The seasons come and go so quickly. It's hard to imagine that it is summer once more. We are greatly enjoying the delights of the seasons with summer concerts resuming in the park, fellowship, grilling, and sweet memories. Two weeks ago we enjoyed the annual ICHE spring convention and filled our hug tanks and our hearts with the love of so many dear friends. We enjoyed a week-long visit from one of Amber's friends from Oregon, whom she had not met in person before this visit. What a treat to get to know her better, and have her sweet presence and help about the house. We've enjoyed various other afternoon and evening visits from golden friends across IL. What a blessing to have this treasured personal time with them, reflecting upon the goodness of the Lord.


Also stirring up in the midst of the joy was a bit of tummy trouble. As Amber sits by my side and we type this together, we do so to the whirring rhythm of the IV pole. Yes, I'm in the hospital...again! =)

Over the past weekend I began to feel quite unwell again, and Tuesday morning I visited Dr. Short. I had been attempting to avoid another hospital stay, but my tummy and labs had other things to say. So, I am re-hydrating, we are working on regulating pain medication that will work best at home; and, enjoying the blue sky from my window and afternoon snuggles with my Amber!

During our time in Chicago for the convention, I kept my scheduled appointment with my oncologist, Dr. Potkul. He is always so sweet, and given the nature of the news we so recently received, he gave us much undivided attention as he answered our many questions. He gave us information about the chemo options he had available for us to read at home. Based on our discussion and those drug sheets, we have come to the conclusion as a family that I will not pursue any more chemo. Based on Dr. Potkul's experience, his "optimistic" opinion was that I may perhaps enjoy another 6 months to a year (when I shared this with Dr. Short, her opinion was, "enjoy every day you have!"). Of course, the Lord ordained the exact day before time began. The quality of life on the suggested chemo drugs could greatly compromise our days together and we opted to spend them together feeling as well as possible. This is not giving up on life, it is choosing life.

Today's challenge is to coordinate medicines and nutrition that will afford me the best pain control and overall health. The last surgery compromised my ability to assimilate oral medicines at home. The ideal IV results at the hospital have been difficult to duplicate at home.

We have tremendous peace resting safely and sweetly in our Father's arms. We are enjoying every precious moment and filling our hours with love and joy.

We are so blessed by the depth of your heartfelt response to our recent news. What a gift to be on the journey toward Home together. Some of us just have a better idea of our arrival time to our Destination.

Humanly speaking, our hearts ache a bit for those things we had hoped to share together. But, we have already been given so much more than so many enjoy, and we bow in humility for this grace and mercy.

I would covet your prayers for Dick, and our children, and my parents. It is a bittersweet time for them. Each of us are enjoying each today while processing tomorrows.

Thank you for your love, cards, flowers, sacrificial gifts, hugs, laughter, and tears...all are priceless! Please forgive my tardy thank you notes; you have blessed us so deeply and I don't wish to neglect anyone.

Laugh deeply, love earnestly, forgive whole-heartedly, be filled with gratitude for the tiny, tiniest gifts of each new morning. Don't take one single day for granted.

God bless you, dear ones.

Gracious is the Lord, and righteous;
our God is merciful.

What shall I render to the Lord
for all his benefits to me?
I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the Lord,
I will pay my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people.

Precious in the sight of the Lord
is the death of his saints.
O Lord, I am your servant;
I am your servant, the son of your maidservant.
You have loosed my bonds.
I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving
and call on the name of the Lord.
I will pay my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people,
in the courts of the house of the Lord,
in your midst, O Jerusalem.

Praise the Lord!

~ Psalm 116:1-2, 5, 12-19