Dear Faithful Praying Family & Friends,
I apologize for the delay in updating my blog. I am gratified that so many of you noticed the omission and then telephoned or emailed to inquire about my health status. I am surrounded and sustained by your care and attention.
You know that I try to keep the tone of this blog upbeat. This time, all I can say is that it is wonderful to be alive today and that I am very grateful for my family & friends, without whose love and prayers I could not survive.
Here is what happened: On Saturday morning, Day Six After Chemo Round One, I went to the Walk-In Clinic and they transported me via ambulance/EMS to the Emergency Room at the hospital. My problems, which began Friday night, were debilitating migraine headache, “hypertension urgency,” [extremely high blood pressure, racing heart, blurred vision, dizziness] and vomiting. I was, frankly, afraid that I would have a stroke or heart attack. The ER MD ran tests [EKG, CT Scan, blood tests] and determined that I had not had a stroke or heart attack. They addressed the pain with a narcotic that was 8x stronger than morphine, which knocked out the pain. However, the narcotic caused me to be violently ill [vomiting] for the next 12 hours or so. I was in ER for about 4-5 hours and went home Saturday afternoon. I was able to sleep and drink some water on Sunday morning and keep that down. Now I have graduated to Ginger Ale and Saltines but I daydream about food I would like to eat. I had some clear broth soup with noodles tonight!
The MD concluded that the headache was a result of the combination of chemo drugs, as I never have suffered from headaches of any type. The hypertension was a result of the pain. Stephen called my oncologist, Dr. Carroll, and he concurred.
I’m resting comfortably at home, reading and watching musicals. Stephen is taking expert care of me and Garrett came by to visit today, also. Haley calls and sends iPhone photographs of our grandson, Benjamin, which cheers me up.
When you leave a comment, it means so much to me! Lately, I have tried to reply to each comment. So, if you see my name above your name, in the comments listing [with the colorful patchwork quilt icons], then you can jump to your comment and see my reply to you!
Psalm 121: My help cometh from the LORD, who made heaven and earth . . . He watching over Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps. [Selah.]
Immortal, invisible, God only wise, in light inaccessible, hid from our eyes.
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days, almighty, victorious, thy great Name we praise!
Benedictus es, Domine.
Coram Deo,
Margo
Margot’s Corner 
Dear Margo,
You must have been so frightened. It happened so suddenly with no preparation. Even though you knew there would have to be side-effects, perhaps they were more severe than anyone expected. Your hospital and doctors are wonderful–expert, caring and professional. I know that must have been reassuring to you and Steve. Thank you for writing the blog to let everyone know, even if you didn’t feel well enough. We’re all rooting for you! Love & hugs, Susan
Dear Susan,
Thanks so much for leaving a comment! Yes it was frightening, unexpected, and severe. I am finally a little better today and I hope to update my blog tonight. It is so great to know that all my familly & friends are rooting for me. Thanks for writing and praying. I eagerly await hearing about your housing preview trip to NC and about any nibbles on your house in PA.
Coram Deo,
Margo
Dear Margo:
I spoke with Kathy C. today at CCS and she updated me on your ER visit. Prayed for you today and will continue to lift you up to the Lord. (I know your “fantasy food” was probably not broth with noodles, but I can imagine how great it must have tasted!)
Love,
Betsy
Dear Betsy,
Thank you so much for commenting and for continuing to pray! Actually, my “fantasy food” is a soup from Far East Restaurant, Number L26 or V26 and that was the soup to which I was referrring! Feeling better today and wanted to reply to all my family & friends who were so kind to leave a comment!
Coram Deo,
Margo
Margo-
Joshua told me about your setback. What a stressful weekend you guys had and then to still open up your home for the soup group! You are very much in our thoughts and prayers.
Jessica Heddings
Dear Jessica,
Thank you for praying, thinking about me, and for commenting! It was a pleasure to host Soup Group: I made soup two weeks ago and froze it and I had whole grain bakery bread in the freezer, too. So, Stephen took care of everything while I rested and we were delighted that Josh came, along with about 5-6 others. I do hope you can join us ocassionally!
Coram Deo,
Margo
Margo!
You are such a tough cookie. That must have been so scary. I pray for you daily and think of you more often then that! I hope that your appetite returns and with it the ability to keep it down. I also pray that you won’t have to endure any more of these awful migraines!
Love and hugs!
Elizabeth
Dear Elizabeth,
Thank you so much for praying and for writing a comment. I have been tough up to this point but I was brought down rather low by such unexpected and severe side effects. How good it is to be alive! And I feel better today, too. I am continuing to pray for your dear Aunt Liz. I see on FB that you are working hard on math. Much sympathy from a high verbal/low quantitative gal.
