa

Nana's Apple Cake Mix

Creamy Caramel Sauce

Absolutely Almond Pound Cake Mix

Key Lime Cheeseball Mix

Cinnamon Muffin Melt Mix

Spring/Summer 2009 Products (available March-August)

Sweets & Drinks
Chocolate Bliss Cheeseball Mix
Country Blackberry Preserves
Just Peachy Cobbler Mix
Granola Goodness Jam Bar
Strawberry Sundae Chiller
Tiki Mai Tai Drink Mix
White Mousse Chiller Drink Mix
Pomegranate Blueberry Margarita Mix

Dips, Sauces, Salsas, Cheeseballs, and Dressings
Asian Honey Mustard Dressing
Asian Zen Noodle and Sauce Mix
Baby Blue Cheese Dip Mix
Chipotle Chili Dip Mix
Giddyup Guacamole Mix
Lemon Pepper Linguini & Clam Sauce
Mango Salsa
Pasta & Pomodoro Sauce Mix
Sassy Sangria Grill Sauce
Smoky Bacon Grill Sauce
Spicy Black Bean Dip
Pizzeria Cheese Ball Mix

Seasonings/Oils
Everyday Grillin' Seasoning
Greet Tea Peppercorn Seasoning
Meyer Lemon Infused Oil

THIRD treatment tomorrow

*Correction: Tomorrow is PART ONE of the THIRD treatment. The schedule has been a little confusing, but Dad was given a calendar last time so now it's more clear. PART TWO will be in 2 weeks.

On Saturday, we tried sandwiches from a newer subshop in Bethany. They were pretty good...Mom, Dad, and Dave had cheesesteak subs, and I had a Thanksgiving one (fresh turkey, dressing, and cranberry sauce). AND can you guess what else was on the menu for the weekend? You're right, Dad's Shepherd's Pie! He joked today that he's going to open up a restaurant and serve JUST shepherd's pie...hmmmmm.

Tomorrow is a long day, but hopefully it won't be as long as last Monday when they had to wait a while for the pharmacy to send up the chemo. Also, they don't have to be there quite as early as last Monday. Last week, when there were there, Mom said there a man on the staff who was praying with one of the patients receiving treatments so that was pretty cool!

Thank you for continuing to lift Mom and Dad up in your prayers!

A prayer I found online:
Heavenly Father, You are intimately aware of the struggle Mom is experiencing -- the pain and the despair. You know the desire of our hearts for her to be healed of this illness. I ask now for Your healing touch. I know that You are able and that just like those you healed in the Bible, You can heal her. I pray that through this trial, she will draw close to You -- that You will be her comfort and strength. I pray that ultimately You will be glorified through her. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Lyrics to the 2nd song on my song list (Lisa introduced this song to me....she sang it in the ICU.)

Healer

You hold my every moment
You calm my raging seas
You walk with me through fire
And heal all my disease

Pre-Chorus:
I trust in You
I trust in You

Chorus:
I believe You're my Healer
I believe You are all I need
I believe You're my Portion
I believe You're more than enough for me
Jesus You're all I need

Bridge:
Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible for You
You hold my world in Your hands

Treatment tomorrow

Like many of you, Mom and Dad were able to enjoy this first little taste of spring this weekend! Dad took the Harley out for a spin Saturday afternoon, and later Mom and Dad went out to Magnolia's for dinner (Mom likes their prime rib). They also enjoyed a stroll in their community, and Dad said Mom was taking bigger steps and picking up her pace some. These warmer days will provide more opportunities for Mom to get outside and enjoy the scenery outdoors rather than taking laps through the kitchen and around the dining room table.

Mom also got some more exercise when they were at Hocker's on Saturday. They were getting groceries that included ingredients for Strawberry Pretzel Salad. Some friends are having them over for dinner tonight, and Mom is taking her scrumptious salad over.

Tomorrow is Part 2 of her SECOND treatment. She will receive the chemo through the IV, and then next Monday she will receive it through the port. These days are very long...they leave home around 5:00am and usually get home around 8 or 9pm.

PRAISES:
~Mom's increased energy level the past few days
~warm weather for some outdoor exercise

PRAYING FOR:
~strength for Mom and Dad for tomorrow's long day at Hopkins for the 3rd treatment
~peace for Mom going into this treatment and a good night's rest tonight

Music to our ears!

