Tomorrow, MRI day

Monday was one of those days.  A day that you want to have seared into your memory; to have the memories forever burned in your mind so you never forget.  It was a near perfect day.  Between the beautiful weather, sweet surprises from Thomas, and swimming with Tom and the kids - it was simply a wonderful day.   All through the afternoon, time and time again I would silently pray, 'Dear God, please don't ever let me forget this moment.'  It was her laughter, his silliness, the fun of three plotting against one in the pool and on and on the afternoon went with so many moments of joy.  Fully living in the moment. I went to bed content, happy and peaceful.

Today was another good day. Amanda had her lesson at ROCK and math lessons. Today she rode Sherrie, the draft horse.  Ms. Judy has been working on convincing Amanda to give Sherrie a try, and today she just decided to go with it.  It was a surprise, but Amanda took it all in stride.  Amanda will get to ride only once this week and once next week due to doctor's appointments.  You can imagine her disappointment with that scheduling arrangement!

Today, she had a PT ride, so she may be very sore tomorrow, especially considering she was riding a draft horse.  I'm sure she stretched muscles that haven't been used in a awhile. :)  Here are some great pictures from today's ride.  Amanda was very animated and kept us all entertained.

Meet Sherrie!

I wish I knew what Amanda was thinking at this moment...

Our team today was Megan, a PT student that was working with Judy and our horse handler, Tamara.  What a great team!

Like I said, she was in some mood today...

You would think with a draft horse, she would have a broader surface to sit on.  Because it was a new experience, she wasn't as confident about some of the activities......as you can clearly see from her face expressions.

This one required her boots coming off...

I think this one is cute with her boots sitting in the middle.

I love this!  My champion.

Sweet Sherrie, the gentle giant.

Recently, I have come across two scriptures that have been personally encouraging and uplifting.  One I came across in a devotional, another is on a picture I have hanging in our dining room.  As I was writing a note to a friend, I wanted to include one of them.  I was looking one up and found out that the second verse that I like so much WAS IN THE SAME PARAGRAPH!  In fact, it is the very next verse! I found it amusing that I had never realized that before.

The verses are found in Exodus and in one of my favorite Old Testament stories - the crossing of the Red Sea.  As the Israelite people found themselves at the shores of the Red Sea, with the army of the Pharaoh closing in on them and the sea spread out before them, they were terrified.  Moses spoke to them saying, "Do not be afraid.  Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today......The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still." 

And there they are.  My two verses, back to back.  Everywhere I have turned in the last few days, I have been reminded to be content, to be still, not to worry about tomorrow, to stand firm and have joy.  I think God is trying to tell me something, and friend, I am listening!  As I think about it, I can't help but wonder if He has been preparing my heart for this upcoming week of waiting....

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6-7

I have great peace and hope as we head to Dell tomorrow.  Thank you for all the encouraging notes and texts over the past few days.  I am touched by all the love and support you continue to show us in our long journey.

We appreciate your prayers tomorrow for Amanda to have courage, strength and peace as she goes through the morning.  

"Do not be afraid.  Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today......The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still."  Exodus 14:13-14

MRI week is here....

What a week.  First, the good things.  Amanda is feeling great.  We have now had two math lessons and she is still enjoying them. (Hallelujah!)  And we are in the middle of a three day weekend.

As hard as it is to believe, the MRI is upon us this week.  Generally, for most things, when we stay in a routine, they go smoother.  MRIs do not fall in that category.  Even when we are on schedule, they are still difficult.  Having gone this long (July was her last one) this may be quiet the challenge for my sweet girl on Wednesday, and I'm trying not to borrow trouble, just going off of past experiences.

It has been an emotional week for Team Watson for various reasons, and honestly, I am looking forward for these next two weeks to be over because I'm sure they too will be a little on the emotional side.  I'm ready to get the scans done and move on!  Amanda is doing so well across the board.  She is gaining weight, was cleared by her occupational therapist after six months, staying active and physical with no signs of set backs - all indications that we should see a great scan on the 28th.  That will be a full day for us.  Along with the scans, we will also see both Dr. Harrod and Dr. George, her neurosurgeon, and Amanda will also begin chemo (her EIGHTH cycle!!) that day.

