"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.
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9 comments:
It has been great to get updates on how you are doing. I find myself praying for you throughout the day as God prompts me. Knowing about how you are doing allows me to pray more specifically.
Oh, Carol, how good to see you and talk w/ you even just for a bit this morning! I remember my friend who had cancer, referred to "chemo brain," the memory loss you mention. She said she just learned to laugh at herself and I hope you'll have grace for yourself thru this, too. You're in my prayers so often!
Love,
Melanie
What a lovely quilt! =) Carol, our family is all together praying daily for you.
Love,
Regina
Carol, I loved seeing you ever so briefly at church on Sunday! I love you so much and am so thankful for how much God is gracing you through everything. Am continuing to pray for you! So glad to have this blog (and wonderful photos!) to keep us all updated.
Carol, I'm praying for you and love you.
Marilyn
O Lord,you have examined my heart and know everything about me.
You know when I sit down or stand up.You know my every thought when far away.
You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am.
You know what I am going to say even before I say it,Lord.You both precede and follow me.You place your hand of blessing on my head. Psalm 139:1-5 NLT
Some encouraging words for you Carol from an amazing God.
This morning's prayer for you was very special. The Holy Spirit led me to consider your cancer ravaged body, much like God's Temple being invaded and desecrated by the money changers and merchants Jesus found and chased away. My prayer focused on asking God to rid His "Carol Temple" of the cancerous vermin that has been havoc and filth into this sacred place. God's "Carol Temple" is a house of love, prayer, service and faith, and I continue to pray directly against the cancer cells and the terrible side effects now attacking My Father's daughter. You're the BEST, Carol. Many blessings to you and yours. Uncle Jim
I just found out about your blog page... as I too have been thinking about you. You are certainly in my prays.
Peter 1:9 "Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy," I pray that this joy will continue to give you the strength you need.
Hello dear Carol,
I talked with Marilyn last night and she passed your site on to me.
My tears came quickly as I read your strong and faithful words. Not only for what you are going through, but for your positive attitude AND with happy tears for the love and mercy that our awesome Savior lavishes on us every day.
I can never thank you enough for all the kindness you and Mark have shown to my daughter, son-in-law and family over the years. Your are truly God's precious child.
He created you, loves you, and designed every part of your being. Hold fast to HIS hand.
Much love and prayers are going up for you.
Bobbie w.
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