Catholics
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I am Traci
and Apple you are Mary, right?
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Theresa,
I really appreciate all of the work you put into sharing about St. Francis' love of nature and sermons to birds. I am not sure if I said it here, but my mother said something that has always stayed with me...and she was looking at our dog and said, "If you ever have any question that God exists just look into the eyes of your dog." My mother would delight in the birds, was a master gardener (in my opinion,) we had fruit trees and grapes which made for many pies, jams, jellies and even wine!
In my grief of her passing, I have learned to look at every flower with her eyes. Or I use my eyes to share with her...I stop and appreciate the beauty, and I just know we are both seeing the beauty together, in real time. Does that make sense? A really interesting plant or flower will get audible approval from me..."Good one God!"
She recognized how having a family dog was going to provide us with a great appreciation for animals, and to keep us from having fear in the future. She brought my Dad around too, who resisted at first, then became the lover of Dogs that his is today. All of dog's pictures hang on our walls, and he speaks to each dog at night. My mother really understood and told me how my first Dog in college, named Lady, saved me. Lady picked me in the pound, and when I look over at my little sweetie this morning, I see a little bundle of love, who keeps me on my toes in more ways than one. I think she heard me...I'm getting the look.
So thank you and have a wonderful day ALL!
Traci
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a Mass this morning.. an all school Mass. I am so proud of the well behaved kids.
prayers for all of you.
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Traci - yes humans forget that there is only a 1% difference in DNA between us and chimps, for example. And several species use tools - previously documented as only by humans. That includes the crow, by the way, which are extremely intelligent. Animals love, grieve, get angry, many need family & social networks to survive, have language & communication skills (whether bird 'songs,' or whales, or a dog bark, etc) and many mate & remain faithful for life. Each year elephants return to the 'burial' grounds of their family members. They handle the bones with their tusks and bellow mournfully. We are surely all God's creatures.
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an update on BCMomof3... some of us were praying for her. I will continue to pray.
"2 hours ago sis-in-law wrote:
I am a sister-in-law to BCMomof3. I have read your posts and didn't want you all wondering indefinitely. Her name is Kristen and she is an amazingly special woman. She is in the hospital now. Up until Sunday night Kris was wonderfully "present". She is sleeping comfortably now without fear, or worry or pain. The hospital staff has fallen in love with her and they have tended to her with such kindness. Her room has been filled with visitors non-stop. She has not been alone for one minute since our family and close friends have established a rotating schedule throughout the day and night. Her best friend since grammer school who now lives out of town was here for a few days last week. Her Dad, who Kris reconnected with this past summer, was here as well. Her husband is okay. The children are doing well. We are a huge, close family and I personally promise that we will always and forever be there for her children, just as Kris will forever and always be a part of them. "
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patmom is Pat
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THanks Apple-
I read that this morning too, and am SO HAPPY that she sounds to have such a loving family with her. I am really stepping up my prayers ladies! Will get to St. Jude shortly. My Boys go to Catholic School and let me tell you it is a Blessing. This am on the way to school we prayed in the car together and I mentioned LMFSM financial issue and they really prayed hard for you Ellie! We prayed for all of you by name here and I am just refreshed by the feeling of love here.
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Ladies, today are lunch i went to the grotto of our Blessed Lady and prayed for all of you by name. I feel at peace there and I know my prayers are being hear-ed. I prayed in Jesus name.
Michelle, My first novena was to St Jude 35yrs ago. My sister told me to pray to St Jude and I have never heard of him before. I prayed and said my novena. Well I was just getting married and was having my NEW living room set delivered. I was moving the cushions on the couch and I found a old metal of St Jude. I knew my prayer was answered.
Ellie,prayers for you.
Betty
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Apple,
Thank you so much for her update. I am crying but I know she is surrounded by love, and can hear everything. I know there are so many things I don't understand, and I won't right now. What a blessing to hear of the love around her, and a testimony to her life here. I will continue to pray for her, her husband and children, as she said she was most worried for them. God please let your Peace and Love be felt by her husband and children, one by one.
God Bless Kris.
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Betty,
First I thank you for your prayers for all of us. Your story about the metal of St. Jude is awesome! I found my bookmark on the street, while walking my dog
Ellie,
I saw Paula's prayer for you, I hope for financial stability for you and all of us here.
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Waiting on tumor markers.......gotta learn to trust......
