Our Lord and Savior

I'm very thankful for Doctors & the knowledge they have, there is so much contentment in knowing that Doctors don't have the final say in our healing. Remembering to Praise the Lord IN all things!

Monday, June 6, 2011

June 6th, 2011

REMISSION!  Praise the Lord!  We just returned from CTCA this weekend and after only being on this new drug for 8 weeks, I'm in remission!  YEAH!  The downside is that I'll always have to take this drug to keep the cancer cells from forming again, as long as I can tolerate it anyway. Or our Lord could choose to heal me from this cancer, that's the upside!

Right now the drug is making me extremely tired and nauseous, plus it's playing havoc with my blood sugar and thyroid.  But, with all that said, it's a small price to pay for remission from the cancer, just have to work thru the side effects.  I also have to stay out of the sun while on this drug.  On the trip home, the sun was coming in my window and I started having unbearable itching that lasted 24 hours with not much that would calm it.  So believe me, you won't be catching me getting a tan or even close!

I love all of you that have prayed for me so faithfully.  Knowing that you're praying helps me get thru the tough times.  I'm still enjoying my bible study and also a book called "Chicken Soup for the cancer patient". Wow, such encouraging stories of folks going thru similar events as I am and learning that no matter what I'm going thru, it's NOTHING compared to what our Lord went thru. 

I will stand strong in my faith and in knowing that my healing is coming!

Thursday, May 5, 2011

May 6th, 2011

We just got back from CTCA this week.  I had a couple of weeks that were really good, no rash or itching..... praise the Lord!  Then I broke out again while we were in IL, the doc seems to think that its an allergic reaction to a new medication that they put me on but it's not any better & now the itching has joined the party, and not a fun one.  They are concerned that my thyroid is very low, triglycerides are very high and my sugar is running real high too so they want me to see an endocrinologist asap.  That seems to be a problem because getting into them takes a while, weeks.. that we don't have to wait.  Please, pray that I can get an appointment soon.

On a happy note, our kids ended up paying for both of my wigs, I am so blessed to have the caring family that I have.  Then this weekend they will all be over to celebrate Mother's Day with me. Then on the 21st, we get the honor of celebrating the high school graduation of our oldest grandson, Asher Benjamin Perkins!  We're so very proud of him.  He will be attending John Brown University this fall for a music degree.

Again, thanks for always being there to pray for my needs.  I'm so grateful for the healing that IS taking place in my body, whether it be by Divine intervention or by medical science.  Thank you Lord!

Thursday, April 14, 2011

April 14th, 2011

Well, it's been a while since I've posted.  We went back to Zion IL in March & it was confirmed that my cancer is back.  They decided to have me to try to take Targretin for 4 weeks.  It has a lot of serious side effects, Praise the Lord that I don't have any of them at this time!  I have to get weekly blood tests done to make sure I'm doing OK with it, so far so good.  The rash & itching has been severe, making it difficult to sleep or get comfortable, even hard to wear clothes so I stay at home most of the time.  They added a herbal tab this week to what I'm already taking, it seems to be helping, I'm very thankful for the relief.  I return to CTCA the first week of May to make sure all is going well.  They only give the Targretin a 50% chance for success, I'm believing that I'm in that 50%!

My family has been very supportive, doing whatever is needed to help out.  My girls took me on a shopping adventure last week for a new wig, that was a lot of fun.  We found one that we really liked but it was way to pricey so I came home & found the exact one for considerably less on line, Thank you Lord for saving them those dollars & for my new wig.  While I was looking, I also found another one that was so cute, so I ordered it too,  So I'll look like a different woman when you see me again!  LOL.........

I feel so blessed with all my family & friends that are there for whatever my needs may be.  I can't imagine what I'd do without that support.  I've started a new bible study so I know that there will be strongholds to break thru but I'm excited to be learning more of our Lord's plan.  Blessings abundantly to each of you!

