Monday, June 21, 2010

Life is Good!

Today is officially the first day of summer, but I am amazed at how fast the time is going. My daughter came home from college the first week of May and I can't believe that she has already completed her 6 week internship at a local children's hospital. Today she started her Nanny job for the rest of the summer.

Aren't my roses pretty? I took these pictures at night, so the roses would show up really well. I just love my roses and they have done so good this year. These are hybrid tea roses that I planted many, many years ago.
These blooms were huge!! And such a gorgeous shade of pink!

On Friday I had to go for my semi-annual CT Scan. I do not have the best veins in the world and I sometimes have a bit of a problem with my IV, but this time was the worst. To start off, it took the lab tech 3 tries to get my blood drawn. Then I went back for my CT Scan and the 2 ladies working the CT machine stuck me 8 times before they could get the IV to go in my veins. I was about ready to walk out and say, "forget it". I felt like a human pin cushion.

It was not the ladies fault, I just have terrible veins. Needless to say, despite all the headaches involved with getting my CT Scan, I got great results. The scan came back normal and there was no evidence of cancer.

My oncologist has told me that if I have another clear clan in December that he will release me and I will not have to have any more scans. Isn't that great? I was thrilled!!!
In the past 7 years since my cancer surgery, I have had more CT Scans than I care to count. The first 3 years I had them every 3 months, then I switched to every 4 months and now I go every 6 months.

I feel very fortunate to have gotten along so well with my cancer. God is good!!! Each day is a joy and I look forward to living it to the fullest each and every day. I enjoy life, my family and my friends (in real life and in the blog world) and count it a blessing to be alive! I have so enjoyed all your blogs and being able to form friendships via the internet. I consider it a privilege to laugh with you, cry with you and pray for you, as we all travel this road we call "LIFE".

So you see, life is good! I had a wonderful weekend with my husband, girls and my son-in-law. They are such an important part of my life and bring so much joy to me! I missed being with my parents and my sister, but I will see them over the 4th holiday.

I only had to work a half day today, so I am in the basement painting furniture. I can't wait to get it finished and set up in Adelaide's room. I am closing with my favorite verse...

I Thes. 5:16-18 Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Love & blessings,
Melinda

36 comments:

  1. So glad for your great news! You are right life is good and we should all be thankful for each and everyday!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Praise the Lord! What wonderful news!! I'm sorry that you had trouble with all the needles. I pretty much have bad veins, too, so I can totally understand how you felt. I dread going to get just regular blood work. Last time I almost passed out!!!
    Patricia :o)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Blessings to you Melinda and congrat's on a clear CT scan. Every time I read your posts I am blessed by your thankful attitude. I know if you lived nearby we'd be fast friends-we have so much in common(i.e. teaching preschool, two daughters, quilting, etc etc).
    Each day is a gift and we need to remember to live life to the fullest as there are no guarentees for tomorrow.
    Hugs, Noreen

    ReplyDelete
  4. Praises for a clean scan! Aren't those words music to our ears? I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer 3-1/2 years ago and have been blessed with clean scans ever since as well. Praise Jesus!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wow - praise the Lord! So exciting to hear about clean scans...and God's complete healing! I love your attitude of praise - and life is indeed good! Love your statement...every day is a gift!

    I have to agree with NanaNor's comment that it would be wonderful to live closer as I think we really would be good friends....I love your attitude!

    So glad you stopped by today and that you entered the giveaway:) Keep your fingers crossed! Happy Monday, friend.

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a praise!! You are such a blessing to so many. Thank you for your prayers!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh sweet friend, I'm praising God for your good news. As a survivor myself, I know the stress of waiting for the results. So excited that we both got good new this last week. Congratulations to us both.

    I too have bad veins, really bad veins. Even this morning before my dental surgery, they had to use a vein in my hand. I try to drink lots and lots of water for days before a test to help plump up my veins. Sometimes it really helps. I forgot to do it this time.

    Your roses are amazing!

    Hugs,
    Kat

    ReplyDelete
  8. Praise God for your good CT scan!!
    Life is Good and with God all things are possible!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. You are so inspiring and positive! I just love reading about you and your family! Congrats on the great news! What a blessing! Glad you had a great "Lilly" first day of summer!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Life is definitely good! Especially when you get great news like yours. Your roses are beautiful. Stop by my blog and enter my giveaway, if you like.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hooray for great news! You need to celebrate:)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Great news on your CT scan! That is awesome, awesome, awesome!!!!!! I'm so sorry you had to be poked so many times. Bless your heart....I would've walked out probably after 3 tries.

    Enjoy your week!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I am so ecstatic that your ct came back great! WONDERFUL wonderful news. I am only sorry about the human pin cushion. I am the same way as well. Before the surgery I had six weeks ago, I was stuck 7 times for my pre op bloodwork. At home I was stuck 6 times for my post op bloodwork. She almost gave up. I too drink lots of water and get myself very warm hoping that will help.

    THank you for your sweet comment on my blog...you always have the kindest things to say! ;-)xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  14. I don't know how I got to your blog, but I loved reading the last few posts. I'm in SC and LOVE to shag at the beach (mostly in our kitchen) with my high school sweetheart-husband of almost 30 years. We have three children 21, 18, and 8. The oldest is married and expecting her first baby any day now. So it's on to grandmother for me. Your family is beautiful as is your heart. Nice to 'meet' you.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Ah...sweet blessings for a clean scan! I have to do it every 6 months and you cannot help but have that "what if" each time you go. So glad that part is over for you now. Our God is so gracious.

