Dear Nation!
Many highs and a few lows these last few days. Mother's day was really nice as I had ice cream and dinner with my three girls. At dinner they all said, "Oh I am so hot" and took off their sweatshirts to reveal Allison Nation T shirts that my friend had made for me. That was awfully nice. I did call my own mother and Peter visited with his mom too. I have been at school and doing some behind the scenes work for my students and that is wonderful and all consuming. I have plenty of good books to read and got to help lead worship on Sunday at church. I continue to love to read comments on this page. The dogs and I run to the mail slot eagerly every day in anticipation of more amazing love and cards from wonderful people. The dogs actually are just as excited for junk mail as cards.
I spoke with a nurse practitioner today who's job was to check in with me and educate me about what is ahead. We will have to take it as it comes. She did say that 50% of patients with this treatment loose their hair. I will have sensitivity to cold. So, probably I won't be having ice cream for awhile, unless it is melted. I am trying to cut out most sugar, so this is a plus. She said fatigue is cumulative, so as we get further into chemo, it takes more of a toll. They encourage exercise, rest, and trying to keep elements of your life intact. The goal is to shrink/shrivel/reduce/ decimate and destroy the tumors in my liver. Without destroying me. There are times when I do feel blue or down but I am learning how to keep moving forward and I call people or go for a walk with Charlotte or play a game with Peter or Molly. Today I called a tap dance studio, the Y and a horseback riding place, so I have plans. Anything to keep from doing housework. I know my friend Mimi is working on a sign up page for some practical ways to help and we will get that out soon.
This week I was especially struck by this double sided attitude that I need to have. Hope and acceptance. Too much hope is called denial. Too much acceptance looks like giving up. Then, to my surprise I read psalm 42! The author is dealing with the same thing. In one sentence he writes," My hope is in God, God is mighty" The next line says, "Where are you God, my soul is downcast" Then back again, "The Lord is my song and my hope". It really spoke to me that I am not the first human being to walk this reality. Today was a wonderful day. Tomorrow I get to go to school. Friday I get a nice nap while they put in the port. The weekend looks sunny. We are ready for Monday and to start shrinking those tumors. I love to think of them shriveling up and shrinking. Like Shrinky Dinks or the wicked witch in The Wizard of Oz...melting away.
Thank you as always for all of your love and encouragement. Keep up the great work.
Read and prayed through this, this am for you...Rm 15:13 "May the GOD OF HOPE fill you with all joy and peace as you TRUST in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Hoping and praying on with you as you journey t-h-r-o-u-g-h cancer with your Good Shepherd. 🙏🕊🙏🐑
3rd grade teachers are magical, fun, creative and memorable
My 3rd grade teacher was Mrs. MacArthur and I loved her. Most guys- little boys love their teachers if they are kind and sweet- she was, so remember Allison you will have an impact on each child for the next 70 years- lots of responsibility so you need a lot of wisdom and it’s a very good thing you are praying for that, as I am sure God will answer your prayers.
May He bless you tonight and always with His shalom-
Prayers, hugs and love, Rink and Wendy
Allison, you are so upbeat with Kermit, the cast and the song, thank you for ministering yo each of us!! God sees and knows your spirit for life- may He bless you with energy, life and the joy you reflect each day
You are constantly in our prayers and hearts- rink and Wendy
So enjoyed the Happy Song! You continue to amaze me. Praying for God to give you wisdom and discernment over what to accomplish each day in preparation for your treatment and taking time to contact those stage 4 colon cancer survivors who I'm sure will have some valuable information to share with you. So, it will be good to be still and let God give you direction and help you to prioritize your time. And do spend lots of time with your family! Continuing in prayer. 💕🙏😊
love the happy muppet song :)
it's good to take your days carefully -
youre pretty good at this Allison :) Good at life, good at living well! Keep it up!
Many highs and a few lows these last few days. Mother's day was really nice as I had ice cream and dinner with my three girls. At dinner they all said, "Oh I am so hot" and took off their sweatshirts to reveal Allison Nation T shirts that my friend had made for me. That was awfully nice. I did call my own mother and Peter visited with his mom too. I have been at school and doing some behind the scenes work for my students and that is wonderful and all consuming. I have plenty of good books to read and got to help lead worship on Sunday at church. I continue to love to read comments on this page. The dogs and I run to the mail slot eagerly every day in anticipation of more amazing love and cards from wonderful people. The dogs actually are just as excited for junk mail as cards.
I spoke with a nurse practitioner today who's job was to check in with me and educate me about what is ahead. We will have to take it as it comes. She did say that 50% of patients with this treatment loose their hair. I will have sensitivity to cold. So, probably I won't be having ice cream for awhile, unless it is melted. I am trying to cut out most sugar, so this is a plus. She said fatigue is cumulative, so as we get further into chemo, it takes more of a toll. They encourage exercise, rest, and trying to keep elements of your life intact. The goal is to shrink/shrivel/reduce/ decimate and destroy the tumors in my liver. Without destroying me. There are times when I do feel blue or down but I am learning how to keep moving forward and I call people or go for a walk with Charlotte or play a game with Peter or Molly. Today I called a tap dance studio, the Y and a horseback riding place, so I have plans. Anything to keep from doing housework. I know my friend Mimi is working on a sign up page for some practical ways to help and we will get that out soon.
This week I was especially struck by this double sided attitude that I need to have. Hope and acceptance. Too much hope is called denial. Too much acceptance looks like giving up. Then, to my surprise I read psalm 42! The author is dealing with the same thing. In one sentence he writes," My hope is in God, God is mighty" The next line says, "Where are you God, my soul is downcast" Then back again, "The Lord is my song and my hope". It really spoke to me that I am not the first human being to walk this reality. Today was a wonderful day. Tomorrow I get to go to school. Friday I get a nice nap while they put in the port. The weekend looks sunny. We are ready for Monday and to start shrinking those tumors. I love to think of them shriveling up and shrinking. Like Shrinky Dinks or the wicked witch in The Wizard of Oz...melting away.
Thank you as always for all of your love and encouragement. Keep up the great work.
Love Allison