Gluten Video Challenge II

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Hi everyone!

I'm not feeling my best so this next blog post is also a video.  Here, I decide to trust God to protect me as I ingest 3 grains of barley.

Due to many amazing donations through GoFundMe online, I am able to see my acupuncturist twice a week to manage my increasing discomfort.  Thank you for your support that makes it possible for me to manage this body and the things God calls me to do with it.  *super big hug*

I will continue to trust in God as I step forward into unknown and potentially very painful territory.  Thank you for following my progress.

Here is my video:

Learning to Listen

Thursday, August 6, 2015

"I'm sorry."

"God forgives you."

"Will you forgive me?"

"What you said really hurt; but God forgives you."

"But will you forgive me?"

Silence.  "Fine."

Argh!  Not quite the response I'm looking for, but that just means I must have said something very hurtful.  What is it?  I'm not sure.  I'm apologizing because I can see that I really hurt Noel... but how?  What did I say and what did he hear?

God, beats me what I did wrong, but I did something.  Give me wisdom when the time is right to completely resolve this situation so that it doesn't happen again.  Give me ears to listen and a heart to understand.  Give Noel and I a time to really talk to each other; openly, honestly, and without hurting each other. 

In Jesus' name I pray, amen. 

Sunday, August, 9, 2015

"Noel, can I ask you about the night you got grumpy?  I know I apologized, but I want to understand what you were feeling and thinking so that I don't make the same mistake again."

"Huh?  I don't remember.  What night?  When did I get grumpy?"

If he can't remember, is it a big deal?  *deep sigh* 

I don't want to make the same mistakes over again so I need to know more.  What really happened?  I can't run away now.  I need to face my failures head-on.  I want to minimize future hurt for both of us. 

Deep breath in.  Pause.  Letting the air seep from between my lips, I prepare myself.  Even if I look stupid or sound dumb, I need to learn more about the communication between Noel and I. I hate doing stuff like this.

"A couple nights ago, you were complaining about dealing with traffic every day, hating the long drives.  You were talking about how work is very stressful in combination with my chemo treatments and feeling very frustrated.  Then I said something about God placing you in your current job and the location he's called you to serve in... I can't quite remember either, but something I said made you feel bad.  I remember feeling bad that you are so stressed and I couldn't help.  From my end, I was trying to comfort you by speaking of God's purpose for you and the hardships he's called you to... that he grows you because he loves you.  On your end, what did you hear?  What part of my words were you reacting to?  How did you feel?"

"Oh, I remember now.  I needed to vent.  Instead, your reply made me feel that the job I'm doing is not doing enough.  That I'm not working hard enough.  That my effort isn't appreciated.  I just want you to listen."

Father God, thank you for providing a resolution in how to deal with a similar issue in the future.  Thank you for a deeper understanding into how Noel thinks.  Thank you for creating a time I can really listen to Noel share about his thoughts and struggles; I really enjoyed tonight's talk.  Thank you for keeping my mouth shut to listen and stopping me from interjecting my thoughts, comments, or any advice.

Lord, I will continue to pray for my husband's well-being.  I ask that you bless Noel with patience and calm as he drives through traffic with increasingly inattentive drivers.  I ask for your provision in wherever you call Noel to work.  Give him wisdom to prioritize, a heart to love on his co-workers, focus, flexibility, energy to face long hours, and unshakable faith that he is exactly where you call him to be.  Open his eyes so he can see the path you're walking him through.  Keep his eyes fixed on you so that you will shine.  Provide so that Noel knows he is not working by his own power but by yours.

God, give me the heart to just listen when my husband needs to vent.  Give me the wisdom when to stay quite and the right words when you want me to speak up.  Father, I submit my heart to you.  Lighten Noel's burden as I cannot.  I want to carry some of my husband's load, but instead, me and my body are a burden.  If I can't speak words to help and to heal, I can pray.  So Lord, be the support my husband needs.  Give him the strength, courage, faith to keep moving forward.  Give me the right attitude, heart, eyes and ears to be what able to accomplish what you've called me to do.  Give me the ability to serve and show my respect to my husband for all that he does.

In Jesus' name I pray, amen.    

God blessed me by strengthening my body enough that I was able to enjoy the 2015 Willow Creek Global Leadership Summit!  Thank you God for using the classes to give me the wisdom and courage needed to speak up and work things out with Noel.  Here I am enjoying the sun and cool breeze after my last day:

Much Needed Break

I know that you are my advocate.  I know you have a plan.  I know there's a purpose in me being admitted at Stanford Hospital... but Lord, I can't see what you're doing!  I know you give me glimpses.  I know you can give me rest... so Lord, give me a break please?

Take a deep breath.  Another.

Just as I'm trying to pull myself together, the nurse comes in.  Pasting a bright smile on my face, I ask, "What's up?"

"You're current pack of antibiotic is done.  I'll give you an hour break from being hooked up as I order the next packet.  It's 9:10 right now.  You have until 10.  Here's my phone's number, call me if you feel dizzy or anything happens.  I have your cell in case I need you. Enjoy!"

Yes!

Stepping outside my door, I peer right.  Nope, not a good idea.  I see doctors.  Left it is! Long hurried strides carry me quickly out of the unit.  Two more lefts and I arrive at a glass door.  Peering through, I see trees, patio furniture, and stairways down.  *drool*  Now this I like!

Scrambling outside, I stride up and down the stairs four times each way for exercise.  Done. Now if only I can find a spot to relax.

Scanning the area around me, I zone in on a small niche with just the right amount of dappled sunlight and shade.  Taking a seat, I immediately prop my legs up.  Glancing around, no one's down here.  Good.  Furtively, I take my mask off.  *wide grin*  Taking deep breaths, I let my shoulders relax.  Rolling my head back, I enjoy my surroundings.  A gentle breeze.  Sunlight sparkles off of delicate spider webs swaying to invisible air currents.  Ants march purposefully at their given tasks.  Leaves reach and sway towards the sun.  Tiny purple flowers blossom, half-hidden by larger shrubs. Vines cling to an old wooden fence.  A pair of doves stroll along brick cobbled floors.

