Motorcycle to Marienville

We went for a motorcycle ride to Marienville today.
We stopped and ate peanut butter sandwiches at the Brady's Bend overlook.
And we bought apples and cider.
Thank you, God, for a beautiful day together.

Autumn is my favorite season

How can people look at flowers and fall leaves, sunsets and the nighttime sky, and believe that there is no God? I guess, like it says in Romans, ". . . their foolish hearts were darkened."

Radiation is continuing to go well, with little burning of my skin. I had originally thought I would be finished after this week, but with the additional "burst" treatments, I have about two more weeks after this.

Please pray that I will continue to trust God with my health and life after treatment is finished. I have discovered I have a little anxiety about treatment being over, even though I have looked forward to it for what seems like a very long time! I think being in treatment is actively 'doing something' about your cancer; finishing treatment can be anxiety-producing. I understand many people have fear about their post-cancer check-ups for many years after a diagnosis.

I know the Great Physician, and I know that He can heal me without treatment, with chemotherapy & radiation, or not. The choice is His, and His loving goal is for my good. I consider it a priviledge to be used by Him and molded by Him through this journey, and pray that I will continue to be His willing and joyful witness, no matter what.

Pet Population Update

Boo torments Cody, who mostly just licks Boo when he captures him. Once in a while when Boo is enthusiastically chomping on Cody's ear or cheek or paw, the Codester will give him a chewing out of his own.

OW--MY EYE!!!

ATTACK OF THE BOO MONSTER.

WHEW--I NEED A BREAK FROM THIS KID.

CODY & DEMI HIDING FROM BOO UP IN MORGAN'S ROOM.

GRACE & BOO TAKING A BREAK.

Radiation Update

Radiation is going well, as I am only slightly burned--thank you for prayer!

I will have a few extra treatments. Dr. Shaw had originally told me 30, but now he is adding 8 "boosts" to the incision site.

VERY busy at work--not much time to blog, either in the office or at home . . . .

Amazon Heart Thunder

Remember my blog of June 4th about Gail Koch, the breast cancer survivor who was raising money to fight breast cancer? Click here :)

Well, Gail is in California for the motorcycle ride, and you can follow their progress on the Amazon Heart Thunder website--they have their own blog.

Gail is the one on the right.

Great reminder . . .

I AM THANKFUL . . . .

FOR THE WIFE WHO SAYS IT'S HOT DOGS TONIGHT, BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME, AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.

FOR THE HUSBAND WHO IS ON THE SOFA BEING A COUCH POTATO, BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.

FOR THE TEENAGER WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME, NOT ON THE STREETS.

FOR THE TAXES I PAY BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM EMPLOYED.

FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.

FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.

FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE.

FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING, WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING, AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME.

FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT BECAUSE IT MEANS WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

FOR THE PARKING SPOT I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION.

FOR MY HEATING BILL BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM WARM.

FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.

FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES AT THE END OF THE DAY BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.

FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.

Amen! Thank You, Lord.

Wildlife

Burger had a few close encounters of the wildlife kind yesterday. The first was a garter snake in the beans. I chased it into the corn for him . . . (We have a deal--I take care of snakes for him, and he takes care of spiders for me.)

In the evenings, he has been watching deer from a tree stand. Last night after supper, he went down to watch for deer, and Papa Bear showed up instead. The bear looked at him, then skirted around the tree stand and went on his way.
Burger was looking at the camera when he noticed movement--the bear had come back and was standing up with his paws on the tree! While he was debating what he would do if the bear decided to climb up after him, Papa Bear decided to amble off. Whew!

Boo

After Morgan saw the stray kitty, she agreed that he looked like a "Boo."

The dog loves him--it's like he is her pet!

The other cats aren't so sure, and hiss if he gets too close.

He is eating like a little piglet, and his abscess is healing nicely. Next step, vaccinations. Then (don't say it too loudly), neutering in a few months . . .

Radiation--so far, so good

Radiation treatments are going well so far--two weeks down, four to go. My skin is a little pink, but they expect me to burn more severely before we are finished because I am fair-skinned.

The staff is so nice--I think particularly compassionate and friendly people are attracted to the field of oncology. I actually look forward to seeing Margie, Tabby, and Rich every day.

Thank you so much for your prayers--I know it is only the Lord and his people that are enabling me to not only survive this journey, but to thrive during it.

God bless!