Today I’ve turned the page in my cancer journey… a new chapter entitled Chemotherapy. There was a great deal of mystery surrounding this event; new chapters are like that. We cannot hold their fullness on the front end. To see it all, hold it all, and taste it all before that “all” arrives is to mark that chapter as previously read… as “been there done that,” no further mystery to absorb. Not so in my case. Yes, the “process” of receiving my chemotherapy is now recorded as experience. The after effects are what remain hidden. As they unfold, I will be careful to take notes and to consider their influence over me. It’s simply too much to know today. Accordingly, I will leave it for tomorrow.
Which reminds me, yet again, about my “worrying” needs and the importance of placing them within the context of single day… sometimes a single hour. God has tomorrow covered. All I need to be concerned with is how to manage the fullness of today. And so far, today has been covered magnificently by the grace of God.
God is my hero, and when his Spirit living within me connects with his Spirit living in him, the result is an unstoppable force of nature—a channel of power, strength, peace, and goodness. I love keeping pace with my King. I love when my heart rhythms with his. Today has been one of those days for me, and I am grateful for the simple joy of a single day that is ending far better than how I imagined it would end even as it began a few hours ago.
{my chemo nurse, Sarah, who is from Montana! I’m certain that God hand-picked her for me… for those of you who don’t know, I have a penchant for Montana.}
{free hats from Friends of the Cancer Center / Cape Fear Valley Hospital}
I wish I could write more… words escape me in this moment. Safe to say, thank you for ministering to me and my family as you do. You are the fingerprints of God all over my heart. I count it a privilege to walk alongside you in this season. As always…
Peace for the journey
Oh sweet Elaine! God is splattered all over you, friend!
I'm praying for you today as you probably feel crummy!
I can't help but think of Luke 1:37
"For with God nothing will be impossible."
Hang on, dear sister! Bumpy road ahead. But, God has this!
Dearest Elaine, I know you can't fathom the power of your words through this journey but I know many many people fighting for their lives will be touched. I for one, am always encouraged and taken back to the throne when I read your posts. Praying for His healing to restore your body today.
Hugs to you dear sister.
Noreen
How fun to hear your voice so I can put the sound of it with your posts now!
I'll be praying according to Psalm 33: 4: "For the word of the LORD holds true, and everything he does is worthy of our trust."
Hey honey girl…I just read Wander's comment and laughed at how perfectly she's described you: God is INDEED splattered all over you, and you wear Him SO VERY WELL.
I love you. I'm praying. I'm believing God for His very best in your life.
xo m
I love you, Elaine!! What a beautiful woman you've become!! 🙂 My prayers and thoughts are with you today, and I wanted to let you know! Ah, Aunt Patty! What on Earth would we do without you?!? Thank God for you 2, dear!!
Love,
Cousin and niece,
Carol Lynn~
xoxox
I have sat with a dear friend during her chemo. There is a bond among the women. May you minister and be ministered to as you have your treatments.
I enjoyed hearing your voice and thought how brave you sound standing outside there–not sure I could have been so. Your recording will stay with me. I am sitting in my TV room now praying that the Lord lets this chemo go easy on you in the coming days and that you ride this out fast and furious!!
Bless your precious, precious heart, Elaine. I love you!
What a joy is was to hear your voice. What a privelege it is to kneel befor our Father and lift you in prayer.
Brings back memories when I went w/ my sister to her chemo treatments… she too documented her journey, not only for others who would battle cancer, but for her girls! Fight on dear one, Livestrong!
Hearing your voice always blesses me! The countenance of God not only shines upon you, it resonates through you and the words you speak. Who knew that God has a southern drawl, just like us? 😉
Love you so much…take good care of yourself, and call me anytime you want to talk.
Love you…
Such an amazing woman you are – and such an encouragement to ALL of us on our journeys. Praying for you to feel His strength and comfort every moment, and that your testimony will spread wider than you could possibly comprehend.
Hey Elaine!
So blessed by your heart, as always, and I echo several other commentors…..GOD is splattered all over you, girlfriend!
Continuing to lift you before the Throne of Grace and standing upon His precious promises for your healing and peace in this journey! Also, praying that this chemo process is a blessing to your body and that there are no adverse side affects! In Jesus' Mighty Name!
Oh, and yes I completely concur with Beth…..Isn't it just awesome that the Lord has a Southern drawl just like us!! : ))
Oh clap your hands, all ya'll
Shout to the Lord with a voice of triumph!
The LORD Most High is awesome, ya'll!
Psalm47:1-2 NKJ (with southern emphasis added : )))
Our awesome God has His strong healing, delivering hand upon you Faith Elaine!!!
Hugs, Love and Prayers!
Jackie
prayers friend.
