A Mission Field in the journey of Cancer

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus sake. II Corinthians 4:3-5

Today as I was speaking with my sweet radiation nurse about how I was doing. She asked about the upcoming ladies luncheon; the menu and that she'd like to see photos next week. With this OPEN DOOR...I told her that we are having a special meeting the following week and that the gentleman's wife is our speaker at the luncheon. I handed her the testimony tract of our speaker and was pleased that she asked to keep it...My hearts desire.

I then offered the same to another person with rejection. Saddened my heart...and I had to remind myself ...because we can take rejection so personal...

They are not rejecting you...they are rejecting the wonderful light of the glorious gospel...the very truth that bestows the most magnificent GRACE of life.

Servants..for Christ sake. For HIM...to give on HIS behalf...HOPE for others.

But, I thank the LORD for the opportunity...for the time at hand to be faithful to try and reach others with this Glorious Gospel of Christ.

And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not. Acts 28:24

New faces...New places...at such a time...

to serve on...A Mission Field

even in the midst of a journey with cancer.

Hope

Week 5 of Radiation

Radiation Therapy continues to go well. I have just two weeks left. This being the fifth of six weeks of treatment.

The fatigue comes in waves...more so in the evening...with the day catching up on me.
My husband is such a blessing, always helping in any way he can.

We have a big week-end and week a head. Our 8th Annual Ladies Spring Luncheon is this Saturday and I'm the hostess! PLEASE pray the fatigue doesn't overwhelm me~! I have a lot of ladies helping and the LORD has blessed in another way. Friends we have not seen in years are coming to visit and one dear couple is staying with us. Janie will be a huge help and a blessing to the utmost just being here to fellowship with. The LORD's timing.... The perfect time, and person to visit me~! THANK YOU LORD!

Easter week we have a special speaker in from Sunday through Friday. So that means my regular scheduled therapy time and then a day of visiting and nightly preaching.

Whew~ I'm tired thinking about it all..but wouldn't miss it for anything!!

There will be so much to GLEAN from the Preaching...the blessings of fellowship and the anticipation of the GOOD work of the LORD done in the hearts of all who attend.

Each year is a BOUNTY of BLESSINGS!

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When my therapy is over; I will post about my diagnosis and how this led up to my radiation therapy choice and my further course of treatments.
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PLEASE REMEMBER Kelly Johnson, Lois, and Cindy in your prayers. They are in this fierce battle with Cancer....

I love reading the OLD Testament and the Victors of the many battles fought with the LORD in their midst!

Romans 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

As the song says..VICTORY THROUGH GRACE

Conquering now and still to conquer, Rideth a King in His might
Leading the host of all the faithful Into the midst of the fight
See them with courage advancing, Clad in their brilliant array
Shouting the names of their Leader, Hear them exultingly say:

Not to the strong is the battle, Not to the swift is the race,
Yet to the true and the faithful, Vic'try is promised through grace.

Psalm 31:24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

Blessings to all...

HOPE

Week 4 Radiation Therapy Blessings!

Thank you!....I appreciate so very much your prayers...they are effectual!!

I have had opportunity as we have prayed to talk with others around me...no other patients but my radiation team...all great people! Very receptive! We are having a special meeting Easter week at our church and I've already invited some out..please pray they come. Our visiting preacher has an amazing testimony of who's tract I gave out. None can deny by this man's life the wonderful work of GRACE...as in our own lives.

A young man recently visited our church and sang a song I had never heard before and I was so touched...tears came(of course with me this happens often!!). I asked him afterwards if he could send me the words..and he opens his binder and hands me the page!!! Praise the LORD!

"You're Looking At God's Grace"

Take a look at my hands, there's no nail print there.
Take a look at my brow, no crown of thorns do I wear.
Take a look at my back, no whip has ever left a trace.
Take a good look at me, you're looking at God's Grace.

When you're looking at me...you're looking at God's Grace.
I should have hung on the cross in disgrace.
But God sent his Son there to die in my place.
When you're looking at me, you're looking at God's Grace.
(partial song lyrics)

How true this is for those who have trusted the LORD Jesus as their personal Saviour! Just a sinner...seeking redemption and finding God's Grace! and the humble thanksgiving of what he bore for us on the cross of Calvary!

This too was me one day. I pray when I go for my treatments...that they see this in me also...

When you're looking at me...you're looking at God's Grace!

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God... Ephesians 2:8 KJV

I spoke today with my sweet technicians of trusting God's will for my life when I was first diagnosed. How I pray...my time there will yield fruit...

