A creative day

As we sat having conversation at the table, we noticed this golf cart stop in front of Dad and Mom's place.  They sat there for a few moments and it dawned on me what they were doing!  "Mom, they are praying for you!"  Instant tears.  "Oh my, they are the sweet ladies from the Manor!"  What a blessing to get to see what they probably never guessed we would see...but God did too!  My faith and my prayer life has been encouraged by faithful sisters and brothers in Christ praying for our family...but specifically for Dad and Mom!

I took Mom to the cancer center this morning for her bloodwork.  We are officially one week past the first chemo treatment...day 7 has been better for Mom.  She wanted to stop and use one of her monthly certificates for fresh flowers.  What a thoughtful Christmas gift from one of the gals at church!

Just a little happy bouquet to lift the spirits!  And a little bit of an appetite to have a sliver of the scone.  What a difference a couple days makes!  So thankful to see the smile!

This is what happens when I try to keep my things in line. Ha.  A smart alec picture sent to my sis!

This afternoon, I went over to spend some time with Auntie Cilla to stamp!  She set fall out!

Ohhhh...we didn't even scratch the surface of using all her fun stamps and die cuts!  

We talked about all things family and crafting!  She even showed me how to make an origami cat.

We used the table, the floor, and our laps.  We all do the same thing...work with what we have and work ourselves into a small foot section of the table.  It just made me giggle!

I used parts and pieces that she had...and it was fun.  I was inspired again!

Dad got home and the first thing he does...checks on Mom!  She had a little spell of not feeling so good this afternoon, but it passed with some rest.

If you look at the picture...you will see a difference.  I cut her hair for her tonight.  I also cleaned the kitchen floor after that...so got another little job done.  We will see if Mom wants some more taken off and then we will style it tomorrow.  In the next week, we expect a change with her hair.  She even felt like crocheting a couple times today!

 

Trusting each day to our Heavenly Father

Starting each day with a healthier version of iced coffee as I get ready for whatever I am called to do.  Mom and I greet each other for the day by going over how she slept and how she is feeling.  We record things for our understanding and remembering.  Today is one week out from her first chemo treatment.  We go in for labs this morning.  Mom is aching today but is showering and moving around to find some sense of normal in her days.  We are preparing her mentally and physically for the hair loss that is coming.  My heart hurts knowing this will be hard for her, but we know God will give comfort...and she has a cute hat from Mari all ready and waiting.

I read Scripture...sometimes on my phone, in my Bible, or in Mom's Bible while I listen to good music.

He knows just what we need for each day!  We don't know what tomorrow will bring...but we are trusting Him for today...One day at a time!  I am thankful for God's watch-care over us...on the hard days and on the days of sweet rest.  I leave to go home on Saturday (9/16).  I know there are people waiting in the wings to help minister to Dad and Mom.  Mari will come in time for the next chemo treatment (9/26-10/6).  Sean gets to pop in for a visit (10/10-10/14) after Mari leaves.

In hard times, we need to remember to share needs we have so God's people can pray and lend a hand.  There is no reason for God's people to suffer alone!  It is up to us to communicate our weakness and allow God to fill the void.  Paul wrote for us in Galatians 6:2, "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."  God uses people to be His hands, feet, and voice.

My hands have been busy and it has been good for my heart and mind.  My mind has been focusing on God's truth.  My heart has been filled with prayer and thankfulness of memories through the years!

This morning brings the aroma of a white chocolate raspberry scone.

 

It was a wonderful Wednesday...

because Mom was feeling so much better!  She was her perky self and was up to taking calls and having a special visitor.

I got back from my adventure to join for a cup of coffee!

Keeping up with everyone and answering texts and emails.  Doing my best to keep track of all the things for Mom and Dad to help take pressure off of them while I am here.  I cannot let my brain get too lazy!

I've been cooking meals for Dad to enjoy and to entice Mom to eat.  I always forget to take pictures of that.  I have done laundry and Dad's shirts needed "a lick and a promise".  This picture is for my loves to show them that I do know how to iron.

 

Adventures with the Ks

A new to us process in the FL adventures!  When you go to get an oil change or tire rotation, you pull up to the little booth and wait.  And if you park and walk in, rather than help you they point you to the booth...even though there was no one there when we pulled up...as three others with FL license plates did as well.  As we entered the line, we watched the total inefficiency of the operations.  Uff da...but they didn't ask for any suggestions!

We walked the whole store and got our items.  Avon Park has a very nice and clean Walmart.  We had to wait about 10 more minutes, but the guys did a great job for Mom.

We went to a place for lunch recommended by Dad and Mom.  "Look at all this food...we are not going to eat all of this!"  OOOO...but it will taste good!  My Dad knows food.  "I agree.  You can tell him that he did good!"

The blue skies and puffy clouds...are so pretty each day!  Mom is my chauffeur these days as she learns her way around the village.  Each time out, we enjoy our chats and the scenery.

 

Alway...

Alway is an archaic word that means all along; for all time, perpetually when used as an adverb.

 

Who are the people in your neighborhood?

I drove the golf cart over to visit Mom KT!  I walked in to a cozy place with touches of fall!  It was nice to sit and visit.  She has been busy since I moved over to help with Mom CT.  I joined in on a call with Ted.  "There are so many things to do when you move!  It is overwhelming."  I am thankful for technology that is available to be able to help support those we love from anywhere in the world!

A special time with Ted giving help from Belgium!

Mom got a special delivery yesterday and I was able to hang it for her today.  Dad's favorite verse now hangs next to the special tree picture in Mom's new home.  A great reminder that God helps us do what He guides us to do.  It is not always easy to make a change.  There are hard days, but there are blessings too.  There have been some sweet encouragers in Mom's new neighborhood...and that is one way that Christ is using to strengthen our hearts!

