Janie Update 1-4-10

Janie sent this email to our praying friends today:

Hello Everyone!

I was hoping this new year would start out a little happier than it has.  Last week I had a chest tube put in on the right side and it was taken out two days later.  The surgeon was confident it had done its job.  I had a follow-up xray today and much to my dismay
not only had the right side slipped back down a bit but the left side lung has collapsed somewhat as well.  Today we went through a crazy time of one doctor telling me to go to the emergency room immediately and the surgeon, after he looked at my films, said, "this isn't so bad.  Let's wait and see before we do anything."  Whom to believe?   I did not end up going anywhere and just laid low for the day.

I am scheduled to go in tomorrow at 8:30 for radiation, chemo, and another chest xray.  So I frittered away today by trying not to talk, keeping movement to a minimum, and generally feeling sorry for myself.  I am definitely in the doldrums.  I am worried that tomorrow I will not only have chemo, radiation, and an xray but also two chest tubes put in. It is hard to stay upbeat ALL the time!  Amazing  how a wee bit of wallowing can balloon into a giant monster if left to itself. 

I am trying to carry on.  But this is hard stuff.  Counting our blessings never fails.  As well as listening to music and reading the Psalms.  I can relate to David when he says in Psalm 10 "Why, O Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?" and Psalm 13 "How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?"  If you know me at all, you know I may feel that way but I stand on the truth:

Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel, 'my way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God'? Do you not know? have you not heard? the Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.  He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom.  He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40: 27-31

God is in control and He will orchestrate tomorrow beyond what I can imagine.  Please join us in praying once again that God would be glorified and that I may be healed.  We love you all!  Janie