Our Ladies Luncheon is coming up and the theme is

"BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED"

Bloom in planting seeds where you are, seedlings reseeding!...Bloom in your own spiritual growth and Bloom by being a blessing where you are!

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I spoke with my Radiation Oncologist today (Tuesdays). For your information..it is NORMAL to feel some pain. The tumor removed left a cavity and also the nerves and blood vessels are healing. This can last up to a year. A type of "electrical" shooting. Brief but noticeable. I mainly felt this on Friday and Saturday...my main fatigue days also. ALL NORMAL. I have lost a few pounds..YEA! and amazingly my blood pressure is going down!! So I'm doing well with radiation therapy!!

My skin, I'm told, will start to show some marked treatments signs this next week. Also this 4th and 5th week...will be the most felt of the fatigue. Thankfully, I have friends coming from out of town for the luncheon and meeting (the 6th week!)...so I have HELP on the way! God's timing is so PERFECT!

Thank you once again for your prayers and sweet comments!
HOPE

Week 3 ...day 3.. and GUS!

Now I know you see this one!!! Can you believe it!!? I decided to CLOUD WATCH again during treatment time...like there is a whole lot to do! SMILE!!

So there you go...I found my dog GUS The Schnauzer in the BLUE of the sky! I don't know why the clouds are showing up yellow...they are a vibrant WHITE in the panels.
I got the biggest kick out of finding this leaping Schnauzer! You can see his infamous "eye brows" if you look closely. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Now I see him at each visit. Yesterday I had just showed the girls that do my treatments photos of him..one of them just adores Schnauzers..so she laughed when I said..NOW you really won't believe what I just found in the clouds!!

I think it actually brings a SMILE in their day...as I think upon the many patients they treat on a daily basis. Some I'm sure in bad shape...Chemo patients have to have radiation also...and if theirs is after weeks or months of Chemo treatments, I'm sure they are not as up to a cheerful visit as I am. I PRAY that I make a difference for them each day I am there.

I am doing well...I see my Oncologist each week and the Onco-nurse...my skin looks great to them. Me..it is fine..just some color changing..a very minor itch from time to time. The nurse told me of a SALT bar that you wet and use like deodorant for when the skin is moist in humidity. No deodorant with radiation treatments..and no perfumed soaps or lotions allowed. She said the Salt block is also found right along with the deodorants or near Natural products like TOM's.

The fatigue is still an issue with me...have to watch myself. Just yesterday, I had a WONDERFUL day of TEA with friends (will post on THIS IS THE DAY) and today, could feel the tiredness of a whole day out yesterday. It was WORTH it!!!

When I have more time, I will post on my diagnosis and some information that might be helpful to you or others you know.

Please continue to PRAY for my friends...Kelly, Cindy and Lois.

Blessings...
HOPE

Week 2...Day 7...To Your Health

Today is day 7 of my second week of radiation therapy.

I see my Oncologist each Tuesday and as of today....

all is well with my skin...so far...I am going to start applying Cornstarch in the evenings after showering to keep the skin dry. Kind of like the good ole diaper rash prevention measures!

I am however, feeling quite fatigued already...but there is some remedy to this!

I had given my dietitian a sample and recipe of a wonderful homemade granola bar my daughter had given me. I wanted her opinion on it's nutrition for me at this time of treatment and it's benefits.

When I saw her today...she was beaming with a SMILE of approval!!

It is LOADED with VITAMIN E!!! She said all the ingredients are EXCELLENT and highly recommends staying with this for my daily diet regime....the in-between snack A.M. and P.M. It is a great source of FIBER!!!

She also enjoyed her sample so much she wanted to keep the recipe...So, I am also going to include it here for you.

TO YOUR HEALTH!

Home Made Healthy Energy Bars



2 Cups Whole Oats
1 Cup Whole Wheat Flour
1/2 Cup Wheat Germ
3/4 Cup Brown Sugar
1/2 tsp. Cinnamon
1/2 tsp. Sea Salt

MIX DRY INGREDIENTS ...set aside.

In separate bowl mix WET ingredients:

1/2 Cup Canola Oil(measure the oil first, then the honey for easy pouring)
1/2 Cup Honey
1 Egg
1 1/2 tsp. Vanilla

Blend WET ingredients gradually into dry ingredients...
ADD...your choice of the following one or combined

1/2 cup nuts (Pecans..Walnuts) 1/2 cup dried berries or apricots or raisins

3/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Spray a 13 X 9 pan with PAM spray and spread granola evenly in pan. I use the back of a sprayed spatula to make sure it is evenly laid out.

You can use a cookie sheet if you prefer a thinner granola.

BAKE at 35O degrees....for 20-30 minutes.

