Psalm 42:7-12 New International Version (NIV) 7 Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. 8 By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life. 9 I say to God my Rock, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?” 10 My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, “Where is your God?” 11 Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

This is how I feel lately.  Life is a roller coaster ride.  I can be so up and positive one day, then down in the dumps the next.
This mostly has to do with how I feel physically, but also how I look.  I can't really explain  it  very well, I'm not vain, but the effects of this cancer and treatment on my body, outwardly , is shocking.  Especially lately.
I won't list my complaints or the things that are ailing me, I am just asking for prayer for strength.  Something about listing things makes me feel ungrateful, but asking for your prayers, and the Lord knowing what I need seems right.
My heart is aching for my family that have  to listen to me complain or see me cry. PLease lift them up also.
I  am on a chemo right now that is oral, so no trips to infusion room.  PET and CAT scans in a month to see how things are going.  My cancer reacts well to chemo so I am thinking things will be ok, but the thought of always staying on chemo is quite difficult.

On a happier note, my kids seem to be adjusting back in school well.  Sarah Jane started middle school, and is going to play the trombone in the school band, how cute!  Charlie is in 11th grade and hopefully will take this year a bit more seriously, he is also in band and loves it, and Jimmy started college classes at BCC.  My sweet husband is a steady as they come.  He's such a good man, taking care of everything.  I love him so much. Best move I ever made, marrying him.
That's all for now.
Love Joann

Doin' Well

Finally a post to say I am doing well. Breathing better, on a new chemo that is hopefully kicking cancer butt, and eating more.
 A bit of drama this month in the House of Rootsey, but we are all staying tight. (whatever that means, it sounds cool, right) Kiddos, minus one back to school and doing well, I think. Oldest kid, sleeping a lot, but starts college classes soon. That will be interesting.

Me=Tired of feeling down. Trying to always look up.

Well, I had another prayer time that I was hesitant to write about. I did not know how to phrase it.
Just going to ramble and hopefully make a point.

I was in the shower having some prayer time. A bit overwhelmed. I have been studying (listening to on Audible)1st and 2nd Samuel and a bit of 1 Kings. There's an awful lot of tough stuff to understand. I'll admit, it's hard to make sense of. All of the death and judgement, sacrifices and warfare. Heavy stuff.
During prayer, I felt so overwhelmed and discouraged. I was thinking God was pretty mean and angry.

I think it was not too long after the shooting in Colorado. I didn't know how to pray. Just tears. Emotions were a little piled up.
God can be so hard to understand, but then the Lord's rebuke to Job came to mind.
  “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand".
Nope, don't understand.
I stopped whining. Well, I stopped whining for a bit.
But, "I am The Lord's beloved, so why so much struggling?Whaa-whaa".
Then a "Shush", (seriously, am I weird? These conversations happen in my shower!)

 I starting thinking about what I would look like standing before him. Humble, meek, but healthy and restored. Then I started to see a crown, and picturing it beautiful and sparkling. I thought,
 "How awesome to stand before you, Savior, with this crown and be able to take it off and place it at your feet. You deserve a much larger crown, Lord. Let me lay a bigger one down."
No answer, just a feeling that I need to think about what He laid down for me.
For a moment, just a moment, I thought, "I really would love to lay a bigger crown at your feet", "but wait, wait, I don't think I can go any bigger...forget I said that, God., this one is a good."
  My Grace is sufficient, My Grace is sufficient.
That's all that went through my mind. Whatever the size of my crown, or the length of this trial,or
questions I have about His judgement, He is sufficient, and He is always just, and He is Oh so mighty.
I still have doubts, fear, and questions, but I also know that promise is true.
His sufficiency.
I'm trying to wind this up poetically, or make a big point.
It's not coming to me, so I will just end it with this bit of Scripture

Job 42 Then Job replied to the Lord: 2 “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.



Good night. I will try to remember what I have learned. PLease let me know what you think of my ramblings. Good or bad. It's all good. Here's a cute video for you, just to lighten things up.

Love, Joann

Back To School!

Next week, two kiddos head back to school.

