By Faith...still on the couch

I made it to church for most of worship and the sermon today. Gary Darnell was teaching on Heb. 11:4 - "By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice." I had been thinking about what it means to offer a sacrifice of praise. Heb. 13:15 "We bring the sacrifice of praise." What I am experiencing is not comparable on a grand scale to what others have suffered through the years. However, I am gradually learning to offer praise when I do not feel like it. Wouldn't it be nice to learn lessons without the "lessons" ;)?

Each day is a "bit" better. I had the strength to put clean sheets on the bed, to practice the piano. and write some notes. Now I am waiting for Mary Ann Freitas to come and walk loops around my court. Many Sunday nights we have walked 4-5 miles, most of it hilly. But... tonight it will be a wonderful thing to get out for 10 minutes on this gorgeous cool late Sept. evening.

I see the doctor tomorrow. My counts were good on Thurs. and should be looking good tomorrow. Funny how I used to ignore blood counts. Now they are an indicator of health.

Keep up the praying. It is making a difference to Mark and me. We had a tough time over general life stuff this morning. We got past it so fast - in part I believe because of the prayer. Remember to pray for all the relationships of people who are chronically ill. IT TAKES EFFORT that we do not have. Mark, as most of you know, has Parkinson's. He is no stranger to fatigue. Relatonships are most difficult when both are exhausted. By faith we continue trusting God through our circumstances. And... God is a rewarded of those who trust Him.

Love to you all!!! Carol for Carol

God at work again

Hi I'm Jan Dehning- for those of you who might not know me I'm part of the Tuesday morning bible study group at Carol's house. Early today I thought about making a homemade apple pie for Carol. Our Granny Smiths are about to overtake our yard. ( just kidding) Seriously, so while my husband, Brian took off to go watch his beloved Nebraska Cornhuskers play football I set about making the pie. When it had about 8 minutes left I rang Carol to ensure someone would be home. What she said when she answered and I asked if I could bring over the pie was, " I was just searching through the kitchen to find something to eat." As you all know this was not what I expected to hear. So I quickly opened the freezer and said, " Well, I can bring you some pasta and home made pesto also." Carol was ectastic! So as I'm literally running around the house, remember I told her the pie was done in 8 minutes and she wanted it in five minutes- smile- I was just overwhelmed and thankful at how God had allowed me to do something for Carol and right in the moment she needed it. Reading her blog I've seen how God is working BIG TIME, I just didn't expect to be a part of it. GOD IS AWESOME AND ONCE AGAIN HE MET CAROL IN HER NEED!

Almost off the Couch

I'm learning some things - actually a lot of things. Psalm 10 makes more sense than it ever has. it makes more sense on a personal level and on a national/international level. On a personal level, I can see myself in the arrogance of saying 'Nothing will shake me, I'll always be happy and never have trouble.' Well, Friends, I have not always been happy this week. While, I've not been unhappy or unjoyful, it takes energy to be happy and joyful, an energy that I have not had. I've had days of spending 10 hours on the couch. When Cathy Farrar, my climbing sherpa, has been here I've not had the stamina to help put words together for the blog.

On a national level, we see our country in trouble, but in arrogance still not collectively seeking God. Yet, v. 16, the Lord is king forever and ever. He does hear the cry of the afflicted. Can we agree together to pray for our country?

This next week I should be almost back to some normalcy. I walked about 1/2 a mile today with Chelse. Piano practice may be a possibility. Piano playing takes a lot of stamina when you do not have any.

I wish I could share with you all the little places where God has shown up. For instance, my hairdresser's mother lost her hair in chemo. I will not lose my hair, only have it thin. But, hey, it has always been thin! Ashley, my hairdresser, and Sherrie Wallace, owner of the salon are both certified consultants for those having chemo - who could have planned that. A new friend came over to do a massage on Tues. night. What fun to have that when I was so without energy. Through a fluke occurance I ended up buying an ipod in August. Now, I have it to listen to! Connie Johnson is loading it with the Bible!

Well, enough said. I am in love with the Lord, love life even when there is less energy. Keep praying. I have NO idea where I would be without each of you. Many of you have your own challenges. There are many mountains, each a bit diffferent. We all are called to be climbers. i will keep you in my prayers as well. The blogs are so encouraging. Know I care and wish I could be with you where you are from Romania to Arizona. Love, Carol

The Climb - The Couch Week

"Staged" with quilt from Martha Howden and Donna Penna Justice.
"Reality" with quilt from Martha Howden and Donna Penna Justice.

Cathy for Carol:

I'm typing this at Carol's house as she is fast asleep on the couch curled up in the hand made quilt lovingly made by Martha Howden and Donna Penna Justice...Carol LOVES this quilt! The colors are "her colors," she states emphatically, and she delights in finding the details that are embedded in the quilting...lovely flowers and a mouse to name a couple.

