tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11365303390475989832024-02-20T07:05:32.937-05:00My JourneyLife is wonderful! I am blessed and grateful that God has given me the ability to string a few words together that may bless you, may encourage you, may make you emotional, but finally see Him in me. I've now ventured into the new generation of blogging so forgive me if it's not perfect - I'm still learning.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13307578523528980706noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1136530339047598983.post-16451396245664999362017-09-12T08:38:00.002-04:002017-09-12T08:51:24.185-04:00Joy (September 5, 2017)<br />
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<span style="font-family: "segoe script" , sans-serif; font-size: 40pt;">Joy!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></o:p><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">September 5,
2017<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "baskerville old face" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">I
was not the only one who noticed!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "baskerville old face" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Do
not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength! - </span></i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "baskerville old face" , serif;">Nehemiah 8</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "baskerville old face" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "baskerville old face" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Two
weekends ago we celebrated my brother-in-law, Angelo, at a memorial service in
California.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "baskerville old face" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">As
a former marine the service began with a Color Guard from the Marine
Corps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The folding and presenting of the
flag were very tearful moments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Angelo’s
sister, Annette, sang a duet (How Great Is Our God) with Laurie – it was
beautiful. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You would never have known
that they never had time to rehearse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "baskerville old face" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Even
the error in the flow of the program was beautiful and funny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of a video of an Angelo memory, what
we saw was a video of the Mighty Sparrow – for those of you who don’t know,
he’s from Trinidad and sings calypsoes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "baskerville old face" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">We
shed tears, especially listening to his nephew, Robert and young friend, Cameron,
share their memories.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "baskerville old face" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Denise
got up to sing “I Can Only Imagine” … and my sister, Cheryl danced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were not expecting it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were emotional, she was emotional… but in
the midst of this… the song goes…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "baskerville old face" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">‘To be
surrounded by your glory</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "baskerville old face" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">What will my
heart feel</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "baskerville old face" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Will I dance
for you Jesus</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "baskerville old face" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Or in awe of
you be still…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "baskerville old face" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Cheryl is using
sign language while dancing… I look at her hands and body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But in the midst of this… I looked at her
face and saw pure <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">JOY!</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was dancing for her Angel in heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She tells me she was not aware of her it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is not joyful that Angelo has passed, but
she is joyful about where he is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Angelo
was the love of her life and she misses him, but our God is the ultimate
comforter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is nothing more
comforting that thinking of Angelo sleeping IN Jesus! Can you imagine? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In all of His Glory, being encased and
surrounded by Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you Jesus!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please keep Cheryl in prayer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "baskerville old face" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again,
even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus - </span></i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "baskerville old face" , serif;">1 Thessalonians 4:14</span></i></b></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13307578523528980706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1136530339047598983.post-90441657152504552802015-05-26T12:56:00.001-04:002015-05-26T13:01:55.526-04:00Resilience (May 25, 2015)<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Segoe Script",sans-serif; font-size: 40pt;">Resilience…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 26pt;">May 25, 2015<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 26pt;">Resilience - the ability of
something to return to its original shape after it has been pulled, stretched,
pressed, bent, etc.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 26pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 26pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It’s
been some time since I’ve written.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
told Gilbert, my husband, that I believe I was suffering from writers’
block.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In truth, things have been a bit overwhelming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’m
being stretched!</i> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not a person
to allow myself to become depressed, but I find that I am weary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’m
being pressed!</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve religiously gone
to the doctor for my 3-month checkups and each checkup has found
something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something that has to be
examined further… thyroid… hernia… possibility of endometrial disease…
something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s made me… weary… <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">lots of pulling</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 26pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My
