U.C. Davis check-up

On Wednesday Micah and I went up to U.C. Davis for my three-month check-up. We ran into an obstacle trying to find a good vein for my iv. I have small veins as it is, but now have the added problem of scar tissue and over-used veins. The first nurse tried three times and was not successful - which meant pain and now bruising for me. :( She called in another nurse, and fortunately he found a deep vein that worked for the iv. Can I say ouch? Very awkward and uncomfortable spot. However, it allowed us to proceed with the ct scan and get it done. My poor arm looks terrible! We made a plan for next time for me to see a specialist first to start the iv before the ct scan.

My next stop was to see Dr. Calhoun, my oncologist and surgeon. He made me feel like a million bucks! Of course he saw me repeatedly at my worst, but I told his nurse I'd slip him a twenty every time I come back to pump me up the way he did. :) We looked at the ct scan images together, and I'm so happy to report that there is still no evidence of any cancer coming back!! My insides looked good. He is having the radiologist look even more closely just to be cautious, but everything looked great. I now only have to come back every six months instead of every three. We are planning on a ct scan every six months for about 2 years, then we'll "go from there"....
What a relief! We left his office encouraged and thankful.
Thank you Lord!!

Just wanted to share the good news with those who still check the blog sometimes...thank you so much for your continuous prayers and encouragement. We are so blessed.

Love,
Wendy

My dad shared this with me this morning:

"Trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Delight yourself in the Lord
and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in Him and he will do this:
He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
the justice of your cause like the noonday sun."

Psalm 37:3-6

Please pray:

• God's continued protection over my body to stay CANCER-FREE
  

beyond blessed

The H.O.W. dinner (Helping One Woman...At A Time) was amazing. On Tuesday, April 20th I walked into Five Restaurant to learn that over 120 women had made reservations for the dinner. Of course my mom and I teared up immediately. I'd estimate that about 1/4 of the ladies were friends and family of mine - mom, 2 mother-in-laws, 1 future sister-in-law, my "besties," and many amazing friends, most from River Bluff. I cannot describe fully just how special I felt! So loved, so supported, so encouraged. I got to speak to the group briefly, which gave me the opportunity to thank those that were there for the many things they've done to support me and my family these past six months. Of course we feel like there's really no way to truly thank everyone enough for all that's been done for us - but we really are so very grateful. Back to the dinner...delicious meal out at a restaurant (something I thought would never happen again just a little while back), time with amazing, special people - it was a wonderful evening I'll never forget. At the end of the evening H.O.W. presented me with a monetary gift, which was a huge blessing as well. It was gift to go toward whatever I choose - which for us is our U.C. Davis hospital bill. God is so good to us! His timing is perfect! He has used so many people in a variety of ways to make me feel blessing upon blessing...I could go on and on...

Love, Wendy

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,
His mercies never come to an end.
They are new every morning...
Great is thy faithfulness, oh Lord!

Please pray:

• Blessings upon H.O.W. as they have entered their 3rd year
• For my back - pain meds. have been lowered again, so my pain is up
• For my right wrist - new injury that happened when I fell
  

H.O.W.

One of my amazing friends (Molly, whom I job-shared with for 3 years) nominated me to be the H.O.W. "Woman of the Month" back in November when I was recuperating at my parents' house. H.O.W. is a local women's organization (stands for "Helping One Woman...At A Time"). In March, this group voted and I was chosen as the April H.O.W. "honoree." (Not sure if that's the correct word to use...) Tomorrow night - Tuesday, April 20th - is their 2nd Anniversary dinner, where I'll be "recognized." All ladies are invited to attend. It's at FIVE restaurant in Fresno at 6:00pm. To RSVP, ladies (or groups) can call FIVE restaurant and make a dinner reservation at 434-5553. The H.O.W. website is www.helpingonewoman.com if you'd like more information about this wonderful organization. I am so excited for tomorrow night's dinner. It wasn't that long ago that I couldn't imagine even leaving the house, let alone going to a special dinner with friends and family! I'll let you all know how it goes, and post pictures later this week.

Love, Wendy

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11

Please pray:

• That God truly blesses the members of the H.O.W. organization in their upcoming 3rd year.
• Many blessings upon my friend Molly, who nominated me. Also, please pray for her husband, who has had 3 surgeries for the same problem these past few months.
• That I have strength to enjoy the evening, and that my back pain is subdued so I can sit at a dinner table comfortably.
  

zoo day

I decided to brave the zoo this morning, knowing full well it was a spring break day, and it actually didn't get too busy until we left. It was a great mama-son morning with the boys, as well as their buddy Brady and his mommy (Sarah - one of my besties for 16 years now). We had a wonderful morning, but I was beyond exhausted when we left. Of course it was worth it though! I'm trying to do things each week that build my endurance and that slowly get me back into the real world. I'm so thankful for my sweet boys and the pure joy they bring to my life every day.

