Hi all. I have move my blog information to a much friendlier site...M.D. Anderson; https://www.carepages.com/login
Hope to see you there. This one will send emails to you to inform you of any updates.
Love you all
Patti
Monday, February 13, 2012
Monday, February 6, 2012
Two Down.... Ten to Go... All is Good
First things first... All praises and glory to God our Almighty Father for the miracles He is working in our dear sister Marilyn Crims life. He is leaving His fingerprints on her cancer just as he is leaving them on mine. And for the work He is doing in mine and Laurah Rodger's lives. Healing is abound. What an Amazing, Wonderful, Loving Father we serve. Amen. Amen. Thank You Father...Thank You
What a wonderful way to end a day of chemotherapy. Getting such wonderful news on Marilyn!!! Today was our 2nd treatment and went without a hitch. I say our because I've come to realize Barry as well as mom and too many more to mention are walking with me down this path. Our "Monday Spa and Date Day with Barry" as a friend named it, was Barry's first time at M.D. Anderson. We did what all men "hate to do" and that is talk about his feelings. LOL. He was very candid and wanted to share his take on the clinic. He commented on how the outside of the cancer center/hospital appeared to be so cold...a metal and glass building that looked like any other building downtown. The minute he walked inside, he noticed the warmth and welcoming atmosphere that permeated within the walls. As a matter of fact, I struck up a conversation with a woman in the parking elevator and we laughed. He relaxed a little at that point. As large a facility as this, we ran into her two more times and offered each other well wishes and blessings from God.
When asked about the many many people he saw there, both men and women, he said he was surprised at the numbers of those stricken with cancer and at the noticable different stages of the cancers. He told me how he was moved by my compassion for a lady sitting behind us. The incident slipped my mind..though not my heart. What he was referring to was the fact that there was a sad woman sitting behind us at our first stop in the appointment chain. This is in the diagnostic center for blood drawing, EKG, X-Rays...etc. It is always the most crowded place in the clinic. I overheard the stress in her voice as she ended a phone call. Then I heard her quietly sobbing. God led me to reach into my Pink Mee Maw bag that accompanies me on every M.D. Anderson trip and pull out a handmade, wooden handheld cross with a prayer card attached. (Made for me by a lovely woman at LCI to hand out at the clinic or wherever He moved me to share the faith of Christ.)I turned and rubbing the woman's back, handed it to her without a word. She had such a sad look in her eyes...the look I remember so well. She saw understanding and love in my eyes. I could tell by the way the sadness in her eyes turned into gratitude. I don't know if this was her first "real" appointment or if she was at the same stage as me. I don't know if she was dealing with breast cancer or some other cancer. I don't even know for sure if it was her cancer she was dealing with or that of a loved one. None of that even crossed my mind. All I know is that He showed me that she was in pain and needed the kind comfort that only He can bring. The kind that He provides for me continously. I turned back away from her to give her privacy all the while rubbing her shoulder lightly and praying to God for her peace and comfort and her faith. When I completed the soft prayer, I heard her open the baggie that held the cross. I patted her back and removed my hand. When she finished reading the prayer, her sobbing had stopped. I turned and smiled and as she smiled back she showed me how she held the cross in her hand between her fingers just as it was designed to be held. What a O. F.R.O.G moment. As a few seconds went by, I heard her sniffing as if trying to stop her nose from running. I felt her using her sweater sleeve to wipe away her tears. Since I am an old pro now, I knew where to get kleenix. I brought her a couple of sheets. When I handed it to her I didn't see the heartbreaking sadness in her eyes. He had done what He promised to do. He comforted her. Praise to Him for His magnificence. Thank You Father. Thank You for your steadfast love of us. Amen.
Back to Barry's first day at cancer camp today. He also shared that he noticed how everyone there was somber....all were aware of the fight ahead...and all were there with hope. Like me, he saw this in the large spread of stages people are in with cancer. Some you can tell have been fighting this battle for awhile as indicated by their physical bodies. (Or they have a very aggressive cancer..) Others are like the sweet woman behind me, just beginning to deal with the emotional pain of realizing life is not always 70 years long. I too noticed more somber faces today than usual. Not depressingly somber but more like what Barry called 'Acceptance" faces knowing they have to walk the walk to healing.
