I am determined to enjoy Christmas with my family in spite of the fact that my blood counts were even lower this week instead of showing improvement. My nurse at Stanford was very surprised at the results and indicated she has never seen a situation such as this. My oncologist is out of town for the holidays, but my nurse was going to send him an email regarding my situation. The neuropathy in my feet has improved slightly, but is not completely gone. So, not only do I have a rare type of my particular kind of cancer, I am now experiencing unusual responses to treatment. But, God is still in control and I figure it just provides Him with an even greater opportunity to show His mighty Hand. Keep up with those prayers! I know that God is at work in spite of the evidence otherwise.
The immediate concern with such a low white blood count is to maintain my health. Even the common cold would be a danger to me right now. The immediate miracle is that my energy level is much improved from last summer and I’ve been able to do a bit more; but, I have to be careful not to push myself too much and tax my system, setting it up for illness. The ongoing miracle is that I have stayed healthy to this point even though others have been ill around me. The admonition to “Wash your hands!” that began in early childhood and still rings true today, has played an important role in my ability to stay healthy. Purell, a hand-sanitizing product, is my constant companion. So if I meet you somewhere and shake your hand, don’t be offended when I immediately take out my Purell and “wash” my hands!
I certainly missed having our XL Choir Christmas concert, not to mention how much I've missed all of you and our weekly rehearsals! I know that I won't be able to begin choir in January. However, after I see the doctor again in January, I'll have some idea when he will let me return to choir, hopefully in time for us to sing yet during the spring semester.
Christmas preparations are nearly comleted. I’m looking forward to Christmas this year with the same excitement that I remember experiencing as a child, even though the weeks prior have been unusual for me - no XL Concert and not being able to attend many other Christmas programs that are a part of our normal routine. My excitement is generated by the time our family will have together. Now that Johanna has returned from Indonesia, the entire family will be here to celebrate together for the first time in several years. Of course there is also my new grandson, Ty, who will not lack for arms to hold him and people to love him, but I will make sure I get equal time! The one thing I look forward to the most is that we will all be together in church on Christmas Eve. Since we all attend different churches, this is my one request at Christmas – that we all attend the same Christmas Eve service. We rotate among our various churches through the years, and this year we will attend First Nazarene Church where Jesse and Lyn are worship leaders for one of their 3 Sunday morning services.
The Christmas story from Luke 2 will be read numerous times in churches and homes over the next few days as people are reminded of the true origin of our holiday and celebration during this season. We don’t really know when Jesus was born. His actual birth date has not been recorded anywhere. There is, however, much speculation from Biblical scholars that He was born earlier in the fall. However, the important thing is that we do celebrate His birth and remember this momentous occasion when God physically crossed from the realm of heaven to earth. In Luke 2:14, the angel of the Lord and the heavenly host praise God and say: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, goodwill toward men!” We all long for peace and good will, but how many of us truly acknowledge or declare the Glory of God in our personal lives? Everyone loves a sweet little baby, but that sweet little baby becomes a challenge when he begins to walk and talk. Jesus was crucified for His “walk” and His “talk”. Yet, He is called the Prince of Peace. All we have to do is look around us and look around the world and we know there is no peace. His Christmas gift to us is the inner peace that His salvation brings and the promise of eternal life with Him and our Heavenly Father.
Wishing you a Christmas a filled with His inner peace.
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