From MASS

We are all having a great time in MA. The flight went really well and it was so nice to have a non-stressful flight with the kiddies. We are at my brother's house and had a great time in town yesterday. Sarah and I went on a Swan Boat ride, and we walked down Newberry St., and all around Copley Square. We had a great time at Fanuiel Hall till a huge thunderstorm came. Then it was time fopr A Duck tour, thru the streets of Boston and the Charlies River. We were exhausted when we got back to Scott's, but my Mom and Dad were there so that gave us a bit more staying power.
It is overcast and misty out this morning. I hope it clears up for the party this afternoon. I think I will post pictures tomorrow. We are having a wonderful time. God is so good.
Love to all.
Joann

Call Me NED

NED means no evidence of disease! Yayyyy!! My PET scan came back normal and praise God, the little lymphnode in my shoulder was gone, so the chemo has been working. I think I almost had a stroke before I got the results. My Mother in Law was with me to try to keep me calm but my blood pressure was really high like 150 over 90. I am so thankful and relieved. Thank you Lord.
Thank you for your prayers, so much. I had chemo after and boy was it great! The greatest chemo EVER!
I've got to stay on top of things, and i start radiation soon to try to zap any stray cancer cells, then finish my chemo which should end in Oct., then off to Israel! Yay, yay, yay!
Whew( wiping sweat off forehead)

Love you guys. We are off for a few days. I'll have pics of our family reunion.
Love,Joann

Glad that part is over

Random picture of Sarah and Blue
Wicked storm coming down our street

My new headphones

The PET scan machine

The Radioactive sugar agent

The lady with the needle

Just a thank you to Cindy for your words of encouragement
To Jan, It's so nice to hear from you. Can't wait to see you this weekend also.
Pam, We will definitely do the lunch date. It'll be fun.
Thank you as always , Betty for your friendship and prayers
Kristi , thanks for the e-mail this morning. I read it a bunch and heard the verse your mentioned on my way home from the test.
Linda, I remember you , too from chemo and I think about you often. It was good to see you. I hope you can keep visiting my blog.
Kathy, I love you and miss you. We had a fun visit.

Thanks , you guys for your prayers. I slept right through the first part of the appt today when you have to sit by yourself in a dark room. I am usually super fidgety, but I put my iPod on and passed right out. I did sleep really well last night, too.

My test went smoothly. I should get me results Wed. afternoon . It was over pretty quick. I took some pictures. Rick came in for the last part of the test but we didn't talk or anything. I think he was browsing the web on his iPod. He's so well adjusted.

After that, it's been a regular day. Girls playing, one boy went to the movies with some friends, Betty and I read out in the backyard , five teenagers over for a while and laundry. Trying not to let worry consume.

Rick brought home a cool pair of retro headphones for me. They are cool looking. I use my iPod a lot, as you can probably tell. They look funky.

Unbeatable Banzuke and Ninja Warrior are our new favorite shows here. Has any one else seen them? The kids and I are watching them right now. You've got to watch them if you get G4.

We've got a wicked storm coming this way, so I am going to post my pictures and sign off. I've got a bit of a headache. I think it's from the stuff they gave me today for the test. Oh well. It comes with the territory.

I just have to say, I feel so blessed to have you guys to encourage me. I mean, everyone that leaves a message is so loving and uplifting. I feel very blessed. sniff..sniff. Thank you friends. I love you. I'd like to pray for you guys if you have any prayer requests. Love, Joann

PET scan tomorrow

Hi friends,
I have a prayer request for a clear mind, strong, healthy body, and no cancer in my body. I have been a bundle of nerves today and it is very upsetting. My test is as 8:30, so I sit for about 40 minutes by myself, then they do the CAT/PET scan. Rick can come in with me during the PET part to touch my toes or something.
I'm nervous, I hate going into those machines.

I'm kinda crying right now so pardon me for being pathetic.

I am hoping for no new signs of this stupid disease, and that the spot in my shoulder is gone. I keep talking to God about the same thing over and over again. I feel like Eeyore with the dark cloud over him.
I know God doesn't use the internet ;) , but I am going to write my prayer down anyway. this is how I am feeling.

Lord Jesus, forgive me for my fear. you have blessed me so many times and continue to take care of me. Forgive my doubt. I am worried about the test results, and don't really want to face them. They could be great!, but I am having such a hard time with not knowing. Father, help bring to my mind all the times that you have done so many cool things for me. i know you are here, and see me and love me. I am just tired and sad. Please give me your peace, Lord. I don't aways feel like I can handle this path, and I know you have a purpose for my trial, but I don't like it right now. I want to breath easy. Jesus, comfort me and my fear. Tonight, I know you will be there when I am awake and scared, let me just thank you for that now. you are the only one who can comfort me at those times. Please Lord come with me to my test tomorrow and let me see your face when the big machine is over me. Lord, keep me calm as I wait for results and give me the grace and composure to walk this path. Use me Lord, for something good. Comfort my friends and family that are praying for me and thinking about me. Bless them and I pray that you will draw them all closer to you through my situation. I believe you are my healer, Jesus. I wish I could touch the hem of your robe, like the lady in the Bible.
I love you Lord Jesus, and I thank you and praise you for salvation. I am trusting you with my life and with my family, that your plan is best. I give thanks that I am a child of yours. In your precious name Lord Jesus, I pray. Amen