An update and a request for continued prayers from and for a fellow FReeper

Zacs Mom

[Zacs Mom]

Dear FRiends ~ First of all I want to thank all of you for your prayers and support! It means the world to both my husband and my self. Next, I want apologize for not posting this update sooner, but yesterday was a very long day and as pooped as I have been, frankly, getting online was not high on my priorities last night and this morning. After a lot of rest and TLC from husband, I'm feeling stronger this afternoon, though, so here is the latest that we know ...

My consolation with the doctors yesterday proved to be more puzzling than I anticipated. Once again the doctors are saying they are not sure what we are dealing with. The PET-scan came back showing "positive" in all of the mass areas ~ including the areas areas that had been biopsies and came back as negative. This is not what the doctors expected. Obviously something is going on and they are very concerned, but what we are dealing with exactly is still a mystery.

They all had a real strong sense of urgency and want to go in and remove all of the masses from my lungs, which probably removing the lower lobe of the right lung completely. They want to do this ASAP but are concerned that since my blood level is still so low that I may actually still be bleeding internally in an area that wasn't seen with the initial surgery last month. So they they did another blood work-up and are doing a consultation with the the surgeon who performed that procedure and will decide, with him, what if anything needs to be done about that before we do the mass removal surgery. But we went ahead and did all the pre-op lab work at the hospital yesterday before I left.

So there you have it. I am kind of expecting a call either this evening or tomorrow setting up the surgery. I definitely got the feeling the "sooner the better" was the time frame they were working within, so I'm guessing I'll be back in the hospital fairly quickly. At least this time I won't have to be taken there in an ambulance! lol

As I was leaving the hospital I saw a bright shiny penny laying just outside the door and my heart immediately felt lighter!! I have some really special thoughts on "found pennies" which I'd love to share with y'all:

[Zacs Mom]

 
 

We've all heard the usual stories of pennies on the sidewalk.

Some say found pennies bring good luck.

I'm certainly old enough to remember everyone wearing 'penny loafers'  ~

the shoes specifically designed with a little compartment so you could
carry a good luck penny right on the top of each shoe.
 
 
 

I also remember the taunt often sung out by children when
one of their pals got excited over finding a penny:
 
 

 
 
 

Of course, when I was a kid, finding a penny pretty much did make you rich ~
that shiny little penny bought a really nice candy treat at the little corner
Mom & Pop store.  So, as a kid,  whenever I heard that silly little verse sung
I suspected it was sung more out of envy than anything else.
 
 

 
 
 
 

I've always like to think of a found penny as a message from my guardian angel.
When I see a penny on the ground it is a reminder from my angel to have faith and
to know she is nearby ~ to stop worrying and start counting my blessings.

So, whenever my eye catches sight of a penny laying on the ground,
I always pause for a moment to consider my faith, to think about what
is troubling me at that moment and to consciously remember what a gift life is.

The way I see it, we are each given a certain amount of time and energy to spend in
this life and it is up to each of us to decide just how we want to spend our time and
energy. Conscious of it or not, that is exactly what we are all doing each and every
moment of each and every day ~ spending our allotted time and energy.
 

I've come to realize that, like it or not, we have very little control over anything in
this world. That, while our actions may 'influence' outcomes,
it is delusional to believe we 'control' them.
 

When born in a free nation
people are giving the opportunity to receive one of God's greatest blessings ~
'free will' or control over how they spend their life's allotted time and energy.
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 

I recently heard the follow story which touched my heart
and made me want to share it with others.
 

---

 
 

"Several years ago, a friend of mine and her husband were invited to spend the
weekend at the husband's employer's home. My friend, Arlene, was nervous
about the weekend. The boss was very wealthy, with a fine home on the
waterway and cars costing more than her house.
 

The first day and evening went well, and Arlene was delighted to have this rare
glimpse into how the very wealthy live. The husband's employer was quite generous
as a host, and took them to the finest restaurants. Arlene knew she would never have the
opportunity to indulge in this kind of extravagance again, so was enjoying herself immensely.
 

As the three of them were about to enter an exclusive restaurant one evening,
the boss was walking slightly ahead of Arlene and her husband. He stopped suddenly,
looking down on the pavement for a long, silent moment.
 