Saturday, March 19, 2011

March 19th, 2011

Well, we're back in Zion IL at the cancer hospital, my symptoms have returned, sever itching and the rash.  Already had a PET Scan & 5 skin biopsies this week and will get a bone marrow test on Monday. Will see the doctor again on Tuesday to get the results.  He wouldn't commit that the cancer is back until he gets the test results back.  We can pray!

We were blessed to get a room where we can have Chloe with us again, she is so much company and I'm really glad that she's here with us since we'll be here for a week or so.

The weather is a lot colder here than home, I should have brought a coat!  What was I thinking?  I guess since Spring is happening at home, I assumed that it would be happening here too!  LOL!

So again, we're petitioning you for prayers of healing.  Thanks so much for your faithfulness to pray. We really appreciate all of you. 

Blessings & Love sent your way.....
Joyce & Leon

Friday, February 4, 2011

February 4th

Let it snow.......let it snow.......let it snow!   It's a beautiful site in NW Arkansas!  We rarely get this much snow and we are really enjoying it.  We're so thankful to be home now with family & friends!

I'm still feeling good, Praise the Lord!  We made our trip to the Cancer hospital to speak to the board, that went really well.  Again, what an honor to be asked to talk the this prestigious board.  We were able to meet up with several friends that we've made up there too, that was so good to see all of them again.  We have truly been blessed.

Well, I'll make this short this time, again thanks for all of your prayers on our behalf, be blessed!

Thursday, January 6, 2011

January 6th, 2011

WOW......... a new year has come & where did 2010 go so fast?

We've been home since December 23rd and are loving it!  We both missed family & friends so bad.  It's been a busy 2 weeks but so much fun.  Christmas day all of the family was over, we played games, ate, laughed, ate more, played more games & ate some more......... lots of good time with family!  Then we had out annual New Years Eve Party with family & friends.  Again we ate, enjoyed music by Leon, Asher, Ronnie, Billy, Breana & Cheryl, then we ate some more & some played games until 3am (me too!).  what a fun nite we all had!

I'm getting stronger every day, thank you Lord!  It's so wonderful to say that I feel good and actually mean it!  My feet are much better, I've been able to wear shoes again for a few days, yeah!  God is so good!

Well, Leon & I will fly off to the Cancer hospital on the 18th for a couple of days.  I've been asked to speak at the January board meeting about my experience with the hospital and my disease, I feel honored that they would ask for my opinion.  They have a board meeting every quarter and always begin with a patient testimony, again what an honor that is to be asked to talk to the board of such an amazing place.  I've been asked a lot what I think of the hospital and is it as good as the commercials say.  All I can say is that they exceed my wildest expectations of what quality care should be and would recommend this place to anyone that is looking for cancer care.  Not many hospitals include God in your care, they treat the whole person, inside & out and also care about what your caregiver is going thru with you.  We love them all & have made some lifelong friends!

Better go for now.  Thanks again for all of your prayers and I'm so thankful to give our Lord ALL the praise!  Love you all!  Joyce

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

December 21st

REMISSION!   Praise the Lord!  That's what I was told today, that my cancer had responded very well to the radiation and I was in Remission.  God is so good, God is so faithful!  Praise the Lord!

So, we'll go to the hospital in the morning for my last treatment then head home for Christmas, we're so ready to be home.  It was hard today telling our nurses & therapists, "see you later" as one of them said.  We've made some lasting friendships here & will remember all of them with warm thoughts and loving memories.  God certainly sent us to a wonderful healing place and we're both so grateful!

We'll have to come back in February for a check-up with my Radiology Oncologist, hopefully the weather will cooperate, winter can be tough up here.

I'll make this short as I need to start packing everything up (that means this computer too)!  I didn't get my Christmas cards ready to mail so this is our Christmas wish for all of you.  That Christmas will bring families together & lots of joy in your hearts while you share time together and reflect on the birth of our Lord.  And that 2011 will bring blessings to you & yours!

