From Helen (Apr 30) - Praise God

Thanks for prayers, outpatient surgery for excisional biopsy and port-a-cath placement today went very well . There was a long delay at the surgery center but all went well as we asked in prayer. Praise Go!!!

My neighbor Karoline was with me all the way through the process and even tonight as anesthesiologist and the nurses did not want me to be alone through the night. I think they just want to be overly cautious! This was a surprise to me  and Karoline but God... He is always faithful to provide even at the very last minute of need!

Another busy day on Friday when Pet Scan, CT Scan and Echocardiogram will be done one after the other. They will not drug me up on these procedures so I will be driving myself over to and fro Wesley Long.

Next week is another significant week ( start of chemo ) but I will let God take care of what I do not see and able to anticipate. We will continue to walk by faith and not by sight.

I am humbled and ovewhelmed with grace from above with people continuing to offer help. God's mercy and grace I did not realize is very overwhelming, so undersercing! I want everyone to know that I continue to struggle giving up the autonomous, rugged individualist, caregiver, rescuer that I have become but I am slowly getting there.... allowing people to take care of me. This is an area of prayer for me. God knowsows I might even like and enjoy it! LOL.

Karen , please let our church family know. Thanks again!

From Helen (May 15) - Praise the Lord - 7th day after first chemo

Hello all ,

The Lord has given me Psalm 139 to meditate on every morning of , every day. At  first glance , I really did not think of its relevance to me and my circumstance but today for the first time the Holy Spirit had gently nudged me to see  bird’s eye glimpse and a foretaste of how good it is to be searched and known by God!

What  I did not realize is that God is involved in the physiologic, biochemical , intracellular levels of our bodily functions. I have always thought that He is only involved in our spiritual realm. How awesome is that  to realize that He is involved up to the very core of our being at the DNA level! “ We are wonderfully and powerfully made “…

Today is day 7^th after first chemo. Statistically, most of my blood count numbers will start plummeting and it was trending down at day 5 when I had the blood test done before I saw my Physician Assistant Amy.

The good news is, I am blessed with good appetite, good night rest, less stress from work , overwhelming support , inundated with God’s hands and feet showing up at every corner; thoughts and prayers expressed in beautiful cards, text and phone calls…. everyday ….. I am beginning to feel breast cancer is a GIFT from God  and I dare not waste it….

The only thing I am struggling with now is my vision  it is a bit blurry and because of it , my balance is also off. This is the reason why I have this very infrequent update. Physical vision may be off but spiritual vision is crystal clear…. God is on to something. Please pray that I don’t ever miss the opportunity to serve and glorify Him .   

Grateful,

Helen

From Helen (May 23) - RE: Nancy Kimmons/ Chemo update

Thanks Kathy, please let me know of anything planned about her Homecoming Celebration , I certainly would like to be there.

Home sweet home for 92 yrs. old , the best place where one could ever be!

Update about me , I have a new look – it includes very round head and very, very short salt and  pepper hair.  Yes , it’s time. The good thing that came out of it is -  somebody paid for my hair cut whom I don’t even know but it was a couple who heard the reason why I needed a buzz . I see that as God’s grace… spontaneous act of kindness . I was in tears as was my sister , tears of joy and gratitude

The other sign of God’s hand which happened yesterday also was when my sister the place for wig , somebody answered the phone and said , the will be open until 6pm . We got there at 5:30 and the place was closed to our surprise. The lady however at the next door informed us that they usually close at 5 but she was gracious to call the owner for the wig place. God would have it that the owner came back to the store from home  to assist us  and to her surprise she also to find out the she forgot to lock  the door where she usually enters! Isn’t God sovereign and during our conversation , I found out that she does not know the Lord and I had the opportunity to plant  gospel seeds! What a day after chemo day!

OH , how God works it all for our good and for His Glory!

I am missing you all and have been very slack in my study! Please pray for focus. I will be back on prednisone for 3 days and hoping that my vision gets better.

From Helen (May 30) - Low Blood Count with High Spirit - Praise the Lord

Hello everyone,

It’s very rare these days that I get enough physical energy to update and even write thank you letters but for few minutes today I get a surge of energy! I am excited to let you know how God has been caring and  growing me  along  this cancer journey even in bits and pieces.

Yesterday was day 7^th after second chemo and according to lab work results and doctor’s insight , I am at the lowest as far as white blood cell count is concern. They expected the number to be higher to prepare for the 3^rd chemo next week but it’s looking like my immune system is overwhelmed and overworked. But , I am not despite the expected and unexpected signs and symptoms!  God has blessed me with his WORD as in  Hebrews 11:1- we will walk in and through this journey by FAITH and not by sight.  “ Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Among other things with critically low WBC ( white blood count) I am very susceptible to any form of infection  so ISOLATION is mandatory and taking good old broad spectrum antibiotics ( which I don’t care for ) is necessary. Guess , I won’t be present physically  in group events per doctor’s order but I will be  present in spirit!. And ….thank you so very much to all of you who have been praying with me.

The coolest and most joyful gift through this experience thus far is more ONE on ONE time with the LORD and more time to pray for others. Isn’t God Sovereign?! This unintended consequences (of  ISOLATION, feeling like having flu forever) due to breast cancer  treatments , God supernaturally transforms into something good as it  is written in  Romans 8:28 . YEAH God! I feel so blessed that I am still able to work despite my chemo brain.!

And my cousin Cely and my sister Chel , they have been given the gift to spoil me.  I have never gotten as much attention in my whole life as I am getting now! What about that for God’s grace and mercy!

Blessings and grace to all ,

Helen