Best Christmas Ever

Hello Loved Ones,
The family has decided that this was our "Best Christmas Ever"... God was so Merciful & Gracious to us.
We were all thankful that "I was alive and here to Celebrate Jesus Birthday with the Family". We were also grateful for the strength God gave me to prepare a Christmas Dinner for the family.
For the Love & Joy we shared with each other and some of you, It was really good.

Now, for health issues. On Wednesday (12/26) I had my last radiation treatment to the brain. Now the doctors feel that I need to rest for a few weeks, and then we will go for the next plan towards healing.
Today was a real treat to just be home and not have to go anywhere.

So let's just all relax, continue to pray that God in His Timing will heal me of this cancer once and for all. (3 Jn.2). That I will give Him All the Glory Honor and Praise.

Have a Wonderful New Year.
From our Family to Yours,

Oraletta (Ps. 121)

What a difference "A Day Makes"

Hello Loved Ones,
Last evening we had a wonderful time at Dante's on Rockside with the Parkside Staff for their Christmas Party. I was so glad to be there and had such a wonderful time.

The treatments at Cleveland Clinic are going well. The right hip will only be this week. The brain will be finished on Dec. 26th. I did receive the IV medication on Monday to strengthen the bones. So it seems that things are going well.
However, in just the matter of a day, MY ENERGY LEVEL HAS DROPPED BEYOND RECOGNITION.

When I first started treatment they gave me written instructions of "ALL THE THINGS TO EXPECT". Well I put the paper's to the side and I would read as I needed to know. There is a sheet on "Cancer-Related Fatigue (CRF). This is what it says.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FATIGUE AND TIREDNESS?
Fatigue is often confused with tiredness. Tiredness happens to everyone. It is an expected feeling after certain activities or at the end of the day. Usually, you know why you are tired, and a good night's sleep solves the problem.
Fatigue is a daily lack of energy; an unusual or excesive whole-body tiredness not relieved by sleep. It can be acute (lasting a month or less) or chronic (lasting for one month to six months or longer). Fatigue can prevent a person from functioning normally and affect a person's quality of life.

WHAT IS CANCER-RELATED FATIGUE?
Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is one of the most common side effects of cancer and its treatment. It is not predictable by tumor type, treatment, or stage of illness. Usually, it comes on suddenly, does not result from activity or exertion, and is not relieved by rest or sleep. It is often described as "paralyzing." It might continue even after treatment is complete.

WHAT CAUSES CRF? The exact reason for CRF is unknown.

So now you have a lesson on CRF. That is where I am today.

Now, for one more item of interest, and then I am going to go lay down.

Yesterday I had to pick up the phone and renew my cell phone contract that will be expiring on Jan. 4th. So I did. The one thing I wanted to make sure that I kept was the "FREE INCOMING CALLS"... Well it was explained to me that "I NEVER HAD FREE INCOMING CALLS ON MY CELL PHONE". ONLY FROM THE VERIZON CUSTOMERS. I ALMOST FELL OFF MY CHAIR. I'VE NEVER HAD TO PAY EXTRA FOR MY CELL PHONE CALLS. The gentleman explained to me that it is because I am not an abusive cell phone user. I always have minutes left over every month. So yes, I have not had to pay for the calls.
So, we are back to the basic. You can still call me on my cell phone if you wish (216) 570-1285, OR YOU CAN CALL ME ON THE HOUSE PHONE (440) 708-0122. I DO WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU. I get such encouragement from talking to you all.

Loving Each of You with the Love of Jesus,

Oraletta (for us both)
Isa. 41:10

Update for Dec.14th.

Hello Everyone,
I really wish two things:
(1) THAT I WAS A COMPUTER WIZ LIKE SOME OF YOU. THIS IS A WONDERFUL TOOL WHEN YOU KNOW HOW TO USE IT. "I really do struggle". However, I at least get the message out.

(2) I WISH I WAS A GREAT WRITER LIKE SOME OF YOU. I received the Testimony of "Tony Snow" from some friends. He said just what I would like to say in such a wonderful way. Praise God for His Testimony & Strong Faith in Jesus.

Before I forget to tell you this. If any of you have a reason to call me via phone, PLEASE CALL ME AT THIS NUMBER (216) 570-1285. It is my cell phone, and usually in my pocket. I only turn it off in Church & when I am in meeting's or appt.'s at the Clinic. I HAVE FREE INCOMING CALLS.
The house phone is just not good for me, " I have to get to it". I don't always have it with me.

NOW FOR HEALTH ISSUES.
On Dec. 14th. I had my 10 min. radiation treatment to the brain. Then we had what is called "Clinic Day". Once a week you talk with your doctor ( you can always call on other days if you have questions), but on Clinic Day he comes and sit's with you and family and discuss the situation.
We took the MRI films from Thurs. (12/13) of the right hip and femur. There is cancer , but the good thing is that the bones are in far condition. So I had markings on my right hip and we will start radiation to the right hip on Monday (12/17)...I WILL REALLY BE GLOWING FOR CHRISTMAS.
On Monday I will also get the IV medication called "Zometa" IV to help strengthen the bones. I will get this treatment once a month. We ( my daughter & I) will arrive at the Clinic downtown at 7:45am.