When leaving work today, I saw that Dad had called twice. I call Mom and Dad most everyday on my way home from work so I was wondering what had made Dad call me twice. It turns out he was excited to give me the results of Mom's most recent bloodwork...it is down to 288!!! It started at 1541, went down to 925, and is now down to 288!!! PRAISE GOD!!!!!

Please pray that these numbers would be an encouragement to Mom. Anyone who has been through chemo before knows how hard it is on your body, and one is not exactly eager going into each treatment...but I pray Mom would feel confident and calm now that she's had 2 full treatments and has witnessed herself that she CAN DO THIS!!! We have an amazing team of people here on earth with friends, family, doctors, nurses, and surgeons, but the ONE on our team who loves Mom the most and who never grows weary is the true HEALER, our Lord and Savior!

The Name of the Lord is a Strong Tower....

..the righteous run to it, and they are safe. (Proverbs 18:10)

Isaiah 41:10
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

Psalm 121
I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there?My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber.Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night.The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life.The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.

Deuteronomy 31:88
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsakeyou. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

Philippians 4:66
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

Job 36:1515
But those who suffer he delivers in their suffering; he speaks to them in their affliction.

Psalm 103:2-5
Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Romans 8:37-38
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[m] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Visit with Lisa and the grandkids

What a fun weekend with the Dingles (pics to come)! I planned to pick Lisa and Ali (who turns 5 this month) from BWI on Friday morning and then drive to Mom and Dad's. On Wednesday, Lisa decided she just had to bring Ryan too (but didn't tell Mom)! So what a surprise when Pop-pop went out to get Lisa's luggage from the car and came back in with Ryan in his arms! Needless to say, the grandkids provided lots of smiles! We cracked up every time Ryan chased Missy around and used her as a pillow! Ali was quite the photographer and got lots of great shots with Aunt Lori and Uncle Dave's camera!

Mom's appetite has been pretty good. She made an Oklahoma Coconut Cake on Thursday, and it was soooo good...excellent recipe!!! A chocolate cake had been brought to them as well as two pies from Lancaster so we certainly enjoyed our desserts! Dad made some more Shepherd's Pie (see Feb. 8 post) and perfected his recipe by using only ONE can of gravy and added some peas and corn too! :-)

On Wednesday, Mom and Dad went to Rehoboth and got her wig trimmed. They also went to Nicola's and had lunch there....first meal OUT since before Christmas so that was a treat. Also, Mom and Dad went to Hocker's together on Thursday (Mom's first time at the grocery store in a long time) so it's a blessing for her to be able to do some of these everyday things again.

Mom and Dad are a part of Mariner's Bethel United Methodist Church in Ocean View. So many people from their church have been praying and showing support with visits and meals. Last week, their Sunday school class gave them a gift card to Royal Farm to help with the cost of the gas needed to go back and forth to Hopkins...so thoughtful...what a blessing that is!

Praises:
~safe traveling for Lisa, Ali, and Ryan
~Mom's appetite
~Mom feeling like being out of the house last week
~meals that are continuing to come (thank you to all the readers who have brought one)

Praying that:
~Mom would feel peace about her next treatment coming up in a week (March 9)
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)
~We would all remember and hold true to: "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God." (Mark 10:27)

Hard pressed on every side but not crushed....

Mom has now completed two treatments of chemo. This past Wednesday was when she was given the Neulasta shot (white blood cell booster) at the Weinburg Center at Hopkins (this is the building where everything is...surgery, ICU, treatments, parking garage, etc.). Originally it was thought that she would receive the shot the day after the treatment at home so Mom and Dad had some nurse friends in mind who could more skillfully give the shot....thanks to those ladies who were willing to help if needed!

I don't have as much to report this week. I stayed home for the weekend due to a school event but plan to be in DE next weekend (along with Lisa and her daughter, Ali, who plan to fly up from Florida).

