A Trip to the Zoo!! (Pics of Me) Many Gifts from God at the Zoo

God blessed us with so many gifts at the zoo. We saw many of God's miracles. We were there late in the day so I would not be in so much sun and thankfully the Franklin Park Zoo is mostly shaded. Late in the day the animals are very active. REally fun to watch the Lion roaring and high on the cliff. Saw it also close up and I could really see the way he looked at us and everything else the personification of Christ. (The Lion of Judah). Also, we got to watch the tigers fight and play and start their advances (a rare esperience).

An Exciting Moment!!! Peach Fuzz

An exciting moment. My hair is starting to grow back. Just noticed the little peach fuzz on my head on Monday night (Sept. 26) when getting ready for bed. This is really exciting and I am waiting in expectation to see how it comes back. Right now it looks very blond.

Now, almost a month later it still looks blond and is growing quite quickly. It is long enough to grab (1/4 of an inch). This is really exciting. Yes, Curt, God has answered your pray and my hair is growing back. Now we can thank Him for that. Thank you Lord.

Anxious to watch it in all of it's stages. Will it be curly and then remember it was straight and then straighten out? I hope it does not come back gray. I didn't have gray before. Looks like I might end up being a blond, at least for a bit. Waiting for my eye brows to start growing again too.

Are you ready to see me bald?

My little nephew prayers every night for Aunt Ruth's hair to grow back. For me I will only leave the house with my wig on. The other day a woman said in my buiding at work stopped me and said, "I have been meaning to tell you how much I like your new hair style." I told her that actually I do not hafe hair and it was a wig and I was goign through chemo therapy. She said she would never had known had I not said something. I thank God that I have had strenth and have looked so great.

Update after 7th Chemo Treatment

For various reasons I have not updated the blogspot since the end of July. You will see lots of new entries even though many are after the fact. Also, check the archives for ones sent previously. I have been having some problems uploading pictures but hope it will work as before and you can see some pics of me. www.ruths-journey.blogspot.com

Dear Friends,

I am getting ready for my eighth chemo treatment which is my final treatment. The 5th is the date of the final treatment. I have been ready for several weeks to be finished but have had to wait patiently. I must admit that is has in some ways gone very quickly and I am so thankful to God that I have not had the side effects that many have and my body has received the chemo quite well. I know that for other types of cancer the chemo is more intensive and for a much longer period of time. There have been many positive outcomes both physically, emotionally, lifestyle, mentally, spiritually, etc. I do feel strong. In God’s waiting room I am waiting for what He has for me after I recover. I feel that I am getting ready to start another new chapter and journey but not yet sure of the details or when.

Thanks for your prayers for me regarding the bumps on my arm. I had a great unexpected appointment with my Oncologist NP and we sorted out many things. She sent me for an ultrasound to rule out blood clot or problems with my veins. All was fine so I was able to have my chemo as planned. The bumps (inflammation) are still there but don’t hurt as much and interestingly enough are on the opposite side of the mastectomy.

During this appointment, I again reminded them that I have a reaction to Benadryl. My fifth and sixth treatments which are with Taxol they give Benadryl. I became very agitated, antsy, uncomfortable, felt like crawling out of my skin. Couldn’t sit comfortably and peaceful. They thought it was anxiety. I knew it was the drugs. I found out that the sixth treatment my oncologist came in because I was really reacting. She talked to me and my mom for ½ an hour and I do not remember ever seeing her or talking to her. My NP looked up Benedrly and sure enough restless leg syndrome and another symptom I was having were listed. So last week they did not give me Benadryl and what a difference. I also felt much better after the treatment in many ways. The hardest part is the mood swings and lack of motivation. I have many days that I have really been able to focus and get lots of work done and am very energetic and am thankful for those days. Been a little more tired this time but still not at all what others face. This week I have taken some naps. I am thankful to the Lord for providing strength on a daily basis helping me to accomplish things that I have to. God has multiplied my time and I have seem him give me supernatural ability to focus and accomplish things quickly then I would be able to on my own.

Thanks for your continual pray and support. Please pray that I have patience when I am not feeling my usually go getter energetic self and also patience with dealing with the moodiness. It is not fun for me or others around me. Pray for patience for them too and to know that when the treatments are over I will be back to a more predictable Ruth.

