85 years

Only about a month ago, I sure didn't think my precious grandmother would be celebrating her 85th birthday with a celebration at our house.  What a double blessing to have her this past weekend.  About a month ago, she became seriously ill and doctors weren't quit sure what to diagnose her with.  Honestly, I am not sure they still know, but they said encephalitis.  What I do know is she was a very sick little lady.

Praise Jesus, she has made a great recovery and was able to come to our home to celebrate her birthday with a cookout and birthday cake.  Even at 85 years old, a birthday wouldn't be a birthday without cake and ice cream.  She deserves it!

A few of her great-grands enjoyed crowding around to help her "blow" our her candles.  (No, we didn't put 85 candles on the cake!) I think she had a pretty good time celebrating with them as well.

What a pleasure to be able to celebrate my precious Grandmiere...I love you!!!

prayers please

**UPDATE**
The surgery went well.  All of the tissue around the cancer spot looked very healthy.  The tissue sample was sent to pathology and we will have results on Tuesday.  Her doctor is suspecting that due to her age and the unlikelyness (is this a word) of the cancer returning, she may not have to do any radiation.  Praise the Lord!! 

Mom told me that the worst part of all of this was the IV in her hand.  She is so tough!!  Grandmother plans to get her hair done in the morning, greeting at chuch on Sunday, and back to work on Tuesday.  No time for being sick...on with life!!

Thanks for you many prayers.  Much love!!

Many of you may remember several weeks ago that I posted about my precious grandmother that was diagnosed with breast cancer.  Today is her surgery. 

Please pray for a Holy washing of peace as she goes through the day.

Please pray for the wisdom of her doctors.  It is yet undecided exactly how her post-op treatment will go.  They are hoping to treat with a radiation pill that she can take orally.  However, the final decision won't be made until the doctor "sees" today.

Pray specifically that her blood pressure and blood counts remain in check throughout the surgery and recovery periods.

Please pray for a speedy recovery.  My grandmother is a ball of fire.  The words "take it easy" and "slow" are really not in her vocabulary.  I called her this week and she is planning on going back to work on Saturday. She works at Coldwater Creek and the women that shop there "need her."  Honestly, I have to say, this job is her ministry.  She has a chance to talk with women about her personal experiences, her strength, and share God.  Those women do "need her."

Pray that any medications that she will have to take will not have adverse & harsh side effects on her body.

Please pray for my mom.  She is an only child and doesn't have all the support that many of us take for granted. 

Thank you so much for your prayers dear friends.  Have a blessed day!!!  Love you!!

life is good. life is hard

Yesterday, while driving to town for a meeting, I heard this phrase on the radio. It has really been something that has stuck with me and made me think these past 24 hours. Life IS good, but life is hard.

This week, my absolutely precious grandmother found out that she has breast cancer. Bless her heart, she has battled health issue, after health issue since she was a child. I ask myself "Why her?" She has a heart of gold, and genuinely loves life. I ask myself "Why her?" She has been a minister of God's word to her friends, family, and anyone that would listen to how blessed she is. I ask myself "Why her?" It breaks my heart that she must endure this horrible thing called CANCER. She has such a zest for life. I just hate to think about it. When I talk to her, she has such confidence and determination..."let's just get it over with." She is so calm. cool, and collected.

I have to say that I am a little more freaked out about the whole deal. I have to keep asking myself...what does this mean for my mother? what does this mean for my sister and I? and what does this mean for our precious daughters? I know this might sound selfish, but it scares me a bit.

When I go to the doctor's office and fill out those forms questioning about health history, it has always been a relief to just skip right by all that verbage dealing with cancer. Maybe I have taken it for granted. I don't know!! But, what I do know, is I am a little freaked out!!

So my dear friends, I ask for your prayers for my dear grandmother. Pray for spirits to remain good while she deals with doctors, hospitals, and whatever treatments are required. Pray for her to feel good. Pray for her strength. Pray for wisdom of her doctors. Pray for less pain, more joy. Pray that no other health issues arise. Pray for my mom, as she is an only child and bears the burden alone. Pray for me to be sensitive to both of them. Sometimes I get so busy that I forget about taking care of them.

Through it all...LIFE IS GOOD!!!