Thank you for praying, and I ask for prayer that God would:
~give Mom the determination and courage to endure the cancer and the treatments
~provide strength for Dad
~shower His grace and peace over our whole family
~allow the chemo to do its job
~have His hand on the doctors and nurses who are caring for Mom
~provide smooth traveling for Lisa & Ali (Ali's first plane ride)

Praise God for:
~the meals that continue to come from friends and neighbors
~Mom's good days when she has had a greater appetite and felt like doing some cleaning around the house
~all the prayers and support from friends, family, and neighbors


(Encouragement sent to me from Lin S)
I Corinthians 4:7 -9 We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile jars of clay containing this great treasure This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. 8 We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. 9 We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.

What a beautiful word picture describing us as “fragile jars of clay” carrying about “this great treasure” of the light of God in our hearts. God designed us this way so that others will look at our weak bodies and our strong spirits and realized the light is from Him and not us.
The Bible never promises us a rose garden, but it does promise a light at the end of the tunnel (and no, it’s not a train!). We will be pressed on every side but not crushed, perplexed but not despairing, hunted down but not abandoned, knocked down but not destroyed. Keep your eyes on the treasure inside, not on the cracked jar outside.

(Encouragement from Sheryl)
My prayer for your mom would be that God would turn her eyes from the symptons and on Him. It is ok to ask "why?" He is still with you all in the whys and the why nots...it's ok! The scripture He gave to me that comforted me: Isaiah 43:1-2 : Brenda, when you pass through the cancer, I will be with you. Brenda, when you pass through the treatments, they will not sweep over you. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compasion on those who fear him.

Valentines Day

Mom and Dad received some yummy Valentines treats! One was a heart-shaped chocolate chip cookie with a big chocolate W on it (from a student who rides Dad's bus) and another was a yummy heart-shaped Red Velvet Cake (from a good friend of theirs)!

This Wednesday (Feb. 18) Mom goes back to Hopkins for the 2nd part of her 2nd treatment. After that, she goes back Monday, March 9. Originally, it was understood that there would be 3 weeks in between treatments, but it seems a little different now.

Mom's appetite is the same as it was after her first treatment, and Dad is trying different sources of protein for Mom to try since the dietician emphasized protein intake. Milkshakes seem good so Dad is thinking maybe some protein powder would work in those. I'm not sure how much flavor Mom actually tastes since she's said so much "just tastes the same", but the milkshakes seem to go down easier than anything else.

Mom is experiencing a great deal of fatigue and some nausea. I can't even begin to imagine how it feels, but she has expressed how "awful" it is. I know it's discouraging when all you can do is lay down all day and you can barely keep your eyes open. I pray that she would feel a sense of hope and truly know that "this too shall pass" and she will not always feel this way.

Your prayers for Mom and Dad are appreciated more than you know. I ask that you would continue to pray for Mom's health (physical, mental, and emotional) and for Dad as well. Dad has truly been amazing with keeping everything organized with appointments, medications, maintaining the house, etc. I pray that they would both be encouraged and that God would protect them from negative thoughts that the enemy would try to place in their minds.

For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - Jeremiah 29:11

Back Home

Tuesday -arrival at Hopkins at 6:30am/implanting of port
Wednesday - 2nd chemo treatment/oxygen level is low
Thursday -CAT scan shows fluid/one liter of fluid is drained/leave around 3:30pm

So, the low oxygen level was caused by the fluid in/or around the lungs that caused slight collapsing of the lung. After the fluid was drained, her oxygen level went from 80 to 93 to 96. Since her levels were back up, she was able to be discharged. It's possible this fluid was what caused the cough Mom has had since her surgery back in December (though she did have it checked out by her primary care doc....wish it could have been detected earlier but it's taken care of now.)

Though no time at the hospital is fun, it was nice for Mom and Dad to see some of the nurses who were with us back in December....Amy, Emily, Shamaica, and Aby....very special people! Shamaica discharged Mom back in December and discharged her today as well!

Implanting of Port & 2nd Treatment

Yesterday Mom's port was successfully implanted in her abdomen. A tool with a camera and/or light was used, and it appeared a repair was needed for a spot where the colon had attached to the stomach. So the surgery was a little more involved than we thought, and Mom had to have the dreaded breathing tube again which we hadn't anticipated. She made out fine though and remembers little of it, but she is pretty sore from this surgery unlike her previous one. She's on some good meds though that work pretty quickly. Today, she received her 2nd chemo treatment through the port. That went well, and they hoped to go home today but Mom's breathing levels dropped significantly. The last I heard from Dad was that they plan to do a CAT scan to see if they can find out why that happened. So that's a little "snag" but those were experienced back in December too and we just have to be as patient as we can. Fortunately, Dad has someone who has been substituting for him on the bus and a neighbor taking care of Missy, and they both would be able to help an extra day if needed.