joy is always boundless when I have to visit Sloan Kettering (MSK).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can you not feel joyful when you receive
the greatest hugs from Nick and Ava?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 26pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 26pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Last
week I visited the chemo building to get my CAT scan and there was MY
Nick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thank God for Nick!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He prays for me constantly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He prayed for me as I entered the 53rd Street
building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Stay the course.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">1 Corinthians
16:13</i> says “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Be firm in your faith. Stay
brave and strong</b>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then as I sat
upstairs preparing for my CAT scan, drinking my unsweetened Kool-Aid, I read the
MSK newsletter “Bridges”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A survivor
says “By handing the keys to my MSK team and the driver’s seat to God, this
planner was now the passenger and the ride was about to begin.”</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 26pt;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
Director in me has been fighting this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gilbert
can attest to the fact that I’m a Director, especially when he’s driving!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Turn here”; “Turn off your indicator”; “Exactly
where are we going?”; “Why are you heading into traffic, when you could make a
left here and go around?”; “Didn’t you see the crosswalk?”; <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 26pt;">“I can’t see, please turn on the
wipers.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 26pt; letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I had already given the driver’s seat to
God but I now realize that my Directorial tendency was rearing its ugly head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know, I know!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God needs the help, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“Blessed
are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more
profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.” </b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Proverbs
3:13-14</i> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“But
the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving,
considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”</b></span><span style="font-size: 26pt;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 26pt; letter-spacing: -0.2pt;">James 3:17<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 26pt; letter-spacing: -0.2pt;">Help
me Lord!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 26pt; letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Do you now believe?”</b> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">John 16</i>:31 <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lord I believe!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 26pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Garamond;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 26pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Love,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 26pt;">Charmaine Yvette</span></i><span style="font-size: 26pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 26pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Garamond;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 26pt; letter-spacing: -0.2pt;">P.S.:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The past two months have been difficult for my
friends and family who have lost loved ones or those who received sad diagnoses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It makes my struggle appear
inconsequential.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please know that I pray
for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is a healing God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trust him and he will heal your sorrow… just
believe. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“You who are my Comforter in sorrow, my heart is faint within me.”</b> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jeremiah 8:18</i> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 26pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 26pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Garamond;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13307578523528980706noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1136530339047598983.post-56288767326009829932014-02-07T16:54:00.001-05:002015-05-26T12:45:06.139-04:00Wait! (February 7, 2014)<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Segoe Script","sans-serif"; font-size: 40pt;">Wait!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">February 7,
2014<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: auto;" /><span style="font-size: x-large;">
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<span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I had my CAT scan at the end of January.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something as simple as the injection of dye
into my system knocked me over for a full day and a half – I was sick!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, I was now excited to see my doctor a
few days later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The good doctor would
not tell me anything I didn’t already know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My faith helped me stand and my God has already spoken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Going to see my doctor was just a
technicality.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">My sister, Cheryl, noted that the scriptures all
talked about patience – I just didn’t think it was directed to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked into the doctor’s office a bit upset
though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After she delivered the great
news, I begin… <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">“I’m not sure what is going on, but my last chemo was
three weeks ago and I’m still feeling fatigued and beaten up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Going up the subway steps is like climbing
the infinity stairway and having to stand on the train for an hour is hell.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I begin to describe my plans… “Today I was
going to clean up my basement, then I want to re-do my kitchen, we need new
back splash – so the old tiles must be removed, I’m looking for a new stove and
I definitely need a new dining room table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m hanging new family pictures so I just bought frames.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I want the dining room and living room
painted and I have to choose a new color and we definitely need to have the
floor sanded…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before I finish Dr.
