We have been studying Revelation in a Bible study I am a part of. During one of our breaks we got into a discussion about whether there are pets in heaven. My friend said that there had to be dogs in heaven because Harley, her recently deceased dog, is going to be there.
Is she right? I don't know. I do know that the Garden of Eden had animals. In my mind, heaven will be a lot like the Garden of Eden--only a lot better.
Of one thing I am sure--everything will be there that I need to be eternally happy!!
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Ten Years Ago & Last Week
It's a girl!! Ten years ago today I arrived at the Fauquier Hospital to give birth to our daughter, Maria. I can hardly comprehend that it has been ten years ago. Parenting is one of the most satisfying things I have done. It has also stretched me in ways I hadn't been stretched before. As Dr. Dobson says, "Parenting isn't for cowards."
We plan to take her to a restaurant of her choice (within a budget:). Then, maybe at a later date we will have a few friends over to celebrate at the house.
I never wrote about last week. We so enjoyed having Marvin and Lois and family back in Virginia! Maria just loved having her cousins (adopted siblings) back to play with. The hours in their days were just not quite long enough. I felt like the time just flew. I told Bill that Lois and I never really got caught up.
My cousin, Ellis and Mary and their children were also here last week. That was such a special treat as well! It was great getting reacquainted with Ellis and Mary and getting to know their wonderful family. We enjoyed the late nights of chatting and playing Boggle. They spent three days touring D.C. I think their feet got tired before the sites all were seen. But they had nice weather, for the most part, and saw lots of things.
We headed up to SMBI for a couple of hours to celebrate graduation with my nephew, Hans. Follow his worldwide adventures at hansmast.com.
On Saturday afternoon we went in with Dave and Vonnie to a kite festival in D.C. We weren't the only ones there enjoying the hundreds of kites and the cherry blossoms, but we had a lot of fun. A highlight was running into some other friends, Tim and Brenda.
Now we are bracing ourselves for another busy and fun weekend at the Byler Reunion.
We plan to take her to a restaurant of her choice (within a budget:). Then, maybe at a later date we will have a few friends over to celebrate at the house.
I never wrote about last week. We so enjoyed having Marvin and Lois and family back in Virginia! Maria just loved having her cousins (adopted siblings) back to play with. The hours in their days were just not quite long enough. I felt like the time just flew. I told Bill that Lois and I never really got caught up.
My cousin, Ellis and Mary and their children were also here last week. That was such a special treat as well! It was great getting reacquainted with Ellis and Mary and getting to know their wonderful family. We enjoyed the late nights of chatting and playing Boggle. They spent three days touring D.C. I think their feet got tired before the sites all were seen. But they had nice weather, for the most part, and saw lots of things.
We headed up to SMBI for a couple of hours to celebrate graduation with my nephew, Hans. Follow his worldwide adventures at hansmast.com.
On Saturday afternoon we went in with Dave and Vonnie to a kite festival in D.C. We weren't the only ones there enjoying the hundreds of kites and the cherry blossoms, but we had a lot of fun. A highlight was running into some other friends, Tim and Brenda.
Now we are bracing ourselves for another busy and fun weekend at the Byler Reunion.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Day-brightners and Curls
I had two day brightners in the recent past. My cousin and his family are coming to see us (and the sights in D.C.) over spring break. We are excited about that! He told me in the course of conversation over the phone that he was training to participate in a bike run as a fundraiser for American Cancer Society. He and his wife are giving a donation to the organization in my name. Thanks, Ellis and Mary!! You don't know how that blessed me!
Accountability goes a long ways in helping me to accomplish goals. So I signed up for an online exercise training program. I told them my goals--how often I wanted to exercise and how much weight I wanted to lose. They sent me a heart moniter, some DVD's, and are giving me online support. I report to them when I exercise, how much I weigh, etc. I had a question about how to use the heart moniter, so I e-mailed the owner of the company, and got back an immediate response from him. We had discussed the fact that I had just completed treatment for breast cancer. He told me that he had lost his mother to lung cancer when he was twelve years old. In April he plans to run in his 11th Boston Marathon. His main sponsor is the Dana Ferber foundation, which is is a cancer treatment center where his mother was treated when she had cancer. He asked for permission to run a mile in my honor in the Boston Marathon. He puts everyone's name on his shirt who he honors but running for them. For more details about this exercise program go towww.momentumfs.com.
