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  • janet in virginia
    janet in virginia Member Posts: 923
    edited February 2011

    Hi geewhiz - I think that was nonijones.  She pops in here from time to time to straighten us all out!  I'm trying to practice the Anticancer book advice to 'live in the present' - right now, this moment -- and that seems to help.

    Has anyone else had something happen since Friday that made you think about our prayers for our kids & youth?  I think there was one answer.  My son, who is still in grad school, hasn't even been able to find an UNPAID internship much less a job.  Very discouraged.  Well...today, he got two calls to come in for interviews!  Praise the Lord in thanks for hearing our prayers -- all good things come from Him.

  • tinkertude
    tinkertude Member Posts: 1,998
    edited February 2011

    So true too, Many people think, and well meaning I know, but hey your big surgery is over and well you look great so its all over, but they just dont understand it really is just beginning, starting our lives with our "new normal" is not an easy step. I was saying to my hubby the other night when do we get to catch our breath, in the middle of the big surgery is when my daughter peaked with her depression and one of my cats dies and on and on, but I am not saying all that to complain, but to say to myself all that happened and Im still here surving. laughing, praying! God is good all the time, He has gotten me to this point and will continue to get me to the next. Doesnt mean that when my back or knee hurts that thought doesnt go through my mind could it be???.... of course it does, the days of being so naive that it couldnt happen to me, Im too young etc.. are gone, but what I do have now is a stronger faith than ever before and the courage to keep going and to really turn it over to God, He is in control anyhow, I guess I just needed to be remined of that!

    Thank you ladies for letting me get that all out

    Blessing to all my sisters!

    Love and Hugs Maria xo

  • geewhiz
    geewhiz Member Posts: 671
    edited February 2011

    Oh cool squid witch....we have the exact same date of diagnosis!! There is a lot of research on how positive thinking actually affects neuropeptides in our brain, resulting in chemical changes that result in positive feelings. I think its mentioned also in Schreibers book. Most days I am totally fine. Some days things are a little hard to shake off. And thanks Janet, I need to reread nonijones post. It helped me quite a bit I remember. And prayers of thanks for your sons opportunities!!

    I have read AntiCancer 3 times. I get something different from it every time. I also use it to kickstart myself when fall into unhealthy eating habits again. It's absolutely my favorite cancer book. Patrick Quillinan has a wonderful book too if you haven't already gotten it...lots of great nutrition info.

  • PatMom
    PatMom Member Posts: 322
    edited February 2011

    I have been saying prayers of thanks. 

    I got the best Valentine's Day gift from my niece, and she doesn't even realize she gave it to me.  She moved in here in mid-January, terrified to start a new chapter in her life after losing both of her parents, and has started college.  Yesterday, as she walked in the door from spending the weekend with a friend, she greeted the dogs with "I'm home", and she said it to them again today after school.

    To have her feel truly "home" here is the very best gift I could have asked for.  Thank you for all the prayers and support for all of us since October. 

  • geewhiz
    geewhiz Member Posts: 671
    edited February 2011

    Maria, what a wonderful attitude! That was the point of the Healing Prayer...to turn it over to God. I find God in the funniest places nowadays...the smiling old man who held my hand as the chemo nurse blew my vein....AGAIN....the lady in the infusion chair next to me who swapped vegan recipes and local sources of organic produce and even in the way others treat me now after diagnosis. I got a very thoughtful letter from a friend this week, out of the blue. She was sharing her experience of losing her daughter to cancer. She said that her message to me would be to learn to live in every moment. She said cancer made her feel like she was always waiting...for tests, scans, surgeries, medications at pharmacies. It was maddening to her...she didnt want to waste precious time. But it was in those moments she now realizes she most connected with her daughter ...and that quiet silence she says, led them to God and a place of peace.

  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 2,966
    edited February 2011

    PTSD is a tough, tough hall.... I PRAY FOR THOSE WHO SUFFER !  GOD BLESS YOU SWEET SISTERS with this personal hell.

    I just got DX today with SKIN CANCER. I will be using a topical Chemo... for two months. Please pray it kills the cancer. Thank you. I am tired of cancer, as we all are.

    Shelia... to know your son is to be married to a gem of a woman...... ahhhhhhhhhhh..... I am happy for you !

  • DiamondGirl
    DiamondGirl Member Posts: 695
    edited February 2011

    Good evening all and Happy Belated Valentines!

    First I'd like to share this :

    "Courage is not simply one tf the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point, which means at the point of highest reality." ~ C.S. Lewis

    I was pretty much on the phone from as early as 7:30am this morning, trying to get things figured out, for work and for myself.  My mom's health is deteriortating and is nauseous daily and can't eat much.  Feeling dizzy and headache.  On Saturday she couldn't even open her mouth wide enough to eat banana and complained that her jaw hurt.  My sister called the nurse and they promise to keep an eye on her.  My mom stays at a Catholic Nursing Home in Toronto.  Her creatine level is very high but nothing they can do about it for her.  So I'd like to ask for prayers for Terry, to take away her discomfort and I hope to be able to fly there in early March.  I hope that she hangs in there, it will be a miracle if her condition improves.  I have to keep a positive thinking on her.

