Nodes of Wisdom

Biopsy

donnab — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:29:59 +0000

Well, not enough tissue so we are on to trying chest surgery to put in a tube to get more tissue. It’s still a wait and see game

Tomorrow at 9:15

donnab — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 04:19:44 +0000

Tomorrow at 9:15am I will either hear that God performed a miracle and there is NO cancer or I’ll hear that for some reason God is going to allow me to face round 3 of cancer/chemo. I know He has the full picture so I will accept whatever the results happen to be. I am NOT up to more cancer/chemo but HE can handle anything so I will rest in His arms.

I have prepared for the worse - I have had all the emotions and tomorrow I just go to hear the facts and the future.

I am fine and in peace!

Doing the same thing with different results

donnab — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 02:53:07 +0000

They say being insane is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result but getting the same result

SO, since I’m not insane (you can probably debate that), I’m going to do the same thing but get a different result….. I’m going to have another biopsy next Thrusday and it is NOT going to be cancer!!!!!!!

I must stay postive - I have too much to do right now to stop and have treatment

The Wait

donnab — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 03:56:27 +0000

I had 2 weeks of scans and now the wait - I’ll find out next Thrusday if I’m still in the clear In the meantime, I truly have learned to live with the pain and I have learned how to do so much with the lack of feeling and coordination. Life goes on! God provides when you need it - He gives you everything you need - and all we have to do in return is have faith! I’m not saying that comes easy for me - I have SO many unknowns right now - but I’m fighting the fight and running the race and doing everything I can do. I truly believe that if I give my all - God will take care of where I fall short. It’s a daily “letting go to God” but oh how He makes it worth it!!

Is this right?

donnab — Wed, 27 May 2009 19:40:18 +0000

I realize I have not written for a while. I’m the same health wise. I started my neurotin at 300mg and now I’m up to 1500mg a day-but I can go up to 3000mg so life is good. I’m learning how to function with my neuropathy and learn to forget I have burning and pain all the time. Life has it’s hardships - we all have them - so I am just trying to love every moment.

I begin my scans next week. I’ll do them every other day for 2 weeks so I don’t get sick. There is no reason to think that I have cancer - but I thought that last year. You can’t help but wonder, but you learn too that it’s all in God’s hands.

With that said, I spent the day over at the cancer center yesterday with 2 friends. One is 34 with a 3 and 10 year old sons. She has 4 more days of chemo and then she is suppose to go home and let this rare cancer end her life because they have no more tricks up their sleves. The other friend is very hopeful that she’ll be accepted for a clinical trial in Germany - but she has a 50% chance, that even if accepted, she’ll be one of the patients to receive the placebo.

We all have hardships. Cancer also causes the hardship of finances. I can’t imagine the bills for these two incredible ladies. I pray their insurance is great. Yesterday, the cancer center did not have one empty chemo chair. How many of those people stress over money, have gone bankrupt (like us - we are starting the process), or live in their cars (I have heard of that happening).

Ok.. you have waited to see how my title fits Check this out.. I copied this from an on-line newspaper….

For Hollywood’s littlest celebrities, the cost of a birthday party can easily reach $25,000 or more and parents everywhere are trying to keep up. Suri Cruise’s 2nd birthday bash reportedly cost $100,000 thanks to a $45,000 catering bill and a $5,000 cake.

IS IT RIGHT THAT PEOPLE ARE IN CARS, OR LIVING IN BOXES? IS IT RIGH THAT PEOPLE GO HUNGRY? IS IT RIGHT RESEARCH MONEY IS SO LIMITED? IS IT RIGHT, THAT A TWO YEAR OLD SHOULD HAVE A $100,000 BIRTHDAY PARTY …. I’M SURE SHE’LL REMEMBER EVERYTHING ABOUT IT …NOT!!!!

This makes me made but doesn’t get to me inside. I have a God that has it all under control. HOWEVER, He askes US to be His hands and feet. Are doing that? Do you have a month’s worth of food and yet know someone who only has a day? Do you know someome that could use a free babysitter so they could go relax for an hour or two? Do you know someone that needs help with their lawn this summer? Then what are you waiting for - as NIKE says - JUST DO IT!