Curls--Who would have thought that I would have ever have curls. But my hair is coming back curly. Yes--it is even more gray then before--But it is honest to goodness hair, and I am grateful. I have just enough to keep a veil attached if it isn't too windy. I still reach for something more secure if I am outside too much. I am guessing the curls will leave when it gets longer, but it is kind of fun for a change.
Accountability goes a long ways in helping me to accomplish goals. So I signed up for an online exercise training program. I told them my goals--how often I wanted to exercise and how much weight I wanted to lose. They sent me a heart moniter, some DVD's, and are giving me online support. I report to them when I exercise, how much I weigh, etc. I had a question about how to use the heart moniter, so I e-mailed the owner of the company, and got back an immediate response from him. We had discussed the fact that I had just completed treatment for breast cancer. He told me that he had lost his mother to lung cancer when he was twelve years old. In April he plans to run in his 11th Boston Marathon. His main sponsor is the Dana Ferber foundation, which is is a cancer treatment center where his mother was treated when she had cancer. He asked for permission to run a mile in my honor in the Boston Marathon. He puts everyone's name on his shirt who he honors but running for them. For more details about this exercise program go towww.momentumfs.com.
Curls--Who would have thought that I would have ever have curls. But my hair is coming back curly. Yes--it is even more gray then before--But it is honest to goodness hair, and I am grateful. I have just enough to keep a veil attached if it isn't too windy. I still reach for something more secure if I am outside too much. I am guessing the curls will leave when it gets longer, but it is kind of fun for a change.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Marathon Completed
I talked about a marathon in my last post. I realize it is high time to post again. That marathon is completed. My last radiation treatment was on Friday, the 22nd of February! It seems so strange to actually be able to stay home all day long. That fact did not really sink in until yesterday since I had spent a lot of time running the last number of days.
I am extremely relieved to have it over--chemotherapy, surgery, radiation--No more watching the machine drip poison into my body--knowing that it would make me sick, hoping desperately, that in the long run it would make me well. I remember so well the uncertainty of going into surgery--not knowing what he find, and the relief of the results that no lymph nodes were involved. No more watching the radiation machine pass over my chest, slowly burning it into a painful burn that is now healing and feeling better every day. "The benefits outweigh the risks and the pain," I would tell myself almost daily.
I expected to be immensely relieved to have life go back to normal. It suddenly hit me about Monday--full force that normal will need to be redefined from here on out. There is no going back to the innocence of life before cancer. I am forever changed. I struggled with a paradox. I felt a lot of sadness for the things to return like they were before. On the other hand, I treasure life, relationships with people, and most of all my relationship with God in ways I felt incapable of treasuring before. Do I want life to return to normal in that sense? Absolutely not. Again I need to tell myself almost daily, "The benefits outweigh the risks and the pain."
In an e-mail to my supporters, I hinted at the terror that wants to consume me when the ugly head of recurrence wants to taunt me. The emotional toil of scans and additional Dr. visits can almost paralyze me. Rosie, a dear friend, responded like this, "I will pray that you live gratefully rather then fearfully." Thank you, Rosie. Those were the exact words I needed to hear.
Today is a gift. Have you remembered to thank God for it!
I am extremely relieved to have it over--chemotherapy, surgery, radiation--No more watching the machine drip poison into my body--knowing that it would make me sick, hoping desperately, that in the long run it would make me well. I remember so well the uncertainty of going into surgery--not knowing what he find, and the relief of the results that no lymph nodes were involved. No more watching the radiation machine pass over my chest, slowly burning it into a painful burn that is now healing and feeling better every day. "The benefits outweigh the risks and the pain," I would tell myself almost daily.
I expected to be immensely relieved to have life go back to normal. It suddenly hit me about Monday--full force that normal will need to be redefined from here on out. There is no going back to the innocence of life before cancer. I am forever changed. I struggled with a paradox. I felt a lot of sadness for the things to return like they were before. On the other hand, I treasure life, relationships with people, and most of all my relationship with God in ways I felt incapable of treasuring before. Do I want life to return to normal in that sense? Absolutely not. Again I need to tell myself almost daily, "The benefits outweigh the risks and the pain."
In an e-mail to my supporters, I hinted at the terror that wants to consume me when the ugly head of recurrence wants to taunt me. The emotional toil of scans and additional Dr. visits can almost paralyze me. Rosie, a dear friend, responded like this, "I will pray that you live gratefully rather then fearfully." Thank you, Rosie. Those were the exact words I needed to hear.
Today is a gift. Have you remembered to thank God for it!
