Thank you for the support, love & prayers through the last obstacle. I've had a week to rest and recover from my expander infection surgery. Grateful that we made the decision to remove the expander since the infection was the "tough" bug. I continue to take an antibiotic and each day feel better and stronger ~ thank you God. Thank you to my incredible partner Jon, for being right there by my side and giving such great updates, bringing me so much humor, love and strength and for making the sacrifice to support me while missing the biggest yearly event for his company. He is such a Godly man and I'm so grateful God brought him into my life! I'm back to "creative attire" with the "return of the grenade". I have two appointments this week at Lack's Cancer Center in Grand Rapids. Tomorrow, it's bye, bye to the grenade/drain tube and Tuesday, chemo101 training class. The following week, Monday, March 17, I have outpatient surgery to insert my port for chemo and then my first chemo treatment on Friday, March 21. I look at the chemo as my next phase/obstacle for my Gi-Jen journey. I'm thankful that Lack's offers a class that informs their patients on what to expect with everything associated with the chemo treatments.
On a side note, I am thankful for the drugs that helped reduce my pain last week, but on the other hand, I was pretty much in la la land! So, if you received a text, email, or FB message from me that made NO sense, whatsoever, please extend a little grace! ;-) It's pretty bad when I have to read my own blog to see what I went through last week!
This past week, my beautiful and amazing Aunt Barb lost the battle to cancer at age 80. Yesterday, we were able to celebrate her life and her legacy. I'm grateful for the Godly example, influence and impact that she's made in my life. She was sweet, tender-hearted, thoughtful, generous, loving and always looked for opportunities to share her faith. When people ask me how I can remain positive and strong, I too have the opportunity to share where my source of comfort, joy, peace, and strength come from and that is my relationship with my Heavenly Father. The doctor said I was "brave" for making the decision to having the expander surgery ~ We (Jon/I) can't take credit for that, God helped us with that decision. He makes you brave/strong! My aunt will be deeply missed, but I know she is rejoicing in Heaven and one day we will be reunited! Until then, I will embrace this season of my life and pray that I have more opportunities to share my faith and pray that I can be half the example that my aunt Barb was through her cancer journey/life!
My beautiful Aunt Barb:
"She leaves behind a legacy of a selfless service, a
firm faith, and a steadfast love for The Lord"
Prayer Request:
* Appt. on Monday goes well and that I'm healing as I should be.
* Port Appt. goes smoothly.
* Chemo training gives me additional wisdom, peace and understanding.
* Chemo treatment fights off any other bad cells in my body and side effects are minimal.
* Results from genetic testing, from CClinic, are negative (should have results by the end of the week).
* The spot on my liver is in fact, just a cyst (ultrasound will be rescheduled after I'm done with my antibiotics).
* Jon/kids - that they remain strong and peaceful through this journey.
* Prayers that God continues to use me and my story.
Again, we can't thank you enough for the outpouring of love, support, encouragement and prayers!!!! The dinners, cards, text messages, FB messages, flowers....we are so blessed to have such an army of supporters!
We love you! Have a great day ~ SHINE ON beautiful people! Life is good! God is GREAT!
Jen, Jon & Children
PRAYERS!!!!! Love you Jen!!!!
ReplyDeleteJules