Little tidbits of my life

About My Day Filled with GOOD Friends and RVs!!!

10:31, Saturday, February 23, 2008 .. Posted in Prayers .. 2 comments .. Link

I just had a super-wonderful day. I spent it with my super-good friend Ronelle. I met Ronelle when I was about age 5 in Vacation Bible School. We became fast friends and enjoyed VBS every summer growing up. When I was in 7th grade, I was transferred to a new school due to zoning issues. I did not know ANYONE there EXCEPT Ronelle. She really helped me to settle into the new school. We've been friends ever since! We are both now 34 years old. Ronelle was diagnosed with breast cancer last June and has been battling it ever since then. She had to have a double mastectomy and it was also in at least 3 lymph nodes (?), so 12 lymph nodes had to go. She has recently finished chemo and is at the halfway point of 32 radiation treatments. I have witnessed her grow spiritually by leaps and bounds. A webpage is set up for her to tell her journey and to receive support from everyone. If you would like to read more about her journey and let her know you are praying for her (and I would LOVE for you to support her with encouraging words, we are all SISTERS in Christ), the website is below:

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/ronellestokes

At the same time she was first diagnosed, I was battling this horrible strain of staph that has been going around. The tests showed positive that it was this worst strain that is so hard to get rid of. It was in the right side of my face and nose, half of my face looked like the beast from that old show Beauty and the Beast (I never watched it, but I once crushed my nose in a wreck and my sisters called me "the Beast" b/c of all the tape on my face after the surgery...we were obviously youngsters at the time...so I knew well what he looked like). I had a HORRIBLE time getting rid of it b/c I am allergic to antibiotics made from sulfa, which is the #1 preferred drug to kill it...SO ANYWAY, Ronelle's doctors told her specifically to stay away from anyone who is even suspected of having this staph.

I said ALL that to say I FINALLY got to spend the day w/her TODAY!!! It's the first time I got to see her since JUNE!!! I knew for sure I was infection-free b/c I had to have bloodwork a couple weeks ago to make sure a sinus infection was "dead" as my doctor called it, so I was no longer BANNED from getting to visit her. I had visited the Bath and Body Works outlet in January on our church's annual Women's Retreat and bought several wonderful products on clearance for her so she could really pamper herself and take time to relax...and I bought the little pink rubber ducky for her, too since proceeds were for breast cancer research. I am a VERY thrifty shopper, so I was AMAZED at how much I was able to get for her for VERY LITTLE money....anyway, she looked really good. Please PRAY for her b/c her left arm is swelling really bad from lymphodema, I think they call it...basically b/c the lymph nodes are gone, her body is having trouble moving that fluid through that part of her body, so it's swelling...her hair is starting to come back and it's so THICK!!! She has been kinda' irritated w/the shortness b/c she thinks she looks like the spitting image of her little BROTHER! lol. Her husband said he felt a little odd the first night they went to bed after she had it all cut off b/c of the similarity. We all had a good laugh. I assured her, though that she looks like Ronelle, not Ron (her brother's name). I got to tease her a little b/c it's coming back w/quite a bit of gray. I normally wouldnt tease like this, but I am EXACTLY 2 weeks older than her and EVERY year, I get a birthday card reflecting on HOW MUCH OLDER I am compared to her...lol

We went to eat at a fairly inexpensive Japanese Restaurant Sho-Gun, then we went to the Chattanooga Trade Center for an RV show. I haven't been to a step aerobics class in years, and today I remembered why!!! lol. We had so much fun, though. After that, we went to Krispy Kreme Doughnuts because the HOT sign was flashing!!! lol...and then we went to Target before finally parting ways. WHEW AM I TIRED!!! I felt like I was an "old fogie" when I looked at her clock in her car and said "I haven't been out this late in years!" It was ONLY 8 pm!!! lol We had so much fun, though and it was just wonderful to get to see her and know for myself that she is on the mend.

A SIDENOTE ABOUT THE RV SHOW:

I called my hubby while at the RV show and let him know I found an ideal camper for us. I told him I thought it would be great if we sold our house and bought one b/c he works out of town alot anyway and we spend so much money on hotels. I am always home alone when he works these jobs, so this way I could just stay with him ALL the time. We could really use some time together like this, too. PLUS I found a camper that had a little ramp that pulled down so that instead of using the bunk beds, we could put a motorcycle INSIDE it!!! This would really be perfect b/c of the price of gas! His motorcycle gets over 50 mpg!!! ANOTHER BONUS. WELL that was all he had to hear. He's ready to pack up and go work out of town again! lol. We are going to talk about it more and I want to pray about it before making final decisions, but tentatively, we could sell our home. We have a large pre-fabricated home, about 2,200 sq ft, so we would need to check w/the manufacturer to see if they suggest moving it once onsite, or if that would be too much on the home. It would be great if we could, though b/c we want to keep our 2 acres for later. ANYWAY, it's been something I've been researching for months online, but had never went to look at them till today, so OBVIOUSLY, I'm bubbling over w/excitement and just had to share the latest w/my newfound friends!

I plan to post another blog to introduce you to my family soon...until then, have a BLESSED sunday!

Love in Christ,

Teresa