Sunday August 12, 2012

It has been a good week in many ways with some sadness as well.   Chaunda came on Tuesday, stayed over and went to Portland with us, then left on Thursday. It is always so good to have the kids come! On Wednesday morning we got a call from Jannie with the news that Mom VT had passed away the night before. She had not been doing well, and the news was not unexpected.  She lived a good long life, 100 years, 5 months and 2 days. She  was ready to go to her rest.  Her service will be October 7th. We all will miss her in many ways, and feel grateful  that God answered our prayers to take her gently in her sleep so she would not be afraid or anxious.   Another blessing is she never knew about Leland's cancer.  Del told her Leland was sick, and couldn't come to see her for a while, but was working on getting better.  She was satisfied with that, which was a blessing for all!

The trip and the MRI went fine, and I was able to visit with my former workmates and dear friends in the Cytology Dpt while Leland was having the test run. We then did some shopping and returned home, tired, but with most everything accomplished.

We have not yet received the MRI report as the Urologist was out of the office until this week, so perhaps tomorrow. The blood tests will be done tomorrow; the kit finally came from the Onco Lab in Boston.  I will need to go to The Dalles to pick up dry ice for the part which will be shipped  back to Boston via overnight mail.  There is no source of dry ice in Goldendale; the lab manager has gone out of his way to obtain this particular test, so the least I can do is go after the dry ice.

Leland has felt a little better this week, still fatigued and nauseated at least some nearly every day, but it seems to be under control most of the time.  The pain comes and goes, and we keep working on finding ways to deal with it. Tomorrow I will go to Wahlgreens in The Dalles and buy some Sea Bands to try-it works for pregnancy nausea and sea sickness, so perhaps it will work with Leland.  It is worth a try at least.   

One good piece of news:  He gained another pound this last week, not a lot, but certainly better than losing another one!  So he has now regained the weight he lost during the cleanse,  which tells us he is assimilating his food again. 

Friday night, Ed and Dana came in their motor home to visit.  We had a simple supper outside on the patio with Del and Chuck-a very pleasant evening indeed.  Leland did not feel super well, but was able to participate, which he enjoyed very much.  Ed and Dana spent the night in their motor home, then came in and had breakfast with us, after the men went out and picked a few fresh blueberries and strawberries to go on our granola.  A lovely visit-come again!

Sabbath evening we watched a DVD lent by a friend; Ron Clouzet speaking of  Christ in you, the hope of glory and we in Christ, which means we are surrounded by Christ on all sides.  Everything which touches us, also touches Him,  must go through Him and has a purpose for the greater  good.  We had not thought of it in quite that way before, but found it very comforting, a wonderful arrangement indeed!