A New Path

Hi, everyone! Sorry I haven't posted in a couple of weeks. I still don't know how I did it, but I completely crashed my computer! I had been having trouble with it being so slow, so I decided to try an air card. Well, that sent it into orbit and the more I tried to help it - the worse it got! Finally, one day when I turned it off in disgust - I tried to turn it back on and it wouldn't boot up. At all!!! I went camping the next day for the weekend and before I got back , Brad brought Scott over and he was able to get me going again. Thanks, thanks, thanks to Scott! He is soooo smart. He was also very kind to me and didn't laugh at me for my computer ignorance! I don't know what I did but I am going to be verry careful. He did not get all my stuff off of my hard drive so I'll be busy recreating my pictures and music and those very important things!
Since my last letter, my cousin Calva has had very successful brain surgery and is already home. The surgeon said he was able to get most of the tumor out so the upcoming radiation won't have to do so much. Thanks to all of you for your prayers - they are powerful and effective! Keep it up for her as she recovers and starts her radiation.
My other cousin, Janice, has discovered that she has a very small spot on her kidney! Since Wendell had the same thing, I think she will be having laprascopic surgery to freeze the spot. I'll keep you informed on that.
Speaking of radiation - my journey will be taking me down another path now. I will have a PET scan done week after next and see the radiation oncologist again that same week. (Starla , Amy and I went to see him yesterday). He wants to start the 6 week, 5 days a week regimen the first week of February. I am not scared. He was so very informative. He explained that lung cancer has a history of not traveling very far at first so we need to hit the area close to where the tumor and lymph node were that contained the cancer cells. The chemo was more for total body eradication and the radiation is an added precaution for any microscopic cells that might still be hiding away in that left lung area. The side effects are not supposed to be bad. Best news of all is that maybe my 5 month nausea is finally coming to an end! Hallelujah!!!!! I have finally quit taking my Marinol, but am still using the phenargan occasionally.
I also have decided to have a Joyce's Journey booth at the Relay for Life in Azle on April 24th. It will be an opportunity to raise money for the American Cancer Society but mostly for me to be with all my friends and family that have been carrying me for the last 6 months. I truly can't imagine going through what I have been through without alllllll the support I have had.(and especially the continued prayers!) I'm planning on having a very fun night!

Keep up the prayers for me and my family. I can tell that Ronnie is getting very tired and weary. Pray especially for him and my sweet children.
Love you all!

ahhhh! Finally

Well, I finally made it! The 16 weeks are over and I have received my last scheduled chemo treatment. I go to see the oncologist next Tuesday and see what he has to say about my future. Ginger took me to the final chemo on Monday. It only took a couple of hours from the time we arrived until the time we were walking out. My white count was only down to 1.3 or 1300 this week and my red count had gone down a little bit more. The nurse asked Dr. if I should get the shot to boost my count but he said no - wait to see where it is next week when I see him .

I have been waiting for this last 4 months to be over. It's almost as if I were in a time warp and it was in slow motion! Now that it has passed I am trying to figure out what I'm supposed to do with this future that God has given me. Lots of heavy thinking,huh? You have to remember , though, that I am still talking my Marinol this week to fight the nausea from Monday's treatment. I can't think too seriously during this time. I'm likely not to remember what big decision I came up with!

I do know that God has provided me with days ahead to use to His glory. I'm not sure where that is leading but I am still listening for God's whispers. I pray that I will recognize them when they appear. I have been studying about when God speaks to you - you will hear Him and you will know that it is God. Let me be listining!

I'll let you know about the dr. visit next week. Calva is still having mri's done to know the exact treatment for her - it should start soon. Keep us in your prayers. Love you all.