Oh, oh...no, no. no! I do not want to imply that I took your words personal at all! I loved the desert when I lived there. In fact, God used the desert to teach me how to be content wherever He placed me, and taught me to love the desert while I raised me three kids there even though I caught myself grumbling at times. You did not diminish my "stuff." God uses each of us where we are and helps us through the troubled times. Several times in my life I learned that people were watching me even though I had no idea at the time, and I have learned several of them have become Christians since. Be careful when you pray for God to enlarge your borders! And, yes, feel free to grumble here. It is the one place I feel I can without condemnation...another long story!

Nancy, I'm sorry you lost your post. I have had that happen and know it is REALLY frustrating! SOOO thankful your mom was able to sign the paper (although it is NUTS that they won't accept your power of attorney!). I pray your mom will just naturally stop losing the weight and begin to have a healthy weight again. (I would GLADLY donate to her all of MY weight that she needed!!!) :oD Poor little Cammie. We went through the ear infection thing with Maggie and it wants to come back from time to time. We found some natural drops that she doesn't run from and it helps to keep it at bay. I saw a cat carrier bag that was really nice (wish I remembered where I saw it). You put the head through and the rest of the body is zipped into the bag. They feel cozy and claws can't come through or rip it. This makes it very easy for the vert to work on the kitty. Our old vet kept one in his office for whenever he worked on kitties. In the ad I saw, this bag had a shoulder strap so you could carry her in it and you could fasten a car seatbelt into it too. Pretty cool! You probably already have something like that or similar, but I was impressed with it. We made the mistake of transporting a cat WITHOUT a carrier ONCE! Poor guy spazzed out and bounced off of one window then another! Then we bought a carrier! Anyway I'm glad the bloodwork on her is good. Maybe once the ear infection calms down she will feel more like eating too.

Praying God's blessings upon you all,

Ade

Hi dear friends. I have not been able to get onto this site all day and most of the evening. I could email and get on the internet but I was not able to get through to BCO period. We did have some outage problems in our area and I just unplugged my modem and I am finally up and running. I had some banners ready to post and wanted to give you an update and thank you for your input on Cammie..........but it is late and I will have to wait until tomorrow. I am just glad I was able to get back on here.

Have a good night dear sisters.

Love,

Nancy

Carol, I guess it wasn't just me then. I know that they were registering people to take part in the virtual town hall meeting and maybe that crashed they system for a while. How are you doing? How is your father accepting your situation? Have you started a treatment plan yet? I hope things go as smoothly as possible for you.

Trying to get ear ointment in Cammies ear has been a nightmare on some days and difficult at best. I have five more days to go and I hope she will still be speaking to me when it is all over. She stays far away from me after we struggle to get the meds in and then eventually warms up to me thankfully.

Ade, the kitty bag you mentioned sounds interesting. Cammie squirms her way out of my arms and she is so strong I don't know if even that kitty bag would work. She actually sleeps in her carrier when she is not sleeping next to me in bed. Since she travels with me so much when I visit my family downstate I just leave it out and then when it is time for a trip she is safe in her familiar environment. Oh my, if I had her loose in the car I can't even imagine the whole thing. She would probably cause an accident if she freaked out too much. I can only imagine your cat doing that.

Chris, I have not tried the pillow case. I am using a towel but she managed to squirm out of it and today her hind claws were scratching my arm and digging into my skin. I have been pretty worried about her. The vet told me that her weight loss could be some serious things including cancer so I have to weigh her periodically and if she is still losing she wants to know. I can't tell if she is not eating her regular food much because she is sick of it or not. She still loves her treats so I am hoping it is just being finicky and probably not eating much because she was in pain from her ear. Hopefully that part has been helped by the antibiotics so far.

You will have have a big responsibility with your granddaughter and her online kindergarten but I bet you will enjoy that. We will pray that you will have the strength and stamina to do that.

It is very late and I need to get to bed.

Have a good week dear sisters.

Love,

Nancy

Hi Nancy, thank you for checking on me. My dad is doing OK. We talked with him on the phone last night. I just tell him that treatment is going as planned and that I'm doing fine.

I'm on my second cycle of Ibrance and will see my oncologist next week. I think the plan is to repeat scans and tests about every three months. I have blood work done every two weeks.

I've added Proverbs 1:33 (NRSV) to my list next to my computer. "Whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster." I especially like the "without dread" part. I think the dread is what can paralyze us and it's the thing I want most to give up.

Blessing to all of my sisters and prayer warriors today.

Carol

Oops! I just read my post and edited it to say “withOUT dread...” Sorry about that. 🙀

Good morning all. Thank you for your continued words of hope and blessing.

My sweet sister-in-law passed yesterday after years of struggling through Lupus. She was in the hospital almost two months this time. It is so sad that because of Covid our loved ones have to pass on alone in a hospital bed without family nearby. But she is finally free of pain and in the arms of her Savior and with her mom and dad who passed on before her.

