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Sunday, November 15, 2020

The week that was

 Last week was not one of my better weeks.  I posted just a little about it on FB, and have had several of you reach out to ask if I'm ok.  And I am ok, but I so appreciate your concern and prayers.  Here's a little of what's been going on in my life.

I have a dear friend named Becky who I first met when she came to work as the business office manager at my facility.  A sweeter, more loving person, you would not find.  She was the most welcoming person as people came in and often came out to spend time with our residents.  I remember sitting with her and singing to a man who was dying.  That was just Becky.  We became even closer when she started to come to the ladies Bible studies at our church, and joined.  She was also a member of our small group at church. She was found to have thyroid cancer about 6 years ago, and they couldn't get it all.  It was very slow growing and was monitored regularly. She did well until early this summer when it began to grow aggresively in her esophagus.  She ended up with a feeding tube as she couldn't swallow, but was going through chemo and appeared to be improving.  Through all this she was just a joy and a blessing to all around her, and always testified to God's faithfulness.  Monday night I talked to her and she was having increased throat pain.  They had checked a few things, were going to draw labs and she was to see the Dr again.  However, God took her home early Tuesday morning.  I was saddened and shocked to get that call before I was even out of bed, since I had talked to her a few hours earlier.  I am sad for myself, her family and many friends, but am thankful she went quickly and I know she is rejoicing in the precense of the Lord!


Here's Becky - love that smile!


Here she is a few years ago with Alaina.  Alaina had made something for her and brought it to the facility.  The girls loved her too and called her Miss Becky.



As for me - on that same day, I had an appointment with the Dr.  I have been having a lot of joint pain; knees, hips, shoulders. Knee pain is not unsual for me, hip and shoulder pain is not something I've had, and it's been bad enough that I haven't been able to sleep in bed and it's hard to dress sometimes.
The Dr's initial thought was that it was an auto immune disease that flares up occasionally.  I had to go for blood work to confirm this.  But, when the labs came back, they point to rheumatoid arthritis.  I will be going to a specialist on the 30th.  In the meantime, they started me on Prednisone Friday and I am feeling some relief.


When I came home from that appointment, these beautiful flowers were waiting from our daughter Laura and family.  So pretty, so sweet!



To end the week, my Dad is having some covid sx.  We're praying he just has a bad cold, but a telephone visit is set up with possible testing.  He's 89 and has a lot of risks, so prayers for him are also appreicated.

So, it's been rough.  But, through it all, there is the knowledge that God is in control!  He has a plan, His plan is best, although it may not seem that way to me.  Isn't that a great comfort?


"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:8-9

28 comments:

Terra said...

Oh Mari, what a rough week that has been. To lose a dear friend who has such a joyful smile, and who fought cancer for years. Heart break. I hope your joint pains will find a successful treatment and that your dad is OK. This Covid isolation can magnify problems, I find. Happily you and I have faith in our heavenly Father Abba and know His love.

Terri said...

I love the picture of Becky. That is how I always remember her

Arlene G said...

Oh Mari, what a week....hugs to you. I need to send you a FB friend request so I can keep up better. One of my nursing school friends has had a rough week this week and has kept me concerned. Thankfully she is doing better this week. I know the RA club is not one you want to join but maybe Sandy can offer some encouragement as she has dealt with it for some time now. I hope you find relief from the pain.

Joyful said...

Hi Mari, I'm so sorry you've lost a dear friend and colleague. I'm grateful too that she did not suffer on and on and now she is rejoicing with our Lord. I pray for comfort for all of you who knew and loved her. I'm sorry to hear about your joint pain. I can surely relate to it. But I'm thankful we live in today's times where there are medicines and supports that can help us despite our great discomfort. I hope and pray you will find relief in the prednisone. I also pray your father gets over his symptoms soon. These are surely challenging times where Covid is concerned but God is indeed in control. Thankfully we can turn to him and he will give us comfort.

Ginny Hartzler said...

Oh my I am so sorry about all of this. You have posted a wonderful tribute to your dear friend, and shown bit about her and how much she helped people and loved God. Please keep us updated on your appointment with the specialist, and your dad. At one time, they thought I had Rheumatoid Arthritis, but after seeing the arthritis specialist, they found I did not.

Phoebes World said...

Oh Mari...What a week!. So Sorry for your loss
Will add you all to my prayer list...especially Dad and I pray that all will go well when you see the specialist
Hugs
Phoebe x

Susan said...

Hi Mari, I am so sorry to hear you lost your friend to cancer. My cousin has RA and ulcerative colitis so she has to take Humira injections. I hope your dad does not have Covid. I lost my dad 7 years ago and he was just 79. I will be keeping you in prayer. Sending you virtual hugs.{♥}

Sylvia said...

SO SO sorry about your friend Mari. She sounds such a special lady.
Do hope the Prednisone is helping the aches everywhere. It's so exhausting isn't it. May you have a brighter day today my friend.

LL Cool Joe said...

Mari that does sound like a tough week, I'm so sorry for the loss of your dear friend. Knowing she is now with our Lord and Saviour makes things a little easier to cope with.

