View this site to get updates on mom...

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/deannaclassof1959

Take a moment to visit this website to get updates on mom and her treatments. Read the many ways God is moving in this situation. Mom has confirmed herself as my hero by her grace through this. Strong Lady! She rarely complains, has not broken down, remains strong and encouraging to others even when this is going on. While she could justifiably curl up and complain and ask why me constantly... She has chosen to remain her lovely self. Making sure her kids are happy, still putting others before herself (though we are working on her about this one). OH - and she ate a half of a sandwich at lunch with 2 pieces of candy and then had a fish sandwich for dinner. Go Mom!!

First Week of Chemo

Mom had her first round of chemo on Friday. She did great Friday and most of Saturday. Saturday night she started felling the flu symptoms that we were warned about. Sunday was the worst of it and Monday wasn't a lot better. Today she did get up some and I took her to get a hair cut, but that exhausted her. My brother Doug and sister Robin stopped by for a visit. She did eat a bowl of soup - which was great. Taking deep breaths is very hard and she still has abdominal pain. She tires very easily and fights nausea, all because of this ugly disease. But she still has that fight in her which I love. She has been so graceful through this. She remains positive and uplifts others around her. Those of you who know mom understands what I am talking about. She is such a positive role model for anyone walking through this valley. She remains faithful to our Lord and says she will accept anything He gives her. I told you she is amazing! I am one lucky girl to have her.

Owen loves playing in the water. I was watering the yard today and Owen could not wait to get in. So I took off his clothes and let him at it for a few minutes. The water was pretty cold, but that didn't bother him. He had a ball. Speaking of having fun, my mom went to lunch today with some friends. This is a group of GE gals that get together every Thursday and mom called and said she was on her way to join them. Yeah! She said she was going to force herself to eat, which is another awesome thing. I know this is hard on her because she is tired and hurting, but I am SO proud of her for going. Told you my mom is strong! Cancer should be scared!

Footprints

Footprints In The Sand

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there was one only.
This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints, so I said to the Lord,
"You promised me Lord,that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there has only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there for me"
The Lord replied, "The years when you have seen only one set of footprints, my child, is when I carried you."

I fell in love with this poem when I was a teenager. Never did I imagine how much I would lean on these words in my life. The Lord has carried me at times of need. I don't know how long it took before I saw my footprints again after losing my dad. Fortunately I had mom to lean on and she gently nudged my prints back into the sand. God is now carrying me and mom together. Mom has a battle ahead of her. On Monday we met with the surgeon. He explained that we were facing Stage 4 Pancreatic and Liver cancer. He advised admitting mom into Jewish Hospital that day for a liver biopsy to see what type of cancer cells we were dealing with. Due to confusion over a blood thinner the nurses gave mom the biopsy was delayed to Wednesday and the put a port in on Thursday. The port is basically a central line for the chemotherapy. She went home on Thursday and asked that I leave and let her sleep. As you can imagine, she did not get much rest in the hospital. On top of all this, they gave her a pneumonia vaccination, which she already had in October. This caused an ugly reaction so now her arm hurts, the biopsy site is quite painful and the port site is hurting. She is home on pain medication and resting as best she can. However, through this she is still sending out e-mails to friends to remind them of a luncheon this week. Mom is the most amazing person! I love her so much and just cannot lose her. We have an appointment Monday at 2:00 with the Oncologist. I know my God performs miracles - I am pleading for one now. Mom is fighting. We are all praying hard. Now the doctors must do their part. I ask you to do your part. Pray - pray hard with an expectant heart. We can do all things through him who strengthens me. Even fight cancer!

Pray without ceasing

Matthew 21:20-22 (NIV)
When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. "How did the fig tree wither so quickly?" they asked. Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

As most of you know I have the best mother in the world!! Though you do not need to be jealous of me (ha!). She shares her love to everyone. I am not boasting about mom just because Mothers Day is this weekend. She is having some health problems right now that are quite serious. A CT scan found a large mass in the pancreas and several in her liver. Her family doctor is referring her to an oncologist and a surgeon. So this is a scary time but I know that My God can move mountains!! These masses are not beyond Him! Please pray for mom, the doctors, these masses, me. Mom is my best friend and my rock. She is the strongest woman I know. Again, thank you for the calls and support. Keep them coming because I will need it! But never stop praying!!

Who does our sins hurt?

http://vimeo.com/4122848

Please check out this video. One of the Pastors here at Highview had this on his blog and I thought it was amazing. It is from a Good Friday Service at Buckhead Church.