Request for prayers

Hi everyone,

Chemo day tomorrow (Monday Nov 21). 

Last time around, your prayers, etc. totally changed my experience of chemo week. I am going to push my luck and ask you to do the same this time around.

So, even if as you read this, if you can offer up a quick prayer, positive thoughts, or whatever good vibes you can manage for a good chemo week, I would really appreciate it! Whatever you believe and can offer, I personally believe in the power of all of us together sending all this forth. I've seen and felt its power, and I may be getting greedy, but would love it all again!

THANK YOU so much!!!! And in case I don't get to write before Thursday, have an incredible and very blessed Thanksgiving day.

Love,
Marie

Thank you and Palliative Care Conference

THANK YOU for your positive thoughts and prayers. They have made a HUGE difference this week! I was able to get out of bed and even eat and get out a little every day. I am so amazed at the power of everyone together and I want you to know about the impact it has. It is amazing.

On another note, I attended a palliative care conference last week. The experience was enlightening for me. If you are interested in reading about it, the link is here:

http://commonhealth.wbur.org/2011/11/what-do-you-tell-your-children-about-cancer-palliative-care/

I am so grateful for your support through this and in awe of the difference you make.

The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when he discovers that someone else believes in him and is willing to trust him.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Thank you for your belief in healing. 
Much love to you.
Marie

Prayers for a good chemo week

I hope you are having a wonderful weekend. It is glorious here in New England.

I return to chemo on Monday. I've only had three sessions so far but each round has been crazy hard for me. I recently realized that one of the differences from a year ago is that I used to write to you BEFORE I had chemo and ask for your prayers for a good session. Lately, I have been writing afterwards, which doesn't really give you a chance to pray and send good vibes.

So, for this round, I am writing BEFORE I go in, to ask for your prayers that the chemo kills the cancer cells, that my healthy cell stay strong and escort the cancer cells out of my body, and that I feel fine going through this round. (Feel free to make your prayers even more specific as you see fit.)

Thank you!

Often through my treatments, I feel like I am tracking with my 93-year-old father-in-law, who is not dealing with cancer but does have age-related issues. At various points in this journey, you might find both of us reclined in my family room, each needing a drink of water, but neither able to get up and get it. We would look longingly at the kitchen, which is just a few steps away but seemed to be at the other end of a football field. The silence was only broken by his words, "Will someone be here anytime soon?" We were so comically pathetic.

Each time, eventually, we both healed and were up and walking again. 

When I returned from my recent hospital stay, he had also returned from a hospital stay. Together, we spent a week on clear liquid diets. And once again, we both healed. 

The other day, he came to visit, and, on his way out the door, said something like, "I don't think I can hang on much longer." 

I told him that I've felt that way before, then joked that he should hang on at least another week because his son was coming to visit. He looked at me, smiled and said, "Okay, I can do that."

As he left, I realized that I need him to hang on, even if only because the parallels are starting to freak me out. Almost every single person I meet who has dealt with cancer or anything difficult inspires me to keep going. It is kind of like running a marathon -- when I see others moving forward, I take one more step forward. And if they stop, I suddenly lose my momentum, too.

Thank you for sharing your trials with me - it helps me to step outside myself. Thank you for continuing forward in spite of them, and thank you for managing them every single day - it inspires me to keep going. Thank you for cheering from the sidelines - it feels like roar of the crowds alongside the Boston Marathon. Thank you for living a joyful life - it helps  me to know that this world is full of so many good things. Every little positive action seems to magnify as it travels. Then you for sending yours my way!

Love,

Marie