I'm also sorry to hear about your health issues, and pray for you and your Dad.

May this week bring blessings.

Hootin Anni said...

With extreme heartfelt sympathies for your friend, Becky, I send you a virtual hug Mari. Prayers & best thoughts for your father & that you find relief for your arthritis. Keep happy, positive thoughts.

Linda said...

I am so so sorry for everything...keeping Becky's family in prayer. Keeping you in prayer as well...I see your crazy governor is back at it, sigh.

Susan~aredheadonthego said...

Mari, I’m so sorry about your friend . Beauty radiates from her soul in the pictures you posted. I am praying for you and your Dad. Your posts reflect endless energy and such positivity. Who knew you were suffering with pain? As for your Dad, he too is in my prayers. I just lost my 86 year old father and these old guys hold a special place in my heart. Keep the faith. That and the love of your beautiful family , not to mention the readers who love you from afar will support you.

Deb J. in Utah said...

Hi Mari - I haven't been on Facebook, so I did not know about your friend's passing or your joint pain/R.A.. I am so sorry. I will be praying for your and your family during this challenging time. Sending virtual hugs from UT.

Changes in the wind said...

What a difficult time. I will be praying for you and all the situations. So glad you are strong in your faith as it is what gets us through.

Laurel Wood said...

My deepest sympathy in the loss of your dear friend, Becky. I am praying for you and for your dad. Please update us as you ar able. ❤️ Mildred

Sparky said...

That is a rough week. So sorry. I'm so glad you know to hang onto God's promises through Jesus Christ our LORD. He gets us all through these tough times and beyond. Sending Christian love and prayers from Georgia. May the sun shine again for you soon. Blessings. xx

Doris said...

Oh, Mari, that's a lot. Sending prayers and lots of hugs your way ♥♥♥

Terri D said...

Mari, I am so sorry to learn of the loss of your dear friend. What a blessing that you were able to talk with her the night before she went home to the Lord. I am also sorry to learn of your pain and possibly rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis. Joe is also seeing a specialist (in January) concerning possible rheumatoid arthritis. I will be praying for you!! I will also lift prayers for your dad and hope it is not COVID. Do please keep us posted. Praying!

Debby said...

I'm sorry for your loss. It's hard to lose a friend.

Debi said...

Oh, Mari, I am so sorry that you are going through all of this. So glad you have your faith. Keeping you, your dad and Becky's family in my prayers. ((hugs))

Connie said...

So sorry for your loss Mari. Hopefully the Prednisone will be helping with your pain. I have a friend who is having problems with pain and has been put on Prednisone and is having very good results. I’m adding you to my prayers. Your dad too. Keep looking up!

Beth Cotell said...

Praying for peace for Becky's family and friends and for healing and health for you and your dad.

carrie@northwoods scrapbook said...

Oh Mari - sorry I'm so late catching up. My heart, my prayers and my love are with you. I know you were blessed to have Becky, but she was equally blessed to have you. And I have no doubt such an amazing woman is dancing all through heaven in pure bliss. I feel for your pain too. I have arthritis issues too. It hasn't been bad enough to do further testing yet, but they said in the future I may want to test to see if it's rheumatoid too.
Keep holding onto your abiding faith in Him. We all are now more than ever. Know you have a "neighbor" one state over that's here if I can ever help in any way. I'll add you and Becky's family to my prayers. Much love to you my Friend xoxo 🙏

Jenny the Pirate said...

It is a comfort indeed but still my heart breaks for Becky's family and friends who loved her so, and for your loss of that special friend, and for your pain and the news you may face. As I said recently on my blog, when the waves come higher and higher, it's good to remember that we know the One Who walks on water. "Be still my soul / The winds and waves still know / His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below." Praying for you. xoxo

Tracy dixon said...

I have Rheumatoid Arthritis. Have had it for 17 yrs. I was diagnosed when my youngest son was a yr old. It is manageable through medication or shots. Also diet and exercise which I stink at. Some people choose natural remedies. Mine is under control but some days can be harder than others. Do some reading and research of symptoms. You will probably have to be referred to a specialist after your blood work comes back. Hope all goes well and you get the help you need soon.

Kim said...

Mari, I've been trying to stay off the computer lately, being stuck at home, it can consume a lot of my time if I let it. So I missed several of your posts. I'm all caught up now, but I'm so sorry to hear about the goings on in your life. Your trip with your sisters sounds like it was good medicine. I'm so sorry for your loss and hoping you and your dad feel better...

Henny Penny said...

Mari, I'm late seeing this but just had to tell you how sorry I am for the loss of your friend...and hope you Dad is fine...and so sorry about the possibility of your having RA. What a week you had. Just looking at your friend Becky's smile says what kind of person she was.

Debi said...

Oh, Mari, I am so sorry for the loss of your friend, Becky. She sounds like a treasure. What a week you've had... I hope you are able to get some relief for your pain and I will keep your dad in my prayers that he just has a cold and will recover quickly. ((hugs))