First Side Effects

This morning at 2:30 I woke up with a sore mouth and my face, scalp and ears were on fire. I went to the bathroom and splashed cold water on my face, head and ears. I used the supplies I obtained from the dentist to calm down the heat and soreness in the mouth. I think this might be the start of losing the rest of my hair. I still have my braids in my purse and carry them with me where ever I go. Cancer/ Chemo can never take them from me and can not destroy them. I pray that I do not get mouth sores. I sucked on ice chips during therapy and was told,by a very reliable source that that might help.

Today's blessing is a letter that i received from my daughter. My children and their families and their faith and trust in God is truly a rainbow in my life. When they share the scriptures that have blessed their lives it makes the rainbows glow much brighter!

Melinda is a single mother, who has two wonderful children that she is raising. She is a fantastic mom and amazes me how she can do so much and do it so well. She is currently working on her PhD in plant genetics at the U of W, Madison. I want you to see why she is a big part of my rainbow. This is an excerpt from the letter she sent me.

Mom and brothers/sisters,

I support you in doing whatever you feel is needful to feel close to the Savior during this very difficult time, even if that means going it on your own for a while. It is your choice and your body. I am proud that you chose to go to the temple as a way of dealing with feelings of confusion and conflict. I encourage you to move forward in ways that coincide with this teaching of Paul to Timothy, a young bishop in the early Christian church:

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" (1 Timothy 1:7).

I also encourage you to consider this scripture from when Lehi was about to die, and he was talking to his young son, Jacob:

"And behold, in thy childhood thou hast suffered afflictions and much sorrow... Nevertheless...thou knowest the greatness of God; and he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain" (2 Nephi 2: 1-2).

Please make sure that the actions you choose, you choose in the spirit of finding genuine peace and closeness to the Lord; do not let anger, fear, insecurity, or self-doubt be your motivations. You are a strong and amazing woman who has spent her whole life in service to others. I hope that you will find this trial in the end consecrated to your eternal progression and satisfaction with who you have become.

I love you,

Melinda