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thread for middle age to older Christian women.

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Comments

  • vickilind61
    vickilind61 Member Posts: 143
    edited May 2012

    I hope 51 qualifies as "older"?  Spent a few minutes looking at some of the most recent posts and, well, here I am.  Just want to say hi and it's nice to see other believers. 

  • Jeannie57
    Jeannie57 Member Posts: 1,314
    edited May 2012

    Hi, Vicki! Of course you are welcome here! It is such a positive place to be. God bless and hugs!

  • Kindergarten
    Kindergarten Member Posts: 2,883
    edited May 2012

    Hi, Vicki!! So glad you are here!!!! Welcome!!!!!

  • Kindergarten
    Kindergarten Member Posts: 2,883
    edited May 2012

    Hi, Vicki!! So glad you are here!!!! Welcome!!!!!

  • Kindergarten
    Kindergarten Member Posts: 2,883
    edited May 2012
    Hi, Friends, I would love for all of you to pray, that Our Lord gives us a beautiful day and wedding ceremony for my son Brian and his lovely fiancee Sarah this weekend. They are getting married up near San Francisco and it is a relatively small wedding:118 people will be attending. We are so blessed that many of our family and friends are coming in from Pittsburgh and Indiana!!!! Our Lord brought the wonderful couple together and our wonderful older son, Jeff is his Best Man. Our son Jeff needs prayer for courage to give the Best Man speech later on.Wink He is pretty shy. Thanks everyone, God is Good!!!!
  • Rocket
    Rocket Member Posts: 910
    edited May 2012

    Welcome Vicki! It's always wonderful to see new sisters on this thread. As Jeannie pointed out, it's a very encouraging forum. There are so many wise, spiritually grounded women here. Patoo is right, it's no accident that we all found our way here.



    You all are very real and transparent and that is truly unique in our society. It helps so many others when we can just be honest. Let's face it, I would venture to say that most of us came unglued when we received our dx. My life was going along just swimmingly. My son was getting married just ten days after I learned that I had BC. It was already an emotional time for me as he is my baby (I have a daughter who has no plans to marry as of yet - still holding out hope). I am very close to my kids. My wonderful husband of 33 years and I struggled for ten long years, working at times three jobs at once while going to school to get his formal education and to pay his tuition costs. He now has a doctorate degree, but when we married, he had never gone to college. I figured we had done our time of major suffering. I had experienced deep loss through the death of my dad, and somewhere deep inside thought that God wouldn't give me any more. Then WHAM, along comes cancer! I didn't have just one tumor but three! I needed a mastectomy, then chemo, then rads, then surgeries, and then developed lymphedema. I was feeling pretty sorry for myself and very angry at God for allowing me to endure that much suffering. What a spiritual wake-up call this was for me. I had prided myself on what a strong person I was (in my own strength and not the Lord's) and that because I felt I had a good handle on the Scriptures, that it somehow made me more spiritual. Good grief! I was so far off the map! I now realize that the Lord used cancer to show me just how utterly dependent I am on Him. I sobbed for weeks after my dx, and I wrestled with God in my anger, all the while showing the brave face at church of the Christian woman who has it all together (NOT). I don't believe God allowed cancer in my life to punish me, but rather to draw me to His loving arms and remind me of His love (the cross). God used cancer to pry my fingers off of the temporal things of this world that will not satisfy and remind me that I needed to be laying up my treasure in Heaven. (Funny you never see a hearse pulling a U-Haul). :-)



    I tell you all of this to show you just how common these feelings are among Christians who have been given a scary dx. I've heard many similar variations of my story delivered by others who've gone through many of the same emotions. It gives me comfort to know the I am not alone and that it's normal to feel this way. God knows our hearts better than we do. Like TonLee pointed out, He promises to be with us. It's rough going through it, but He is always faithful to see us through to the end.



    Kathy, I will be praying for a fabulous day for your son's wedding. I love you Ladies, and I pray that you have a lovely evening.

  • macatacmv
    macatacmv Member Posts: 1,200
    edited May 2012

    Hello all, I wanted to let you know that I have had a lightening of the spirit. It's not pure joy, yet, but I am feeling improvement. Thanks everyone for praying.

