This afternoon, Mark and I walked (Mark “strolled”) to the end of Keup Road and back– a 2.6 mile event. Actually, I do this often. One year ago…. not so much. Shortly after we returned, we sat down to dinner. On the menu? Autumn Soup ala Nancy and yummy grilled cheese. I guess I was so engrossed in my dinner that I didn’t notice the object on the table to my left till Mark and the kidos exuberantly chorused, “Congratulations Mom!!!!!” It was then I noticed the newest electronic addition to the Brooks house—my own NETBOOK!!!!! The gift occasion? Tomorrow, October 8, 2013 marks the one year anniversary of my stem cell transplant. Mark knew that I have been brewing an update to our blog and blessed me with my very own “blogwriter”. So, away we go!!!
In my mind’s eye, I wander down the hallway of 4NT, and easily pass through the swinging metal doors onto the BMT- the bone marrow transplant unit at Froedtert . My memories are surprisingly vivid–undimmed by the still-lingering chemo-brain effect. My favorite nurses, docs, and even Christie–the dining room aide who very often cheerfully took my meal and snack orders over the phone, making me feel as though I were at the Ritz Carlton! My beautiful view from the window in my room, the cards and pictures cheering up my walls and the Autumn decorations from Mom B and my dear sis trying to make my “home away from home” as homey as possible. And the paper chain Gilana made me which started out with 21 links identical to her own which she and I ceremoniously clipped every night while facetiming. I am so grateful to have these memories and all of the memories of this year, as an increasing degree of normalcy has returned to our sweet home on Keup Road. What a year it has been! I have been able to resume my work with Sparkle & Shine cleaning. I have enjoyed remarkable health since a bout with influenza in April Not so much as a sniffle- even while there have been bugs in the house. On October 15th, a CT and full blood workup will yield a full picture of what I cannot see, but I know these dates were on God’s calendar before I was even born. Some of you readers may have endured cancer treatments such as I have had, and will attest that full energy and brain power are elusive, but one thing I know with all of my happy heart, and that is that the Faithful God Who ordains joy and sorrow, still waters and raging storms, and life and death in the lives of His children tells us in 1 CORINTHIANS 4:2 MOREOVER IT IS REQUIRED IN STEWARDS, THAT A MAN BE FOUND FAITHFUL. As Abraham, in Genesis 12 went when God said “Go!”, as Noah built when God said to, and as Moses stepped out in faith onto the path of dry ground in the Red Sea at God’s command, so we who are saved by faith must daily walk by faith in sunlight or in midnight darkness. I confess, I sometimes wonder why God has showered me with kindness this year, and answered the prayers of His saints on my behalf as He has, while others accept answers harder to accept. But, I was reminded recently by a new Brother-in -Christ that it is all grace and mercy, grace and mercy, grace and mercy. And yes, Steve, it is His grace and mercy, and His grace is for today–tomorrow’s grace will be available tomorrow, and tomorrow is in His nail-pierced hands. My dear friends in this “cancer family”, I think of you often and pray you are doing well, and that we will be in touch for many years to come. I look forward to the upcoming tests, and to reporting whatever God has ordained in His plan of grace and mercy. Blessings