Okay Dear Ones, I think that is enough for now. My oldest Grandson Thomas ( the wrestler) came home last night from Kent State. He had to wrestle this morning. Then his parents will probably share the news with him. I pray that his young tender heart will take things well.

I am persevering "Victoriously" in My Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. (Isa. 41:10)

LOVE YOU ALL,

Oraletta

We are making progress.

Hello Dear Ones,
With God's Faithfulness, His Perfect Planing & Timing in All Things,
and with your gracious prayers (2Cor.1:11),
and the wonderful Medical Team, we made it through another day.

This morning at 9:00am Roosevelt dropped me off at the door that I go in at Cleveland Clinic downtown for the "radiation to brain". Then he went to MacDonald's and got coffee & egg MacMuffin ( sounds so good).
At 9:19am I was downstairs in the lobby calling him on the cell phone saying, " I'm finished".

We drove home, stopped and did a couple errands, had lunch.

At 12:40pm he drove me to Cleveland Clinic Star Imaging in Twinsburg ( a very short trip from our house), and at 1:05 I was on the MRI "hard table". I got off at 3:55pm. This time I did not take a break. I just wanted to get it over with. The last 15 mins. were the worse. The table just kept getting harder.

One thing I learned from my Dear Doctor, Steven Andresen. That is to take a pain pill before you go for the MRI. That way you will relax and sleep through most of it, and I did. You just have to LEARN HOW TO GET THROUGH THESE VARIOUS TEST with as much ease as possible.

So now, tomorrow, we will ONLY GO TO THE CLINIC DOWNTOWN FOR THE "Brain Radiation" which is very quick.

I hate to cut thing so short, however I was told to get as much rest as possible, so I am going to wrap things up here and just go lay down and read. I LOVE ALL OF YOU WITH THE LOVE OF JESUS.
Thanks for ALL THE PRAYERS, CARDS, CALLS , JUST EVERYTHING.

Oraletta (for us both)
With God we will gain the victory, (Ps.108: 13a)

Update

Hello Everyone,
Things are happening so fast with me that I must try to keep up with this blog or I will really get far behind.
So I will try and make it brief, but informative so you will know what's going on and what to pray for.

Yesterday at 5:55pm (12/11/07) I had an MRI done of the spine. It lasted about 3hrs. and twenty mins. The first session was 80 minutes straight. That is a long time to be in this little cage over your face, and chest and don't move. Then they slide you into this tunnel. I was able to listen to classical music and and pray & relax so that was good. Even over all the noise of the MRI. The doctor's told me today that the spine does have cancer, but nothing that is threating so we will treat a little later. Not certain how just yet. A LOT OF THINGS WE JUST HAVE TO WAIT FOR ANSWERS.
THANKS FOR PRAYING.

Tomorrow ( 12/13/07) I will have another MRI of the right hip & femur at 12:40pm. It will probably be about 3hrs. also.

Now I need to back up a little. There is something I did not share with you because Roosevelt was having such a hard time with it , and still is. However, he talked to a person that has been treated for the same problem, and he sees how well this person is doing. So now he is a little better, however he is not talking too much about it. Here is the situation.
ON DEC. 7th. I HAD AN MRI OF THE BRAIN, AND YES IT DID SHOW CANCER. THIS REALLY DID KNOCK THE FAMILY FOR A LOOP. I am okay, because the doctor's were aware that this could happen.. I've been under close observation ever since they told me I was in remission back in February from the lung cancer. So today I had my first radiation treatment of the brain. It will only be two weeks of radiation to the brain. So keep praying, and just let Dear Roosevelt not have to answer questions. He just does not want to talk about it, BUT HE KNOWS THAT YOU LOVE US, AND WE NEED YOUR PRAYERS.

I have found Great Comfort in the little booklet: " My Times are in His Hands" (Ps.31: 15).

Whatver you do Dear Ones, don't lose heart. Continue to put ALL OF YOUR TRUST IN THE LORD JESUS. He Loves each of us, and He has a perfect plan for each of us. Let's just continue to Praise His Holy Name, and pray for one another, and above all Love One Another.

Your Sister in Christ,

Oraletta

Continued Journey

Hello Dear Ones,
The other day a dear friend sent me an e-mail of encourgement. She ended it with this reminder:
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty & well perserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming... "WOW! WHAT A RIDE!"

I'm sure that once I arrive at the gravesite this is really what I will be proclaiming! I just hope & pray that the Lord Jesus will be saying..."WELL DONE MY GOOD & FAITHFUL SERVANT".

I say all of this to say, my tests today showed that the cancer is back. This time in the bones in various places. So we are back to the journey again of "fighting cancer with PRAYER" (WHAT BETTER WAY).

I really felt so bad for my family. Roosevelt is just " fit to be tired" ( he is so down). Please pray for him.
The kid's are overwhelmed, but praying.
My doctor even had a rough time today with the not so good report.

As of today I am on Vicadon every six hrs. and advil in between to control the pain. Friday there will be more testing. I will give you an update after that. However, remember we are going out to have fun with friends on Friday night, and dessert & coffee. I am really looking forward to that.
So let's remember! even though it may seem like Midnight! Let's just keep Praising the Lord Jesus for He is Worthy to be Praised.

Loving Each of You,

Oraletta " Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am faint; O Lord, heal me, for my bones are in agony. (Ps. 6:2)