Friday, September 4, 2015

Time

My time spent here has been very sparse this year.   It was a year ago this week that we found out our unborn child (Little Lourdes) had a serious birth defect that would require surgery after birth.  Three short months later, my wonderful friend and mother was diagnosed with cancer.  The events of the early months this year played out with God guiding the ship during the storm and constantly spoke "PEACE.  Be still and KNOW that I am God."

 In April, a scan determined my mother to be cancer free.  What a joyous and wonderful occasion for our family.  She had not tolerated her 4th chemo treatment well.  Her 5th treatment was delayed due to her reaction and her 6th and final treatment was not given because her counts never came up.  To finish up her treatment plan, a scheduled CT/PET scan was performed to wrap everything and then she was to do rechecks every 6 months for two years and then she would be considered "cured."



At that final scan, it was discovered her cancer has already returned in full force.  For the past few months, our family has been wrapped in all the many details this involves from deciding if and when treatments are option and which treatments to do since her cancer has already returned so shortly after being declared cancer-free.



I drove home last week to be with her and truly memorize her ways.  I took pictures of her in her garden.  I tried to really look at her hands and face.



She had surgery a couple weeks ago to remove the tumors found on her neck.  The biopsy showed the cancer to be growing aggressively.  The doctors are recommending a very aggressive treatment plan.  She will undergo chemotheraphy again and a bone marrow transplant.  This past Monday and Tuesday, she underwent a bone marrow harvest.  On Thursday, she had a bone marrow biopsy and CT/PET scan today.  I drove to Kansas City on Wednesday to be with her.  We had such a wonderful time together.  I took Lourdes with me and she was just perfect.



She had to be fasting until after her procedure.  We went to Winstead's afterwards and stuffed our faces with a bacon cheeseburger and chocolate shake.  IT was so wonderful to be with her.

She is scheduled to begin chemo on Wednesday.  She will be hospitalized each treatment because of the nature of this chemo.  After chemo, she will undergo a bone marrow transplant.  The doctors have given her a 50/50 chance of survival.  She is in a fight for her life. 

I have been so overwhelmed at her diagnosis.  I am sure this post isn't even coherent.  I would be so very grateful for prayers for her.  To be honest, I am so very afraid to see her suffer.   She is a professional when it comes to suffering and is so willing. She has a VERY specific intention she is offering this round of cancer for.  Any prayers offered on her behalf will be very much appreciated.

It seems odd most times to share such personal details.  I know the POWER of prayer is magnificent so I humbly ask for prayers and the good Lord's intercession for my dearest of friends.  

Thank you.


40 comments :

  1. I am praying for her.. God bless your family, Lindsay.

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    1. Thank you for praying, Sarah. There are so many intentions these days it seems. May your generous prayers be rewarded.

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  2. Gosh your mom is beautiful! In the photo of her holding Lourdes, she looks like a pillar of strength and grace and loveliness. It's striking. Prays for her ongoing. And for you.

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    1. Thank you my dear Miss Staci! (Anne of Green Gables). YOU have been such a gift to me this year. You have been available countless times with prayers, concerns, and hopeful words. I am grateful to know you in the real life. :)

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  3. I am so very sorry to read this. It is clear how much your moms means to you. Your relationship inspires me!

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    1. Thank you Shannon. She really is so very wonderful. I can't believe she is mine at times to call my mother.

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  4. Prayers for your beautiful, courageous mother...
    And for you as you walk with her and help her as she carries this cross.

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    1. Thank you Billie! What a beautiful heart you have.

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  5. i work in bone marrow transplant. many prayers. and kansas city is a great institution if she is having the bmT there.

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    1. Hi Jen. This was great to read. I am so grateful for health professionals. They were so kind at KU Med. I will pass this along to her. Thank you for praying.

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  6. Oh, Lindsay, I'm so sorry! I will pray for you all!

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    1. Thank you, Michele. Thank you for praying for all of us. So many of our closest friends have had such serious trials this year. God seems to be drawing us nearer and nearer to his heart.

