The update on my sister is mixed. She is still awaiting results on the tumor on her ovary-not sure if it is cancer or not. The spot in her pelvic area they believe is fluid filled but showed no radioactive activity so they are thinking it is not cancerous and can possibly be drained. On the other hand they scanned from her head down to her mid thigh area and two spots in the back of her neck (sinus cavity) in the lymph node area showed up and they showed radioactive activity so they are calling them Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.
There only these two small spots at this time and they found nothing else in the area or in the surrounding lymph nodes. She goes to see a specialist this Wednesday in Buffalo about what they need to do for this-surgery and then treatment following that. She will know more Monday from the pelvic ultrasound about the other two spots and what they will need to do about those.
Please keep her in your prayers. We have never had cancer in our family and this is a new road we will travel.
This has been a very hard day for my whole family, it is breaking my mom's heart, my dad's and mine too, but there is a special connection as all you moms know between your child and you and no matter how old they get, it is never easy and if you could you would change places with them in a heart beat.
Please also pray for my mom as she is hoping to get her second mammogram here this next week to see what the difference was. Please pray that is is nothing-I really don't know how much more she can take at this point.
Thanks
Love you all
On This Pathway-
Jill
Friday, December 16, 2011
Jackie's at the Dr. right now for her results
As I am typing right now my sister is on her way to the Dr.'s office. They called her in am and said they wanted her to come in this afternoon to talk about the results on her PET scan yesterday.
Please just pray. My heart is so heavy I don't know how to pray right now except for God to protect her no matter what the results are.
Thank you-
I will keep you posted.
On This Pathway-
Jill
Please just pray. My heart is so heavy I don't know how to pray right now except for God to protect her no matter what the results are.
Thank you-
I will keep you posted.
On This Pathway-
Jill
Thursday, December 15, 2011
My Sister Jackie's PET Scan-Please Pray
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| When we were at Disney in 2007-My sister Jackie being silly! |
The latest issue was about three months ago she went to a new Dr. that wanted to do a total work up on her to see why she was swelling so bad. During a CAT scan they found two spots in the areas she had to have surgery so they thought they were probably scar tissue but wanted her to return in 3 months (which was 3 weeks ago) to see if they still looked the same. They did not-they have both grown a small amount. Since my sister is pretty fragile from all that has happened to her body, they do not want to just go in and open her up to do surgery, they are not sure she would make it through it to be honest. So she is scheduled at 3:00 pm today, 12-15-2011, for a PET scan to rule out that these spots are not cancerous.
To say I am ok with all of this would be a lie, I know that ultimately this is all God's plan, but there is a part of me that is really struggling with this. My sister has struggled her whole life with her health. She has never married and just had her 45th birthday this month, she never had kids because she never got married and had to have a hysterectomy at 40, she always wanted to be married and have children. She has undergone a lot of things in her life that have cause a multitude of health issues and pain, her life has not be easy and a lot of times "joyful" by any means. She however is one of the strongest Christians I know-she loves God with all her heart, never doubting His plan.
She is my only sibling and although we have lived apart (her in NY and me in AR and TX) for the last 17 years, I love her and would do anything I could to change what she is going through today.
Please pray for her, I am asking that it would not be cancer (I don't think she could make it through chemo and radiation) I am asking God would spare her life, that she would just be healed. I know I serve a God that is mighty enough to do that if it is the plan He has for her life. I also know that whatever road we have to walk with this that He is still there with us, still loves us, and still only wants what is best for my sister.
Today has been a very emotional day for our family, we are 1800 miles away and my parents just moved here to TX for the winter and so they are not there either. She will be doing these tests alone today-this has been very difficult on my mom as well. Please pray for her today, no matter how old your babies get they are still your babies.
I have shed many tears this morning already, just clinging to His promises as I type this.
Thank you for praying for my beautiful sister, if you knew her, I promise you would love her too, everyone does that knows her! She would hug your neck and tell you just how special each of you is and what a wonderful treasure you are in HIM.
Sometimes things in life just don't seem fair, (and I know we are not promised that) but when I look at all Jackie has gone through and the lives she has touched because of it-I am amazed at how God can turn beauty from ashes, my sister is a walking miracle and she has told anyone she meets about God's grace in her life. Praying that this is another stepping stone, another part in the journey that will bring God even more glory.
