Update from Katy
Dear Loved Ones,
I apologize that it has been so long since I have updated you on the happenings here in Phoenix. Our time apart has been quite eventful due to an allergic reaction to my medicine, the onset of the fatigue that I have been warned about, and the loss of hair in a patch on the back of my head the size of my hand. (Those of you that know me know that I had a few strands to spare, so I am able to cover up easily). If you ask me those seem like such small side effects for having had BRAIN SURGERY! Thank you for your prayers; they are carrying me through this. Each day is so precious to me.
I also had an appointment with my oncologist to discuss the timing and procedures surrounding my chemotherapy. He told me that I would have two weeks off between radiation and chemo to rest and take some tests. As some of you know my grandfather, Frenchy, has cancer as well. Unfortunately his prognosis is that he will only live for a few more months. I have been praying for an opportunity to visit him in Indianapolis, so I am thankful to be able to use this small break to see him. My Dad and Brother have gone back to Indiana to be with him. Please pray for my extended family as you pray for my immediate family during this difficult time.
All My Love,
Katy
posted by Neighborhood Ministries | 5/24/2005 10:30:00 PM
7 Comments:
Good morning, Katy!
As usual I am checking the blog before I start my reading/praying/journaling, etc. time with God. It is good to hear from you, but I'm sorry you had any side effects at all. Sounds like you will be coming home (well, here!) after the radiation is over, so we will all be VERY GLAD to see you (and we will try very hard not to tire you out). I am keeping you and Frenchy and your whole family of course in my prayers.
I wanted to piggy-back onto something Rich Starkey said in his last blog comment. The first day I fasted for you (I have Mondays) I, too, felt an incredible sense of peace about you. Mondays are work days for me, and as I left the library that night to go to the car, I almost floated--not out of an emotional high, but just because of an amazing, total peace for you.
I also loved Vicki K's comment about the radiation pursuing the bad cells (I haven't read it for a few weeks so I apologize if I have misquoted). I had "received" something similar--re 2 Corinthians 4:17--18, where Paul writes that "the temporary, light burden of our hardships is earning us for ever an utterly incomparable, eternal weight of glory, since what we aim for is not visible but invisible. Visible things are transitory, but invisible things eternal." After you shared with us what the radiation session was like, I thought of the room and equipment as visible and transitory, but the radiation itself, invisible, is eternal, or rather, part of the eternal, because God is taking it over and using it to heal you.
I also have some verses to share with the pray-ers (you'll have to look them up!): 2 Corinthians 1:11, Galatians 6:9, and Ephesians 6:18. Our prayers are important, the prayers of MANY are important, and keep on keeping on.
And one final image today: for weeks, as I sit on the sofa with coffee and Bible and journal in hand, I have watched a robin build and sit on her nest under the pergola rafters over the rear deck. Then she started bringing food for the babies, and I could see them grabbing for the food. Then the little robins started appearing in the back yard (on a tree, in a rose bush). And then, I think two days ago, there was no activity at all around the nest. And I thought, just as the babies have left the nest and have gone on to keep growing up, so you, too, will leave this behind you, and keep growing on in the Lord.
God bless you, Katy!
Love, Mother Miriam :)
Katy and the Reel clan: Thank you for the update. You and your family will continue to be in my prayers. Philippians 1:6, Sherry Gray
Dear Katy,
Last time we saw you was during your elementary school days and you visited your grandparents, Jim and Jo. (We were their next-door neighbors.)
Wanted you to know that we are thinking of and praying for you and your family every day.
God bless.
Love, "cousins" Cindy and Phil
Dear Katy, Hi! Just checking in. I am sorry to hear that the side effects are appearing now. Just remember that this is to be expected and that the treatments have to be strong to work.I did not know about your Grandfather's illness. I am so sorry. Your other Grandparents are my aunt and uncle. I love them very much. Is there anything we can do for your parents? We pray for you every day. It is finally sunny and warm here today. It has mostly been a cold, wet spring in Michigan.We will head north this weekend. I hope it is beautiful where you are and that you can enjoy God's sunshine. Love always to all of you, Julia
Dearest Katy,
I think of you and pray for you so often. I can see through your writings what I know to be true--the Lord develops us into the people He wants us to become through trials. The following poem was given to me when I went to Papua New Guinea. I was so scared (you know how I hate the spiders!), and so anxious to leave the boyfriend-at-the-time, but this helped to sustain me and give me peace:
The Will of God
The will of God will never take you
where the grace of God cannot keep you
Where the arms of God cannot support you
Where the riches of God cannot supply your needs
Where the power of God cannot endow you.
The will of God will never take you
where the spirit of God cannot work through you
where the wisdom of God cannot teach you
where the army of God cannot protect you
where the hands of God cannot mold you.
The will of God will never take you
where the love of God cannot enfold you
where the mercies of God cannot sustain you
where the peace of God cannot calm your fears
where the authority of God cannot overrule for you.
The will of God will never take you
where the comfort of God cannot dry your tears
where the word of God cannot feed you
where the miracles of God cannot be done for you
where the omnipresence of God cannot find you. -Author Unknown
I love you Katy Reel. I'll keep praying for you, and now for Frenchy.
Love,
Kim Wilson
Katy,
I am so glad to hear from you again on here. I too am sorry that you have had side effects from your medication. I think of you and pray for you often. I will now be praying for your grandfather as well. I love you so much Katy and hope to get to see you soon. As I am still here at Biola I can only miss those days when we were all living together. They are such fond memories and I will always cherish them.
Love you lots Jenny McGivney
Dearest Katy:
My heart was heavy as I heard the news that you were facing surgery yet again. I hope you are as comfortable as you can be - I know you seek God for comfort and that He will provide. As I said to you, my wish for you is that you could be where you would wish to be - sitting on a beach watching the sunset, loving the kids, driving the van (yeah right!), watching a movie/eating popcorn with "the girls," celebrating with your family, ust enjoying life as you do whatever the circumstances. Hold those precious thoughts and memories close. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I love you Katy. Helen L
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