One Sunday in February, I called my brother, Kevin, to ask what he had preached that morning. He told me that it was from Acts about "Sustainability". Then he went through a few of the main points: SUSTAINABILITY ~ Reality, Connected, Oriented. (He also reminded me that his sermons were on the internet at http://www.newlifesanjose.org/.) It was the perfect time for me to be reminded that all I am going through with chemo is doable.
Yesterday I completed Round Two of chemo!!! The rest of my treatment involves two years of chemo which will have minimal or no side effects and six weeks of radiation. There is a light at the end of the tunnel! The thoughts from Kev's sermon helped me tremendously, as I approached the last month of side effects from Taxel - fatigue being the most frustrating.
Reality is that life has trials. It can be hard and being a Christian does not stop us from struggles. Cancer changes one's life. Chemo has side effects. God is with us through it all. When living life knowing this, we can "roll with the hits" easier because we live knowing and accepting that this is all part of life. We all have negative events in our lives.
Being Connected to others is essential in life. For me, being connected to family, friends, and church has been vital in dealing with each phase of treatment. Kevin used the visual of birds flying in formation when going a long distance. The leader rotates from the tip of the V to the back and a new leader goes to the point. It has been exciting to see that that has been the process in adjusting to my side effects: my sister stayed with me for 3 1/2 months with two friends assisting, meals were brought in from many other friends, another friend stayed with me for about five months with another friend relieving her on some weekends, several friends drove me to chemo and stayed throughout the process, another friend is now driving and staying each week. Cards, calls, and emails have come from many, many people at church, and again, a different person moves to the point.
Being "Oriented" is an exciting part of sustaining or holding on during a crisis or change in life. Kev explained it as "knowing where we are in the picture". He used a fantastic example from his church and I can see how it applies to this situation: where have I been, where am I, and where am I going. There have been so many blessings in my life since July and one huge one has been to see how it has impacted others and how much love surrounds me. Two nieces and one nephew have left marks on my heart during this time. This has been a great connection with my eldest nephew because we are able to text prayer needs and he has told me many times that his family of four prays for me every night. (They even blessed me with a gift of handmade flowers by his three year old and wife.) One niece injured her knee in soccer this fall - senior year - and was unable to play out the season. She has been a great encouragement to me and then on my last "hard" chemo she was released from therapy to join track. "Today ended up being a wonderful day for everyone!" Another niece texted me an encouragement, "We are able to see God working because of all He is doing for you." and "Yay!! All the praying worked." Many other nieces, my sister, my brother, and friends have been blessings too: texts, prayers, visits, calls. And then my sister-in-law texted, "We are celebrating with you!" I loved that!
Many, many blessings in this journey and it is because of
living in reality,
being connected,
and being oriented - where this fits in the picture.
