What Are You Thankful For?

Today is Thanksgiving, our official day for giving thanks. If what we read in the Bible is true, then we should be giving thanks every day for all things. I hope that's what you do.

But, in keeping with tradition, what are you thankful for this day? I can think of a few:

My relationship with God, resulting in eternal life.

My family, especially my grandson Adrian - the apple of God's eye.

The secure jobs of my son and son-in-law - so reassuring in this economy.

My home, which is warm, dry, comfortable, familiar - a respite from the frenzy of the world.

My health, such as it is - just aches and creaks, nothing major.

My husband, spiritual leader and mainstay - keeps things interesting.

My church - friends, worship, the Word, sermons, fellowship.

My ladies' Bible study - five wonderful friends who love the Lord and His Word.

My Westie - my Treasure, though terminal with cancer, yet alive in enthusiasm.

And yes, I'm even thankful for financial uncertainty,

for that gives me more opportunity to lean on my heavenly Provider.

So today, and every day, what are you thankful for?

Appointment Update

We had what I consider a good report from Treasure's ultrasound today. Dr. Earl said the cancer has grown only 1 mm since the end of September. So she either has a slow-growing tumor, or it is responding to the piroxicam. That's the drug that causes so much gastro distress. So he has given her an additional drug that might be more helpful in keeping the piroxicam down. We'll see how she does with that.

I'm just pleased that we made it to Thanksgiving. Now we're looking forward to Christmas. Just one goal at a time! And I feel better about leaving her while we are in Pennsylvania next month. For now we'll continue to enjoy our walks and "P-mails"!

Sweet Treasure

Tomorrow we have a follow-up appointment with Dr. Earl to do another ultrasound and see what kind of growth is occurring with Treasure's cancer.

I have to say that I initially didn't think she'd be with me for Thanksgiving. But we are coming up on three months since the diagnosis - one month longer than was originally thought.

I have cherished each day that she appears healthy. And we have had more than a handful of "bad" days when her meds gave her some gastrointestinal distress.

Today I have felt a little apprehensive. There is an underlying fear of what the ultrasound will show. My natural inclination is to retreat from my fears, giving an appearance of "All is well", when inside I know it may not be.

Graham and I are planning a trip to Pennsylvania in two weeks. Back in August I comforted myself with the thought that Treasure would be gone by then; thus I would not worry about her during the separation. Now, what should make me happy has given way to that nagging fear again. If she goes into crisis, I want to be with her.

Tomorrow should give me some answers. I may not want to hear them, but they will be answers I need to have. Meanwhile, we'll continue to take each day that comes as a gift... and be glad.

A New Obsession

Adrian, our future engineer, is fascinated with how things work.

He has mastered the art of turning on and off all his battery-operated toys.

Now his current obsession is with the light switch.

You can't carry him past this one without a curious little hand reaching for the switches.

One is for the ceiling fan in the den...

the other turns off the light in the kitchen.

Just checking to make sure the light turned on!

I just can't resist a closeup of the precious little fingers at work!

Yep! We've got an engineer in the making!

Uncle Murphy

Here's a happy moment.

Murphy and Adrian are getting more confortable with each other and, in fact,

share many a happy moment like this one.

A lot of teasing goes on between them.

A boy needs to have a favorite uncle, don't you think?

Treasure Update

I am so enjoying my new Canon DSLR camera! It takes really good close ups and, when I am able, I try to catch Treasure's face since she always turns away when she see the camera. So while I was photographing Adrian the other day, Treasure snuggled up at my knees and gave me an opportunity to get a real close close-up of her sweet face!

She continues to amaze me with her health. In August we were led to believe that she might live only two months with her bladder cancer. After a month of dazedly watching her and giving her meds, I finally decided to seek another opinion with the vet of my dear friend Lois. He gave me much encouragement saying her cancer could be very slow-growing and she might live many months more. We have enjoyed our days since that appointment and her follow-up ultrasound is scheduled for the 24th.

The only effect she shows is in relation to the meds she has to take. They will cause her to have some gastrointestinal upset which can be either very mild or very uncomfortable. Either way, it usually lasts only a day and I take her off the medicine for a few days and let her rest. The antibiotics don't seem to bother her, so I will ask Dr. Earl just how necessary the piroxicam is to her longevity.

Just thought you'd like to know how she's doing.

More Funny Faces

Our little Adrian has surely learned the art of "hamming it up"!

He is a mostly happy boy who loves to play with whatever is available,

whether it be one of his toys or the remote control.

But when he realizes that the camera is out and it's on him,

the Actor in him really comes to the fore!

Enjoy the progression as he hams it up for the camera!