Hello From Lynda:

I’m hoping Amy will post this blog for me.  Maybe God has slowed me down so I can catch up on some of this modern technology. 

 

First, I’d like to say that our family has been saddened by the sudden death of the Rev. Dennis Buttery.  Dennis had posted two encouraging blogs on my Health Updates.  Dennis and I had many good times together as we attended a one room school named Moccasin.  He married a good friend – Wanda.  (Wanda is my Aunt Vonda’s twin sister).  Dennis was an outstanding speaker and leader for the Georgia Church.  Please pray for the family during this difficult time.

 

I continue to be astounded by all the kindness and offers of help that have been extended to me and my family.  I thank God for blessing me with exceptional friends and family.  I’ve had the assurance that you would understand if I became discouraged and you’d share my laughter when I tried to find some humor in this serious cancer journey.  Thank you for the scriptures which reminded me of God’s promises.  Thank you for the cards, food, calls, and prayers.  Your prayers kept me from fear and discouragement.  They gave me peace and strength as I waited for surgery and the final prognosis.  I’m thankful that words like aggressive and invasive were no problem for my God.  My prognosis is very good.  Praise God for His healing power.  I ask that you continue to remember me as I follow up on other doctor appointments, have drain tubes removed, and regain my strength. 

 

I have a few tidbits of information I’m still wondering about:

 

1.       On Monday (before scheduled surgery on Tuesday) they took me to the nuclear medicine section and gave me four very painful shots in each breast (that’s 8 total).  Now why would you try to repair something you were going to cut off the next day?  (Be informed about nuclear stuff)

2.       After surgery, I tried to raise my arms to eat, I told Amy, “I gave consent for my boobs to be removed, but I didn’t know they were going to cut my arms half off.”  (Remember to ask questions before signing consents)

3.       I wasted a lot of time one day trying to get the telephone to change TV stations.  (Stay focused – the TV remote works much better)

4.       How do you spell mastectomy?  (I always have to ask)

 

I’ll close my blog with this thought.  Karlene and Steve Garrett sent me this story in a card.  I had read it before, but it took on new meaning for me during the past few weeks.

 

One night a man had a dream.  He dreamt he was walking along the beach with the Lord.  Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.  For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand:  one belonging to him, and the other to the Lord.

 

When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand.  He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints.   He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life. 

 

This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it.

 

“Lord, You said that once I decided to follow You, You’d walk with me all the way.  But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints.  I don’t understand why when I needed You most You would leave me.”

 

The Lord replied, “My son, My precious child, I love you and would never leave you.  During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.”

 

I can assure you that this is very true.  I thank God for carrying me through the past few weeks.  When problems come your way, trust in God and He will carry you.  We love you and pray that God will bless you for your many acts of kindness.  Also, a special thanks to Pastor Steven Friese and Pastor Van Scott.  I knew their prayers were with me and I knew they were just a phone call away.   We love ya – Lynda, John and family

 

P.S. Please pray for three other people who are very ill with cancer.

 

1.       Kathy Smith (John’s cousin)

2.       Linda Crow (Chris Crow’s mother.  Chris is married to my niece Melissa Barbre-Crow)

3.       Judy Crum (Lisa Wolff’s aunt.  Lisa is married to my nephew Clinton)