Believe it or not, I've had a quiet day at home - ALONE.  The kids are with grandparents and Thomas had to work so the dogs and I were camped out on the couch watching football while I took care of some paperwork I have been putting off.   The evening ended with an awesome worship service - it's been a good day.

We were saying just the other day that it has now been over 10 months since Amanda's surgery.  Each time we have an MRI, I have wondered, "Is this the one? The one where we will see that God has erased the tumor? That tumor can officially be declared dead?"  While we have seen positive results, in fact, pretty  amazing results over the past ten months, it has not been the specific answered prayer I have been praying for.  So yesterday's devotional was an encouragement.  A call to arms, if you will. 

It is from "Streams in the Desert" - and is titled The Fiery Furnace.

It was this paragraph that grabbed me:
If there is a great trail in your life today, do not own it as a defeat, but continue, by faith, to claim the victory through him who is able to make you more than conqueror, and a glorious victory will soon be apparent.  Let us learn that in all the hard places God brings us in to, He is making opportunities for us to exercise such faith in Him as will bring about blessed results and greatly glorify His name.  -Life of Praise

So, that prayer for a miracle that I have been praying for over the last ten months is going to come more frequent and with more passion as we finish out these last four cycles.  Yes, it feels good to say that - FOUR cycles. 

I'm thankful this week is behind us and preparing and praying for the week before us.

James 1:2-6
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

A good appointment today

Just a quick update on today.  Since Amanda was going to miss her scheduled ride for today, Ms. Judy was able to have Amanda come out and do a little rehab work with Romeo this morning before her doctor's appointment.  Amanda loved that.  It gave her some much needed horse time today.

The appointment at Dr. Harrod's went very well.  All of her labs look good, both the infusion and shot went smoothly and Amanda stayed calm throughout the appointment.  She did great today!  We are officially half-way through cycle seven!

Romeo's rehab consists of a slow walk on level ground for 10 minutes.

 The great thing is that it is also wonderful exercise for Amanda as well!

The entrance gate to ROCK - the sign says "Healing Thru Horses"

After Romeo's walk, a little treat of grazing on green grass.

This right here is some great healing, if only I could bottle it up!

Philippians 4:19

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

A full, but pretty awesome day

Today has been a great day, but a busy one.  Amanda is feeling much better and getting some energy back, so that is definitely an improvement! 

Amanda ended up riding Dude today.  She had a great ride.  Before we left, we made sure to stop by and see Romeo.

After that, we grabbed lunch then we met with one of our former math teachers at Grace who is going to help Amanda with Math.  I finally faced the fact that trying to be all things was really starting to wear on me.  Having a set time, at another place with someone else teaching her is such a huge weight off my shoulders, and it is also good for Amanda.  Amanda simply adored her and said she really enjoyed the lesson!  Score!  So the plan is to give this a try for a few weeks and see if it works out for all involved.  I am praying that it will!

From there it was off to get Brandon early for a dental appointment, then straight to Liberty Hill for his basketball game.  Whew!  It was go, go, go!  The boys suffered their first loss tonight, but they did play hard.  Brandon will be looking for some redemption come Friday.  :)

Please pray for Amanda tomorrow as we go for her infusion.  It is an afternoon appointment, which gives her all day to dread it.  Thankfully, we think we might get a little Romeo time in the morning so that will be a huge boost for her spirits.

This is not my favorite topic to discuss, but I was asked the other day about donations for our family and clarification about the Caring Bridge site.  The donations on Caring Bridge go directly to the upkeep of the website.  This is a fantastic site that has been a wonderful ministry to our family, but if you donate on there, it does not go to us.  A special account has been set up at First Texas Bank: Benefit for Amanda Watson, Acct # 816314 P O Box 649 Georgetown, TX 78627.  We appreciate all the support we have received more than I can adequately say here, there just are no words.
The number one most important thing to us are the prayers that have been said on behalf of Amanda and our family. 

With the MRI coming up next week, it is hard not to look at Amanda without amazement at how well she is doing and an anticipation of what the scans will show.  At the same time and sometimes in the same breath, it is hard not to let fears and concerns sweep down and settle in my thoughts.  It is days like today, and the pictures below, that help combat those fears and remind me of my little fighter and the answered prayers we have already seen in her life.

