Trying to get into a routine at home

I came home to many wonderful surprises that my husband and kids worked on for me while I was gone. The best surprise was a mini kitchen remodel. Our friends and church family sent so many meals to help that they needed only a fraction of our grocery budget, so they saved that extra money for a surprise for me.

When we moved here 5 years ago, we had to move the cabinet on the side of the stove out to make a 30" wide gap between the upper cabinets for a range hood. It left a 6" gap in the tile. We covered the wall behind the stove once with fake tin ceiling, but it didn't prove to stand the heat of the stovetop, so we have just dealt with the ugliness until now. The kids and Jim thought returning to a fixed up kitchen would encourage me with my new restricted diet--and it has!

They removed all the tile and drywall back to studs, put on plywood, then installed new real metal tin ceiling all the way around under the cabinets and behind the stove except for behind the kitchen sink where they put black and charcoal colored 1" glass tiles.

They replaced the last remaining plastic mini blind with a nice new wide slat white blind in my kitchen window and installed a new faucet and soap pump on the sink. Then, they de-cluttered and hung up a cute mesuring spoon set that my Mom gifted to me. I love it!

This was just one of many great surprises! I'm glad to be home but overwhelmed with trying to fit in all my medicines and treatments and resume our "normal" life here. Our lives are so full and busy. I also feel better and want things that have been neglected to be cleaned and taken care of. So, this week we have been deep cleaning and de-cluttering an area everyday. It feels good to finally have the energy to actually do it. It's been a good 2 years or more going downhill pretty steadily and I'm glad for the gains in my health that have come in just 5 weeks of treatment. I hope I am able to sustain them.

My first infusion at home went well.
Please pray that the added stress of resuming normal life can be balanced with my treatments and that I don't lose the ground I've gained in Oregon. I'll be checking in via telephone appointment with Dr. V soon and going back after the first of the year, sooner if necessary.

Thanks again everyone for the many ways you've helped us.

Today, we heard about Chung and Larry having to battle cancer again after recent clear scans. It surely does make you wonder about the purpose of such suffering? We may never know why, but believers can rest in the truth that all suffering will be wrought for good one day. I'm anxious to see that day. I wish all people lived with that comfort that comes with accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior. It makes everything more bearable. I don't know what cancer is like, but I know the disheartening feeling of starting the battle over again and again. Pray for Chung and Larry for me will you?

"My dear brother, we must not mind a little suffering for Christ's sake. When I am getting through a hedge, if my head and shoulders are safely through, I can bear the pricking of my legs. Let us rejoice in the remembrance that our holy Head has surmounted all His suffering and triumphed over death. Let us follow Him patiently; we shall soon be partakers of His victory."
~Charles Simeon