Makker pipes in “Whoa, whoa!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then she
begins to explain to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She says “We
threw an atomic bomb at you to fight this thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am simply amazed that you continued smiling
and laughing and working through all of this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Unfortunately, you will continue to feel this way (weak!) through August
or September (OF 2014!!?)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need for
you to rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We would like you to take
3-4 weeks off now and just lay around and take things easy.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Be completely humble and gentle; be patient,
bearing with one another in love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ephesians 4:2</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I begin to cry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not for the great news she has just delivered, but the simple fact that
I cannot return to my life as it used to be… at least not immediately – <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">be
patient</i></b>!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I get off the elevator
at the chemo building and walk directly into a great big hug from Nick (who I
learned is also a survivor).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cry as he
hugs me and prays for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He thanks God
for delivering me and continuing to use me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I am not the strong, invincible woman I used to be but
I still thank God!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Reflections</u>
says - <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Interruptions are nothing new.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Rarely does a day go by as planned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Life is filled with inconveniences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our plans are constantly thwarted by forces beyond our control...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, inconvenience could be God’s way of
protecting us from some unseen danger, or it could be an opportunity to
demonstrate God’s grace and forgiveness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It might be the start of something even better than we had planned. Or
it could be a test to see how we respond to adversity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever it is, even though we may not know
God’s reason, we can be assured of His motive - to make us more like Jesus and
to further His kingdom on earth.”</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; letter-spacing: -0.2pt;">…clothe yourselves
with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.</span></i></b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; letter-spacing: -0.2pt;">Colossians
3:12</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; letter-spacing: -0.2pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: x-large;"> </span></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">sandwin.blogspot.com</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13307578523528980706noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1136530339047598983.post-46559103559123862822014-02-07T16:52:00.001-05:002015-05-26T12:45:23.533-04:00Sing! (January 15, 2014)<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Segoe Script","sans-serif"; font-size: 40pt;">Sing !<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">January 15,
2014<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: auto;" /><span style="font-size: x-large;">
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">“Searched all over... couldn't find nobody<br />
I looked high and low... still couldn't find nobody<br />
Nobody greater... nobody greater... nobody greater than you<br />
<br />
Nobody can heal... like you can<br />
Oh most holy one you are the Great I Am<br />
Awesome in all your ways and mighty is your hand<br />
You are He who carried out redemption's plan<br />
You are He who carried out redemption's plan”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">– Nobody Greater
(Vashawn Mitchell)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">My heart has been singing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m excited!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My final chemotherapy session was scheduled for January 14, 2014.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The day arrived and Whitney is with me (my
own personal paparazzi).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nobody greater than you Jesus! </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My excitement is really about my trust.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t have to wait for the results of my
upcoming CAT scan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have already claimed
my healing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stand here on three little
words… faith, trust and praise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where is
God?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s still here… with me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can I say that when God allowed this “bad
thing” to happen to me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My sister talked
about the sermon of the beauty of the orange; however, to really enjoy the
orange it must be squeezed!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m being
squeezed so my light can shine. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Garamond; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Garamond; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Let
your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify
your Father in heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Matthew 5:16</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">My excitement is also about finally eating the 25 lbs.
of pineapple, 10 lbs. of honey dew melon and cantaloupe and all the
undercooked/raw vegetables/fruit and wheat/grains I can eat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These were my banned substances during this
journey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The things I now crave the
most.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">My excitement is about leaving behind the side effects
of these drugs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The neuropathy (big word
I learned from my sister) is all the nerve ending tingling and numbness in my
hands and feet I previously mentioned, that has me limping like my 86-year old
mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s painful!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I now feel what she is going through with her
diabetes – we won’t even talk about her arthritis pains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bone-weary feeling that I must work
through to continue with my job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
sleepless nights that have allowed me to master levels of Candy Crush. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, my hair can begin to grow back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I must tell you though that all of you simply
ROCK!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My husband, my prayer warriors,
