In just a few hours, 2008 will be history. This year has provided challenges - a diagnosis of breast cancer and the death of my mother. I have experienced a range of emotions including disbelief, sadness, humility, frustration, advocacy, love, and gratefulness. I have grown spiritually and deepened my faith in God. I am forever thankful for my family, friends and colleagues who have shared so much of themselves to support me in 2008. The acts of kindness, cards, phone calls, suppers, and prayers are deeply appreciated. The celebrations of my healing are heartfelt.
I have completed most of my treatment for cancer, although I will continue receiving Herceptin weekly until July, in Pittsburg. I covet your continued prayers.
I hope you have a great new year - I am expecting 2009 to be soooooo much better!
So we don't look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever. 2 Corinthians 4:18
Happy New Year!
Love to you -
Ellen
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
A Very Merry Christmas
I am home. Radiation treatment is over. Dr. Zoberi reports that the CT scans of my chest and neck are unremarkable. Good news! I feel good, although I know my energy level isnt' up to my standard. The skin on my chest is tight and itchy and red - like a sunburn. Dr. Z. says it will get worse before it gets better and provided a prescription cream that I apply 4 times daily.
I was blessed with good traveling weather. It was raining in St. Louis this morning, but 40 degrees. By the time I got home, the temperature had dropped to the 20's, but dry. Our children will be home tonight, Aaron and Lindsay will arrive about 7:30. Grant, Tosha and I will attend candlelight services at 6:30. For me, it just wouldn't be Christmas without Christmas eve service. I have attended since birth, I think. I remember the country church I attended while growing up and my parents, who I miss especially at Christmas. I am thankful for my siblings and my family and wish them the best Christmas. It will be a very Merry Christmas for me.
For unto us a child is born, . . . And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace, there will be no end. Isaiah 9: 6-7.
God Bless you and yours.
Love to you -
Ellen
I was blessed with good traveling weather. It was raining in St. Louis this morning, but 40 degrees. By the time I got home, the temperature had dropped to the 20's, but dry. Our children will be home tonight, Aaron and Lindsay will arrive about 7:30. Grant, Tosha and I will attend candlelight services at 6:30. For me, it just wouldn't be Christmas without Christmas eve service. I have attended since birth, I think. I remember the country church I attended while growing up and my parents, who I miss especially at Christmas. I am thankful for my siblings and my family and wish them the best Christmas. It will be a very Merry Christmas for me.
For unto us a child is born, . . . And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace, there will be no end. Isaiah 9: 6-7.
God Bless you and yours.
Love to you -
Ellen
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Three, Two, One
Just three more radiation treatments in St. Louis! My last treatment will be Christmas eve at 8 am - so I'll be driving home by 9 am! I have been pleased with the care provided by my doctor and all the technicians at the Siteman Cancer Center. The primary side effect from radiation that I have experienced is skin changes. My left chest looks like its been to the Bahamas - sunburned! It is getting to be uncomfortable and tender.
This weekend I purchased groceries for Christmas weekend meals and did some other preparations. I am playing in the church's bell choir on Sunday and providing the "children's chat" for services. Saturday night, Marlin and I are attending a birthday party for a friend.
I am grateful for all the notes, cards, packages - but especially the prayers that I have received during my St. Louis stay. I have the very best family and friends.
God bless you during this special Christmas time.
Delight yourself also in the Lord; and he shall give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
Love to you -
Ellen
This weekend I purchased groceries for Christmas weekend meals and did some other preparations. I am playing in the church's bell choir on Sunday and providing the "children's chat" for services. Saturday night, Marlin and I are attending a birthday party for a friend.
I am grateful for all the notes, cards, packages - but especially the prayers that I have received during my St. Louis stay. I have the very best family and friends.
God bless you during this special Christmas time.
Delight yourself also in the Lord; and he shall give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
Love to you -
Ellen
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Staying Positive
I was fortunate to have my sister, Luanne, come to St. Louis and stay with me for a few days this week. She was a blessing, as I was sick during the night on Tuesday night. I think I caught a little virus or ate something that didn't agree with me - anyway, she fetched me a cool drink and ice to sooth my throat after I lost my supper. The next day I told Lindsay about my brief and severe illness during the night. Her positive statement - "Well, at least Aunt Lu didn't have to hold your hair!" True. No hair to hold away from my face as I direct it into the toilet! Oh, my.
I am amazed at the return of my hair. My eyebrows and eyelashes have grown quite a bit over the last 5 weeks. I can now wear mascara! My hair (on my head) is growing and coming in rather gray - oh, well, the color will be changed. I've had to shave my legs twice in the last three weeks. Okay, how come that hair can't be growing out of my head? Marlin tells me he wonders the same thing!
During these last few months, I have been reading numerous books. I would recommend a book to you, The Shack, by Young. Although it is a work of fiction, it provides an opportunity to evaluate one's view of and relationship with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. It is a marvelous story and you'll either read the book really fast to see how it ends, or read it slowly to savor the story. I chose to read it fast - with the plan of reading it a second, maybe third time. Keep a box of kleenex handy! You can find The Shack in any bookstore on the bestseller table.
Only eight days of radiation treatment left. I have some skin changes in the radiation area, feels tight and it has a sunburned appearance. I have specific moisturizing cream to apply several times a day and use cornstarch powder to ease the itching. My last treatment will be at 8:00 am on December 24th.
