Ms. Muffet on her Tuffet the day before Chemo #10

Another prayer request I just got this morning. Debra Coker was diagnosed with a very aggressive breast cancer in 2008 (just months before I was diagnosed with cancer). Our husbands have worked together for years so it was ironic that the two of us ended up with cancer just months apart.

She just went to the doctor yesterday and they are pretty sure it has now spread to her lungs. The doctor said he wasn't sure but with her cancer being so aggressive, he was pretty sure it is cancer. However, they would start her on chemo again....this time for her lungs. Please pray for her. They have just been through surgery and chemo, like me and now are having to go through it again.

I'm starting the last of my treatments (3 more to go, Yahoo). However, they will do testing at the end of my treatments also. I have 3 lesions on my lungs and kidneys that they are monitoring, along with the colon. So, please pray that these lesions will be gone through the chemotherapy that I've done and I won't be put through any more chemo regimens nor will I move to the last stage of cancer.

Honestly, I'm expecting a full recovery. I've had faith throughout this journey that God has it all in control and I won't be going through more than I've already been through. However strong my faith is....I know that I must still pray, learn to listen and obey God. He is my fortress and help in my storm. In HIM do I trust!!

The last couple of days I've felt more normal than the past week and half. I tend to get up and go straight to my recliner, turn up the heat on the heating pad, turn on my massager and there Ms. Muffet lays. I have learned to be content in my condition. I've learned that it isn't the worst thing to be suspended to my home. Home is actually quite nice. I have a wonderful family that dwells with me. I have so many things to look forward to. So, I don't worry as much about getting out. I do like to get out as soon as I'm able because it is better for my body physically to build up strength but my mind is okay no matter where I'm at. My mind was a real struggle at the start of this journey. It made me feel as if I weren't moving, I wasn't doing something. My life has always been about schedules and to-do lists. Too much to do, so little time. Now my motto is....I'll do what I can, when I can and life will still go on. Not everything has to be done immediately..some things just have to wait. If I didn't have such a great family, I'm sure I wouldn't be so content at home, day in and day out.

I was able to go to church Sunday. I haven't been able to go in the past couple of weeks so it was very refreshing! At the start of the service, there were motorcycles and 4 wheelers parked in front of the sanctuary. So, of course....it makes you wonder what the message is going to be. Our Pastor said one of the small children's eye lit up at the sight and remarked to his mother that there was possibly going to be a drawing at the end of church much to the chagrin of those who owned the Harleys', etc. :-)

The theme for this year is, "Wide Open", which was our sermon. Our Pastor stated how you might purchase a vehicle with so much power but yet are unable to use it because of the law limit restrictions, etc. Therefore having something with alot of power and no use is such a waste. He showed pictures of a farm in Portugal purchased by a couple going into retirement. They did not enter the barn at the back of the home prior to purchasing. This building was huge. When the building was opened, they were amazed because stacked as close as you could get them were vintage cars of all types (they were beautiful and unbelievable). There were Astons, all sorts of European and American vintage vehicles!! As you looked at all the dust and thought of the years these cars had been sitting in this barn, your first thought would be, "what a waste". However, this couples $50,000 investment turned into $35Million dollars!!!

If we take this and align our lives, you see potential in our lives that go without use. What a waste of our talents! He spoke of how we are young Christians or even small children who are not afraid to try anything or will go the extra mile to do anything but then we become restricted. We talk ourselves out of it or we find other things to do with our time. The same thing happens to a talent, just as a muscle that go unused....it becomes out of shape. If everyone just used one of their talents (skills) to help the Community, our Communities and families would be strengthened. We would all have some sort of testimony in our lives because we would all be doing for each other. People would feel the love of Christ through us and I wonder how that would effect crime rates?

Anyhoo-I know that my purpose has not been fulfilled. I know that I have talents (skills) unused to help others. I'm just working through this process so that I'm physically and mentally able to help others going through crisis'. I've always had a heart for people that hurt but sometimes until you go through a battle yourself, others can't always relate to you. I'm not sure in what form or format that I will be used but I'm listening to the heart of God. He will ultimately open the door, I just have to be willing and not look for a window to crawl out. We have to be willing, able and ready.

I've got my armour on through this battle and through your prayers, I've been able to make obstacles into stepping stones. YOUR prayers have been my strength. There is no way to put into words what it has meant. I know I'm about to go through the hardest treatments (per the doctor/nurses) but with your prayers, I'm going to win this battle too! God has claimed the war through HIS ultimate protection but I still have to win each battle until I reach the victory line. This is a marathon that will be won with YOUR cheering, praise and again, prayers!

Isn't life great? I love every day! God is so good!
Until then,
love to all,
Leah