my compadres, my friends, my intercessors!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Many of you I’ve never met!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
are all my angels; Terry, who showed up on Christmas day with trays of food for
my entire family (this made Nigel very happy because he was not feeling
spaghetti on Christmas day); Nick, walking into the chemo building can be a
depressing reality, but your smile, your hugs and your prayers are always on
time; my family, co-workers, my Sloan-Kettering family and my sisters (Barbara,
Cheryl, Sandra, Claudette, Sharmaine, Jenny – some of you are from other families,
but I’ve claimed you).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That you would all
take the time to say a prayer for me and you continue to call, text and email
me with an encouraging word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank
you!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Sandwin.blogspot.com<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13307578523528980706noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1136530339047598983.post-35111334220743720372013-12-09T13:45:00.002-05:002015-05-26T12:45:41.161-04:00Angels (12/9/13)<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Segoe Script","sans-serif"; font-size: 40pt;">Angels !<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">December 8, 2013<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
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</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: auto;" /><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></span></i></b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">I am woman!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hear me roar!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>…as I crawl into my
little uncomfortable space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
chemotherapy is kicking my butt, upside down and sideways!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Paclitaxel affects my nerves and nerve
endings!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Honestly, it affects my nerve
endings, but I am short-tempered!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
is no way to get comfortable, in or out of bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I am bone-weary and my fingers and toes are tingling and numb and it’s
lovely to be told to let them know if I begin tripping and falling down!! </span></span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Garamond; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">During a conversation with a friend, who has
had her own battle, she mentioned that during her struggle with tumors her
mother asked her “where are all of your friends?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was no one around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I must admit I never knew about her fight until
afterwards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do we gain support and see
all of our angels if we keep this trapped inside us?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is this a stigma?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we mention this dreaded sickness, does it
appear that we seek sympathy, are we embarrassed?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then again, we don’t paint a placard and walk
around declaring this disease… giving it power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>To this day my mother, who is a breast cancer survivor, has not shared
with anyone (other than her sisters).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She says… “people always know or have heard of someone who died and when
you’re going through this, the last thing you want to hear is about someone’s
uncle’s cousin who had the same thing who died four months later.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: x-large;">I walk around with my bald head never giving
it a second thought that others may be uncomfortable with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t wear a placard, but if asked, I have
no problem answering questions.</span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: x-large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: x-large;">The greatest thing has happened to me though. In my truth, I began to notice angels around me. <strong><em>Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. - Philippians 2:4</em></strong> When I walked into the barber shop and began bawling and traumatized the barbers there - Tony was very gentle with me - thank you! That a friend and her daughter would fix meals for my family on the lowest days after chemotherapy - thank you! That my nieces would call or send me a note to encourage me - thank you! That your calls and texts "checking on me" continue to encourage me - thank you! That Nigel, Whitney and Cheryl would shave their heads as well... crazy :) but thank you! God continues to bless and surround me with angels!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Our
Daily Bread</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> says:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We too can serve as caretakers to the weak
and weary. …we have ways to honor God by helping others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we seek to serve those in need, may the
grace of God that reached us in our need move us to reach out to others in
theirs.”</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style="font-size: x-large; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style="font-size: x-large; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><strong><em>What does the Lord your God reqire of you, but ... to walk in all His ways and to love Him. - Deuteronomy 10:12</em></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style="font-size: x-large; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><strong><em></em></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Merry Christmas everyone!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13307578523528980706noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1136530339047598983.post-42057246834285747442013-11-07T12:04:00.000-05:002015-05-26T12:52:27.094-04:00I am not my hair… (11/6/2013)<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Segoe Script","sans-serif"; font-size: 40pt;">I am not my
hair…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">November
6, 2013<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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</span></span></i></b><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 33.3pt 0pt 0in; tab-stops: .5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My mother, the
lover of glorious long hair has three daughters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To my Mom’s dismay, all three of us have
lived for countless years with hair cut quite short.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have never been infatuated with my hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been blessed with hair that is fine and
soft, not thick and luxurious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
natural and wash-and-wear for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No
problem!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 33.3pt 0pt 0in; tab-stops: .5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This past
