A burglar broke into a house one night.
He shone his flashlight around, looking for valuables to take.
He picked up a CD player to place in his sack, when a strange, disembodied voice echoed from the dark saying
"Jesus is watching you."
He nearly jumped out of his skin, clicked his flashlight out, and froze.When he heard nothing more after a bit, he shook his head clicked the light back on and began searching for more valuables.Just as he pulled the stereo out so he could disconnect the wires, clear as a bell he heard,
"Jesus is watching you."
Freaked out, he shone his light around frantically, looking for the source of the voice. Finally, in the corner of the room, his flashlight beam came to rest on a parrot.
The burglar relaxed. "Warn me, huh? Who do you think you are?"
"Moses," replied the bird.
"Moses" the burglar laughed, "What kind of stupid people would name a parrot Moses?"
The bird answered, "Probably the same kind of people that would name that Rottweiler over there Jesus."
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Updating on Updates about Mom
17 October 2008
Greetings
It is way past time for an update on my ever improving health status. Day by day I get stronger. The stairs are no longer an obstacle. I am up to daily excursions. I had a PET scan on Tuesday. It was a little unnerving to have medication encased in lead shot into my veins. Todd said that we should find a dark room to see if my radioactive self would glow. I would prefer not to know if that’s okay. We got the results back just a few minutes ago. The scan was negative! There is no sign of Meta-something-something disease (any other tumors). I could just sigh with relief, but I’d rather have a party. Great news!
I did more reading over the weekend on my condition and upcoming treatment. Big mistake! Monday morning I woke up way too early and cried and cried and cried. Internet research on the topic is not only depressing it is endless and depressing! Five year survival rates vary from 85% to 8%. Ultimately, people write when they are upset. They write to vent, not to inspire. Negative, negative, negative! And when I look at professional documentation the jargon just takes too much work for my easily tired brain. I have limited myself to reading what the doctor gives me and recommends. My prognosis is very, very good. We are being blessed from many directions, and fear is certainly not a map to healing.
Todd and I went for “training” Tuesday for my upcoming chemotherapy. (In response to many questions, no, at this point we are not planning on radiation.) It was a great follow-up to my tears that morning. In addition to a video of general information regarding the results of treatment, one of the nurses spent nearly an hour helping me to understand what I might expect from my particular medications. I came out feeling much more hopeful and not nearly so angry and frightened.
I have been told repeatedly that I can get through this, “you are young and healthy”. Todd got to spend a couple of hours in the waiting room of the cancer center and informed me that he now understands why we hear that so much by my caregivers. “Linda, you are young and healthy!”
I have started a list of blessings in my journal. Here are a few from the past week:
-We live in a large metropolitan area, it’s only thirty minutes to receive treatment, not 3 hours.
-The high school, middle school, and Devin’s work are so close to the house.
-The kids have risen to the occasion in many ways. Every day Devin surprises me with something thoughtful, Caden tucks me in at night instead of vice-versa. Etc.
-Todd’s health has improved much during the past year.
-I went to the dentist. I wanted to get checked out before I start treatment. I came home with flowers and a gift basket, how very thoughtful.
-The weather has been absolutely divine! It does so much to warm my heart.
-Todd has been able to work from the house for the most part and be here with me.
-The bills have started coming in, but as the annual deductible was met, so far our expenses have remained manageable.
Okay, that’s enough for one day. Sufficient to say, “Finding joy in the journey” is much easier when I count my blessings every day.
Thanks again to the kindness of others; we are spending this weekend in the mountains of Colorado. As the list of things we could do before chemo grew, the question became, “Linda, this is for you, what do you want to do?” I thought of my Dad. I want to go to the mountains, and smell the air, and feel the wind, and gather strength from the beauty around me.
Thank you all for your thoughtfulness. We will continue to keep you up to date. Have a beautiful weekend!
Linda
3 October 2008
Greetings and salutations! Here is the update that I promised.
We met with the oncologist yesterday at which time he went through the pathology report with us. The tumor was not a meatball, but it was more like in the shape of a "little cheddar meatloaf". 'm not sure what picture that puts in your mind, but the description works for us. For those keeping count, the tumor was in cancer terms a T3 or T4, N0 and M? - which puts it in either a stage II-A or II-B. This is really good news. If we do what the oncologist recommends, I will undergo 12 chemotherapy treatments beginning Oct 23 - each of which is 2 weeks apart. Dr Diab says that although we do not see any other cancer, it will help to eliminate the "seeds" and reduce the possibility of recurrence from 33% to 20-25%. The type of chemo treatment is called FOLFOX. Many have asked about what the side affects will be - and at this point I've been told that each person reacts differently. We may have a better understanding in a couple of weeks when we go to what the nurse called "teaching".