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers-
On This Pathway~
Jill
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Snowflakes inside when it is 65 outside
I woke this morning with it being very dark and rainy again. This is our 3rd day in a row for such weather and I am not complaining because we sooooo need the rain after 4 months of summer and 100 degree temperatures that burned up all of our yard, but I can say that I miss the sunshine and would never choose to live where it rained all the time. It makes me kind of sad, it also makes me want to bake.
So tonight after dinner I thought I would make the kids some snowflake cut out cookies. I was going to have us all make them but Analeigh wanted to play Barbies and talked her wonderful big sister into playing with her and Brandon was not behaving well and had to go to bed at 7:30, (hopefully tomorrow with all the rest he will get he will make better choices,) and Derek was involved in a good book.
So I decided to go ahead and try this new cookie recipe I had for cut out cookies to see how they came out. I must say, it didn't make a huge amount-about 18 cookies, but the snowflake cutter I have it fairly large too. I must also say that the dough was really good and it rolled out easily and wasn't too dry or too sticky.
I think I will use it again. That being sad I did follow the recipe for the frosting as well and it was a basic frosting with meringue powder and I didn't love it-it isn't bad but I think I prefer the frosting I make for my butter cookies better and will make that next time instead.
All that to say, I liked the recipe and will share it just in case you are looking for a new one to try, if you do I hope that you enjoy it too! Happy Baking~
Cream Cheese Cookies (cut outs)
1 cup butter softened
1 3oz package cream cheese
1 cup sugar
2 egg yolks
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
On medium speed, beat butter and cream cheese until blended. Add sugar, beat until fluffy. Add egg yolks and vanilla, beat until blended. Beat in flour 1/2 cup at a time. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes.
Preheat over to 350. On a slightly floured surface roll out dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Using cookie cutters cut out your shapes re-rolling scraps to cut out more. Place 1" apart on ungreased cookie sheets (I used parchment paper on mine too) Bake 10-12 minutes or until cookies start or until golden around the edges (just slightly) Transfer to racks to cool and then frost.
Frosting- Beat 16oz of confectioner's sugar, 3 TBS of meringue powder, and 6 TBS of warm water until frosting is glossy-add 1 tsp at a time of water if frosting is too thick.
On this Pathway-
Jill
So tonight after dinner I thought I would make the kids some snowflake cut out cookies. I was going to have us all make them but Analeigh wanted to play Barbies and talked her wonderful big sister into playing with her and Brandon was not behaving well and had to go to bed at 7:30, (hopefully tomorrow with all the rest he will get he will make better choices,) and Derek was involved in a good book.
So I decided to go ahead and try this new cookie recipe I had for cut out cookies to see how they came out. I must say, it didn't make a huge amount-about 18 cookies, but the snowflake cutter I have it fairly large too. I must also say that the dough was really good and it rolled out easily and wasn't too dry or too sticky.
I think I will use it again. That being sad I did follow the recipe for the frosting as well and it was a basic frosting with meringue powder and I didn't love it-it isn't bad but I think I prefer the frosting I make for my butter cookies better and will make that next time instead.
Cream Cheese Cookies (cut outs)
1 cup butter softened
1 3oz package cream cheese
1 cup sugar
2 egg yolks
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
On medium speed, beat butter and cream cheese until blended. Add sugar, beat until fluffy. Add egg yolks and vanilla, beat until blended. Beat in flour 1/2 cup at a time. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes.
Preheat over to 350. On a slightly floured surface roll out dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Using cookie cutters cut out your shapes re-rolling scraps to cut out more. Place 1" apart on ungreased cookie sheets (I used parchment paper on mine too) Bake 10-12 minutes or until cookies start or until golden around the edges (just slightly) Transfer to racks to cool and then frost.