weekend Gilbert cleaned the bathroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
step into a sparkling tub and four minutes into my glorious shower I’m
muttering under my breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can
Gilbert clean up and leave hair all over the place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I adjust the showerhead to rinse it away… but
there’s more… and more… and even more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
shocked to realize the process has begun… and… I. freak. out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chemotherapy and I are good friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re on a first name basis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know the results of chemo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was told the effects of chemo… yet, when I
see the hair swirling around the drain it hits me like a sledgehammer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know if I can handle this. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“…Do not
let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” </i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">John
14:27</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 33.3pt 0pt 0in; tab-stops: .5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Forget about
what I know and what I expect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It all
flies out the window.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am truly
freaking out here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I jump out of the
shower and call Gilbert.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s okay!” he
reassures me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Are you ready to shave it
all off?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have yet to answer his
question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m confused about why I’m feeling
this way because my hair has been one-eighth of an inch long for years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do I know?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After spending two hours at the barber shop a
few years ago, I had hubby purchase an electric thingamajiggy for me and I use
the one-eighth inch attachment.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 33.3pt 0pt 0in; tab-stops: .5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This is my
chemo “off” week, so to quote Jenny, who has conquered her own battles, “I feel
like a million dollars.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hubby and I
head out to shop for the things I may need next week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the car, on our way home the heavy weight
of my hair finally breaks me down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
floodgates were opened previously for the pain, but never for the
circumstance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s an ugly cry that’s
probably been months coming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I see the
helplessness on Gilbert’s face as he tries to comfort me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He can’t do much but hold my hand as he
drives and I cry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tears are filled
with the weeks of recovery, the diagnosis, the abandonment by close family who
can’t deal with it, the days of radiation, my good friend chemo and how my head
will look like a person with ringworm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The hair loss is not like taking off a wig… it’s a gradual process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every day more falls out in the shower.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trust my sister to see the positive
side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As she says, “That’s great, no
more shaving!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 33.3pt 0pt 0in; tab-stops: .5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Are you ready
to shave it all off?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know I am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 33.3pt 0pt 0in; tab-stops: .5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Daily
Bread says, “Our circumstances never stay the same for long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes we welcome change in our
lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But often it is difficult,
especially when it involves sorrow and loss.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I am thankful though, that God remains the same – he loves me and holds
me in the palm of his hand, with or without hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“I am
the Lord, I do not change.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Malachi 3:6</i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 33.3pt 0pt 0in; tab-stops: .5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Love,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 33.3pt 0pt 0in; tab-stops: .5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Charmaine Yvette</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 33.3pt 0pt 0in; tab-stops: .5in; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">P.S. Don’t be surprised if you
get a newsflash of Tina Turner or Angela Davis walking through Times Square –
it’s me!! </span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13307578523528980706noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1136530339047598983.post-65247303586470755552013-11-06T09:47:00.003-05:002015-05-26T12:57:07.777-04:00THANK YOU! (6/27/2013)<div class="BodyText01" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;"></span><span style="color: black;"> </span></div>
<div class="BodyText01" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;"></span><span style="color: black;"> </span></div>
<div class="BodyText01" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">
</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoHeader" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Script","sans-serif"; font-size: 40pt;"><span style="color: black;">Thank you!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="BodyText01" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">June 27, 2013<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="BodyText01" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: x-large; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyText01" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Dear family and friends:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="BodyText01" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: x-large; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyText01" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The road to
recovery after surgery has been more difficult and longer than I thought
possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being reduced to less than
Super Woman has been humbling to say the least.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When times get tough and the winds are tearing things apart, that’s when
the valuable wheat remains and the chaff is blown away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My Mom (86 years old, two knee replacements
{which have expired}, bursitis in shoulders, osteoarthritis all over) makes
sure she brings dinner for the family every Sunday – may God continue to bless