    Praise God! His mercies are new every morning!! He will continue to work in me and through me and I will be complete in Him alone.

    welcome to the new ladies! 

    I seem to have more energy and just feel lighter. I still am wheezing and having SOB, still using the inhaler and waiting for a dr appt with a pulmonary specialist (I'm calling once a week to see if I can get in sooner than the end of June), but it is ok. A burden has been lifted even tho none of the outward "stuff" has changed. 

    I even had enough energy to go to Bible study tonight. I thought it was a study of Romans 13, but there were a family of missionaries from India that shared about their ministry. Our church had supported them last year financially to put on a free medical clinic and they shared how much good came from our giving. 

    I will keep you all in prayer daily and specifically for the wedding this weekend.

    Nancy 

  • Kindergarten
    Kindergarten Member Posts: 2,883
    edited May 2012
    Thank you everyone for your prayers for this weekend. I know I will definitely feel them and when I get anxious, I will just breathe and know Our Lord is in control. This is my baby getting married. Rocket, the saying: You can't attach a u-haul behind the hearse is one of my hubby's favorite sayings. We also have gone through lean times, when we were first married, but we knew Our Lord had great plans for us!!!! God bless you all for being such faithful servants and prayer warriors. What a comfort it is to come here. Thank you for letting me be a part of this wonderful thread!!!!!Smile
  • Rocket
    Rocket Member Posts: 910
    edited May 2012

    Kathy, prayer is powerful indeed. I thought I would never make it through my son's wedding without having a meltdown. I had my entire church praying for me that I wouldn't fall apart, and I can truthfully testify that it was God's strength that carried me through that day. I cried two little tears during the service, and while my eyes filled up as my son held his hand out to me to escort me to the dance floor for the mother/son dance, a smile came across my face and we danced a beautiful waltz together, just as we had practiced. (In fact, each time we had practiced the dance at home prior to the wedding, I cried every time!) My composure on the day of the wedding can only be explained by God's grace and mercy. You will be just fine, and I'm sure it will be a lovely day. We want details after the big event. :-)

  • Kindergarten
    Kindergarten Member Posts: 2,883
    edited May 2012

     Thank you, sweet Rocket!!! You have such a gift for writing. You compose from your heart!!! I was so comforted by your beautiful words this morning. Thank you again, and I will definitely give you all details of the wedding!!!!

  • Jeannie57
    Jeannie57 Member Posts: 1,314
    edited May 2012

    My first chemo is this morning. I feel calm so far. I know God is with me and will give me the strength to endure. Now I'm looking for joy, too, because enduring is not enough! I'm looking for silver linings and I will find many things to be thankful for, I'm sure. #1: Jesus!

    #2: You!

  • Rocket
    Rocket Member Posts: 910
    edited May 2012

    Praying for you Jeannie. You will do fine. God is right there with you holding your hand. You will come through this and before you know it you'll be finished with this part of your treatment. Know that I will be thinking of you and praying for you each day.

  • Kindergarten
    Kindergarten Member Posts: 2,883
    edited May 2012

    Jeannie, I will be lifting you up in prayer daily.

  • Jeannie57
    Jeannie57 Member Posts: 1,314
    edited May 2012

    Your prayers mean so much to me! I am in the waiting room of the cancer center and doing fine, but got teary when I read your posts.

  • Jeannie57
    Jeannie57 Member Posts: 1,314
    edited May 2012

    Today's chemo went well.  It was so fast!  Since I'm getting the M and F weekly, I am getting smaller doses.  The actual doses take six minutes total!  It's all the prep work and double checking that take so long. I feel fine tonight. Tomorrow I will start daily Cytoxin and that is when the nausea will most likely hit me.  I have several drugs to try for it.  Through the end of the year, I will have to be drinking copious amounts of liquids, so I would ask for prayer for that.  I haven't been very good at that and if I am nauseous, it's hard to imagine doing it.  But I know it's a good habit to develop anyway.  Silver linings!  God is good.

  • Kindergarten
    Kindergarten Member Posts: 2,883
    edited May 2012

    Praise the Lord, that your first treatment went well!!! You are a trooper and you have a great attitude!!! God bless you!!!!!