Pray for a safe trip home and I'll still be posting, just not as often.  Thanks so much for the prayer covering that you've had over us.  I KNOW that is why my treatments have went so well.  I love you all!

Blessings............. Leon & Joyce

Saturday, December 11, 2010

December 11th

WOW.................. things have really changed up here.  It's gotten so cold that our diesel truck wouldn't start so we decided that Leon would take the truck & trailer home since it's going to get below 0 this weekend and it's a good thing that we did because the water tanks were frozen when he tried to drain them before he left.  We're praying that nothing busts in the trailer when it starts to thaw out.  So, we're staying in the hospital's hotel that is really nice & we were able to get a room that we could keep Chloe with us, Praise the Lord!  I was sure sad to think that I would have to send her home.  He was only gone for about 36 hours and its a 14 hour trip one way, he said that he felt like he was trailer trucking again! 

I brought a  little Christmas tree with us so it's set up on the dresser so it looks a little like Christmas in our room.  But we've had about 5 inches of snow so far & they're expecting a lot more tonite!  YEAH!  We'll be out driving around to see the beautiful scenery..

We went on an outing that the hospital provided last weekend to Bethel College.  It was their annual Christmas concert, it was spectacular and honored our Lord in music & song!  Then they took all of us to a wonderful restaurant for dinner.  We are so blessed to be at such a wonderful facility that cares about the whole person and family.  They treat us like royality.

We're planning on going to a Christmas program at a local church tomorrow night providing we don't get snowed in.  What a wonderful time of year to hear all the good news about our Lord's birth!

I've had 7 treatments this trip, only 8 more to go!  We're counting the days until we can go home for good! Jody is going to have surgery on the 17th, we're SOOOOOO sad that we won't be there for her but we know that she is under our Father's care and trust that the doctor's hands are guided by our Lord!

We should be headed home on the 22nd, just in time for Christmas.

Praises:
***Leon was able to make it safely home & back to me
***Wonderful celebrations of Christmas
***treatments are easy so far
***NO ITCHING now!

Prayer Requests:
***Protection & healing for Jody as she goes thru this surgery & recovery
***my treatments will go on as scheduled so we can head home
***that God will be glorified thru all of this

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

November 30th

We're back in Illinois to finish my treatments.  I should be done on the 22nd, providing we don't have any delays in my treatments.  It's really cold up here & they are expecting some snow tonite but shouldn't have any accumulation this time but they talking about getting some more on Monday that may stay for a while.  We do love the snow, I can't wait to see it on the beautiful evergreen trees.  What a majestic site!

I bought a small Christmas Tree to decorate for us in the trailer, it looks lovely on the table by our recliners.  And, I brought a crocheted door hanger that my momma made so we have a little bit of home with us.  It was really hard to leave our family at home with this being the Christmas Season.  But, we'll get thru this last bit of treatments and get to be HOME for a long while...... YEAH! 
Praise the Lord!

Thanks so much for your prayers, cards & phone calls........ you are all so special to us!

Please pray that my treatments go well and we don't have any delays so that we'll be headed home in time for Christmas....... 

Our prayer is that each of you have a very blessed Christmas, complete with family, friends, lots of good food, and most importantly that the love of the Lord will be poured out in abundance on you & yours!

Merry Christmas!
Joyce & Leon

Thursday, November 11, 2010

November 11th

Praise the Lord!  We're home for 3 weeks!  Last Friday when I finished my last full body treatment, I again saw my Dr.   He suggested that we come home for 3 weeks to let my body heal then return on Nov. 29th to finish treating my feet & head.  I really wanted to stay & get it all behind me but as usual, the Dr was right.  I've really needed this time to rest, the past few weeks have been pretty challenging.

Leon also saw his urologist on Friday and will get the stint out when we return.  He's been doing pretty good, the Dr wants to leave the other stones alone for now, so we're believing that they won't cause any more issues.

