Well, the last two days have been a blur. My MIL and I flew out of Arkansas Regional Airport and my sister left from North Carolina to meet in Bethesda MD for my appointment at the National Cancer Institute. We arrived in Washington DC around seven and we all headed to the hotel. We were able to have dinner and visit (I haven't seen her in 10 months!) so that was really great catching up (and stayed up way too late!).
My appointment was early the next day. The NIH (as they call it) is a huge campus, a city within a city really.
After some lab work and exams the doctor and his team came in to talk to me about my case. It looks like chemotherapy needs to be started as soon as possible and I will start taking a pill by mouth to try to combat the cancer. The pill will unfortunately kill my other adrenal gland which is the least of my problems, yet what I seem to be thinking a lot about. That's probably weird, hu?
They explained to me the effects of the chemotherapy and what to expect and a whole other host of tests and exams they want me to get.
I can't pretend that I am not scared, I am, but I guess since there is a plan of attack, there is nothing else to do but 'ride the tide', right?
Thank you for your continued prayer and support. I know I can't respond to each and every comment or email, but please know that I read each and everyone of them and thank you so much for reaching out to me. You are helping me face this thing!
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Michelle, I'm praying with tears in my eyes that the chemo would work and that the adrenal won't be damaged. We can always ask, right? :)
ReplyDeleteWhen the disciples were riding the waves of a storm and the Lord was sleeping, they cried out, "Lord, don't you care?" When He called out "PEACE, BE STILL" I think He was calming human hearts and well as sea waves. He can bring peace because He is the God of peace. We ALL have times of despair and disbelief, just like the disciples. We need to remind ourselves He IS there, He DOES care and HE loves us. He proved that at Calvary.
May you hear the Lord speaking words of peace and love to you at this hard time of "riding the tide." Blessings to you.
Michelle...
ReplyDeleteThank you for the update...I have you in my prayers and lit a candle after Mass yesterday for you. The thing about cancer is that it takes away control,leaving us feeling lost and vulnerable. Now that you have a plan you have gained some control back...but you are right...ride the wave. Do it by staying positive, have faith in God, and whatever you do never ever let cancer take away your hope.
"Hope sees the invisible, feels the intangible and achieves the impossible"....Anonymous
Praying for you right now...you are so not alone.
I've been thinking about you and hope that the chemotherapy will do the trick to get you back to being healthy.
ReplyDeleteMichelle: When my daughter was going through her cancer treatment she was so scared. It is only natural to feel that way. You do have to ride the tide, though it isn't always easy. When those overwhelming times happen, a good cry always helps and then the strength will creep back in. Keep talking to anyone and everyone who will listen. When my son passed away, I found it was a little easier to bear if I talked about him. Before I wouldn't have mentioned anything to another person who was going through something like this for fear of saying the wrong thing but I found, through experience, that it really helps. All our prayers are with you and you are constantly in our thoughts...Keep strong, Judy.. It sounds like you are in good hands.
ReplyDeleteAMEN! He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think!
ReplyDeleteSo thankful for a lovely time to catch up with your sister and your mil. God gives us gifts in the midst of the storm.... Your "RIDE the TIDE" and your honest posts are a testimony to the strength you have in Christ.
ReplyDeleteSometimes God calms the waves, and other times He allows the storm to rage, while He calms His child. Continuing to pray for God's almighty arms around you as He breathes comfort over you. I am so sorry that you have to endure this disease and even the treatment, but I know that He will be with you through each and every step of the way. May you and your dear family abide in His perfect peace, sweet Michelle. Love to you.
Michelle, I am so sorr you are having to go through this. But I think "ride the tide" attitude is pretty darn good for now. Just take the pill, do the chemo, have the tests. Do back flips if they want you to and then some. I'll say a prayer for you every day and hope that you get through this one pill and one day at a time. Really if you think about it. That's all any of us really have, is one day at a time. Oh, and least I forget, you be as scared as you want. I would be. Anything you want to feel or think, it's ok with us. We'll be here. Carol
ReplyDeleteThinking of you, and praying you will have the strength to endure your challenges.
ReplyDeleteMichelle, Thank you so much for the update. I've been thinking of you and praying as well. You may not think so but I think you are one tough chick! You have every right to be scared, I certainly would be, I just pray that you never lose your hope. We've never met but I do care about your outcome and wish you the best. If it helps never hesitate to let loose here....we will listen and support you through it all!!