The other to start his AA.  Wow, it's been a tough 8 months for us but I am doing ok.  Kids and husband are doing terrific.  I'm on a new regimen of Tykerb and Xeloda.  We will see how that works in a month or so..praying
I've got a fair amount of neuropathy in one hand and both feet.  It's very irritating, especially when trying to fill out all those registration forms for kids.  ARRGGH.  I was also diagnosed with a pretty severe form of asthma, which the pulmonologist says I have probably had all along, just got used to breathing difficulties.
Brighter days are coming!  I know it!
I'm looking forward to settling into a schedule again, as I am not an early riser, and we all need a bit of structure.
Short Post.
Learning from the Lord as always, but very tired of this.   Learning to surrender, but so hard to let go of control.

Love you,
Joann

PS. This is the first selection that I have ever read from AW Tozer. I wish I wrote this! How perfectly stated and wonderfully beautiful.

Father, I want to know Thee, but my coward heart fears to give up its toys. I cannot part with them without inward bleeding, and I do not try to hide from Thee the terror of the parting. I come trembling, but I do come. Please root from my heart all those things which I have cherished so long and which have become a very part of my living self, so that Thou mayest enter and dwell there without a rival. Then shalt Thou make the place of Thy feet glorious. Then shall my heart have no need of the sun to shine in it, for Thyself wilt be the light of it, and there shall be no night there. In Jesus Name, Amen. 

A. W. Tozer
The Works Of A. W. Tozer 

Too Heavy a Load for Me

Matthew 11:28-30

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

²⁸ “ Come to Me, all ^[a]who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For My yoke is^[b]easy and My burden is light.”

It's been a while since I have updated this blog.  I had a wonderful vacation to Maine with my husband and kids to attend a family wedding, and relax at my Mom's home in the mountains.  It was terrific.  I will post some pics when Rick gets them edited.
This post's title has to do with how I'm feeling.
I have to admit that I can smile and tell you things are fine, because I don't want to worry people or make anyone feel like I can't handle what is happening. I can give you some scripture, tell you what neat things God is doing in my life and hope to encourage you with a struggle you might be going through.  The truth is, I am tired, and worn out and sad.  After a tough week of struggling to breath and calm down after panic attacks, and a good talk with my Mother in law, I now am beginning to  understand that I can't carry this load.  All of my intentions are pure.  I'm not trying to lead any one astray or fool them, or try to make myself look like I am resilient.  I just want to make God look good.
I can't do that, and He doesn't need my help anyway. Truth is, I'm relieved.
Jesus says His burden is light. Mine is not.  He wants to take it from me, but for some reason I cannot hand it over to Him and just have peace.
I've read some pretty hurtful things bout people who are ill, lately.  That they can bring it about themselves, not have enough faith to be healed, identify themselves by their illness, or that they just enjoy the attention.  Hurtful and sad. Let me tell you, I might identify with this cancer, it is a part of my life's story, but I don't believe it is the big thing in my life.  Had to get that out.  Thanks, it was hurting.
Anyway, things are moving along.  I'm done with Abraxane(Good night, Irene, as my Dad used to say) and hopefully moving onto another targeted therapy for HEr2NEU cancer, that is an oral medication.  My big struggle has been breathing so I appreciate your prayers for stronger lungs.  My dear husband tries to get me out for a walk every night, God Bless his pea picking heart!
Children are all fine, and amazingly helpful and supportive, as far as teenagers can be.
GEE, I don't really have anything to report.
I feel pretty crappy (pardon), I'm tired, can't breath, and can't feel my feet or one hand, but if that's the worst of it, I shall soldier on.
I do have a pretty bad attitude lately, and emotions are all over the place like this post.
One thing I talked about with Rick's Mom was that I cannot fix this, and that I have to stop trying to carry it all on my back.  It's hard because I am very worried and frightened and am struggling to let God            take it off my shoulders.  Betty told me a good way to start was to ask Him to take it for 15 minutes, then when things come barreling back at me, to ask Him to take it for 15 more minutes.  I don't doubt He will.  He is there, He loves me, He created me, He is never going to leave me, and He will walk me through this.  I'm trying to learn how to handle things and I so appreciate your love and prayers.
No real deep thoughts just opening my heart up.  I'm tired.

I do not know what lies ahead

I do not know what lies ahead

1
I do not know what lies ahead,
the way I cannot see;
yet One stands near to be my guide,
He’ll show the way to me:

I know who holds the future,
and He’ll guide me with His hand;
with God things don’t just happen,
everything by Him is planned.
So as I face tomorrow,
with its problems large and small,
I’ll trust the God of miracles,
give to Him my all.

