Two kinds of wonderful…

Wow! I’m back 2 days in a row! I have 2 wonderful things to talk about… first of all, thank you so much (again) for all your prayers and kind words for what is happening in our lives right now. This really isn’t something you can prepare yourselves for so when it happens, it’s so unexpected and strange. You really don’t know how many friends you have all over the world until something like this comes your way. I truly appreciate all of you so much!

Incredibly fast, we received an email from St. Louis today about the PET Scan. Our doctor hinted to us last Friday, that it would most likely be a week from this coming Wednesday, as that’s when the doctors would meet and discuss my hubby’s case. I can tell you I was shaking as I opened up that email. You know how your eyes scan over a letter trying to get the gist of it as quickly as you can? Well, this was practically in a language all its own…words we didn’t know, abbreviations and other foreign phrases. We both read it in silence, together, and then I quietly said… “I think it’s good news!” My hubby said, “I think so too!” We must have read it 6 times before it sunk in… the cancer hadn’t spread through the bladder muscle wall and it appeared to not be in any of his organs or even in his lymph nodes around the bladder. Could you hear the Hallelujah cries where you lived? I bet you could have if you had been listening… We were thrilled beyond anything you could imagine!!!

A little bit later my hubby was outside walking Reuben, when his doctor called me. Not sure why he didn’t call his phone. Anyway, when I heard his voice, the shakes came back again…what if we had misunderstood the test results… But he said, pretty quickly, “I was VERY HAPPY with the results from your husbands PET Scan. It appears that the cancer is still contained inside the bladder.” (What was the scariest part of all this was how he hinted from what he had seen on the images of how bad inside his bladder was, that it may be in the abdomen and in other organs. He said if it had spread, they wouldn’t need to do the surgery to remove his bladder…it would be useless!) That was probably the scariest sentence I’ve ever heard in my life! He said a few more things but then he said, “We need to move on this fast now, he needs to have his bladder and prostrate removed, and quickly. Someone will call you tomorrow to schedule his surgery!” A few more details and he was gone. Happy news and future news. We know that the Lord has all this under control and if we (I) can learn to trust Him completely, I’ll be much more at peace. He has been SO good and I thank Him for His mercy on us!

After it all sunk in, it was time to think about Kevin and Keith coming over tonight to work on the cabinets by the frig. My hubby asked me what I wanted for a backsplash and I said, “I guess the brick board like we used in the Sunday School House kitchen.” I thought I could make it work… painting it in colors like my countertops… I wasn’t sure, but we decided to go to Menards in a town about 20 miles away and get it. When we got there, my hubby wanted to look at lights for under the countertops. I saw a little display with a sample of this faux tin type tile used.

I liked it a lot and the sign said, “can be found in our wallpaper section.” SO…guess what I found?

This is what they had….it’s a vinyl kind of faux tin tile that can be painted or antiqued or distressed… whatever you like. All I knew was, I liked it! SO…instead of getting 3 sheets of brick board, we got nine 18 x 24″ pieces of this stuff. I was excited! When I got home I laid them on my table so you could see the pattern a little better…

I could hardly wait to get home to hold it up to my stove area and see “if I made the right decision!” I think I did…

Kevin and Keith came over and here are a few pictures of them putting in the drawers on my frig wall. I went with ALL drawers on this one wall… cabinets above. I LOVE drawers!

Then they decided to put up the tin tiles too!

I LOVE them! I will worry about painting them a little later. Right now I’m working on polycrylic-ing the insides of the cabinets and drawers.

When they finished getting the drawer bases in, I had them lay the counter top on them, just so I could get a picture to show you. They had to glue a board underneath so the top couldn’t be put on just yet…

Once I just blurted out, “Oh, my kitchen’s going to be BEAUTIFUL!” Maybe sooner than you think, I’ll be baking that aqua blue cake and you’ll all be having a slice of it with me, drinking a cup of tea, under Chandi, of course!