My father-in-law is going through chemo these days. There will be good days and some not so good ones. Just know that you are thought of and being prayed for.
You look great!!!
You are in my prayers and in God's hands.
love and hugs~Tammy
I love you, Elaine!! What a beautiful woman you've become!! 🙂 My prayers and thoughts are with you today, and I wanted to let you know! Ah, Aunt Patty! What on Earth would we do without you?!? Thank God for you 2, dear!!
Love,
Cousin and niece,
Carol Lynn~
xoxox
Really thinking about this afternoon here at work, Elaine!! 🙂 I love you so much, and am praying for you, girl~ hugs and kisses~~~
I wish I could do more than check in and pray. I wish I could be there to cook meals, or do your laundry; to quietly serve you as you – even now – serve all of us.
A huge dose of blessings & peace upon you & yours,
Kathleen
Elaine,
May God bless you richly in these days, draw near to you and wrap you close and tight in His care. Your grace is an inspiration…
Thank you for including ME in your day! A part of me went with you and looks forward to hearing the next update.
My God WILL supply ALL your needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus!
Oh Elaine you have been on my heart and mind so much during these last couple of days and I lifted you to Him every chance I got. It was soo good to hear your voice and now put a face to your words. How you encourage me could never be properly expressed. I pray the Lord continues to minister to you and you feel His presence in a very tangeable way. I pray you aren't too sick from your treatment and the cancer is completely wiped out. Rest as much as you can, and KNOW that your heart and spirit are greatly used by Him and minister to all of us. BLESSINGS and HUGS, Debbie
God never ceases to amaze me — your chemo nurse is from Montana?! What a personal and loving touch from our very personal and loving Father…
As always, praying for you!
oh sweetie, i pray that the Lord protects
all your good cells and blasts the bad
ones.
Hugs and prayers from Iowa.
Elaine – I loved getting to hear your sweet voice! Thanks for sharing the clip with us – it makes my prayers for you seem much more personal!
You are such a precious gift to all who get to know you and as you share this journey with us – know in your heart that every step of it you are being lifted up before our Father – to give you the grace needed to sustain you! Prayers for you to have the strength needed each day. Prayers for comfort when the pain tries to overcome you! Prayers for faith when the walk begins to overshadow the truth of Him holding you closer than ever. Prayers for His love to silence any word that you hear or think that speaks of anything but the truth of His desire to care for your every need now.
May God bless you and keep you!
Much love in Christ!
Jill
Dear friend…it's so good to hear your voice today! Your courage to make that video touches my heart so. I'm with Sassy…I'd give anything to be there sitting alongside, serving you in some way. (Surely baking a cake would be in there somewhere!) ; )
So grateful to read God's grace has so magnificently covered this day for you. Praying still…
I love you dearly,
tracy
P.S. Has anyone ever told you how lovely you look in pink?
Elaine,
I echo each and every sentiment. You are so gracious and beautiful. Your resting in the Father gives all of us such comfort. We love you and are so grateful for you and your willingness to "do the blog" way back when. May peace just envelope you.
Debbie
My dear friend, like Kathleen, I wish I could be there and serve you quietly. Just help in any way I could. I am praying pouring out my heart to heaven for you.
You look wonderful, and in the midst of all you are going through, you are blessing others and being an extension of God's hand to everyone.
One thing I know: Father God is with you so closely, and when all your treatment is complete, you will look back at this season, gazing with amazement at the grace He gave you!
Much love, with many prayers and hugs,
Andrea
you are a light.
i love you.
Elaine:
I just ditto all of the above. You are so much in our hearts. No wonder you feel those prayers… there are so many!
You shine my friend, and seeing your face and hearing your sweet voice just made my day! It's a privilege to walk beside you and to see God so clearly in your life.
Hugs!
Just stopped by to check in on you, and let you know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. I just glanced at my "verse for the day" on a perpetual calendar I've had for nearly 20 years. "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God." Is. 41:10 Just wanted to remind you of that wonderful promise! Sending a hug to you!!
Dearest Heart,
I'm surprised how memories flood. My first chemo nurse hovering that needle over my port: "OK, Judith, on the count of three – are you ready?"
"Let's rock and roll," I said.
I like your video much better.
I read your post earlier tonight and couldn't bear to write. Loved reading all the loving and uplifting comments that I know amaze and comfort you.
Thinking of all these prayers, Elaine, James comes to mind. James in my good old KJV
"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
We, His own, prevail.
xoxo,
Judith
Love the smiles 🙂
Sweet friend, I didn't realize you had a "penchant" for Montana…gracious…so do I! Of course I've just called it "a thing" or "a thang" for Montana, speaking your dialect 🙂
Elaine, your verse for this year has captured my heart this morning. Goosebumps. No coincidence God wrote that message over your heart in January.
