Update #35

Easy-to-hear news today at Roswell:  My tumor markers are down a bit from last time and my bone and CT scans show no progression in disease.  

It's hard to put into words how thankful Chad and I were to hear that today.   While we both know that our hope doesn't rest in a medical test or in a scan - or even in what that test or scan reveals - there is just a sense of being able to breathe a bit more freely when you hear that your tumor markers are down and your scans haven't gotten worse.  

So today's drive home from Roswell was a "yippee" and "an-out-loud-at-the-top-of-your-lungs-yahoo" kind of a drive.  It was a "Thank you, Lord" and "Thank you, Lord, again" kind of a drive.  And I am confident that He is pleased with hearing the sound of His daughter's gleeful - rather than sometimes hard fought, thru tears, out of a choice rather than out of overflowing desire - praise.  

So thanks for continuing on this up and down, right-turn and left-turn journey with Chad, the kiddos, and me.  I will say this again and again until I have no voice left to say (or no fingers left to type!), I am grateful for the times when you all step into the gap and intercede for both me and for those whom I love.  It is humbling and encouraging and, above all, a very tangible reminder of the blessings that pour forth when we let people into our lives and share as openly and as honestly as we know how.  For sure, it makes life messier; but boy, does it make all together richer.

How I pray that today - whether it's out of easy glee or out of hard choice - you also praise Him for who He is and who He declares you to be.

With love and deep-seated appreciation,

Kristie

Update #34

Hi all...

Here we go again. Ready?

I'm headed to Roswell tomorrow morning (9:15 scheduled appointment, but in reality, who knows when I'll be seen!) to hear the results of the scans that I had on Friday.

I am, once again, not looking forward to tomorrow.  My bones (tailbone and pelvis/hip) have been noticeably achier than they have been so it's been challenging to not dwell on that. I have realized once again just how much I need to continually fill my mind and spirit with the truths of God so that I do not become filled with worries and fears that could so easily become a distraction to truly living the full life that Christ promises. 

So I would ask for prayer, that is, if you are willing to gear up in prayer for me again. And believe me...I know that for those of you who are experiencing the loss of Laura and who aren't quite sure if you're up for entering into someone else's life so intimately again for a little bit...this could be a very hard thing, something that you want to run from.  I get that.  I truly, truly do.  No apologies.  But for those of you who are able, I would very much appreciate a word spoken to Him upon my behalf.  Certainly for easy-to-hear test results, but even more so for a deep sense of His presence and His joy.   

Thanks my friends.

Be back in touch tomorrow sometime.

Kristie