November 11, 2009

Today my devotional book started me off with just what I needed but I didn't know what the day would hold for me. It said not to let any circumstance intimidate me because God knows what strength I will need to make it through the day and he will empower me accordingly. It said that he doesn't empower us equally each day but that he empowers us based on two variables: the degree of the circumstance we are facing and our willingness to depend on him. Wow, what a bold God we serve!
I went over to mom's this afternoon so that Ken could go to school and get some stuff done on his set. His play opens next weekend at CBHS. He told me when I got there that mom should be waking in about 30 minutes but she didn't. After I had been there almost 2 hours I went to peak in her room at her. Yeah, that lasted all of 10 seconds before Haidyn wanted GiGi to know she was there so she let out a little happy scream. That scared mom awake but she was all smiles to see two of her favorite girls standing by her bed. We gave Haidyn a bottle and played with her for a while.
This is day 12 since mom's first chemo treatment. So far, so good. They told us about the skin rash from the Erbitux and that we want to see it because that is indication that is is working internally as well. She is starting to get that but its more like dry skin which is something mom and I are well acquainted with since we both have excema. They told her 10-14 days before we should know about hair loss and so far I don't think she has experienced any of that. She does have a couple of wigs which we had the best time putting on Haidyn this evening and taking pictures of her in them. The ones with her in the wig with her passy were the funniest to me. Mom and I could barely catch our breaths we were laughing so hard at her while Ken was trying to get the pictures. I hope that Ken posts some of them on his facebook for you guys to see. Haidyn is so funny; she knows when she sees the flash now that her picture is being taken and she likes it.
Other than extreme fatigue, some abdominal discomfort and the skin rash mom is doing really well. Each day has the potential for new side effects from the drugs so please continue to keep her in prayer that she will find peace with whatever she may face for that day. She is however still enjoying a better breath with every single breath she takes- praise God! We have so much to be thankful for still finding comfort with this illness is tough. I trust that God is holding my mom close in his arms and Ken too as they deal minute by minute with the illness, treatments and side effects of this drug. Mom's doctor is so compassionate and I appreciate you all for continuing to thank God for her spirit and wisdom to guide us through this battle. She is wonderful at prompt response day or night to mom via emails. What a blessing to have a doctor who makes herself available like this to answer easy and tough questions 24/7 personally.
Thank you all so much for the countless prayers and acts of love and support for all of us through this time. This has been an overwhelmingly humble experience for me personally just in the first few weeks of our journey to see that so many love my mom, our family and the Lord so much.
Psalm 105:3-4 "Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always." Our God is an awesome God.