IMMENSE GRATITUDE...

It has been a few months since I expressed my thoughts and feelings.  The last was on my birthday in July!  Since then we were blessed with a new grandson.  Zigmund Guacomo Snure - the son of our beautiful daughter  Kamie (picture) and her husband Mike Snure.  This is our 5th grandchild - 2nd grandson - Each are so special to us and we truly love them.  These babies are truly blessings in my life and I am so incredibly GRATEFUL!  Especially this time of the year when people are counting their blessings.

With that being said - I just returned home from Church today.  It is such a beautiful day here in Utah and the messages were on GRATITUDE!  Immediately following the first meeting I was approached by the Bishop of our Ward to come talk with him in his office.  He told me he had "sensed" that all was not well with me.  This was a humbling experience for me.  I had my scans in September.  At first we thought all was well.  For those of you who do not know - I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in November of 2011 - basically two years ago!  I spent 2012 in two rounds of chemo and radiation with two surgeries and was proclaimed in remission.  I have my check ups every three months with scans every six months.  Since the day I was diagnosed there has been a spot in my right lung.  Last November and December I had a disease flare up that I had 30 years ago.  It is called sarcoidosis.  30 years ago it manifested itself in my lungs.  My lungs are permanently scarred but with that being said, I have never had any problems with any of my activities and things I have wanted to do.  Last November and December that disease flared up.  The spot that has been in my lung was still there.  The scans in September showed that it has grown some to 1 cm.  

Over the past six weeks I have met with two different lung doctors and now a thoracic surgeon.  The THING in my right lung is coming out.  I have not wanted to say anything because I do NOT want people to look at me as though I am SICK.  I just have a little thing I need out of my lung and I will be fine!  I feel amazingly well.   I am happy and I do not feel sick at all.  I will meet with a cardiologist on Thursday of this week.  With the lung surgery there is a remote chance of a heart attack.  They want to be sure my heart in in good shape and I will then go to have breathing tests - which I did last year at this time but they have to be done within six months.  Last year I passed with flying colors.  Surgery will be either Friday the 16th or Monday the 18th.  I am now making this public because after my Bishop approached me today and KNEW that something was going on with me - I feel it best to ask for YOUR prayers.  I feel the prayers of those who pray for me.  When I was sick last year I would go to sleep at night and smile because of the warmth and love I felt.  I know now that Heavenly Father indeed loves me.  He is aware of my needs and my problems because my Bishop had the perception today to question me.  I am humbled.

This is what I have learned.  We are NOT ALONE in this life.  There ARE Angels - on this side and the other side of the veil who are sent to HELP US!.  I felt that so strongly last year and I have felt their presence.  I can testify to YOU all that I KNOW and I have felt their presence.  I know they are looking after me.  I have felt the influence of my own dad on several occasions.  I KNOW he knows what I am going through.  I KNOW that there are MANY there for me.  THANK YOU to those of you on this side who have been and will continue to be here for me.  I NEED you all.  I NEED your prayers and faith in my behalf.  A couple of weeks ago as I was leaving for the Huntsman Hospital in SLC I asked for your prayers.  You didn't know what you were praying for but now you DO!  I felt your prayers and continue to feel them.  I KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt that GOD LIVES!  That he knows EACH AND EVERYONE of us.  He knows our needs and our struggles and HE is there for us!  

I will continue to work for the behalf of others in helping and serving.  Thank you to ALL of you who have helped me serve others this past year.  It is unbelievably humbling!  Please pray for me and my family once again.  I need your love and support.  The surgery will tell whether this is the sarcoidosis, a metastases from the colorectal cancer or a NEW lung cancer altogether.  I will let you know as soon as I do.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:  HOW BEAUTIFUL A DAY CAN BE WHEN KINDNESS TOUCHES IT!   Be Kind to EVERYONE - You just don't know what they are going through. 

GOD BLESS US EVERYONE  ----   LOVE AND HUGS!!!