Catholics
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Michelle,
I'm laying down now. Thank you so much for your support and understanding. It's so overwhelming isn't it? I know I am not alone in this. I wish I could go back to my Dad's and just be a daughter for another few weeks. I always said, I would blend in perfectly at his Independent Living Facility. I am too young however, boo! I think I will be a bit better once I get immersed in work again, not so in my head.
God Bless Us All,
Traci
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Janet, Pat and Betty, Michelle,
Thank God for you all, I can so feel your kindness and support. I needed every bit of it. Seriously, God Bless everyone here. I would be pretty lost right now if I didn't have you all to support me and understand. Betty, please let us know when your sister is having her surgery, and we will most definitely be praying for you.
For our Sisters in treatment, you are in my prayers to not suffer so. I sincerely hope our prayersareanswered has an easier go of it next round.
LOVE YOU ALL!!
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Goodness, lots and lots going on since the other night. I lost battery power in my laptop, but we are home now. I will post more tomorrow.
Yes, yes goodbye 2010, it was a horrid year!
Traci - I will say a Divine Mercy Chaplet for you tonight before going to bed. You are carrying a heavy cross and some of it is not yours to own (like your sister). I think you're right, though, once you get back to work, your mind will be occupied by other things, but you need to take care of you and not worry what others think. St. Francis taught that he no longer cared what others thought of him... only what God thought of him. God knows our deepest thoughts and our pains and is there for us always. Like Michelle said, you have a good heart and are a loving person, and that is what God sees. Everything else is passing.
Tori - I think you're feeling the effects of chemo. Eventually, you will come out of it, but it takes time. You are in my prayers too. It's a terrible feeling to lose control of our bodies.
Pat - you gave some really good advice.... I want to post some of my lessons from my Franciscan formation... it has comforted me and may also comfort you sisters too, but I'm tired and need my rest.
Tomorrow is another day! God Bless you all.
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Bless you Theresa. I am so grateful you all can see my heart, even through the old computer
I feel so blessed to have found you all. It all started with a spiritual question which Laura quickly answered, and she was so welcoming. I have really gained such an appreciation of the deep meaning of prayer, and the spiritual journey I am blessed to be on with you all. I think if I walked into a Church right now I would fall out on the floor crying out to God. I did just watch I Survived Beyond and Back, and this too has given me renewed strength and desire to do good works, and stay open to learning. Sweet Dreams all
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Traci, I just watch I Survived Beyond and Back just now also, and I was struck by what the Dr said about We don;t have as much control over our lives as we think we do. Did you catch that? I love that program it gives me thought and peace.
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Sisters...thank you for all your words of encouragement!
Traci-I'm sorry your sister made you feel the way she did...I am always amazed at how some people are, even when they are family....so what if your house is a bit out of place? Mine is like that as I type this...thank God my husband is such a "go with it" kinda guy! I pray that things get better between you two...I'm so happy that you had such a great time with your dad though...
Michelle- I know the feeling of disorganization you speak of! I have a few piles sitting on this desk as I sit here!
Most are just bills that I have paid and haven't filed..but some other stuff that I'm just not in a hurry to take care of right now...thank goodness for your stepmom and MIL who came to help you out....do you let others borrow them??? Theresa- Thanks for reminding me that it's the chemo making me crazy...It just seems to never leave my mind lately...I need to let it go and just accept that this is the way it is for now and it will get better later...I have no patience, so I just want it to be gone now...
Thanks for your prayers...Janet- Thanks for your prayers...you are too kind...I like the additions to the Serenity Prayer..I have never seen that before and it really seems to hit the spot of me lately...
Betty- Thanks for your encouragement...thanks for your prayers too...It means the world to me...
Paula- Hope you are having a better time of things too....thinking and praying for you...
IN FACT, THINKING AND PRAYING FOR YOU ALL!!!
THANK GOD FOR ALL OF YOU!
peace and prayers,
Tori
DE COLORES!
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Thank you Tori, and I am praying for you too. You are getting closer to your finish line aren't you?
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Traci-last chemo is this Friday...then on to rads...
Have a great night!
Tori
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Tori,
Oh how wonderful!!!! I know it's hard to gear up for the last one, but I pray it goes swiftly and as smoothly as possible. We are cheering you on.
Traci
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Good morning, and wow so many things happening.
Traci ~ I'm very sorry to hear that your sister expressed meaness to you, I think that siblings do that to each other because they think it is acceptable. I too had to mellow out when my sister visited so I understand what you went through. Nobody except us girls who'll understand the fatigue that creeps up suddenly or the fact that like Michelle said, we just froze. I battled that a few years ago where I didn't open my mail for 2 years. I heavily relied on auto and online payment and that's how I survived. After my bc dx, I was back to that. Today, I have a few piles of paper foot tall each and they are moved around, just like how Michelle described. I don't have the mind and heart to deal with them and they can wait. The only accomplishment I did over the Christmas and New Year was purged some of my things in the closet and I threw away old makeup and cleaned my vanity table yesterday. Believe me, the dust on the perfume bottles were thick and disgusting. I only felt good enough yesterday to do the little dusting (although my DH nagged a bit before), I just plugged up my ears and told him I don't have energy yet.