A bit of freedom. A little peace.  Calm in my heart.  Time to resettle my soul.

Thank you God for this time to rest in your presence.  I'm supposed to go back inside now; be tied up again.  I'm dragging my feet a bit... but I feel a little more refreshed.  Thank you.  I don't know what you have planned, but I know you are my advocate and my sovereign.  For now, thank you that I can smile again.  Thank you that I can speak without a sharp edge. 

Resistance

Thursday, July 16, 2015

I don't feel well.  I'm sleeping all day, can barely keep my eyes open, and don't feel good when I move.  Did I just overuse my energy reserves from cooking with my sister yesterday? That doesn't seem right.  Physically tired from doing an activity is different than this heavy sensation dragging on all my limbs and this constant mental fog.

Crawling onto the couch, I roll onto my back.  Lifting my head, I shift my pillow into a more comfortable position.  Blanket in place, my mind phases in and out.  I blink my eyes when I hear the garage rumble open; Noel's home.

I should get up.  I need to move.  Nothing happens.  It feels really really hot in here. Hearing Noel step into the house, "Hub-chan, I feel really hot."

Noel reaches out his right hand to touch my forehead.  So nice and cool my body wants to just melt into that one point of contact... but then it disappears.  More?  That felt really good. I want to tell Noel to keep his hand on my forehead, maybe even on my cheeks.  Oh, that'd feel great!

"You're burning up."

A cool thermometer slides past my lips then under my tongue.  I keep my eyes closed; resting.  No energy to grumble or argue.  Silently I wait.  *beep*  Noel pulls the thermometer out, "103.8... that's really high.  Here's some Tylenol." 

Hours pass.  I wake up feeling really hot again.  Ah, my temperature is back up at 103.3. More Tylenol.  I struggle knowing that I should go to the hospital in case I have another infection.  I hate hospitals.  If I go in, I know that they'll keep me even when I'm better to "monitor me for my safety."  Bleh, safety.  More like I'm an interesting science experiment, a super complex case with unique reactions, a bug under the microscope.  The very thought of being in a hospital sends shivers down my spine.  I don't want to go.  No, I'm not going. Fine, fine God, if my fever escalates back into the 103 range, I'll go.  

It's 1:10pm, my temp is rising.  I know it's high, I can feel it.  The thermometer temp continues to creep upwards.  103.5.  Fine, God, I get it, I'm going!

Lord, I automatically resist whenever it comes to having to go through the emergency room... every time, you open my eyes to see you at work.  I don't enjoy this process.  I have a great fear of accidental exposure to my allergens and the severe side effects.  Yet, Lord, there is nothing out of your control.  Nothing can happen out of your will.  I know that.  I believe it.  I still don't want to go!  You can just heal me right?  What is it that you want from me?

Lord, soften my heart to follow you.  Soften my spirit to trust you again and again.  Open my eyes and ears to see and hear you that I may take joy in where you place me, the people I meet, the things I have to experience.  I dislike being a guinea pig, but God, may your will and not mine be done.

For your Kingdom, to your will, for your purpose... match my heart to yours so that I can properly let you shine.

In Jesus' name I pray, amen. 

Stuck at Stanford Hospital

Wednesday, May 27, 2015: Stanford for scheduled blood draw

Just wanted to let you all know that the docs admitted me at Stanford today because they were worried about my low red blood cell level, high fevers (103F), potential GI bleed, and even considered abdominal surgery. 

The surgeon who checked on me today was the same one who helped perform my last abdominal surgery in 2013.  He totally remembered me and even got a little emotional seeing me back in... but he was able to pass on the message that I'm physically very capable and strong so the staff gives me more leeway.  Praise Jesus for providing not-so-random meetings!

Surgeon's verdict: no huge abdominal surgery right this minute.  Why?  The bad news is because surgical removal of my masses will result in so much resection of my intestines that I'll end up with multiple poopy bags!😱 So surgery is last resort even though my masses almost doubled again since 6 weeks ago (5x5 for the largest mass).  

I'm being well protected by God in Stanford with my crazy allergies, especially my unique sensitivity to alcohol (not the alcohol itself that can evaporate, but something linked with it?).  Every lab draw and every IV line switch that requires cleaning is dangerous for me. So far not a single accident has occurred.  For me, this is a miracle in and of itself!  Nowadays, everything has alcohol: cleaning pads, hand wipes, IV line green caps (Curos caps), surface wipes, and even hidden within medications.  Each step of the way, God has and is continuing to prevent any alcohol from contacting my body.  Yay!!!

I'm here, stuck in Stanford, for 5 days now.  I now have a drain hanging out the right side of my abdomen with a little plastic bulb to create negative pressure to suction out the fluid.  It's pretty neat!  I've learned that if my abdomen hurts, I request my drain be flushed with saline (probably reduces the bacteria) and all the pain goes away without additional medications.

I'm on Zosyn, IV antibiotic, but my fevers continue.  The doctors added IV Vancomycin which resulted in my face flushing hot red and my chest getting itchy.  First dose stopped, but pharmacy thought the reaction was from pushing the medication too quickly.  Second trial of  Vancomycin given at a slower rate resulted in difficulty breathing, my entire face and chest itching, face burning and fire behind my eyes... 50mg Benedryl later as my symptoms start calming down, I'm told that the night doctor wants me to continue with Vancomycin and more Benedryl.

What?!?!

"No."  I will NOT take anymore Vancomycin.  This is ridiculous!  Out of all the antibiotics out there, there's gotta be other options that won't knock me down.  25mg Benedryl makes me cross-eyed.  Even more Benedryl and fighting allergy symptoms is not my idea of a beneficial healing process!