Thanks everyone. I loved all your comments about the white paint colors…I love what you all have to share. Cindy said I didn’t need to get the paint just yet…there was plenty to do…and besides, she said it goes on sale all the time! yay!

So there you have it… two kinds of wonderful… wonderful friends and wonderful news!

I’ll see you when I can,
Blessings, Jeanne

52 thoughts on “Two kinds of wonderful…”

  1. Charlotte Trayer

    HALLELUJAH!!!!!! Praising God for such great news about George, and for the hope and joy you are both feeling right now. What a wonderful answer to prayer.

    As to your kitchen: it is coming along beauitfully, and I, too, love your “tin tiles” for the backsplash. What a beautiful choice, and just a bit unusual and distinctively yours!

    Prayers now for the upcoming surgery…..

    1. Thank you Charlotte,
      We so appreciate your prayers and investment in our lives…you don’t even know us, yet we’re all in the same family!!
      I’m glad you like my backsplash…the nice thing is, it can be re- painted for just a few dollars and give my kitchen a totally new look!
      Thanks so much,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  2. You had me scared right along with you as I’d done medical transcription for years and knew the PET scan was to decide not when but if. HALLELUJAH!!! indeed. The news couldn’t be better. I don’t think we realized the scan had already been done. Whew!

    Love the tin bit. You’ll have fun putting a finish on that, and it can be changed at will. What a beautiful kitchen you’re in for. Better than the brick, I think. Thanks for sharing everything with us, especially this marvelous news.

    1. Hi Susette,
      I remembered you had done medical transcriptions so you probably knew what the PET Scan was really for. I figured you’d read between the lines. You are SO right….the news was wonderful!!! Even though it’s still an awful diagnosis and a major operation ahead of him, it’s so much better than it might have been.
      I like the tin tiles now that they are on my wall…I wanted brick, but I’m really partial to “real” brick, so I might not have been totally happy with the “faux” kind.
      Thank you Susette,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  3. THREE kinds of wonderful — friends, news, and walls. What a lucky and blessed woman you are today! And George is even more lucky and blessed.
    I love your choice of the tin tiles. They are so appropriate to your house and so pretty besides.
    It’s so nice to have all this good news to start our day. Yesterday must have been one of the best days that house has ever seen.

    1. Hi Marilyn,
      Yes, we are truly blessed with the news that his cancer is still contained in his bladder. As awful as that sounds, it’s still a much better option.
      Yesterday was a GLORIOUS day around here. I didn’t want to go to sleep last night bease I still had at least a couple hundred “thank you’s” to tell the Lord!
      Thank you Marilyn,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  4. What wonderful news! I’m rejoicing with you. I’ll keep you both in prayer for the upcoming surgery.

  5. Oh such good news! George is one day closer to being completely healthy again.
    I love your choice for the back splash. The tin tile look is just perfect for your kitchen. It’s starting to come all together and it is indeed looking very pretty.
    Hope you have a great day!
    Take care –

    1. Hi Charlotte,
      Yes…one day closer to being healthy again
      ..I like that!
      My kitchen IS starting to look like it just might be a pretty little thing…and I’m so excited.
      Thanks so much,
      Blessings, Jeanne

    1. Thank you very much Connie… I can’t quit thanking the Lord! He is very merciful to us.
      Blessings, Jeanne

  6. You can’t imagine my joy when I read your post so this link will do a better job of expressing it.
    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=akb0kD7EHIk
    Go to this link and you can hear praises to my King for His mercy and grace. He is truly wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!

    By the way, the kitchen is beautiful just like you. God is at work in the big and small things in your life.

    1. Hi Gloria,
      Wow…that was some choir!!! I found myself singing right along with everyone else too.
      Yes, wasn’t that just the most wonderful news, Gloria? After I read the PET Scan results I just wanted to get in my car and drive to Bald Knob Cross and just scream my head off praising God! I’m sure you understand…
      Thanks Gloria,
      Blessings, Jeanne

        1. Charlotte Trayer

          Wow, Gloria, that is fabulous! I sang along, too–didn’t even need my score for that one, as I’ve sung it so often! Thanks!