I am struggling a bit with non-specific teeth pain that seems to move around. Anyone who knows me knows I hate going to the dentist, but I have made the appt. The earliest I can get in is next Wednesday because the office finally re-opened and so many people are trying to get in, mainly with emergencies like mine. Unfortunately the appt is early in the morning which is rough for me, but otherwise it would be another week. Dental issues are more complicated for me also because I am on an oral chemo drug and there are several potential oral complications because of the meds. I appreciate your prayers as I am also still struggling to settle in with this new drug.

I pray God's love with surround each of you today. Chris

Hi dear sisters,

I have prayed for the needs mentioned earlier today but I did not have time to respond as I spent the afternoon with my dear friend that is 92 with dementia. I have sat with her at church for many years and this is the first I got to see her since February even though we do regularly talk on the phone even though she doesn't usually remember most of that. So it has been a good afternoon. The big relief and praise the Lord is that I have Cammie her LAST ear ointment treatment tonight and I am SO thankful that whole thing is over for now. She is responding well and I am praying that was the reason for her weight loss and in general not seeming herself.

Chris, I am so sorry to hear about your sister in law passing. Is this your son's wife that is a minister? It is so terribly sad losing a loved one in this pandemic in the hospital with no family present. As you mentioned she is free of pain and with Jesus and I pray that you and your family can take comfort in that. I am sorry to hear about your teeth with everything else going on. I will continue to pray for you as you have to wait to get into your dentist and praying that whatever the treatment may be will not adversely affect you in anyway or interfere with your chemo.

Ade, you asked about my GI issues. I am still having some issues but it is much improved. Cammie's issues in that regard hopefully are in the rear view mirror too. I am really sorry to hear about how bad James migraines are. I still pray for him in that regard and that he will eventually get much more money from the VA. The foot pain before the migraines seems strange but who knows.........maybe it will be a help with his upcoming doctor apts and may shed some light on his situation.

My cousins's wife fell and broke her back and has a 3mm crack in L1. She is only in a back brace and cannot tolerate pain meds so is only on Ibuprofen which is not touching the pain. Her name is Linda and if you would have time to pray for her I know she would appreciate it.

You all continue to be in my prayers.

Love,

Nancy

Chris, I guess I was having a senior moment. I was thinking daughter in law and not SIL. My alternative doctor's wife has Lupus and works in his office so I have had a connection with her for many years. I know how difficult her life has been so I can certainly understand how difficult your SIL's life must have been coupled with Agoraphobia. I hope you can have peace knowing she is at peace now free of pain and fear. Thank you for your prayers for Linda.

I will share a photo I took last week at our local Arboretum which is now open by reservation only.

Ade, so thankful the VA is moving in the right direction for you. Nancy, hope you are feeling better and your pain is improving.

I am still struggling a bit today but am improving probably because it is my cycle week off. Can't wait to discuss it all with the doc on Monday and I see the dentist on Wednesday. In the meantime I stay home away from everyone which means I am not travelling to see my brother as planned this week (so sad!) and I have no idea about funeral arrangements and whether I can manage that. Sorry to complain here. My family is supportive but it is still tough. Praying God sends you all peace and Sabbath rest tomorrow. Chris

Ade, thank you for your nice comments on my flower photo. I was able to get out yesterday to get my one and only photos in for the July contest. Those have to be taken in the forest preserves which I haven't been to with my camera in a while.

I am glad you were able to figure out what James migraine is called. Has his migraines come into the VA consideration for more compensation? I am thrilled to hear that you have they have given you some increase. With my brother in law that is the way he eventually got 100% disability by getting increments. I think it was his Type 2 diabetes which put him to the max. Can you still keep appealing the decision? Thanks for your prayers for Linda.

Chris, in general I am doing well. I have been having these bouts of fatigue but I have been walking for up to 3 miles on some nights and that about does me in for the next day. Today is the next day! I hope you have a productive visit with your doctor on Monday and that you get through your dentist apt on Wed. I will ditto Ade, in saying that you are certainly NOT complaining. That is what we are here for to support one another. I am so sorry that you will not be able to visit your brother. I think you are amazing as well. I pray that your teeth pain has lessened. So much on your plate right now. Continued prayers for you.

Cammie is DONE with the ear applications thank goodness. As soon as I think she is doing better then today I gave her a lot of treats just trying to get weight back on her. She had been handling the treats ok. She ended up throwing it all up shortly afterwards but some of that was hairball so I am hoping that was the primary reason. I bought a rotisserie chicken for me but basically so she would eat some. That is the only people food she will eat. I got her to eat some just a few minutes ago so that was good.

I am still having some GI stuff. As soon as I thought it was much better then it wasn't. I am a bit more concerned with this fatigue which I don't understand why. I may just be overdoing the walking and may need to back off.

Hershey, I know you will find out about your work situation soon. Praying that you will still be able to work from home.

Have a good night everyone.

Love,

Nancy

Nancy, we walk just one mile in the morning 6 days a week with time out for not-so-good days. Do try to go in shorter increments and I think you won't have such a hard time the next day. We also walk in the cool of the day - though I know you aren't an early bird, perhaps evening? (That's my experience anyway). We gave our kitties a flavored gel in a tube for hairballs and it did wonders for them. They licked it right out of the squeeze tube and loved it. Have you tried it? I pray your GI issues will just go away. Just when I think mine are gone they come back. Fun - right? (

Hershey I surely pray you get to work from home after all. I am so sorry this has been such a stress for you. NONE of us need anymore stress do we!

