Finding Grace in the Midst of the Next Storm
Sometimes the fog begins to fade, the strings holding the stress slowly loosen.
The medicine is working, and the body has adjusted the best it can to the side effects.
Some kind of new normal has gradually settled in, but then suddenly in one long day, you find yourself broken again, trying to find grace in the midst of the next storm.
Cancer has no boundaries. Cancer takes no consideration of your feelings. Cancer takes on your strength as it opponent.
Cancer has challenged me for four years now.
It has challenged my body with treatments and surgeries that have left me to continue to rebuild a body that is broken.
It has challenged my emotions, taking me to dark places of brokenness that only God and the love of my husband, kids, family and friends can pull me out of.
It has challenged my feelings as I have learned of the new cancer diagnoses of two friends and mourned the loss of two of my Stage IV sisters and a friend's granddaughter in less than two months.
And now cancer again finds its recurrence in me. My cancer has spread more into my sternum leaving me to deal with new pain and with a new treatment plan...leaving me to feel like a broken branch dangling from an old tree in a violent storm.
As the wind was swirling around me in my new brokenness, my oncologist grabs my hand, grounding me with an opportunity to do a phase 3 clinical trial...a chance for me to help with the research that we so desperately need to find a cure.
So for now, the storm has begun to settle around me as I prepare to begin a new treatment regimen. The next few weeks will be full of testing...CT scans, a PET scan, an MRI, an ECHO, and blood tests...and then on to my new treatment. I will share more as I know it.
In the meantime...I am so thankful for all of your prayers for me and my family. My husband and children walk this path with me through the colorful sunrises and sunsets...through the beautiful days that we hope will never end...as well as through the storms the teach us that life is precious and to find grace in everything.
Make everyday special, make a new friendship, rekindle an old one, learn something new, do something that scares you.
Live and love life!
The medicine is working, and the body has adjusted the best it can to the side effects.
Some kind of new normal has gradually settled in, but then suddenly in one long day, you find yourself broken again, trying to find grace in the midst of the next storm.
Cancer has no boundaries. Cancer takes no consideration of your feelings. Cancer takes on your strength as it opponent.
Cancer has challenged me for four years now.
It has challenged my body with treatments and surgeries that have left me to continue to rebuild a body that is broken.
It has challenged my emotions, taking me to dark places of brokenness that only God and the love of my husband, kids, family and friends can pull me out of.
It has challenged my feelings as I have learned of the new cancer diagnoses of two friends and mourned the loss of two of my Stage IV sisters and a friend's granddaughter in less than two months.
And now cancer again finds its recurrence in me. My cancer has spread more into my sternum leaving me to deal with new pain and with a new treatment plan...leaving me to feel like a broken branch dangling from an old tree in a violent storm.
As the wind was swirling around me in my new brokenness, my oncologist grabs my hand, grounding me with an opportunity to do a phase 3 clinical trial...a chance for me to help with the research that we so desperately need to find a cure.
So for now, the storm has begun to settle around me as I prepare to begin a new treatment regimen. The next few weeks will be full of testing...CT scans, a PET scan, an MRI, an ECHO, and blood tests...and then on to my new treatment. I will share more as I know it.
In the meantime...I am so thankful for all of your prayers for me and my family. My husband and children walk this path with me through the colorful sunrises and sunsets...through the beautiful days that we hope will never end...as well as through the storms the teach us that life is precious and to find grace in everything.
Make everyday special, make a new friendship, rekindle an old one, learn something new, do something that scares you.
Live and love life!
Hugs and prayers Lori to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteHugs and prayers Lori to you and your family.
ReplyDeletePraying for you Lori as well as your family! Rest in Him! Lots of coming from SC! Esther
ReplyDeleteYou are such an inspiration...but so very sorry you have to be in this way....you & your fsmile are in my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteYou are such an inspiration...but so very sorry you have to be in this way....you & your fsmile are in my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad we could talk and I was there for you my friend..... You are a beautiful,strong,brave woman and this is so well written! I love you.
ReplyDeletePrayers for you and your family. Hoping this clinical research treatment is just what your body needs to regain stability in your life.
ReplyDeleteLori, my prayers are with you, as well as lots of love sent your way. You are so talented and such a gifted writer and loving person. May God be with and strengthen you in the coming days! Kathy
ReplyDeleteLori, my prayers are with you, as well as lots of love sent your way. You are so talented and such a gifted writer and loving person. May God be with and strengthen you in the coming days! Kathy
ReplyDeleteHugs and prayers to you and your family Lori! Cancer has also just taken my husband, my children's dad from us less then a week ago, I understand the ups and downs, hopes and fears, highs and lows, the excitement of good news to the disappointment of bad news all too well. We stand behind you in this battle!!
ReplyDelete