thread for middle age to older Christian women.

Yesterday the Lord kept us safe as we traveled 3 hours for my 6 month onc. check up. (The traffic is NUTS up there!) My bloodwork shows little change and 3 years from my diagnosis I have graduated to just an annual check up. He said about 15% cannot tolerate the medications (I tried three) but he was confident that I had passed the most common reoccurrance time. Praising the Lord! I will try to get the spectacular sunset pix from the trip off the phone and post for you. It was amazing.

Nancy, do let us know what the neurologist says. In the meantime we will be praying for God's perfect peace and for a good report.

Joanne, we continue to lift up Michelle and all of you in prayer. We appreciate the update.

God bless and keep you all,

Ade

One last thought Ladies. As I have been reading through Luke to prepare my heart for Christmas I have compared and contrasted zachariahs response to the angels message and Mary's response to the angels message. It seems easy to criticize Zachariah for his lack of faith in the Angels message. It wasn't enough that his name had been chosen by lot to go into the holy of holies and an angel was talking to him in there. He asked for more proof. I started to think about all the promises in the Bible and how they are just as reliable as if God himself was standing here telling us. And I had to examine myself and ask myself how am I responding to all these promises from God? Why do we find it so hard to just let go and let God? The Bible is chock-full of promises to us. Awesome things like all things are working together for our good, and he will be with us until the end of the age. I pray to live by faith!

Hi dear friends,

Sorry I have been MIA. I am down sick with a cold. I haven't had a cold in years. Hopefully it will stay in my head only. I am just very tired and drained.

I do have to my an MRI of the neck first. I am assuming soon but I am supposed to be leaving for downstate on Thursday. Not sure if that is going to happen. I have two doctor apts this week too.

I am suspecting that neck surgery might be in the picture. My symptoms are looking like spinal cord compression. My balance is way off and my clumsiness is apparent and I am usually very coordinated so this is all very disturbing.

Joanne, I hope you are right. My searching has said neck surgery recovery 3-6 mos which is about what it was for me last time. I ended up with complications which lasted for a long time and some permanent. I also had a tremendous amount of support and had a wonderful faculty at my two schools who brought in meals for me for a month and some of that was in the summer when teachers are not in school. They even paid for me to have a cleaning lady for three times. I am very independent but in situations like these living alone is not easy. Now that I am not working I don't have that same network of support.

I would appreciate your prayers everyone.

Love,

Nancy

GK, Good word about standing on God's promises. I think the enemy sometimes gives us an amnesia in that area (but he's a loser and liar!) I pray the Lord grants your mom (and you) His peace.

Joanne and Nancy - so sorry you're not feeling well. Seems like all of us are lately sick and exhausted. I am lifting you up in prayer. The stress you've both endured can really cause problems in the way you feel...I know! May the Lord heal and comfort you.

Chris, glad your pneumonia is on the way OUT. I noticed you're on Letrozole. I was too and it completely did a job on my emotions to the point that I literally couldn't take it anymore. I can't even explain how bad I was emotionally. I am SOO much better off of it! I am ME again! Just wondering if that could be affecting you?

James has run fevers the past 3 nights (Oh NOT again!) and he is feeling really bad. Prayers appreciated please.

We may be in battles but we are NOT defeated because we are daughters of the King, His precious beloved children. May you all feel His comfort and peace in these trials. As the saying goes, "He's got this".

Love to you all.

Ade

I praise the Lord that DH and I were able to go to church today as we were chosen by Pastor to light the 3rd Advent candle on the wreath. I wasn't in too much pain and didn't fall down the stairs on the way up/down the steps to the altar. This week's candle was the candle of JOY, so Pastor preached on having joy at this time of year, and how difficult it is as many of us are facing a lot of challenges: Pain/illness, suffering, stress over trying to get too much done, sorrow over losing family members this past year, to name a few.

I was even able to hang on to the row in front of me and sing the hymns and carols, which I haven't been able to do for weeks. Of course, NOW my back is starting to hurt, but the Lord took care of me earlier this morning, and I am grateful for that. I'm making a curry stew for dinner, and I will have to sit down to chop up all the vegetables and meat, but that's okay.