Children are a gift from God, a blessing from above.
-Wendy Manzo :o)

lesson learned

The past week has gone pretty well for me physically. The more faithful I am to my home exercise program, the less pain I'm in and the more progress I make. (duh, right?) I had a pretty good weekend and fairly good day on Monday, until I made a "not great" choice. Skyler wanted something from a high shelf, and instead of waiting for Micah to get home to get it down like I should have, I climbed on a stool and got up on my tippy-toes. Well....the stool fell out from under me and I went crashing into a shelving unit in my closet. I hit it so hard I bent a metal bracket with my lower back. I scraped up my back, including parts of my larger incision, and my leg as well. As a result, I had to lay down for over 24 hours. My lower back is pretty bruised. My doctor checked it today and doesn't think there's any more damage than just the bruising, skin abrasions, and soreness. I have been reminded several times by several people not to climb any more. Lesson learned...I won't. Not worth it. I'm still sore but am moving better. I'm hoping these bruises will heal quickly because it hurts to lay on my back, which is the only way I can sleep. Hopefully my physical therapy sessions this week will help as well. Other than that setback, I have made good progress this past week physically. I have been blessed with a physical therapist (which I know God had planned all along) who has really helped me understand pain, especially chronic pain, in a whole different light. I am thankful for the continuous prayers of so many. They are a big part of what continues to get me through each day.

Love,
Wendy

Please pray:

• That my bruises will heal quickly
• That I continue to make progress in my physical healing

"For great is your love, higher than the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens,
and let your glory be over all the earth."
Psalm 108:4-5

nagging numbness

As my nervous system, muscles, and body continue to heal, adjust, etc. I have different "issues" with my body. One of the present issues is numb arms. I wake up several times a night or during naps (which are growing more seldom!) with a completely numb arm. The strange thing is that it's not just my right arm, like you'd think, but my left as well. It's definitely affecting my sleep, so hopefully by continuing with my physical therapy and the "exercise homework" my doctor gives me my nervous system will settle down soon.

Other than that, the past few days have gone pretty well. Micah and the boys are battling allergy issues, and Jadon is getting over a head cold, but thank goodness I haven't been affected by any of that. Just doing my best to try to get into a routine somewhat on days when I can, and rest a ton on days when I can do nothing. I still have a lot of those!

Thanks for the continuous prayers and support.

Love,
Wendy

Please pray:

• That this numbness in my arms will stop
• That my little Jadon gets all the way better soon

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."
Psalm 91:1

physical therapy

First of all, thank you for the continuous prayers that I know are coming from so many people. I feel them, and I feel God working in my body. I see Him working in my life! Thank you!

I am currently going to physical therapy three times a week. When I first started in the beginning of February, it was very basic. I could hardly stand for my right "numb" leg to be touched or moved. Many movements were almost unbearable. Over the past several weeks, however, I have made much progress in therapy. My legs and knees have been retrained to squat again (that was huge for me!), and I have better use of the right side of my body. However, I do have a long way to go. Because of the amount of time I laid both in a hospital bed and on the couch (months!) my body lost so much muscle and natural strength/ability. When I leave p.t. each session I can hardly walk and am in pain. When I do all of my exercises at home the pain continues. My current worst physical "ailment," if you will, is pain that starts in my right shoulder and shoots down through my arm into my fingers. I also have constant pain in all of the right side of my middle/upper back. I sound like such a complainer, I know, but want to be honest about my continuous recovery. What gets me through every physical therapy session without crying/complaining is thinking of my big brother Wesley. I remember as we grew up he'd go through AGONIZING physical therapy every time he had surgery, which was often, and he even learned to walk again more than once. He NEVER complained, but instead encouraged his therapists, doctors, and family like only he can. He is my physical therapy inspiration!

Please pray:

• That I continue to make good progress each session
• That I have the strength to do my home exercises
• That I regain feeling in my right leg
• That I can run again someday!

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
Romans 8:28

many, many meals

This is my first time blogging myself and I'm pretty excited! I want to say a HUGE THANK YOU (from the Manzos and the Becketts) for the many wonderful meals that have been delivered to us over the past six months. It has been such a blessing and we are beyond thankful. We pray blessings upon all of the family, friends, and people we didn't even know that have sent meals and gift cards. We have been so blessed.

I have MUCH more to say and will continue to update the blog this week.

Much love,
Wendy

For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.
Psalm 100:5

two special days in one

Wendy's birthday and Valentine's day all in one. All of us who follow The Manzo Family blog join together to pray and wish Wendy good health, much love and a very happy 31st year.

"Love is a friendship set to music." - E. Joseph Cossman
"And in the end it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years."
- Abe Lincoln

physical therapy underway

Wendy is working hard in physical therapy. It is a big job and most of it is pretty painful. Her physical therapist commented that she has a lot of work to do. Two months in a hospital bed is extremely tough on the body.

Wendy is happy to report that life is slowly but surely becoming "normal". She is finally starting to feel like a wife and mother again. She is beyond thankful to be back in the game of life. She feels like she was away for far too long.

Continue to lift her up in prayer as she works hard to regain her physical strength.