Having Barry there was good but I realized that although comforting, God has equiped me with all I need to face these treatments without him there holding my hand. God has filled that void as He has promised. God knows my heart. Had Barry not ever accompanied me I may have never fully realized just how fully God filled that void. Is He not AWESOME in putting His plans to work??
The treatment went well. One difference... I slept all but 15 minutes of the treatment!!!! I mean SLEPT solid. When I awoke, it was 10-15 minutes left to the entire 2 hour 15 minute treatment. Not only that; I fell asleep the minute we hit 610 and woke up when we pulled up into our driveway. Barnaby my Frog and my prayer blanket. both from my LCI family, enveloped me in such comfort and peace that sleep was inevitable. No dreams...no restlessness. Just a sound and peaceful sleep. More evidence of prayers being answered on my behalf. Thank you all..from the bottom of my heart... thank you.
Side effects? Last week I was having severe side effects that I will not mention here. Tonight... not a one!! I had a twinge of muscle pain in my back that I felt this past week and took a mild pain pill. That was 8 hours ago. Not a twinge. Thank You Father for listening to Your children talk with You and accepting their prayers and answering their prayers for relief of pain and healing. I know that You are working in shrinking the tumor. I can feel it. I love You so much God and thank You for the healing blood of Jesus Christ, who loves us as You do. Amen. Amen.
Again, thank you for your prayers and faithful friendship through this God Season we are walking through. Thank you for the prayers for Barry. He has the words to give me when I falter. God is using Him in a mighty way.
We ask for continued prayers for Laurah Rodgers... for complete healing and relief of pain and for regaining her strength as she works through her rehab schedule. Also, for Marilyn Crim who is bringing testimony for God's power and might to us all. That He heals the sores in her mouth and throat caused by the extensive chemo and heal them immediately so that she can nourish her body for complete health. We ask this for these ladies and all others that are battling diseases that strive to take away all dignity. We know in You Father, we have dignity. We are Your children. How more dignified can we be?
We also ask a special blessing to fall over all those in prayer with you God. That You keep their conviction to you alive Father..continuing to awaken their Spirit. We pray that their relationship with You gets stronger each day as they walk through the days that You have given us. We thank You Father and look with anticipation for Great things in these childrens' lives. Amen. Alleulia!! Amen
Loving you all as Christ loves others,
Patti
What a wonderful way to end a day of chemotherapy. Getting such wonderful news on Marilyn!!! Today was our 2nd treatment and went without a hitch. I say our because I've come to realize Barry as well as mom and too many more to mention are walking with me down this path. Our "Monday Spa and Date Day with Barry" as a friend named it, was Barry's first time at M.D. Anderson. We did what all men "hate to do" and that is talk about his feelings. LOL. He was very candid and wanted to share his take on the clinic. He commented on how the outside of the cancer center/hospital appeared to be so cold...a metal and glass building that looked like any other building downtown. The minute he walked inside, he noticed the warmth and welcoming atmosphere that permeated within the walls. As a matter of fact, I struck up a conversation with a woman in the parking elevator and we laughed. He relaxed a little at that point. As large a facility as this, we ran into her two more times and offered each other well wishes and blessings from God.
