Noises!

From Lynnea:

It is hard seeing your friend in so much pain and discomfort.  I wish I could take this away from her.

The best thing we can all do is pray for her....I know that sounds so "simple" but she cherishes those prayers for specific things and she knows it is helping!

Pray for a good nights sleep and that her bloating and pressure will subside.

She is experiencing LOTS of bloating and pressure in her belly.  But her illi bag started to "burp" this afternoon....which is a very positive sign.  That means the air is leaving her body and that gave her some relief.

She did sit and eat a little broth and hot tea tonight which was encouraging!  Hopefully tomorrow she can move on to thicken liquids. (Doesn't she look amazing for not showering in 4 days?!?!?)

The doctor says that she is "right on schedule."  So I guess that is good....but Marcia would say these last few days have been the worst days she has ever had.  She didn't realize/grasp how hard this kind of surgery was going to be.  But by God's grace she is keeping a positive attitude through it all.

Small Update

Lynnea again:

I texted Marcia today and it sounds like she is in a bit less pain....which is encouraging!
But she is so very tired and wiped out that she isn't up to any visitors at this time.

Please continue to pray for her and for her family as they are missing their queen.

Marcia was able to get up a walk for a bit this morning...so that is another positive praise report!
She sees her surgeon tomorrow so she most likely will have more of an idea of how long she will be in the hospital for after he assess her progress.
Blessings!

Prayer Points

Lynnea again:

I was able to see Marcia this morning and she is in good spirits.  She needs to rest and let her body heal but the doctor is happy with her progress.

The doctor wanted her to get up and try and sit in the chair today and she almost passed out.  She is very bloated and tender and is pushing the morphine pump!  So you can pray for that the pain will be controlled and that she can get a solid nights sleep.

Pray that her bowels will start working, the illio bag is working but she is just passing bile at this time.

She is drowsy but her positive spirit shines through. She is amazing and I'm so very proud of her!
She is happy to have this part of the journey over with.

She told me she feels very loved and cared for and she appreciates the prayers so much.

In recovery

This is Lynnea updating for Marcia while she is in the hospital:

Marcia's surgery started around 2:00 and lasted about 4 hours.
The surgeon took out about a foot of her colon and the lymph nodes surrounding it and it all is being sent away to pathology.  We should have those results in about a week.

It sounded like the surgery part all went smoothly.  She has her ileostomy bag in now and will have that for about 6 months.

She will be in the hospital for about 3-7 days.
Of course everyone is praying and hoping for 3 days!

The whole family appreciates the prayers and love for them during this time.

His eye is on her!

Providence...

...means God's foresight: the way He anticipates and prepares for the future. It is the protective care of God. It is the way He guides and steers your life personally. In all the circumstances of your life and the events going on around you, you can trust in the providence of God.
                                       Taken from my "Bible in One Year "app
Providence. This is my word for today.
    This morning I met with a lung specialist to discuss a nodule in my right lung that showed up on the PET scan back in February. It was 5mm in Feb and shrank to 2mm on the May CT scan. They do not know what it is but it is suspicious because it shrank during chemo. It could be a fungal infection or it could be cancer. It is very tiny and therefore they cannot biopsy it. The only way to really know what it is would be to have lung surgery and remove it.
 At this point, the plan is to watch it. If it grows, it needs to come out. This would mean surgery on my right lung to remove the whole bottom lobe. It is major surgery and would require a week stay in the hospital. 
  If it stays the same or disappears they will rescan me periodically to monitor it. I am due for another scan the beginning of July.
 As you can see....all of this is in the hands of God and totally out of my control. I share this so you can be in prayer that God will completely heal me. He knows best, how to bring that about. Pray for wisdom for the doctors.  Pray for the PEACE of God that passes all understanding to rest on me and my family. God sees everything and He knows everything. He knows the future and already has a plan in place for me.
Divine Providence (according to Wikipedia)- God's extraordinary intervention in the life of people!
                                                                           aka Miracles!
  I'll take it!!


Job 10:12 You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in your providence watched over my spirit.
I love you Jesus!
His eye is on the sparrow and He watches over me!
Marcia
 
 

Be anxious for nothing....

   ...but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus! Phil. 4:6-7
  It has been awhile since I blogged! I've been busy jamming my summer into one month and oh what fun it has been! These past weeks hold many sweet memories and it feels good to have phase one behind me!
I'm so thankful for:
1. Energy!!! I appreciate being able to cook and clean again believe it or not!
2.A wonderful family vacation at Raystown. I even squeezed in some water skiing! Such a peaceful place to be!
3.The end of the school year and more free time!
4.Many precious birthday celebrations from breakfast parties to pedicures, lots of presents!  Hobby Lobby shopping, lunch with friends, dinner with family and lots of laughter! I felt quite spoiled, loved on and blessed!
5.Adrienne's new job.
6.A bigger work van for Duane. He is having fun getting it all set up.
7.Kyle's job and that he can help Duane out when needed.
8.Summer! My favorite time as I get a break from homeschooling and can catch up on housework and projects.
9. Unhurried mornings to meet with Jesus.
I cherish these gifts and so many more!!
  There are times when anxiety and fear want to creep in as I think about the future. Fear of the unknown and the reality of the changes that will be taking place in my body occupy my thoughts. Add hormonal changes to that and you get a very interesting mix of emotions! Mostly tears! I'm so thankful for friends and family who understand. I know that it is very normal to feel this way. The best cure is to continue to feed on God's word. His words are truth and I'm so thankful to have something to hold me firmly. He is my anchor in all of this!
   My surgery is scheduled for Friday, June 26th. They will resection my bowel and will give me a temporary ileostomy. It will probably be about a 3 hour surgery and I'll be in the hospital for 4-5 days. Some days the waiting seems long and I just want to get it over with but I'm sure it will be here before I know it!
    For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds, says the Lord...
Jeremiah 30:17a
  God is challenging me to speak His word over myself daily. Isaiah 55:11 says, " So is my word that goes out from my mouth; It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." This season of my life has caused me to dig into God's word even more. That and your prayers enable me to walk in peace when the fears come.  The more I dig into the Word I see that it is full of power, life and good news and promises!
  Laughter is so refreshing and I pray that this next phase holds lots of it! I'll just say in advance, that if I fart, fluffer or toot in your presence, I'm sorry, I can't help it.
I know you are either laughing or totally grossed out...oh well. Get used to it.
Thanks for your prayers and love!
Marcia