Winter ... Again?

Yes, I know. I've been MIA for over 3 months now. I am sorry that I've left so many of you out in the proverbial dark. Although this blog will be rather brief, it is my hope that it will be a jump start for me to do a better job in the upcoming weeks.

Let's see about consolidating all of this into a handful of paragraphs. Let's begin with my lovely children. Well, they've been sick with the stomach bug off and on over the past 3 weeks. They keep sharing ... and they don't understand why I keep telling them that sharing isn't nice! Since we last blogged we've had 3 birthdays! Brandon turned 5 on January 7th. Nita hit the big 14 on January 12th and Nathan became a real teenager on March 9th! I can't believe that my baby boy is 13 years old! He was the first child I adopted. He came home, after a series of long-term visits from his foster home in Kansas City, on his 2nd birthday! We had a family picture taken, compliments of my sister, Kristie, a few weeks ago. They are ready to be picked up, so once the kids are back in school (after a week of spring break) I'll pick up the prints and the CD with the proofs, and share them here with you. It was a rather long session, but I was so happy to get such great pictures of my family! (side note: I went ahead and posted one of the online proof pictures.)

More kids stuff ... Anita and Isaac made Honor Roll for the 3rd time this school year! All A's and B's for my kiddos who were originally diagnosed with severe Global Developmental Delays (as well as a plethora of other diagnosis!) I'm very proud of how all of my children are doing in school. They are truly intelligent, endearing and wonderful kiddos! I reserve the right to gloat and brag as I please ... they've overcome so much that they deserve a little "hoopla" and "hooray!"

OK, medical stuff. It sucks, so I'm not all that thrilled to share, but so many of you are such wonderful prayer warriors for me ... and I need your prayers. My numbers continued to go down over a couple of months (the numbers that are supposed to go down) and I had been feeling rather well; however, things are rather rotten as of late. My left leg, which has been my problem leg over the last couple of years, has gotten worse. The pain has become unbearable. My oncologist and neurologist have been working together to find a way to resolve the pain issue via medication. We have found a medication that affects the way my nerves "talk" to each other. I do have pockets of time throughout my day (usually mid-morning) that I am able to accomplish necessary tasks. It's hit or miss the rest of the day. In the last 2 weeks I've been heading downhill a tad. I am losing my ability to use my left leg. Paralysis has begun to rear it's ugly head causing me to need a walker or wheelchair for mobility. As I lose function in that leg, I wish the pain would go with it, but I haven't been that fortunate! It's been depressing. It makes the cancer's progression so much more "real." I hate to complain, but it feels good to moan and whine every once in awhile. I'll figure out a way to deal with this ... God has shown me how to move on in the past, and I'm sure He'll show me again.

I've been so blessed to have good friends who have been there for me recently. I've truly enjoyed going to Bible Study with my surrogate mom, Mom Picker. Every Tuesday we drive across the river to Alton, IL for a wonderful church service and communion, followed by an hour of great fellowship with some of God's greatest people! I really enjoy Father Boase's sermon. I feel so blessed to be a part of their group and am humbled by just how much they have welcomed me. After bible study Mom P. and I head out to lunch. We usually go to a neat little place called Joe K's. I've had the best club sandwich EVER as well as some really delish lunch fare. Mom P.'s friends, Kathy and Tom often join us as well. It's such a treat to spend a day with adults!

Some great girl friends from high school collected funds and hired a handyman to help me accomplish some assorted "to do" items around my house. I have new ceiling fixtures in my hallways that have waited to be installed for a couple of years. My track lighting is now secure in the family room, and a new dining room light fixture, that's been waiting to be installed for over 4 years, is now up and shining brightly! "Tim" will be back in the near future to help fix a broken kitchen utensil drawer, replace a safety flood light on my back porch and do a few more little chores. Thank you girls for loving me and praying for me!

Another dear friend that I've known since we were in Kindergarten has taken me to chemo and a follow-up appointment recently. It was so wonderful to have a friend to chat with. Chemo does get lonely. I'm also more dependent on others now that I can't walk. This has become a very humbling situation for me. Thank you to ALL who have offered your help, friendship and prayers!

It's time for me to bathe some children who played hard today! It's amazing that little boys still stink like little boys no matter what the temperature may be outside! After a week of late Spring weather, it's been snowing outside all day! We're at 4 inches right now with 5-7" expected by tomorrow morning! Unreal!

I love you all and thank you for your letters of concern and your prayers for health and peace. I will return soon with pictures and some great stories from my little gang of kiddos!

Until Tomorrow,

Kathy