When asked about the many many people he saw there, both men and women, he said he was surprised at the numbers of those stricken with cancer and at the noticable different stages of the cancers. He told me how he was moved by my compassion for a lady sitting behind us. The incident slipped my mind..though not my heart. What he was referring to was the fact that there was a sad woman sitting behind us at our first stop in the appointment chain. This is in the diagnostic center for blood drawing, EKG, X-Rays...etc. It is always the most crowded place in the clinic. I overheard the stress in her voice as she ended a phone call. Then I heard her quietly sobbing. God led me to reach into my Pink Mee Maw bag that accompanies me on every M.D. Anderson trip and pull out a handmade, wooden handheld cross with a prayer card attached. (Made for me by a lovely woman at LCI to hand out at the clinic or wherever He moved me to share the faith of Christ.)I turned and rubbing the woman's back, handed it to her without a word. She had such a sad look in her eyes...the look I remember so well. She saw understanding and love in my eyes. I could tell by the way the sadness in her eyes turned into gratitude. I don't know if this was her first "real" appointment or if she was at the same stage as me. I don't know if she was dealing with breast cancer or some other cancer. I don't even know for sure if it was her cancer she was dealing with or that of a loved one. None of that even crossed my mind. All I know is that He showed me that she was in pain and needed the kind comfort that only He can bring. The kind that He provides for me continously. I turned back away from her to give her privacy all the while rubbing her shoulder lightly and praying to God for her peace and comfort and her faith. When I completed the soft prayer, I heard her open the baggie that held the cross. I patted her back and removed my hand. When she finished reading the prayer, her sobbing had stopped. I turned and smiled and as she smiled back she showed me how she held the cross in her hand between her fingers just as it was designed to be held. What a O. F.R.O.G moment. As a few seconds went by, I heard her sniffing as if trying to stop her nose from running. I felt her using her sweater sleeve to wipe away her tears. Since I am an old pro now, I knew where to get kleenix. I brought her a couple of sheets. When I handed it to her I didn't see the heartbreaking sadness in her eyes. He had done what He promised to do. He comforted her. Praise to Him for His magnificence. Thank You Father. Thank You for your steadfast love of us. Amen.
Back to Barry's first day at cancer camp today. He also shared that he noticed how everyone there was somber....all were aware of the fight ahead...and all were there with hope. Like me, he saw this in the large spread of stages people are in with cancer. Some you can tell have been fighting this battle for awhile as indicated by their physical bodies. (Or they have a very aggressive cancer..) Others are like the sweet woman behind me, just beginning to deal with the emotional pain of realizing life is not always 70 years long. I too noticed more somber faces today than usual. Not depressingly somber but more like what Barry called 'Acceptance" faces knowing they have to walk the walk to healing.
Having Barry there was good but I realized that although comforting, God has equiped me with all I need to face these treatments without him there holding my hand. God has filled that void as He has promised. God knows my heart. Had Barry not ever accompanied me I may have never fully realized just how fully God filled that void. Is He not AWESOME in putting His plans to work??
The treatment went well. One difference... I slept all but 15 minutes of the treatment!!!! I mean SLEPT solid. When I awoke, it was 10-15 minutes left to the entire 2 hour 15 minute treatment. Not only that; I fell asleep the minute we hit 610 and woke up when we pulled up into our driveway. Barnaby my Frog and my prayer blanket. both from my LCI family, enveloped me in such comfort and peace that sleep was inevitable. No dreams...no restlessness. Just a sound and peaceful sleep. More evidence of prayers being answered on my behalf. Thank you all..from the bottom of my heart... thank you.
Side effects? Last week I was having severe side effects that I will not mention here. Tonight... not a one!! I had a twinge of muscle pain in my back that I felt this past week and took a mild pain pill. That was 8 hours ago. Not a twinge. Thank You Father for listening to Your children talk with You and accepting their prayers and answering their prayers for relief of pain and healing. I know that You are working in shrinking the tumor. I can feel it. I love You so much God and thank You for the healing blood of Jesus Christ, who loves us as You do. Amen. Amen.
Again, thank you for your prayers and faithful friendship through this God Season we are walking through. Thank you for the prayers for Barry. He has the words to give me when I falter. God is using Him in a mighty way.
We ask for continued prayers for Laurah Rodgers... for complete healing and relief of pain and for regaining her strength as she works through her rehab schedule. Also, for Marilyn Crim who is bringing testimony for God's power and might to us all. That He heals the sores in her mouth and throat caused by the extensive chemo and heal them immediately so that she can nourish her body for complete health. We ask this for these ladies and all others that are battling diseases that strive to take away all dignity. We know in You Father, we have dignity. We are Your children. How more dignified can we be?
We also ask a special blessing to fall over all those in prayer with you God. That You keep their conviction to you alive Father..continuing to awaken their Spirit. We pray that their relationship with You gets stronger each day as they walk through the days that You have given us. We thank You Father and look with anticipation for Great things in these childrens' lives. Amen. Alleulia!! Amen
Loving you all as Christ loves others,
Patti
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Dinged and Damaged
Last year while using a mixture of bleach and water, I sprayed the house and the shop. After a couple of days of this chore, I realized that the bleach, having soaked my clothes, landed on and damaged my little necklace. I tried rinsing it off with clean water to no avail. The damage was permanent. I was disappointed because even by my standards of jewelry, I could not be seen wearing something so obviously dinged and damaged. What would people think about me?