Ms. Calli Rae in her Team Watson shirt!

With Romeo out, Dude stepped in for duty.

Look closely, this is called "Winged Victory."  Pretty appropriate, don't you think?

A gorgeous day for a ride.

These next few make my heart melt:

She learned to take care of his hooves today.

Dude is lovin' this attention!

Last but not least, putting the tack away.  Look at her use that left arm!

 As we left, we stopped by Romeo's stall.  He came over when she called and then this:

 Sweetest. Thing. Ever.

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world gives, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27

Good news at today's PT/OT appointment

Amanda had physical therapy and occupational therapy today.  What a bittersweet day it was!  She has been in occupational and physical therapy for six months, so today's appointment was spent assessing how far she has come since that first visit.  My, how God has blessed.  Amanda has reached the point where occupational therapy is no longer needed.  Her physical therapy sessions will continue to include improving the strength in her left arm, but overall, she continues to show improvement at each visit.

These pictures were taken on March 18, just a mere seventeen days after her surgery.  I can clearly remember sitting in this room, fighting back the tears as I watched Amanda struggle to do basic things like button and zip a jacket, thread a string through blocks and pick up pennies with her left hand.  The feeling of helplessness was overwhelming as I watched her become frustrated because she couldn't do it, but then encouraged to see her determination to keep trying. 

It never ceases to bring me joy when we visit the various teams that God has placed in our lives.  The love and encouragement Cindy and Jessica show, along with extreme patience and dedication to helping Amanda improve, has been a essential part of her recovery.  

After therapy this morning, it was a beautiful day to go feed at ROCK.  We found out some sad news today.  Romeo has an injury that is going to keep him on the sidelines for some time.  Amanda took the news MUCH better than I anticipated.  Tomorrow should be interesting as Ms. Judy works with Amanda on choosing another horse to ride.  Amanda loves her Romeo and he will be hard to replace....I am very interested in seeing how this plays out. 

Brandon has a basketball game tomorrow evening.  We will miss Wednesday's ROCK visit because we have an appointment at Dr. Harrod's for Amanda's Avastin infusion and WBC booster shot.  It is so hard to believe we are already halfway through with this cycle!  Our week will end with another basketball game on Friday night in Marble Falls, and then a three day weekend.  I am looking forward to it; I think I was spoiled by that three week Christmas vacation.  ;) 

So here are some fun (although some of them are very blurry) photos from today's appointment.  I am thankful that she enjoys these appointments as much as she does!  Makes life much easier.....

Don't let this look fool you.....

I just think this is adorable. 

Cards?! Yep, all part of her OT....these girls are having fun even while they work.

The Total Gym gave her a total workout.

Working out in front of a mirror is always helpful....okay, maybe not, but at least it makes you smile!

Of all the cool things there, this is probably her favorite - the swing.

Right after this shot, she fell backward on the crash mat for her grand finale. 

Cindy and Jessica, a wonderful part of our amazing team!

 Philippians 1:3-6
 I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
 

Pictures from the hunt

Today we have been at my folks celebrating my dad's birthday.  We were short some of the family due to illness, and that seems to be becoming the norm!  There is so much yuck going around, I should buy stock in hand sanitizer, with as much as we are using.  Even though they were missed, it was a nice day enjoying time with family.  Amanda has had a good day playing and riding her bike so she should sleep well tonight!

Amanda has responded fairly well this time as she is rebounding from chemo, but she has been much more tired and has slept a lot during the mornings this week.  That causes me to wonder what her week three and four will look like with this round, but as we know, there is no sense in worrying about anything but today!

Tonight, I wanted to share some of the pictures from the boy's hunt last weekend.

Amazing how quickly they grow up.

Love the captured beauty of the red bird in this picture.

Everyone was spaced out around the lake ready for the ducks to come in.

That morning, Clint was the only one who shot a duck.

That afternoon - they were off on for the hunt!

They crossed a lot of country during this pig hunt.

In the end, it was a successful hunt.  A huge thank you to Robert Staton and his family!

I love the time that the Watson men got to spend together on this new adventure and I love that they are such great examples for my son.  We are so blessed by our families!