I know the doctors are trying to protect me.  With the Zosyn alone, my fevers got so high it resulted in rigors, severe uncontrollable shivering with me feeling super cold.  Each time, I fought to control my breathing, protect my tongue away from my teeth and minimize the convulsive spasming.  A great workout.  After 45 minutes of shaking: my muscles ache, my hands tremor with fatigue, and back hurts.  Kind of weird.  My body is only a fraction under my voluntary control, I'm trapped inside my head, but at least I can gasp out single-syllable replies.  Not my most looked for activity of the day, week, or ever again in my life!

Thank you God that the daytime doctors agreed with my decision to not continue Vancomycin!  Thank you, Lord, for  providing another antibiotic, Zyvox, that my body is easily tolerating.  Thank you for taking away the crazy sweat-dripping fevers, the severe fatigue, the pounding headaches, my uncontrollable muscle spasms, my inability to breath deeply, my mist-clouded mind, my gut-wrenching pain that would immobilize me and so much more.

Thank you God for helping the doctors find the seropurulent abscess hidden amongst my tumors.  Thank you that the medical staff cares enough not to take my allergies for granted.  Thank you that when my body spasmed out of control, you provided people nearby to help when I couldn't call out for help or hit the nursing call button.  Thank you for the favor you've given me in the sight of all the staff and doctors. Thank you for helping me be able to bless others even when I don't feel well.  Thank you for your Spirit in me that enables me to smile, be patient and love on others even when everything seems to fall apart.  Thank you for getting me through 3 days of not eating without biting someone's head off (I really hate being hungry)!

Heheheheee...God's blessing me everywhere I go so I'm spoiled by lots of nice ppl. Yay!!! Praise the Lord!

These past couple of days, I'm learning again and again to trust in God for my health, my attitude, my emotional status, my physical capabilities, my allergies.... trusting that even when things go very wrong, nothing is out of God's control.  Everything that scares me being in a hospital: minimal choices, limited option, restrictions, lack of privacy, living with a noisey roommate, the service I receive, the food I eat... I can control none of it and the lack of control freaks me out!

Please pray that my heart stays soft and receptive to MD orders instead of me being stubborn thinking "I know how this should be" or "I want this."  Pray that God will use me as a light in the hospital so much his Spirit shines undeniably by my actions, words, attitude and "the God factor!"

Love you all lots!

K

Choices: 1st round of chemotherapy

Hot air rushes past dry crackling lips.  I desperately attempt to fill my lungs with fresh air.  Sucking.  Chest expanding.  It's no use.  Nothing changes.  I lay in bed, panting, trying to get air, but can't seem to slow down my breathing enough to take a deep breath.  Heart pounding, I can feel the blood pulsing through my limbs.  I take a quick assessment of my body: hot, probably fever; twitch my fingers, maybe the smallest movement only noticeable to me; open my eyes, just enough to glimpse a sliver of light.  What happened to all my motor functions?

*click*

I hear the front door.  Yay, Noel's parents are here!  Excited, I attempt to call out a greeting.  Nothing.  Soundless, my lips barely move.  Air flows quickly, but no sound comes out.  I try again.  Failure.

What should I do?  I'm all here in my head, but my body doesn't obey my commands.  I have no sense of time.  I'm unable to move, to speak.  Interesting ideas are coming to mind about how to draw attention: throwing my seal plushie down the stairs, knocking over my water bottle... Yeah, if only I can move.

*rumble*
               *squeak*

Ah, Noel's home!  Anticipating him checking in on me, I prepare to go all out and catch his attention!  Air hisses out my throat, but no recognizable sounds.  Furiously I attempt to roll out of bed... my foot moves one inch, maybe less.  My hand, a slight vibration through the bed, but no sound.  Panting, I lay, still in the same position I've been in all day.

Helpless I lay trapped under heavy comforters.  I listen to Noel greet his parents, go back outside to clean his paintball gear, then come back inside.  *clink*  I hear metal utensils clanking on the food bowl... Noel's probably eating.

Hello... I try to call out.  But again, I can only produce the same panting breath as before.

I don't know how much time has past until I feel a slight vibration through the bed.  Is that steps on the stairs?  Noel?  I hear a person creep silently to my side, probably trying not to wake me.

Look!  I'm awake!  Look harder!

Hot air continues to flow in quick bursts between my lip.  I still don't have control.  In frustration, I feel burning tears slide down my face.

"Why are you crying?"

I try to answer, but nothing comes out.  I feel my tears flow faster.

A rough and cool finger wipes away my tears; first my right eye, then my left.  New tears flow out.  I think my pillow is starting to get wet.  This is embarrassing.

I feel my body pulled partially upright.  I'm dead weight, I can't move a single muscle to help.  A wet spoon touches my lips and pours soup into my mouth.  I attempt to swallow and choke instead.  After a couple more failed attempts with the spoon, I mouth "straw."  Straw in hand, Noel holds my head up.  I still choke three or four times, but at least the fluid is going down the right tube.

Noel cradles my head.  I'm finally able to open my eyes.  Gently, he brushes his face near mine, "Don't scare me like that!"

"Sorry."  I didn't mean to.  I didn't feel good, I hurt, got really hungry and then I couldn't move at all.  I'm scared too... I've never been trapped alert in my body before.  It sucks.


Father God, I don't remember much of these past couple days, but I acknowledge everything is in your control.  Thank you for providing Noel the ability to work at home when I  first needed care.  Thank you that Noel's parents are willingly staying over these past couple of days to cook, clean, check up on me, literally feed me, carry my to and from the house to the car for my acupuncture appointment, feed the cats... So much, Lord God, am I blessed by your provision when I can do absolutely nothing on my own.

Fevers rage. Pain immobilizes me.  Strength is nonexistent.  Air, a difficult to acquire commodity.  I lay in bed; tossing in discomfort when I can, freezing in pain or sometimes writhing to find a more comfortable position.  I pant for air and claw at the bed.  My mind is glazed, time flows on.