On this Pathway-
Jill
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Dear Jesus It's Your Birthday
Our kids had their Christmas musical at church last Sunday, it was really great (says this mama of three of the kids in it ) I know what you are thinking but it was really sweet and all the kids that had speaking parts did wonderful. My Derek had one of the main character parts and I couldn't have been prouder of him, he has come a long way from days when he played a Wise Man and threw his gift at baby Jesus feet and ran, even with Mike (my hubby) laying on his belly behind the manger so that Derek would even walk up on the stage. LOL! I almost couldn't believe it was the same kid.
One of the best parts of the program was the Angel Choir-(the 3 year olds) and our sweet Analeigh is in that choir. They sang a song Dear Jesus It's Your Birthday, I love that my kids enjoy being in Choir, Mission Friends, RA's and GA's and that they are learning through song and scripture to hide God's word in their hearts. I love that we have wonderful teachers that teach them faithfully every Wednesday and Sunday about Jesus and His love for them. Most of all I love and I am truly grateful that it isn't just something they learn there and forget-it is running through their hearts and minds and they want to sing it and quote it others places. Analeigh was singing "Dear Jesus" the other morning while eating her breakfast. That is why her hair is so messy and she is still in her PJ's. I grabbed the video camera while she was singing (she forgot the ending the words are supposed to be and the gift I have is me) but it still melted my heart and I wanted to share it.
When we got to ballet that day she sang it for Ruth (the business manager that sits up front when you walk in) and a friend of mine that was dropping off her daughter, not a bit afraid-so thankful!! God is good.
Merry Christmas-I pray that you will sing Happy Birthday to Jesus too.
On this Pathway-
Jill
One of the best parts of the program was the Angel Choir-(the 3 year olds) and our sweet Analeigh is in that choir. They sang a song Dear Jesus It's Your Birthday, I love that my kids enjoy being in Choir, Mission Friends, RA's and GA's and that they are learning through song and scripture to hide God's word in their hearts. I love that we have wonderful teachers that teach them faithfully every Wednesday and Sunday about Jesus and His love for them. Most of all I love and I am truly grateful that it isn't just something they learn there and forget-it is running through their hearts and minds and they want to sing it and quote it others places. Analeigh was singing "Dear Jesus" the other morning while eating her breakfast. That is why her hair is so messy and she is still in her PJ's. I grabbed the video camera while she was singing (she forgot the ending the words are supposed to be and the gift I have is me) but it still melted my heart and I wanted to share it.
When we got to ballet that day she sang it for Ruth (the business manager that sits up front when you walk in) and a friend of mine that was dropping off her daughter, not a bit afraid-so thankful!! God is good.
Merry Christmas-I pray that you will sing Happy Birthday to Jesus too.
On this Pathway-
Jill
Friday, December 9, 2011
Please pray for Rex Fleming
About a year ago I came and asked that you would pray for Rex-a nine year old boy that goes to our church. He had been having headaches and throwing up with them and the school called one day and said he was really ill. His mom picked him up and took him to our Dr, Rob Wiley (who goes to our church) and he didn't like the way his eye looked, sent him on to Dr. Teaque, an eye Dr. that goes to our church too and he sent him on to get a CAT scan which showed what they all feared, a brain tumor.
Within a very short time they were at Cook's Children's Hospital having brain surgery to remove the tumor and then chemo and radiation. After his treatments he was declared cancer free.
About a two months ago he went for a normal scan and they saw a tiny spot that hadn't been there since all of his treatments were finished. They waited a few weeks and had him go for another scan to see if it had grown and if it had what they would do. Well, they went back and it had grown, so there plan of attack is surgery once again and that surgery is today, write now as I am typing this.
Please, I come to you once again asking that you would lift this family up in your prayers. Going through this once is more than any parent wants to go through, twice seems almost unbearable. Last year the tumor was a cancerous tumor inside a non-canerous tumor, it was the size of a golf ball. Today's tumor is the size of a grain of rice they say-tiny but if cancerous, just as dangerous. This tumor has attached to some blood vessels as well so it is making this surgery very dangerous. He could have a stroke, or many complications from the surgery.
I just ask in your prayer time today that you would lift them up-Rex is scared-he has been down this road at 9 and now at 10 he knows what is in store and he is scared. I also ask that you would pray that the tumor would not be cancerous-I know our God can do that.