2
I do not know how many days
of life are mine to spend;
but One who knows and cares for me
will keep me to the end:

I know who holds the future, ...

3
I do not know the course ahead,
what joys and griefs are there;
but One is near who fully knows,
I’ll trust His loving care:

I know who holds the future, ...
Alfred B Smith & Eugene Clarke; 1947 Singspiration/MPI
MP269

You turn my Morning into Praise(not a grammatical error)

Psalm 30:11

King James Version (KJV)

¹¹ Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;
Let me explain.
This morning when I finally got up out of bed, and made the rounds to the kids room to check on them, seeing who was still asleep and who was playing video games, I figured now was as  good a time as any to get in the shower.  Believe me, I can put it off for hours.
I have had a bad couple of days physically and emotionally.  I'll tell you about that later.
Into the shower I go.  Hot water feels so good on my achy joints and I also like to pray in there.  Something about the water.  Well, there was a lot to pray about.  Selfishly, I will admit, I was topping the list. Everything hit my brain at once; pain, worry, fear, sadness, anger...everything.  Thinking to myself " I hate how I feel and my circumstances".  I was ready to give the Lord my laundry list.  Then all of sudden I starting singing the Great Doxology.  "Praise God from whom all blessings flow, praise Him all creatures here below".  For the briefest moment I thought, "where the heck did that come from?".  "Joann, it's the Holy Spirit singing praises, since you are not able too."
I am sooo not kidding you!
I have to sit on a little seat in my shower because I get wobbly, and I take long hot showers.  You know showers are not as much fun when there is no hair to lather.  But still, I usually drain the hot water heater. But I digress.
I continued to sing, which was cool, on one hand because my voice is so scratchy I haven't been able to sing for a while, I just mouth the words; and on the other hand, it sounded pretty good in the shower.    In all honesty, I think I'm tone deaf on my Mother's side. Don't tell her.
Tears were pouring and I just sat there with the Holy Spirit, that the Lord has placed in my soul when I gave my life to Jesus, singing away
Now, I realize if you are not a believer in Christ and His atonement on the cross for our sins, you may think I'm crazy or weird, that's ok.  It all makes sense when you open your heart to the Lord, read His word, and accept it.  It's not hard, but it can be if you make your heart hard towards Him.
I believe the Bible is the Word of God.  The Old Testament God is the same one as the New Testament God. It all fits together
People in the Old Testament atoned for their sins through the blood of a perfect animal, but it didn't last. It didn't erase the sin, it only covered them.  To be in the presence of Almighty God, you have to be sinless and we are not, not matter who you are, sorry.Wake up!
God really didn't like the blood of all these animals, He found no joy, but He was preparing a way to atone for the sins of all of us, once and for all.  Past, present and future.  Just because you say you are a Christian does not imply that you think you are perfect, we all still sin and have that sin nature and are so far from perfect.  The difference is we admit we are sinners, accept Christ's sacrifice and live a new life, following Him.  He paid for it all on the cross through His death and resurrection. His Grace is amazing. We are cleansed of our sins, and will be able to be in  the presence of the Lord, when He brings us home to be with Him.
God put on flesh and walked the Earth for thirty three years, blameless, sinless, perfect and spotless, more perfect than the animals could ever be that were sacrificed in the Temple.  He was God in flesh. He taught amazing truths. His birth was different. We are all born with a sin nature handed down through the first man, that's why Jesus did not have an earthly father.  Come on people, if He can create something out of nothing, He can easily have caused Jesus' mother to become pregnant without a man.  It takes faith to believe these things, for sure, but once you have faith, just ask for it, you can't deny the truth. Our God is three in one. Amazing and not that easy to understand, but it's true.
Long winded.
 My point was to tell you that I was so awestruck when the Holy Spirit, that was placed in me, began to sing in the midst of my sorrow and despair and pain.  He was placed in my heart, and He knows the groanings of my soul, and sang a song to praise the Lord, lift me up and relieve my sadness.
I forgot about my pain, drained the hot water again, and sang.  And I know it pleased my Lord.
Email me or respond to this blog if you have a question or if you disagree with me.  I am no Bible scholar, I only know what I know, but I can find out answers, I've got some good teachers.
I love you all.  I am still praying for my healing.  The last treatment of Abraxane was horrible.  Pain in every joint and incredible fatigue and discouragement have been my undoing this week.  Hands and feet are numb, and heart an lungs are very stressed.  I am going to a different Dr this week, in Orlando to see if I can receive a new drug called Pertusamaub(sp) that I can't get here.  My heart issues may exclude me from it, but I am praying my heart will surprise the Dr and I can get that drug.
I've thought a bit about..nope not going to talk about that yet.
I'm going to continue to be amazed by my experience today, love on my children, watch my back pool enclosure be destroyed ( addition going up) and remember to sing praises to The King of Kings.