Every day is a battle.  Do I choose to follow my doctor's advice and continue injecting the Neupogen that's supposed to protect me but also causes fevers in the 102+ range, uncontrolled by Tylenol and requires me to constantly take Benedryl to ward off my allergic reactions?  Just one more day.  Keep going.  Can I eat enough to maintain my weight without getting nauseous?  I've lost 5 pounds now,  but I make sure that I eat every 1-2 hours I'm awake.  Exercise?  Forget it.  I'm lucky that I can even use the restroom without falling over.


Lord God, even in this time, I know that you're with me because you promised to be.  In you I trust; no more and no less.  Because I acknowledge you, Father God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit as sovereign Lord of my life and my household, I trust the stability of my health in your hands.  By choosing to follow doctor's orders, I am choosing to follow your lead.  As I send Noel off to serve in Bigfoot youth retreat, a huge part of me wants my husband by my side, but when it comes to serving you, may nothing... not my health nor personal wishes interfere.  So Lord, for these next 4 days and 3 nights, I entrust my husband, myself, Noel's parents all into your all-powerful hands.  May our attitudes and decisions bring you complete glory for we serve you first... beyond ourselves and even our families... to you and for you, Oh Lord, may you truly always come first.

In Jesus' name I pray, amen.



Here's a pic of my first chemo infusion of Dacarbazine... it's cold!

Now it Starts: Port Surgery

Am I ready?

Yes.  No.  I don’t know anymore.  Well, either way, I’m here at my workplace.  It’s 6:15am.  I’m starting the process by registering at admitting, then off I go to radiology for a port placement.  What’s that you ask?  The port is a small chamber placed in my chest with a small tube that goes around my collarbone, into my vein, and stops at the entrance of my heart.  Supposedly, this is for the purpose of quick easy access for chemotherapy, blood draws, etc.  *shrug*  Each step of the way, I have the option of saying “stop.”  Will I do so?  Probably not.

I like to push the limits of what’s considered “normal.”  In my head, choosing local anesthesia is scary because I’ll be awake for the procedure, but I’m curious.  I _like_ to know what’s going on around me.  I like the concept that I can jump off the surgery table right after the procedure and go to work right away.  I hate taking medications and I really dislike not having control.  Local anesthesia it will be!  This way, I also don’t have to go hungry.  This point is very important.  *wide grin*  Hey, don’t laugh!  For me, I really like to eat and I’m never comfortable going hungry. 

Sorry, I’m rambling.  Guess my nervousness is showing.  I’m in full control, but to lay on a table and let someone I don’t know cut into my skin… now that doesn’t seem sane to me.  *sigh*

I can feel my heart pounding.  My breath quickens as I anticipate the near future.   

Stop.   

Breathe in.  Hold.  

Breathe out.  Pause.   

Repeat. 

God, my life is in your hands.  Whatever happens, I leave to you.  If you choose to stop the placement of this port, please feel free to go ahead.  If you want to stop the infusion of chemotherapy meds, even at the last moment, I’d welcome that too! 

Father God, I know you have a plan for my life.  The reason I’m going through with this chemotherapy thing isn’t because I believe that it will cure me, but because I want to live the life you’ve set for me so that you will shine.  I don’t care if everything falls apart… well, I do care, but at the same time, you are more important than my life and so I want to choose a life that puts you on display. 

Father God, to your will, so be it.  My life, my future, my dreams are yours.  Please use me so that I can see more of you.

*prick*  Ah, in goes the IV.  *shrug*  I can feel the nurse fiddling with the line; I've seen this so many times already… anything else of interest to look at?  Glancing around, I feel a rushing ache in the upper back of my throat.  Alcohol?  Whipping my head around, I catch a glimpse of an open alcohol pad used to wipe the syringe just before connecting it to my IV line.  Yup, that was alcohol alright.  Good thing I planned ahead and took Benadryl first thing this morning.  Doesn't matter how many times I warn people, my alcohol allergy is so unusual that almost all cleaning processes use it in hospital settings.

Trickles of cold liquid run down my left neck, into my armpits, down my sides.  What's going on now?  Rolling my head to the left, I watch as a staff member runs a cold swab dripping with betadine to circle my left chest, once, twice, three times over. Ewwww, this feels gross!  The lady directs me to turn my head to the right and keep it there.  Cold and wet, the substance is used to coat my neck as well.  *shudder*  Cold fluid through the IV line and cold sticky fluid.... Ahhh, gotta stop thinking about the cold.  I just need to ignore the discomfort.  I hate being cold!  What else can I focus on?

"Close your eyes."

Huh?

Next thing I know, a large blue sterile sheet presses against my face.  Some paper jabs near my eye.  A rustle of paper, then I feel the sticky edges of the drape being pressed onto my left chest.  Cold, sticky, foam-padded… what?  Oh, the person is applying the drape, pulling it off my skin, then reapplying it; this process is repeated many times until the person decides the positioning is just right.  Ummm, normally not so bad when someone's sedated, but definitely not the type of care catered to someone who's awake and alert.   Does anyone realize how cold and how sticky and how painful just the set-up process can be?  Probably not.  I'm not even gonna bother focusing on the what it's going to be like when they remove the tape used to stretch out my skin.  *deep sigh*  Medical practices are practical, not comfortable.

I can't see anything but blue. Suddenly, bright light pours into my eyes as the drape is lifted off my face and tied up.  Ahhh, I can see the wall again.  Is that a slight reflection of the room against plastic panels?  Yup, I can see outlines of people moving around.  Cool!   Too bad I can't see the procedure.  *sniffle*

"This is the not fun part okay?  It's going to feel like you're getting pinched like this."  *sharp pinch*

Thanks for the warning… I think?

I feel the needle stab deep past my skin.  Lidocaine is injected.  The needle gets partially pulled back and stabbed in at different angles.  I guess it's getting numb... Somehow this round, I can still feel all the places the needle is inserted... I don't remember that being the case last time.  *shrug*  I'm not going to give them any reason to regret letting me stay awake!

A nurse comes up with her hands outstretched, "Do you want to hold my hand?"