  7. This is fantastic news. So much better than you’s had anticipated and now to move forward.
    I can’t even imagine getting news like that via email especially when a doctor writes it. They don’t speak our language and we don’t understand it. But great news to be thankful for. A blessed and thankful day for sure. Oh Gloria beat me to it, as the first thing I thought of was the song she linked but my favorite version is by K. D. Lang.

    I love the back splash. I live in Historical Cape May, NJ and that was very big back in that time period and you see it in so many of the homes (mansion) here. You can even purchased it as wall paper. The kitchen is coming along great and is going to look beautiful when completed.

    1. Hi Sandra,
      Yes, it was fantastic news for sure!!!
      I’ll have to look up the version you mentioned…
      I saw the wallpaper version of the tin tikes, but decided the vinyl kind was probably better for washing…
      Thanks Sandra,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  8. Oh, just WONDERFUL, Jeanne! I was SO relieved to hear about George! Easter Hallelujah all around! It’s so good to hear you are upbeat now, more than the past week or so.

    Well, guess what? That tin sheet you bought is just like what we put behind our stove, but ours is silver to go with the stove! I believe I sent a picture of that, but maybe not. It looks wonderful in your kitchen and it is so much faster to install than tile, for sure. It certainly gives your kitchen a custom look and fits in so well with the farmhouse theme. We also had brick back in the 80’s,but I think that is a bit dated now, and the tin is the way to go. Oh, wouldn’t be fun if we could all come and visit and have a piece of that cake?

    1. Hi Linda,
      I said when all this started with George, that I didn’t want to mix my personal life much into my blog, but that’s been harder than I realized not to do. They go together… Friday, Saturday and Sunday were grueling…just waiting, but with our news, it’s easier to go about my days…

      I saw the silver tin tile at Menards. I don’t know what I’ll do with mine, but I’ll figure it out I guess.
      Yes, I would LOVE to have a big I Dream of Jeanne Marie party and serve that cake! ! Everyone could bring a doll dressed up for a tea party and we could set up a table just for them!
      Thanks Linda,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  9. Thank you for passing on such great news in all fronts of your life, Jeanne. Tears came when reading your news….so grateful and happy for you both/all.

    Praying and caring.

    1. Hi Becky,
      Isn’t it great news???? I’m still so very pleased about it! It’s funny how the tears flow when you are scared AND when you are happy!!
      Thank you, Becky,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  10. I just knew that scan could be read quickly. So happy they got right on it and sent you the results to read yourself first. We are all capable. Such great news and now to get that date and get on with it. Yes. Thank you for sharing as I’m sure many of us of have been or will be in a similar situation.
    I’m really liking the white faux tile. I too was thinking the brick, but this goes so perfectly with the age of your farmhouse. Whether you paint it or not, it is bright, reflects light, and should be an easy clean up. And it looks wonderful! How exciting.
    A big thank you to Kevin and Keith because the new cabinets are amazing. I too am a big drawer fan. Things will be in full view and so easy to pull out to use. Is K&H Construction one of their companies? Looks just like This Old House when the workers wear their shirts. By the way, that is my favorite show. Really.
    Fingers crossed that you hear today about the surgery date. Keep updated whenever you can.

    1. I think K&H Construction can now refer to themselves as “internationally known K&H Construction,” thanks to Jeanne’s blog.

    2. Hi Joy,
      I was REALLY hoping to get the news before the doctors all met to have their discussion…and so thankful we got the results as soon as we did.
      I really could have gone either way…brick or the tiles…but I think the tiles will be less work in the long run and much easier to haul home in the truck!! :o)
      K & H Construction is the name of the custom homes company that Kevin works for. He is the cabinet specialist for them… wasn’t I blessed to have him help? We like to watch This Old House too…
      We didn’t get a call today about a date for his surgery…maybe tomorrow.
      Thanks Joy,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  11. God has this ! Best news ever:) Continued prayers for George as he prepares for his surgery ? keep the good news coming:)!