Blessings,

Ruth

Mom and I at Chemo

Ready for 7th Chemo Treatment

Dear Friends,

Thanks for your prayers and thoughts with me on this journey. I am way behind in updating the blog, but I will get there. I am anxious to be at the end of this road. I need to persevere. It is hard when you see the end so close. I want to run ahead and get there now, but I must be patient.

I will have my second to last treatment (at least I think so) tomorrow. Pray for me as I go for my blood work today. I have a bump on the inner part of my arm which I am not sure will interfere with the blood work or IV tomorrow. Have to find out what it is. My chemo is at 1:30pm tomorrow and finishes 5 or 6 hours later. Please pray that I will not feel so restless during the treatment. I can't get comfortable but usually at some point finally fall asleep for a bit due to the drugs.

This drug, taxol, which I thought was going to be easier has been rougher. My stomach has been fine but sometimes no specific food interests me. I can't wait to eat what ever I want. I can't have acidic, spicy foods. NO tomato base. TIred of bland foods (not totally). I thankfully have not been having insomnia, yet a few restless nights and back aches. Feeling still strong in legs and arms and body. The hard part is the emotions. Also the first week I felt very unmotivated, overwhelmed, didn't want to have any responsibility. But because I do have responsibilities with work I have to persevere and maybe that is a good thing (but I don't like the last minute stresses when I can't always produce at that moment-hard stuff even when I am well but harder when my emotions are where they are). Still doing other things than work to keep me balanced, living a normal life and giving me positive energy. God helps me to keep perspective. Haven't been able to relax. Not tired during the day. Work keeps me too much of feeling responsibility. The few times I have tried to nap I haven't been able to fall asleep. I still don't look like I am in chemo. I still have my eye brows but my eye lashes are very thin.

Been a tough week trying to getting a grant.

Blessings,

Ruth

Picture the Day after my 5th Treatment

A trip to East Boston to Run Some errands.

The MIracle in me described

Most of the time I do not feel like there are major drugs in my body.
As a friend of mine says to people: “For every drop of chemo going into
Ruth’s body the Lord puts his hand upon her head and gives her more of His Holy Spirit.

God's promise that He would be glorified!!!

Ready for 6th Chemo Treatment

Dear Friends,

I know I am so far behind in keeping you updated as well as the blog. Thanks for your prayers and support.

My first taxol treatment went really well. During the treatment (longer then the previous ones) went much better then I was expecting. I had to take 5 steroid pills the night before and 4 the morning of. Then they gave me more intravenously. Everything was intravenous this time. The only side effect I had was that the benadryl made me sleepy so I slept a bit during the chemo treatment and I was light sensitive and needed the lights out and my eyes closed.

My GI system has been working great. Only had a few days this past week of heartburn but not bad at all. Just adjusted my food. I think that diet is so important during these treatments but it is hard. I really miss being able to be more free with what I eat. No acidic foods (that means tomato based too and orange juice to name a few. The tomato one is hard.) and no spicy foods. I am still being careful in regard to potassium but not as strict as I was earlier. I also should have things room temperature or cold. I am thankful for the support I have for helping me to stick to what keeps my body feeling well. My stomach has felt great except for the first three days of the very first treatment in June. I am very thankful to God for this blessing. Last week I did have some days when I did not have interest in eating because nothing sounded good but I did eat. I was waiting for the two major side effects of the taxol which were excessive moodiness (I was to warn those close to me) and flue like ache and pains. Well the moodiness was a week delayed and it was not fun. The only pain I had was my lower back and it wasn't enough o take any pain medication.

Thanks for your prayers for me in regard to getting my injection (by the way it costs $3,500). A friend I hadn't seen in a long time called to tell me that he would have great pleasure in giving me a nice shot in my arm. He is a pediatrician. He and his family were coming in to town to the Children's museum and would be able to stop by. My regular people for my shot were not available so I was very thankful for my friend Andrew and also to be able to see his wife and three daughters. Talking about friends I have not seen in a long time, I have had two visits recently from out of town guests who made a side trip to stop by for a few hours to see me. Haven't seen either one in years. I will have a friend visiting from Germany for a few days soon and my mom is coming for a few days for this chemo treatment tomorrow.

Well it is time for the 6th Treatment. Was supposed to be having 8 total but it looks like they are adding two more. I think this has to do with the fact that the cancer was bilateral. The treatment starts at 10am. Will probably last until about 4pm.

I am still working mostly from home but do go in my hours here and there.

