Candles in Italy

My friend Mary D. is traveling in Italy with her family. She emailed to tell me that she and Deb V. have been lighting candles and praying for me all over Italy. Mama mia, what some people won't do to have candles lit for them in Italy! :-) In all seriousness, I feel so blessed to have friends who pray for me even as they travel across the globe.

My next surgery is Tuesday, June 27th. Hope they don't remove a kidney or something important that I might need later. They will remove more lymph nodes. I was feeling like I had too many of those anyway. I pray that they are free of cancer and that their absence won't mess up my throw to first.

After that it's on to chemo. treatments. I can think of a couple of things I'd rather do than chemo. But, instead of dwelling on that, I decided to think of the good things about it. Although I'm bummed that I will lose my hair, I was glad that it wasn't my teeth. That'd be a drag wouldn't it? Plus, I have the option of changing my hair color on a daily basis! I'll also have a good excuse to wear my beloved cowboy hat a lot more. So far that's about the only good things I can think of, but I'll keep trying.

Thanks for all your continued prayers. I may joke around a lot, but not about how much your prayers mean to me. I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful group of friends, family, neighbors, and church community lifting me in prayer and bringing me meals and "Joy for Janice" treats! A cancer survivor friend told me that when a person faces their own mortality they live a fuller life. I am slowly learning that she is right. God is working in my life in a whole new way. I have a peace that passes all understanding...only Jesus can do that.

By His Grace,
Janice