Does It Really Matter What Day Of The Week It Is?

As I sit here at almost 5:15 p.m., I sit with a heavy, worried heart. A fellow Cholangiocarcinoma patient is fighting for her life after having her tumor removed from her liver. She is appr. 27 years old. Her mother, Pam Kunklier, writes a blog to keep everyone up to par on her daughter's (Lauren) health status. I have been following the blog for about a year and have posted back and forth with Pam. They live in Uniontown, Ohio....but it seems I have known them a lifetime.  When you have this rare cancer, you kinda all pull together and you are a family.  The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation lets you talk to a lot of people (through their blog) and you can learn about their "walk" through this monstrosity of a disease (and share your story). Please keep this wonderful family in your prayers.

I had chemo Monday and every once in a while, I jokingly ask Dr. Dy if I will be around for another year. He said "oh yes...of course"  I said..."No, really..I want to know"   His response was..."I don't lie...I will tell you if I think you are going in the wrong direction health wise....I do think you will be here in a year. OK....made me feel better but really.....how does he know.   Lab wise, physically, he might think I will be but he is not God and he doesn't have the date stamper for my foot!  I thank God so many times in a day for letting me be apart of this wonderful place he has made....and that I ask for more time with my family if it is in his plan. If it is not, I will see them later in a better place.   I have seen a lot of rainbows posted on Facebook lately.......it makes me smile and thank God for each one of them.

I am on the countdown status of resigning from my job on the last Friday of June. Gonna have to tighten the old belt financially but Pat does a great job of budgeting. I could sell my liver but...oh well...who'd want it and even though I have a monster inside my liver....I still need it right now.   This is kind of a boring post but just wanted to let you know I am stable....chemo is going fine although it took  5 needle pokes before getting a good vein for chemo. Not including the 2 sticks for blood.
Every month, I give myself 66 shots, and no, that doesn't include all the chemo sticks. But you know what, I am living. I am going to walk in a 5K June 22 in Evansville, Indiana (minus Michelle Kauble....you clutz :-)). Hugs to you, Michelle as you continue to recover.

I thank God for my family, friends, and even people I don't know who pray for me. I don't want to wait until I am on my deathbed before I tell everyone I appreciate them and I love all of my friends and family. I have heard talk people think I am quitting my job due to my cancer getting worse....do they know something I don't?  All is calm....and I go to MD Anderson in July (9-11) for tests and to see Dr. Javle.  I do this every 3 months.....so let's all pray for more stability for a looong time.
Pat and I babysat Leslie's two kids Saturday from about 7:30 am to 10:30 p.m. as she had a wedding she had to do hair for (she used to be a cosmetologist). Then she went to the wedding and we had them a little longer....they left Sunday for church and Pat and I were exhausted. Today, I watched Braeda so Amy & Rylan could mow....just an hour or so. Then came home and am dog sitting for Jenn and Bart. The pay is good.....in memories.

One more thing, as I was getting out of my car at work this am at about 8:02......there was a young girl with a backpack sitting in the parking lot along the curb. I smiled and started to walk towards my workplace when something told me to turn around and see if she needed anything.
As I walked up to her, she kinda looked the other way as if to hide from me. I asked if she needed something...if she needed me to go get her some food for breakfast...she said no, she was working at The Salvation Army (I am assuming juvenile hours she has to work for doing something wrong). I told her they didn't open for another hour and if she needed a warm spot-to go inside where I work and I'd even get her some coffee or chocolate milk. She turned me down. She couldn't have been over 17. I pray working the hours at the SA helps her realize there is more to life than making BAD decisions and to find better ways to donate back to the community BECAUSE SHE WANTS TO and not because she is in trouble.

As I close, one thing I know for sure...God is there. He is in my heart, he is in every rainbow, every good deed you might do. My heart overflows with faith....and the fact that I will never die, I will move on to the best place a person could ever be. Yes, I still ask for more good time on this earth to be with my family but if I start to head in the wrong direction....let me run to God with his arms open for me. Let it happen swiftly and without pain for me....and for my family. Because, let us remember, God is great....ALL THE TIME no matter what day of the week it is!!

Hugs and prayers for Lauren!!!!

Patty