Thursday, January 1, 2009

Dear Friends,

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and is enjoying a great start to the New Year. I saw many of you while I was out enjoying triple coupons at Harris Teeter. It was different for me this time as I wasn't as prepared as I normally am. I was overwhelmed at how many of you read my blog and remembered me and came up to me. I was touched when you asked how my Mother-in-law is doing. I thought I needed to come out here to my blog and give you an update.

My mother-in-law came home Christmas Eve! We were so blessed to be able to spend Christmas with her at home. We decided to skip the meal this year, since she can't eat and enjoy it. We did enjoy time together opening presents. Here is our annual picture in front of the Christmas tree at her house:


















She is still not able to eat any solid food, but she gets fed through her port every night. We thought we would have a nurse each day but found out that is not the case. We have all learned how to prepare her IV bag every night, hook up her TPN (nutrition), flush her port, change her dressings and empty her bags. I am grateful that we have several adults in the family so we can trade off to help my father-in-law care for her.

Her next appointment is Jan 6th. The doctors thought that she would probably end up back in the hospital before then, but we are optimistic that she will not! They are saying they will not be able to continue with the chemo as she is running a fever every night and they will not do chemo if she has a fever. They have also said that if they do not do chemo they will not nourish her as to do so would only feed the cancer. We will worry about that on the 6th I guess.

We have learned to take each day as we have it, enjoy each day and not worry about the future as it is not promised to us. God is in control of the situation and we are comforted by him daily. We are blessed to have to time to spend with each other now and I feel like this is drawing the family unit even closer to each other and Him.

Thank you for your prayers and words of encouragement. They have truly touched me. I do not know when I will be back, I am enjoying my time with my family. When it feels right, I'll be back.

Love to all!

Melissa

2 comments:

Shannon said...

Continued prayers for your whole family. Happy New Year!

Anonymous said...

Melissa, Sorry I was so rushed yesterday at the basketball game. I have been keeping your family in my prayers. I am glad to hear about DH job. I know it is crazy in our business now. Keep us posted on progress. I did not know if it was best to message you here or CM. I probably just need to get your e-mail and that would be better. If you still have my card if you think about it e-mail me. Talk to you soon. Hope to see you next week. Shelly