Traci, don't let those hurtful words stick, let it roll off of you. God knows what we are capable and He'll have you ready to do that when He knows you can. That day will come and you'll have the energy to tackle them.
Janet ~ thank you for the advice, I will call and ask if the strip mall has security cameras.
Michelle ~ thank you for sharing. You made me feel I wasn't the only one that got overwhelmed and froze. I just have to get past the daunting task of going through paper work, it can be like a kryptonite!
Pat, Theresa, Betty, Michelle ~ great advice.
Tori ~ thank you for your prayers, and prayers to you for this Friday.
Betty ~ will you let us know about your sister? Prayers for you both.
Does anyone knows what's happening with Jeannine?
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"Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections, but instantly set about remedying them - every day begin the task anew." - Francis De Sales
We need to understand and have realistic expections. It will take time to develop and improvements will be made and we need to be kind to ourselves.
Namaste!
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Ladies, Happy 2011~ We have made it another year! Thank you Jesus!
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I am so happy to see you here Laura, when I read your simple message above...I thought WOW yes we have made it another year. I will be 3 years NED in April and I remember thinking just let me live and now it's been almost 3 years and THANK YOU GOD. It's funny that whats we get past that stage we start thinking about the things that aren't working in our lives. When I should really just be so very thankful for my continued health and just revel in that. I am looking at your message and thinking I am thankful for my life and I don't want to waste it doing things that are not good for me, and what can I do in the present moment to enjoy and be at peace with the gift of life?
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Just received this and wanted to share....just think, if we incorporate even a few of these this year, how happier we would be...
Tori
HANDBOOK 2011
1. Drink plenty of water
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
4. Live with the 3 E's: Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games.
7. Read more books than you did in 2010
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9. Sleep for at least 7 hours
10. Take a 30 minute walk daily and when you walk, smile!
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Eliminate negative thoughts and things that you cannot control. Instead, invest your energy in the positive and in the present moment.
13. Don't overdo. Know your limits
14. Don't take yourself too seriously. No one else does
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip
16. Dream more while you are awake
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner or loved ones of his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness
19. Don't hate others
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except for you
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are part of the curriculum; they appear and fade away, but the lessons you learn last a lifetime
23. Smile and laugh more
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
25. Call your family often
26. Each day do something good for others
27. Forgive everyone for everything
28 For a learning experience, spend some time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 8
29.. Try to make at least 3 people smile each day
30. What other people think of you is none of your business
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick, but you friends will. Stay in touch with them.
32. Do the right thing.
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful, or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.
37. The best is yet to come
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank God for it
39. BE HAPPY EACH DAY!
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU AND YOURS!
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Sisters!
I have just spent some time reading the thread and I am feeling so close to all of you and have empathy for all you are going through.
Diamond girl -please be kind to yourself. you always send us peace with your namaste- and now I send it back to you! Sounds like alot with pipes bursting,your car and with you still healing and side effects. Praying for you sister!
Squid- You offer so much to me sweet sister. The deep questions are sometimes so deep that it is hard to stay with them. But I like deep thinkers! My dad was my shining light as well!
Torigirl- I am praying with you sweet sister. Last chemo coming up on Friday!!! I am so happy for you, of course you are fatigued and out of touch my friend, you have been going through chemo!! Be kind to yourself, you are always so kind to us
Kindone-let us know how things go with your sister
Janet, prayeranswerd, pagowens, Michelle, our founder Laura and anyone else (I hope I didn't miss anyone) praying for all of us sisters! Our Blessed mother isholding us in her arms and watching out for us. May God bless all of you!
Ellie xo
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Tori ~ what a wonderful list. I would be so blessed if I can just accomplish a third of it. Thank you for posting it on the board
Ellie ~ thank you for your kindness and prayers, same goes back to you too
We had snow this morning in Vegas, what a wonderful scene (although it wasn't cold enough to stick).
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Good evening sisters --- I'm getting on later than I wanted to. :-\ It's just been a bummer day.
Tori - I loved the list! I copied and pasted it to my desktop and will look at it often... actually I'm going to print it out and post it on our refrigerator! Thanks for posting it!!
Yes Laura! Another year and we're still here. Last year this time, I was preparing for surgery in February and fearing the unknown.
I wonder why so many women have chemo first, then rads? I had rads first, then chemo...
I'd like to share a little bit of my lesson this month. We are learning about the Poverty of Christ and Humility. I don't feel very inspired probably because work deflated me again. It just robs the energy from me. But here are some exerpts from the lesson that jumped out at me for further meditation.
"Christ chose for himself and his mother a poor and humble life"
"Poverty, in the sense of non-possession, is neither good nor bad it is simply a fact. What makes Gospel poverty valuable is its purpose: the imitation of Christ for the purpose of Christ."
"Poverty is designed to make us free of any enslavement to things and also to persons, places, circumstances and desires." [That sentence spoke volumes to me. It is the freedom for me to use my own free will to choose to love God above everything, everyone. God doesn't force anyone to love Him. But if we are slaves to those things and desires and put them first, then we block out God.]