Do NOT over bake or it will be dry. Should be just golden brown. I bake mine 20 min.

Cut into bars while cooling and still some-what soft.




I recently made them using dried mixed Berries and it was WONDERFUL! Yummy!

ENJOY ....To your health!!

HOPE

A WEEK OF CLOUD WATCHING

Today finished my first week of Radiation Therapy.

I can say it has been a GOOD week. I've learned so much!

About Radiation Therapy...people...trust...and passing the time PEACEFULLY!

The photo is the HEAVENLY SKY panels that are placed in the ceiling above the area where I receive my treatments. The photo of course does not do it justice. It is truly BEAUTIFUL!

Interesting to note that they added the flying kites...as if you could maybe imagine a nice cool breeze as you lie there having..WHAT? A Radiation Treatment! Shows that someone must have done a study on the BRAIN and the affects of what we see!!

Kind of noteworthy of the Christian's...looks before the WORLD.
What do they notice and SEE of US!?

I have to share this funny with you. Yesterday as I looked upward..I thought about a cute card my mom gave me years ago with two rabbits lying in the grass..CLOUD WATCHING. So...I did some...You won't believe what I SAW..it is comical..given what I have written about the machine and how SCARY it could be and the TEETH and NOISE it makes...

Well...as I searched the clouds possibly for a little lamby...I found JAWS!

If you look in the upper right corner...there is a side view of a SHARK with is mouth slightly open... You DO see it RIGHT? The technician laughed when I told her about it...

and so back to PERFECT PEACE at such a time! I have actually enjoyed finding as much Positive out of this as possible.

Here is a photo the radiation machine in it's entire. The machine actually moves from side to side around me half way. After viewing this photo..I really didn't realize how massive it is compared to lying under it and seeing it from my prone position.

Did I tell you that prior to the actual treatment it has to calculate my position and all...so the table I am lying on starts to SHAKE a bit...one COULD and MIGHT think a small EARTHQUAKE was happening!!

I'm telling you all this...just in case..you have to experience this or know someone who will.... know that ALL IS OKAY...

Rejoice evermore.
Pray without ceasing.
In everything give thanks;for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
I Thessalonians 5:16-18

As I walked out to the waiting room today...Lois was there again! She did not realize we had the same appointment times. Hers is every other week however..but nice that we saw each other again and she followed me onto a Monthly Ladies Bible Study I started today.

We began in Titus 2. It was so nice as a few ladies got together and made preparations for a mini lunch prior to our study.

I am feeling some fatigue but I don't know if it's the radiation or my Fibromyalgia. But this weekend I'll rest up...and enjoy being home with my husband and sweet Gus. I have a slight discoloration...but nothing really noticeable..no other side affects. AMEN.

Thank you again for following and for praying..IT IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE!

PLEASE pray for my dear friend Kelly Anne in Okinawa...DAILY. She has a BATTLE to fight but GOD knows..and he is arming her with HIS STRENGTH!

Blessings to all...
HOPE

Day 3 Radiation Therapy

The above pin was given to me by one of the receptionist Alexandra. I had gone early yesterday so I could look in the gift shop and purchase a Breast Cancer pin. The shop was closed for good. She ran to the back before I could stop her...and brought out this lovely pin for me. I love it!

Today was my third day of my treatments...and I wore my lapel pin today!!

All is well...other than breaking my nice Breast Cancer water bottle! It was made of hard plastic and fell out of my hand and cracked big time...so off to order another and give once again to the Breast Cancer cause...I don't mind one bit!

As I walked in today I was happily greeted by a dear lady from my church..Betty. You might have read about this dear woman on my Creative Heart Blog of a luncheon in her honor. How nice to receive her warming hug this day. She is like a second mother to me. GOD IS GOOD to time this so.

She had brought in her daughter in law for a Chemo port. Lois has colon cancer and has been in the fight for over a year now. She has 7 children with four still at home and two of them are young twin boys about 8 yrs old.. Please say a prayer for Lois as you think upon me and Kelly Anne. Lois is a born again Christian. There are so many more I personally know of going through the battles of Cancer.

Yesterday, I saw my Oncologist and he apologized for me having to see his partner last week. He had to have emergency Triple Bypass Heart surgery!! Apologize! Such a good man. He is a very caring dedicated doctor. He thanked me when I said I'd be in prayer for him and add him to our church prayer list. I will see him each Tuesday during my treatments. He explained to me yesterday my treatment plan. The last week, I will be getting a BOOST each day..so that may give me a boost of fatigue also. I'll be prepared.

Where's THAT QUILT and nice FLUFFY PILLOW??