We're so grateful for the angels that God has sent our way, disguised as Dr's, nurses, therapists and Kim, John & Mary at the park we're staying at. We have been so blessed with such caring folks that treat us like we're their family.  Thanks again Lord!

Then I received a gift basket yesterday from my friends at DaySpring filled with cards that touched our hearts with all the encouragement & prayers that have been sent our way.  Thanks DaySpring!  And thanks to all my family & friends for the phone calls, cards, gifts & prayers, that has meant the world to us.

Well, I'll go for now, I'm still struggling with my hands and typing is pretty tough.

Praise Reports:
***Thanks to Kim & her family for taking such good care of Chloe while Leon was in the hospital.
***Thanks for a safe trip home
***Thanks for our family to be safe while we're away

Prayer Requests:
***That our Lord will be glorified as we travel thru this journey
***That my hands & feet will continue to heal and be pain free

Blessings to each & every one of you........... we love you all!

Saturday, October 30, 2010

October 30th

Well, it's been a long time since I posted last.  So many issues have happened, so here we go!

I went for my treatment on the 21st and they wouldn't let me take it due to welps all over my hands & arms..... so we took advantage of the time off & drove home for the weekend,  YEAH!  It was wonderful to see everyone, we've missed home so bad.  We also celebrated my 60th birthday while home, that was really nice. 

Then when we got back here on Sunday, Leon was having a lot of back pain & blood in his urine again. On Monday he was in such severe pain and was admitted to the Cancer hospital for pain control & to flush the stones out. The doctor was concerned that his kidney function wasn't good, that was scary.   We're so thankful that it happened after we got back up here & not at home when I needed to be back here or even on the trip coming back.  Praise the Lord!

In the meantime, I developed 2nd degree burns on the top of my feet.  So, on Tuesday (my birthday) my doctor again said not more treatments and they were going to make lead sheilds to cover the tops of my feet so they don't get any more raditaion.  I was in pretty severe pain from that and while I waited in the room to see the doctor, all the nurses came in singing Happy Birthday to me with a birthday cake & card for me.  Then as I was leaving, my therapists brought me a Happy Birthday balloon & card. God knew that I needed some major encouragement that day, feeling so bad myself & concerned about Leon's condition.

So, I'll always remember my 60th birthday as so special, being with all of my family at home & the precious nursed & therapists (all friends) that made my day wonderful.  And to Kim, at the park we're living at, for keeping Chloe during the days so I didn't have to be worried about her being left alone so much.

Leon remained in the hospital until Thursday, unable to pass this stone.  He then had to go to another hospital to get the stone blasted on Friday, it was really big & got stuck in the uritha tube causing his kidneys not to drain. He's been in so much pain this week.   He has to return to the uroligist next week to get the stint removed and to see what we can do about the remaining stones that are still in his kidneys and what we can do to prevent them.  And also to ask if his kidneys are functioning as they should now.

All that to say, We're both feeling better now & are looking forward to a lot of well needed rest this weekend.  I've only got 2 more full body treatments that will complete the full body treatments, then they will treat the bottoms of my feet & top of my head, maybe 3 more weeks then we'll be headed home, YEAH!

Please pray that we don't have any more delays in my treatments and that Leon continues to get better.
Thanks to all for your prayers & concern........ we love you all and can't wait to have all this behind us!

Friday, October 15, 2010

October 15th

Fall is in the air & I love it!  The cool, crisp days & nights are wonderful!  We drove into Wisconsin the other day to go thru a park that was reccomended to us and it was beautiful.  We drive around anytime that I feel like it, that's our entertainment.  But what could be a better entertainment than enjoying the beautiful country that God has allowed us to live in.  It's simply breathtaking!