When I was diagnosed back in 2004 due to the severity of my cancer I traveled to this wonderful doctor in Dallas. It was my first appt and I am sure I looked pretty scared about the whole thing. An older couple struck up a conversation with me...they were lovely. She was dealing with cancer the second time around and she kept telling me that everything was going to be fine. She was so calm.
As her name was called she stood up and handed me an article in one of the magazines with the words written in her handwriting..... "Read & believe.....Trust him"...we are praying for you.
The article was this:
I was traveling north on the interstate when I noticed the highway was going to divide ahead. I needed to be in the right lane, but I was going too fast on the rain-soaked roadway. As I applied the brakes, my van headed straight for the trees in the median. The harder I braked, the more it headed for the trees. In desperation I gave up trying to stop the van and took my foot off the brake. To my surprise and relief, my van came to a sudden stop without crashing.
Life often seems like my experience with the van. The more I try to control a difficult situation on my own and set my life in the direction I want, the more difficult things become. I feel as though I am fighting to keep from crashing. Almost in desperation, I finally relinquish control to God. As I learn to trust, God brings calm to my life: I avoid crashing and can continue in the directioin God points me. God has always provided for me and always will. I want to acknowledge this provision and strive to "trust in the Lord with all my heart" at all times, rather than waiting until I am desperate.
Prayer: Dear Lord, we know that you love and care about each of us. You will always provide what we need. Help us to trust in you always. Amen.
I kept the article and it is in the front flap of my binder with all my test results.....a constant reminder.
Jacqueline
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Jacqueline - I surely needed that story today. Thanks. Having always been the one to 'fix things,' it's a constant battle not to be a control freak. And you're right, the harder you try to control, the less control you realize you have.
Here;s another that I think of often especially when I'm worrying. You have to think about it a little. "A coward dies a thousand deaths, but a brave man dies but once." Don't know if I have the quote exactly - but it's from Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. In my head I know there is no point to worrying or being scared and afraid - it does absolutely no good. God is the only One in control of anything.
And so, Dear Lord, I thank you for these sisters who uplift me with their prayers. You know I pray for them each day too. I am so saddened about Kris (bcmomof3) and know that we cannot approach understanding. She touched the hearts of so many. That is a gift to each of us. Wrap Kris and her family in Your love and mercy. Lord, please bless and keep us. Protect those undergoing surgeries and treatments this week. You alone give the gift of healing through those sons and daughters You chose to follow medicine. Guide them in their care of the sick and in finding a cure. Amen.
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Janet: "That includes the crow, by the way, which are extremely intelligent." Did you watch that program last night on the crows? DH was telling me about it and how intelligent crows were and they mate for life and can live over 20 years. They're amazing to watch.
Apple: Mary Magdalen is one of my favorites... at the cross with the Virgin Mary... first to see the Risen Christ! What love and devotion! Thank you for your prayers at Mass today. theresap60 = Theresa :-)
I'm so sorry to hear BCMomof3's story. I pray the angels are with her in her sleep to bring her comfort. So sad. Brings back sad memories. Yes, Michelle, it's such a blessing to be surrounded by loving family at times like these... for Kris and her husband and children.
Tori: You're no more a mess than the rest of us!! ;-) You'll feel better soon with that antibiotic. Can you eat yogurt while taking it to fight off the dreaded yeast infection?
Paula: :-( I hoped the doctor would have brought you some comforting words. You don't sound too happy or relieved. Can you get a second opinion, even if you have to drive?
Michelle: Your story seems so much like my journey... the good job, the material things, setting real priorities... going crazy thinking about how to get this ...I pray now for the big picture. I had started on my journey to simplify my life before I was diagnosed with BC. I was reading Quaker philosophy, my Catholic books, and my DH introduced me into the Secular Franciscans. And I kept wondering... what else is there to life? Once you get wrapped around the material, it's very difficult to unravel, unless, like you, both incomes are lost. I'm sure it didn't feel like a blessing at the time for you, but I think you're better off now. You sound so happy and your boys sound so happy and healthy. Isn't that what it's all about? I am still trying to find my "vocation" at 50 years old. So many people are blessed with knowing what God wants them to do... my DH has a gift of liturgical music... Sheila and Traci are blessed nurses; you can just feel their love of their work through their words and actions... my Mom loved being a medical office manager and worked well past retirement age even though she didn't have to. BC and St. Francis are leading me somewhere down God's well-planned path, but I'm walking with a blindfold on. You said: I have always been a good person (most of the time) and wanted to do good things. Me too. :-) And I'm sure the rest of us have the same feelings and desires. God knows that and blesses us on our way. He brought us together to support each other, to help us see Him through each other, and help us to come out of despair, mourning, depression, anger, bitterness and all those other negative mind-eaters that waste our lives. I enjoy coming here so much and learning and researching Catholic stuff and sharing and praying!! It's hell having cancer and going through awful treatment, but the blessing of you all.... I would never have met such beautiful people if I had not gotten cancer.
