We are not out of the woods yet . . .

Unfortunately,  things have not started to get better yet.  About five days ago, Mark noticed that our dog Bailey had some swelling or lumps, under her chin close to her neck.  The next day I took a look and was surprised how big they were.  When I talked to Mark he said that they weren't that big when he felt them.  By the third day it was all one lump and getting harder.  At bedtime I took her collar off to make her more comfortable.  In the morning it had  travelled into one side off her face.  I had called around to the vets in our area the day before, and now quickly made an appointment where I could get in the quickest.

At the vet, He said that she had a slight fever, all her lymph nodes were swollen (for an infection usually just one would be swollen).  I had to leave her there for a blood test and the were going to take a sample of the inside of the infected area with a fine needle.  I was told it would take a couple hours.

A couple hours later they called and said it would be a couple more hours.  Apparently they needed to sedate her for the  sample in her neck area.  I picked her up at 4:30pm, when the doctor told me that he suspected it to be lymphoma, a type of cancer, that in dogs spreads rapidly to other organs.  Her blood work showed that her platelets were down to 13 when normal is between 175 and 500.  And she is somewhat anemic.  He also thinks that it could be starting to go into her bone marrow already.  But having said all that he did keep on saying that we should wait for the results to come back from the lab regarding the sample.  But it does not look good.  There is a chemo treatment, but since her blood work was not good she might not make it through even if it did work.  She also has an ulcer in one of her eyes.  Basically, the whole picture that was painted for me was not good at all.  If it is the cancer she should be getting worse everyday, which seems to be happening.

So if you could pray for us, we would really appreciate it.  The kids are very attached to her, and she is so amazingly gentle, and calm with them.  She lets them climb all over her.   Pray for our family, pray for Bailey and pray that we would be able to handle all the stresses we've had and continue to have.  Thanks.

Love Andrea

PS - Yesterday my sister's car also got stolen!!

The end of August is coming! And Updates!

Wow!  I can't believe how long it has been since I last posted.  And I can't believe how busy it has been, and stressful.  By the time I have time to blog it is later in the evening, and then I am tired and don't have the energy.  But I have thought about it often.  Too bad intentions don't get anything done!

For starters the end of summer means another birthday . . . or two.  The twins are turning two on the 30th.  I look at pictures from two years ago and can't believe how far they have come.  They are so full of life and energy.  And sometimes when I look back I still can't believe that we have twins.  Pictures to follow!

Secondly, I will update my last post.  I made it through my cleanse and am proud to say that I have lost 20 pounds.  During the last month and a half I have kept the weight off with a maintenance program, eating healthy and excersizing more.  I hope that I will be able to continue this.  I'd love to lose more but I'm also happy with how far I've come.  Thanks for your prayers.

The last two weeks have been very stressful and hard on family life.  It all started two weeks ago.  On that Friday morning we realized that our backyard had been broken into.  My brother's bike and Drew's trail-bike were stolen.  This frustrated Mark and I a lot and traumatized Drew.  He was very upset by it all.  He broke down the next night.  He couldn't believe someone in CANADA would do such a thing and that they would hurt other people so much.  It was heart breaking to hear his heart break, and to learn this lesson at such a young age.  This sent Drew into a week of hard behaviour.  Listening was very hard for him, obeying, treating others kindly were all out the window.  It seems like he is just starting to come around now.  Poor guy!  He is a very sensitive child.  He has a tough exterior, but he's quite soft inside.  He internalizes a lot, so I am glad that he felt free to let me in.  We talked about it a lot.  Every aspect.  About a half an hour.  What if the police do find them?  How would they get them to us?  Do they have a truck? Trailer? And then to calm him down a bit before he fell asleep, we watched the Olympics for a bit together.  It was actually quite bonding.

Too bad that wasn't it.  During these weeks Sophia has been dealing with constipation, and now she is actually on medication and we are still trying to find the right dosage to get her "regular".  

Let's go to week two.  Exact same night, one week later, another break in our backyard.  That's right.  I'm sure it is the same person trying to "finish" the job.  One bike left.  No we didn't lock it up.  It was an old ten speed bike that is broken.  Drew drags it around the back yard and it is almost unrideable.  Mark went out to hang out with some friends at 9:15pm, my brother left our place at 10pm, when he noticed our gate was open and then saw the bike laying in the middle of the road a little up our hill.  Apparently the thief noticed how undesirable the bike actually was, kicked it and left it.  So the bike is back at our house, but it can't even be hauled around the yard anymore.  The worst part is feeling violated.  It's bad enough when it's just once, but twice feels very scary.  I've put my vote in for a friendly but protective German Shepherd.  It was also scary that we were home, just watching tv, when it happened right in our back yard.  We are not telling Drew about this one.  So we'd appreciate it if you would just be careful about the way you word things.  Thanks in advance.

A couple days later, I slipped down our stairs and landed on our cement entry floor on my tailbone.  I was in a lot of pain, but hoped it would go away within a day or so.  The next day I started on Advil.  Mark and some other suggested I go to the Dr.  I had to go for an x-ray, nothing is broken.  Lots of Advil, pain, sleep and help with the kids.  Today I am starting to feel better, but it still aches.  The doctor thought it should take about 2 weeks to heal.  I am hoping for less.

Then we got the news from my cousin who was borrowing our car, that it had been broken into.  Mark was in the process of fixing his car.  If any of this had happened individually it would have been a lot easier to deal with, but by this time I was totally stressed out about it all.  You can't help but say, "what else?"  By the way, we are not telling Drew about this one either.

Okay, one more thing to end this string.  Our fridge kicked it in.  It was starting to freeze our food - not the freezer part.  So we turned down the temperature.  Still freezing!  Turned down the temp a little more.  Then it didn't keep the food cold enough!  Time for a new fridge.  We got a great deal because it has a couple of scratches on the handle and a small dent in the side, which you can't see when it's in place.  We got it for about half the price, and it looks great in our kitchen.  At least we got a great fridge out of this one.  :)  When we moved the old fridge away, we saw a small puddle of green stuff!  Definitely time for a new fridge!! 

All in all, it's been a hard couple of weeks.  One day before this all happened I was reading my Bible and thought I should take more time on this passage later.  I put a bookmark in and left it alone.  Then totally forgot about what the passage was, but remembering I wanted to go back to it.  I finally got back to it yesterday.  This is what it said:

The Message:

~Luke 6: 17 - 23

You're Blessed

Coming down off the mountain with them, he stood on a plain surrounded by disciples, and was soon joined by a huge congregation from all over Judea and Jerusalem, even from the seaside towns of Tyre and Sidon.  They had come both to hear him and be cured of their ailments.  Those disturbed by evil spirits were healed.  Everyone was trying to touch him - so much energy surging from him, so many people healed!  Then he spoke:

You're blessed when you've lost it all.

God's kingdom is there for the finding.

Your blessed when you are ravenously hungry.

Then you're ready for the Messianic meal.

You are blessed when the tears flow freely.

Joy comes with the morning.

"Count yourself blessed every time someone cuts you down or throws you out, every time someone smears or blackens your name to discredit me.  What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and that that person is uncomfortable.  You can be glad when that happens - skip like a lamb,if you like! - for even though they don't like it, I do . . . and all heaven applauds.  And know that you are in good company, my preachers and witnesses have always been treated like this." '

 

I know I haven't had it as hard as some, but for us it was a very stressful week, and this passage helped me to feel God in all of it.  You start wondering, where God is in all of this and why he let's it happen.  But I have felt God near me. :)  And I know that I am hungry for that Messianic meal.  And can't wait to just touch his coat and feel that energy and love come through my whole body, healing me once and  for all.

Hopefully, then next couple weeks will be better.  Looking forward to some celebrating.  Birthdays and anniversaries.  We are celebrating 8 years of marriage this month!  Hope you are all enjoying your last days of summer, even though the rain is here!  

Love Andrea