Update on Mom: Prayer Request

My mom had scans last week and learned the results yesterday. The spot on her liver has grown again. Thankfully, there are no new spots. But, this still indicates that the chemo is no longer effective. She had been getting progressively more tired over the past several weeks and thought it might have been that the chemo was now affecting her red blood cell counts, but those are fine. Instead, they are thinking it is the cumulative effect of the chemo itself. Anyway, instead of having chemo yesterday as scheduled, they are waiting until the middle of next week. This will give her body a little bit of a break as well as give time to weigh options and make decisions regarding what chemotherapy to try next. Please pray for wisdom for my parents and the oncologist in the decision process. Please also pray for strength and return of energy for my mom as well as healing for her if it be the Lord’s will. In all, God is sovereign and good!

Quiet Time Thoughts

Below is what I read last night and some of thoughts that went with it.

From Daily Light on the Daily Path by Jonathan Bagster

http://www.mun.ca/rels/restmov/texts/dasc/DLDP0820.HTM

If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.

He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.--My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.--He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him.--The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee.

I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none.

Every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, . . . who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; so also Christ, . . . though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.--Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows.

PROV. 24. 10. Is. 40. 29.--2 Co. 12. 9.-- Ps. 91. 15.--De. 33. 27. Ps. 69. 20. He. 5. 1, 2, 5, 8, 9.--Is. 53. 4.

I read this last night while in a lot of pain. I could not even write my thoughts on it I hurt so much. But, it also really spoke to me. It was both encouraging and convicting.

Copied from my journal-written this morning for last night:

God gives strength, grace. His grace is sufficient! My weakness is an opportunity for His strength to show! I must not give up. (These are written 8/21/10 am because I was in so much pain last night when I read this that I could not write. Nonetheless, I was encouraged, even excited at how well it all fit.)

Rejoicing in God's faithfulness and goodness in every situation!

Update

God is so good!

Last weekend, I was visiting with a couple of friends who have had MRIs done, found them helpful in terms of diagnosis and treatment, and strongly recommended I see if I could get one done. I was considering asking for one when I had my appointment Monday in Des Moines with the specialist, but was not really sure how to go about asking for one. When I saw the doctor on Monday, he requested an MRI-without me saying anything! (I think it was partially the duration of things and partially that I was in more pain when I saw him than last time and it gave him a different perspective.) As I was making calls the next morning to arrange for the necessary referral for the MRI, I was informed that sometimes the student insurance will not cover the scan. I requested prayer that God would make His will in the matter clearly known. If that included working things out with insurance, then so be it. If not, then that I would accepting of that. My physician at the health center made the referral, but sometimes the insurance still does not cover. Also, this is right at the transition between last year's plan and the new year's plan. I signed up for insurance for the new period early last week, but have not received my card yet and this was part of the issue with the scan.

I called the clinic Thursday morning to check back and was told the insurance would cover the MRI! Praise God for answered prayer!

On Friday, I got to the clinic for my scan early and thus got in and done early as well. I finished the scan just minutes after I was scheduled to start. The gal who did it did a good job of explaining to me what to expect. As I was being slid into the machine, there were a couple of nature scenes taped to the "ceiling" of the machine, one of which said, "Whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, think about these things." That was a great reminder of where to direct my thoughts!!! I was told that my doctor should have the results Monday. He had already told me he will call with the results when he has them. I do not actually see him again until late September. He does not anticipate the MRI showing anything, but I am praying that it will be an accurate picture of the true situation and for wisdom for the doctor regardless of what the scan shows-or does not show.

I came home afterward and just went to bed. I was so tired and was already on medication and it was not keeping up. I think all the driving over the past several days has taken its toll...praying I get a chance to recover over the weekend.

Trusting and resting in Him!

Aftermath

It has taken awhile for me to even be able to get to the point where I could take pictures or process the aftermath from the flooding. To a certain extent, in the initial stages of the flooding the reality of the situation had not fully sunk in. By last Friday, when I first was able to get back to my place, I took a few pictures that morning, but by that afternoon, I was so tired of the whole mess, I could not deal with it anymore. Everything stunk and was dirty and muddy looking. There were water lines on everything and new electric meters replacing the old ones that had been submerged. I had power, but when I checked the milk in my fridge, it was sour. This suggested that the whole fridge and freezer were probably a total loss in terms of food. If I had not gone back to Scott and Hannah’s and seen them and my smiley baby niece, I would probably have had a meltdown. This week, on Thursday, I walked part of my favorite pathway. It looks so sad. The flood waters damaged so much. Yesterday, I took my camera and caught some of it. However, without being able to see the whole thing, the true magnitude is lost. It is so sad to see what had been such a pretty and peaceful area, look so torn apart. Today, when I had time to walk further along the pathway, I was saddened to find it suddenly ended with no indication of where the path normally goes. All was covered in sand and fallen trees.