    Tinkertude, so right about what you say, we are just barely finishing the treatment and a tidal wave of things happen to us.  I too am surprised how I handled myself from the beginning of diagnosis till now.  And a month after my surgery, our beloved dog died abruptly.  I am still recouperating from radiation therapy and things keep coming at ya.  Pat, so glad to know that your niece is feeling at home and settling in nicely.  You should pat yourself in the back, you did a good job :)  Sheila, congrats on your son's engagement, that's such great news.  And Janet, great to hear that your son is getting calls for interview, that's such great news too.  I wish him all the best at the interview, you will update us, yes?  Geewhiz, thanks for sharing that experience with us, even little deed like that touches people's hearts.  How sweet of that old man to be holding your hand.  Traci, thanks for clarifying to me before about going through healing and that it blocks our intuition.  You are right about that and I am hoping that I'm slowily but surely getting it back.  To be in touch with oneself.  Laura, so sorry about your new dx.  I will be praying for your recovery.  I am also worried about my radiated skin.  There's a big scab that is there and sometimes some crusty thing is still forming.  So many things to worry about!

    Have a good night everyone.

    {{{{Hugs}}}}

  • squidwitch42
    squidwitch42 Member Posts: 1,467
    edited February 2011

    Laura,

    You are in my prayers. Has this been worrying you for long? Please let us know how we can best support you.

    I would like to suggest that we have prayers for Laura this Friday night?

  • lovemyfamilysomuch
    lovemyfamilysomuch Member Posts: 762
    edited February 2011

    Praying for you Laura! xo

  • tinkertude
    tinkertude Member Posts: 1,998
    edited February 2011

    Praying for you Laura.. please let us know how we can support yu and how you are doing on this new journey!!

    I think prayers Fri for Laura would be a wonderful idea

    Wrapping our arms around you in prayer and love Laura!!!

    Hugs!!!!!

    Maria 

  • DiamondGirl
    DiamondGirl Member Posts: 695
    edited February 2011

    Good morning, asking for prayers for my mom,Terry who is ill, please Lord Jesus, please remove her discomfort and Carry her and keep her safe. Bless her to get well, Amen!



  • tinkertude
    tinkertude Member Posts: 1,998
    edited February 2011

    Will be praying for your mom peace and comfort!

    Lord

    Please embrace Terry with your warmth and comfort. Ease her pain and suffering and carry her through this time and always.

    Amen

    God Bless

  • squidwitch42
    squidwitch42 Member Posts: 1,467
    edited February 2011

    Prayers for Terri that she be free of pain and discomfort, that she see her Angels around her loving her.

  • squidwitch42
    squidwitch42 Member Posts: 1,467
    edited February 2011

    Hello All,

    I am home for the afternoon after my Onc appointment. Blood work is all normal, woo woo! We don't have to meet again until June, and I will finally have my MRI in May after my implants in April (I am 6 months behind due to my tissue expanders.)

    so I am happy happy!

    also congrats on all of the good news too that gracing many of us. I know things come in waves, and we all are in different places, but families are having some good signs...wonderful.

  • theresap60
    theresap60 Member Posts: 849
    edited February 2011

    Traci - wonderful news!!! All good.  All good.

    Yes, waves is a good analogy.  Sometimes it seems the waves cover our heads and make us stumble.  Sometimes we can just ride them and have fun.

    And all the other good news from Sheila, Janet, Pat... I hope I didn't miss anyone.  I've been fried again this week with work and commute.

    Please keep Maureen in your prayers for her hospitalization for intensive chemo for multiple myeloma.

    Please keep Norm and Therese in your prayers. Norm just had a stroke, his left side has been affected.  Therese says "This makes me realize once again that we certainly are never in charge. I've put everything in God's hands. I just hope and pray he will be ok, I'd be lost without him."

    Yes, Michelle, I think we need that St. Jude novena.  Lots of stuff happening.  If you can't do it, maybe one of us can lead the group?

    Paula - I'm so sorry about your Mom.  It must be so frustrating for you.  She is in my prayers as well.

    Laura - I'm so sorry about your skin cancer!  My prayers for your 100% recovery!  Maybe you or someone knows the answer to this... about 6 years ago, the dermotologist removed a basal cell carcinoma from my back.  I did not have topical chemo.  Can you tell me what the difference is?

    Negative thoughts... yes.... when those thoughts become chronic in our lives, it just eats away at our health.  It's hard to shoo them away.  But we need to make a choice every day, hour and minute to not dwell in those dark places.

    I get email newsletters from Father John Catoir "Messenger of Joy" and the February newsletter got right to the point ... the subject was Being Yourself.  He wrote:

    ... your heart may be heavy and full of fear. Instead of letting that fear defeat you, use it as a stepping-stone to greater freedom. Don't let any fear drag you down. Give it to God, and trust the future to divine providence.

    God will take care of all the fears that threaten you. Enjoy each day as a unique gift and a new beginning. God wants us to be happy right now. Live in the present moment. Choose to be a saint. 

    St. Teresa of Avila always repeated this prayer: "Let nothing disturb you, let nothing cause you fear. Patience obtains all. God is unchanging love. God alone suffices."

    Dear Lord, help me to be my true self, by trusting you completely.

  • sas-schatzi
    sas-schatzi Member Posts: 15,894
    edited February 2011

    Yes your are on mark Maria. Please define tinkertude--I have a curious interest in why and how people choose screen names. I can surmize, but my surmizing could be nothing to close to how you define it.

  • sas-schatzi
    sas-schatzi Member Posts: 15,894
    edited February 2011

    Therasa as always you are so inspiring----St jude novena would be good.

    Laura sorry about the skin thing Untied and United

    Squid- something to be said for being warm 

    Thanks everyone for the prayers. My mind is just zoning all the time in protection mode. So if I seem dull. There is a reason. LOve sheila

  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 2,966
    edited February 2011

    Untied and Untied ALWAYS !!!!

    Well... Basal Cell Carcinoma in non invasive pre cancer cells... likely from the sun. No chemo or surgery needed.... I hope this helps.

  • torigirl
    torigirl Member Posts: 748
    edited February 2011

    Laura---prayers that the healing power of our Lord Jesus Christ be bestowed upon you...

    Paula--Prayers that your mom will recover quickly and get stronger and stronger each day... 

    Theresa--prayers for Maureen that she be granted strength to get through this chemo and that our Lord bless her abundantly with good health...

    I pray you all feel blessed today...and everyday...

    Tori

    DE COLORES! 

  • janet in virginia
    janet in virginia Member Posts: 923
    edited February 2011

    This thread is cooking!  Prayers going up for all those requested.

    Laura - if it makes you feel better, I've had more than 2 dozen basal cells!  A basal cell you get today is likely from skin damage (sunburn) 10-20 years ago!  After punch biopsy, depending on where they are the dermatologist either scoops them out or I go to plastic surgeon for teeny incision & one stitch.  All of them are quick office procedures - little numbing shot & it's over.  I have heard about the cream method also.  Basal cells can never turn invasive, but they will keep growing if you don't have them removed early.  Everyone should get a skin check once year because the incidence of melanoma has grown so much.  It's a catch 22 -- I'm very fair skinned and wear sunscreen all the time - which I think is one reason my Vit D was so low!

  • tinkertude
    tinkertude Member Posts: 1,998
    edited February 2011

    Sheila...lol..ok Tinkertude came about awhile back. I love Tinkerbell have lots of Tink stuff I collect. Well Tink is petite but she is kinda tough when she needs to be. Well many many things went wrong when this all started, first biopsy the doc aspirated cysts instead and caused larger hematoma ( I did switch surgeons after that. he told me to come back in 6 months,didnt see anything, so glad I didnt listen) 3 more attempred biopsy failed complicated 1st surgery 13 hours worth etc.... Well through it all I  like any of us I kept pushing forward and a dear freind of mine laughed one day and said " you are like Tinkerbell your petite but have a TOUGH attitude when you need to be" So I said I guess I must have Tinkertude" and that kinda stuck!.. Hope this wasnt too long of an ex[planation just wanted to give you some background :)

    Will be keeping all you wonderful ladies in my prayers and intenetions today!

    Love to you all

    Maria

  • lovemyfamilysomuch
    lovemyfamilysomuch Member Posts: 762
    edited February 2011

    Theresa, thanks for the beautiful words--I just printed them out and will refer to them frequently.  It was great meeting you and Skip--love to all my bc sisters. xo

  • mmm5
    mmm5 Member Posts: 797
    edited February 2011

    Hi All

    Agreed we need to begin the Saint Jude I will post it by Friday so we can start with that -

    Can everyone pm me or list their intentions for the Novena by then and we will include them for the Novena. 

  • theresap60
    theresap60 Member Posts: 849
    edited February 2011

    Will do, Michelle.

    Ellie - it was great meeting you too and we *have* to plan an April reunion.

    Janet and Laura - thanks for the explanation of basal cell vs melanoma.  I was beginning to be worried that they didn't treat my basal cell properly thus spreading to breast.  That worry was unfounded! :-)  I had sun poisoning when I was a young teenager ... spent too many hours on the beach in South Carolina and didn't know the sun was burning me.  I was bed ridden the rest of my "vacation" with blisters.  It was one of the only times I saw my Mom worried and that scared me.  I'm fair skinned too, Janet, so I have to watch it.