Oh and of course my dog GUS, will be right beside me. He has to touch me also...my furry "comforter".



The above photo was taken after my surgery as I lay on the sofa. Sweet boy.


I also spoke with a very sweet young woman ...Christy the dietitian. She is working with me now on my nutrition and weight. She did say that I eat the right foods..but need to..fine tune it. I see her again tomorrow. They want me to hold off on the extreme exercise due to fatigue issues..concentrate on the therapy and rest for now. But, we are going to work on the diet. I should have told her that my HOT FLASHES are giving me enough SWEAT now that I SHOULD be losing pounds daily! I wish!

Sooo...I might have some nutrition information for you. My eldest daughter is taking nutrition classes so she too will be my helper.

The SCARY machine was at it again today...I watched the TEETH moving in and out and whirring about. I just looked up once again and beheld the lovely SKY and kites amongst the clouds.

Yesterday was very raining and so that made for a nice day briefly!!

I continue to pray that I will make a difference there...that doors of opportuntity will be available...I am going in a little early..purposely to be available for that DOOR! (time to chat!!)

Blessings to all and again...thank you for your prayers and loving comments.

HOPE

My Radiation Therapy Journey Begins

Today begins my Six Week Radiation Therapy Journey.

The photo above is similar to the radiation machine used for my treatment.

My therapy is also called IMRT... intensity-modulated radiation therapy. It uses the latest equipment and medical expertise to go after cancer.

The IMRT machine is a computer controlled x-ray acclerator, which stands about 10 feet hight and 15 feet long. It generates tightly focused photon beams or xrays that can be specially molded to conform to the shape of a tumor or target a specific point.

The machine can be rotated around the patient so the beams are fired from the best angles.

TODAY... The machine began on my left side and then rotated over to my right side nearly below my right shoulder. My doctor had explained previously that the aim of the beam was to pass through the breast from one side to the other..thereby not being directed into the chest.

The beams are also adjustable so that higher doses are delivered to a specific point and less harmful doses the surrounding tissues.

NOW..we know why I had to have two different adjustment appointments. I'm glad..it was to PERSONALIZE my particular therapy.

While there today... viewing the lovely BLUE SKY panels of Heaven above me...I thought once again about what others may go through as they do their therapy.

As you can see from the photo..the equipment used can be quite intimidating. Especially when it is right above your face...and you see metal plates inside start moving back and forth...and hear the whirr of the machine setting up. I had to have some regular xrays taken as well...and connected to the main machine is also a panel that comes up from behind you and moves in...YOU think...

"Is this thing going to STOP...or smash me to pieces!"

THE MIND...ooh how it can have it's hay day if one lets it!

How I love the verse in Isaiah 26:3a

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee....

Everything went fine today. I didn't feel a thing...and I feel fine now as I write.

Now let me share this moment with you....

As I lay there and all this is going on...and thinking as I mentioned about others and what they THINK...

I remembered a funny event in my life that COULD have really been alarming...IF I had let MY mind wonder!!

A friend and I had gone to a military hospital to visit her mother. We entered the elevator with a nurse and began our upward journey to the fourth floor, when suddenly the elevator stopped.

"OH MY...don't tell us...WE ARE STUCK IN AN ELEVATOR...between floors!"

We were glad one of the hospital nurses was with us..whew! She picked up the phone inside and called to find out what was going on...we waited...and we waited...and we waited. Hearing voices...we knew we were not too far from the floor level. Nice..but doesn't get us out!

My friend looked at me rolling her eyes..she has BIG EYES too! and I knew...poor GAL was skeeered! Oh no NOT ME!... yea right...okay, quite concerned! I have to admit I was calm and reassured myself that in no time we would be RESCUED. We finally heard some noises and the door opened. We were just about a half foot from the floor and needed some help up; and then we were fine. All ended on a happy note.

Little did I know...that the MIND of my friend however..the entire time was back in some scary movie she had seen years prior. No wonder her eyes were so BIG! She told me later; as we laughed...about the thought of the sprinklers going off and us drowning in the elevator. I was sooo glad she did NOT tell me this IN the elevator.

PRAISE GOD for HIS PERFECT PEACE..at such a time!

So TODAY...as I watched the scary machine coming at me... I thought about God's great care and thanking him that I need not fear.

I read somewhere recently something that I found quite noteworthy.

We can block out God's Grace...by our fears or complaining.

Forgetting to think upon what we should.

TRUST...FAITH...PEACE...ASSURANCE...

Tomorrow, I pray will be no different for me...as I seek to trust him by faith and know the peace that passes all understanding by the assurance of HIS perfect WORD and WORK in me.

Thank you for your prayers...

HOPE