Life in General

Monday, March 21

2011-03-21T15:16:00.000-07:00

It was a wild ride last week ~ lots of cooking & freezing going on ~ while all the time praying for good reults from Debbie's tests. Thank you God, thank you God, thank you God ~ for all or your blessings bestowed & the ones that are still on their way!! Debbie's CT scan was normal, MRI normal, and her bone scan was as clean as a whistle!!! On Friday she met with her oncologist for the first time and the treatment plan was unveiled. She will begin the chemo treatments on April 1 ~ the tumor is 5-6 cm in size ~ so when it reduces in size thru the treatments ~ she will then have surgery for the mastectomy. We got Debbie an Ipod & together downloaded her favorite music so she can "rock out" when having the chemo or of course whenever. I think she was pretty tickled with it!

March 17, 2011

2011-03-17T17:00:00.000-07:00

The day started earlier than I had thought it would ~ was thinking I'd get to sleep in awhile this morning ~ but Pippin had other ideas in mind. Normally he stays under the covers for as long as we'd let him ~ sometimes well into the afternoon even! But this morning he bounded down the steps and for the door before I could even find my shoes! I spent the morning making dark chocolate brownie bites to surprise Debbie with at noon (dark chocolate anything is her favorite!!) but she surprised me with something even better. of course it was better! Chocolate doesn't even remotely compare!! Her surgeon called her at work to say that some of the test results from Tuesday had come back and SO FAR SO GOOD!! She will see the oncologist tomorrow afternoon for the full rundown and for the results of the bone scan ~ and most likely the course of treatment for the chemo, surgery, etc. She was so very excited about the news ~ and talked a bit about her bubble ~ who she has taken with her inside of it ~ and how encouraged she already feels because of it. I have been planning meals and doing some cooking already ~ easy stuff for them (and us) to simply thaw & bake when needed.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

2011-03-16T09:59:00.000-07:00

Good morning World! I have had to set the alarm clock for EARLY these past few days ~ and I think for sure that today I'm not running on all my cylanders! Just got home from an hour on the radio ~ and sort of surprised I didn't fall asleep at the mike! Greg will be back tomorrow night so I have all the time in the world to be a slug. Meghan was discharged from the hospital without any answers ~ hasn't answered her phone to me today ~ so don't know how she's feeling. (I'm pretty sure if something was up I'd atleast hear from Jeremy)

I talked to Brian Carduff yesterday and let him know that the pay check he had for me would be the last he needed to write. I have dedicated my time to Debbie and the journey ahead and didn't wanted to feel obligated to the fraternity house any longer. More on that later.

So ~ Debbie had a day of testing done ~ starting with an MRI and going on to a CT scan of her brain and ending with a full body bone scan. The results will be given to her on Friday from the oncologist that is right now in charge of her care. It is my hope that she will continue to consider contacting the Cancer Treatment Center in Tulsa ~ they have compassionate care and state of the art everything ~ however this is a decision that must be made by her. The last thing I want to do is smother her ~ she does not need or want any pity ~ and needs to feel that she is control of these types of decisions. I will support her with everything she decides is best for her!

Later...still March 14, 2011

2011-03-14T20:06:00.000-07:00

Am waiting for my Ambien to take effect ~ it sure seems to be taking its sweet time tonight ~ and so here I am for just a little bit. Megan was admitted to the hospital today ~ still struggling with post-hysterectomy problems. The latest thought is that there migt be something going on with her bowels ~ and if so ~ the tests that will be run tomorrow should be able to tell us that. She's suffered long enough with this now...and it's time for some answers! Keep a good eye on her God. Thank you !

March 14, 2011

2011-03-14T05:38:00.000-07:00

It's still sort of early for me to be up ~ or actually maybe it just looks that way! Day light savings time (spring forward) happened over the weekend so now it's darker in the morning and lighter at night an hour longer. It makes my sleepy head sort of confused! Anyway ~ I need to get up and get moving but wanted to check in here with myself first. After doing what my son so lovingly calls "Reading with Robin" this morning I plan to meet up with Debbie for a short visit over her lunch break from her work. It has become a "staple" in our daily lives and a much needed time for a let down and/or build-up of the emotions between friends. Last week she talked alot about having yet to deliver the diagnosis to her children and the anticipation of doing so was not a comfortable thought. Her daughter lives here locally, her son is actually studying in China this semester and was contacted by Skype. I'm pretty sure that now that the kids are processing this news of their mother's diagnosis ~it definitely becomes more "real" for Debbie. Thank you God for making today, this day, a quiet and comfortable one for the family and friends of the Steele Family. Let them be strong!

March 13, 2011

2011-03-13T18:05:00.000-07:00

Just over a week ago, while watching t.v. & relaxing on a Friday evening ~ I recieved a text message from my best friend. It's pretty nice to have a best friend at this age ~ sixty ~ but I hadn't expected the fragile feeling that came with her text that night. Just wasn't prepared for it, yet we had all been holding our breaths and praying alot during the week leading up to it. Debbie had been diagnosed with breast cancer. After jumping off the bed and yelling NO!!! while running around the house ~ I finally was able to calm down long enough and call Silent Unity. I knew their prayer work and positive approach to all things in life would set us all on the path of divine healing. Thank you God for your good work with Debbie, as I put all my faith in your restoration of her perfect health. I will always be receptive to your ideas of how I can best help Debbie and her family during this time of great need. Please help us all to remember that this cancer does NOT define her life ~ that there are many, many things that go to make up her total person ~ and a wonderful person she is! Thank you for bringing her great blessings as she starts the journey with her tests and treatments. Thank you for bringing all those who know and love her even greater strength than we have ever known.