To My Fellow Cancer Survivors

I am honored that you have chosen to take a peek at my blog and I would like to ask a favor of you. If you have the time, and the emotional energy, I  would love to hear from you! We all have a story and I’d love to hear a little bit about yours. I promise to keep our conversations and the details of your story confidential. I would be thrilled for an opportunity to encourage you personally and to pray for you. I know that when I was sick I was so thankful for friends and family who were willing to go before God on my behalf when I was too weak to do so for myself. Now is my opportunity to pay that favor forward! So, if you are so inclined, won’t you drop me a note? I would consider it a privileged to have you in my life. I can be reached at petesblessed11@gmail.com

As you courageously muster the strength to deal with what is undoubtedly the most difficult challenge of your life I would like to encourage you with these words from a devotional called “My Thoughts Towards You”, timeless truths written in 1965.

        The eternal God is your refuge and dwelling place,

       and underneath are the everlasting arms Dt. 33:27

God says:

No matter where you are and no matter what is going on around you, you are safe in me. I am your refuge and dwelling place. My arms never tire of holding you. During the day remember the everlasting arms of God are holding you. Resting in your awareness of me will bring you closer to trust. Do not strive. I am a God of peace.  

Trust me and enlarge the walls of your understanding. Your soul will expand in quietness. Your entire being will radiate. This is my will for you.

Your dwelling place and your home is in my arms. You can trust that the concerns of your heart are held securely in the promises I have given you. My will for you is that you trust, lean on and confidently hope in me.  As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so am I round about my people forever. Do not reject my embrace.

Laura Story singing "Blessings"

My 13 yr Transplant Anniversary

               

According to my husband today, June 4, 2012 is my thirteen year bone marrow transplant anniversary! ( I'm not very good at remembering dates.) This has been an especially wonderful year in my 53 years of life and I am overflowing with gratitude to my great and mighty God for blessing me with the gift of these past thirteen years. It is hard to find words to express such deep gratitude, but He knows my heart. To know that He rejoices over me as I celebrate this milestone is outrageously humbling and gratifying.

 I would like to use this occasion to say thank you to so many…

 My husband, Glenn… for protecting me, advocating for me, caring for me, but most importantly, for encouraging me. In my darkest moments he told me I would be fine and I believed him. He gave me the greatest of all gifts amidst a not so great prognosis…HOPE.  He was mom and dad to our two children for a very long time. ad to juggle Had to juggle finane Required to juggle finances, our home, his job and be there for me was an overwhelming responsibility and I thank him for not bailing, but fighting for me with every ounce of his being. I love you.

My sister Tracey…for giving me her very life blood, which I know was no easy sacrifice. Required to have  surgery to install a port in her chest for me, subjected to 4 hours or more on an apheresis machine for me; and as if that was not enough, a few weeks later she was asked to have surgery and donate all over again. Calling to ask her for a second donation was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. She had already given so much. Of course, she did not hesitate and told me she would be willing to do the same for anyone who needed it. That’s just the kind of woman she is …my hero.

My kids, Nic and Bree…for all that is lost when your mom is sick for over two years, I am truly sorry. I can’t begin to understand how scary that time must have been for you. I am thankful for your strong faith, which I’m sure was an ever present comfort. You are, and always will be, my greatest source of pride and joy. I am so impressed with the amazing adults you have become despite life’s challenges. I guess it is true that “what does not destroy you makes you stronger”. I love you from here to the moon and back.

My parents and siblings…You were my rocks, my foundation; the best support system a person could ever be blessed to have. Glenn and I relied on you for so much and you always went over and above with your love, support and generosity. We adore each one of you.

My best friends…You know who you are. Thank you for, entertaining my kids, making me laugh, playing scrabble with me at chemo, rallying the troops, sleeping over in my hospital room, and lifting me before the throne when I was too weak to do so for myself. I am eternally grateful.

My medical team… Dr Vesole and the staff at the University of Wisconsin Bone Marrow Clinic who provided me with exceptional medical care, kindness and understanding. To all of the doctors, nurses, housekeepers, lab and x-ray techs, you were my guardian angels.

Yesterday at church the passage we studied was Zephaniah 3:17. As I listened to the pastor frequently repeat the passage, it struck me how true these words have been in my life.

Zephaniah 3:17

 The Lord your God is with you,
 the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,

but will rejoice over you with singing.

  

 God has made His presence known in my life by the miracles and blessings He has showered me with. I don't know how to adequately say thanks for the things He has done for me, but I will continually remember to give Him the glory for every good thing in my world.