Today will end treatment #14, only 4 more to go, that's only 2 weeks if we don't have to discontinue treatments because of my reactions.  Then we'll have another 3 more weeks treating my feet & head, that's getting aweful close to Thanksgiving & we definately want to be home then.  My skin is more sensitive now, getting more burn areas and the itch is pretty rough, especially where it's peeling.  Not sure if the itching is from the cancer or the radiation but I'll sure be glad when it's gone.  My hands are still swelling, making it painful to do the smallest things like opening a water bottle or opening a cabinet door or typing, that's why this has taken a little longer to write again.  I pray that this doens't cause another dalay in my treatment.

We've met another wonderful Christian lady that is here alone for treatments from Oregon.  She was sitting alone in the cafeteria with no empty tables around when I asked to join her, when we began to pray, she got teary eyed and told us that she had prayed for Christians to join her, precious lady!  It would be so difficult to be here alone, her husband was tending to their farm and her mother was caring for her young son.  She seemed encouraged to share her faith with fellow believers.  Her name is Kari, she's had breast cancer & now its in her hip bone so she's very concerned, as anyone would be.

Our Nashville friends, Judy & Peggy were back this week for a check-up and received a very report!  Praise the Lord!  It was wonderful to get to see them again and they'll be back again the beginning of November, so we'll see them again before we come home!

Our friend, Mike Neeley is still in a medicated coma, it's been 8 weeks now.  His wife sounds very tired and just wants him to wake up but the doctors don't think that his lungs are strong enough yet.  They won't give her a time when he can be taken off of the machines, just that this will take a very long, long time.

Thanks so much for the cards, phone calls, emails, gifts and messages here.  We miss everyone so much and it brightens our days to hear from family & such supportive friends, so thanks again!

Praises:
***meeting friends that encourage us
***took the very blonde wig back & got another that is ashe blonde that looks a lot like my old hair, yeah!  It was a brand new wig that someone had donated, God is so good!
***Blood work is still good!

Prayer Requests:
***Mike Neeley's healing
***Safety & protection for family at home
***Burns, sores & itching to vanish
***That our Lord will be glorified thru all this
***That we will be used for His glory to share our faith

Thursday, October 7, 2010

October 7th

Praise the Lord......... my hands are much better and we got back on our treatment schedule this week!  The weather is beautiful and we're enjoying seeing the changing leaves of Fall.

We had a wonderful time with Brian & Jody this past weekend.  It sure was hard to see them leave!  We're missing family, friends & home so bad.  We're probably going to be here thru the week before Thanksgiving. We really WANT to be home for the holidays so we can see all of the family.  For that to happen, we can't have any more extentions in my treatments.

Praises:
*** Jody & Brian got to come see us & had a safe trip back home
***Treatments are back on schedule
***Blood work is still normal
***Sores are leaving

Prayer Requests:
***Pray that my skin accepts the radiation treatments
***That itching would continue to get better
***That God will be glorified thru this trial
***Safety & protection for family at home
***That we can share our faith with others

Friday, October 1, 2010

October 1st, Prayer Requrest

Well, I went in for my treatment yesterday and they wouldn't give it to me because my hands are a little burnt, peeling & swollen.  I go back Monday morning to see if they've healed enough to get treatments again.  I didn't want to be sick or so tired this weekend when Brian & Jody are here, so I guess that getting 2 days off, I'm not as tired already.

Please pray that I can begin treatments again on Monday so this journey isn't delayed anymore.
Love to all..................

Thursday, September 30, 2010

September 30th

I'm so excited.......... Jody & Brian are flying in this weekend for a visit.....yeah!  Sure do wish that Cheryl could have come with them but we totally understand why she couldn't, maybe next time.  We miss family so much, sure do wish that we could go home for a while to see all of them but since we can't.... Jody & Brian are coming here! 

I have 4 more weeks of full body radiation, then they'll do the bottom of my feet & top of my head, don't know how long will that take, hopefully not too long.  We're ready to be home but free of this cancer! Leon has been working with John getting our water lines ready for a northern winter since really cold weather could happen at any time now.

