I am Stable - 08/26/2024

 Honest Jamie, “I AM STABLE!”

What does love look like in your house?  The things you do for love.

There are several times that I have tried to convince Jamie that I am “normal”.   Well today, I was given a whole new, unexpected approach.  It was verbal confirmation & in print form.  Just to be clear, I did NOT write these reports.

Remember the movie, “Adventures in Babysitting”?  Well somehow that’s how I equate Jamie’s care-givers job, since my mobility setback.  We are always off on our adventures where ever they take us.  And I have honestly learned how to, “Go with the flow,” as we never know what is going to happen or what to expect along the way.  Think about, this ADD brain chick who is part OCD about things just letting go & being free in Christ.  There truly is freedom in Christ if you trust Him.  The one thing that typically always remains, no matter the cancer roller-coaster ride, is humor. 

How many of you have ever been shocked before in a good way?   I mean the total speechless kind of shocked.   The kind where Paulette just doesn’t even know what to say either!   Well today was offically one of those for me!!

We left home for our adventures at the Regional Hospital by 8:30 am as you always want to make sure you have time at the bridge, just incase the traffic is backed up due to construction…    Jamie did his usual stealth movies to get me in the Jeep.  The ride up was especially beautiful today.  Not taking for granted going for a ride always, adds a dimension of appreciation.  You see my mobility issues had come back to visit me again.  I went from going on my own grand adventures, to relying on my handsome chauffeur, Jamie.  Can’t you hear me saying, “Home James!”  

Thankfully there was NO backed up traffic on the bridge!  About 10 minutes before we reached the hospital, I received a phone call from my oncologist assistant, Jessica.  I just LOVE her.  She is the sweetest lady with the kindest phone voice, who has one of the hardest jobs you can imagine.  Through time I have called her for many things and she has handled them all with her Christ-like sweetness of mercy & grace.  When I saw her phone # on my cell phone my first thought was, “Did they cancel one of my appointments?”  No they didn’t.  It was an extra, special FREE bonus today.  You see she told me that my two CT Scans & Bone Scan reports were both in early.  Then she told me to tell my oncologist Dr. B., that she could access them online, so I could receive my results.  Remember, this is the set of scans that included a CT scan of my head too… We were going to find out if I have a  brain?! 

 “If I only had a brain.”   Kind of a catchy tune isn’t it.  Do you remember that song?  Hint, “The Wizard of Oz”.  You’re welcome.  Hopefully, I can help you get that song suck in your head too.   I couldn’t believe they had my two CT Scans & Bone Scan reports done that quickly!  Those of you that have been the recipients of having these tests done, know that these are busy departments.   Hat’s off to this wonderful team of doctors and technicians for all they do. 

Jamie said one of his first thoughts as we were leaving the Regional today was, “You won’t be as quiet as you typically are on the way home.”  Well he was wrong!  I had been at a loss for words in a good way most of the day.   Of course Jamie counts this as a blessing anytime.  Words I usually have an abundance of and plenty of extra to go around for everyone.  Hum…sorry… you are finding this out yet again, as I type. 

Oh back to my appointments.  First was my visit with the oncologist.  Do you believe in miracles?  You have heard me say that I do.  Well when my oncologist shared my test results, for the first time since May 2023, there is NO progression of metastasis in my bones!!!!!  You heard me right!  In my four previous bone scans I had collected a bouquet of 12 places through time.  NO NEW PLACES FOR THE FIRST TIME TODAY!  All three scans today say that, “I am stable”!  A miracle & I have it in  writing, especially for Jamie.  “I am stable!!!” Really I am. .  He heard verbal confirmation from my oncologist too.  There is no denying it now.  I’ve got the three reports to prove it too!!  As for my  brain, “There is no identifiable mass.”  Guess my brain is officially a MIA or a UFO! 

Thank you ALL for the POWERFUL gift of your prayers.  PRAYERS WORK!!!  Miracles do happen!!!!  The gift of any new day is a miracle.  We all really need to realize that.  I read in one of my devotional books, that you should live each day like it’s your last.   That is the gift that living with cancer can give you.  A new perspective on how precious each day is. 

Please keep praying for Lisa & Jeff, Trish & Wade  and ALL those on your prayer lists\chains.  I have a plaque that was given to me many years ago and it said, “PRAYER CHANGES THINGS”.  It truly DOES, even if you can’t see what God is doing, He is on the move!  He is answering your prayers within His Will, His Way & in His perfect timing.  I honestly think His most powerful work is done in the unseen because that is what God tells us faith is.  “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”  Hebrews 11:1 

Thank you Lord for guiding me on this journey to the things to help me stay strong in you.  And for guiding me to Hope 4 Cancer in Tijuana, Mexico to learn of the natural things to help my body be strong and give me a rare good quality of life.  Sometimes I still can’t believe we went.  We only did because God opened the door!   From the “Bottoms Up Cafe” to “My Swamp Water (Essiac Tea)” everything makes a difference.  Heather Roth, thank you for sending me the three month supply of Essiac Tea to try.   It never ceases to amaze me how God works.  Heather was one of my peeps that I met at Hope 4 Cancer.  If you scroll back through my feeds you will see a picture of her & I at Hope 4 Cancer.  As God opened the door through Heather for the Essiac Tea, I tried it.  From doctors to a pharmacist it was not recommended that I use it.  There are NO miracle cures but if we allow God to guide us and listen to His still small voice… life-giving & life-changing miracles can happen.  We need to follow where He leads us and fully trust in Him.  God has led me on some grand adventures.  It’s not always easy to discern between the contrasting worlds of conventional treatments & natural treatments, so I have trusted God fully for it all.  Thank you again Heather Roth for listening to God’s still small voice. 

When I go to see my oncologist, I always ask people to pray for my attitude, so I will have a Christ-like attitude at my appointments.  We need to have sincere gratitude.  And honestly, you need to know that a relationship with your oncologist can have peeks & valleys too, as this is an extraordinary journey.   As I was a teacher, I once shared that we “played nicely in the sandbox together” during my last appointment with a few people that had prayed for me.  Today we built a Sandcastle together!  By the way, I am also enjoying my “swamp water” a lot more now too.  Next dose in 45 minutes.  “Bottoms Up Cafe” tomorrow.   What’s on your agenda?  What do you need to have gratitude for?

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”  I Thessalonians 5:18

ps  If you’d like Jamie to come cook for you, just let me know, but it can’t be on Saturdays.  He makes a delicious tea & very unique coffee.  Warning the coffee is not a breakfast blend.    “Cheers” & “Bottoms Up”!