This makes me think of my physical condition in some ways. Having once been very healthy and strong, not having to be careful or take thought of what I did and how I did it makes it harder to accept the reality that I can no longer live like that. Now, it takes effort to do basic, everyday tasks. I have to plan what and how to do things in order to not overdo it, yet maximize what ability I do have. The flooding itself did not do too much to me. Yes, I had to be evacuated by boat and yes, I lost the food in my fridge and freezer. But, I was able to salvage some from the fridge and quite a bit from the freezer. Compared with those who are dealing with the water damage, I am really very well off. The biggest impact the flooding had on me was to interfere with the various therapies, exercises, routines, etc. that I had been incorporating over the past several months in dealing with the pain. Pain levels are definitely less controlled now than prior to the flooding. The extra driving in particular has been hard. Yet, even in this God is sovereign and allowed things to happen as they did. My task is to simply trust.

Thanking and praising Him for going before and being with me all the way!

Another New Day-God is Good!!

Beautiful lakefront property! (And a partially submerged bus stop shelter.)
Some chose to ignore the warning to remove cars from the parking lot.
Being evacuate by boat with another rescue boat in front of us.
Landing on dry ground.

Well, I have had an adventurous morning! I woke to no power and to widespread flooding. I was stranded at my apartment with no way out due to the deep and rising water. Between watching the storm and rising waters last night and watching the rising waters and rescue boats this morning, I have been meeting and visiting with a lot of my neighbors! I was content to let those who really needed out go with the first boat loads. My apartment is on second floor and should not be in any danger. I did pack a few things and get ready while waiting. By the time I was able to get on a boat, they were forcing all to evacuate.

From what I have heard and seen, this is setting new flood records for this area. While it was interesting to watch while nothing was damaged, I feel bad for those who did not move their cars, or whose apartments did get water. At the same time, God is still in control. It was exciting to see how He had gone ahead even in this. My apartment-which was assigned to me when I moved-is on the top floor in the building that is on the highest ground! (I did not know it was on highest ground until this morning when seeing where the water was.) My work schedule for today had absolutely nothing on it that requred me to be present. It is challenging getting anywhere with the flooding affecting so much throughout the city.

It is interesting to see where priorities lie when packing for an unknown duration and with only a backpack to fill to take with me. I cannot go back to my apartment until the water goes down.

I read the following last night before I went to bed:
From Daily Light (http://www.mun.ca/rels/restmov/texts/dasc/DLDP0810.HTM)
"Whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. [Or, set on high.] PROV. 29. 25."

With the rising waters and incoming storms last night, this was a good reminder of where my security truly is! I never felt afraid. I was curious at times as I did not know what to expect, but don't remember ever feeling fear. I slept well once I finally got to bed to stay (was up at various times watching the storm and the flooding progress). God is good!

A New Day

My favorite bridge on my favorite walking path.

So, the trees and bushes are not really supposed to be in the water...
The water across the path makes this sign unnecessary in my opinion. And, yes, I did go around another sign just like this in order to get my pictures of the flooded bridge. (But, I did not go around this sign-very dutiful citizen that I am! =)

These pictures are actually from yesterday, but the water has not receded much, so it still pretty much looks like this-worse in some places, better in others. Yesterday (and today) was a new day after the storm and downpour Sunday night. I just checked and the creek is rising again. So, I may have to move my car for the night to avoid flooding issues...sigh. (The river is 2 feet over flood stage and the creek (right across from where I live) is 1.5 feet over flood stage.) In the last picture (taken from a window in my apartment building), you can see the brand new "lake" that appeared yesterday morning and is still very much there. Normally, that is an empty field and the creek usually remains in its banks on the far side of the field-well behind the bushes that stick out into the middle of the field. However, in the year that I have lived here, this is the third time I have seen the creek out of its banks like this. Although, this time is the most widespread flooding. As long as it does not do any damage, it is interesting to watch the water rise.

Mount Dishmore

Oh, How Sweet the Seasons Are!

God is Good!

God is so good! My readings one evening were so fitting for the circumstances. I just have to share!

Let your requests be made known unto God.

ABBA, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.--There was given to me a thorn in the flesh. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities.

I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble.--Hannah . . . was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore. And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and . . . and wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life. . . . The LORD remembered her.

We know not what we should pray for as we ought.--He shall choose our inheritance for us.PHI. 4. 6. Mar. 14. 36.--2 Co. 12. 7-9. Ps. 142. 2.--1 Sa. 1. 9-11, 19. Ro. 8. 26.-- Ps. 47. 4.

The above is copied from Daily Light for July 28 in the evening. (http://www.mun.ca/rels/restmov/texts/dasc/DLDP0728.HTM)

My comments after reading (copied from my journal):
Wow! I cried when I read... Today was long and it got hard. I was tired of pain and limitations... All these verses spoke to me.

It is so exciting to have a God how knows, loves and cares. He knows how I long to be free from pain. How I long to be able to do things again-be "normal." Yet, he has used these exact things to teach me some precious lessons. In ALL, God is sovereign, faithful, loving, good!