His Eye is on the Sparrow...

   So, I'm new to blogging but I think this will be a great way to keep you all informed of my journey. I found out a few weeks ago that I have rectal cancer. I'll share some minor details with you as to what lead up to this diagnosis. If you don't want the details just feel free to skip the next paragraph.
    About 3-4 months ago I started having a lot of diarrhea and noticing some blood and mucous in my stool. I also had some pain that felt like a really bad hemorrhoid and I was very tired. This lead to me having a colonoscopy done. That is when they found the tumor. I'm sorry for the details but many of you have asked what my symptoms were. Maybe it is the nurse in me that does not mind sharing. I'm so thankful for a husband who made me get to the bottom of it ( no pun intended) and that they found the problem.
    The past two weeks have been full of scans, Dr. appts and waiting for test results. Needless to say it has been a very emotional two weeks. In the midst of it all God has met me and calmed my fears. I know that is because of all your prayers.
  I have a wonderful husband, a caring family and a very dear friend who have all rearranged their schedules to be by my side these past 2 weeks.
  My diagnosis is stage 3 rectal cancer. There are a few lymph nodes that also showed up on the PET scan in the same area as the tumor. The plan of treatment is oral chemo and radiation together. This means a trip to the health campus cancer center Mon- Fri for 6 weeks. I will probably be starting treatments in the next week or so.
  After that, they will do surgery to remove the mass which should be much smaller at that point. Then I will get 4 more months of Chemo by IV.  That is a lot to think about right now but we are just remembering to take one day at a time. God gives each of us what exactly we need for THIS day and we are not to worry about tomorrow!
  God has ministered many precious things to my heart through songs and Bible verses these past weeks and I've been journaling them to remind myself of His faithfulness on the days when I feel yucky.
  There is an old hymn called "His Eye is on the Sparrow" that the Newsboys recently put on an album. I heard this song on the radio one day when I was waiting to hear my test results. I felt like God spoke to my heart clearly that He is watching over me.  How comforting these words are to me!
Here are the lyrics:
Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heav’n and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me. 

I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.


Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.


What is the price of two sparrows- one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.
 Matthew 11:29-31


I'm believing that God is going to do great things in my life and the lives of my family on this journey. We are praying and believing for complete healing from cancer. By His grace and strength I will not despair but be filled with joy...even in suffering. You can agree in prayer with us for all this and much more!
 Blessings!
Marcia