Treatments are still going well, not much change.  My skin is accepting the treatments well, if it begins to break apart, they'll have to stop therapy foe a while.  I'm having pain & swelling in my hands again, will ask about that today.  Also, still having a lot of itching and bumps coming up, not pretty!

Leon has made friends with 2 guys that are patients here, both play guitar, imagine that!  Both have pretty tough throat & stomach cancers but they enjoy talking guitar.  Leon needed that connection & I'm sure that they do too since both of them are here alone, that's tough.

And our precious Chloe........... we've taken her by Lake Michigan a few times for walks, she doesn't like walking in the sand, too much work for those little short legs!  We're so thankful that she's here with us!  She brings so much unconditional love & joy to us, she is so sweet.

Praise reports:
***Still no serious side effects, Praise the Lord
***Leon's guitar friends, Steve & Al
***Blood work is still good
***that my skin is still ok for accepting treatments

Prayer requests:
***relief from the itching & sores
***safe travel for Jody  & Brian
***comfort & protection for family at home
***that God will be glorified in all this
***that we can share our faith with others

Saturday, September 25, 2010

September 25th


Autumn has definitely arrived here in Illinois!  The leaves are turning into a harvest of beautiful fall colors as they begin falling from the trees.   Thank you Lord for the beauty of nature.  I’m really going to miss the beautiful fall foliage of the Ozarks and my yearly trip down the mountain (& the memory of my very 1st speeding ticket a few years ago) to admire the beauty that God created for us to enjoy.  This is my favorite season of the year!   We are definitely going to need heat tonite since it’s supposed to get down in the 40’s tonite, get ready to snuggle up Leon & Chloe! 
Yesterday ended my 9th treatment, only 9 more to go!  Then my therapist told me that when we finish with the full body radiation, we then will begin to treat the bottom of my feet & the top of my head, shew!  So that will take us into November, so Leon is making plans on winterizing the trailer with the help of John, our very sweet friend here at the trailer park.  And to add a mesh panel to our existing lovely fence that Chloe goes right thru, that silly little pooch! It’s not unusual to get snow in October up here.  I’ll have to admit, I will love that!
The itching & sores are about the same, some days are better than others, I’m really ready for MORE good days than bad!  My Doc says that everything looks good and progressing as it should, that’s comforting.  I’m so thankful again for the wonderful folks that we’ve met here, including the Dr’s, nurses, therapists, & other patients and caregivers that make going thru this valley a little easier!
Praise’s:
***Blood work still great
***Still no serious side effects
***Coconut oil helps with itching & dry skin
***new wig & night caps
Prayer Requests;
***continued healing for Mike Neeley, he has a long road ahead of him & for Connie
***Itching & sores will diminish
***Continued good blood reports
***Safety for family & friends

Sunday, September 19, 2010

September 19th

Praise the Lord IN all things!  That's what I've told myself a lot over the past few days.  AND YES, God is good all the time and He does care about all of our needs and emotions.  It's been a challenging few days but the 3 of us ( Leon, me & the Lord) will be victorious over this Cancer!

My hair began coming out last Wednesday and by Friday I lost 4 hairbrushes full so I called the hospital salon & got it all cut off yesterday!  I was much better taking control of the situation myself than having it try to take control of me. And then He blessed me again!  The stylist asked if I was going to wear a wig, hats, scarves or nothing.  Well for me, nothing or scarves was not going to happen, that's me talking!  As most of you know, I wore a wig a few years ago when my hair began thining pretty bad.  I told her that I had a wig to wear & also had brought another one to donate to them. She then pulled out some tubs filled with wigs that had been previously donated.  After trying on 3 she found one that was perfect for me.  It's a little blonder than the one I already have and it's long enough to be warmer in cold weather.  WOW, yes He does care about our every need & desires! 

