No, not that whirlwind!

BOX SCORE




Element

Current

Std. Range

Trend

Hemoglobin

12.0

13-17

v

Platelets

53

140-375

v

ANC

1980

1800-8300

v

Bringing everything up to date, we did go to Ryanne's track meet (see What a Time..,) on Thursday. She was amazing. She posted a Personal Record (PR) in each of her four events, although her time in the hurdles was disqualified because she touched one of the hurdles with her hand. Still her time was her best ever. She also PRed (as they say around the track) in the 400 meter run, the 800 meter run and the discus. She even qualified to go to the district meet in the 800 and the discus. 

After the meet we went to son Patrick's home for a quiet birthday celebration for nine year old Megan. Mom and Dad and the two girls along with daughter-in-law Katie's parents (affectionately known jointly in the family as NanaPop) and Jill and I enjoyed take out Mexican food, and of course, the all important opening of gifts. Megan seemed really pleased with her new treasures. But best of all were lots of granddaughter hugs. We headed home with full tummies and full hearts. 

Friday, daughter Tara came for a visit. She stayed until Sunday, when she needed to head back to her home in Wilsonville, so she could teach her K-1 Sunday school class. It's always a joy to have her here. 

After Tara left we made a trip to Salem for my next lab tests. The results are in the Box Score. We are so thrilled with the results. Although the numbers are falling, my ANC, which is the key to the jailhouse door, so to speak, is still in the standard range. Accordingly, I contacted my brother Charlie, whom I haven't seen since 2018 to let him know we have a green light for a planned visit from him and his wife Bev. They will arrive from the Seattle area later today for a couple of days' visit. 

In the meantime, we were able, once again, to go to church in person. Usually, we attend the 9:00am service, but because of the trip to the lab, we attended the 10:30am  service. It was a powerful service, and we left feeling spiritually refreshed. We also got to see friends we don't see often because we go to opposite services. 

After the service, we chatted with Pastor Ben, and he invited us to come over in the afternoon for Sunday supper. We have been trying to find a time to break bread with Ben and his wife Jackie for a long time. We were honored to be included in this Sunday tradition they have of a family supper. The guests included Ben and Jackie's daughter and son-in-law as well as her father and the two of us. How can you beat grilled chicken with fresh asparagus, salad, bread and (wait for it) Dungeness crab/bacon Mac and Cheese? I'll tell you how. It's when this wonderful family assured us that we fit into their family dinner because we are considered family! 

So, our social whirlwind continues, thanks to my body responding positively to the chemotherapy. In the Book of Hosea (v8:7) the prophet warns people of Israel about their infidelity to God: "For they sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind." I'm not talking about that kind of whirlwind, though. This is a good whirlwind of renewing relationships with family and friends, filling up our hearts and filling up our spirits with the goodness of the Lord. 

Thank you Lord!

 

 

 

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