Last please pray for his sweet mama and daddy, they are in our SS class, a neat couple. He is at ACU here and his wife is our church secretary. They have a little girl that is 5 or 6 I think and they just had a baby boy about 6 weeks ago. A lot has happened in their lives this past year. They just need to be surrounded in pray-to feel God's peace and presence like never before today.
Thank you all for being my prayer support group! :) I know I come here a lot to ask you for that-but I believe in the power of prayer-I have seen the miracles that happen when two or more are gathered in His name.
Thank you from not only me but I know from the Flemings-they couldn't get through this all if people weren't lifting them up in prayer.
I cherish each of you-love you-and I am so thankful for you!
On This Pathway-
Jill
Within a very short time they were at Cook's Children's Hospital having brain surgery to remove the tumor and then chemo and radiation. After his treatments he was declared cancer free.
About a two months ago he went for a normal scan and they saw a tiny spot that hadn't been there since all of his treatments were finished. They waited a few weeks and had him go for another scan to see if it had grown and if it had what they would do. Well, they went back and it had grown, so there plan of attack is surgery once again and that surgery is today, write now as I am typing this.
Please, I come to you once again asking that you would lift this family up in your prayers. Going through this once is more than any parent wants to go through, twice seems almost unbearable. Last year the tumor was a cancerous tumor inside a non-canerous tumor, it was the size of a golf ball. Today's tumor is the size of a grain of rice they say-tiny but if cancerous, just as dangerous. This tumor has attached to some blood vessels as well so it is making this surgery very dangerous. He could have a stroke, or many complications from the surgery.
I just ask in your prayer time today that you would lift them up-Rex is scared-he has been down this road at 9 and now at 10 he knows what is in store and he is scared. I also ask that you would pray that the tumor would not be cancerous-I know our God can do that.
Last please pray for his sweet mama and daddy, they are in our SS class, a neat couple. He is at ACU here and his wife is our church secretary. They have a little girl that is 5 or 6 I think and they just had a baby boy about 6 weeks ago. A lot has happened in their lives this past year. They just need to be surrounded in pray-to feel God's peace and presence like never before today.
Thank you all for being my prayer support group! :) I know I come here a lot to ask you for that-but I believe in the power of prayer-I have seen the miracles that happen when two or more are gathered in His name.
Thank you from not only me but I know from the Flemings-they couldn't get through this all if people weren't lifting them up in prayer.
I cherish each of you-love you-and I am so thankful for you!
On This Pathway-
Jill
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Does anyone know?
I have been praying for a women named Stacey whose blog I have followed for quite some time now. I am a little concerned though because for months when I have gone to check to see if she has posted anything new, the last post on there was from April 20th, 2011.
I know several others followed her blog too and I wondered if anyone else may know her or has had contact with her and knows how she is doing. If you do could you please let me know. I miss reading her posts and have been praying for the journey she was on with her breast cancer.
Thanks!
On This Pathway-
Jill
I know several others followed her blog too and I wondered if anyone else may know her or has had contact with her and knows how she is doing. If you do could you please let me know. I miss reading her posts and have been praying for the journey she was on with her breast cancer.
Thanks!
On This Pathway-
Jill
Monday, December 5, 2011
It's beginning to look at little like Christmas
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| We finally got our tree up and decorated. Yeah!! |
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| Our mantel |
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| This is what we woke up to this am in West Texas! My kids were disappointed that they had to have school. :) |
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| What our poor Oak trees looked like-the leaves still on them with the ice and snow. |
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| Icicles and leaves on our front bushes |
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| I collect snowmen and these are some of my favorites-they just make me happy looking at them. |
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| Some our the kids favorites. Our wooden choir singers and manger scene (Janette-look familiar?) |
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| This little manger scene lights up and I just fell in love with it last year after Christmas (best part was I got it for 90% off-I think I paid $1.99!) |
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| Our bushes tonight as the snow has started to melt and then re-freeze. |
It is starting to look a little bit more like Christmas around here. :) I think sloppy joe's and maybe even a little hot cocoa will be on our menu tonight.
On this Pathway-
Jill
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Falling Apart
We have had a few very difficult days this week. My sister is still waiting to here about if her insurance will cover the PET scan she needs to have to make sure if her two spots they have found on her abdomin and ovaries are not caner. We still have not heard. Please continue to pray about this whole situation.