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  7. Oh, Lindsay, I'm so sorry! I will pray for you all!

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    1. Hi Rebekah. Thank you for praying. Honestly, when someone tells me they are praying for her, I could fall at their knees in gratitude. I will always, always be full of gratitude that someone would pray for my mother.

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  9. I will pray for your mother. I have to say she is just gorgeous. Her spirit shines through in these photos and she's beautiful. I will pray.

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    1. Hi Polly. Thank you for praying. She is so very beautiful. I love her too much! Thank you for writing.

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  10. Lindsay, know that I am praying for your mom and you and your siblings.

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    1. Thank you, Jessica. Hope your family is well. Your prayers are such a gift.

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  11. Dear Lindsay, know I will pray for your mother, you, and your family. Do let me know too if I can be of service to you. I now live in Kansas City as a grad student. If you should need child care for a few hours or a hot meal, know that you have a friend in KC. ---Another Lindsey :)

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    1. Wow. Thank you, Lindsey. You have such a generous heart to extend such an invitation to a stranger. Thank you for praying for my dearest friend. God Bless.

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  12. Prayers for all of you. God bless you all. St Peregrine intercede for you.

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    1. Thank you. We have been knocking on his door. My father passed away with cancer 9 years ago. He came into the Catholic Church three weeks before he died. He chose St. Peregrine as his confirmation name. At times, I just want God to show off and heal her immediately. God Bless.

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  13. Praying for your beautiful courageous mother! I am 36 weeks pregnant for our sixth baby right now. I will be offering all my pains, struggles, and labor for her. She is certainly a blessing to so many.

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  14. I will pray for your mother. I am sorry the cancer is so aggressive. Chemo is horrible (I know, first hand) but she looks like she has a lot of fight in her! Would be happy to share "war stories" and resources with her, if she is inclined. My contact info is linked to the avatar.

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  15. Your mother and your relationship are both so inspiring...I feel it is a privilege to pray for her xx

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  16. I was just thinking that I hadn't seen a post from you in awhile and then read this. I'm so sorry and I'll keep your mom and all of your family in my prayers!

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  17. Oh dear. So many prayers for your sweet Mama. St. Peregrine, please intercede.

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  18. dr babinskis treat center in houston has a higher success rate than chemo with No side effects. you should check it out and his info

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  19. sorry. bursynski. Praying for your mom. This is Tiffany just under husbands name James


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  20. Praying with you for your Mum. Praying that every cell of her body is clear of cancer. Praying for peace as she goes through treatment x

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  21. As beautiful as these pictures show her to be, I wish everyone was as blessed as I am to know her and have witnessed the true beauty of her words and loving actions to all those she encounters in our small hometown. Your mom has always been a light in my life and I will be offering many prayers and sacrifices for her healing.

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  22. As beautiful as these pictures show her to be, I wish everyone was as blessed as I am to know her and have witnessed the true beauty of her words and loving actions to all those she encounters in our small hometown. Your mom has always been a light in my life and I will be offering many prayers and sacrifices for her healing.

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  23. As beautiful as these pictures show her to be, I wish everyone was as blessed as I am to know her and have witnessed the true beauty of her words and loving actions to all those she encounters in our small hometown. Your mom has always been a light in my life and I will be offering many prayers and sacrifices for her healing.

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  24. I know, beloved mom and friend, cancer, pain, i know.
    Every day I beside her, I hold her hand, I pray with her, I breathe with her, and I bring a beautiful smile. and that's what makes her feel better. His grandchildren are drawings and is a smile for her. Now I just want to show her my love and live one day at a time and if it's a bad day I think I was next her physicaly or in trought. And we just say thanks for each progress, each day without pain, each sweet moment. It's so difficult for me asking a miracle for my mom when i see a lot of sick people. I pray for lourdes and other kids and maybe other people pray for my mom. I can't ask for me to god, I can just say thank you. But in june for the first time i ask a miracle for my mom.... Because i deeply need it And i hope a lot
    You and your mom are in my prayers with baby lourdes

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  25. So many prayers for her, dear Lindsay. On it right away...

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