Anticipation


"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him." 

1 Corinthians 2:9 


Such a precious picture of my momma! (Photo courtesy of mom and dad's friend Bob 😍)


Happy anticipation: my freesia bulbs finally blooming. 😊


As human beings we anticipate lots of things: the beginning of a new school year, weddings, vacations, a dental appointment, job reviews. Some of these things we anticipate with excitement and others bring feelings of great angst. This journey with mom has had its share of both excitement and angst. In the excitement "category" is the likelihood that she will be discharged from Mission Hospital in the next few days. No one will joyfully anticipate the prospect of going home more than mom after being in the hospital for five weeks. 

Ironically, there is both excitement and angst for dad, my siblings and me with mom coming back home. It will be a huge transition for the entire family and there are many unknowns until she is actually back home regarding the level of care she will require, transporting to and from radiation treatments, etc. Still under consideration is the possibility of mom being transferred to a skilled nursing facility before returning home. These are weighty decisions and we truly covet your prayers to have the supernatural wisdom to do what is the very best for mom and for dad as well.

Mom has tolerated radiation and chemo really well Monday - Friday of last week, which is a huge praise report (thank you so much for your prayers!). She has experienced very little in the way of side effects so far aside from fatigue. She has also made good progress with walking. The physical therapist reported that she walked 150 steps on Friday. Woo hoo mom!!

One of the greatest comforts in the midst of so much that is unknown is the confidence that God is sovereign. Though we have no way of knowing what these upcoming days/weeks/ months hold, He does. And as we prayerfully place Ann into His care, we can rest in His goodness and love for us. I, to be totally honest, don't always do well in the trust/confidence department but thankfully my level of faith doesn't determine Abba's love for my parents nor limit His ability and desire to move on their behalf. Phew!

Prayer requests:

  • For good communication with Mission Hospital regarding mom's needs with the transition home: hospital bed and other supplies, including Temodar (the oral chemotherapy). Or... if skilled nursing is what's most prudent that that would become super clear as well.
  • Dad will need a lot of support from family and friends to be with mom part of every day so he can attend to various responsibilities. I need to come up with a calendar for family and friends to take time slots throughout the week. (If any of you have ideas to help me with this I would be very appreciative.)
  • For mom to continue to tolerate chemo and radiation well. She's been a trouper and thus far has "rocked" treatment.
To close for now, I love, love, love this quote by Alexander MacLaren. Indeed! May I/we trust that whatever trial God has called us to walk through, He will also equip us with "strong shoes" for the journey.


"Each of us may be sure that if God sends us on stony paths He will provide us with strong shoes, and He will not send us out on any journey for which He does not equip us well."

Alexander MacLaren


Lord, I believe please help my unbelief (from the gospel of Mark 9:24),

Terrie

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