Update

Bryan has shingles. We finally went to the ER Friday, and he was diagnosed. Medication is helping, and he is probably about halfway through the outbreak. He has never had this before, so we had no idea what it was.
I did not get a call from my onc on Wednesday. I will call tomorrow to see whether or not I should see an eye specialist. I have calmed down. I do not want to live in fear, but sometimes it creeps up on me.
We had a great Thanksgiving with both families, and Emily and Katie spent the weekend here. They left not too long ago. Katie dropped Emily off at her apartment on Katie's way back to school.
Hope your Thanksgiving was a good one!
Jan

This May Be Nothing, But....

I would appreciate your prayers. I went yesterday to have my eyes checked and to get a new pair of glasses. As part of the exam, the doctor dilated my pupils to look inside my eye. He told me that my left eye has a couple of floaters, which many people have. I have never been aware of them. He also told me that I have some edema around the macula, which could be an indicator of the beginning of macular degeneration. The part that concerned him was that I only had this condition in the left eye, whereas people who have macular degeneration have the same thing occur in both eyes. He then proceeded to tell me that cancer can spread from the breast to the eye, and it usually means the brain is involved, too. He gave me a piece of graph paper to test my eyes daily and told me to see him if I noticed any blurriness or deviations in the graph. Needless to say, I came home in tears and put in a call to my oncologist. The PA called me today. She said that it does happen, but it is extremely rare. The oncologist will contact me tomorrow to let me know if I should do anything else. I think I will ask about seeing an eye specialist just to relieve my fears. I deal often with a fear of recurrence anyway, without such news.
I also would like for prayer for Bryan. He has had severe muscle pain up his neck to the top of the back of his head for a couple of days. He says he will see a doctor tomorrow if the pain doesn't subside.
I hope you all have a blessed Thanksgiving with the people you love. I am thankful for those of you who keep up with the blog and offer up prayers. It means more to me than you can know.
Jan

Another Celebration!

Last night, Sunday, November 23rd, I was given a "retirement from homeschooling" party! The party was hosted by a great friend, Denise Manias, with help from some of the other homeschool moms. We celebrated in one of the most beautiful rooms in the church. There were flowers, candlelight, and music. The decorations were a school theme, of course, and the food was delicious. I got to see so many moms that I had not seen in a while. My mom and dad came, as did Bryan, Sarah, Emily and Hunter, and my sister, Becky, with Zack's girlfriend, Kinsie. Two of my sister-in-laws, Denise and Sarah, who also homeschool. were there. After visiting and dinner, several people took turns toasting me with stories and memories. I had a few things to say, too! It was an unforgettable evening, and I felt humbled to be so honored by my peers.

Happy Birthday to Me!!!

Next Wednesday, November 19th, I will be 50 years old. Last night, Saturday, November 15th, my family gave me a surprise party and invited my mom, dad, sisters, their children, and many of my friends. It was wonderful. I had the most beautiful cake I had ever seen. It had a Grandma Moses painting on it! The theme was The Best is Yet to Come, and Sarah framed pictures of women like Laura Ingalls Wilder and Grandma Moses, who did not start their careers until in their 60s and 70s. The party had many thoughtful touches. I feel blessed to be here and blessed to have so many people who care about me. This morning our family had breakfast together at Lynn' Paradise Cafe with a couple of Katie's friends, Olivia and Lauren, before they headed back to Anderson. It was a great weekend.

Two Prayer Requests

My dad had another swallow test last Friday to determine if he could begin to drink clear liquids with his meals. He did not pass. He was told that he could repeat the test in 6 weeks, and that he needed to increase his therapy sessions to three a day in hopes of strengthening his throat muscles. He was also told that sometimes people don't get this ability back. Needless to say, he was very discouraged. Please pray that he will heal enough to pass the next test, so that he can have a cup of coffee, a coke, tea, or a Frosty! Ice cream counts as a liquid, because it melts in the mouth.
My sister, Becky, went to the ER this morning, and they determined that she needs gall bladder surgery. She will be added to the end of her surgeon's schedule tomorrow. Please pray for a successful surgery and a speedy recovery.
Thanks so much for your prayers!
Jan

Photos from the Pumpkin Patch/Halloween Party

This is Paul, Sarah, Bryan, me and Emily at Gallreins.

This is the whole gang at my sister's. None of my girls were able to make it, but I enjoyed being with my family.

We had a great time at my sister's last night. Notice the "woman" in the blonde wig and the poodle skirt? That is my dad, who was in ICU two months ago. I think he's bouncing back! (And I was glad to loan him the wig I wore during my treatments.)