What Cancer Cannot Do
Corrode Faith, Shatter Hope, Destroy Peace,
Silence Courage, Invade the Soul
(Sorry, My Soul is already Occupied
By the Holy Spirit! Amen!)
Steal Eternal Life, Conquer the Spirit,
Cripple Love, Kill Friendship or
Suppress Memories
I once again begin with an apology for not posting as often as people have wanted me to, or like I have originally planned. Here's the low down on what's been going on since I posted last. I have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of prayers and support since beginning this journey of mine not so long ago. God's love, timing and more often the little things sent to me at just the right time, by just the right people never ceases to amaze me! Here are some "highlights" that I hope will help to explain to you what I mean.
1). Luther and I were so very humbly blessed by being visited Sunday by a Prayer Team from Graceland Church out of the Ashland area who brought a group of 5 Godley, Praying women and one Godley, Praying man, who brought me a Teddy Bear they had anointed and been praying over, and they anointed, laid hands and prayed over me, and let me tell you, it was like nothing I ever have experienced. The words they spoke were as if they were my prayers, coming straight from my mouth, though they barely knew me....all I can say is word of God speak. He knew and laid on this prayer teams hearts the words I needed to hear; reassurance about ridding my body of the cancer, ridding my body of the diabetes, easing the breathing difficulties taking their toll on my body right now; peace, understanding, courage and patience for my children and family to face each new day with thanksgiving and the confidence that when all else can't, God can.
2). I have received so many cards, messages, handwritten notes, trinkets to encourage and brighten my day: please know, I read, often re-read, share with Luther, my nurses or anyone who will listen, and cherish each and every word and gesture. For those of you who know me well, you know I am a very emotional, sentimental person at heart. Because of the generosity of so many praying people on my behalf, my heart is overflowed, and for that I am ever grateful!
3). As you all know, along with the physical stress to my body during this battle I'm facing, there is also a whole other emotional side that honestly, for me, is the hardest part of the battle, and that is missing like crazy and relinquishing control of the care of my boys. Even though I am blessed beyond belief, having not one but 2 full sets of grandparents and my sister & her husband, who love my boys and know & understand them like they are their own. I'm their only Mommy. And I miss them. I need many prayers on this behalf. And that's all I have to say about that :)
Now, just a quick progress report for what's happening now, and what to expect the upcoming days. My first entire week of Chemo is completely finished--Praise God! And, as far as the Chemo goes, it has been a piece of cake compared to the other underlying issues caused by both the leukemia in my lung and the killing off of everything good, along with the bad, from the Chemo. I told Luther today, I guess I need to lower my expectations somewhat, because I had thought being the strong person I am (wrongly so, I must add) that the Chemo would be the hard part, and now that the first round is complete, would be the easy part (after all, I've had no nausea/vomitting, I haven't lost my hair (yet), etc. etc. However, truth be told (thanks to my wonderful, informative nurses), now for the next week will be when typically most patients fall into their new all time low, as they deal with the side effects of extreme weakness, fever, infection and bleeding tendencies, because of the effects of the Chemo on even the "good stuff" in my blood. What this means is basically being patient, treating the symptoms as they come (blood transfusions, platelet transfusions, fever medicine, oxygen, breathing treatments, cough medicines, medicine for my sore mouth;) all available as I need them.
In closing, I just want to say thank you again to everyone who has offered up prayers, good thoughts, words of encouragement, cards, letters, notes, verses of inspiration, snacks and games/books to help us pass the time, email, snail mail, Facebook messages, etc.
Continue to remember Phillipians 4:13 and Pray, Pray, Pray!!!
Love & Prayers to you all!
Bridgett
