Category Archives: video

Chemo #8 {crossing over}

Chemo #8 {crossing over}

Few words today… plenty on the video. This is my crossing over day, and while I’ll spend the next few weeks with the same side effects and many more months being restored to full health, I feel closer now than I have in the previous five months. To God be the glory… great things he hath done!
{heading out the door to the cancer center}
{greeted by volunteers}
{Coleen, nurse practitioner, not even a hundred pounds… made her sit on my lap}
{Mrs. Ann/ Jadon’s tutor saves the day and babysits, bringing the kids by with my surprise}
 
{my surprise}
{precious Vic}
 
{a woman I will love for life, Sarah, who soon will make her way home to Montana with her husband who has just returned home from his second tour to Afghanistan. They both have served our country well. Now I have a good reason to visit my Montana dream!}
 
{saying good-bye}
 
{saying good-bye some more}
 
{and more to the blood collectors}
 
{and more… I love this place; I will miss it!}
{and more to the gals at the registration desk}
{and finally out the door, crossing over to home!}
Friends, I can’t even begin to process all that I am feeling in this moment, but time will reveal my heart in the matter. I have spent some of the best weeks of my life at the Cape Fear Valley Cancer Center. The folks there (patients, nurses, drs., and volunteers) have significantly changed my life, and I am forever in their debt. I’d like nothing more than to serve them with my heart for my remaining days in Fayetteville. Thus far, they have been the best, most gracious reward of my cancer journey. I love you each one. {For the record, they scored two honey bun cakes, Sassy Granny cookies, Krispy Kreme donuts, Preacher Billy’s applesauce cake, candy Christmas chex mix, Starbucks, banana nut muffins… never hurts to win their favor with some food!}
Now, in regards to the video, I know it is lengthy. I thought of breaking it up into smaller segments, but honestly, it takes so long to do that. I changed my mind. If you want to skip over the preliminaries and get to my main thoughts, you can fast forward about 5.20 minutes. I will be collecting all the videos into one to serve as a “stone of remembrance” for my family for the years to come. Thanks, again, for all your prayers. More to come after a few days of much needed rest and healing. I still have to weather the effects of this round of chemo.

 

PS: On my way out of the cancer center, I saw a precious young 20 something gal sitting outside the bloodwork bay. She had tears in her eyes and was getting her instructions to start her chemo. I briefly stopped, offered her my “you can do this thing, by God’s grace you can do this thing; I just did this thing, and before you know you’ll be a pro at this.” I wish I had more time to spend with her, but I promised her my prayers. Her name is Serena. Just another tender soul now a part of club she never wanted to claim as her own. I know she’d appreciate your prayers as well. Thanks.

Chemo #7 {a forward moving faith}

Chemo #7 {a forward moving faith}

Guess who stopped by the chemo lounge today? A necessary piece of the puzzle named “chemotherapy”… I thought it important they come. They certainly were a hit with the other patients in my area.
My video is longer today; my words many, therefore, I’ll not write much here. Thank you for your prayers and for walking this long road with me. We’re not home yet, but we’re getting closer with every passing moment. These are good days to be God’s kingdom warriors. Keep to it.

Peace for the journey,

chemo #6 {creating "interest" for the kingdom}

Thank you for stopping by today and for all of your prayers. It’s been a rough two weeks; the new drug, Taxol, has worked differently on my body from the first two drugs, Cytoxan and Adriamycin. In short, it has greatly affected my energy level (in conjunction with the cumulative effect of several chemos) and from the waist down, my body has experienced incredible, deep pain. Walking has been very difficult for me at times. Thank God for pain meds and for a husband who is willing to carry the heavy load of household chores and child management.

I am forever grateful for the energy I need to help my kids with their homework every night and to get the Christmas shopping, decorating, and card writing organized. Even though its been a struggle of my will at times, I’ve never experienced a more meaningful, peaceful Christmas. As it should be.

Below you will find my thoughts from today, in addition to a challenge to each one of you. I pray you take the time to watch it. I’m certain I’ll give you most of the week, as I won’t be posting for a few days. I have some wonderful thoughts that continue to brew in my underneath; one in particular about “chasing fires.” So bear with me, it’s coming. Blessed week to you all. As you walk it through, be mindful of the wonderful gift you’ve been given in Jesus Christ. He and his Truth are a sacred trust that we must endeavor to seed into the soil of our everyday lives.

Keep to it; I love you each one.

 
Peace for the journey,

chemo #5 {the There-ness of the Lord}

Thanks to all of you who lifted a prayer for me today. I spent five hours in the chemo chair {yes, five}, but every one of them was well worth the pause. Some old friends were there; some new. I’ve chronicled a bit of our fun and conversation on the video, finishing it with a word of encouragement just for you {there’s an obvious, running theme throughout–nourishment}! I realize these few minutes are a sacrifice of your time; if it’s not your thing, consider yourself excused and still loved by me. I’m doing these videos to chronicle my journey of chemotherapy–a touchstone of sorts for the road ahead. I, along with my family, will need the benefit of their witness in the days ahead as we move forward beyond my cancer. 
Of this one thing I am certain… cancer has changed me; it will always be part of my story, and because I’m a woman prone to forget the faithfulness of my God, I need words and pictures to aid me in my remembrance and gratefulness. Blessings to each one of you for being here and for joining me on the road toward Peace. I love you more than you know. As always…
Peace for the journey,
 

“And the name of the city from that time on will be: THE LORD IS THERE.” 
{Ezekiel 48:35b}
PS: The winner of Leah’s Bible study, From the Trash Pile to the Treasure Chest, is Jeneil from Rhema’s Hope. I’ll have this to you very soon, friend. For the rest of you, leave a comment today in keeping with today’s video content, and I’ll draw a winner or two for a surprise gift with my next post. Shalom.

Chemo #4 {my Confidence}

Thanks to everyone who left a comment for Chris Tomlin’s new CD. The three winners (as drawn by my kids) are lioneagle, Heather, and Jacquelyn. Please e-mail me your snail mail, and I will get these to you as soon as I’m able. Congrats! Now regarding my day…

“Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.” {Proverbs 3:25-26}
Peace for the journey,

PS: Some have asked regarding the rocker… it belonged first to my great, great grandpa. It comforts me to have a piece of family legacy left to my care and guardianship. In addition, the necklace I’m wearing is from Jerusalem, a gift from my friend Leah who has recently returned from there. She’s just published her first Bible study on “From the Trashpile to the Treasure Chest: Leaving a Godly legacy.” I’ve recently ordered two copies and will be doing a give-away soon! In the meantime, please visit her blog to find out more details. Shalom.
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