  • Rocket
    Rocket Member Posts: 910
    edited May 2012

    Praising Him Jeannie! I know you are going to do fine. I will be praying about the nausea. They have so many meds to help with it. It's awesome that your treatment was so fast. Mine took most of the day because I had problems with my bladder and they had to give me a lot of fluid before giving me the Taxotere Cytoxan combo. I was allergic to the Taxotere, so for the third treatment I had to switch to adriamycin. That was the only time I experienced nausea, but I never vomited thanks to all the meds they had given me. If one anti-nausea med doesn't work, ask for another. (((((Big gentle hugs))))). Take good care of yourself and rest when you need to. You will come through this just fine. You do have a lovely spirit and it is very honoring to God.

  • zumbagirl
    zumbagirl Member Posts: 250
    edited May 2012

    blessings to all of you, and prayers for strength, health and happiness.

    I have so neglected, my devotions, and church attendance. I really feel the void. It is so easy to skip those things, that really matter and help us spiritually . I am really trying to get priorities straight.

    I use to begin every morning in prayer, and reading the devotion of the day from "my daily bread" and "my utmost for His highest"  It really made a difference on how I went about my day. My attitude was a lot better, and all the little annoyances didn't seem like a big deal.

    We have all been through a big deal just fighting our cancer, so anything else really isn't bad Smile what really matters is relationship with our Lord and Saviour, and our family and friends .

  • macatacmv
    macatacmv Member Posts: 1,200
    edited May 2012

    Our God is an awesome God

    He reigns from heaven above

    With wisdom, power and love

    Our God is an awesome God!!!

  • Jeannie57
    Jeannie57 Member Posts: 1,314
    edited May 2012
    Thanks, Kathy and Rocket, for the awesome compliments.  God is just helping me with it all.  I still feel pretty good, taking anti-nauseas as a precaution.  And trying to get the liquids down. I know I said it's a good habit to develop, but I can't imagine drinking this much for 24 weeks, plus during radiation, too.  Hopefully it will get easier.  At least it is spring/summer and I can comfortably drink cold drinks!  There is always something for which to be thankful!Cool
  • Mzmerz
    Mzmerz Member Posts: 80
    edited May 2012

    Hello

    I've mostly been hanging out on the Stage 4 boards, but I wanted to pop over and say Hi.  

    I'm Amy and I live about 2 hours north of Seattle.  I have been married for 23 years to my wonderful husband.  We have 5 kids: 2 biological and 3 adopted from China.  

    God has guided me my whole life thru various things. Some things I still don't have answers to why things happened, but some of the reasons why things happened that come to light later are pretty neat, to me anyway.  

    People have asked me how I can deal with this cancer and not go insane.  The easy answer, God has my back.  Not sure why He did, but there is a reason.  I am not afraid of dying, because I know where I am going.  I am almost finished with "Heaven Is For Real", and I sure hope it's true because it sounds fab! 

    I hope you all have a great day! Can you believe it's almost June!! 

  • Jeannie57
    Jeannie57 Member Posts: 1,314
    edited May 2012

    Hi, Amy! Or should I say, "Hi, neighbor!"  I live about 25 miles north of Seattle. I understand and share your feeling that God has your/my back.  I really enjoyed "Heaven Is for Real."  I sure do hope we can fly!  I used to have happy, recurring dreams about flying. I have two miscarried babies in heaven that I look forward to meeting, so that part of the book resonated with me, too.

    I've been married to my high school sweetheart for 37 years.  We are a great team, supporting each other through everything.

    Pop over here anytime!

