I Come to the Garden...

kcl65

Joni thinking about you and your family praying for you. Wondering how the elephant ride went.

Eve I'm praying for you too!

mumito

Thought this photo should be posted on this thread.

 

Meece

That's beautiful, Mum!

Well, today's the day, Eph.  Hope your mother enjoys the elephant ride.  I'm sure she is treasuring this special time with her family.

kcl65

Beautiful Mum! Joni thinking of you all today!

Meece

Praying for a safe return home tomorrow, Eph.

Eph3_12

Thanks All,

Here's what I sent out to friends & family today via e-mail.  I'm just going to paste here.

"The adventure was exactly that. We arrived at the park @ 11:15 on Sunday & we were taken to the elephants & introduced to Valerie, our Africican girl elephant. We all got opportunities to wash her, feed her & ride her. Mom rode every trip & each of us (3 children & 3 grandchildren & 1 daughter in law) took turns riding with her! We then got to see the killer whale show & then the dolphin rides. Mom didn't participate in swimming-bathing suits & wet suits were required & that was just too much for her; she was able to pet the dolphins tho' while the rest of us got to swim individually with a dolphin. It was a very warm day, so that was just the ticket. The park also arranged for a photographer to follow us around & we have a CD with over 300 pictures. I haven't seen them yet but the viewing is scheduled for this evening. After we were done with the scheduled events, we were allowed to do rides, etc. Rachel, my sister & 2 nephews stayed on while Mom, my bro & his wife, & I went back to Doug's new digs, an awesome pond side retreat in Newcastle."

It was fabulous! Thank you for all your prayers. 

Meece

That sounds awesome, Eph.  That is so much more than I had expected to hear.  That is a very special day of memories for your family.

kcl65

Thank you for the update Joni, it sounds like a good time was had by all. I'll be praying for you all.

Eve how are you doing?

Eph3_12

so, here's a brief update: Mom completed the 2 weeks of rads to the brain on the 27th of April.  They started her on 2 weeks of lung rads on the 26th, and then she missed the 30th, so the last day of that will be the 11th.  We won't have a visit with the MO until the 24th, so not too sure what will happen in between.  

Her hair is coming out fast & furious.  Took her to her hairdresser yesterday who shaped it up & then styled a wig that I had received back in '09.  Since I was there, and my stylist is out of town until the 15th, I I just had her gal buzz me down to a 1/4 inch all over in solidarity! So I'm back to the bald look, but it's easier this time.  And honestly, it's sooooo much easier to take care of!!!!

She is definitely getting weaker, even with the steroids on board.  We were tapering from 4 per day & had gotten to 2 per day for just a couple days when we decided to bump her back up to 3.  There is no comparison to anything I have ever done....this is the hardest!  But I am not alone, I know this.    

Meece

You are not alone, for He is with you always.

Yesterday I heard Joni Erikson-Tada sing this yesterday and it brought back memories of years gone by. She has a beautiful voice.

My Fiath Looks up to Thee

1. My faith looks up to thee,
thou Lamb of Calvary,
Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray,
take all my guilt away,
O let me from this day
be wholly thine!

2. May thy rich grace impart
strength to my fainting heart,
my zeal inspire!
As thou hast died for me,
O may my love to thee
pure, warm, and changeless be,
a living fire!

3. While life's dark maze I tread,
and griefs around me spread,
be thou my guide;
bid darkness turn to day,
wipe sorrow's tears away,
nor let me ever stray
from thee aside.

4. When ends life's transient dream,
when death's cold, sullen stream
shall o'er me roll;
blest Savior, then in love,
fear and distrust remove;
O bear me safe above,
a ransomed soul!

Eph3_12

crying!

3jaysmom

thanks for that, Meece, she has been someone i've looked up to for over 20 years, since my dx with ms.. she really is inspiring...

   as are you, Joni.. im glad your mum got her elephant ride, and a video is just the ticket..

  i'm still typing with one hand,, and the surgery definitely kicked up my le in that hand.. i don't understand why this one hurt so bad, i've had many.. maybe where it was. a good chunk was removed, that's for sure...

  im keeping you all in my prayers....3jays

Meece

Hope the surgery was a success, 3Jays.

Didn't mean to make you cry, Eph, but I know that you are in a delicate frame of mind right now.  Rest in Him.

On a praise note, my mother had surgery on her shoulder on Wednesday.  I was very concerned because she hasn't been doing so great after surgery lately.  But I was amazed that she is virtually pain free and has been since Thursday. 

Eph3_12

Meece that's awesome.