 

His mercies are new every morning...

Great is Thy faithfulness!  Yesterday, there was the overwhelming emotion of not being able to handle getting out of the house to go to the doctor appointment.  With a little rest, a lot of grit, and a shower...Mom was able to do what she needed to do!  Here she was checking on the weather where all her children/grandchildren are.  

We spent time with Dr. Shah and his concern over fluid build up was alleviated when he saw and talked to Mom.  He took time to explain some things and made note to do some adjusting on the next round of chemo.  He prescribed some meds to help Mom be able to handle pain and rest.  Yesterday's frustrations were set aside as we were told we were doing what needed to be done and it is just hard...for patient and caregivers to learn all the things...that will possibly change with each treatment!  "It will be up and down like a rollercoaster!"  So we will buckle up and hold on!

We had a quiet afternoon of rest and Mom's pain level dropped to 4-5 which she described at just aggravating...so we are seeing the downward trend as the chemo's initial attack is not as intense.  So we are making note...Thursday- chemo, Friday- felt ok, Saturday- felt ok, Saturday night- the slide into yuck, Sunday- miserable, Monday- miserable, Tuesday- tolerably miserable...we shall see how Wednesday goes!  Dad and I are feeling the fatigue of sleeping with one ear open and getting up to check on Mom...so early bed!
 

Celebrated Dad's birthday...

A sweet lady gave him a crown, a candle, and a snowball so we took a picture.  He was given cards of well wishes, thankfulness, and humor!  I made him a yummy supper of smothered porkchops, rice, and fried squash.  We shared supper and he said it was very good!

We had homemade applesauce with some granola and whipped cream 

for a healthy choice for a birthday treat.

It was a full day for Dad and a hard day for Mom!  When the uncomfortableness got to her, Dad prayed over her.  In our moments of weakness, we go to the Source of strength and wisdom...and I watched the comfort that God gives through His Holy Spirit settle an anxious heart.  I worked most of the day trying to get some help for managing her pain.  The doctor wanted to see Mom Tuesday morning at 9:15am.  She was able to sleep off and on with the aide of Tylenol and the heating pad.  This first round of chemo has affected Mom's body in ways not described to us.  We kept watching for "the usual issues" and Mom didn't struggle with those.  The unknown is always hard, but God has given us people to help explain things that are happening inside her body.  The hard truth...Mom was pumped full of poison to attack the cancer...and it affects her whole body.  It is all brand new to her and it is scary.  Dad and I are doing our best to make her comfortable and understand what she needs....when she doesn't really know what she needs.  There were some moments of rest and for that I am thankful!

 

In our weakness...

...God shows Himself strong.  He supplies.  He guides.  After a night of concern and disrupted sleep, the morning hours were calm and restful.

Reading her Psalm for today!  "When I found out I had cancer, I started reading Psalm 16 and every day since I have been reading, today is Psalm 48."  Dad prayed with us after reading Psalm 22, the passage for this morning's service.  Mom and I listened to SS and the service from the living room.

I got up and took a shower and got dressed.  I made dinner.  Mom was restless and got a shower.  She perked up after dinner and I found her sitting at her desk writing.  There is pain and uncomfortable aching that Tylenol doesn't help.  The heating pad gives relief for awhile, so she was able to sleep.

This dear friend came after I reached out to her.  When I met her a week ago, she pulled me aside and told me that she was an oncology nurse for 30 years and if we/I needed anything, she was willing to help.  She came to see Mom and hear her, so she could better help us.  She took time to explain what was happening inside based on the chemo drugs Mom received.  It was a great help to me to hear her explanations.  Mom relaxed and allowed the sweet lady to check vitals and such.  She gave a couple helpful things for us to check into tomorrow that may offer some help.

When people reach out to offer help in hard times, I have been reminded how important it is to reach back.  God has given different people different gifts to minister to others in different ways.  Do not steal the blessing from them by not sharing a need you have.  We did that today and God used this sweet lady to ease the anxious thoughts about all this new to us chemo stuff.
 

Chemo's effect

Saturday was a slow and lazy day for rest!  We stayed in our jammies all day.  Mom was up and around doing things around the house taking breaks here and there.  She was starting to feel weak, aching, and shaky.  We turned on some old shows and she took a nap while I texted with a friend and did some of my computer work.

I got dressed and did a grocery run based on some meal ideas that sounded good to Mom.  Friends dropped off a rotisserie chicken from Costco...so supper was partially planned!  Since we are in Florida and I kept seeing key lime stuff...I grabbed a little treat for the freezer.  It was not very strong in the key lime flavor...so disappointed!  I am going to try to make it fresh myself.

After supper I started cooking the chicken carcass (as Dad called it) to make broth to have on hand.  I pulled out all the good bits of meat.  So far, Mom's appetite is still there though small. 

At bedtime, the uncomfortable aches hit harder.  I did some reading for ways to help cope...and we got out the heating pad and turned on some music.  That helped and I went back to re-reading all the material we were given.  It is hard knowing that there is so much discomfort...and of course...night time and weekend.

I finished reading the descriptions with tears streaming down my face.  It is scary stuff that is used to fight cancer.

This Taxol is the most potent one that Mom has in her regimen.

You know the song about a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down...ummm...

that doesn't apply to this stuff!

They didn't just give Mom a spoonful of medicine...and sugar is not something you want to feed cancer.

I listened as Dad prayed over Mom holding her hand that she would be able to calm down, the pain lessen, and rest would come.  I am continuing to pray for rest and a peace to cover both Mom and Dad tonight!