Dear good friend,

I'm "on my honeymoon"!  I thought that would get your attention!  Smiles... I'm quoting my surgeon, by the way. It was Dr Richie Gillespie who coined the phrase to describe the next stage in the battle with the cancer. It sounds alright to me!

A week ago Brian drove Val and me to Fort Worth to see the surgeon who operated on my arm. She was very pleased with how well everything had healed and decided to remove all fifty staples.  I think body piercing is vastly over rated, by the way. The scabs we had been concerned about all fell off with the staples, revealing beautifully-clean healed tissue underneath. Thank you God! Dr Richie Gillespie said that the best treatment for now was to give just a few more doses of radiation to the operation site, and then....Go and enjoy the honeymoon period and do all I would like to do with the precious, illness free days God gives me. My surgeon couldn't say when, where, or how Sammy Sarcoma's offspring might return, but she did imply that they probably will pop up somewhere, some day.

In the afternoon we met with the radiation oncologist. Over the next month she needs to do more X-ray and MRI type studies of my arm, to measure up and position things, so that as soon as I am about eight weeks post surgery, I can have just a little more treatment. The plan is to give a few more doses of radiation, and hopefully kill off those few live cells that may have been left behind.  Dr Henderson said the healing and function I still have in my right arm is truly a miracle from God. Indeed, the Lord has answered your prayers with a glorious "yes" beyond our dreams. Just like God, isn't it? He is able to do so much more than we ask or think. Thank you for praying.

Since I last wrote, Marcia Heineman, the Wycliffe friend who worked in Papua New Guinea, has visited regularly and developed a series of exercises for my arm and hand. She is enabling me think of ways to accomplish the everyday tasks I used to do without thinking.   I only realize what I can't do when I try to do it!  Marcia has been a huge encouragement helping me think through ways to tackle challenges. I now wear a brace on my wrist which prevents it being pushed back too far when I'm driving. Yes! You'd better pull to the side of the road when you see me coming! Seriously, I've driven short distances safely, and that's a huge step forward on the road to normal living. I'm celebrating.

Today I visited my third wonderful doctor, the oncologist, Dr Juarez.  She was thrilled to see how good my arm and hand look, and assured me that she will be watching me like a hawk with regular scans, once all the radiation treatment is over. I am very thankful that there will be no more chemotherapy for now.

It was good to be able to attend Brian and Val's daughter Becky's wedding at the weekend. We had a lovely day. I have really appreciated Brian being here the last six weeks and helping in my care along with Val.  It'll be sad to see him leave on Saturday to return to England. I hope to be fully independent by March 5th when Val will fly back to England to join him. The Hodgkin family has given me a huge gift these last few months and I am deeply grateful to them and to God for His provision through them.

I believe that over the next few months the main task I face is to fully recuperate from these many weeks of illness. I plan to make the most of every day, and enjoy the advent of Spring with all the beautiful flowers and birds and, of course, the start of the baseball season.  

Thank you for adventuring with me during this phase of life, for your prayers and love. You are lifting my spirit constantly. Thank you. I do pray for God's loving kindness to flood your days too. I'd love to hear your news, if you have opportunity.

Much love and many thanks,

June