From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. John 1:16



Monday, January 31, 2011

Bearing up our burdens...

"Bear up one another's burdens and thus fulfil the law of Christ."  Galatians 6.2
 
This is exactly what you have been doing for us.  You're praying when we don't know what to pray and that means so much to us.  Sometimes, I find myself lying in bed wanting to pray and I just can't...or I pray the same 10 words over and over...and then I relax...knowing that you're intereceeding before the throne on our behalf and instead of struggling to pray, I sing a song of praise as I drift off to sleep...
 
Last night, as tired as I was from being up all night with Dad, I couldn't pray...sleep wasn't coming easily.  I kept thinking about his surgery in the morning, knowing I wouldn't be there, wondering if I should just skip one more day of school with the boys and go...but I needed to be home.  Even without me there (wink-grin) Dad's surgery was very successful and he was back in his room by about 10.  He wanted to talk to me but the morphine pump kept him from really being able to do so.  He was prescribed muscle relaxers for the bothersome spasms he was having and will get a sleeping pill tonight.  Mom is staying with him and she needs to rest.  He just can't seem to sleep more than 15 minutes without calling out, needing a drink, etc...  Please continue to pray for peaceful rest for him, and for Mom.  Tomorrow, Lord willing & weather permitting, Melissa, Lura, Mom & I will meet with Dr. Reddy to talk about what comes next.  Please pray for safety.
 
My time at home proved to be useful as I was able to do some research on this blasted Epithelial Angiosarcoma.  There's not much out there.  I found a support group through whom I found a facebook group and am already in touch with a sweet woman, about my age, who is battling Angiosarcoma of the breast.  She put me in touch with another sweet woman from Lancaster (can you believe that!) who lost her husband to Angiosarcoma not too long ago.  I now have, thanks to Corrie & Brenda, an address for a Harvard doctor to send slides to for a 2nd opinion, and some good questions to ask Dr. Reddy.  I also found a website for rare cancers that is so helpful...when I emailed this site, I got an email back right away from a doctor who actually took the time to read my blog, send me a wonderful note of encouragement along with scripture, and is going to check with colleagues to see if anyone has anything for me.  He even asked me to let him know what the plan is after tomorrow's meeting.  Lastly, after emailing a sarcoma researcher at MD Anderson Cancer Ctr. in Houston, I was referred to a sarcoma specialist who emailed me back directly and recommended a specific doctor at Fox Chase who is not only a Sarcoma specialist but who is conducting research.  Wow!
 
I was so surprised to be able to get this much information when I started out finding nothing online but you know what?  I need to stop being surprised.  God has nothing but good in store for me, even when it hurts, and He continues to let these "mercy drops" (thank you, Sharon) fall on me every single time I'm at the point of feeling like I'm losing it.
 
Thank you seems like such a small thing to say to each of you for all you've done.  Please know that I mean it and that I love you all dearly.

10 comments:

  1. Is it wrong to say that this is so exciting?? We know that God is working, but how great when we can SEE it!! I am praying for a peaceful night's sleep for all of you. Fox Chase is where Todd went for treatment.

    ReplyDelete
  2. i am praising god with you!!! his sovereignty is so apparent in all of these things. what a blessing in the midst of all these trials. i am praying for rest for all of you and comfort for your dad. isn't it nice to know you don't have to carry this burden alone? when you don't have the words to pray, you know others will? i love that about the body of christ and how it can work together in such a way, the way it is meant to work. we are not meant to journey this road of life alone.
    hang in there sweet lady! i am thinking of you and praying for you and your whole family. love, kate

    ReplyDelete
  3. Rest in Him for "He gives to His beloved even in their sleep." Ps. 127:2

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm very excited to see that God is giving you wisdom and already building a knowledgable "support staff"! Thank you, Andrea, for so vividly trusting in God's care AND His sovereignty.
    In His love,
    Laura

    ReplyDelete
  5. Praising God with you for each little step forward! It *is* so exciting to see Him working. As you always say and I love to read, God is good ALL the time! Rest in this simple, yet profound, thought. Praying for a good night's sleep for all of you. Sending our love to you, too!

    ReplyDelete
  6. How encouraging to see God's fingerprints!

    ReplyDelete
  7. So glad to hear that the surgery went well. How wonderful that we have an Intercessor who never stops praying for us day and night. I'll bet you are eating up all this new information and these contacts!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Keep looking for those "crowded kindnesses" of God, & you'll find them no matter how deep the valley.

    ReplyDelete
  9. AMAZING!!! AMAZING! GOD IS SO AWESOME :)

    ReplyDelete