Yesterday, September 17, we had Chemo infusion number six. Everything went very well. Lois’ blood pressure is down – that’s a definite answer to prayer. The Dr still wants to see the BP closer to “normal” but we were all relived to know that prayer (and the medication) is working.
Lois had no discernable side effects to the infusion. She does get an IV bag of minerals (we laughingly call them her “rocks”) and she eats two Tums every hour to boost her calcium. At least once per hour (the infusion takes a little over four hours) Lois grabs the “tree” holding all the bags of fluids and drugs and goes for a walk. The Drs and nurses are amazed that she isn’t experiencing side effects. It’s another opportunity to give God credit.
On the way home (an hour and 45 min drive) we stopped to see my Mom, Clarice, who is doing better than we expected at the Manor House Care Center in Sigourney, IA. Lois kept moving once we arrived home and is doing well this morning.
We respond with a personalization of Philippians 1:18-21 from the Message:
“So how are we to respond? We’ve decided that we really don’t care about the cancer; whether mixed, bad, or indifferent. Every time the subject comes up, Christ is proclaimed, so we just cheerfully go on!
And we’re going to keep that celebration going because we know how it’s going to turn out. Through your faithful prayers and the generous response of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, everything he wants to do in and through Lois will be done. We can hardly wait to continue on this course. We don’t expect to be embarrassed in the least. On the contrary, everything happening to Lois in this cancer journey only serves to make Christ more accurately known, regardless of whether she lives or dies. Cancer hasn’t defeated us! Alive, she’s Christ’s messenger; dead, she’s his bounty. Life versus even more life! We can’t lose.”
Thanks for praying for and with us!
The personalization of the Philippians passage was amazing. Others will take courage from it I’m sure. Thanks.
I have to agree, actually, I’m going to take this passage and stick my name in place of Lois as I walk through my own battle with cancer! Thanks for sharing of your struggles and thus reaching out and encouraging others!
It is 4 October and I have just read all of this message. I sent you a snailmail in the last day or so. Clarice called last night. I don’t remember if I told you my schedule – every three weeks. Had a chemo #2 yesterday, the next one is 24 Oct. Donna Shewmaker signed up to sit with me for that one. #4 is 3 weeks later on a Friday. I haven’t scheduled the December ones yet. Yesterday Bea Hamstra sat with me for two hours then Marge Penrod came and sat the next three hours. Bea told me that her granddaughter Rachel married an Iowa farmer and now lives in Pella!
Thanks for your updates.
Love, Bettye Lou
Hi, Lois! I am so glad that I was able to learn about these updates. Ruth Morton gave me the web address. We have been much in prayer for you since we heard about your cancer! Now we know to pray for Betty Lou, also. We send you our love, and we hope to hear more good news from you soon!