Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Time in the Shade...



Well, apparently this girl has a "chronic disorder" as my oncologists like to call it.   Chronic meaning "persisting for a long time or constantly recurring."
Apparently my cancer is persisting.  And chemo begins again next week.

Now before you gasp, know that I did not. 
As my doctor told Ed and I the news this morning, I again had peace. 
 And truth be told, I live really well with cancer.  I really do.  
It brings me an intimacy with God that I cherish.  And as we all know, when life returns to normal, the busy-ness of life creeps back in.  
And I hate the busy-ness of life. 
 But I love the intimacy of God.


So the deal is this:

The last 12 rounds of chemo did a good job, but not a great job, as there is still cancer that is now resistent to the first two types of treatment I received.  
So I will be given a new one.
And this one sounds better than the last one.  

I will keep my ever-so beautiful hair (so kidding, as you know I have a love-hate relationship with it), I will have treatments once a month for six months or more (not every two weeks like before) and I will continue seeing my doctor in Westlake, so very close to home.  
The icky taste in my mouth will be gone (hip, hip, hooray) and the side effects should be quite tolerable.  

The one thing I will need to do while on this regimen is limit
 my time in the sun. 
  I guess hanging out at the beach all summer is out.  Dang-it!
Can you hear my toes rejoicing right now?  
(In case you don't know, I CAN'T STAND the feeling of sand on my feet!) 

At first, I thought, Oh, no -- I just l-o-v-e being out in my garden, sitting in my chair, spending time with God, reading a good book, basking in the flowers, watching the colorful birds, using ol' Tucker as an ottoman while he watches the colorful birds.  And then I realized that as of yesterday morning, Gregg (you know Gregg!) created a new shade covering to place over our pergola in the backyard.  It's made of drop cloths (so are the curtains)
 that are all the rage right now. 
 And I just love how it all turned out.
So this girl with a "chronic disorder" gets to continue spending time in her cozy garden while safely sitting out of the sun's rays.  
God's timing is good. 

So that is my update.  
I thought I would be writing it -- oh say -- several years from now.  But I'm learning to trust God and His timing.

Again, I look forward to continuing to write about this ongoing journey.  And to think I thought I might be out of material soon.  
I guess not!

As always, thanks for continuing to read my words.  And above all else, thanks for lifting us up in prayer. 
 You guys are the absolute best!



6 comments:

  1. You have an amazing attitude. Prayers for you.

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  2. Oh wow...prayers for protection over your body, your mind, and your heart.

    At the very least, you have a beautiful place in the shade. Literally, the newly covered pergola...and figuratively, you are learning to rest under the shady protection the the Lord. So glad you have Him to lean on :)

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  3. Ruthie,
    And to think, you were trying to help me while dealing with your news yesterday! You are the most amazing woman.
    I am so glad you have such a beautiful place to surround you.
    Our prayers will certainly continue.

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  4. WOW! what an inspiration you are to me! I have no words except that my the Lord continue to hold you close and bring healing to your body. Thanks for being such an awesome testimony! Blessings!

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  5. Stay trusting & faithful Ruthie! Reminds me of Isaiah 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts,neither are your ways my ways,"declares the Lord. Praying for you!

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  6. You're amazing!!! As always you're in my prayers!! Much love to you Ruthie! Kymberley

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