Nancy, the VA decision was already a Higher Level Review so we can't do anymore with that. But yes, we will pursue a better comp for those migraines. He has the minimum on that now. Even though we clearly document how bad it is they just can't seem to understand (or care???). The VA psyche doctor who James sees once a week on the computer charts that 'the the migraines are caused by the depression' but James has had the migraines FAR longer than the depression and the guy has it completely wrong/backwards - which frustrates James to no end. The doctor said last week, "Oh I see you only had three headaches last week" like that was to celebrate. James put him in his place and said, "Those 'headaches' come on suddenly like someone just drove an ICE PICK through my temple! The pain is SO intense I can hardly make it to my bed, let alone get my medication, and the tears from the agony are streaming down my face, it's that intense...and I am ALL DAY in bed incapacitated". The doc wasn't so flippant after that. However we DO celebrate NO FEVERS since James went on the "controversial" Hydroxychloroquine. It is only controversial because of politics...which I won't get into here.

We belong to a little Bible Study group that meets on Sunday nights and I am looking forward to the Word and the fellowship tonight. Then the neighbor couple we ride there with comes in for tea and dessert afterwards. James & I watch an Ohio church service on Sunday mornings, plus we have a handful of devotionals we do, looking up each scripture every morning and reading aloud, and we read aloud from the Bible every night. We complete the devotional Chronological Bible tonight, (I HIGHLY recommend that!) and then start the regular Bible over again tomorrow night. I am BLESSED to have a spouse who loves doing this with me. That is a LONG awaited prayer answered and I don't ever take it for granted. Thank YOU LORD! The time is growing short and we need to keep our lamps full of oil and the wicks trimmed, amen?

May the Lord bless you and keep you in His peace this new week,

Ade

Hershey, I sure have been praying that you would get approval to work from home. Maybe you will show up to work today and they will tell you that you can still work from home. I am sorry this has not be resolved and here it is Aug. 3. I pray good will come out of this somehow. Thank you for your nice comments on my photography.

Ade, I walked 1.6 miles last night and that did seem to work out better. It was actually pretty nice outside but my tee shirt was wet when I came got home. I know I lose a lot of hydration because I do sweat more than normal I think. When I was a band director in the winter time after a band rehearsal the back of my hair would be wet. Regarding the hairball product I have never used anything like that on Cammie. Her dry food is a hairball product but she is eating so little of it and wants to eat all the treats. A vicious cycle. I have used that product in the past possibly with my previous cat, but she loved to be brushed everyday unlike my little diva now! I can't believe the doctor saying you ONLY had three migraines this week. Obviously he has never had one to make a statement like that. I do hope that somehow James will be able to get more benefits from the VA. This migraines are certainly debilitating.

Teka, thank you for my pretty Birthday banner. Yes, I will not be spending my birthday with my family as I usually do since the virus has goofed up my travel schedule downstate. I was hoping to plan some fun outing with my camera but rain is predicted so I don't know what I will do. I am in one of my can't get back to sleep periods so I am up very early for me right now. I love your orchid. I see you have quite a few buds too which is a great thing. You will get the pleasure of seeing them open up. I need to post of picture of my orchid that I splurged on in March when I was sick and the lock down started. I had one delivered to my house then. It ended up having 32 blooms and looks like a little tree. It is now dropping flowers after three months of enjoying them. I bought another one a few weeks ago from this same nursery and one bloom should be open today so my plan worked to have at least one orchid in bloom. I have been repotting my first ones I bought in Jan and Feb. That has been a real education. I watched a ton of videos from Miss Orchid Girl on Youtube and learned so much. She says she has 1000 videos. Some may be for the subscribers only but she has many free ones too. Most of mine are in the what they call the growing phase. That is when all the blooms are done and then new leaves and roots appear and then hopefully in winter time the blooms will start all over. That for me is the big test. Mine have taken over my whole kitchen counter next to my sink. Not very convenient but that is where they thrive. I hope your orchid gives you as much pleasure as mine have for me. Thanks again for remember my birthday.

Chris, I hope your doctor's apt goes well today.

Have a good week dear sisters. I was having a happy dance time when I saw my Mom's first VA deposit in her checking account the other day!!!!!! Now the continued battle to see if I can be her fiduciary. Then when that is decided she will get retroactive pay.

Love,

Nancy

Thank you Ade. I appreciate that and your kind words. That means a lot to me. Cammie would be jealous if she saw me aweeeing (if that is a word) over the adorable kitten. LOL

Trying to figure out what special thing I want to do today. The rain is less likely but it looks like rain out there. We'll see.

Thank again.

Love

Nancy

Thank you Chris. I am glad your phone apt with your doctor went well. Yes, aren't those apts SO much easier than the ritual we go through to get to the doctor. Know I am praying for you always.

Love,

Nancy