Paradise

Ok, time to check in. I went to my doctor about 2 weeks ago and my chest x-ray was clear and my blood work good. The only problem I am having is pain in my left shoulder. This started about one month ago and I am not sure if it is because it is the shoulder I sleep on, the bone medicine I am on or the cancer. I am pretty sure it is not the cancer because it is getting worse and my blood work is looking good. It is almost like a nerve problem as I have shooting pains into my lower arm and hands. If it does not get better by my next visit, I will have him check it out. I did not sleep well last night because of it so I guess I should look in to it. Ok, enough of the "medical stuff" and onto the good stuff. Friday night Kelly had an overnighter for camp counselor training and we were supposed to meet up with friends and go to Bush Gardens. They canceled at the last minute which was a good thing because Chris' flight from Germany to Philadelphia went well but from Philly to hear Thursday night was a disaster. They were halfway home and turned around and went back because there was to much fog to land. He rented a car and drove to DC, spent the night at 1:00 am and then drove the rest of the way Friday morning. So, what to do at the last minute with our daughter gone? We quickly looked on the Internet and found the most wonderful private cabins ever! there are three but they are far apart for REAL privacy. We ran around in robes all day and bought food on the way there and cooked out. You can see Chris cooking in his robe. There was a hot tub on the back porch and Chris and I enjoyed our sparkling GRAPE JUICE......No, we really don't drink. It was sheer PARADISE. The best part is that they are close by in Lexington area so we can go back on a moments notice. The only problem we had was on the way up the drive through a cow pasture, we had some barbed wire wrap around our Axel (see pic). We called the owner and he was there in 3 minutes with some wire cutters to our rescue. It was a lot of wire and a miracle not damage was done to the car or our tires. Saturday we went and picked up Kelly, drove to Roanoke to get Chris' car at the airport, ran errands and finally passed out. Sunday after church we hiked to Crabtree falls with Kelly and some of her friends. That is the most gorgeous hike ever! we forgot the camera so no pics from there.
Hope everyone is well and thanks to those who have loaned me books, given me nutritional advice and most of all, those who keep me in their prayers. I LOVE YOU.

Milestones

So much to report on! We made our quick trip to Utah to see Jordin graduate. Her husband could have to but chose not to so they could keep their student health insurance until august. He will graduate then. It was such a proud moment for Chris and I. She has really become a beautiful young woman. My sister Tonya and her family came up from California and we were able to visit with my brother Dan and his family. It was a quick trip! Two travel days and 2 days there. We ate out way to much and stayed at the Super 8 which was super great........not really but it was the only place that had available rooms at such late notice but it really was not to bad and was located right at the edge of campus. We can not wait for them to move to Virginia and be a little closer. They are now on a cruise celebrating the next phase of their schooling. Jordin has decided with this job market that she may attend graduate school if she is unable to find a job in her field. We all hope she can but what the heck, might as well get more education now if you can.
This weekend has also been busy as we watched a lacrosse game Thursday night and then drove down with some friends to West Virginia and went white water rafting. It was wonderful and we had the shock of our lives when we came to a class 3 rapid (they went up to 5) and our guide, who was in her 40's and ran the river for years, told us that if we hit this rapid at the perfect moment, there was a small chance we could flip. Well, guess what, we did and we did. It was obvious to us all that she had not expected to take a swim on this trip as she was dressed in a tank top and carpi's. We could not believe we were all in the water. One of the teenage boys we were with was able to save all our paddles and thank goodness we were all in wetsuits. After a great lunch we were all pretty nervous to hit our first class 5's but they turned out to be wonderfully fun and we never got dumped again. We all had so much fun that Kelly was begging to go again.......we would love to but it will take some time to recover. It is such an adrenaline rush! Saturday it was like we had a hangover.
Sunday we had friends over for lunch and I had a make-up tennis match. It was my first doubles match and the first game I have lost in since I have been playing in Lynchburg. It was a heart breaker as we won the first game 6-4 and were up by 4 in the second game and lost 4-6 and then lost the tie breaker. We were so far ahead the second game that I think we just lost focus. I have a new perspective on things so it is hard for me to get really upset about things like that. I am just glad I can play.
I am also speaking this Sunday on Mothers Day. Not sure why I was asked since I am certainly not the perfect example but it should be fairly entertaining. Chris is speaking also so I am going to tell him not to be boring! We shall see.........
My treatment is to marrow and I am anxious to see what my blood work is. They will also do a chest x-ray this time and make sure there is no cancer there. They do this routinely every other visit. I'll let everyone know if there is anything to report. No news is good news.
So anyway, there are my milestones. Daughter and son-in-law graduate college, my first rafting accident, and my first lost tennis match. Each is a blessing and I can't wait for more.....Keep them prayers coming! I love you all.