Even tho I don't post a lot on this thread, I pray for ALL of you. Despite all the crap we're going thru, may we all have a blessed, joyous Christmas. Pace yourselves, and let some things go. I used to decorate EVERY room, put holiday linens and/or place mats on every table, bring out the Rudolph Misfits collection, put up all my nutcrackers, etc., etc.

I don't do that anymore.

I pick out my FAVORITE stuff and just stick with those items. My family just has to understand. The more stuff you put up, the more stuff you have to take down.

Tidings of comfort and joy to you all,

L

Lita, beautiful tree and I totally understand it all. So glad you made it to church today--I did too! It was the first time since the pneumonia hit me. But I did not sing in the choir. It was nice just to worship.

Last year we bought a 6' tree instead of using our usual 9' tree. It is easier to put up and take down, and takes less to decorate and less space to store. My DD and DH did all the lights and ornaments with some help from my 3-year-old GD (namely the bottom row!) We still put it up on a table so not to tempt my not-so-obedient GD and cat! But it is all good! Other than that, I put up my Simpich collector dolls, my DHs rubber Santa collection, and not much else. I only decorate the living room now, but that is ok. These pictures still have the bins around so they are a bit cluttered, but hopefully once the workers finish tomorrow I will have my shelves back. I will try to send a picture with the sunset in the background over the water tonight. So pretty. Oh, we also hang lights on the balcony and my DH wanted the front walkway lit so he did that. No climbing or things to nail. Easy-peasy!

Ladies, your trees are breath taking! I didn't have the energy myself or the heart to ask James to do one here this year. Neither of us is really doing much more than necessary at present. He didn't have a fever last night, praise the Lord.

We used to decorate a beautiful fireplace & hearth plus tree in Ohio. I have a snowman collection that hasn't been seen since we moved here to TX (Maybe they melted!) :oD Anyway I did all of the laundry and baked a whole wheat honey banana bread with walnuts & mini chocolate chips, which I just put into the oven.

I admire all of you and hope you and your loved ones all have a wonderful Christmas season and new year.

Missing you, Nancy & praying for you. Stay focused on His Word and not the "what ifs". Sending a hug.

Love to all,

Ade

Thanks for the laughter everyone! Mine would have no decorations if I didn't have a 3-year-old living with me!

Nancy, praying diligently for answers for you. Jo, love your humor!!!

Joanne that's so funny! (Looks good to me!) I'm glad your throat's better but sorry your hubby has it. May the Lord heal him quickly, the kids NOT get it, and may He grant you the energy to endure your blessings. Maybe in time the Lord will restore Michelle's memory. I pray for her peace and healing and WHATEVER the Lord knows she needs...to HIS glory.

Praising the Lord that James has not had fevers in a few nights and is almost back to his normal self! For those who prayed - thank you!

Nancy - sending you hugs and praying for peace and healing for you. The Lord will get you through this. Rest in Him.

Love & hugs,

Ade

GK, this is the first day I haven't felt like the Grinch!!!!!! I guess that must mean I am feeling some better. I know it is difficult with your mom. My Mom's sense of time is way off so she may not be aware that Christmas is right around the corner and I am not there. I am still praying that I will be able to go sometime soon. Not on Thursday as I had planned.

Love,

Nancy

Hello, sisters;

I don't post much but read and pray daily. Two new ladies I know have unfortunately joined the fight...a former sister in law in her 40's and a dear Minister Wife in her 70's. Praying for them and for anyone who just received the BC diagnosis before what is celebrated as "the most wonderful time of the year." Thanks to our Lord that even the most discouraging news is brightened by remembering His gift to the world ...His son Jesus. May He bring healing, comfort and peace to all.

I have no Christmas Tree photos...but I will share some "unusual" occurances this year that have made me smile...after the fact!

* Made a real effort to get our almost new pre-lit tree from storage....to find the lights don't work. So...had to go out and buy strings of lights to light a pre-lit tree. Bet some of you have done this too.....don't we get pre lit trees so we DON'T have the hassle of stringing lights????

* couldn't find my tree skirt...anywhere....searched every closet twice, especially the one I keep decorations in. Found it this week in an Amazon box in a hall closet..unmarked. I think DH may have decided he was tired of looking at it and decided to put it out of his sight...and mine. Better late than never!