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Marathon
We had a wonderful Christmas-New Year holiday season. It flew by much to rapidly. I expected to have things calm down to a nice slow crawl, as they are supposed to after the holidays. So far, we are still waiting for that to happen. There have been dinners to go to, dinners to host, hunting season to wind up, stomach bugs to deal with, and yes, Dr. appointments.
2008 has started out with a bang!!
Oh yes, the marathon--I started my radiation treatments yesterday. I am scheduled for 33 treatments, going five days a week. That means I will be done in 6 1/2 weeks! It doesn't take long when you get there--maybe 15 or 20 minutes. It takes me a good twenty minutes to get there. So I need to figure a good hour out of each day. So far, they have quite pleasantly uneventful.
2008 has started out with a bang!!
Oh yes, the marathon--I started my radiation treatments yesterday. I am scheduled for 33 treatments, going five days a week. That means I will be done in 6 1/2 weeks! It doesn't take long when you get there--maybe 15 or 20 minutes. It takes me a good twenty minutes to get there. So I need to figure a good hour out of each day. So far, they have quite pleasantly uneventful.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
It's Beginning to Feel Like Christmas
I'm not sure when I have a more relaxing holiday season. I actually sent out a Christmas letter. I have my shopping done. I baked some cookies. We put up a few decorations. We went several Christmas concerts. The handbells at the Kennedy Center were especially good.
We also went to several Christmas parties. On Tuesday, I went to a Christmas brunch with a bunch of ladies with whom I am in a Bible study. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was back in the hills of Northern Fauquier Co. in horse country. The view from the front porch was breathtaking. If laughter is truly the best medicine, I should be in the peak of health. We had a marvelous time.
Not having a job outside the home has been a lot fun. I am getting so spoiled.
A Merry CHRISTmas to you all, and a blessed New Year.
We also went to several Christmas parties. On Tuesday, I went to a Christmas brunch with a bunch of ladies with whom I am in a Bible study. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was back in the hills of Northern Fauquier Co. in horse country. The view from the front porch was breathtaking. If laughter is truly the best medicine, I should be in the peak of health. We had a marvelous time.
Not having a job outside the home has been a lot fun. I am getting so spoiled.
A Merry CHRISTmas to you all, and a blessed New Year.
Monday, December 3, 2007
"Funny Looking"
Those with bald pates can commiserate. I never fully understood before. Not having hair is very hot in the summer and extremely cold in the winter. I never knew that the hair was such a great insulation against heat and cold. This winter, I have had to resort to stocking caps and furry hats to keep warm.
Yesterday I went to church in a shawl and a hat (I thought the hat was more dressy then the a stocking cap). Most people have been very encouraging, telling me I should just wear whatever makes me comfortable. The ladies that like what I wear tell me. Those that don't, I suspect, politely keep their mouths closed.
Yesterday one of the men had the audacity to speak his mind. I was humored. The women who heard him were horrified. He told me I look funny with my hat. I immediately got several compliments from the women who were, I suppose, trying to sooth my ruffled feathers. I told him that he would think I looked even funnier if I didn't have the hat on.
His wife chimed in, "______, I just told her she looks nice. She is doing the best she can. She needs all the encouragement she can get." She was obviously trying to smooth over the situation in the best way she knew how. I felt like they were maybe both in a bit deeper then either one realized.
But the man summed it up better then I could have myself. "Oh well, you know where it came from." I have gotten many a good chuckle about that little exchange since then. They meant well--bless their hearts.
By the way, there is a little fuzz returning. There is hope.
Yesterday I went to church in a shawl and a hat (I thought the hat was more dressy then the a stocking cap). Most people have been very encouraging, telling me I should just wear whatever makes me comfortable. The ladies that like what I wear tell me. Those that don't, I suspect, politely keep their mouths closed.
Yesterday one of the men had the audacity to speak his mind. I was humored. The women who heard him were horrified. He told me I look funny with my hat. I immediately got several compliments from the women who were, I suppose, trying to sooth my ruffled feathers. I told him that he would think I looked even funnier if I didn't have the hat on.
His wife chimed in, "______, I just told her she looks nice. She is doing the best she can. She needs all the encouragement she can get." She was obviously trying to smooth over the situation in the best way she knew how. I felt like they were maybe both in a bit deeper then either one realized.
But the man summed it up better then I could have myself. "Oh well, you know where it came from." I have gotten many a good chuckle about that little exchange since then. They meant well--bless their hearts.
By the way, there is a little fuzz returning. There is hope.
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