I love you my friend and continuing to uphold you in prayer.
Hugs,
Joy
You go girl! I know you'll handle this experience called chemo with the same grace, dignity and sense of humor you've displayed thus far. Your words are shining a bright light into a dark place for so many women.
Love, hugs and prayers,
Kelli
Your journey so blesses my soul Elaine. Praise God for using You.
Wow. These pictures really brought your journey home to reality for me. This new journey is definitely another book in the making and a PINK bestseller!
Elaine. Constant prayers run through my heart for you. And on the mile I run and pray for you, I'm crying when I get to that mile marker. Crying out to your Creator for your life, comfort, kids, husband and you as you truly live out the message God gave you…peace for the journey. This journey of chemo and healing and hair loss and growth. May God reveal a side of Him you've only heard about, read about, but never seen up close. I love you my friend. I really do.
L
Hi Elaine- it's been a while since I have combed over your blog and so when I pulled up my own blog this AM and saw the word Chemo, I quickly looked at you story. I am an RN and when I was practicing, I worked as an oncology nurse. I am familiar with this field and have seen many many people beat their cancers. I have also watched God do amazing things as believers sit next to unbelievers, all getting their weekly chemo, and share why they have hope in the midst of a tough trial. So be encouraged. This didn't catch God by surprise. He has this all under control. And He will use you in mighty ways to reach people at their darkest moments when all hope seems lost because you know what they are going through, yet you have a free gift that can change their lives! I am praying for you on this journey. I look forward to hearing more of your story.
Hi Elaine- it's been a while since I have combed over your blog and so when I pulled up my own blog this AM and saw the word Chemo, I quickly looked at you story. I am an RN and when I was practicing, I worked as an oncology nurse. I am familiar with this field and have seen many many people beat their cancers. I have also watched God do amazing things as believers sit next to unbelievers, all getting their weekly chemo, and share why they have hope in the midst of a tough trial. So be encouraged. This didn't catch God by surprise. He has this all under control. And He will use you in mighty ways to reach people at their darkest moments when all hope seems lost because you know what they are going through, yet you have a free gift that can change their lives! I am praying for you on this journey. I look forward to hearing more of your story.
you are so beautiful elaine – and being so used of God through this!
i am praying tha God's hand of protection just be placed firmly upon your head even now and that His healing is just flowing from head to toe in your body!
indeed may He give you peace for this journey…
Wanted you to know I am still praying and I see God is blessing.
Hang in there!
God's fingerprints are all over your dear. Praying for His incredible peace to carry you through. You can do it friend!! So wish I could do mote than pray but then prayer is our greatest gift don't you think?
Love you friend.
Believing Him~Pamela
You touch me with your precious, beautiful faith. Much love and many prayers to you sweetie.
I'm always uplifted when I read your posts, Elaine!
God continues to use you to impact others lives, even during this time in your life when you are physically suffering! Continuing to lift you in prayer!
~Beth
What an honor it is to pray.
What a privilege it is to be called friend.
What a joy to 'hear' your voice.
As we each begin new chapters in our life books, I am praying that God makes your sweet and filled with unexpected joys!
Praying for you daily!!!
wifeforthejourney:
How blessed I am to be able to walk this road with you. You are good to me, even when I don't always know what to do. You are brave, and strong and good – and you continue to live your life in such a real way.
This is a difficult season, filled with a lot of unknowns, but God does continue to show Himself faithful. He is already using your cancer to encourage and strengthen others, especially those of us that share home and hearth with you.
Daughter, Wife, Mother, Friend, Survivor – you wear each title well. Nobody is like you…
Love,
Billy
I witness such peace of the Lord on your face and the video post was wonderful; you have a beautiful speaking voice. Praying daily for that healing and wholeness.
Love,
Mary
You are strong Elaine. I hear and see that so clearly. May the chemo start doing its job. What a verse the Lord has given you as you go to battle. Praying for you my sister.(You look good in pink!)
Elaine, you are in my prayers. Thank you for sharing this journey. From your words and photos, I feel that I am gaining a better understanding of… and appreciation for those going through survival.
Praying for God's comfort and strength and healing.
I love you.
Elaine,
My thoughts and prayers are with you. I have given the address of your blog to those who have started and those who have completed chemo treatments. Your blog is wonderful! Our Lord will be with you every step of this journey. For me the 11 chemo treatments were fine. The side effects of chemo were more difficult. Everyone's physical journey is different. The spiritual journey is the validation that He is there. He loves each one of us. He works miracles. He is Love.
My our Lord bless and keep you and yours. Thank you so much for sharing this. Our Lord has blessed you with the gift of writing from your heart.
Love you,
Marcia
Precious ~ Praying for your healing ~