    Love the anaglyptia tiles that you chose for your back splash. It will be a perfect addition and age appropriate for your kitchen! Love all the drawers . Will they be “soft close “? Cindy is right about the paint.. first things first:)

    1. Hi Shara,
      I agree….BEST NEWS EVER!!! I hope to keep the good news coming!!!

      I’m glad you like my tiles and drawers…they are easy glide on rollers so they work pretty well. There are 3 of the narrow drawers that need to have some silicone rubbed on them
      Thanks so much,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  12. Oh what incredible news – a great big ole smile came over me when I read your post! Continued prayers for successful surgery and complete and speedy recovery.

    I really like the idea of the tin tile backsplash and it comes with so many color / antiquing options for you to try out. What I really like is in a few years you can change your mind and easily update with a color change. Rally great idea Jeanne. The “crew” is really moving along and so happy for you to see such wonderful progress.

    Blessings to all including your wonderful “crew”

    1. Thank you Leigh,
      A big smile followed by tears running down my cheeks from me!!! :o)
      My kitchen is moving right along and much faster than if we were doing it all by ourselves. I am so grateful for the help right now. If things were like they used to be, we probably would have just done it slowly by ourselves. But…since things are different now, I’m thankful for our help!
      Thanks Leigh,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  13. Hi Jeanne,
    So happy to hear it’s positive news.. What an answer to prayer! Continued prayers and I love your choice for the back splash : )
    Hugs
    Ingrid

    1. Thanks so much Ingrid,
      YES, what an answer to prayer!!
      Glad you’re liking my backsplash!
      Blessings, Jeanne

    1. Hi Dorothy,
      I didn’t feel very strong when the doctor left the room on Friday…and strong? Tears rolled down my cheeks all the way home.
      Thank you for your continued prayers…we have lots to face in the coming days…
      Blessings, Jeanne

  14. Marti Wulfow Garner

    I am sad that your husband needs to have his bladder and prostrate removed, but then I am thrilled that he has to have them removed. Take care and enjoy your kitchen as it gets completed.

    1. Thank you Marti,
      I feel the same way, sad to see him get rid of his bladder and go with something artificial, but happy to get rid of that cancerous thing at the same time!
      My kitchen remodel keeps me from thinking about his cancer all the time. It’s almost been a nice diversion…
      Thanks Marti,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  15. Such good news! I was so happy to read about your hubby’s PET scan results and know everyone’s prayers were answered. Now I will be praying that the surgery and recovery are completely successful. Your kitchen will soon look beautiful and you will have two big milestones behind you. I have the wallpaper you are using in my house, although mine is a different pattern. I chose the one that looks like stucco and used it to cover the paneled walls in my family room. Wallpapering and painting was a little bit of work, but so much cheaper than having the paneling removed, then getting Sheetrock put up and textured. I think you will be very pleased with it.

    1. Thank you so much, Carolyn,
      We really appreciate the prayers from everyone. It’s nice because sometimes you are just too overwhelmed to even know what to say…
      I debated about getting the “tin tiles ” wallpaper, but ended up getting the vinyl squares instead. I love the looks of it and know I’ll be happy with it.
      Thanks so much,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  16. I am very familiar with PET Scans… my husband was diagnosed with head and neck cancer in 2005 (not sure I have shared that before). So humbling because there is no surgery for this kind of cancer. A lump was found on my husbands neck and it was malignant. He had 35 radiation treatments to his neck; lost his saliva glands permanently (he carries a water bottle with him) and also had 10 chemo treatments. God is the great physician. He not only choose to put his cancer in remission (a MIRACLE), but he drew my husband to himself and he was born again (MIRACLE). It would be 3 years later that my husband had a TMI Attack (a red flag that a stroke was coming). His MRI showed that his carotid artery was 99 percent blocked. God the great physician performed another MIRACLE, he had surgery but in the recovery room was in such pain and later learned that when the surgeon unclamped the artery, a tine clot broke off and went into his eye leaving him permanent blind. We rejoiced and praised God for saving his life. He could have had a stroke or died. God was merciful and gave him a longer life. A couple of years he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and had surgery; another MIRACLE he is doing well today. I share this to say, God is in the business of doing miracles. Rejoicing with you and your husband that the PET Results were so encouraging. You have hope, God’s mercies are new every morning and nothing is impossible with God. Please share this with your husband.