I am feeling strong and most of the time almost forget that I am in chemo other than having to think about eating differently, drinking lots of water, some movements sometimes I feel a strain, and medical appointments (bloodworm, chemo, organizing parts of my care-shot giver, person to go with me to chemo, and coverage afterwards at least for some day). God has so well provided for me. I thank him for the strength. This past week I finally felt motivated to start catching up on things around the house that have gott4en behind in the last 5 months (cleaning, organizing). It felt so good. I felt so much more like myself. Maybe it was the steroids but either way I believe the Lord was giving me strength and encouragement.

I was picking up someone from T stop the other day and a guy on the street made a comment, "You look great." I thought to my self, if he only knew that I was in the middle of chemo. Yes, I don't look like I am in chemo. My head is feeling more cleared out this last two weeks and it is starting to be easier to focus on things (and especially work). Everything becoming more routine and less overwhelming. Someone at work, who has not seen me since before my operation, said ”When it rains it pours. I asked him what was going on in his life. He said, "No I am talking about you. The cancer and then your Dad. And look you are still smiling." Yes, I am thankful for the joy and the blessings and faith. I feel carried and my attitude is that this is not a difficult time although it is. I am a person who worries about the little things and am thankful for the blessing of learning to live for today and that God is still giving me PEACE beyond understanding. Thank you LORD"

Got to run to get my blood taken and to work on a grant.

Be looking for many updates to the blog as I am so far behind. In preparation mode. Just need some before others so there is a delay. www.ruths-journey.blogspot.com

Have an awesome day!!

Thanks for everything and being with me on this journey! May God continue to be glorified as He has promised us that he would on this journey.

Ruth

5th Chemo Session

Dear Friends,

This will be a quick update. Sorry for the sparse additions to the blog spot lately. With chemo, work, life, and my dad's passing away it has been busy. The funeral was a real celebration of my dad's life. It was a very special time at home with family and friends. Thank you all for your support and prayers for me and my family. I will tell you all more about that time at home soon.

Pray for me especially tomorrow and the next days as I start the second half of my chemo treatment. It is taxol. Since I have done really well so far they expect that I will also tolerate this quite well. The last couple of days I forget that I am in chemo therapy. However there are many things to do. Please pray for peace for me as this treatment sounds like it has more possible side effects. I was used to the last treatments and what to expect. This is a whole new set of procedures. I start with taking streroids this evening and again tomorrow morning and then everything starts at 9am. With the other treatment I have felt fine and able to function the whole time. Pray that I will not have much side effects and especially the expected two days of moodiness. Pray for those who are around me for their patience as well as mine. I also find myself a bit clumsy (breaking and dropping things more then usual), sensitive, and sometimes a bit of chemo brain (not too bad though).

I found out yesterday that they still want me to receive the shot the day after the treatment. I am still trying to find a person to administer that for me since it was last minute that I found out.. By the way the treatments have been changed from every Friday for four weeks to every other week for a total of four treatments over the 8 weeks. Also, if any of you are available during days to be on call in case I should need some coverage (so far I have been feeling fine and even been able to cook) for these next two months which might be different. Just let me know.

Thanks again for all of your support and hope you are having a nice summer. I have been able to enjoy some golfing again which is great therapy for my arm (not pain or discomfort) as well as a great way to be out in nature and relax from all of the responsibilities and overwhelm.

Blessings,

Ruth

IF YOU COULD SEE ME NOW-Song I sang at Funeral

IF YOU COULD SEE ME NOW

Our prayers have all been answered
I finally arrived
The healing that had been delayed
Has now been realized
No one’s in a hurry
There’s no schedule to keep
We’re all enjoying Jesus
Just sitting at His feet

If you could see me now
I’m walking streets of gold
If you could see me now
I’m standing tall and whole
If you could see me now
You’d know I’ve seen His face
If you could see me now
You’d know the paid is erased

You wouldn’t want me
To ever leave this place
If you could only see me now
My light and temporary trials
Have worked out for my good
To know it brought Him glory
When I misunderstood
Though we’ve had our sorrows
They can never compare
What Jesus has in store for us
No language can share

You wouldn’t want me
To ever leave this perfect place
If you could only see me now,
If you could see me now,
If you could see me now

Song I sang at my father’s funeral service.
I like this because it reminds me that my Dad now
Has a new body that and is standing tall and whole.
He never lived to be in a hurry and in heaven, as
This song describes, no one is in a hurry.
He is in a more perfect place and therefore I have peace.