Coram Deo,
Margo
Margo,
We have been praying for you…God has laid you on our hearts as you have often been in our thoughts and prayers…He is so gracious to do that when He knows we need to pray…He LONGS to answer those prayers 🙂
We will continue to pray…
I am making something special for you…but I need to know 2 things: your favorite color, and favorite scripture verse…if you can send those to me on facebook, you should receive your surprise…it’s to help with the chemo 🙂
Lots of love my sweet friend!
Lesley
Dear Lesley,
Thank you for your continuous prayers and thoughts. I am grateful for whatever it is you are making for me that will help with the chemo! That is very thoughtful. I keep up with you on FB and I pray for an aide for Angel. What a great family he is blessed to be enfolded within.
Coram Deo,
Margo
Dear Margo,
I’m so sorry to hear about your emergency, but glad to know that you’re now on the mend. What a blessing, though, that you have an attentive family to keep you company and boost your spirits on these rough days. Are you still reading The Once and Future King?
Love,
Katherine (and John)
Dear Katherine,
Thanks for leaving a comment and thanks for praying! I am feeling better today. Yes, my family is wonderful! What would I do without my family & friends to care for me? Yes, I am still reading the T H White book, The Once and Future King. It is just perfect for recuperating. What should I read next. I’ve been enjoying your blog!
Coram Deo,
Margo
Oh Margo! How dreadful and frightening for you and Steve! I guess I thought that no news was good news… We will pray for continued strength and that this doesn’t happen again.
Great is Thy Faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.
Refrain
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Carole
P.S. don’t we have just the most precious Grandson in the entire world??!
Dear Carole,
Yes, as you guessed, “no news was good news!” Thank you for continuing to pray for me. I love the words of the hymn you sent me. I need to be reminded of these truths. Yes, we have the most precious Grandson in the entire world. We love being related to you & Rick! Thanks for being friends AND family!
Coram Deo,
Margo
My Dear Margo,
I had a feeling something was not quite right as did your other friends. It pains me to know that you have to go through all of this suffering. I would take it from you if I could. I pray to Jesus that he will be at your side to cling to. I also pray for your Guardian Angels to watch over you. Please know my love is with you and Steve.
Always,
Debbie
Dear Debbie,
Thanks, sweet sister, for telephoning during your busy work day. As you could tell, I was feeling better that day! Thank you for the reminder to pray for my Guardian Angels to watch over me. I will study that so that I understand the theology. I saw a reference to that in a book about saints, which Garrett gave me. So, now I am intrigued. Thanks for being my loving sister. You have a wonderful brother, who is taking good care of me. Love to all of my family out West.
Coram Deo,
Margo
Oh, Margo,
What a trial that was….oh, my goodness. Thank the Lord for ER docs and accuate diagnoses and your present improved state. We will pray Dr Carroll can prevent this next time!!!
You don’t have to be upbeat with us if things are really, really tough. We (your blog readers) are your prayer warriors and love you even if you are bald, in pain, discouraged, and vomiting!!!
May the Lord use even this to continue to shape us all into the vision He has for us. We journey with you.
In His grace, Julie
Dear Julie,
Thanks for reading my blog, for commenting, and for praying. It is true: I was rather defeated by this past weekend’s mis-adventures and there was no honest way to color it upbeat. I love the reminder that you are all my “prayer warriors” and are not shocked by anything and you love me, no matter in what condition I find myself! “Be Thou My Vision” is the hymn and prayer of my heart. Thank you for reminding me. “Until Christ is formed in me. . . .”
Coram Deo,
Margo
Hi Margo – I have been praying for you all week and been thinking about you – I’m so sorry you had such a horrible weekend 😦 Hang in there, girl – rely on His strength.
Can I bring some DVDs by for you? I have tons you could borrow! You like musicals?? I could leave them on your porch… Just let me know –
Dear Vanessa,
Thank you for reading, for praying, and for leaving a comment! If I ever needed a reminder that God is my refuge and strength, that truth was borne home this weekend!
I would love some DVD’s! I will take good care of them and return them! I do love musicals but would love to see a few of your other favorites, in different genres. I would not be surprised at all if our tastes were very similar!
Coram Deo,
Margo
I’ll drop some off today!! YAY that you got to swim last night 🙂 xoxo
Hi Margo,
You continue daily to be placed on my heart by the Holy Spirit. Kris told me what happened last weekend, and please know that our family is praying for you, as well as the CCS family! I am praying God’s grace for you, and His perfect peace. We are praying for Steve, too! “A wife of noble character, who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.” Proverbs 31:10. She is courageous! I am certain that your Steve knows all about enjoying life with a ‘wife of noble character’-that’s you! Fight the good fight, my sister. And after you have done everything, stand! (Ephesians 6)
I Love you!
Kathy
Dear Kathy,
Thank you, once again, for praying, reading this blog, and for adding a comment! I very much appreciated the Scripture which you included — that encouraged me very much! Please tell all my friends at CCS that I am doing fairly well today and am continuing to recover from last weekend. Tell them I depend on their prayers and am thankful!
Coram Deo,
Margo