her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My husband, Gilbert… WOW!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="BodyText01" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">There were times
I struggled to get up from the couch and Gilbert appears at my side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He held out his hand and whispered to me…
“I’m here.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="BodyText01" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">For the times I
needed an extra support going up the stairs, he stood at my back saying… “I’m
here.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="BodyText01" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The trip to the
bathroom at 2:00 a.m. – the extra push I needed to help me out of bed and on my
way… he reached across the bed… “I’m here.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="BodyText01" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Those words made
me smile every time; because it’s what my God has been saying to me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="BodyText01" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>During
my first few days after surgery, the technology of the On-Q “pocketbook” (which
I happily wore) filled with an intravenous pain killer they embedded in my skin
in two places… “I’m here.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="BodyText01" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">Gilbert made
stewed chicken… again… “I’m here.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I’m
happy to say he’s now expanded his repertoire under my guidance. </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span lang="EN" style="mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;">)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="BodyText01" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">As I battled with
depression because it was quite obvious I would not be healed in two weeks and
be able to compete in Wimbledon, I cried (copiously) and my God said… “I’m
here.” … then your wonderful phone calls began coming in to encourage me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="BodyText01" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The results from
the lab are not encouraging… but my God says… <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">“I
AM! … and I’m HERE.”</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "AR ESSENCE"; font-size: x-large; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "AR ESSENCE"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Psalm 3:3-5<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "AR ESSENCE"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">But thou, O Jehovah, art a shield about me; <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "AR ESSENCE"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">My glory and the lifter up of my head. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "AR ESSENCE"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I cry unto Jehovah with my voice, <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "AR ESSENCE"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">And he answereth me out of his holy hill. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "AR ESSENCE"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Aharoni; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for Jehovah sustaineth me. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="BodyText01" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: x-large; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyText01" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Caretakers are
the most underappreciated people - but the job they do!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lord I thank you for all the caretakers and
if you haven’t heard it today, this week, this month… Thank You!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="BodyText01" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I thank you all
for thinking of me and offering up a prayer for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="BodyText01" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Love to all,<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="BodyText01" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Freestyle Script"; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 150%; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Charmaine</span> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13307578523528980706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1136530339047598983.post-37852267115875259972013-11-06T09:39:00.001-05:002015-05-26T12:57:27.183-04:00My Journey to Radiation... Where is God? (9/8/2013)<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="BodyText01" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: windowtext;">
</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoHeader" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Script","sans-serif"; font-size: 40pt;">My Journey to
Radiation…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyText01" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="BodyText01" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: windowtext;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">September
8, 2013<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="BodyText01" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: windowtext;"></span></i></b><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></div>
<div class="BodyText01" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: windowtext;">For I am the Lord your God, who takes hold of
your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: windowtext; line-height: 150%;">Isaiah 41:13<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="BodyText01" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: windowtext;"></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></div>
<div class="BodyText01" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: windowtext;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">It is another long day for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After work there is a smile on my face as I
greet the bus driver on the M42 bus to go crosstown to First Avenue, where I
change to the M15 bus that drops me off at the Radiation Building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God rides with me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the Radiation Building all adults are
scheduled for afternoons/evenings as the mornings are reserved for
children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all gather in the main
waiting area. Unless you’ve lost your hair due to chemo, you cannot tell who is
here for radiation and who is here to support.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Across from me sits a big strapping construction worker with his heavy
work boots; then a very tall, distinguished older gentleman in his Armani suit walks
in talking on his I-phone; a middle-aged woman sits with her knitting needles
and next to her is a very young lady who never stops texting. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="BodyText01" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: windowtext;"></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></div>
<div class="BodyText01" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="color: windowtext;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Kenny calls us out one by one… “Ms. Sandy, please get