    Your roses are indeed gorgeous! The only roses I have came with the house and so far I've kept them alive. More and more I've been developing an interest in things like that, so who knows where that will lead me. I do tend to flit around a lot in the things that interest me. Maybe that keeps me young??? :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. How wonderful to receive good news, I'm sure you've been through so much. It has to feel really, really good. :-)

    Will continue to pray for you!

    Hugs,
    Anne

    ReplyDelete
  17. So glad all went well with your tests. Miserable I'm sure but happy results!

    Love the roses-what a beautiful shade of pink!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Your love for Christ shines through in each post. You are indeed the light on a hill for so many to see. Praise Him indeed for the clean scan. Blessings, Patty

    ReplyDelete
  19. Melinda, I am so glad you had such glorious news today!! Life is good! I love your rose, what a beautiful gift nature has given you! I'm sorry you had to have so many CT scans and all that poking with the needle to get blood! I'm glad you got to paint some furniture today and have some fun too!

    ReplyDelete
  20. So happy to hear the results from the CT were so positive. Your roses are fabulous too. You're right when you say, "God is good." I certainly agree!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Your post actually brought tears to my eyes. I am so happy to hear the great news. Praise God!

    I know how you feel with them sticking you over and over. I am like that too. Plus once they get my vein they often will collapse and that hurts too.

    I found drinking a ton of water before I go helps some.

    Your roses are beautiful. Another lovely gift from God.

    Hugs,
    Joanne

    ReplyDelete
  22. PTL for the awesome CT results!!!

    Love the roses, too!!

    ReplyDelete
  23. So glad for your good news. Life is good and we all need to stop and smell the roses.

    My Best,
    Penny

    ReplyDelete
  24. WOW! You have been through so much! I'm so thankful that all is well and will continue to pray that all will go well. You're right...God is good and He will take care of you no.matter.what!! Your roses are gorgeous and I can almost smell them from my mountain home here in Utah! Have a blessed week:)
    ~Mary

    ReplyDelete
  25. Congratulations on your wonderful news. I'm sorry that you had to go through feeling like a pin cushion as that does not sound pleasant. I am just so happy for you that you received such good news.
    Your roses are gorgeous. I gave up on trying to grow them because of the Japanese Beetles. It seems like right when they started to bloom the beetles chewed them up. Glad to see you are having success with yours.

    ReplyDelete
  26. God isn't just good - he's AWESOME. What an answer to prayer. I wish you were here to coach me on my rose bush - we inherited one with this house and I have no idea what to do with it...I don't want to hurt it! Thanks for stopping by my page this week! -diane

    ReplyDelete
  27. Sweetheart !!!
    I'm dancing for joy for you!!!!
    Hallalujah!!!! Praise the Lord!
    I applaud all you've put up with over the years...
    and I totally understand it all...
    every detail.
    Life is good!...
    and I know you treasure each and everyday my friend.
    I know about the vein thing...we're twins.
    Have the best week basking in the good news,
    xoxo~Kathy @
    Sweet Up-North Mornings...


    Your roses are PERFECT!

    ReplyDelete
  28. I'm so happy for you Melinda! I am a cancer survivor also (thyroid) and luckily my follow ups are pain free ultrasounds.

    Your roses are beautiful! I loved .
    their pale pink color.

    {{hugs}}

    ReplyDelete
  29. Thanks for stopping by...

    The wind is just picking up...I can hear it...and a distant siren - probably northern Monroe County.

    I don't like this severe weather - been through a tornado once already and been at home alone when it was struck by lightening.

    I'll probably be up half the night...

    ~Blessings,
    Jan

    ReplyDelete
  30. Morning Melinda! I'm sorry I haven't stopped in for a long time BUT so glad to read this GREAT NEWS!!!!! I cringed at the thought of all that poking though! You set me straight this morning also as I was walking around feeling sorry for myself over really stupid stuff - THANKS for that!!! We all need reminders from time to time just how darn lucky we are! Anxious to see what you are painting??? What a great idea to take your rose pictures at night - they really do just pop off the screen!! Wishing your daughter good luck with her nanny job; mine is working at a daycare and loving it! Me personally - too old for that many diapers!!!lol Wishing you continued good health!!! Sincerely, Jeannette (Hugs)

    ReplyDelete
  31. I came across your blog from Kelly's Corner and have been reading your posts for over an hour now! I am 54 yrs. old and a breast cancer survivor now for 3 yrs. We have so much in common. I was just wondering what kind of cancer you had?? What kind of scan do they do? I have yet to have a scan. It concerns me but the oncologists group I go to does not do them. I hope you don't mind me asking. My personal email is cherlilly12@yahoo.com
    Congratulations on your scan report and I sure do understand about how your veins are. Mine are the same way.
    So glad i found your blog.
    Blessings from one sister in the Lord to another,
    Cheryl

    ReplyDelete
  32. God is SO good! I am so thankful to have you as a friend.

    ReplyDelete
  33. I am so happy to hear that your scan was great! Your post was very uplifting to me...thank you! Sometimes we stop and forget how wonderful life really is...

    I have been told to drink alot of water - 8 glasses the day before and several glasses the day of having bloodwork. It somehow plumps up the veins I guess. It seems to work for me.
    Hugs,
    Penny

    ReplyDelete
  34. I am so happy that you got another good report. Last hear when school started, I made a little chalkboard sign for my office door that has stayed up all year...it says, Life is Good!! I'm constantly amazed at one woman I work with who does nothing but find the negative in the world...it's kind of sad. BEAUTIFUL roses...When Hank retires, he says he's going to create a beautiful garden in our back yard. I can hardly wait for some roses!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Oh, congratulations on the fabulous, wonderful, stupendous news! It is a blessing indeed, and while late reading about it, I am enormously grateful to know the report was so good.

    Big hugs and blessings to you Miss Melinda,
    tp

    ReplyDelete