Christmas Message

My blood counts were near normal on Monday, December 21, so I received chemotherapy - Avastin, Gemzar, Cisplatin. It takes about 2 hours. I saw the nurse practitioner, Hyla, as Dr. M. is in India visiting family for a few weeks. Hyla is a wealth of information and support. Side effects have been much better with the latest routine. The most bothersome is nosebleeds, although I had fewer this go round. I worked Tuesday and Wednesday morning in my footcare business. My energy level was good until this afternoon. I decided to make some adaptions to Christmas preparation this year. House decorations are much more simple, cookie baking has been limited (mostly because of my no sugar diet!), and I decided to nix sending Christmas cards - so if you usually get a card from my family - our greeting is no less sincere - Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
We will attend Christmas eve services at 9 pm and enjoy a light supper with our children afterward. Our tradition is brunch on Christmas morning after opening presents - and that will continue - then Lindsay and Aaron will go to his parents and Grant and Tosha will go to her parents for a dinner. Marlin and I will spend a quiet day at home.
Thanks to everyone for the cards, letters, flowers, goodie baskets, and most importantly - your prayers. I hope that you enjoy the season of Christmas and remember the reason for the season.
The magic message of Christmas is that God gave us so much more than we can possibly give back. Norman Vincent Peale
Blessings to you -
Love,
Ellen

By the Grace of God

After bidding my sister from Texas goodbye, Marlin drove me to Pittsburg to the Cancer Center. Treatment went well this week, on Monday, November 30. Blood counts were nearly perfect. Dr. M. changed the dosages of two drugs and changed cisplantin to carboplatin (less toxic) and the infusion only lasted 2.5 hours instead of 4. A better morning, for sure! I traveled to Topeka to work that afternoon. I am a little tired, but no nausea or other side effects. I actually did a little bit of Christmas shopping yesterday evening.
Thanksgiving was a special family time this year. All my siblings and some of their children were able to get together for a feast on Saturday. I think there were 25 people at my house! Phil & Joyce were great to host a weiner roast that evening on the farm, complete with hay bails for seats, sharpening our own roasting sticks and hot apple cider. The kids (and the big kids) had a great time. It brought back many memories of church and 4-H bon fires from our youth. Best of all was the time we spent together.
I have a list of tasks to complete at Washburn as the semester ends next week. Papers to grade and student conferences, final exams next week. Graduation is Friday and Saturday next week and I hope to get all my grades turned in so I don't have to return the next week. However, technology allows me to submit grades via computer online, so I am able to complete that task long distance, if I must.
I am looking forward to the weekend. Marlin and I are going to Wichita to see Aaron and Lindsay. We'll attend Friday night concert with Trace Adkins and Martina McBride. Grant and Tosha will come on Saturday for shopping and Aaron's 30th birthday party that evening. His birthday is December 7.
Rather than a Bible verse, I will share with you something from my friend Belinda, who sent it via email.

Happy moments, praise God;
Difficult moments, seek God;
Quiet moments, worship God;
Painful moments, trust God;
Every moment, thank God.

I continue to covet prayers and positive thoughts, positive energy, love and friendship from all of you reading this blog. By the grace of God, I am feeling well and blessed.
Blessings to you -
Love to you -
Ellen