undressed!” I grab a robe and a key for the locker and head to the changing
area.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: windowtext;"></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: windowtext;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">In the inner waiting area our nakedness defines our
battle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The suits are gone, boots,
needles… no more texting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Under our
robes I begin to recognize… those naked from the waist up are battling cancers
of the upper body: breast, thyroid, brain. Those naked from the waist down are
battling testicular, cervical, ovarian and other pelvic cancers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Yeah, though I walk through the valley of
the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for Thou art with me…<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: windowtext;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">There isn’t much conversation, not much
friendliness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess everyone is
concentrating on their own survival.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
talk anyway, and find out we are all recovering from a surgeon’s scalpel… we’ve
all lost a summer.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: windowtext;"></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: windowtext;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I thank God for Kenny, Ava, Juan, Gerard, David,
Jennifer, Mark and all the others who work there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They greet me with a smile and a kind word
every day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ava is like one of my
girlfriends, we talk and laugh out loud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The security guard in the Chemo Building greets everyone with a smile
and God’s words flows from his lips every time I see him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It blows my mind to think how many people
they see every day, fighting a battle, wrapped up in the battle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where is God?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He’s right here!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>… <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">thy
rod and thy staff, they comfort me…</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: windowtext;"></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: windowtext;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Your words and your prayers continue to uplift
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Juan and David tell me I smile a lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s simply the God in me, for I wouldn’t
have the strength to do this on my own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maya
Angelou has said “…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">He has created the
leaves and the trees, the birds and the insects and I am humbled that God loves
me!</i>”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: windowtext;"></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: windowtext;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">God loves me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love you all.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Freestyle Script"; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Charmaine
Yvette <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: windowtext; line-height: 150%;"></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span lang="EN" style="color: windowtext; line-height: 150%;">P.S. Thank you Gilbert – I love you! I
am always amazed by your creative use of ingredients… in addition to the
cheddar and ketchup sandwich, the new menu item – stewed string beans and
plantains… together! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I came home to a
feast fit for the entire Brooklyn this week. Gilbert baked 10 lbs of fish, 20
lbs of potatoes, cooked 2 lbs of rice, peas, spinach and stewed string beans
and plantains. </span><span lang="EN" style="color: windowtext; font-family: Wingdings; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: windowtext; line-height: 150%;"> It’s a very
welcome</span><span lang="EN" style="color: windowtext; line-height: 150%;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="color: windowtext; line-height: 150%;">sight as I get home close to 9:00pm each day and it will
last all of September!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13307578523528980706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1136530339047598983.post-36082621817163425522013-11-06T09:35:00.000-05:002015-05-26T12:57:47.889-04:00Weakness... (10/28/2013)<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe Script","sans-serif"; font-size: 40pt;">Weakness…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: windowtext;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">October
28, 2013<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></i></b></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: windowtext;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Before
I continue with my journey, I wanted to talk to each and every one of you for a
moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please know that your thoughts,
your prayers, your notes… the responses… all my friends and family, Cheryl’s
“Reflectionites”, the technicians and nurses, my new sisters in Sharmaine and
Jenny, co-workers Kim, Fior, Diana… I received them all and I am humbled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your outpouring has made me cry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Claudette and Mimi you are wonderful! Ava,
that you would track me down during my therapy session to give me a hug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gita, that you would take a few moments to
encourage me from across the ocean... it all means the world. Because I don’t
mention your name does not mean your thoughts and words were any less impactful,
but it would take me four pages to properly thank everyone by name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thank you!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: windowtext;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Last Tuesday I walked into a very unassuming building
on East 53<sup>rd</sup> Street in Manhattan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s in the midst of the corporate world – this is the Chemo building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been here before but numerous times I’ve
walked past this building myself as I hurried to catch the # 6 train. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never once thought of what goes on in here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I enter the building Nick smiles and greets
me… it’s always the best; he holds my hands… “Good morning Beloved, it’s
wonderful to see you again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How are you
today?” <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(He makes me feel joyful, he
reminds me that wherever we are, in the midst of it all, God sends a word.)</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I smile as I respond – “I’m blessed and
highly favored.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nick responds “Keep