Next, yesterday my mom received a letter from her Dr. (they are now down here living for the winter from NY to TX) saying that there was an irregularity in her mammogram and she needed to come in for another one. Well, she is 1800 miles away and can't so she had to call her insurance and is waiting to hear from them about getting a second mammogram done here. Stress and worry-please pray that they will allow that to be done here and that they finding nothing.
Then for the last few weeks Mike and I have been discussing Alyssa's learning level and how difficult even HS has been for her. We don't know what to do for her and we are at our wits end. So there is a school here that costs $4,500 a year that specializes in learning disabilities and children that learn in different ways. Although Alyssa has never been diagnosed with a learning disability-her IQ tests revealed (one test a little below average-one average) and her short term memory is bad-until she grasps something she bounces all over in grades on the same subject. It makes learning difficult because even sometimes when she learns something if we go back to it later, she may have forgotten it. We have decided to take her to Kenley to be tested there and see what they think-we will have to finish out this year HS because it is a very small school and they are full this year but we can do tutoring there this semester and see where we can go from there for the fall. Paying for this will be a struggle since I am home with Analeigh full time too and Mike and I don't want me working with our kids at home. So please pray about that too, that God would provide the money if we are supposed to send her there.
So we are going to take her to Kenley today to get here reading tested and see where we can go from there. She isn't learning like she should and we need help. This is such a blow to me-I wanted so badly for HS to be the answer for her and it doesn't seem to be working-we don't know how to help her and we have hit so many road blocks, I am so frustrated and have been fighting this for 5 years now. I worry about if they find something we haven't known all this time, what will her future holds-what happens when Mike and I aren't here some day-all those things floating around in my head. I am very heavy hearted today.
Please pray for me-I feel like my world as I know it is all falling apart at the seems right now. I feel like a failure as a mom, a wife, a sister, a daughter, a friend, all of the above. I am really struggling-clinging to God for strength and answers.
Thank you again for lifting me and my family up in prayer. I appreciate being able to ask you for your prayers.
On This Pathway-
Jill
Next, yesterday my mom received a letter from her Dr. (they are now down here living for the winter from NY to TX) saying that there was an irregularity in her mammogram and she needed to come in for another one. Well, she is 1800 miles away and can't so she had to call her insurance and is waiting to hear from them about getting a second mammogram done here. Stress and worry-please pray that they will allow that to be done here and that they finding nothing.
Then for the last few weeks Mike and I have been discussing Alyssa's learning level and how difficult even HS has been for her. We don't know what to do for her and we are at our wits end. So there is a school here that costs $4,500 a year that specializes in learning disabilities and children that learn in different ways. Although Alyssa has never been diagnosed with a learning disability-her IQ tests revealed (one test a little below average-one average) and her short term memory is bad-until she grasps something she bounces all over in grades on the same subject. It makes learning difficult because even sometimes when she learns something if we go back to it later, she may have forgotten it. We have decided to take her to Kenley to be tested there and see what they think-we will have to finish out this year HS because it is a very small school and they are full this year but we can do tutoring there this semester and see where we can go from there for the fall. Paying for this will be a struggle since I am home with Analeigh full time too and Mike and I don't want me working with our kids at home. So please pray about that too, that God would provide the money if we are supposed to send her there.
So we are going to take her to Kenley today to get here reading tested and see where we can go from there. She isn't learning like she should and we need help. This is such a blow to me-I wanted so badly for HS to be the answer for her and it doesn't seem to be working-we don't know how to help her and we have hit so many road blocks, I am so frustrated and have been fighting this for 5 years now. I worry about if they find something we haven't known all this time, what will her future holds-what happens when Mike and I aren't here some day-all those things floating around in my head. I am very heavy hearted today.
Please pray for me-I feel like my world as I know it is all falling apart at the seems right now. I feel like a failure as a mom, a wife, a sister, a daughter, a friend, all of the above. I am really struggling-clinging to God for strength and answers.
Thank you again for lifting me and my family up in prayer. I appreciate being able to ask you for your prayers.
On This Pathway-
Jill
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