Song made popular by the group TRUTH

Relections on Dad's Funeral

Dear Friends,

I wanted to write a long time ago to update you on how things went when I was home for my dad’s funeral and how we are doing in regard to my Dad’s heavenly home going. I must say it was a peaceful, blessed time. It was a real celebration of his life. We know my Dad is in a better place and will not have to endure the suffering that his illnesses would have caused him. God took him out of the suffering before he had to go down that painful road. By the way my Dad thought that he was in the Adirondeck mountains the whole time he was in the intensive care unit.

We were all able to be home even my brother (5 hours later and he would have left from Portugal and been on his way to Iraq and not been able to come for the funeral). Even his wife with the two children (month old baby) were able to come from California.

We all put together the details for the viewing and funeral and service. God helped us to work so well as a team.

I am picked as the spokes person and writer for the family. Both are things that don’t come naturally. I have to rely totally on the Holy Spirit to give it to me. I was overwhelmed with the chemo and all there was to do with the funeral that I couldn’t focus. I had to take things step by step and if I didn’t get something done, it would be fine. I got to Albany and forgot I was in charge of the write up of my Dad for the bulletin. God helped me to write it up quickly and not be so concerned about being perfect but being used of God to express who my Dad was. There was a song I wanted to sing (If You Could See Me Now-Really expresses my Dad now with a new body standing tall and whole-you can see the words on another blog entry, it is beautiful) but hadn’t had time to practice and also my voice unpredictable with the chemo. But I practiced and my little nephew and niece were in the room looking at me with big eyes and smiles on their faces and there I was with my kerchief (my niece saw my hair on the desk and asked whose hair it was and I said it was mine). Thanks to God everything got done in the way it was to be done.

The visitation hours (4) were a very special time. God gave me strength and most people had no idea I was in chemo therapy. Those who knew were so surprised at how well I looked and said no one would have guessed I was in chemo or that I had a wig on. They said it looked so natural. My cheeks hurt from smiling instead of crying. I felt very blessed to have a Dad who made an impact in people’s lives in a quiet way. There were 300-400 people (many people I have not seen for many years). We had it in the church and the aisle was full the whole four hours with people waiting about an hour. I was so blessed by some friends who came all the way from Boston and especially one family who brought their two young children with them. The 4 year old constantly talks about Ruth’s Dad being in heaven and having a new body.

The funeral service was very special. My nine year old nephew Chris and I both gave testimonials as well as a few other people. I sang the song and my niece did hand motions to the song. She also played the flute. My Dad loved brass instruments and we were able to last minute get someone very special (my dad taught him how to do some electrical work when he was a little boy-is now in high school) to play trumpet for the service. We also had people bring flowers and the grandchildren collected them in baskets. I wanted the children to sing a song called, “Heaven Is a Wonderful Place, filled with Glory and Grace, I want to see my Savior’s face, Heaven is a Wonderful place, I want to go there.”, but it was not possible. However, when we were at the grave site (the little cemetery near my parent’s house) I felt the urge to lighten the atmosphere and wanted to sing the song because it is very upbeat. I thought my sisters will think I am crazy. Then all of a sudden Sharon looked at me and with tears in her eyes said start singing that song, NOW. So we all started singing and the grandchildren really joined in. Thank you Lord for that special moment!!!

My mom is doing well. Sure it is hard to loose your husband of 47 years that you spent all your time with and has taken care of so lovingly over the years of his illness. There were some special moments in those last months and weeks for her and all of us to say our earthly goodbyes. She is keeping busy and yes there are lonely moments and this is a chapter no one wants but it is a chapter in life. She has already started to reach out to others who have lost their husbands and bringing the women together. Mom has also been able to be here for my last two chemo’s and has been a great help.

We are all doing well since we know that where my Dad is he has a healthy body and that he is no longer feeling a burden to any one (that was what he felt not us). He is with his Heavenly father. Death is a celebration of life. By death we have life. “Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.” (Romans 6:8). “A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth” (Ecclesiastes 7:1). “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you….Because I live, you will live also.” (John 14:18-19)

To close I would share: Ecclesiastes 7:14, “When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider; God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, a man cannot discover anything about his future.”