My mom is holding her own.  She can't do anything, including walk or bathroom duties, without assistance, but she is still able to do--my brother took her yesterday to an Indian casino about an hour from our town.  She had a blast playing Blackjack-our family's gambling game of choice!  She apparently won a bit too boot.  I stayed home & cleaned her house for the 1st time in forever!   

Anonymous

Eph - may she live young and wild.... glad to come back and read she is still  going for the gusto.

The last time I posted in the garden, I did not know how I was going to find the way to move from one house to another, let alone while the smoke and fumes were rolling through the property over there.  

I am worse for wear, I am exhausted, but essentially, we are moved.  Internet via satellite is now running which really speaks volumes of how far we have come in the last six weeks.  Paring down still, selling our extras at the barn sale next week.

Today I will write my nephew, his wife and their two teenage sons because they need to know they were the God-send we were needing.  Also the two men and young man we hired for the huge stuff and who charged us so much less then pro-movers.  

This place is peaceful.  It is my version of heaven on earth.  It is as if God plucked me up and dropped me down here and I am very happy.  Here I can rest and heal.  I am grateful and feel so cared for.

3jaysmom

my hand isn't so sore, now. less painkillers is good.. gotta do it all over again, in a month, or two, on the other side...

  Meece, im glad your moms doing well after her surgery.. and Joni, your mums doing great, if she's casino bound.. they're both on my prayer list.. which is a good one, since im virtually bedbound, for awhile.. im using this as an oppurtunity to pray for others, more..

   Diane Essa: i'm So relieved your moved, and in your new home. i know your health can do nothing but be better!!!

  i know about exhaustion, with my just past tenting, etc.. im a bit depressed, but i think its still the pain pills.. God is in charge....3jays

Meece

DianeEssa, so glad you are now in a safe place.  So glad you had the help you needed.

3Jays, the surgery was for skin cancer?  So sorry you must repeat this in a month.

Eph, make sure you get enough rest.  We don't need you under the weather.

kcl65

Joni just wondering how things are going. Been praying for you.

How are you doing 3jays?

3jaysmom

thanks for checking on me, gals.. i still can't type well, but the hand IS beg to close up, so it'll just take time now.. then, we'll move on..

 yes, Meece, i've broken out in skin cancer after having chemo. the dermo warned me it would, though. i've been checking for years.. so fla is a bear.. use your sunscreen, gals!!!3jays

Meece

I think most of us here grew up in the SUN tanning age.  Where we slathered oil on our skin and stayed out in the sun for hours.  I have never used a tanning bed though.   I am sure that it is time for me to so a dermatologist, although I don't have any questionable spots at this time.

Eph3_12

Hi my prayer warriors,  Things are going OK-Mom is having her last lung radiation today.  The doctors have cut her back on the miracle steroid so her weakness & confusion is starting to return.  We got her a lift chair yesterday; she is in a wheelchair at all times for ambulation.  Treasuring every minute.  I go over every night for dinner & Jeopardy!  I rub her little bald head & her neck muscles (tight!)

We don't have a doctor appointment scheduled until 5-24 with MO.  Not sure what, if anything, can be done for further treatment. I don't believe she would be able to withstand a chemo onslaught!

Keep praying!

Thank you, Joni 

mumito

Hi ladies somehow I lost this thread from my favorites.But I did still keep you all in my prayers.

I just got my endo biopsy results and everthing is ok.Still doesn't explain the spotting though.He said to call him if I have any Pain. 

Lord give me patience.  ((Joni)) 

3jaysmom

still praying Joni.. won't stop. you BOTH need his love and care , at this time. we all do, all the time...

  things have returned to "our" normal here, so, just "going with the flow these days..

   rainy season has begun in so fla., but that just means the plants i transplanted are doing well. im not driving right now, so doesnt bother me!!hahahahand is healing with no infection, im grateful..

Meece

I am so glad you are able to spend time with your mother, Eph.

Congrats, on good new, Mumito.  

3Jays.  I saw on the news this morning tha it had already crept into the mid 70s in So Fla,  Wow, that and the rain must make beautiful flowers!

I will keep you all in my prayers.

3jaysmom

yeah, its' really helping the plants that i had to tranplant..

 i also, pray for you all..

  HAVE A WONDERFUL MOTHERS DAY everyne!!3jays

Meece

Eph3_12

Happy Mom's Day to all near & far!

kcl65

Happy Mama's Day ladies! I hope you all had a wonderful day! We drove an hour yesterday to our good friends grandson's birthday party and ended up staying overnight. Totally spontaneous and fun! To top a wonderful time my kids all joined us too!



Praying for you and your mum Joni! Also for you too 3jays. Do you have a lot of beautiful flowers at the moment?

3jaysmom

thank you for that card, Meece.. i saved it for next years.. 3jays

Hindsfeet