Yesterday, Monday, September 22, Carol was back at the clinic for the last interferon shot for this go-round and a visit with Dr. Szumorski. This time it felt familiar and even pleasant to be back...good to see and visit with two of the very caring nurses, Kathy and Nancy. Even Dr. "Sz"was smiling! The doctor is pleased with Carol's blood counts...whites and reds are up (YEA!), platelets are down, but still above 100. Please keep praying that during the next few weeks respite Carol's blood counts would strengthen...and that the physical fatigue she is experiencing would lesson as well. The doctor told her she should expect the fatigue to deepen through Wednesday, but that on Thursday and Friday she should start to feel better. The nausea is under control except for brief instances...PRAISE God! Please also keep praying that the nausea continues to be under control.

A few interesting notes...apparently one of the side affects of the medicine is short term memory loss...I realized this when Carol asked me, (for the third time!) if I had seen the quilt Martha and Donna had made for her...and I was the one that had delivered it to her from Martha! We laughed pretty hard about that one! So, if Carol is repeating a story to you for the second, third or even fourth time, she asks you to please let her know! We have a secret code now for "repeats"...just ask Carol the "code" and she'll share it with you!

This past weekend was an interesting one...Saturday was pretty much a couch day, but Sunday even through the fatigue Carol had a very busy day. It started out at Shadow Cliffs very early in the morning cheering on her son, Tim, in the Triathlon held each year there, then on to church (with naps in-between) and then on to the senior center to share her testimony as part of the sermon Mark, (Carol's husband) was giving Sunday evening. Mark was sharing from Psalm 23 and Carol shared the beginning of her story of walking through the "shadow of cancer" and how God is and has been with her at every point in this journey as her good shepherd.

Again, many thanks to all on Carol's team! Several of you have brought by dinners...and lunches! (Thanks to Carol Williams and Bridget Melson and Lucas, Bridget's 6 year old son, for lunches and fun visits this week and the Mottas and Shiromas for dinners! Connie Johnson has loaded Carol's I-pod with cool music and scripture and Linda Cline had business cards printed with carol's blogspot address - and a beautiful picture of half dome too. Imelda Dodgen is orchestrating dinners and Sharon Collard is the overall organizer...wow what a team! There are many others as well, but the blog would be a mile long to mention you all, but know that Mark and Carol are beyond grateful for your love and care!)

What's to come:

The next treatment begins Monday, October 13. Carol will be admitted to Stanford Hospital for the week to receive the same round of chemo plus an additional treatment called IL2. The doctor will do the next PET scan after two or three months to assess how the chemo is working...we'll keep you posted.

Carol's praises to God:

• For the energy she does have (especially to do the fun things as well as the necessary things).
• For the presence of God
• For God's protection from and during attacks from Satan...particularly thankful for Heb 12. The Word of God is our protection from evil and our place of focus.
• Mark's extreme steadiness and helpfulness.
  

Prayer requests:

• Calmness and patience while her energy is low.
• That the treatment will do its work...destroy the cancer cells.
• Continued control of nausea.
• Energy for small workouts and walks.
• Sleeping well without medication.
  

One Week Down

Cathy filling in for Carol.

Today started out a bit rougher for Carol...a lot of you have referred to Carol as the "energizer bunny" but this morning even the best batteries seemed to be running low. She described her energy level to Sue (the wonderful Christian nurse she has seen two out of the five days this week) as about 1 1/2 batteries out of the normal 6. Carol awoke with some nausea this morning but after eating a bit of food and taking the anti-nausea medicine she felt much better. As always though, Carol's spirit remains strong and she is as upbeat as ever!

After getting her chemo shot this morning Carol took off with Chelse to Michaels to get her new photo of Half Dome matted and framed...she plans to display it on the wall opposite her bed to give her motivation and inspiration for the climb ahead.

The meals you all have been providing for Mark and Carol have been soooo appreciated...they have all been nutritious and delicious! Ruthie Kronk and I were the delighted guests at dinner this evening and were thoroughly entertained by a slightly "drugged on Ativan" Carol. She is experiencing some nausea now during the day and had to supplement the slower acting medicine with the quicker acting Ativan...but little did she know the side affects would make her so hilarious at dinner. (Guess you had to be there!)

Carol has one more treatment on Monday of next week and will also see the doctor in the afternoon that day. The next round of chemo will begin October 13. For the next go-round Carol will be hospitalized at Stanford for five days because of an additional treatment that requires around the clock monitoring.