Prayersareanswered!!!! God bless you!!!!
Traci: You think you have LE from the fall last week?
You said: Did you ever hear the expression, that which you resist, persists? I've never heard that expression, but it's so true. I loved your conclusion: resisting means I miss the grace of where I am now.
You sound like you had such a wonderful childhood and your mother, what a sweetheart! Yes about the eyes of a dog... they're so trusting and devoted. I often think something similar... that I should humble myself like a dog looking lovingly at her Master, our Lord. And I think that's a Franciscan feeling... he was so humble after his conversion that he related to birds and wolves and flowers and even bugs as if they were his brothers and sisters... and they ARE our brothers and sisters! God created all of us. There was a story of him one early morning in the dark before anyone woke up, walking through Assisi... it was cold and he could see the houses all warm with their chimneys burning, some soft lights were already lit and he was beginning to feel cold and wondered what it was like in the house of his father and mother; it would be warm with plenty of food and a warm bed. Little by little each house became alive with morning activity. He watched as windows were opened and people started coming out of their homes. Most of them already worried about the day... work, house, children, merchants... all clammering along with the heavy weight on the world on their shoulders. Then he was joyful to be who he was, with no attachments except to the Lord, none of the worldly, material burdens. Amen!Jacqueline: What a beautiful and sooooo true story!!! I need to cut and paste that one too!
Phew... long day at work and so many posts to read! :-) Good news about Dann... his wife wrote us and said: Good news is that this week the doctor didn't find one red blood cell in his urine! Thanks to all for thoughts and prayers. BCG is really working for him. Nobody stops G-man from yelling at the TV on a fall NFL Sunday! So, things are going well with us. We are looking forward to the next 3 chemo-bacteria (BCG) treatments and then on to the cystoscopy on December 1. Keep us in your prayers for a clean bill of health on that date.
Time for my nighttime rituals to get ready for my next work day! :-)
Peace and all good...
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Janet - lovely prayer.
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Theresa - yes I saw that show! Tell your husband I am officially in awe of crows now
:) One spring break I took my son to the Grand Canyon. They have the biggest crows I've ever seen in my life - seriously - easily between 2 & 3 feet tall. And their wing span was enormous. I had no idea at the time how intelligent they are. But I could see why one native American tribe took the name of Crow. Powerful creatures.God bless the crows
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Jacquelen, Thank you for stopping in again and posting that. I have a very hard time with this. When I let go.. and give it to God..... SO MANY times.... it fails.
So I feel like... I must need to work WITH God while I let Him take the lead. Who knows.. not I.
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Prayersareanswered: Surgery is tomorrow... Wednesday.
Lord Jesus, help Prayersareanswered as she prepares for this operation. In your love, guard and protect her. Through the skills of the doctors and the care of everyone else, bring her back to health and full activity. Lord Jesus, we praise you for ever and ever. Amen.0 -
Janet: I told my husband that you saw the show and were in awe of the crow! He laughed and told me a boyhood story (yes, you owe me one :-)) about growing up in Hacienda Heights, CA, when it was a rural orchard. A bunch of crows hung out in the orchard where he played. He said he was a dopey boy and used a stick to pretend to shoot the crows. The crows just looked at him like he was crazy. Well, his Dad bought him a bb gun. So he wanted to shoot a crow. Out he went to the orchards and the crows were there. He didn't even have to raise the gun and the crows took off squawking loudly and flying around around him. It was then that he had his first encounter with the intelligent crow... they knew the difference between a stick and a gun.0
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oh dear, I fell asleep again! I am more tired than I have been in awhile...but I am here reading, absorbing, learning.