Arlene wondered if she was supposed to pass him. There was nothing on the ground
except a single darkened penny that someone had dropped, and a few cigarette butts.
Still silent, the man reached down and picked up the penny.
 

He held it up and smiled, then put it in his pocket as if he had found a great treasure.
 

"How absurd!" Arlene thought.  "What need does this man have for a single penny?
Why would he take the time to stop and pick it up?"
 

Throughout dinner, the entire scene nagged at her. Finally, she could stand it no longer.
She causally mentioned that her daughter once had a coin collection, and
asked if the penny he had found had been of some value.
 

A smile crept across the man's face as he reached into his pocket for the penny
and held it out for her to see. She had seen many pennies before!
 

"What was the point of this?" she wondered.
 

"Look at it." he said. "Read what it says."
 

She read the words "United States of America."
 

"No, not that; read further."
 

"One cent?"
 

"No, keep reading."
 

"In God we Trust?"
 

"Yes!"
 

"And?"
 

"And if I trust in God, the name of God is holy, even on a coin.
Whenever I find a coin I see that inscription. It is written on every single United
States coin, but we never seem to notice it! God drops a message right in front of
me telling me to trust Him?   Who am I to pass it by?   When I see a coin,
I pray, I stop to see if my trust IS in God at that moment.
 

I pick the coin up as a response to God; that I do trust in Him. For a short time, at least,
I cherish it as if it were gold. I think it is God's way of starting a conversation with me.
Lucky for me, God is patient and pennies are plentiful!"
 
 

When I was out shopping today, I found a penny on the sidewalk.
I stopped and picked it up, and realized that I had been worrying and fretting in my mind
about things I cannot change. I read the words, "In God We Trust," and had to laugh.
 

Yes, God, I get the message.
 

It seems that I have been finding an inordinate
number of pennies in the last few months,
but then, pennies are plentiful!
 

And, God is patient..."
 
 

 

 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 
  Thank you all for "spending" some of your time and energy in sending prayers and good thoughts my way!!

And thank you all for "spending" some of your time with me here today!

[Zacs Mom]

"Just to keep you posted" ping

[Auntbee]

Thanks for the update. Continued prayers.

[knittnmom]

Thanks for the update and the "pennies".

May God continue to hold you and your family in the palm of his hand.

[Smokin' Joe]

More prayers up for your strength and healing, your family as well and for guidance for your physicians from Him who healed the sick and made the blind to see. God Bless.

[EX52D]

Continued prayers to you Zacs Mom.

[Zacs Mom]

OOPS! I forgot to include the link to Sinatra sing "Pennies From Heaven" .... here it is:

"Pennies From Heaven"
(The song will open on a seperate page)

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Continuing my prayers

[Fawnn]

Thank you for the update (and the penny stuff).

Prayers continue....

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[El Gran Salseron]

Prayers for someone a lot more courageous than I. I would be a basket case and would not be able to even think about computers.

[Awestruck]

Don't worry about keeping us posted.. you worry about keeping YOU happy and strong! Sending many hugs, much love, prayers, and best wishes for healing and strength! You are in my thoughts every day, especially when I encounter what seems like a difficult situation, I count my blessings instead and pray for you.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

May you find the guidance and grace you need during this time, and may the angels watch your step each point of the way, until you arrive exactly where God wants you to be.


You are and will be in my prayers.

[DrewsDad]

Thanks for the penny lesson. I always though my wife was silly for picking up pennies.

Still prayin' for ya.

God is still in control.

[MotleyGirl70]

After a lot of rest and TLC from husband, I'm feeling stronger this afternoon, though, so here is the latest that we know ...

Good to hear you are feeling stronger this afternoon.

Continued prayers for you ZM :) *Hugs*

[TASMANIANRED]

The longest 1st comment ever... Hugs.

Prayers offered.

Get well soon, we need you.

[pissant]

God has given you a great life to date. And I pray he gives you many more years of health and happiness and freeping.

[beachn4fun]

Continued prayers. Just a thought.....could it be sarcoidosis? I found info here.

[PilloryHillary]

Thanks for the update. Continued prayers for your comfort, strength and recovery.