Autumn Leaves

As I am writing this, I am looking outside and watching some red/yellow/orange leaves either fluttering to the ground or waving as the wind is gently blowing. I can't quite believe that it's been a year since our mission trip to the Philippines. We left Nov 6th last year, 2 weeks after my first surgery from diagnosis. Before we left, we had meetings with the medical team and I learned that I had to have another surgery when I got back, since they couldn't get clearance to do radiation. Memories of those times came back to me, as I was back at the cancer center a couple of times this week, first for my shot and then yesterday for ultrasound. I told the nurse that the tingling and pins/needles on my feet, plus cold sensations continue, and now I do have the same sensations in my hands, although it doesn't happen as often in my hands. This past week, I am starting to notice that I have twitching on my lower lip.... sometimes it's annoying coz it wakes me up at night. The itching is also still there. I had to go for an ultrasound yesterday. I'm so glad the technician was so very nice and understanding and even though it was invasive, she was very professional and gave me time to relax. The worst part of getting tests done is the waiting... waiting for them to start, waiting for it to be done, then waiting for the radiologist to read it.... waiting to see if you the pictures were good enough or you need more tests done. I only waited for maybe 10 minutes for the doctor to look over my pictures but I it felt like 2 hours. When the tech came back, she said that the results would be forwarded to my oncologist and other doctors and they will discuss with me the results. More waiting...

Our heater broke down this week and I have been so cold, I have started wearing socks and layers of clothes to bed. Frendell thought I was ill for sure, as this is the first time I have ever done it. We have had to rely on a portable heater in our room, and the heating guy was finally able to come and fix the heat yesterday. I still sometimes feel cold, but at least my teeth aren't chattering anymore :-)

Monday, I was able to finally meet up with my friend, Bernadette, Bernie as I fondly call her. She and I worked together at Cook County Hospital when I first started there, when it was still called Cook County Hospital. Bernie is a speech therapist, married with 2 children. Beautiful family... she's into digital scrapbooking and she was kind enough to bring pictures with her so I could see her family. I have always loved Bernie's energy and confidence and I learned alot from her when we worked together. She would never allow me to be timid and be intimated and she would always tell me to be assertive and go for what I want. She's still the same Bernie, encouraging me to go forward and giving me energy and hope and encouragement. I hope it won't take a couple of years to see her again... I've missed her....

I am blessed in so many ways. I will have the opportunity to work again with Carol, and this time with our friend Cheryl, next week. I am so excited and yet apprehensive. They have been so patient with me and I am ever so grateful for their help. I am praying my cold does not get any worse. I am trying to do something everyday so that I can continue to build up my endurance. My PT has given me new exercises.. she's trying to see if the numbness/tingling on my feet are not from the scar tissue due to my back surgery. Tuesday night, Emillie and Don came over for a visit. Emillie has so graciously offered to help me raise money for Hope International, a charitable organization that lends money to people in 3rd world countries so they can have industry/business to earn a living. She made necklaces, bracelets and earrings to sell and she raised some money already for it. I am thankful to her, for she has taken the time to help me and this wonderful organization.. we had a wonderful visit and also saw some of Don's photographs. He has a good eye for taking pictures... I loved hearing his ideas for stories he wants to tell through pictures.

Frendell and I are packing up a couple of boxes to send to the Philippines. He was finally able to buy some Bibles from money that some of our members donated. We also have some clothes that our friends have donated, so I'm trying to put them all together in these boxes. I tell you, it is sometimes very hard to bend down while carrying things. I wished so many times that my sister, Ate Grace, were here. She is the expert balikbayan box packer and I could've have used her. I didn't know how to organize everything and in the end, I think I just dumped things in the first box. We are still waiting to see if more things will be donated, so I'm holding off packing up the 2nd box completely. If you would like to donate some things to be send to the typhoon victims in the Philippines, please let me know and we'd be happy to include your donations in our box. They have requested for towels, children's clothes, toiletries, school supplies... just to name a few.

Blessings are so easy to miss when I don't look for them. I am so grateful for my family, my friends, my church families... I am so glad we have health insurance and a car that still runs and warm jackets to wear... and for Presa, who lent me her coat last night since I foolishly forgot my coat when we left home.. I am thankful that I am now able to get around more, have more energy and as my PT said, "you don't look as puffy and swollen anymore". As I am vain, I am thankful I am not as puffy anymore. I didn't even realize and know that I had looked puffy.... why didn't any of you tell me????!!!!????

Okay, so that's how my first week of November has started.... busy and cold and rainy.... but I love fall and even though most of the leaves have fallen, I love the crispness of the air, the bright sunny days and longer nights. God has been so faithful and gracious and I am grateful that He gave me this time to be able to reminisce about my experiences from last year... I know it could've been a totally different story; I may not have been given the chance to tell my story... I pray and hope that as I am given the opportunity to share, that I will give honor and glory to His name and let others know that we all have hope if we take the journey with Him.