Shopping

Today was a higher energy day for Mom...she felt like doing a bit of shopping! :-) This morning, she said, "I have an idea....let's go to Rehoboth to get that gift card for the Outlets." So we ran some errands in Rehoboth, and it was such a perfect day to be outdoors with it being so warm outside. We stopped at the Customer Service at the Outlets to get the gift card and right down from it was Dress Barn (a store Mom really likes), and she said she wanted to browse in there for a bit...shopping always makes a gal feel better, right? Chocolate too! Anyway, she only got a couple pair of socks, but it was definitely good for her to be doing something else besides sitting around home.

Mom's cough has subsided some. Her first inhale on her breathing tool today got her to 2000! It varies whether she is able to get a good night's sleep or not. Dad moved one of the living room recliners to the bedroom since in the middle of the night, Mom was often ending up out there.

Dad has a new favorite meal...Shepherd's Pie! A friend made some for them a few weeks ago, and Dad loved it...even ate it for breakfast one morning! So Dad decided he wanted to try to make some himself. It turned out pretty well which excited Dad, but Mom didn't quite share Dad's excitement for it. She preferred some Chic-Fil-A nuggets and PizzaBoli pizza.

Dad discovered on Friday that there is another Tibetan Spaniel (like their dog) ALSO named Missy at the Georgetown SPCA (where they got their 1st Tibetan Spaniel, Molly). He heard this on the radio and jokingly thought to himself, "did Mom get rid of Missy without me knowing today?" So today we were able to get online and see this photo of the "other Missy". Dad had been talking about how it would be nice to have 2 dogs and was tempted to go get Missy #2, but Mom was not in agreement. :-)

Mom never really wore hats before, but the ones she picked out from her friend's catalog look really cute on her! She has them in blue, black, and denim.

Tuesday is the next trip to Hopkins, and Mom and Dad have to be there at 6:45am. The port will be inserted, they'll stay overnight, and the treatment will be given on Wednesday. Please pray for peace as this next procedure and treatment are given. On Thursday, she will receive her first shot (the one given 24 hrs. after each treatment), and they plan to have a nurse friend give Mom the shot. We've heard that the response to the 1st chemo treatment is an indication of how the other treatments will go, so we're hoping this is true for Mom since she's done pretty well for the most part. She's quite tired but had only mild nausea and loss of appetite right in the few days following the treatment.

Christmas Dinner

Yes, we had Christmas dinner yesterday which is definite indication that Mom is feeling fairly well since she was in the kitchen getting the turkey, mac n' cheese, and dressing ready. We also had mashed potatoes, peas, and rolls. Gotta love those leftovers! No strawberry pretzel salad, but we'll have that next weekend since it's Dave's favorite, and he'll be going over with me then.

I'm happy to report that Mom is up to 1000 on her breathing tool, and the numbers from her blood tests dropped significantly since her chemo treatment (which is a good thing)!

On Sat. night, we rented "Fireproof" from Redbox...it's a must-see so go rent it if you haven't seen it yet! Mom and Dad really enjoyed it as I knew they would.

Today, we listened to Pastor Danny Tice's sermon on TV (Bay Shore Community Church) which has become the routine on Sunday mornings. The sermon series is entitled "Heavyweights", and today he was talking about the burden we have for the loved ones in our life. Pastor Danny was referring to Moses in the Bible and how Moses's mom had to release him to the Lord and trust God to take care of him. If his mom had kept him, he probably wouldn't have been taken in by Pharoah's daughter and would have been killed by Pharoah who had decreed that all baby boys must be killed. Only after Moses's mom let him go was God able to carry out His plan and protect Moses from Pharoah's decree through special favor with Pharoah's daughter. What hit home for me was the message that we have to let go, and let God....