ReplyDeletei am wishing you the best as you head down this road... you're not alone. we are all praying for you!
ReplyDeleteYou have every right to be scared, remembering you in prayer. thank you for the update, didn't expect to have one so soon. Hugs, Diane
ReplyDeleteYou're still on my prayer list! The "Ride the tide" thing is just awesome! Isaiah 26:3 ~Jamie
ReplyDeleteHang in there Michelle. You can do this!
ReplyDeleteMichelle, hang in there. My thoughts and prayers are with you. All the very best always. hugs Anu
ReplyDeletePrayers for you and yours. I will be thinking of you and praying for comfort, healing and strength.
ReplyDeleteDear Michelle,
ReplyDeleteYou have every right to be scared but please keep "hope" strong in your heart. I pray the good Lord sends you His healing powers and that He disperses all your fears. A follower. Sheila
Best of luck with your cancer treatment. I hope they get it all so you will be cancer free. My prayers are with you.
ReplyDeleteMichelle,
ReplyDeleteI am truly sad and sorry to hear this. I haven't been on my blog page a lot recently so I didn't even know you were going through this. You are such a strong person and I'm sure you will get through it! I don't know the words to say but I can tell that you have a great support system that will be there for you through all of this. I hope that things work out for you. Praying for you and wishing you many happy blessings!
I'm praying Michelle and I blogged about it http://ourbluefrontdoor.blogspot.com/2012/02/simple-fridays-prayers-and-thoughts.html and asked for everyone to join my in praying for YOU because the more prayers the better! Lifting you up. You can get through this! Hugs to you...Andrea
ReplyDeleteSending prayers and good thoughts your way as you face this challenge! Thank you so much for sharing this with us and allowing us to offer you strength and support! Angie xo
ReplyDeleteKeep the faith Michelle, thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteHolding you in the light Michelle
ReplyDeletei hope you have good luck with this pill, when my dad was supposed to be taking the pill (gemzar-or however you spell it) he absolutely hated it! it made his face break out to a ridiculous degree, which sounds superficial, but when i saw him that first time i was truly taken aback.
ReplyDelete"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."
ReplyDeleteWe will just continue to ask that God will provide for you in whatever manner He sees fit.
Blessings to you and Texas sized hugs!
J
Michelle,
ReplyDeleteYou're in my thoughts and prayers everyday.I'm so happy you had the chance to see your sister and that you've got such a supportive family.
xoxo
Dear Michelle,
ReplyDeleteI can't begin to imagine how worried you must be... I believe that is how we would all feel faced with cancer. When tough times come just trust that the Lord will work in such a way that you will be given strenth to get thru all that you need to. I promise he will be there with you. Know that you and your family are being lifted in prayer. A little passage that I hold unto that helps me is " And all things, whatsoever you ask in prayer,believing,you shall receive. this passage always sees me thru the tough times.
If you see a bright penny in your travels just know that is my prayer being answered for you I'm positive you will find one. Blessings and love, Tammy
Many thanks for the update. I have been thinking of you several times a day and wondering how it was going. So glad you have such supportive family. I think that will help so much. I'm so sorry you are having to go through all this. We are all with you and thinking and praying for you! Sending love to you.
ReplyDeleteMy prayers, today, are with you, dearest Michelle. I will be laying you at the feet of Jesus daily.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, dear one.
Carolynn
Prayed for you today. Sisters are awesome, are they not. :) So glad she could be there with you.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Your sister in Christ
we are with you 100% praying everyday
ReplyDeleteYou can do this, Michelle!
ReplyDeleteI discovered your wonderful blog not too long ago, and check it regularly. I just wanted to let you know I'll pray your journey will be filled with love and grace. I've stood with friends and family through their cancer journeys (I like that better than "battles"...you know?). I believe in the power of prayers, even from those far away, who are seeming strangers. We are all connected, and by sharing your beauty with the world through this blog, you've opened a door to blessings coming back at you. God Bless you as you go forward!!
ReplyDeleteI don't comment often, but if this one comment gives you just a little more hope, strength and faith, then I'll be back everyday.
ReplyDeleteYou are in my thoughts. I wish you well.
u are going to come out of this.
ReplyDeleteu r in my prayers...!!
I'm glad there is a plan. I guess now you just do what they tell you and try to take care of yourself in every way possible...eat healthy, sleep enough and be selfish enough to put yourself first (for a change-women never do that). Prayers continue for you. Hang in there!
ReplyDelete