Since the confirmation of my breast cancer diagnosis on December 26, 2011, I have been wearing a necklace with a cross given to me by a sweet young child at church. When the all the medical tests began I was unable to wear any neck jewelry. The surgery to place the port in my chest extended the time for me to go necklaceless. (I think I just made up that word.) Thanks be given to God for the answered prayers of my dear brothers and sisters in Christ for all the healings including my chest area from the surgery. Yesterday, I found myself preparing to put on the gift from my little friend when I spied my Faith necklace. It was on top of my jewelry box seemingly lying in wait. Looking at the scarred surface the thought came to me; I am dinged and damaged. As I thought ahead to the hair loss and other bodily disorders caused by my treatment, I was wondering how I would face people. How would I appear to them when I have no hair and other damaged body parts? Then I understood the value of my necklace as only God could intend and it has nothing to do with its monetary value or how it looks around my neck. Rather it has everything to do with not being ashamed of anything that God does not find shame in. He does not find shame in my appearance with or without cancer. He does not concern Himself with superficial things such as types of clothes, hair styles, shoes, necklaces… What He DOES find shame in, is my putting needless worries over things that have nothing to do with my being obedient to Him….things like, what will people think of my baldness…..my weakened state…my scarred necklace. In other words, the value of my Faith necklace is the spirit shown me by God…. Although I am dinged and damaged….I am beautiful to Him.
I thank you Father for the blessings that You give to me, the most undeserving of all your children, through the answered prayers of my Christ family. I praise You and give You all glory for the people You have placed in my life who, through faithful prayer, continue to replenish my Spirit in this fight. I ask Father that you bless all of my First Presbyterian family and those who share their gifts of love in Barry’s and my journey with cancer; those who do so openly and those who do so anonymously, for I know… they are not anonymous to You for You are the All Knowing, All Loving, Victor over All, the Great Physician, and my Wonderful Councilor. I love You Father… Abba.. and I Praise Your Name above all others, now and forever. Amen. Alleulia!!! Amen.
With Love In and Through Christ,
Patti Steele
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Taken by Surprise? Not Him...
Tuesday, the day after what a dear friend called "my day of spa" and "movies", aka (chemo treatment), I was brought back down to the reality of the cancer treatment. ( I am referring to my previous blog about the luxuries provided during chemotherapy.) I was taken by surprise at the severity of the effects one of which was pain under my rib cage on the right side of my back. I was told by everyone that "usually" after a treatment the side effects don't show up until the third day or so. Well, I must be the exception because the not so pretty effects occurred by the time I go home that night.
Although I was not prepared for the suddeness or the severity of the treatment, God was. On my way home from Houston I called Barry to let him know that the first treatment was complete and Leslie and I were on our way home. He informed me that he too was on his way home having just been laid off due to material shortage. My immediate thought was of dread and fear about finances. I didn't say that to Barry thinking it was nothing he could change. As soon as I hung up the phone, Lesilie, sensing my concern, voiced how this was wonderful news. Barry was going to be home with me and what a time to have him. She also said how it was in His plan. What a truthful statement. Barry being home at this precise time was no doubt God's response to what He knew I would need.
I may have been taken by surprise.... but thankfully.. He wasn't. Our God is an Awesome God.
Prayers and Thoughts are filling my life with such blessings. Thank you all.
Love and blessings
Patti
Although I was not prepared for the suddeness or the severity of the treatment, God was. On my way home from Houston I called Barry to let him know that the first treatment was complete and Leslie and I were on our way home. He informed me that he too was on his way home having just been laid off due to material shortage. My immediate thought was of dread and fear about finances. I didn't say that to Barry thinking it was nothing he could change. As soon as I hung up the phone, Lesilie, sensing my concern, voiced how this was wonderful news. Barry was going to be home with me and what a time to have him. She also said how it was in His plan. What a truthful statement. Barry being home at this precise time was no doubt God's response to what He knew I would need.
I may have been taken by surprise.... but thankfully.. He wasn't. Our God is an Awesome God.
Prayers and Thoughts are filling my life with such blessings. Thank you all.
Love and blessings
Patti
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