I have to plant a mustard seed Theresa, and I was thinking what an incredible writer and storyteller you are. Have you ever thought about working in hospital ministry? I also see that you can talk many languages of Spirituality and Religion, as far as work of the soul. I think you would be able to help people face their illnesses, loss of loved ones, and help them to comfort and peace. There is also Hospice Work, and I am going to look a few things up.
Have you ever thought of this as a Vocation?
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Prayersareanswered,
You are in our thoughts and prayers as you take the next step in your recovery from cancer. I pray that your surgery is uneventful, you have excellent Nursing care, and your Surgeon and their team are Divinely guided, and take expert care of you. May your recovery be swift, your pain well managed, and have all the help you need at home.
Traci
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I agree with Traci's prayer in Jesus name we pray. We will all be with you. speeddy recovery.
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Loving all my sisers! Good night and God bless us everyone!
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Theresa,
Good News for Dann!
Ladies, boy am I tired. I do have a little LE in my hand...it was something I have been watching, and when I fell, I drove my hand right into the pavement. There is more swelling now, and it doesn't go away. The hand still hurts, and the arm is some better. The PT I am seeing is one of the best and she works with out Breast Care Center. You have to pay out of pocket and reimburse, so I thought I'd get in and get evaluated to stop any further progression and go from there to the easier set up where the PT's office submits. Too much coordination for me.
sorry, I'm on full Blech today, and waiting for my ultrasound results. They are not back yet, I had my pain PA check today.
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Squidward....
I understand your blech...... !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I cannot afford to do more PT for my LE.. so I am going to try to get SOMEONE to cal me back so that I can go to maybe 2 more.. just so dh can learn how to help me...
IF YOU CAN AFFORD it... go to all the therapy you can... SO SO SORRY sweet lady.
Only Stage 4........... is worse than LE... and I will NEVER compare the two. Ever.....
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Thanks Laura,
i know know this is a daily issue 4u. i'm one finger typing, so bear with me. r there any bc groups that would help with a few co-pays? its worth a shot!
i'll let u know what she says. i'm thinking a glove because its in my pads?
and good night sweet ellie
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Yes.. there are groups that pay.. or help with co pays..... www.copay,org is one.
My PT is part of my 20%... not copays. So.. I pay about 30$ a visit... and DH makes too much money to get any help...LOL
When I say I cannot afford it. I should put it like this.....................
DH and I help pay for others bills and others food money.... and others mortgages..... we also have one child in college, where we are still paying his tuition 100%.
I do NOT pat myself on the back for this.. NO NO NO...... BUT.... this is why I have no extra money . (... this is my choice.. AND.. I CAN afford to go a few more times so dh can learn how to do it)
I do NOT want others ( meaning my BC girls) to think I have to suffer without the money to get help. I do have the money to get help... I just choose to give that money to others during this horrid economy....and I don't post that to these threads much... because NO ONE GETS that I CHOOSE to give this money away.. BECAUSE it is MORE IMPORTANT... so please DO NOT respond to this post.
I just did not want anyone to think that I need help paying for things.... for me...... it is all about... who needs the money the most..... if someone needs food.. shelter...etc..... then THEY need it most...
anyway..... I could not let this go by..... without saying.... I CHOOSE to not afford a LE PT on a reg, basis.... There are WAY too many people who need our money more... do I make sense?????? Probably not...I seem to NOT do well with expressing online.
Either way... I am doing all I can to help myself..:)..........
I actually have good news to post before bedtime here..... My arm is 4cm smaller than it was on Sunday.....WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! that is progress....
L.
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congrats Laura! do you think I can get it out of the pads (is there a medical term for that?)
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Laura --That is fabulous 4cm's is huge, describe when you can what you think is most effective in getting the swelling down .
Your kindness in food and sheltering others is humbling. Jv said I sounded better the other day. Well you do too. I'm so used to you always being up and WAHOOOOOOOOO. And you haven't been that way lately. Knew you were hurting. So, happy your WAHOOOOO'ng again. Untied & United
Apple I'll add kris to my rosary intention tonite. It's just to sad.
SQUID you know I hope things improve. Try sleeping on your side with affected arm propped up. When I have swelling that helps. It also helps when I where a tube top when I notice any swelling. Part of my problem is Foobs fall to the side towards armpits and causes venous congestion. So, Those two things above seem to help. In fact looking at palmar pads now and they are the best in 2 months sinceI caught Greg as he was rolling out of bed . Had to be religious about self positioning since then, because of pain, but hadn't looked at palms.
