PRAYER REQUESTS

PRAYER REQUESTS

- Peace for Shawn and I, for Kyle and Miranda and Braden and Connor, for our parents and siblings and nieces and nephews and inner circle friends watching and hurting as we go through this
- that God would keep soft our children's hearts toward Him through all the emotions of this hard journey
- strength and stamina; physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually
- that the cancer shrinks to gone, gone, gone!
- gentle side effects to this second round of chemo
- family unity, harmony, love, strength, joy, happiness
- anything else you feel God puts on your heart


Thursday, December 20, 2012

Chemo Teach (workshop...boot camp...class)

Today is Chemo Teach day. 9am. These things are always so early. Mornings are difficult for me. I was awake at 6am after a good 7hr sleep... but by 10am will be ready for a nap. The Chemo Teach is 2-3 hours. That's a long time to walk around and listen and learn and be overwhelmed with a whole lot of information and reality. And it's a group thing... which means rebuffing the emotions and fears that may be in the air around every single person in the group.

I stood in the shower this morning, my mind wandered to sitting in the waiting room, touring, how that's going to physically feel (I'm still not walking great distances) especially since I am going in feeling exhausted...and I started bawling, no tears, no sound. Just this big huge cry that couldn't get out. So grateful for the recharge that is my kids' giggles, listening to them sing Christmas songs, hearing them obeying Daddy's requests. Gotta keep filling my love and joy reserves. Yesterday was a big day. It takes a solid day or two for my brain to process.

When I sit in these meetings my ears receive the information but my brain is pretty numb. I feel... hot and warm and cold all at once. And I feel like a punch to the gut and lightheaded. And it is like being in a vaccuum...still, silent. alone. I am aware of my husband in the room, and/or my mom. But I cannot bare to look at them. It is too much. Eye contact overwhelms and tears are usually just there. For them. For me. For this whole mess of a situation. And God is there. I feel peace. I feel all of these things and I feel peace. And in the middle of the feeling nothing-and-everything I feel peace. God is good. It is mentally weird to wrap my head around...the afraid and at peace at the same time. I don't question it, I just am aware that it is God and know that I wouldn't want to do this, maybe couldn't do this, without His peace.

Shawn and Mom are coming with me. These are my primary caregivers, it's good for them to be able to hear the information, understand, know, explain to me later as needed... know how to prepare themselves for the task ahead. I can't even think on it. Overwhelms. The level of love and care... mind-blowing.

Feeling so many things. Too much today. Waiting for my port appointment... I'm scared about that. It sounds gross and icky and I worry about being claustrophobic about having that thing in me for the next months... year?!?! How long? Please pray that I am totally not-freaked about the catheter procedure, the process, the thing in my skin just near my shoulder... hopefully the left side?! I have no idea. Pretty much the Cancer Agency phones, or the Hospital phones, and you say yes, I'll be there. I go when they ask. I am fortunate to have an open schedule and a ready fleet of drivers (parents, sisters, in-laws, friends) that I can go wherever, whenever... take the first available appointments, anywhere within the lower mainland. Just go. I feel panic every time the phone rings. The hospital/cancer agency phone number comes through a lot. A really lot. I am so grateful for getting to appointments fast, getting such a quick access to medical intervention and God's healing...but it is a shock every time.

Still haven't wrapped my head around this. I have cancer. Wow. That is the strangest normal thing. It happens. I'm not so special as to be immune from it. Still, very surreal... as is probably any life-threatening, life-altering situation that drops into your day/life/plan/existence. I don't spend a lot of time thinking. I spend a lot of time just cultivating being at peace. Sometimes that means praying, reading the Bible, reading Jesus Calling (book you should definitely get!!!), sitting still and knowing that God is fighting for me, that He loves me, that He is in control. He's got this.

Feeling testy. Feeling tired. Feeling sharp and prickly and nervous and trying hard to shore up against all the movement and talking and faces and noises and memories and emotions that build during the drive to the hospital.

The kids are testy today. That doesn't help me. They are ready for the school Christmas holiday. Son3 is whining (sounds like moo-ing) over his meds this morning. Son4 is listening poorly. Daughter is on the edge of emotional explosion. We are all ... not sure what.

Please, pray peace, pray rest, pray joy, pray thankful hearts and good attitudes for us all. Pray that we will be gracious with one another (my family and yours) and that the Joy of Christmas will permeate each of our days.

With love.
Kristin

9 comments:

  1. My dad and I did the chemo teach with my mom to surround her with support. You'll be surrounded too and you'll make it through today. I'm praying for you!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'll be praying for you as you take this next step. What a blessing to know that God is taking it with you!

    ReplyDelete
  3. So much to process! You have some excellent support there with you.
    Keep breathing. You are doing awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Praying every moment of every day. It's a great comfort knowing that there are fantastic people that will be with you every step of your journey... family, friends, and professionals. May you feel a blanket of God's peace over you today as you absorb this new information and as you wait for your next appointments. We are so proud of you and of Shawn and of your four kids! Big hugs sis!
    Keri

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Kristin. Hope all is calm for you and your Mom and Shawn today. I hope for peace and good energy from all and for all in your Chemo Teach today. Still thinking of you and praying for you and your family every day.

    ...and continued good sleeps. Sleeping time is healing time.
    Vicki
    (connected to Kori, so connected to you)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thinking of you today. Wish I could be there in body!
    I'm so thankful that there is no limit to our prayers! The army is surrounding you!
    Love & hugs!
    Kori

    ReplyDelete
  7. Believing with you and for you, and your family, today Kristin.
    Here's a little retro Steven Curtis Chapman that's been going through my head today for you :)
    Jo-Anne

    His strength is perfect when our strength is gone,
    He'll carry us when we can't carry on.
    Raised in His power, the weak become strong.
    His strength is perfect, His strength is perfect.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Still with you...although we don't personally 'know' you. May God's grace, strength and peace be yours. Lovingly, micki

    ReplyDelete
  9. Kristin...praying for you each and every day sunshine. During devotions and every time you cross my mind...thank you for sharing so openly so we all know how we can pray for your needs. Love and Hugs... Tamalin

    ReplyDelete

Connecting through comments: