Long Time No Write

It’s been a long time since I wrote anything here.  Too much has happened, I guess, and I’ve been busier than usual.

Phil’s July labs, or I should say, his Light Chain test results (these measure the progress of his cancer) showed a marked increase in the cancer cells.  We thought it was a fluke, so when we saw his oncologist later in the month, he immediately ordered a re-test.  No fluke.  This test showed that the cancer cells were now more numerous than when Phil started chemo in April!  At first, I was shocked and saddened, but as God worked in my heart, I felt peaceful, and have continued that way.

“Do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything
by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God,
which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

- Philippians 4: 6 – 7, ESV

What has helped is that Grace has taken Phil to chemo this month, since she is without a job (by choice.)  This has allowed me to focus on her, as she’s had a bunch of medical appointments, and also on myself.  I’ve gotten some sewing done – I have a lot more to do! – and have spent time reading, listening to music, and playing on the computer.  And although I am tired, mostly because I stay up way too late – I’m satisfied.

I was able to paint Phil’s room while Grace was away in July.  It was a big job – not the painting, but actually putting the room back together.  The girls are leaving this coming Tuesday for nine days in North Carolina with my folks, so I’m going to take advantage of the time and paint the master bedroom.  I’ll be putting lots of stuff in their rooms, which will make things much easier.  I’d love to continue on into the master bath – I’m thinking of painting it the same lovely blue (Valspar’s Prairie Sky) as the window wall in the bedroom.  We’ll see how things go.  I believe that once the master suite is done, that’ll just leave the breakfast area, for which I already have paint, and which will be a quick job, plus the craft room.  We’ll have to hire someone to paint the stairway.  I plan to stencil in the upper corners of the bedroom windows, and would like to do a lattice fence stencil in the bathroom.  And after painting the breakfast area, I’ll have to redo the stencil I did there, which will be a bit time-consuming.  I’m hoping that it will still show through the paint since I’m not planning to prime over it.  I like the positioning of it.

The other big thing for me is that I saw the orthopedist about my arthritic knees.  My right knee is in bad shape; so much so, that I was offered a partial knee replacement.  I told the PA that it was out of the question for now – I have to be able to care for Phil and drive him to appointments and chemo.  I opted for a cortisone injection, a very painful ordeal which left me virtually unable to walk for a couple of days.  I used a cane for many days.  Since the injection, I’ve experienced numbness (which feels like extreme cold) in my leg; I’ve no idea whether it’s related or not.  Tonight it’s better, so perhaps whatever it is is resolving.  I am having less pain in the knee, although the relief is not consistent.  I still need to decide whether to have the doctor’s office complete the paperwork for approval to try Synvisc.  If I go that way, I’ll have to time things properly, as it requires three injections over three weeks, and if the cortisone experience is any indication, I’d better count on not being able to walk or drive for most of that time.

I am thankful to be in such a good place right now.  Oh – I didn’t say that I had to go off the antidepressant because it made me extremely sleepy (I was sleeping 12 – 16 hours a day, and still awaking exhausted!)  I am coping well.  Praise God!

Lots to do in the coming weeks, but one day at a time.