"It's okay.  I'm fine.  Thanks."  I'm too busy clenching my right hand in a fist and keeping my left side relaxed.  Honestly,  I don't think I can relax enough to grab her hand. 

"Okay, now you should only feel some pressure.  No pain."

I feel the scalpel run across my chest.  Once.  Twice.  "Ummmmm, I can feel the scalpel."

"Really?  I gave you enough lidocaine that you shouldn’t feel this.  Okay, I'll inject some more."

Again, the sharp pinch as the needle dives deep into my tissue.  Still, I can feel the pressure of the fluid being injected into my body.  Once.  Twice.  Three times. I can feel the excess liquid trickling down the side of my chest.

"Okay, that should be enough to numb the area."

Again, I feel the scalpel run across my left chest.  This time, I decide not to say anything.  I can tolerate pain.  As the surgeon cuts deeper, I stop being able to feel the sharp edges of the scalpel.  Maybe the local anesthetic is finally working?  Whatever, it's better for me to stay quiet than to make comments.  If they really wanted to know how effective their treatments are on an alert person, they'd ask.

*stab* Ouch!  This is the part I hate most!!!  Strong pressure.  Choking sensation.  A hard lump-in-my-throat type feel.  Lovely.  A small guide wire followed by a flexible tube is probably being inserted into my vein with the end near my heart.

*yank*  Huh?  My whole body is being dragged up and down almost to the point where I'm starting to shift on the table top. What's going on?

"I need to break through the old scar tissue from your prior port’s scar to create a pocket for this new port."

Finally, all the rough motions settle down.  Yes, I'm almost done!  I can clearly feel the needle jabbing into my skin, the thread sliding with some resistance through my tissue.  Almost there!  My skin gets pinched closed while a gel-like material is applied... I think this must be the skin glue.  Even if I can't see, I can feel the small foam-like tip dabbing against my skin.  Steri-strip for extra protection, 2x2 gauze, large tegaderm.

Freedom! 

I'm so happy the procedure is done that when given permission to climb off the table, I skip the small step and hop down.  Almost prancing now that the ordeal is done, I look forward to changing clothes and returning to work!  YAY!

Father God, thank you for helping me make it through the procedure!  For me, the unknown can be scarier than pain; however, whatever happens, Lord, I know you are in complete control so I really have nothing to worry about.  Discomfort, pain... All that's temporary.  But you, oh Lord, are eternal.  Even if things go wrong, I believe that if you absolutely didn't want it to happen, it won't.  Lord, with you always by my side, I can be completely nonchalant.  I can push the limits knowing you'll warn me when I go too far.  Father God, in your presence, I have no deep worries.  Yes I am unsure of my future, but I am completely confident that you will step-in when I can't deal with things anymore.  In the meantime, I'll enjoy what I have and what I can still do.  I am self-assured, not in my abilities nor in my own power, but in yours.  I know that you are God eternal, promise-keeper, true to character and love me so much I get spoiled.  In you, regardless of circumstances, I have peace, joy and hope unending.

Thank you, God, for redeeming and using the bad stuff in my life for your glory.  Thank you that I can look forward because of your steadfastness so that I don't get trapped in the darkness of my upcoming chemotherapy.   

Trials.  Unknown future.  Test subject.  Lord, to you, I am none of these things.  In you, the fact I get to dwell in your presence is a given.  I am content.

Lord God, Jesus, Holy Spirit... Give me the strength to fix my eyes only on you.  Help me see the end-goal and not the temporary struggles of this life.  May my life, my choices, my words, my attitude be what it is because I have you carrying me forward.  Continue to bless me so I can see you in action!  Keep my heart from straying away from you.  In this lifetime, show me that just having you is truly enough.

In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Please pray for my physical safety, strength, wisdom with managing symptoms, a good attitude, stability in my body...  stuff like that.  If God wills it, I start my clinical trial of chemotherapy tomorrow morning on May 13, 2015.

For following my blog, for reading my life story, for your wholehearted support, for your love and prayers... I know I am beyond blessed to have you walking with me through this life.  *Super big hug*  Thank you!  (^o^)/

Shaped Under Fire

What date should I set to start chemotherapy?  When's the latest I can delay the tests?  May? June?  Forever?

I'm scared. 

I don't know what I'll lose this round… maybe nothing, maybe everything. In chemotherapy, there are no guarantees except that foreign chemicals are placed into the body… and this time, it’s for a clinical trial. 

There are so many things I still want to do!  I want to participate in my friends’ wedding with no issues.  I want to play in a paintball tournament again.  I want to rockclimb.  I want to hang out with friends without limitations.  I want to host a paintball event.  I want the strength to finish projects!

*Deep sigh*

Stop!  

The purpose of my life isn't in my activities or my capabilities.  I thought I already made the decision to trust in God's provision?  To live the life he’s calling me to live so that his presence will shine… to do this, I can’t do things my way.  My wanting to delay chemotherapy may be the safer and more secure route, but living for God isn’t safe.  Where’s my faith and my trust in him unless I let him lead?

Knowing God, if he wants me to do paintball, participate in a wedding, work, rockclimb… I’ll be able to do it all; chemotherapy or no chemotherapy has absolutely no say in my future.

Lord Jesus, help me completely trust in you, your power, your abilities, your timing, your love for me.  Take away the hesitation that says I don't trust you.  Take away my fear because you are greater than all your creations combined.  Give me strength to do your will and not my own.  Focus my sights on the eternal future and not the temporal. 

Father God, as I once again place my life, my future treatments, my hopes and dreams into your hands... Show me that you are greater than everything and anything!  Set the test dates, doctor appts, schedules, chemotherapy, work... All these, Lord Jesus, I let go and place into your competent hands. 

Thank you, In Jesus' name I pray, amen. 