I have so appreciated the cards, letters, notes, prayers and positive thoughts during my stay at the Hope Lodge. I am wildly blessed in my life and I thank God for it all!
"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him." I Corinthians 2:9
Love to you -
Ellen
I am amazed at the return of my hair. My eyebrows and eyelashes have grown quite a bit over the last 5 weeks. I can now wear mascara! My hair (on my head) is growing and coming in rather gray - oh, well, the color will be changed. I've had to shave my legs twice in the last three weeks. Okay, how come that hair can't be growing out of my head? Marlin tells me he wonders the same thing!
During these last few months, I have been reading numerous books. I would recommend a book to you, The Shack, by Young. Although it is a work of fiction, it provides an opportunity to evaluate one's view of and relationship with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. It is a marvelous story and you'll either read the book really fast to see how it ends, or read it slowly to savor the story. I chose to read it fast - with the plan of reading it a second, maybe third time. Keep a box of kleenex handy! You can find The Shack in any bookstore on the bestseller table.
Only eight days of radiation treatment left. I have some skin changes in the radiation area, feels tight and it has a sunburned appearance. I have specific moisturizing cream to apply several times a day and use cornstarch powder to ease the itching. My last treatment will be at 8:00 am on December 24th.
I have so appreciated the cards, letters, notes, prayers and positive thoughts during my stay at the Hope Lodge. I am wildly blessed in my life and I thank God for it all!
"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him." I Corinthians 2:9
Love to you -
Ellen
Friday, December 5, 2008
Half-Baked
Today I completed number 20 of 38 radiation treatments, so I guess I've passed the halfway point of radiation. So far I've had no adverse reactions. The skin over my left chest area is getting a little color - pink - but I've had no skin soreness and no fatigue, which is the most common reaction. I am resting alot, however.
I have met several people at Hope Lodge and I am reminded by each story of how blessed I am. So many are suffering with cancer and it's "cure". Several have no family support, are unable to work and face tremendous hardships. This week the St. Louis paper featured a story about "Secret Santa" who was distributing $10,000 to strangers in $100 bills. I remember reading about Mr. Stanley in Kansas City that did this for several years in the KC area. One of the residents of the Hope Lodge was a recipient of one of the $100 bills. Debbie has pancreatic cancer and Lee is her sister-in-law and caregiver. Debbie has lost alot of weight due to her illness and most of her clothes did not fit. Lee was in a neighborhood thrift store searching for clothing that would fit Debbie. Secret Santa was at the store, approached Lee and asked her why she was shopping. Upon hearing the story, he promptly awarded Lee $100 bill with "Secret Santa" stamped in red ink on the back. Lee was overcome with tears of joy. She had never heard of this and was happy beyond belief. She praised God for the gift and shared that the money would be used to purchase medication and pay Debbie's electricity bill this month. Lee is a pastor's wife and Debbie is the pastor's sister. Both were truly thankful for God's intervention - giving Him all the credit for supplying this gift.
On Thursday evening the St. Louis University swim team came to Hope Lodge and baked Christmas cookies for us. One of the students was a nursing major and so we had a long chat!
I am home this weekend and planning to tour the Historic Fort (Ft. Scott) with a group from our church and have dinner at Chicken Annie's on Saturday night. I have Christmas cards ready to mail and just a very few presents left to buy. I have been grading papers and getting classes completed as the end of semester fast approaches.
I will share a quote sent to me by my pastor, Doug.
"Don't tell God how big your storm is, tell the storm how big your God is."
Stay warm -
Love to you -
Ellen
I have met several people at Hope Lodge and I am reminded by each story of how blessed I am. So many are suffering with cancer and it's "cure". Several have no family support, are unable to work and face tremendous hardships. This week the St. Louis paper featured a story about "Secret Santa" who was distributing $10,000 to strangers in $100 bills. I remember reading about Mr. Stanley in Kansas City that did this for several years in the KC area. One of the residents of the Hope Lodge was a recipient of one of the $100 bills. Debbie has pancreatic cancer and Lee is her sister-in-law and caregiver. Debbie has lost alot of weight due to her illness and most of her clothes did not fit. Lee was in a neighborhood thrift store searching for clothing that would fit Debbie. Secret Santa was at the store, approached Lee and asked her why she was shopping. Upon hearing the story, he promptly awarded Lee $100 bill with "Secret Santa" stamped in red ink on the back. Lee was overcome with tears of joy. She had never heard of this and was happy beyond belief. She praised God for the gift and shared that the money would be used to purchase medication and pay Debbie's electricity bill this month. Lee is a pastor's wife and Debbie is the pastor's sister. Both were truly thankful for God's intervention - giving Him all the credit for supplying this gift.
On Thursday evening the St. Louis University swim team came to Hope Lodge and baked Christmas cookies for us. One of the students was a nursing major and so we had a long chat!
I am home this weekend and planning to tour the Historic Fort (Ft. Scott) with a group from our church and have dinner at Chicken Annie's on Saturday night. I have Christmas cards ready to mail and just a very few presents left to buy. I have been grading papers and getting classes completed as the end of semester fast approaches.
I will share a quote sent to me by my pastor, Doug.
"Don't tell God how big your storm is, tell the storm how big your God is."
Stay warm -
Love to you -
Ellen
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