Very early this morning, Carol's blood pressure and heart rate elevated. As a precaution, she was transferred to ICU. The doctors now believe this may have resulted from a drug interaction.
Carol remains in ICU. Her blood pressure and pulse rate are now stable. She was up for breakfast but will remain sedated throughout the day. Mark and Tim Porter are requesting that calls be limited to the family for the time being.
Carol has needed several blood transfusions. Currently, her blood type has been depleted in the valley and must now be delivered from Oakland. Even though you may not be Carol’s blood type, this is a great opportunity to give blood. There is a Red Cross facility in the parking lot at Stoneridge near Cost Plus.
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Hiking With Carol On Her Cancer Journey
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him,
so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
~Romans 15:13
so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
~Romans 15:13
Two years ago I climbed Half Dome with my younger son, Tim. Close to the top I was ready to quit. He forcefully encouraged me to keep going and gave me enough nutrition to fuel the next steps. We made it. What a victory!
In 1997, I had melanoma of the retina. Just prior to discovering that I had cancer in my eye, the Lord God clearly showed me that I had a hard storm coming, but would come through it successfully. Today, I am facing the return of that cancer, this time in my lungs and liver...a much wilder storm. This time my metaphor is climbing a mountain.
In His grace, God has carefully equipped me for this climb. I have a wonderfully stable husband, Mark who loves me and prays for me. My two sons are married to great women who both support them and me. Greg and Debbie in Portland have two daughters and Tim and Erika, in San Ramon, CA have two sons. They will be with me throughout the journey as will many of you. I am surrounded by many who will be the physical arms and legs of God caring for me.
However, the greatest equipping comes from God who has been my strength since my childhood. He designed my life, knowing this day was coming. He has soaked me in His Word. This summer, I have been on a quest to deepen my faith. Little did I know that God had a purpose in leading me in this direction.
Come with me on my climb. I may need forceful encouragement. I may feel like not going on. I may battle discouragement and not want to continue to the summit. I invite you to cheer me on. Share your own victories and struggles in your blog comments. Together let us strengthen our faith in Him.
In 1997, I had melanoma of the retina. Just prior to discovering that I had cancer in my eye, the Lord God clearly showed me that I had a hard storm coming, but would come through it successfully. Today, I am facing the return of that cancer, this time in my lungs and liver...a much wilder storm. This time my metaphor is climbing a mountain.
In His grace, God has carefully equipped me for this climb. I have a wonderfully stable husband, Mark who loves me and prays for me. My two sons are married to great women who both support them and me. Greg and Debbie in Portland have two daughters and Tim and Erika, in San Ramon, CA have two sons. They will be with me throughout the journey as will many of you. I am surrounded by many who will be the physical arms and legs of God caring for me.
However, the greatest equipping comes from God who has been my strength since my childhood. He designed my life, knowing this day was coming. He has soaked me in His Word. This summer, I have been on a quest to deepen my faith. Little did I know that God had a purpose in leading me in this direction.
Come with me on my climb. I may need forceful encouragement. I may feel like not going on. I may battle discouragement and not want to continue to the summit. I invite you to cheer me on. Share your own victories and struggles in your blog comments. Together let us strengthen our faith in Him.
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7 comments:
what is carol's blood type?
Carol, I am praying for you today, all day. All I can keep thinking is that I'm glad God is in control. I pray that they doctors are keeping you physically comfortable and that God's comfort is with you even more so. Love you so much,
Melanie
Folks are praying through out the country (world!) for you to bounce back quickly and fully, Carol. Lori Brown wants you to be reminded of praying for your sons' future families 25+ years ago and the joy she had seeing you have a nurse in the family!, Others who have checked in by e-mail or telephone today: Linda McCarthy ("Blessings on your head!), Delayne Zollers, Kathy Stahly, Poppy Smith and Bridget Melson. I regret that a low grade cold is keeping me from visiting at the hospital, but know my prayers are blending with those of many and I anticipate picking up my "sherpa backpack" duties soon.
Love to you, Mark and your entire family. Mary C.
Hi Carol--Remember we talked about when I get "that feeling"? Well you were in my thoughts so constantly that my entire morning/afternoon was completely dedicated to you in prayer--prayer for that heart of yours to kick out the bad stuff and return to a normal rhythm--and Praise God it did. Looking forward to that Cab and Blush in the spring that we talked about Saturday night!
Love you sweet friend.
Bridget
you are so sweet and dear, thoughts of you have been constant through out the day ('s)
Love you
Debbe (Wed. Percepts)
Carol, Prayers going up for you here and in Iowa... In our prayer study, one of the passages was from Psalms 121:3-4. The entire passage is a precious promise for us, but verses 3-4 are about the journey: "He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep..."
hug, Nikki
Carol
I second the motion about the Cab and Blush from Bridget. I've got the bottle set aside. Your Tuesday morning ladies thought maybe we should start calling ourselves, "Carol's girls".. what do you think? Smiles. We set aside our lesson plan and prayed for you this morning. We miss you so so so much.
One thing I felt I should tell you is that God is not caught off guard with these complications. He is in control, He knows everything and He holds you in the palm of His righteous right hand.
Don't let the enemy steal your joy and your peace. God is with you- He has not left you- you are not alone- He loves you with an unending love.
You need to break out of the Valley Care so we can all start seeing you again! Laugh!
Know that we're keeping it "Carol real" on Tuesdays- you taught us that.
LOVE YOU TONS AND TONS AND TONS
Jan D.
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