Also, today we started to listen to past sermons from my parents' church, Mariner's Bethel. Mom and Dad have been soooooo blessed by their friends at Mariner's and Pastor Al. Before the surgery, Pastor Al came to visit Mom at home, and he came up to Hopkins after her surgery as well. Once she was home, he came again. At every visit, Pastor Al sang, and at the hospital, all the patients and nurses in 4B were able to hear Pastor Al as well since the door to Mom's room was open. The nurses out at the desk said to Dad, "wow, Mr. Wingate, you have a beautiful voice!" Dad was honest and admitted that his was not the voice they'd heard! :-)

Lastly, Mom hit 100.....that is 100 cards...and they're still coming...WOW!!!! What a blessing to receive so much love and support and know that so many people care about you!

The Heart, Mind, and Soul of a Cancer Survivor

The Heart, Mind and Soul of a Cancer Survivor

Dear friend,
I wish you well on your-or your loved one's-journey with cancer.
I wish you a heart that has found the right attitude-a positive, realistic attitude.
I wish you a mind that has found peace-by replacing worries with better thoughts and by focusing on the present and not on the "what-ifs" of the future.
And I wish you a soul that has found hope-a hope based on the God of all Creation, who gives life true meaning.

God can make blessing come from cancer when God and cancer meet, but we have to let Him choose the blessing.

On the fifth anniversary of my cancer surgery, I wrote the following poem summing up what my journey with cancer has taught me:

When your world is crashing down around you, trust Him.
When what is unfolding doesn't make sense, trust Him.
When you see no light at the end of the tunnel, trust Him.
When your silent tears spill down, trust Him.
When the pain refuses to subside, trust Him.
When your heart screams, "Why?" trust Him.
When you have more questions than answers, trust Him.
When the devil tells you otherwise, trust Him.
When it's the last thing you feel like doing, trust Him.
When there's simply nothing else to do, trust Him.B
e encouraged: God can be trusted in all things . . . even cancer.

Lynn Eib 2002. Excerpted from When God & Cancer Meet: True stories of hope & healing.
Living Free-of-Cancer


I really enjoy listening to the Dave Ramsey radio talk show on financial advice. Ramsey preaches a message of living debt-free, and when people reach that coveted pinnacle he urges them to call in to the show and scream at the top of their lungs on air: "I'm debt free!!!"

I'd love to see a similar show for those cancer survivors who've gotten good test results or had successful surgery to call in and holler: "I'm cancer-free!!!" But my hope and my prayer is that all of us cancer survivors and our loved ones could call up and proclaim: "I'm free-of-cancer!!!"

To me, living in the shadow of the Almighty is the secret to finding the light in cancer's shadow. It means trusting the Almighty to keep our minds, our hearts, and our souls, free-of-cancer-whether or not our bodies are.
Cancer does not occupy my mind. It is seized with God's perfect peace.
Cancer has no place in my heart. It is filled with God's awesome love.
Cancer cannot touch my soul. It is saved by God's amazing grace.
I am free-of-cancer.

Copyright Lynn Eib 2006. Excerpted from Finding the Light in Cancer's Shadow: Hope, humor & healing after treatment.

Jan. 25 Update

Mom seemed to be doing better this weekend. The cough is still there which continues to affect her sleep at night, but otherwise she's doing pretty well....still no nausea. It was so wonderful to walk in on Fri. night and see her looking so much more like herself...with jeans and a fleece top on (instead of the nightgowns that she's been wearing since her surgery) and makeup on too!

She's moving around more, especially in the kitchen....she was fixing her own eggs and scrapple Sat. morning and made rice pudding on Sunday! She was in the mood for pizza so it seems her appetite was better this weekend. On Tues., the scales showed she had lost 9 lbs. where she got her bloodwork done, but today it appeared she has gained 2 lbs. on the home scales.

She was getting to 750 on her breathing tool today so that's progress as well. It will be nice when we finally have some warmer days, and Mom can walk around outside and have some time out of the house. If it wasn't cold and flu season, she could at least walk around the grocery store as a change of scenery. Mom and Dad went to a friend's house for dinner tonight so I'm sure Mom enjoyed being able to get out of the house for a while.

Please continue to lift Mom and Dad up in prayer and praise God for her progress. I pray for strength for both of them, and I'm thankful that they are not on this journey alone. This all comes as no surprise to God, and He will give strength for each new day.