I haven't blogged in a long time, and, believe me, I've heard the complaints from so many.
I've been on an emotional roller-coaster lately.
I had a colonoscopy recently, and they found that I have colorectal metastatical adenocarcinoma.
That's a tidy way of saying that I have cancer in my bowel.
Those are not words I wanted to hear, and I certainly didn't want to hear them as a diagnosis to me.
Janie Pressley was with me as a driver that day, and we both had a brief but passionate meltdown.
I'm really finding out who my real friends are.
Cherokee called while we were at the hospital (just out of the blue), and she told Janie she would come to the house to be with us.  We came back to Clairemont and spent the rest of the day having a girl-party in the bedroom sitting on the bed and just being friends, until Steve got home that night.
Janie had called him from the hospital, and he told her he would be home about 9:00, which she said would be impossible.  He was in Cleveland, Ohio.  He was home by 8:30.  I told her that he had a whole pocket full of money, and that he was just about crazy enough to charter a jet.  He must have mistaken his truck for a Lear.
He has struggled with his emotions, but has been a real trooper.  The British are such strong people, and come through in a storm, and he's really showed his 'English'.  He does about everything for me, and wants me to rest.
We have scheduled surgery with an Oncological Surgeon, Dr. Dudrick, for Tuesday AM at Fort Sanders Medical Center. He hopes that I might get by without a colostomy or chemotherapy.  He has a great manner about him, and I, Judy, and Steve all liked him during my consultation.  Judy, my favorite niece, went with us.  She just recently got her Master's of Science in Nursing from the University of Tennessee, and I'm so proud of her.  She took a whole page of notes, and she wants me to keep a lot of notes on my journey through this time of trouble.
I've waited to post this, because I wanted to inform some friends before they read this on the computer.
I went by to visit with Lori Daniel this past week, and to tell her and Dirk that they would not be seeing me at Creekside for a while, and why, and she told me that she would be keeping me in her prayers.  She's a really nice lady (though she is somewhat different from the other Daniel ladies), and I'm developing a real affection for her.  She has a really nice beauty salon, next to the building where Dorothy Reynolds had a small salon where I had my hair done for many years.
They live across Rutledge Pike from Creekside, and they always wave and keep a check on me.
There are so many who have told me that they will be praying for me, and I'm so glad to have the prayerful support of Betty Pike, my favorite Sister Worker.  She surely has God's ear, as she is such a faithful Godly woman.
One of the pharmacy workers at Smith's, Margaret Sutherland, who is a faithful Christian, asked Steve to call her the minute I'm out of surgery and give her an update.  She is in church every time the doors are opened, and a good prayer warrior.  She's a little difficult with a lot of people, but we made friends a long time ago, and I don't have any problems with her.
I welcome the prayers of any God-fearing people.
Dr. Duffy Foutch, my Dentist, told me he would certainly be praying for me, and that he would help me in any way.  Karen, his main assistant, is a 'Hat Lady', and is so nice to change appointments and work with his patients.  She assured me that they would help me in any way with changes in appointments or arrangements that I will surely have to make.
Janie and Cherokee have been so precious and helpful in this situation.
Mary Douglas, my housekeeper, assured me of her prayers and support.  She's been with us for about 10 years, and we have become great friends.
I'm overwhelmed with the support so many have shown me.
I will be in the hospital from 6-14 dys, my doctor says, and will be restricted from physically stressful activity for 3 weeks after I come home.  I know I need the rest, but I also know I will chafe under the restraints.
Lynn, Steve's sister, wants to come up to be with us for my surgery, but Steve wants her to save her time with us until I come home from the hospital.  She has so much energy, she will be a real help then.  I need to get a guest room ready for her.  Jim, her husband, offered to bring her up.  He's a true jewel of a man.
I have a lot more to tell, partly because my computer has become ensnarled with so much junk, and it's so old.  It about died on me, and I have been reluctant to burden it with more work.
I'm going to have to accept the change to a new computer, which I'm using now.
I promise all my readers to keep more current with this journal. It will come in handy for reference for me, also.
I didn't tell about Barbara.  She had a total melt-down after I told her of my problems.  She's already planning recipes for cooking food for me after I come home.  I have some containers for her, as I won't be able to get any to her for a short while.
Faune Gerber has been ever-faithful to call and chat with me, also.  We've been friends for many years.
I thank God for all of my readers, and I ask for your prayers and understanding during this time.
It's very early in the morning, and we haven't been to bed yet.  Steve is tired, and I'm closing now to get to bed with him.  I need rest.