The itching is some days here & some days gone, I'll be so thankful when I can truely say that it's gone for good!  My skin is also very dry from the treatments & my doctor is very strick on whar I can use on my skin but he did give permission to use Extra Virgin Coconut Cream on it, it helps the itching some and makes my skin sooooo soft while smelling really good too.  Thank You Lord!

On a lighter note, this area is beautiful and the folks at the Cancer Treatment Center couldn't be more helpful and compassionate.  I told my therapists about my hair loss on Friday and that I was getting it all cut off.  They both cried and hugged me, I'm so blessed to have compassionate ladies that work with me on my treatments.  I just love all of them!

Praise reports;
***Coconut Cream to use for the dry skin & itch, Yes!
***My blood levels are good again this week!
***A new wig to brighten my day!
***No serious side effects except for my hair loss
***Thankful that the Lord is opening doors & planting seeds for us to share God's love to others
***So very thankful for all the encouragement of our family & friends thru cards, email, phone calls, etc.

Prayer requests;
***Our friend, Mike Neeley is still in a medicated coma due to the seriousnessof his injuries, its' been 5 weeks now.  Please pray for healing for Mike and that his body will begin to operate as it should.  He's on breathing & feeding tubes and is now requiring dialysis since his kidneys have almost shut down. Also, pray for strength & comfort for his wife, Connie & all of his family.  Connie is staying on another floor in the hospital so that she can be close to him.  I pray that the Lord will comfort all of them & that they can draw their strength from Him.  We love them dearly & wish that we were closer to give them our support.
***For my itching to go away
***That my bllod work will continue to be acceptable
***Protection for Leon & me and for our family at home
***That our Lord will be glorified thru all of this
***That we will again be able to share our faith & God's love with others

PS; if you're unable to leave comments, feel free to shoot me an email, we love hearing from you.
leon.joyce@hotmail.com

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

September 15th

Praise reports:
***God IS good, ALL the time!  No serious side effects... 6 treatments down, only 12 more to go!
***More new friends, Jan & Jim from Kansas.  Jan also has lymphoma but different than mine, sweet Christian folks.  Thank you Lord for bringing them into our lives.
***Blood work continues to be good, yeah!  Thanks again Lord!
***Itching is some better, awaiting the END to the itching, Yes Lord!

Now to a new issue, my hair is beginning to come out.  I'll have to say that I haven't been looking forward to this, but I know that God will be beside me thru this also.  Leon is being so supportive and the ladies that administer my radiation are so sweet, they say that I have a good head and not to worry, silly girls!  I'm very thankful for wonderful therapists that are working with me, thanks again Lord!  So now, I'll begin wearing my wig or hats............ and make lemonade out of this situation!

I'm also getting sores on my skin.  We were concerned about that but the Doctor says that it's the radiation killing the cancer cells & they will go away but they're pretty sore will they're here.  It was good news to hear that this is a sign that the radiation is working, yeah!

I'll get my 3rd Accupuncture treatment tomorrow, not sure if the radiation or the accupuncture is helping the itching, but I'm very grateful for the relief.  It's much better but still has a ways to go and I'm ready!

We're so blessed to have a family and friends to take our needs to our Lord in prayer.  We pray many blessings on each & every one of you.  Your emails, cards, comments and phone calls are so cherished by both of us........... you never cease to amaze us of your thoughtfulness and love!

Prayer Requests:
***That the itching will continue to get better
***That the sores, if more come, will go quickly and painlessly
***For protection & safety for the family at home
***That Leon & I will continue to be encouraged
***That we'll have the opportunity to share our faith with new friends we meet
***That God will be glorified as we go thru this valley

PS: please let me know if you continue to have difficulty leaving a comment, I'm contacting the web administrator when I hear of new issues.

Saturday, September 11, 2010

September 11th

WOW, just writing the date gives me chills thinking of that day, so many years ago. We're so blessed & grateful to live in a country that country means so much! Thanks so to all who gave a little or all to get us thru that horible day.