  • Mzmerz
    Mzmerz Member Posts: 80
    edited May 2012

    Hi Jeannie

    I have 3 miscarried babies - but I strongly believe one of them made it back to me.  When we were having our boys, I had extreme morning sickness - enough to land me in the hospital on more than one occassion. My OBGYN told me to never have any kids again, but I sure wanted a girl.  Then I learned about China adoptions.  We were a little apprehensive and were dragging our feet a little.  One Saturday, I was at work at the most boring job in the world.  I was online playing bingo and someone was talking about China adoptions.  Then a lady came in, and she had a daughter from China, and then I realized that David Bowie's "Little China Girl" was playing on the radio.  I sat there for a second and said, OK God, I hear you!!  We did our research and decided that we wanted a little older than a baby, and decided on special needs adoption.  I was home alone and our agency just posted a list of available kids.  I found a picture of an adorable girl, but they hadn't gotten the medical translated yet.  I didn't care.  The same kind of "thrill" went thru me as when I saw my husband the first time.  I knew this was our child, regardless of her disability.  When we finally had our paperwork in order and were on our way to China, I realized, it's the 4th of July.  This is the first 4th of July I don't feel sad....this was when we lost our second baby 10 years earlier, to the day.  There is a whole other huge story about the adoption in China, but this child could not be more like me.  She IS my child, just born to a different mother. I swear if you did a DNA, we would match.  Even my mom says that we are so like it is eerie.  Hope I don't sound crazy, but it's just one thing in my life that God showed me the Why of my miscarriage.

    Amy 

  • Jeannie57
    Jeannie57 Member Posts: 1,314
    edited May 2012

    Cool story, Amy.

  • Vicks1960
    Vicks1960 Member Posts: 393
    edited May 2012

    Amy,

    My grand-son-in-law, has that book on his Kindle.  When we saw him in April (he had just returned from Afghanistan 2 weeks prior) he told me about it.  I took it out to the motor-home and read it that night.

    That is a VERY INSPIRATIONAL story,  It reinforces one's belief in miracles.

    Enjoy your kids, they grow up and fly out of the nest all too soon.  God only loans them to us, to raise for Him,.,,

    Vickie

  • Kindergarten
    Kindergarten Member Posts: 2,883
    edited May 2012

    Hi, Amy !!! Welcome!! You shared a very beautiful story, thank you so much! Our youngest son' wedding was wonderful !! He has married a lovely woman!! Hubby and I could not be prouder!!! Our oldest son was his Best Man!!! We all felt Our Lord's presence throughout the ceremony!! I felt so privileged to have been asked to read a favorite scripture of mine at the wedding:I Corinthians Chapter 13: verses 4-8!! We are now at Yosemite National park enjoying God's creation!!! We are fortunate to live only 5 hours away.Hugs and prayers for all of you!!!

  • Jeannie57
    Jeannie57 Member Posts: 1,314
    edited May 2012

    Kathy, I'm so happy to see how God answered our prayers re:the wedding! He is good and awesome, as proven by Yosemite! What a wondrous place!

  • Rocket
    Rocket Member Posts: 910
    edited May 2012

    Congratulations Kathy! I'm so happy that the wedding was lovely for all of you!

  • Kindergarten
    Kindergarten Member Posts: 2,883
    edited June 2012

    HI,JO-5 Always so good to see you. God bless you, and have a great day!!!!

  • macatacmv
    macatacmv Member Posts: 1,200
    edited June 2012

    Hello Ladies, I have just finished terrorizing the dog with the swiffer vac. I'm doing a bit of cleaning because the Ladies prayer group is coming over tomorrow. I was thinking of calling them and telling them I don't feel well, but you know if I do that I'd never have them over. LOL 

    Kathy, I am glad your son's wedding was wonderful and that you had some time to enjoy yourselves. 

    I had to start back on the prednesone for my lungs so between that and the arimidex, my body is not happy. 

    There is so much and so many to pray for, and I have to remind myself that my ailments are minor.

    People are constantly put in my path to be a blessing or witness to.  Last week a woman came to my front door, after trying the cobbler shop door and finding it locked because it is not open. There is a sign on the door saying it is closed because of health issues. She rang the doorbell repeatedly and I was a little perturbed by the time I answered it. She said her zipper tab on her purse had gotten stuck while she was downtown and she couldn't get her wallet out. She was frantic. I told her the shop was not open. I was standing there in my pjs after coming from doing my pt exercises. She would not take no for an answer, so I took the bag and worked the material out from the zipper slide and got the bag open for her. She was thanking me, and she got teary and said her son had died that week, he was only 55. All the agravation left me at that moment. The Lord showed me yet again that all of us carry hurts within us and sometimes all we have to do is show a little kindness. 

    Of course, as she was leaving she told me she hoped my husband felt better. Everyone always thinks the cobbler is a man. LOL 

    So beautiful ladies, you will all be in my prayers tomorrow morning. 

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