Besides the chemo, the doctor has prescribed a PET scan to determine if there are any other tumors. Also, he wants me to undergo genetic testing to see if I am carrying a gene for this type of cancer that can be passed on to my children.
I've been feeling pretty good today. I'm learning to pace myself such as taking a call from my brother this morning and then sleeping for a couple of hours. I went to my primary care physician, not only to thank him for paying attention to my symptoms, but to also follow-up and have my remaining stitches removed, which I hope will make sleeping more comfortable.
When I wrote you last time, it took me several hours to type that note. So tonight, I have a ghost-writer who I am dictating to and who is editing many of my comments.
I am very weary after watching BYU defeat Utah State in a "sloppy, ugly, and unbecoming of the 7th ranked team" football game (and yes, that really was her speaking).
We will keep you posted of any changes or decisions. Meanwhile, thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Take care and God Bless.
Linda
1 October 2008
Linda took it upon herself to write to you tonight.
Greetings!
Linda says to tell you that she is doing well. "It is easy not to overdo when one does not have enough energy to do anything. It is good to be home. I could say I have good days and bad days, but right now I have good moments and bad moments. Tomorrow's goal - do my hair. I will return and report."
She goes for her first official visit to the oncologist next Thursday.
We are being well taken care of by our local family and friends. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.
Greetings
It is way past time for an update on my ever improving health status. Day by day I get stronger. The stairs are no longer an obstacle. I am up to daily excursions. I had a PET scan on Tuesday. It was a little unnerving to have medication encased in lead shot into my veins. Todd said that we should find a dark room to see if my radioactive self would glow. I would prefer not to know if that’s okay. We got the results back just a few minutes ago. The scan was negative! There is no sign of Meta-something-something disease (any other tumors). I could just sigh with relief, but I’d rather have a party. Great news!
I did more reading over the weekend on my condition and upcoming treatment. Big mistake! Monday morning I woke up way too early and cried and cried and cried. Internet research on the topic is not only depressing it is endless and depressing! Five year survival rates vary from 85% to 8%. Ultimately, people write when they are upset. They write to vent, not to inspire. Negative, negative, negative! And when I look at professional documentation the jargon just takes too much work for my easily tired brain. I have limited myself to reading what the doctor gives me and recommends. My prognosis is very, very good. We are being blessed from many directions, and fear is certainly not a map to healing.
Todd and I went for “training” Tuesday for my upcoming chemotherapy. (In response to many questions, no, at this point we are not planning on radiation.) It was a great follow-up to my tears that morning. In addition to a video of general information regarding the results of treatment, one of the nurses spent nearly an hour helping me to understand what I might expect from my particular medications. I came out feeling much more hopeful and not nearly so angry and frightened.
I have been told repeatedly that I can get through this, “you are young and healthy”. Todd got to spend a couple of hours in the waiting room of the cancer center and informed me that he now understands why we hear that so much by my caregivers. “Linda, you are young and healthy!”
I have started a list of blessings in my journal. Here are a few from the past week:
-We live in a large metropolitan area, it’s only thirty minutes to receive treatment, not 3 hours.
-The high school, middle school, and Devin’s work are so close to the house.
-The kids have risen to the occasion in many ways. Every day Devin surprises me with something thoughtful, Caden tucks me in at night instead of vice-versa. Etc.
-Todd’s health has improved much during the past year.
-I went to the dentist. I wanted to get checked out before I start treatment. I came home with flowers and a gift basket, how very thoughtful.
-The weather has been absolutely divine! It does so much to warm my heart.
-Todd has been able to work from the house for the most part and be here with me.
-The bills have started coming in, but as the annual deductible was met, so far our expenses have remained manageable.
Okay, that’s enough for one day. Sufficient to say, “Finding joy in the journey” is much easier when I count my blessings every day.
Thanks again to the kindness of others; we are spending this weekend in the mountains of Colorado. As the list of things we could do before chemo grew, the question became, “Linda, this is for you, what do you want to do?” I thought of my Dad. I want to go to the mountains, and smell the air, and feel the wind, and gather strength from the beauty around me.
Thank you all for your thoughtfulness. We will continue to keep you up to date. Have a beautiful weekend!