Here in Zion IL, they have the largest Labor Day Parade in the nation that we were priviledged to watch on Monday. We are very close to Great Lakes Navel station so they were the 1st band in the parade, along with the Marine & ROTC bands. WOW, how exciting to see them in their dress uniforms. And priviledged is what I felt. And then more emotions surfaced when a float came by looking like the firemen with our flag atop of the ground zero rubble, but this one used real soldiers. Oh my goodness, that had to have touched every heart there, it sure did ours! Thank you to all that serve that we can be free.

Well, I'm finished with 5 treatments now and still very itchy so my Dr has suggested that I see an Accupuncture therapist which I did on Thursday, she thinks that she can help my itching.  He also wants me to take Raiki classes (something about mind/body techniques) that's on Monday.  We also saw a dermitoligist but she didn't have any suggestions.  I'm beliving that these treatments will bring relief along with the radiation.

We're getting homesick for family, friends & home and its only been 3 weeks, 6-7 to go.  Thanks so much for your prayers, cards, emails and posts here.  It's amazing to think of all of you that care so deeply for us.  May God bless you all!

Prayer Requests;
***wisdom for the Doctors to find relief for the itching
***Safety & protection for family at home
***encouragement for Leon & I as we await a cure


PS: if you're having trouble posting a comment, you might need to sign in to google for an account. Send me an email of that doesn't work & I'll keep digging to see what the issue is.

Sunday, September 5, 2010

September 5th

3 treatments down, thank you Lord for NO side effects!  I'll get treatments from Tuesday thru Friday next week without a break on Wednesday.  My therapist said not to plan anything for the weekend after that, shew!  My God is greater than Cancer treatments!  Thank you Lord for the witness that He's allowing us to be.

Our friends, Judy & Peggy went home to Nashville, we miss them dearly but are very happy that they got to go home for a while.  Then, just a faithfully he brought Josie into our hearts.  She's been here alone and was a blessing for us to get to know her.  She shows horses, so she had a lot in common with us to talk about. 

Josie had very long hair and lost it all, we talked a lot about that.  My concerns about that happening to me also and what a mountian that is for me at this time.  I know that the Lord will walk with me if that happens to me but at the same time I need to work thru those emotions, its good to talk to someone that is feeling or felt the same thing to work thru them that took my concerns to heart.  It'd very hard for someone to imagine how you would feel in that situation until hit hits you between the eyes.  Thanks Lord for bring Josie into our lives! Leon is so very supportive but I know that he doesn't know what to say at times, thanks Lord for sending Angels to help us get thru our days here.

We've only been gone for 2 weeks and it seems like a lot longer than that, 7 weeks more to go, we miss everyone so bad.  Thanks Cheryl for posting clips of the boys in the band for me, I wish that I could have been there.

They took blood on Thursday so I'll find out Tuesday when I see the Doc if it's in an acceptable range so I can continue treatments as scheduled or our stay could be extended.  We're believing that it will be good!

Speaking of thanks, we want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for you prayers, cards, emails & phone calls.  It's so encouraging to both of us to hear from our family & friends as we go thru this and knowing that you're taking our petition to our Father, you're all a blessing to us both.

I'd also ask that you hold up in prayer a longtime friend of ours, Mike Neeley and his family.  Mike had a motorcycle accident while in WY and was life flighted to SD, then flown to Tulsa 3 weeks ago.  He had a broken pelvis & while in surgery, the dr's found a lot more issues to concern them.  He's still in ICU after 3 weeks.  Mike and his family need the comfort, spiritually, mentally & physically that can come from our Lord.

Prayer requests;

***that my itching would get in control & be gone!
***that my blood levels will be acceptable
***that my treatments won't cause any side effects
***that He'll continue to send Angels to us
***safety & protection on our family at home
***encouragement for Leon as he stands by me thru this
***healing for Mike Neeley & encouragement for his family

We love you all, Leon & Joyce