Both treatments were done early in the morning as an outpatient surgery. In August we left the hospital with an emesis bag, I felt worse than I did with any of my pregnancies. I was vomiting at every slow down and stop from the hospital home. We stopped at the pharmacy to get more bags and some Ensure. It was two days before I keep anything down. Although I was able to eat soup and crackers my mouth had a burning feeling and my throat hurt. When I looked in my mouth, it looked like cottage cheese had been smeared in it. It was after doctors hours on a Friday, so I went to the walk in clinic at the pharmacy. Their appointment sheet was full for the evening, but when I showed the nurse my mouth she gave me a special appointment. TYL I was treated with a mixture called “swish and spit”. A couple of days of that and my mouth was better.  (Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalm 23:4)  TYL, that I know you are there to comfort me even in the most dangerous shadows of my life. I don’t have to fear, if I remember just this small portion of scripture.

In September, I couldn’t stop vomiting long enough to leave the hospital, so I stayed overnight. I was able to received the needed medicine to calm down the vomiting and went home the next day. I remembered everything I went through in August and had plenty of Ensure, soup and crackers at home. This time, however, I didn’t need to use the “swish and spit”. TYL Recovery time was about the same, so I was glad I didn’t have to think about any kind of treatment during the holidays.

11-21-14 Don’t ever feel bad or sorry for putting a smile in my heart. Any smile we can add to a person's life is a blessing and may add another moment to their desire to live.

THANKSGIVING: My family had so much to be thankful for this year, not only had I been going through, but my mom had also been sick, in the hospital and had surgery. There are three states that we rotate our Thanksgiving between (we go to Mississippi every year for Memorial Day, it is where my mother is from) and this year we were to go to Virginia. Thinking about the travel time, my mom and I’s condition, my sister brought Thanksgiving to Dancing Bear Lodge in Branson, Missouri. Although the whole family could not attend we had a group of 22, which is about half, and all four states were represented. TYL It was the best a bitter-sweet Thanksgiving. “Bitter”-  not knowing my condition, I tried to explain it to my family the best I could and make sure they all understood their roles in Chris’ life if something happened to me first. “Sweet” - we were together at this awesome place, able to enjoy each other again, mom and pop, my siblings and their spouses, nephews and nieces, and Chris - my other boys and their families could not come. But TYL I am here to enjoy all of this.  (O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever. 1 Chronicles 16:34)

CHRISTMAS: (For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11)  Celebrating the birth of Jesus. I found out I was going to be a grandmother again. This time twins. WOW, what a gift. We all shared a little time together, but mostly Christmas was spent at our homes. TYL for another holiday and chance to give thanks for your birth, without it there would be nothing for me to believe in or any hope of positive things to come.

NEW YEARS 2015: Looking back on 2014 and all the good, bad, and ugly (smile) situations that happened, I am still grateful for life. I am grateful for my LORD, that keeps me encouraged and I believe helps me look at the positive and futuristic side of life, I have not always been this way. TYL for all of the challenges and all of the new people I have met because of this situation. TYL for the doctors that spent the time and money to specialize in this field to help people like me, we all have our purpose. I really TYL for the support and concern of family and friends, there are people willing to help that I didn’t even know about. TYL. As I embrace a new year and its’ challenges I know I will not be walking it alone, spiritually or physically. TYL (I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2)