After I let go of insisting on doing things my way, all the pre-chemotherapy test dates fall easily into place; one after the other… no arguing, switching dates around, pushing to get the tests done closer together… it’s all set.  *Laughter *  Go figure… when I let God work, he does it all so easily.  There’s no way I can schedule all the tests, appointments, meetings, timing of every as well as it is now set. 

*shrug * Chemotherapy to start on May 13, 2015. 

I’m ready... I think.  *wide grin * I love a good challenge!

I’m excited to see how God will show himself.  I look forward to the physical and spiritual battles ahead knowing that the war is already won.  When I focus my eyes on my relationship with God, I am more than satisfied with this life, I love it!  Health, money, time, hobbies… none of these can replace the walk I have in Christ, the safety I have in his presence, the peace I have in his unbroken promises. 

My heart pounds with the unknown future, but I can joyfully state that I know God is in complete control; whatever happens or doesn’t happen, I get to see my amazing God in action, to personally experience his power, to undeniably feel his love.  What better life than to know the God of creation’s got my back?

See you all next time!

Love,

Kristy

Picture of my newest creation under hot flames and still not hot enough!  Eventually, I had to block the opening and use two torches... just barely got the metal hot enough to solder the silver.  =D

Living with Cancer

Tumor (Kristy’s definition): unwanted mass of useless living tissue; a glorified weed located in the body; a source of fear, pain and acknowledged mortality.

I know my CT scan was positive for tumors 4 months ago.  A large part of me is hoping that the tumors in my body would shrink.  Another part of me hopes that the tumors would disappear and never return! 

Striding down my hospital hallway, I flip through freshly printed papers.  These are the new results of my most recent CT scan with contrast.  Chest, still clear.  Good.  Abdomen… ahhh, here I go again.  Am I ready?  I don’t feel ready.  Shaking inside, I see that not only do I have more tumors, but the ones seen 4 months ago are all twice as large as before.  Wait, these tumors are almost half the size of my fist already?  More tumors than before?  Great, my third abdominal surgery was just a year and a half ago and the chemotherapy after that physically wiped me out… I do NOT want to deal with all this cancer stuff anymore!

*deep sigh* 

I’m just starting to get stronger.  I’m finally back rockclimbing and attacking the 5.10-5.11 climbs.  I no longer tremble with fatigue and physically crash so hard I cannot move the next day.  I’m getting better again! 

Do I have to lose my strength?  Do I really have to face becoming physically useless?  I don’t mind losing my hair for the third time, but will I have to give up working?  Give up paintballing?  Give up rockclimbing?  Give up driving?

My chest hurts.  My hands shake.  My vision blurs.  Once again, do I have to place my dreams on hold?  This time around, will I even get back on my feet again?  How many chemotherapy trials are enough?  How many surgeries before I choose to stop?

Father God, tears drip from my eyes as I face the potential difficulties ahead.  The last round of surgery and chemotherapy was extremely rough… it took me over a year to recover and I’m still not where I used to be.  Lord, what’s it going to be this time around?

God, I acknowledge that you are in complete control of my life, my future, my abilities… I know that even through the toughest of times, I get blessed by seeing you perform impossible miracles.  I know that when I am weakest, I notice most your strength, your love for me, your provisions, your amazing power.  Father, even as I get to see you more clearly, I’m still scared.  I hate losing control of my life.  I hate being bedridden.  I hate not being able to actively work and play.

Lord God, you know that I love the challenge of playing unique sports.  In rockclimbing, I get to enjoy the thrill of almost falling, savor the adrenaline of pushing through almost impossible spots, wallow in the sense of accomplishing a difficult goal.  With gentle balance on one outcropping to a light touch on another, I get to fly through the air, occasionally grasping handholds I’m too short to reach.  Success and failure intertwined.  Trial and error.  A twist here, backstep there… I swing my body up and over large round boulders.  Smooth transitions, dynamic leaps.  I can feel my body stretching and muscles sliding as time slows down.  Lord, the impossible becomes possible if I only try hard enough, push hard enough, let go of my fears.  Focus.  Determination.   Tender palms and achy forearms, but I know that I’m alive!  New bruises form.  Excitement.  Tension.  Pure stubborness.  I’m going to make it up or fall trying.  This is what I feel when I climb, knowing that you are besides me every step of the way.

Lord, I don’t want to lose this part of myself!

Then, Father,  there’s paintball.  I’m finally able to get back on the field, still slow, but at least I can play!  I enjoy the thrill of dodging paintballs, protecting my teammates, hunting down my opponents.  Even while breathing hard, I know that I should be able to do even more.  If I can remove the mental limitations, anything is possible!  Shouting out positions, dashing from one bunker to the next, keep my head low and gun up… as I play, satisfaction and disappointment intertwine as one game blends into another.  Lord God, because of you, I’ve learned that there’s no such thing as failure, but there’s always the opportunity to try again.  Again and again, I want to hone my body, my reflexes, my abilities.  I want to continue challenging and being challenged to grow.  I want to feel the rush of a job well done. 

God, I know that it’s only through you, that I’ve made it this far, that because of you in my life, I can confidently jump forward into the unknown… knowing that if I stray too far or push too hard, you’re there to catch me.  Father, it’s because of the security I have in you that I can so fully live my life.  Lord, because of your amazing love, I can take joy in the struggles that come my way.  Father God, thank you for giving me peace.  Thank you for guiding me in medical decisions.  Thank you, Lord God, that I am never alone.  You are my strength, my joy, my purpose.  Without you, Lord, I wouldn’t be the person I am today.

Lord God, thank you for letting me see your provisions.  Thank you for this period of time where I got strong enough to climb rocks and play paintball again.  Thank you for the opportunity to work with tools on fun projects and acquire many beautiful orchids!  Lord, in you, I have peace knowing that this path I walk has a purpose, that my life is not useless.  Thank you that I can continue to serve you by serving those around me.  May my walk with you bring you glory and honor.  May my attitude in good times and bad speak clearly of my relationship with you.   May your presence shine in my life and my lifestyle so clearly none can deny that you exist.

