Praise You in this Storm

I only half follow sporting events.  Sorry to say, but the half is because it is on in my house.  It isn't that I hate it, usually I would just rather watch something else.  My husband had referred to this Super Bowl as "brother against brother" and I assumed that there were players that were on opposite teams like in other years.  I thought that the one brother rival teams had a neck injury, but who knows.  (Mannings?)  While watching I realized that the same man was NOT coaching the 2 different teams, THEY were the brothers!  I get it now!  Who knows how many years I have watched and thought to myself, "oh, I thought he coached another team.  Guess not, guess the brothers look alike!

I remember October 14, 2003 very well  It was one of the happiest, but one of the hardest days of my life.  My sister Becky had just miscarried, Jeannie was going to her 3rd appointment to see if the implanted eggs had grown into a baby and I had my 1st checkup for my 3rd pregnancy.  I had been taking prenatal vitamins for a few months, and I had been pregnant before, so I didn't rush right in.  I was 13 weeks along.  Jeannie and I both had morning appointments so she agreed to call me later in the afternoon.  My appointment ended up being a bit longer then I had planned and I was NOT looking forward to talking to my sister.  She called me and I can vividly remember sitting on the couch in the game room while I listened.  She told me that although she had several "ripe" eggs, none of them were fertilized.  After a long time of long, early morning and disappointing appointments with negative results, she and Jeff decided that they were no longer going to go through this type of process to have a baby.  She was tired and worn, physically and emotionally.  We talked for what seemed to be eternity to me and she was winding down the conversation.  I wasn't ready to jump in with my new information.  Just when I was thinking the timing wasn't right to share, Jeannie said, "so how did your appointment go?  What did the doctor say?"  All I could think of was Becky's baby she would never meet until heaven, Jeannie's babies that we never made and my sister-in-law having similar pain and didn't want to share what I had learned for the day.  "Well, we are actually having twins."  I told her how the doctor asked if my calculated dates were right and when they were confirmed, he sent me right away for an ultrasound.  For the next several months, we heard a lot about Baby A and Baby B.

It is so hard to be happy when someone you love is feeling pain.  I heard this morning that the coach that won (now I can't thing of his name, Joe or Jim {and no I am not going to google it for the sake of the blog}) the winning coach, said it was the hardest thing he ever had to do, shake his brother's hand when he knew the pain that he must have been experiencing due to his loss.

I think it is so hard to PRAISE God when what is going on isn't good and just plain stinks.  It is so much easier to thank him for all the blessings...then the trials.  We were made to praise him but not circumstantially.  ALWAYS.  That is why we have to have a solid foundation in Him.  We have to believe and know deep down in our heart that even though we don't understand the "why" right now, we have to believe He will turn it into His good and for His glory.  Faith!

I watched my dad console my mom's friend that came to visit and he reassured her that it is all going to be ok because Jesus is in control of that. We HAVE to believe it!  Anything else can and will change, but the one thing that will never change is Jesus and his desire to love us.

Mom has had her ups and downs the past several days.  I was able to go and stay Friday - Saturday night.  I had a wonderful time and was so happy to be able to give 100% to her.  For that I was grateful.

Today, she had her radiation, and ultrasound and her appointment with Dr. Raminini.   The ultrasound showed that there is still some nephrosis (?) in the kidneys, but it is getting better.  Her blood count however is not good at all - it is very low.  Because of this, a few changes need to be made.  1.  She is no longer allowed to have visitors.  You may come to the front door, and may come in, but please do not go upstairs.  No exceptions - this applies to everyone except dad.  2.  Chemo needs to be changed - no more Myomycin (sp?).  3.  She will need injections to elevate her blood count.  4.  She will need to get another pic line (the other one was removed b/c she formed a blood clot).  5.  Her temp will now be take 3x/day.  If it is at all elevated, she will need to go to the ER.   

Prayer requests:
1.  Elevate her WBC -white blood count
2.  They find the appropriate chemo that won't harm the cells so drastically
3.  She accepts the new pic line with NO side effects
4.  That dad is able to remain strong, rested and healthy

Praise reports:
1.  She has been sleeping better and not getting up quite as frequently.  That is more for dad's strength and rest.
2.  Things have been "regular"
3.  We are thankful for how God is continuing to heal her even when we can't see it now.

Thankful:
1.  We are so very thankful for the meals that have been provided.  It has been a huge help!
2.  We are thankful for the love, support and prayers that we know are coming from all over the world.
3.  We are thankful for a God that even though we are sinners continues to bless us and showers us with His love, grace, favor, protection and peace.

Lord, Please help me to praise you in ALL CIRCUMSTANCES!  Amen. (please visit the link below)

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ype1xE0wzsg