    God love you Sheila - I love your posts!  They make me wake up and pay attention... so many times you helped one of us with a medical issue and went into painstaking detail as only a nurse can do.  Keep us on our toes!

    Paula - keep us posted on your Mom's condition.

    Tori - how are you feeling post chemo?  Have you started rads yet?

    "This Sacrament [Holy Communion] infuses into the soul great interior peace, a strong inclination  to virtue, and great willingness to practice it, thus rendering it easy to walk in the path of perfection."

    --St. Alphonsus Liguori

    I think the "trick" for all of that to come about is truly believing in the real presence of Christ in Holy Communion versus a symbol. Transubstantiation is a stumbling block for many, maybe because it's such a foreign concept to our everyday experiences.  But that's where the grace of faith comes in.  I can't remember that saying at Lourdes about faith and trying to explain to unbelievers or those who do not want to believe (I'm sure there are unbelievers but want to be able to understand or are open to it)... I'm sure one of you ladies knows that quote.  I just had a brain freeze.

    We decided to join the Immaculata Fraternity (Secular Franciscan) in Fredericksburg.  They will take up my formation in the candidacy phase right where I left off at the St. Leo Fraternity, so I don't have to start all over again.  They're a good group of people with a strong Franciscan charisma, very traditional and very Catholic!  By that I mean that they are loyal to the Magisterium's teaching on Catholic faith and morals, but are very Catholic in their call to action, such as prison ministry, and peaceful demonstrations against abortion (some were jailed!), hospital ministry, food banks, etc.  I've never done any of those calls to action, but Skip has.  I pray that I can continue to grow as a Secular Franciscan thus finding Christ in my everyday world. (Some days are easier than others!) ;-)

  • janet in virginia
    janet in virginia Member Posts: 923
    edited February 2011

    Theresa - the Fraternity sounds like a good fit!  Things are falling into place for you.

    Great news on your check up Traci!

    Saw my BS and I think surgery for right prophy will be Mar 23.  Hope I'm doing the right thing - the little voice inside tells me I am.   My tumor had lobular morphology which I understand is more likely to recur in opposite breast and mammos never picked up the cancer the first time.  Have lost faith in those.  I think there are several of us with surgeries coming up.

    Michelle - looking forward to novena.

  • tinkertude
    tinkertude Member Posts: 1,998
    edited February 2011

    Janet glad you got your appt set up. We will be praying for you!..

    Theresa thats great news so glad that it all seems to be working out well.

    Paula still praying for your mom...

    hugs sisters

  • pagowens
    pagowens Member Posts: 61
    edited February 2011

    Hi All,

    Because of you ladies I contributed to the Saint Peregrine fund at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Wisconsin.  I've used their Mass intercessions for several friends who've been diagnosed with cancer.  I just got a new notice that March 15, 2011 will be a special day of prayerat the Shrine for those with cancer .  I know that we normally pray on Fridays, but do we want to add March 15th as a day we can get together again and pray and join with all the others praying for those who suffer from cancer (like us)?  Maybe add in the special prayer to Pope John Paul re the cure for someone with Stage IV cancer?  Just a thought - the ides of March is a powerful time of the year!

     I love reading all the good news and the upbeat thoughts - it cheers my heart!   I'm up late today - took a nap when I got home and now am wide awake...I'll pay for that tomorrow.  I'll try again to stay awake on Friday...but that just seems to be my most exhausted day after a week of work.  However, I always faithfully read and pray along with y'all Saturday morning.

    Hugs,

    Pat 

  • squidwitch42
    squidwitch42 Member Posts: 1,467
    edited February 2011

    Nurts! I am behind on posts, but sending you all love. Have a Blessed Day tomorrow...

    traci

  • DiamondGirl
    DiamondGirl Member Posts: 695
    edited February 2011

    Hello all, thank you for your prayers for my mom. My siblings are very cautious in giving me info about my mom, for fear that I will worry too much. My sister Irene was kept out of the loop altogether due to her SE from Bell's palsy. Irene is waiting to see neurologist at the end of this month - her appointment to see the neurologist is one month wait!

    Thanks for thinking about me. I'm happy for those who has good news, will be praying for those who has requests too. Good night.

  • torigirl
    torigirl Member Posts: 748
    edited February 2011

    Sisters,

    Asking for prayers today as I start rads.  I awoke this morning feeling scared, when last night I felt so empowered...I hate feeling this way...

    Heavenly Father, please bless and protect me today and each day that I have rads treatment.  May I feel your healing grace and gain strength through You to get me to the other side of this an onto happier, healthier years to come...

    In Your Name I pray,

    AMEN