"What can I do every day, within the actual circumstances and obligations of my life, to cut any creeping enslavement? What will make me free? If I have money, what good can I do with it, support others, provide a gift?" There aren't any set answers, but Francis said, "The Lord showed me what to do."
"Humility = Twin of Poverty. St. Francis in his simple wisdom, saw poverty and humility as twins. I am absolutely dependent on God for all things; that is humility. And God will provide them; that is poverty. I am nothing without God; that is humility. I want nothing but God; that is poverty. As a creature, I am poor before God; that is poverty and humility."
Maybe if I practiced more poverty and humility, my job wouldn't affect me so negatively. :-) I have to stop taking my job and myself so seriously!!
I think I'll go watch some of the Virginia Tech game!
May the peace and joy of Francis and Clare be yours.
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Theresa, thank you for sharing those great words of wisdom, I think I may have neglected to mention you in my last post-if so, i am sorry! You have so much to offer us here--humility--what a concept--love it--thank you sister
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Tori - that list is definitely a keeper.
Theresa - I plan to read & re-read the poverty/humility piece. There are some deep messages in that.
I used to know an anthropologist and she used to say everyone she met in her life was like a different flower. When you put them all together you have a beautiful bouquet. God bless all of my sisters - each is a special flower in my bouquet
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I have never in my life heard of rads before chemo in stages 1-3 BC.
interesting.
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I used to know an anthropologist and she used to say everyone she met in her life was like a different flower. When you put them all together you have a beautiful bouquet. God bless all of my sisters - each is a special flower in my bouquet
"that is the most beautiful thought Janet in Virginia, even if it was an anthropologist.
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Sisters,
Beautiful sentiments and such food for thought. Tori, I loved your list. I've been working on # 33
I fell asleep when I got home tonight, but I dressed up for work today which is a departure. Theresa, I am sorry you had another rough day at work, you have so many gifts in Divinity. I pray this will be your year. (see # 16 God Bless you all and your reaching and surpassing milestones. Paula, thanks so much for sharing and support. It makes it so much better to know one is not alone in this journey. Together we can help normalize our trials and cheer our successes, as only we know what it has taken to achieve them.Sweet Dreams!
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Tori..... here is to your finishing Chemo... WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! You did it my girl.... with class!
I also liked the list.... TY
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Traci - thanks, I hope I make inroads in 2011 also! Skip and I both have a lot to consider. We went to the little church in Colonial Beach this past weekend, and again, there was no music... not that they don't want it, but there was no one to lead. Skip's been leading music for 20+ years. But if he does that, he doesn't know if he can do the deacon thing too. Then he was having second thoughts about the diaconate today. He needs to talk to someone other than the old wife, and he will. Once we get him situated, then I can work on me. In the meantime, I'm researching.
Janet - I like that quote! :-)
Ellie - don't give it another thought! I was not offended. Honestly, I know what it's like to try to remember everyone and the chemo brain freezes. I'm glad you liked the post. I found that session really deep and powerful and I need to read it several more times before it will sink in.
Laura - I don't know, but maybe because I had internal radiation, they did that before chemo, so I wouldn't have to have a third surgery. My surgeon made the incision and put in the catheter for it when he removed my lymph nodes (2nd surgery), then the following week, I was radiated, then they removed the catheter. (I guess you call it a catheter... the SAVI "appliance") It certainly felt like I had an appliance attached to me!! LOL
Today is the Feast Day for St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774 - 1821)! She's a special saint to me, because when I was going through my separation, divorce, annulment, my priest advisor (God bless him), gave me a book about her since she had to raise a family on her own too (her husband died, leaving her with little ones to raise). She was a convert back in the 1700s and it was radical for the times. Her family disowned her, but God had other plans for her - big plans. She founded the first Catholic free school in America (Baltimore) and a religious order (Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul, Emmittsburg). She really had it rough with many deaths in the family (as I could relate to at the time). We made many pilgrimages to the Shrine of Eliz Ann Seton and the Grotto of Lourdes.
http://www.emmitsburg.net/setonshrine/
Here is a quote that I didn't know was from her:
"Live simply, so that all may simply live."
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OIC Theresa... your situation was very different... kind of " cutting edge" Cool!
My son graduated from Seton... Homeschool program. He was actually in a Catholic school... and they used the Seton program... VERY HARD and Literature/writing extensive.... good prep for college.
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Apple
Saw your post tonight, I wasn't being nosy just saw the "eek" in recent topics and clicked.
I am praying for you and your ONC appt tomorrow. I am praying with much faith that you will be well attended with the aggressive options they have for HER2 treatment. We are with you!
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WAIT... WHAT DID I MISS ABOUT OUR APPLE???????????????????????
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Well said Michelle. Apple, you are most certainly in our prayers.
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I missed it too! Mary, are you ok??? I remember you having a worry about a week ago, but I thought all was well.
Prayers for you!
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Mary - Been thinking about you this morning & calling on the big guns - God the Father, Jesus, Mary, Holy Spirit, St. Peregrine & for the warrior angels to be at your side & protect you!
Sisters, I am weak. This morning I pulled into Dunkin Donuts and bought two chocolate frosted donuts - ate them both:(
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