Linda
3 October 2008
Greetings and salutations! Here is the update that I promised.
We met with the oncologist yesterday at which time he went through the pathology report with us. The tumor was not a meatball, but it was more like in the shape of a "little cheddar meatloaf". 'm not sure what picture that puts in your mind, but the description works for us. For those keeping count, the tumor was in cancer terms a T3 or T4, N0 and M? - which puts it in either a stage II-A or II-B. This is really good news. If we do what the oncologist recommends, I will undergo 12 chemotherapy treatments beginning Oct 23 - each of which is 2 weeks apart. Dr Diab says that although we do not see any other cancer, it will help to eliminate the "seeds" and reduce the possibility of recurrence from 33% to 20-25%. The type of chemo treatment is called FOLFOX. Many have asked about what the side affects will be - and at this point I've been told that each person reacts differently. We may have a better understanding in a couple of weeks when we go to what the nurse called "teaching".
Besides the chemo, the doctor has prescribed a PET scan to determine if there are any other tumors. Also, he wants me to undergo genetic testing to see if I am carrying a gene for this type of cancer that can be passed on to my children.
I've been feeling pretty good today. I'm learning to pace myself such as taking a call from my brother this morning and then sleeping for a couple of hours. I went to my primary care physician, not only to thank him for paying attention to my symptoms, but to also follow-up and have my remaining stitches removed, which I hope will make sleeping more comfortable.
When I wrote you last time, it took me several hours to type that note. So tonight, I have a ghost-writer who I am dictating to and who is editing many of my comments.
I am very weary after watching BYU defeat Utah State in a "sloppy, ugly, and unbecoming of the 7th ranked team" football game (and yes, that really was her speaking).
We will keep you posted of any changes or decisions. Meanwhile, thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Take care and God Bless.
Linda
1 October 2008
Linda took it upon herself to write to you tonight.
Greetings!
Tomorrow is Austin’s p-day. Since I am going to update him briefly on my health I decided to have Todd send it on to the rest of you.
I am doing well, as well as can be expected. I wish for my strength to all come back at once. It is not going to work that way, patience is going to be part of the challenge. I have gone back to daily journaling. I do that partially so that I can count my blessings, partially so that I can read my own words and see progress, and partially as a piece of physical therapy to help improve my dexterity. In the ICU Addie made me an alphabet chart so that I could just point to letters in order to communicate. How frustrating it was not to be able to even point to the right letters! (Yes John, I thought of you!)
I t is nice to be home. I am managing the stairs better every day. We have been well taken care of. The house is full of food. Kind help has come from many directions. I have been grateful for the thoughtfulness of so many. I am especially grateful for the prayers, notes and cards from so many of you. If I had a highlight of my hospital stay it would be when Todd would read me the notes and cards that came each day.
Our daily routine around here has changed dramatically. Todd came up to go to bed last night at a little bit after eleven and commented about how strange it is to come up and find me awake. I’m usually out like a light at ten, up at five. These days Caden wakes us up after his shower. I rarely know when Devin leaves for seminary. The kids seem to be doing fine. I am grateful for Caden’s drive right now. He doesn’t need anyone to spur him on. As always, he has kept up in everything, and excelled.
I am doing my hair every day now. Sometimes it takes till 2 pm. I have yet to get through my normal morning routine but I have new goals everyday. Todays was not to slouch-my back muscles have dissolved like so many others. FYI I have reached 2100 on my inspirometerblowthi ng. Much better than the 700 I started with. I did ask the pulmonologist what the goal was (2500) since Devin came to hospital and effortlessly blew to 4000. How rude! Oh to have the strength, agility, and ability to take it for granted for a 16 year old boy.
Tomorrow I go see the oncologist. Friday the family practitioner who recognized that there was a major problem. As several of you have asked, yes, I am anxious. There will be decisions to make. A step into a challenge that I have never faced before. However, I remind myself that life is full of challenges that I have never faced before. I have much to be grateful for. We will update you this weekend. I’m sure you will all want to hear about our new grand adventure! Many thanks and love to all.
Linda
Linda says to tell you that she is doing well. "It is easy not to overdo when one does not have enough energy to do anything. It is good to be home. I could say I have good days and bad days, but right now I have good moments and bad moments. Tomorrow's goal - do my hair. I will return and report."
She goes for her first official visit to the oncologist next Thursday.
We are being well taken care of by our local family and friends. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.
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