Theresa and Tori should avoid probiotics until after immunity improves between chemo rounds, which for some may not. Probiotics are good bacteria, but they are still bacteria. This has been considered as one of the reasons I failed my only chemo.104.8 temp wbc 1.5, neuts .5 I was critical, Acute renal failure, on and on. I also learned later about Norvasc drug interaction with taxoters and cytoxan. Maybe it was a combo. But it was a lesson about probiotics That i would not repeat.
Praysareanswered You are in my intentions tonite . peace
Paula hope your felling better. Glad your sister is here. I did a search to see if there was a connection with antihypertensives and radiation couldn't find any research articles. It was a shot. There is so much out there you never know what you will find, Sometimes,I feel like some people have way to much time on there hands. Someone, actually got published one time for studying how long it takes for us to take our stethoscopes from around our necks vs. hanging off our necks. Stupid study, even stupider that it got published. Squid let me know that you found someone on the rad thread that had similar problems as yours. Hope that helps.
If anyone has noticed I call Traci Squid. It was something I started doing when we first met. It's an endearment. I saw a old sampler onetime that said "A child of many names is much loved". I 've always loved nick names because you can't do much with sheila. Of course that took on a whole new meaning coming to BCO. AS Apple was trying to make a list of whose avatar name and real name fit together. I may copy the list and post it, like several have said they are doing.
Off to say the rosary I'll be thinking of you all . L&H&P sheila
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So many lovely posts today/this evening...
I'm very thankful for our very own two Super RNs here, Sheila (Ms. sas) & Traci (la squid) - showing my terms of endearment
LOL. Their knowledgeable and caring guidance brought me to email and PM other ladies on the rads thread that Ms. Sas & La Squid brought up last night.I did more Googling late this morning, wrote an email to my rad onc, he ignored the term that I included and symptoms, nothing definitive and told me to take IB or Motrin.
Good news, as I laid on the table and getting myself ready to be zapped, I asked God for His Divine Intervention and I gave it all to Him. I didn't feel any pain during the treatment this afternoon and I was happy. But the stress and the pain/numbness during the whole weekend took its toll and I am very tired.
Also, I PM'd MonikaV and she wrote back, I've included below :
"I am writing from hospital bed. My surgery went well. It is a bit painful but with meds the pain is controlled. I am at St. Joseph's in OC. The doctors and staff are very nice. Glad your sister came to visit. Thanks for your prayers. Monika".
Good Luck with Prayersareanswered.
Apple ~ Prayers for Kris and her family.
Theresa, Michele ~ ditto to what you both said "You said: I have always been a good person (most of the time) and wanted to do good things. Me too. :-) And I'm sure the rest of us have the same feelings and desires. God knows that and blesses us on our way. He brought us together to support each other, to help us see Him through each other, and help us to come out of despair, mourning, depression, anger, bitterness and all those other negative mind-eaters that waste our lives. I enjoy coming here so much and learning and researching Catholic stuff and sharing and praying!! It's hell having cancer and going through awful treatment, but the blessing of you all.... I would never have met such beautiful people if I had not gotten cancer."
Jacqueline ~ a warm welcome to you here, such a lovely story.
Thank you all for the uplifting prayers. Good nite and sweet dreams.
God Bless!
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Good Morning Sweet Sisters!
So Squid
has a few questions for you all. Theresa, I think you may be experiencing some of what I am on a daily basis. There is drama galore and there have been personal attacks within my little "cough" family at work. Luckily, it does not happen directly where I am, and the blessing behind that is unmeasurable. This is not new, I have recently been in the company of those who submitted me to psychic attacks, staff splitting, shouting matches and reverse discrimination towards in 2008. My boss has a sweet soul, and does not take any decisive action to stop the perpetrators, in fact she unknowingly protects them. I know all will be revealed in the next life, and that will be theirs to resolve. One of the perps will be stopping by today or Friday, and I am beyond desiring of being around this person. I know I will be able to get into a better state when the situation arises, but I don't want to be around it. I am grateful for my job, but I feel very vulnerable amongst the viciousness. It's really hard to endure or be around pettiness at this stage of my life. One of my good co-workers just resigned, and I am trying to take on more, which involves walking more etc...and I am getting more and more physically exhausted. I sure could use some prayers for protection and to help me get some energy.Thanks for listening,
traci
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