Romans 8:23-27New International Version (NIV)23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

What's Up with That?

  I can not get that song out of my head.. I don't usually watch SNL but there is a skit where this fella sings "What's Up with That?"  and it always runs through my head when I look at my left eye.  The lid has been lower than the other one for a couple of months now.  My Dr. sent me to an opthomologist after sending me for an MRI to check and see that the cancer had not moved to my brain.  All is clear up there so far, only my fried ol' brain cells hanging on.
It turns out there is something called Horner's syndrome that can occur when people who have cancer in their lungs or nodes in the chest area.  Apparently the tumor can push on a nerve making the eyelid drop.   Weird! What is up with that?

Of course I got freaked out because when a Dr. should mention the word "lesion" or "tumor" I want to get the heck out of there. I got pretty upset. Once she realized there are tumors in my lung she put 2 and 2 together, but I still have to follow up with it. Perhaps a trip to Miami is in our future.
 Welcome news was received that my heart function rose from 22% to about 44%. No more Life Vest, (not that it was getting worn anyway).  That sucker got sent back via UPS a few days ago. So long and good-bye! It's a good sign my heart is getting stronger, but a little more energy to exercise would be great.  Soon...
My cardiologist seemed more relieved than me. God bless him.
 The 7th chemo treatment is scheduled for this Thursday and although it's a bitter thing,  I am thankful. It is painful and causes neuropathy in my hands and feet, so there has been a lot of dropping things and tripping a lot, but we can deal with it. I am not sure what Dr. S will prescribe after the 8th treatment but there is a new drug that is being released on June 8th that may help me. It's not the TDM1 drug that a petition was started for, but it is promising. There is a group on FB called Our Her2 struggle, and they have been raising awareness of the TDM1 treatment that is being slowed down in Congress. They are working so hard. God bless them,too.

Speaking of which, a letter from Congressman Bill Posey arrived in the mail today, and it didn't feel like it was a form letter. I wrote and emailed and called both offices, describing my situation  to try to help move things along. Anyway, it was a nice letter, and it made me feel quite happy and hopeful to get it. We shall see.
School is out and Sarah is at a little graduation party with a bunch of girls around the corner. I should really go over there to help, but she wore me out today shopping for an outfit for my niece's wedding in a few weeks (run on sentence). She does not like to wear anything but jeans, a t-shirt and sneakers, so it was very challenging to find a shirt and skirt. Now to figure out shoes.
I'm going through a series of the blues every so often,(a lot).and just have to repeat scripture, or when nothing comes to mind,  remember  the Lord is telling me how much He loves me and it calms me down. How blessed I am that He loves me so. My body and face are so different now, and when I walk by the mirror I forget what I look like.  It's a shock. It may sound shallow, and I don't think I've ever been very vain, but it's a real downer to look so ill and feel it. In the morning there is some talking myself into putting makeup on and trying to work with what I've got. I've lost a lot of weight, and with no breasts, and bald headed, scars in lots of unfortunate places, I look... not too terrific.  It's the enemy talking to me when I take a close look in the mirror and think, "sick and dried up", "wearing out", "go back to bed". Some days,  the enemy wins, but more often I listen to the Holy Spirit who says, "do it", " get moving". My husband and kids never blink an eye at my appearance,  except when I try too hard or wear my wig (which I love, but it creeps them out).
 I was reading about the Proverbs 31 woman, and boy do we all fall short of her, but remember that "charm is deceptive, beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised" At the end of the day, that's what I really want.
So, what up with that? What's up with the eye, and the flat chest and bald head and scars? Not much. My Lord is in control and He's not worried and He sees me already perfect like His Son. How wonderful.