Sunday, June 27, 2010

A VERY Quiet Sunday

The day dawned bright and beautiful - complete with the wonderful tolling bells 
signaling the call to worship!

We spent the entire afternoon outside under the awning.  Chemo recipients are warned to stay out of direct sunlight and naturally, they make sure you can here at Leonardis.  

I went for another stroll with my camera when the 'infusion' of six-dice reached saturation point. :)







I can't decide if the unique 'natural' look here around the Leonardis is intentional or stems from neglect.  There are other highly manicured properties round about that suggest the latter.  

This farmer has been hard at work bringing in the hay since the rain has finally stopped.

For a long time today, I was on my bedroom balcony following the antics of a large hawk, 
circling hungrily above the farmers freshly cut field.  

I captured this view of the mountain range on our return from Munich the day of Mom's CT scan.
It was taken at no less than 160km/hr from the front passenger seat of Victor's mad-cab.  LOL.

After Mom's rather harrowing experience with the CT scan (the needle dislodged partway thru the process) Victor thoughtfully made a drive-by viewing of the Castle he so desperately wanted us to see while we still had the chance.                              
                                      ***********
This is the former summer residence of the rulers of Bavaria and is located in the west part of the city in the middle of one of Munich's most beautiful parks. Five generations of Wittelsbach rulers were involved in the construction of this Baroque castle.
The building of Nymphenburg Castle  began in the reign of the Elector Ferdinand Maria: overjoyed by the birth of his son and heir, Max Emanuel, he had the central section built for his wife in the style of an Italian villa (Agostino Barelli, 1664-74). In about 1700, Max Emanuel commissioned Enrico Zuccali and Antonio Viscardi to extend the castle by adding galleries and pavilions.

Hit the link above for a cyber tour of one of Europe's most famous castles.

A glorious sunset for mom one evening as we entered her room... we view it as a heavenly benediction of our second sabbath 'rest' here in Germany.

And now, a progress report on Mom:
Once her blood sugar and blood pressure levels stabilized she actually had her best day 
(based on how she 'felt') on Friday the chemo day.
From there, three days have passed and she is steadily declining in how good she feels.
Metallic taste, loss of appetite, an overwhelming fatigue, nausea and over-all body soreness.
I just put her to bed and to sleep (I think) with a foot massage and she said even her teeth hurt.
This is not unusual of course to chemotherapy but I think we had both naively invested too much stock in the alternative meds countering those effects. 
As the saying goes:  This too shall pass.  
Be assured that she is carefully monitored to see her through these next few days as she climbs her way back out of the chemo reverie.  She sleeps a lot and I sit beside her reading a lot.
Prayer for regaining strength in body & spirit are always much obliged.

6 comments:

  1. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with you and your Mom, Joanne, during these difficult chemo days. Praying you will continue to feel God carrying you along.
    Much love,
    Rich and Cynthia

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  2. May you both find peace and comfort in these "chemo" days. Praying for God's healing touch thru the doctors and medical attention she is receiving. Your question the other day about how do cancer patients endure chemo with a smile on their face and acceptance. I have been thinking about that alot and I know when Zac was going thru his heavy chemo for 7 months it was his acceptance of, that this all had to happen, God's plan and He is in control, doctors and medicine where a gift from God and in the end God knew what Zac needed and He knew best. We continue to pray for you both! May you be carried in this knowledge!

    Bill and Rolean Aasman

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  3. Ah! my church family! Thanks so much for popping in to say hi. You have no idea how good it is to 'feel' your connection. I was having a small panic/sad moment and obviously God knew precisely how to remedy that.
    Sincerely appreciate prayer - I know that binds us as well but it still is lovely to hear you.

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  4. We will continue to pray for you both and also Joanne that you receive strength and courage thru these days especially when panic and sad moments come! wish I could just give you a hug and say it will be alright whatever Gods plan is, it is right and good!

    Rolean

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  5. Joanne I think of you and your Mom's situation often as well...it brings back memories when my Mom went through chemo and radiation many years ago..the toll it took on her and for those who loved her. I understand your panic/sad moments, especially more so that you are further away. Remember you and your Mom are being held in the palm of our Almighty Maker..he know's your every thought and need. Praying for you:)
    In Christian love!
    Anita

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  6. We are praying for you as well, all the way from Australia. May your time there be beneficial for your mother and we hope and pray that she gets through these dark days of treatment with hope and trust in a Father who carries us in the palm of His hand. What a comfort to know that He has all things planned out for us already. All we need to do is follow Him.
    With much love,
    the Heerema's xx

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