    Love the tile back splash; looks great with Chanti. In no time, it will be completed and you and your husband can get the much needed rest.

    1. Hi Laureen,
      I will share your husbands testimony with my hubby. Encouraging words are always welcomed around here. Wow, your husband should be nicknamed “the miracle man!” He really has been through it and came out on the other side! I believe in miracles and will take any we can get!
      Thanks for the compliments on the kitchen backsplash
      I’m working on poly coating the insides of the drawers now…
      Thank you Laureen,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  17. Praise God for the wonderful news. The backsplash is lovely, very old-fashioned. I absolutely love it. May have to check it out for behind my stove.

    1. Hi Laura,
      I’m trying to figure out what will make the biggest difference in my kitchen…the floor, the ceiling, new walls, new countertops, the soffits gone, new cabinets, the backsplash, who knows? I hope I find out soon!!!
      You can buy a square or two of the faux tin and see if you like it just by standing it up behind your stove.
      Thanks Laura,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  18. A tiny clot went into his left eye, leaving him blind in that eye. Praise God he has one good eye. He can do everything he did before, including driving, only with one eye.

    1. Hi Laureen,
      I’m glad your husband has recovered so well from all he’s been through. What a road to recovery he’s had.
      Thanks for sharing
      Blessings, Jeanne

  19. JOY! Thankful, grateful, blessed! So glad to hear your wonderful news, Jeanne! “I call to the Lord who is worthy of praise…” Although family issues have kept me away from the computer until late, my thoughts and prayers are with you and George even in my absence.

    Please don’t think twice about sharing your personal challenges, Jeanne. One of the good things about social media is the way connects people, and your blog has greatly expanded your “Circle of Friends,” who will continue to lift you and George in prayer on his continued path to good health.

    Your kitchen is progressing beautifully, and the “tin tiles” add a perfect element of pretty farmhouse charm. God was so good to move this project forward for you at this particular time, and it is very exciting seeing it come together so well. Soon you will be hosting family and friends in the cozy, warm, and inviting kitchen of your dreams, and I personally cannot wait to taste that delicious blue cake. 😉 I’ll bring Bella in her enchanting “Easter Charm” ensemble!

    Your post title says, “Two Kinds of Wonderful….,” and Marilyn added a third, but I will add the Greatest Kind of Wonderful — Jesus. The song that came to me when I read your news was, His Name is Wonderful, and so it is! Bountiful blessings to you and George!

    1. Thank you Anne,
      Yes, His name certainly is wonderful!! He has been tremendously gracious and merciful to us.
      I’m working on the drawers that wete just put in, polycrylic, then sand, then poly again…they’ll be nice and slick on the insides and easy to wipe out.
      Gotta get this done so I can make that cake!!!!
      Thanks so much Anne,
      I am LOVING that book you sent. I read in it everyday. I know it’s supposed to be a daily devotional, but her words are just what I need right now and one page just isn’t enough… :o)
      Thanks so much,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  20. Hi,

    I have not very good about reading this lately, but I am so happy I did today…I am very happy for you and your husband!!! Love the tile!! Take care my friend!!

    1. Thank you Robin,
      Nice to have your comments here today! I hope you’ll stay tuned for the finishing up of my kitchen…I’m making a cake and sharing it “virtually” with all my readers! You won’t want to miss your piece!
      Thanks so much,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  21. It’s lovely to be able to come here and read all the rejoicing. Bad times are easier with support and knowing that a whole group of well-wishers are waiting to share your experiences.
    I love the pictures of your progress and this time found myself admiring the last one a great deal. What a shock your next kitchen post is going to be for all of us — we like nice shocks.
    Stay well and strong in every possible way.

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