Please continue to uphold Carol before our mighty God...below are some particular areas to bring before the Lord:

• Platelet levels to remain above 100
• Nausea to be minimized
• Strength
  
• Wisdom for the doctors overseeing Carol's treatment and specific prayer for Monday's appointment that the two doctors would have communicated with each other to better give Mark and Carol some clarity around the plan of treatment.
• That Carol's body would be built up during the break from treatment
  
• That the chemo would do its work...shut down the cancer cells dividing, but leave Carol's immune system intact.

Mark and Carol are so grateful for your support and are continually giving thanks to God for each and every one of you! You are loved and appreciated more than you know!

P.S. Carol loves getting your notes and comments on the blog...the more the merrier and yes, Kathy, you can definitely leave comments every day!

A Short Day at the Clinic

Want to hear a funny story?? Cathy Farrar and I were joking about something and I yelled, "Help!" It had nothing to do with the cancer treatment at all, but it got the attention of all the nurses. It was like yelling "fire" in a theater. It's a huge "no-no." Oh Well, all in a day in the life of Carol mixed with Cathy Farrar. I promised never to do that again. Nurse Nancy was all over me about that one - but very good-natured about it. "Part of the "learning curve" - but the follow-up laughter was good for all of us.

It was a short day - just a shot of interferon and blood draw. The platelets are down a bit, but not dangerously low. I am still making white cells which is good news. Keep praying!!!

So far, absolutely no nausea or other side effects other than more tired than normal. I am planning a light work-out at Club Sport this afternoon and then some regularly scheduled appointments.

It means the world to know that we are being prayed for. Oswald Chambers in "My Utmost for His Highest" for Sept 18 was based on Heb. 4:15 - I have a high priest who has had feelings similar to mine. He is so present and walking through all of this with all of us. Jesus Christ our High Priest is praying for each of us. May each of you walk in grace and strength today.

The Climb - Day Two

Hi, this is Cathy filling in for Carol.

Day two was a good day...Carol was tired by the end of the day, but who wouldn't be...she got up early for the 6:30 am women's Bible study in Acts...had a great time in the Word with the group, left for the clinic at 8:15 am full of energy, visited with the nurses, her son Tim, Linda Marsic, Cathy, daughter-in-law, Erika, grandsons, Jake and Jordan, husband, Mark, and then after returning home from chemo went on a fast-paced 2 mile walk with Chelse! How about that for a jammed pack day! Please be praying for continued energy to get in some physical workouts or walks each day...and for NO nausea. Wednesday is another full day at the clinic. Carol will have her blood counts taken tomorrow...please pray for good results. The chemo can affect her immune system so the doctors have requested that all visitors to the clinic and the house please make sure they are not ill and take care to protect Carol's health by washing their hands often with anti-bacterial soap.

About every ten minutes Carol mentions how loved she feels...she is in awe of the way all of you have come together to support her and Mark in so, so many ways...not only through prayer and in notes and words of encouragement, but in many, many acts of service...you all rock! The spirit of Christ is evident in the love you are pouring out!

Please be in continual prayer for healing, chemo hitting the mark, insurance issues, energy, no nausea...and above all that God would be glorified in and through this entire process!

Thanks and love from Carol reaching out to all of you!

First Steps Up the Mountain

The beginning of the climb is steeper than I had anticipated. It felt a bit like the steep section on the Ridge Trail from the parking lot on Foothill Road. I will be receiving 4 different types of chemo each day this week. My climbing team this morning were Mark, Erika and Cathy Farrar. At lunch Erika picked up the boys (Jake on the right is 9 and Jordan is 7). They had hand tied a fuzzy warm blanket for me! Bridget Melson, Jacque Klippenes and Chelse Barnes also stopped in. Call Cathy Farrar if you would like to drop by at any point this week.

Prayer requests:

• I pulled a muscle in my right shoulder on Sat. We are treating it, but please pray that the pain would not interfere with my sleep.

• The chemo MUST do its work and attack the cancer cells.

• For me to stay focused on the Lord and trust in His work during this process.

• That all medicines and procedures that the doctors prescribe would be ok'd by the insurance company.

Starting the Climb

The climb starts at 8:30 AM on Monday, Sept. 15. I will be at the office of Dr. Szumorski - Valley Medical Oncology Consultants starting chemo. My primary cancer doctor is Sunil Reddy at Stanford Hospital, but I will be able take the chemo here in Pleasanton. For this first chemo, Mark, my husband, Erika, my daughter-in-law, who is a nurse, and Cathy Farrar my sherpa will be with me. All of you can be with me by praying for each drop of chemo to hit a cancer cell. In later chemo's I will be able to have a flow of visitors - and will need them, because the chemo lasts for 6 whole hours.

Well, come along for the climb!

Welcome

Welcome to Carol's new blog...stay tuned for more information.