walking in faith.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My day begins…<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: windowtext;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">A day at chemotherapy is very different from radiation
therapy. The waiting area is much larger (I believe to accommodate the larger
groups of family members).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People stroll
out of the elevator with large totes and luggage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some carry their favorite pillow or the comfy
blanket to snuggle up with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In one
suitcase I glimpse socks and books and a teddy bear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therapy spans 5-6 hours. I initially thought
it would be an injection, but the chemo is slowly dripped into our bodies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We make ourselves comfortable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: windowtext;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Cysplatin… Carboplatin… Paclitaxel… Potatoe, Potato
all the same right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve had a dose of
chemo before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After my dose of Cysplatin
and my days of radiation I was lulled into a false sense of my own
strength.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve got this! I can handle
the burns and the fatigue and adding Imodium pills to my diet and staying away
from fresh fruit and vegetables and always having a piece of candy in my bag
and the fact that even water has a strange taste.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then Carboplatin and Paclitaxel was
introduced to my system as the fight has been ramped up – as Dr. Makker says,
we are dealing with this very aggressively.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: windowtext;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">As I get comfortable, take off my boots, put on my socks
and place my bag in the appropriate area so I can get to my phone, the
crosswords and the Kindle that Nigel has graciously allowed me to use.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My nurse friend prepares me for
infusion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The veins on the inside of my
elbows have too much scar tissue, they can’t get a line in there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They must go in by my wrist – it’s more
painful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are lots of medications…
saline solution, anti-nausea medication, Benadryl, Carboplatin, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything has its purpose and Nurse Showda
sits to monitor me to make sure there are no allergic reactions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would love to say I sat through all the
hours thinking and writing and playing Subway Surfer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Benadryl knocked me out… I wake as they
change medication bags… wake again as they bring lunch… I am finally awake as
Gilbert calls and says he’s waiting for me downstairs. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They warn me that the effects of all the
medications would begin wearing off in two days. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By Thursday afternoon, I slipped away from
work early. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m feeling it! I feel the
battle in my body… nausea – yes, weakness – yes, flu-like symptoms – yes… my
toes hurt, every muscle aches… indescribable feelings (whether imagined or
real).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: windowtext;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I’ve been knocked from my happy place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gilbert is not comfortable seeing me like
this. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My response of “I’m okay” to his
question does not cut it for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On
Sunday he declared that I must go back to the doctor and tell her that this
medication does not agree with me and I need the previous medication.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>LOL!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: windowtext;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">As I curled up in bed Sunday night trying to feel
comfortable, cuddling up to my aches! and pains! and feelings! it comes to me
that God, with his infinite wisdom rarely goes into the house of the strong –
they don’t NEED him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we are strong,
we pat ourselves on the back and accept the accolades.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s what I’ve been doing – you go girl! you
can handle this! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: windowtext;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Then the realization that I’m not in control … I am
weak!... in my weak moments… in my weakness…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Help me Lord!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="content"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">2 Corinthinians 12:9-10</span></u></span></i></b></span></div>
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<span class="content"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></i></b></span></div>
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<span class="content"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">But he
said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in
weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so
that Christ’s power may rest on me. </span></span></i></b></span><span class="content"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">That is why, for Christ’s sake,
I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in
difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></i></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="content"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Psalm 145:14</u> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="content"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">The
Lord upholds all who fall </span></span></i></b></span><span class="content"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">and lifts up all who are bowed down. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></i></b></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: windowtext;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Amen!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love you all.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Freestyle Script"; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Charmaine
Yvette <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: windowtext; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">P.S. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My Mom and sisters, Cheryl and Barbara… my
prayer warriors!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span lang="EN" style="color: windowtext; line-height: 150%;">P.P.S. I’ve been told these notes are
the dinosaurs to a blog so I should probably get hip right??!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mimi, I’ll be calling you </span><span lang="EN" style="color: windowtext; font-family: Wingdings; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: windowtext; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13307578523528980706noreply@blogger.com0