More good news! My blood test results yesterday were stable enough to allow me to receive my fifth our of six scheduled chemo treatments. I really do feel "normal" with enough energy to go about my daily routine of doing laundry, running errands, cleaning house, and visiting with friends. I am going to school for a few hours today to get things in order for when we return after the holidays. Since I was in the hospital the whole week just prior to our Christmas break, everything in my office and in the library was left "as is", which I'm sure is not a pretty picture! It will give me peace of mind to put a dent in cleaning up the chaos. I am still amazed at the progress I have made in a little over a week and am so thankful that I am here writing this update, feeling positive and excited about the coming new year. Sarah, Bob, and I have so much to be thankful for in 2009 and are amazed daily at the outpouring of love, prayers, and support we receive from our extended family and friends all across the country. It has been a life-changing, amazing journey! Love to you all!

It's hard to believe that a week ago I was sent home from the hospital with Hospice to die. It is obvious that The Lord has other plans for me because I am still here! Not only am I still alive, but I am living a relatively normal life doing all the things I enjoy doing and praising God for a wonderful, blessed Christmas season! I am now known as "Miracle Moroney" by all of my friends. I have no idea how the blockage in my upper intestines became unblocked, but it did, and I am so grateful for another chance at life! My biggest challenge is to eat lots of calories, protein, and be diligent about taking all of my homeopathic supplements, some of which Suzie Gibson brought me from Germany. I feel amazingly well, am only on a slow release patch for pain control, and am sleeping like a baby at night. Sarah and Bob are absolutely remarkable in their loving care of me. Bob wakes up every morning to make fresh vegetable juice for me, and Sarah gives me daily injections in my stomach to assist in the digestion process. It's such a blessing to have these few weeks off from school so that I get plenty of rest, have a chance to visit with friends, go to the movies, and just relax. I will be discharged from Hospice tomorrow. I have an appointment to meet with my oncologist on Tuesday, 12/29, to discuss further treatment which will most likely involve finishing the two remaining chemo treatments I have been scheduled for. My plan is to return to school full time as I had been doing before the blockage occurred. My energy level is good, so I see no reason not to go for it! Once again, I thank all of you for your prayers, good wishes, and loving support. It is so comforting to know that so many people are thinking of us and are standing by to lend a hand whenever and wherever needed. You are indeed a gift from The Lord! Have a wonderful, prosperous New Year!

I haven't stopped praising The Lord for his mercy and his faithfulness to me and my family during the past few months, but even more so over the past week. It feels wonderful to be home instead of the hospital, and since I"be been here, I've gotten progressively stronger and better. The tube through my nose and into my stomach was removed today so I am able to talk and eat a little more than ice chips. All of you have been praying for me diligently, and I know that God has been bombarded with all of our petitions and has heard our pleas. I was able to go to church yesterday, and I really am back on the treadmill for short walks several times a day. The hospice staff assigned to me is outstanding and have checked on me several times a day and deal with all the medications and tubing that are administered through my port. Right now I am on very little pain medication. The most important thing for me now is to eat cautiously - small amounts of clear liquids and easy to digest foods. I'm starting to think jello is a gourmet dessert! It has not yet been determined if the blockage in my small intestine is still fully blocked, or only partially blocked, or by Divine intervention, completely unblocked. I am in no pain nor am I extremely hungry. I take a long nap every day and sleep exceptionally well all night. I am at peace about my current situation and realize how blessed I am to have one more "good" day. Please continue to pray for Bob, Sarah, and me as this has been a very stressful time. Sarah went out and bought a Christmas tree today to celebrate the fact that I'm still around, so our house smells wonderful and looks festive and bright. We are thinking of you and wishing you a glorious Christmas and a prosperous, healthy New Year!

Update on Ruth- bad turn

Late Saturday evening Ruth was admitted to ER at the Vail Medical Center due to excrutiating upper abdominal pains.CT Scans and x rays revealed a total blockage in the upper intestinal tract. She is receiving no norishment..only ice chips. Due to many factors, surgery to remove the blockage is not an option.We are working on getting her home so she can rest peacefully. She will be under the care of our good friends with our local Hospice group.

We are overwhelmed by the support of our friends, family, community during this difficult time. We know that you feel the need to do something, however at this time my dad and I are asking for your prayers and support. We are trying to limit our time on the phone, on the computer and are trying to spend our last days with Ruth. Please know that I will not be updating this blog unless anything changes. We will post information on the memorial service once it is planned.

I'm happy to report that my third chemo yesterday went well. I'm home today taking it easy, but I actually think I could have gone to school. Oh well, I'm paying medical bills on my computer instead. I've been back at school working full days, five days a week and feel amazingly energetic. I attribute this to God's grace, my diet, and all the homeopathic remedies I'm taking(some of which my niece, Suzie Gibson, is bringing from Germany when she and her family come home to Dallas for the holidays because they are readily available as over-the-counter items at the local drugstores there). I'm so grateful that I am able to live a relatively "normal" life again. The true test was when I helped shovel our driveway Monday morning after receiving about 6 inches of new snow! We are looking forward to the Christmas holidays, but this is an extremely busy time for Bob at the club, and for Sarah at the rec center because all the school kids will be there when they aren't skiing. Please continue to keep us in your prayers and let us hear from you, too! Merry Christmas and enjoy a glorious holiday season with family and friends!