I thank all of you that showed God to us by your generosity. It changed everything for us. We may not have an extra $100 laying aside - but I bet you have an extra $10 or a little of your time. I praise God that even though we are going bankrupt, I still find that little extra to give - that’s when I LOVE LIFE. Helping God show HIMSELF on this earth gives you the best feeling you could EVER have - go be God’s hands and feet today!!!!

I’m heading off to the cancer center to sit with my chemo friends - I’ll be there tomorrow as well. It will be time well spent God will be present!!

Another’s words…

donnab — Wed, 06 May 2009 17:05:32 +0000

Right now I’m not feeling inspirational - I’m feeling like I need someone to inspire me. My Mary Kay National Sales Director (who is the most incredible, fabulous, inspirational, loving, giving, serving person I know) sent this to me… I pass it on to you.

April 27

God Finished His Work

“The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me” (Psalm 138:8).

He who has begun will carry on the work which is being wrought within my soul. The LORD is concerned about everything that concerns me. All that is now good, but not perfect, the LORD will watch over, preserve, and carry out to completion. This is a great comfort. I could not perfect the work of grace myself. Of that I am quite sure, for I fail every day and have only held on so long as I have because the LORD has helped me. If the LORD were to leave me, all my past experience would go for nothing, and I should perish from the way. But the LORD will continue to bless me. He will perfect my faith, my love, my character, my lifework. He will do this because He has begun a work in me. He gave me the concern I feel, and, in a measure, He has fulfilled my gracious aspirations, He never leaves a work unfinished; this would not be for His glory, nor would it be like Him. He knows how to accomplish His gracious design, and though my own evil nature and the world and the devil all conspire to hinder Him, I do not doubt His promise. He will perfect that which concerneth me, and I will praise Him forever. LORD, let Thy gracious work make some advance this day!

Charles Spurgeon

Neurologist Appointment

donnab — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 21:39:43 +0000

Ok -blood work came back negative - which means only the chemo can be causing this - which also means no cure only time will tell. She told me not to give up my hope even to a year (it’s been 6 months). There is a chance that in a year I should at least get back 20%

In the meantime, feet/toes a little worse and hands a little better but thinks that is just because I have taught myself how to live and deal. She’s checking with my insurance to send me to therapy so they can help me cope in other ways.

That’s the scoop OH -increase in pills again - YIPPEE

Neurologists Today

donnab — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 16:44:13 +0000

I’m seeing the neurologist again today - results from blood work - if it’s God’s timing maybe there will be an answer to my 24/7 pain and non-feeling feet and hands - if not, God gives me what I need to handle - win/win

Also, made an appointment to find out our options with bankruptcy - can’t hurt to know our choices so we can make the wise one. Like I say, if cancer doesn’t kill you the bills will (lol).

Learning to live with the body I have - some limitations but over all I’m impressed. God is so good! Life is “normal” crazy - but it’s all good!!

Little Me an Author?

donnab — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 15:35:23 +0000

Ok, some of you have said that I should “write a book” and it makes me laugh inside. Little me an author? Well, Lon is considering making my Breast Cancer blogs and then maybe may Lung Cancer blogs an “E-Book” . It would be formatted for viewing on computer, E-book reading, or printing. He’s thinking $5 a copy. Again, I don’t see myself as a “writer” but some of you have said I am - lol So, before he works too hard on this project, would you really buy a book of my thoughts????

CROSSING THE LINE OF VANITY

donnab — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 00:07:23 +0000

Hello, 5 feet 4 inches is short. I’ve always wanted to be taller (ok, and slender) but it is what it is I’m not going to grow. Therefore, I have ALWAYS worn heels - to work, to go out, and yes, even to play - like Disneyland. I am a natural in heels - run, skip, hop and jump.

Now, has vanity crossed the line? I’m sitting here today trying to get used to heels. I’m going to my birth daughter’s baby shower and would like to feel good about myself. TOO FUNNY, since my brain doesn’t know I have feet, or feet on 3 inch extentions, I can’t walk. I look like I have ice skates or rollar blades on for the first time. I wobble and I will fall down. So, do I give up and wear flats and accept God’s creation the way I am, 5 feet 4 inches, or do I practice with heels?

Sorry- you were expecting me to say accept how God made me didn’t you? Well, this time I’m going to practice with heels and give myself some more time Come April 5th, the day of the shower, I’ll make the decision. I rather be short than fall over and land in someone’s food - lol. I’ll leave you with this cliff hanger and I’ll let you know what I do later.