Should She Or Not

Hi, everyone.

I tell you the truth, I don't know if I should continue the blog. While there are still updates to give about John, I have made few posts lately as I fear the blog will turn into an electronic therapist's couch. I guess I'm reluctant to take anyone there - I mean, sometimes people just need for others to be fine and I understand that. That said, I'll try to keep things at a comfortable level.

John continues to gain strength but it is a long, slow process. He tries to work some each day, unless he is having a really bad day. Really bad days involve camping out in the bathroom and are extremely fatiguing. I think we need to mount a small flat screen tv in there! On a positive note, he has been burning through his Bible reading like crazy! What is a bit unsettling is that the oncologist said he should be 80% back eight weeks after chemo. Tomorrow (3-6) is ten weeks since the last chemo and he is nowhere near 80% improved. We are trying to look at this logically and feel that it is rather optimistic to overcome six months of chemo, a bi-lateral thoracotomy, and blood clots in the lungs in eight weeks time. We still have lots of dinners in the family room as by the end of the day John's back has had it, but he works regularly at his physical therapy to strengthen the area where the ribs are missing. So, we press on and thank God for one another.

When chemo ended, I set a goal for us to take a mini-vacation end of February to see son, JR, in KY and spend the night at a nice hotel. We wanted to celebrate his 24th birthday as well as his girlfriend Mindy's birthday, as they are two days apart. So, last weekend we headed to Lexington with daughter Audrey doing the driving (bless you, Aud) We all had a good time of fellowship although it was a pretty tough trip for John. The drive and bathroom stops going down wore him out and by the time we finished lunch on Sat., we all decided the best thing to do was head to the hotel and get settled in. We had a nice suite and I took birthday cake, games and snacks and we ordered a pizza on Saturday night. We swam too but John was not able to join us. We did enjoy the free cocktail hour on Saturday and a great breakfast buffet on Sunday. Unfortunately, John was pretty miserable so we skipped church. We had so looked forward to going to John and Mindy's church and meeting their friends but that will have to wait for another time. Mindy and John made us a nice lunch at her apt. on Sunday and we were joined by her folks, Scott and Pam. It was great to be together, even with the challenges, and we're thankful our kids want to hang out with us! Audrey's boyfriend, Caleb, is in England so couldn't join us. We beat it home by dinner time on Sunday.

There are some new developments in the family. JR has become one of the many to join the ranks of the unemployed, having become the victim of cutbacks at the newspaper. While somewhat disconcerting, it was a bit of a blessing (at least to him!) as he had been carrying around a resignation letter in his pocket for about six weeks. Now he will qualify for unemployment. Since John never lacks for creative ideas, stay tuned to see where his road leads but pray he doesn't miss any road signs God may plant along the way.

Audrey is in the midst of mid-terms and I'm pretty sure once the thermometer hits 65 she'll be outside in her bathing suit trying to soak up some sun. There are baskets of knitting in just about every room of the house and I'm really glad she has this creative outlet. Audrey and Mindy have discussed a trip to England this summer and it would really be great if they can work something out.

I am really grateful for my job! There is so much going on with our conversion from quarters to semesters and I am really trying to stay engaged and redeem myself after missing so much these last nine months. The stress took its toll and I do have trouble concentrating.

I'm learning so much in my Bible study and am very thankful for getting to know the ladies at my table.

I want to encourage you in all your endeavors, to live well and with purpose for Him, keeping Christ in your heart in all things, and remind you that He is actually praying for you and interceding on your behalf to God. Keep fanning the flame of the Holy Spirit who dwells in you because you accepted Christ.

Blessings,

Pam