Lord, for as long as you allow it, I will continue to go all out… to work, to play, to enjoy this life to the fullest extent that you have blessed me with. 

Give me patience to wait on your timing.  Give me peace to face the challenges ahead.  Give me hope that in you, all is well.  Give me joy in your presence.  Give me strength to forge ahead.

Lord, may I never stop serving you until one day you call me to rest.  Until then, give me the heart to use all the talents and gifts you give me so that I can complete the tasks you call me to.  Lord, in this life, I choose you first.  Give me the strength to live for you first above all my own hopes and dreams.  Help me acknowledge that in walking with you, I lose out on nothing.

In Jesus’ name I give God my past, my  present, my future, amen.

​At the 2015 March CEPL tournament #1... Noel being weird.

Second Chances

"I've got a story to share!  I screwed up but God used it to spur me on in another situation the very next day.  God is truly amazing!  I'm so excited but I'm not sure who I can share this story with."

"So why don't you write the story on your blog?"

Huh?  What?  "Ummm, It's because the thought process is so Christiany and most people wouldn't be interested right?"

"You'll share this story with me... isn't that the kind of stuff you usually write about in your blog?  Your stories?"

"Oh yeah."  *sheepish grin*  I've not written a blog post that actually hit close to my heart for a while (another excuse for not posting what I have already written and saved on the side).

Somehow, publicly sharing about myself, my thoughts, my heart... it's never easy.  I feel vulnerable.   I feel scared.  *shiver*  Being authentically open is not comfortable; however, if I want my friends to know me, really know me, then I need to share what moves me, the driving force behind my choices, my thoughts, and my actions... and for me, the center of my life is Jesus Christ. 

The primary thing that gives me the resolve to write about my personal life is that God is so amazing, so real to me, so loving!  I'm so excited about what I see and what I experience that I want my friends to have a glimpse of how I think and who I really am.  The Kristy you know is tightly woven with my relationship in and with Jesus Christ.  My God is a huge part of my identity, without him by my side, I would not be the person you now know.

So here is what I hesitated, until now, to write:

"Hey Kristy, how do you manage to stay so positive with all the surgeries and chemotherapy treatments?"

"Well... I'm able to be joyful even when times are tough because I have great support through my husband, Noel, my family, my friends and my community."

Uhhhhh.... what?!?  What kind of answer is this?

Sure what I said is true, but I also completely missed the mark of why I am so content with my life, my body, and the physical hardships with cancer.  What I really want to say is "Because I know I am so loved by God, my entire attitude is based on the fact that God's got my back."

My mouth would not open.  I couldn't speak my heart.  Why?  Of all times, I got cold feet.  Fear of being judged, scared of being ignored, I could not express the one main source of light in my life... that God's personal presence in my life _is_ my key, my strength, my hope... he is my everything.

I've seen God come through impossible situations, make money where there should be none, give me strength when I could only crawl, provide to my needs without ever being asked, give me hope when life appeared hopeless... and above it all, in Christ, I have a purpose even as I lost all ability to be who I thought I was... a racer, a paintballer, a rockclimber and a physical therapist.  My identity is not in my abilities, my capabilities, my physical strength, my possessions... my identity is solidly as a child of Christ... this is my hope, my light and my reason in this life and for this life.

The greatest part of who I am and why I am the way I am comes from having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ... and for the life of me, I could not say it.  My very heart, I hid myself  in empty words.

This blog is my second chance.  My opportunity to clearly express myself.

Now I need to practice my blogging muscles again so this one is going to stay short.

Thank you all for reading!  And a big thanks to Tracey for encouraging me to honestly share my thoughts through this blog post... I needed the extra kick.  *big hugs*

--Kristy  (^o^)/

Tiny plum blossoms, drifting under a car while leaving church.  Such small and delicate flowers, God created in beautiful detail... over and over again, I'm amazed at his creations.

(un)Bound

I'm bored.  Well, that's not true.  I just don’t want to work on any of the projects I have lined up.  *wide grin* 

Flopping backwards on my bed, I flip open my laptop.  Let’s see… what should I look for?  Clicking on one tab to another, I surf the web.  I watch a little YouTube about refractory ovens, watch metal get melted, learn more about making jewelry, watch some survival technique videos, learn how to start fires and tan leather.  Then, the next thing I find myself doing is hunting through Amazon and eBay for materials in new projects I want to start up. 

At the corner of my eye, I notice the section of recommended stuff Amazon so nicely places to entice me to buy more.  Oh hey, there’s manga here that I’ve never seen before!  *drool*  I have not read manga for a couple months now.  Surprisingly, the hard-hitting cravings I used to feel aren’t strong... more like a constant dull ache. 

Since I was about 9 or 10 years of age, I've read novels or stories for multiple hours each day.  I’ve stopped maybe a week at a time, never losing the sense of gnawing need, but fighting hard to keep away and then failing.  My longest stint of non-reading is 40 days for lent a couple years ago… but never have I experience truly being free from reading until now.  By walking closer with God and putting him first in my decisions, I feel truly free.  I have more time, more hope, more joy, more satisfaction and more peace with my life than ever before.  No more heavy sense of guilt or pounding pressure.  Yay!!!

Casually, I click on a manga I’ve never heard of.  Eyes scanning, I read the synopsis.  Clicking the next manga, I read more.  By the time I realized what was happening, my eyes and hands were already busy hunting down the next interesting story.  Even just reading the short back-cover descriptions, the cravings hit me hard.  I _need_ to read more.  I don’t want to stop reading.  I can feel the chains coiling around my heart and around my mind.  My hands automatically move, my eyes scroll right and left.  My sense of self start to disappear into a deep black pit.  Stop.  STOP!  I don’t want this!  I don’t want to be back where I was before!

The deeper I dive into my cravings, the larger the monster inside me grows.  Hunger.  Need.  A senseless wave of compulsion.  Self-hatred.  Loss of control.  I feel defeated, enslaved.

