Continue to pray.....

So yesterday morning started out I was feeling really good. After eating some yogurt and crackers for, lunch I developed another episode of severe abdominal pain. I have only been able to eat very small amounts at a time. My bowels are moving but I am still very very bloated. They are going to do a CT scan this afternoon to check if there is any kind of obstruction or possible swelling around the incision where they reconnected my bowels. My iv also stopped working so I'm waiting for them to come and start another one.  
On top of all of this, on the way home last night Kyle was following Duane in the Subaru.  Duane was in the suburban. There were deer crossing the road and Duane had to come to a complete stop.  Kyle did not get stopped in time and  he rear-ended Duane. The front end of the Subaru is smashed in. The suburban has minimal damage. They're all okay thankfully but it just feels like one more big thing right now.
I know you are all praying for us.  It feels like a huge test in trusting and being thankful in spite of it all.  
Thank you! 
Marcia

Making progress

Well folks....I'm still in the hospital. Each days has its little victories. Progress seems so slow and I'm so ready to come home but I'm trusting God knows best and will see me through this.

Morning update on Marcia:

She vomited overnight again. She is SO tired. There are some bowel sounds but no real movement yet. She was walking through the night but will most likely not come home today yet.....she asked again that we please pray. 
My heart is just hurting for her....I wish she wasn't in so much pain and discomfort! 
But we are believing for complete healing throughout her body! 
A praise report is that her fever is gone!
Thank you for continuing to lift her up! <3

Update on Marcia

 She is resting now in the hospital.  She needed IV fluids and the pain medicine is giving her some relief.
Pray her system will start working again and that she will be able to eat soft foods again and that everything will start moving!
She is exhausted and was dehydrated. Pray also against any infection.
Thanks! <3

New prayer request!!!!

Hey guys, I just got a phone call that Marcia is back in the hospital and is in severe pain. She asked if we could pray for her. She is very tired and worn out. I will update as I can.

Prayer Request

Good morning....this is Lynnea for Marcia this morning.

Her surgery went smoothly yesterday and last evening when I left the hospital she was really doing well and resting comfortably.  She had taken in some clear liquids and was even up and took a short walk through the hallway! So we were both very encouraged.

But this morning she is feeling VERY bloated and in a lot of pain and discomfort.  Please pray that her bowels will soon start to "wake up" and start working.

Thank you for lifting her up today and we are hopeful that things will start moving soon and she will be on her way to complete healing!

You shall go out ( of the cancer center) with Joy...

....and be led forth in peace. ( I was careful to not let the door hit me on the way out.)
  We are so happy to report that I'm done with chemotherapy and my CT scans all come back clear! We have been busy celebrating with family and friends! We just marvel at God's faithfulness through it all.
    I have been enjoying not being sick anymore! My blood counts still need to come back to normal which should happen in a few weeks. I still take naps often and need to build up my stamina again but overall am feeling pretty good.
 My ileostomy reversal surgery is scheduled for Feb. 22 and they will take my port out at the same time. That is the last major event on this journey. The Dr. will continue to follow me. I'll have blood work in 3 months and more scans in 6 mo.
   It will also take time for my body to adjust back to having "normal plumbing". Dr. says I'll have frequency and urgency till those muscles get strong again. Since I am missing part of my colon I will  have to adjust to a new normal.
   As I reflect on the past year I remember how near God was in times of despair and how comforted we were by His love. Those are precious things I hope I never forget. Spiritual blessings really do come wrapped in trials.
   As I type this, I am thinking about a dear family from our church whose house burned to the ground this morning. Total loss. We never know what a day may bring.
  Trials have a way of putting normal life on hold. How do we respond when these big life interruptions take place? We grieve, we adjust, we wait, we hope, we receive help. All those things we do with Jesus by our side. He is always there. We stay connected to the one who holds the whole world in His hands. We abide in the one who gives us abundant life. These things God takes and uses for good. Maybe we don't see it now. Deeper trust grows, our roots get stronger. We focus on things that have eternal value. Trials change us for the better, if we allow God to do His work in us.
  
Psalm 91 was part of my devotions today.
The Message
....Say this: " God you're my refuge.
                 I trust in you and I'm safe."...
A reminder that Jesus is the only sure thing in this world!


Blessings!
 Marcia






 

What is chemo "really" like???

My dear friend blogged about our time together today so here you go:

Click on this link to read her post

I cannot lose....

.....when I choose GRATITUDE.  With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I am reminded of all the things I have to be grateful for. These past few months have been a cycle of " on week, off week." I feels like chemo dictates a lot of our lives right now. Every other Tuesday comes around rather quickly. However, I feel as though God multiplies my time on my off weeks. I cherish getting out of the house and spending time with my family. I soak up the beautiful weather and love waking up to the birds singing out my window. It is a daily morning reminder that God has His eye on me ( and you)!
 I have 7 chemo treatments done and 5 more to go. I'm over the hump! The doctor is happy with how I'm tolerating it.  I get pretty tired and sleep a lot which is also a nice relief from the nausea. I'm also so grateful to say that I did not miss any of Kyle's soccer games- a wonderful diversion from feeling yucky!
 An answer to prayer for us has been our health insurance. We thought that our plan would be discontinued at the end of this year and we would have to shop around. We got a notice about a month ago that the plan will continue till the end of 2016! Another sweet reminder that God cares and is watching out for us.
 I feel as though we have been on the receiving end of things and it is very humbling . All the rides to chemo, all the meals, all the sweet notes of encouragement, all the house cleaning, all the hugs and prayers add up to a lot of LOVE! My family and especially Duane take care of me so much without receiving in return during my treatments. True love!!!  Times like these you see the goodness of God in very tangible ways.
  Psalm 119:116-117
 Sustain me, my God, according to your promise, and I will live; Do not let my hopes be dashed.
 Uphold me, and I will be delivered; I will always have regard for your decrees.


Love these verses! Jesus is sustaining me on this journey!


 I want to ask you to pray for a friend ( her name is Carol) that I met this summer at a gathering of cancer survivors. She found out that her cancer is back and has to do more chemo. Pray for complete healing and peace for her and her family.
Other things to pray for :
-That me and my family would stay healthy
-That my blood counts would stay at a level that I can continue treatments
- That we would be at peace and stay close to Jesus


This past week at our Life Group we focused on Mark 4:35-41.
Jesus calms the storm. Have faith! He has it all under control!!


Blessings!
Marcia

More "Take Her A Meal" opportunities! :)

Hello to all of Marcia Stauffer​'s faithful blogger readers!!

Marcia is on her last 3 months of chemo!!!
If all goes as planned she should be done by Jan. 5th!!!

I want to finish strong in supporting her and the whole Stauffer family!  So there is a new meal schedule with more dates open for those who would like to bless them with a meal!
click on the link below to sign up:
http://www.takethemameal.com/meals.php?t=KEYA2647

Thank you soooo much for loving on Marcia in this way! <3
I know the whole family really appreciates all the meals!