Blessings,

Ruth

Dad's Peaceful Passing

Dear Family and Friends,

We are writing to let you know that my Dad graduated to his heavenly home at 4pm on Wednesday, August 9th. He went peacefully to his Heavenly Father not in any pain or suffering surrounded by family and friends singing hymns. In June he requested a quick day trip to see Ruth in Boston and a week later ended up in the ICU. Steve and son David were here in June and Debbie, Sharon, and families have all been around. We have all experienced some wonderful, memorable, special moments over the last months. Karl came home 10 days ago with oxygen and hospice care. Mom has faithfully been by his side caring for him during his lengthy illness, as the two of them have been side by side the last 47 years, which has been such a privilege. Karl was the best patient. He has had a wonderful appetite and has been very aware of everything going on, very alert mentally, and was able to speak quite clearly and able to express his desires and wishes. He said several things on Tuesday night, which were indicators that he was really prepared to go see His Heavenly Father and that it would be soon. Wednesday he ate a great breakfast and lunch and then took a turn for the worse. Debbie unexpectedly (prompted by God) stopped by the house with the kids and got to be with mom and dad through those final couple of hours. Ruth got to talk to him on the phone and he responded with a groan. My brother got a message from my sister through my brothers wife that dad was doing bad and was able to call from Azores, Portugal. 5 hours later and he would have been on a plane for the final leg of his journey to Iraq. My brother talked to my dad and then dad stopped breathing and peacefully passed away with no struggle at all. He passed away with every one singing him into heaven and we are sure it continued as the Lord and the angels received him. My mom was holding his hand and released him into the hand of our Lord. Angela, David, and new baby Zachary are coming in tomorrow. We are at peace and there is a mighty sense of peacefulness and God's presence. Joan, Ruth, Debbie, Eric, Brian, Jamie, Christopher, Curt, Sharon, Keith, Nicholas, and Hayley surrounded by family and friends were all able to be here before the body was removed.

Arrangements:

Tuesday August 15th

Visiting hours at Loudonville CommunityChurch
(374 Loudon Road, Loudonville, NY, 518-426-1093, www.lcchurch.org) from 4-8 pm

Wednesday August 16th

10 am Visiting hours Loudonville Community Church 11 am Funeral Loudonville Community Church

You may bring a few stems of flowers to be gathered during the service 12:30 Procession to Cemetery Bloomingrove Cemetery
~2:00 Reception at the Loudonville Community Church
Those wishing to remember Karl Sieck in a special way may send a contributions in memory of Karl Sieck to:
Loudonville Community Church or

Community Hospice of Rensselaer (295 Valley View Boulevard, Rensselaer, NY 12144, phone 518-285-8100)

Family flowers only please.Thanks for all your thoughts, prayers, and support during this time and through the years.

Blessings,Ruth

My Dad Graduates to Heaven

Dear Friends,

I have been delayed in keeping you updated. My wig looks great. Pic coming. People don't know it is a wig.

Third Chemo went even better then first time. I feel really strong. Don't look like I am in chemo and also have been resuming many of my activities including driving a golf ball75 yards.

I have my Fourth Chemo this Friday the 11th at 8:30am.

I got a call around 2pm today that my father had taken a turn for the worst. He talked about funeral arrangements last night and his wishes. He ate breakfast and lunch and then shortly after started turning blue. I got to talk to him and he responded with a groan at least. The social worker helped to reach my brother through the Red Cross and my brother called minutes before my Dad passed at 4pm. That is so like my father to be precise. 4pm on the dot. Between 2 and 4 I decided to go to Albany my Aunt was able and willing to drive me. She is on her way here and does not yet know that he has graduated to his heavenly home and is with his heavenly Father. He is in a much better place. He died peacefully, in no pain and with everyone singing around him. He now has the heavenly angels around him singing and has a new body that he can stand upright and talk and walk and run again. My sister Debbie stopped by the house unexpectedly early afternoon with the three children so they were all there. God definitely prompted her to be there. Sharon and family are on their way as we speak and I will be soon. Steve left for Iraq on Sunday so he is not in the country.

Got to run but appreciate your prayers as we make arrangements the coming days. I will come back tomorrow and the funeral will be some time after next Tuesday.

Will write more later.

Blessings,

Ruth

My New Look- Is that Really a Wig?

The bottom one was how I went home the first day. Then I went back to get my "hair" cut (thinned out and bangs) you see one the first one.