I have two choices; I can choose to feed the gnawing hunger inside and temporarily calm the thrumming in my head; or, I can choose to seek Christ and take comfort in the fact that while I dwell in his presence, I am already satisfied and the cravings can’t get to me.  In the presence of Jesus Christ, I can find peace, freedom, and gain the choice in what to do with my time, my mind, my heart.

God, HELP!!! 

Please bring the curtain of safety down over my head and my heart.  Lock my eyes and my hands away from feeding this raving monster inside.  I’m scared of losing control again.  I don’t want to feel bound to reading in order to satisfy the endless hole in myself.  Lord Jesus, please fill the void that draws me to seek satisfaction away from you.  Please calm the grasping, churning, turmoil inside my body. I forgot the bondage and pain of being drawn into reading; reading past the point of enjoyment and into a prison of hopelessness, loss of control, guilt, and fear.

Lord, bring me close to your side.  Protect me from myself.  Teach me how to enjoy reading again without being bound by it. 

In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Here's a picture of my co-worker and I attempting to walk in a sample 10XL pair of scrub pants:

Sun Stand Still

"Sun, stand still at Gibeon, and moon, in the Valley of Aijalon."  And the sun stood still, and the moon stopped... Joshua 10: 12-13

Ohhhhh... I'd love to see God in action like that!  What kind of prayer would it take to see the impossible happen... to see God come through?  I know God will answer as I pray in alignment with his promises so that his power and glory are demonstrated.  So... what should I pray for?  What _can_ I pray for that would bring God honor, demonstrate his power, and be in alignment with his promises?

Father God, I want that!  I want to see you in action.  I want to see my own version of the sun standing still at my work.  I want to see impossible things happen today so I can have more crazy God-stories to tell!

Thinking of what to pray for... still thinking...ah well, time to see my patient.

“Room five please.  Sorry, we’ve only got this room left.  Would you mind climbing up onto this mat today?  I know it’s a little high, but I have a little step-stool here you can use.  You okay up there?  I need to go grab some supplies so stay up there and don't fall off.”

This is ridiculous!  To ask a patient to climb up onto a chest-high mat and then ask them not to fall off?  I know that when we move into the new building, we get new equipment.  I know that nothing big is being ordered because it'll just be wasted once we move.  When we move... it was supposed to be in 2013, then summer of 2014, now early 2016?  Who knows when we'll move!  All I know is that right now, equipment isn't working and the risk of injury to staff and to patients rise as time passes.

Frustrated and annoyed, I pray:

God, this situation sucks!  Everyone’s working hard, but the lack of working treatment rooms really slows down the whole process.  We’ve got 6 treatment rooms right now, but two have mats that don’t work and one room is small so that treating the bottom of a patient’s foot is really really difficult!  To top it off, the office sink is clogged.  Grrrrrrr… God, can you just fix something?  Even one more room with a working mat would make all the difference… although, new mats would be even better!  *deep sigh*  I don’t know what to do about the sink; we’ve already asked for it to be looked at, but the process is so slow.  God, I’m fed up… can you just do something today?  Anything!

After lunch:

“Everyone, we can’t use room one for now.”

What?!?  A completely unusable room?  What in the world is going on? 

I watch a co-worker grab tape and place a sign over the office sink: “DO NOT USE.”  Well, okay, I know that this office sink is clogged.  Someone came earlier to unclog it, but that didn’t work so he was supposed to come back later.  *shrug*  Guess the sink got more clogged?  But what’s that got to do with room one?

Curious, I take a peek.  Black-colored water is steadily dripping from the sink and pooling over the trash containers, over the floor, and across the mat’s feet.  What in the world is happening?!?  One side of the room is coated in black-watery stuff!  Is that coffee grounds from the clogged sink?  Argh, I guess someone decided to wash their hands in the clogged office sink and because this treatment room’s sink shares the same pipe, the water evened itself out and poured out into our treatment room; one treatment room down... that leaves 3 working rooms and 2 rooms with broken mats.  God, what in the world are you doing?  I thought I prayed for stuff to get fixed, not more broken and messed up!

*deep sigh*

“What in the world are we going to do?”

“Why don’t we move the working mat from the flooded room one into room five where the mat doesn’t work?”

“Great idea!  Who wants to help me move the mats?”

Looking around, everyone in my dept is either super busy or injured.  Disappointed, I’m ready to give up.

“Why don’t you call some of the techs to help?

Couple phone calls later, the working mat in room one is moved into room five and room five’s broken mat is moved into room one.  YAY!!!  Praise the Lord!  That makes four completely working rooms and only two messed-up rooms.  Hurray!!!

Father God, sorry for doubting you.  Yes, you answered my prayer for an extra working treatment room, but the way in which the whole process occurred was totally unexpected!  I never dreamed that stuff would get so messed-up and crazy as the process you choose to work through in answer to my prayer.

God, thank you for all the support at work throughout the moving/fixing process… that everyone stayed calm so I stayed sane.  Thank you for the words of wisdom from co-workers, for fellow staff members not in our department willing to drop everything and come help, for the decrease in number of patients who showed up for their appointments so that the lack of rooms did not cause a stir.  Thank you for the timing of everything going wrong and even the timing of when things got fixed.  Thank you that the issue escalated so much that we potentially may get new mats to replace the two broken ones!  Thank you that the both the sink in the office and in treatment room one got completely fixed and are now even cleaner than before.  Hurray!!!

God, you listen to my silly complaints and you answer my crazy prayers… but how you go about doing so is completely unexpected.  *wide grin*  Lord, thank you for coming through for me and for my department.

In Jesus’ name, I give praise to my God, a God who cares enough to listen and to provide, amen.

What do I dare pray for next?  How will I see God answer?  =D  I'm excited!

So what did I learn?  Be careful how I pray!  Asking in the name of Jesus so that God will be glorified… God will answer, but I find he does it in his timing and in his way.  *wry smile*

Take care!  Hope you all are enjoying the increase in sunshine!

*big hugs* --Kristy