2 Corinhians 4:16-18

2 Corinthians 4:16-18. "Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, bit the things that are unseen are eternal."

The things that are unseen are eternal. Our salvation is unseen but very real. The relationship we have with our eternal Father cannot be seen, but one day he promises we will be with him face to face. Even though I have not seen the Lord with my eyes, I feel him in my inner being, I feel His spirit inside me. When I ask for comfort in a difficult time, He is with me.

This has been very real for me lately. Just last week I met with the oral surgeon about the lump in my cheek. The very first thing he said to me was, "You look good....you really look good....no, I mean it....you look good." Wow, this came from a doctor who sees sick people all day long, and all he needed to do was to look at me to know that I was fine. The chemo nurse was also in awe yesterday because I am taking both chemo and radiation and feeling good. Dr. Parapati (the oncology doctor) just smiles when she sees me. What is different about me? All I know is that I trust the Lord and He has given me an inner peace. Praise God!

Speaking of the oral surgeon, he will be removing the pesky lump in my cheek on June 2. He is concerned with my past history of cancer and does not want to wait to see what happens. The surgery will be done in his office. He will deaden the cheek and remove the lump with me awake. I am not sure this is a good thing with me being awake, so I need your prayers for calmness. I will probably have a sore cheek for a few days. Also prayers that this is not malignant.

Yesterday was my last chemo. Strangely enough the lab had a problem with blood flow earlier in the day and the chemo nurse could not get the needle in place and needed someone else to help her. After that all went well but I know that I did not ask for prayer for that day. I must always ask and not assume that everything will go my way!! But I did get a certificate of completion from the staff of nurses who came over to where I was and clapped and shouted for joy. It is a celebration when you know you have made it this far. Those nurses are great. All of them are dedicated and loving people. What a blessing they have been to me! Friday is my last day of radiation. I go in at 7:30 am and back at 2:15 pm and then I am done. All I need is 6 hours between treatment and this was suggested so that I did not need to come back just for one treatment the next week. Radiology celebrates with a big bell mounted to the wall, like a fire bell, and when you complete your last treatment, you get to ring the bell!!!! I was told that one guy almost pulled the thing off the wall when he rang it because he was so glad that it was over. Don't think I will do that, but I will ring the bell and be glad for it.

This journey is winding down. I will have a scan in about a month and then the doctors will decide when I will have surgery. I cannot wait for all this to be over. I have become weary at times but I know that this is all a process and that it fine with me because I have the assurance that this is all for my healing. Bring it on!!

2 Corninthians 1:3-4

2 Corinthians 1:3-4. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

No matter what I go through in this life, God will comfort me, and use this so that I can comfort someone else going through tough times. He has given me a voice for anyone who experiences cancer. Who better to offer encouragement than someone that has gone through the same thing? I pray that God will use me in someone else's life. I would consider it a great honor.

I have not written anything for over a week. With me, not writing can be a good thing, this means that I have been doing good. I had chemo this past Monday.....only one more to go...which is next Monday. My last radiation is Friday May 23. I asked for Sandy for my lab work, and she was wonderful....again...how amazing that something that I dread is made easy when you have someone to trust and who cares that you are well taken care of.

I saw Dr Parapati on Friday, and my blood work looks good. I told her about the lump in my mouth and she said that she was not concerned that it was cancer but she wanted me to get an oral surgeon to check it out. I had the appointment today and he is scheduling me for an office visit so he can remove the lump. He believes it is not a tumor but also said that with my history it is a concern. Not sure when this will be, but I know that I need to finish chemo first.

Last week I mentioned a man that was having a difficult time with radiaton. Last week it didn't look very good for him, but his wife told me yesterday that the tumor is shrinking and that he is being scheduled for chemo...which was not an option last week. They are strong Christians and have many people praying for him. His name is Doug and her name is Linda. I know they would be very grateful for your prayers , also.

I hope each of you are doing well....always share your needs so that others can pray for you. I thank God for each of you who encourage me greatly with all your prayers.

Psalm 18:6

Psalm 18:6. "In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears."

How many times have you heard this.....the Lord is so good....he understands our weakness and gives us what we need to get us through our situations. I prayed for relief yesterday for the lab work and chemo because of the needle that gave me great pain last week. God answered my prayers by sending a sweet nurse by the name of Sandy who understood my concern and was able to even use the vein in my left hand to draw blood for the lab work...and it did not hurt. She even told me to ask for her the next two weeks. She used a small needle, which the chemo nurse cannot use so this left my right arm available for chemo, which went very well.

I am half-way through my treatments. I have noticed that the chemo is again causing a dryness to my skin that results in cracks on my hands. Lotion does not seem to help much. I also have a redness on my eyelids that seems like a reaction to makeup but is probably part of the rash. This is so small compared to how bad it really could be. I met a man yesterday who was in great pain due to his cancer and is waiting for chemo. I have so much to be thankful for and nothing to regret.

Thank you for all your prayers.

Psalm 118:6

Psalm 118:6 "The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"

I have radiation and chemo today and I will admit that I am dreading chemo because of last week. I had a new nurse that did not get the needle in the first time so they used a vein near my wrist that really hurt going in....I must have labs on the day that I get chemo and they cannot use the same spot because of what they term a "blow out".. I think what that means is that the vein has not repaired itself from just being stuck and still has a hole. I do not have a vein on the left arm that can be used because they say it is too deep. Please pray that the left arm can be used or that I will be able to take the needle near my wrist. Such a small thing to happen because I do not mind the chemo.....just the needle.

Thank you for your prayers. This is the third week, just two more to go after this week.