* our 3 year old Yorkie mix has graduated to chewing artificial branches and attacking ornaments (last 2 years it was the bulbs). She took a photo ornament off our "Grandchild Tree" and took out the picture to chew....ironically, it was her own! Her ornament is on the small tree with the kids. See picture below...

Merry Christmas to all...yes, it is a different holiday when you fight hard to enjoy anything, you're tired and don't feel well, and you have illness and loss in your family. Clinging to His promises and celebrating His birth!

Wishing special miracles and memories for you all.....Love, Ellen

Nancy I thought this was probably close to home! )

Love you all,

Ade

Good one Ade. Is that one of your cats you used to have? I don't have a tree up because the place I would put one now houses Cammie's cat tree and she uses my floor stereo speaker to get a head start. That rules out the tree. When my Mom was at her house I would decorate for her and she had a little tree and Cammie liked to bite on it when she could.

I will not be able to make it to my Mom's for Christmas this year. I woke up feeling much worse today and just told my sister I would n't be making it. I was tickled that my Mom called and she could hear me. The last several months it would be hit or miss if she could hear me and very frustrating yelling into the phone. My sister took one of my Mom's hearing aides in to be cleaned and that was the problem. She will take the other one eventually too.

My Mom was very disappointed that I would not be able to be there for Christmas. I tried to explain that I couldn't come and make everyone there sick. I told her I just don't feel up to it right now.

So this is going to be very different for me being alone at Christmas. I did finally get my meds yesterday so that whole fiasco is over.

I did find my cold med at Walgreens I used to take for cold and flu for high blood pressure so I will take some of that tonight. My uvula is very swollen in my throat and it is much worse than it was yesterday.

Hope everyone's plans are coming together nicely for Christmas.

Love,

Nancy

Nancy and Ade, I am so sorry to hear of your Christmas woes. Nancy, I will be praying for you that God will send a special peace and healing to you in your aloneness. Ade, I am sorry you will miss your son's family. I will miss my youngest son's family this year too.

I am trying to avoid my granddaughter's latest cold which is usually a losing battle as we love to cuddle. I cried last night reading her a children's book titled "I Will Love You Always." Yes, it is as emotional as it sounds! I rushed my DH to the hospital Thursday night with a 7 mm kidney stone but praise God he passed it and is fine today. My oldest son and youngest brother arrive tomorrow so I am trying to prepare. They stay in a hotel as I don't have rooms for them which helps.

The holidays are filled with mixed emotions and stresses, but God always comes into our midst reminding us of His great love. I pray no matter where you find yourself this year that God's presence will fill you with peace and love.

Merry Christmas, Chris

Ade, I am sorry to hear your son's family is sick and can't come for Christmas. I am sure that was a big disappointment for your granddaughter not being able to play Mary. Hopefully you will be able to spend some time with them in the near future. Our donkey that we have had for many years for our Easter programs died this year so I was sad to hear that. Your cat is so precious. I wonder if there is a kitty heaven? I like to think that there are pets in heaven. I guess we will know all in good time. I pray that your friends Karen and Dean will have a better year as this one has definitely been hard for them. Praying for them in their grief and in their treatments.

Chris, I am sorry to hear about your DH but glad he was able to pass the kidney stone. That sounds like a large stone and I am sure very painful. Praying you will be well and have the needed strength as your family comes in.

Hershey, praying you have safe travel to visit your Mom. Praying you will have a special time with her.

I found out my cousin has BC and is having an MRI tomorrow. Her life has not been easy the last few years. She lost her husband to cancer about 6 years ago I think and then she found out shortly after that, that she had thyroid cancer. Her only daughter lives in LA but is here visiting for the holidays so I am glad she is there to support her Mom.

I had a setback yesterday and the throat was better but nausea set in. I am doing better today but I still do not feel normal yet. I am still dizzy and lightheaded and fatigued. I did fix dinner tonight which is a major victory for me. Hopefully this will last.

We may not all have a Thomas Kinkade Christmas this year but we can certainly have the spirit of Christmas in our hearts no matter where we are. I wish that for all of you dear sisters.

Love,

Nancy