thread for middle age to older Christian women.

bandwoman1234

Dear ladies of faith,

I am very overwhelmed and humbled at the outpouring of love and support you have shown me through your posts, your PM's and your emails. One person even sent me a beautiful gift which was awesome.

I have never been comfortable being the center of attention and I have never aspired to be a drama queen!

With that said I want you all to know that I do forgive those who have hurt me and probably without intending to or even being aware that it affected me in the way it did.

It is obvious to me now that my time on the forum has meant a lot more to many of you and more than I realized. As I have mentioned before I have taken my time on this forum very seriously and felt it was a ministry that the Lord has placed me into.

I am not sure what the Lord wants me to do yet. When I looked at all of the views that our thread gets it made me aware that there are people who read our thread that may never post but want to see what a Christian thread looks like. I am always aware that our words are so powerful and may reach people not only in the present but years into the future. Our words may be read by people that will never post but trying to decide what is the meaning of their life and what is going to happen when they die. They may be trying to find a safe place that there is expressed love and concern towards one another. Words matter and our Christian spirit and the way we interact with each other matters. I had the privilege to attend a Sandi Patty concert last week. Besides the music being fabulous she said one thing in such a heartfelt way that I think I will always remember it. She said when it is all said and done it is the love that we have shown to people that really matters in the end.

So whether this is my last post or only one of many more to come I do hope that this thread will continue to love and support each other in words and in prayers. That it will be a beacon of light and hope to a very scared lady that has just been diagnosed with bc and is looking for a place to find comfort and direction. I pray it will be a place that a strong Christian woman can come and interact with other ladies of faith and be encouraged and uplifted. I hope that it will always be a place that we point everyone to Christ. This is a CHRISTian thread and it should be different than all the others.

Love,

Nancy

GardenGal777

Dear Nancy,

I still linger in the shadows and check in on this page from time to time. I pray that I have never offended you on this page and thank you for being her to be a spiritual supportive sister in Christ. God leads all of us in different paths in life. Some come, some go, some return and some we wonder whatever happened to them. I look forward to seeing so many of you in heaven some day where we can share the victory together. I know that unkind words hurt so deeply. I also know that satan uses those very words to destroy that which is working for God's good. He knows that he cannot have the final victory but he can destroy or set discord among the brethren. You do what you must do. I knew that while on here I was an encouragement to many that Angie mentioned but as new sister's came on, many did not understand why I was even on here. I took some hurtful digs and some cold shoulders. But I knew that as long as I was being of encouragement to the majority, I would stay. My own family issues with my dad and my husband have caused me to go in other directions these days but my thoughts and prayers are with the women on this website. It has given me more compassion and selfishly an appreciation for what I have. Every day it is a reminder to not take life and health for granted. You have been beacon to many of us in times of storms and although we will always have our Heavenly Father, our earthly sisters in Christ are precious.

Thank you for your prayers and tears. I love you dear sister.

Char

Lita57

Well said, Char.

SaltyJack

I'm another lurker here.....some of you who have been on the thread for a while may remember me because this thread and you were an amazing blessing to me through my BC treatment three y ears ago - and our dear sweet Nancy was (and still has been for y'all) so faithful in posting her own incredible pictures, sharing banners and signs, keeping track of everybody's situation to remind us of prayer requests and acting as such an encourager to us all. As Char said (who my continuing friendship with is another one of the very "good" things God brought to me through BC), life's business and busyness have lessened my involvement here. I still read the posts - sometimes two or three days in a row and sometimes not for a month - but I pray God's richest blessings on you all and that you each (that includes you, Nancy) continue to share the good days and bad, smiles and tears - always knowing that our Great Physician is in control and has a reason, plan and purpose for everything.

To God be the glory - in all that we say and do.

Saltyjack/Bev

magdalene51

Hi sisters, here is the link to the thread where you can find my update. Thank you for all your prayers.

Blessings, Mags

Insomniacs thread

bandwoman1234

Thank you Char and Bev for your beautiful posts. Several months ago I watched this TV series where the main character had cancer. She went to a cancer support group and met some great friends. As one of their friends was dying his last wish was to have a memorial and have his friends speak while he was still alive. It was a very emotional episode and I thought we do things sometimes backwards in our society. Quite often we don't tell someone how much they mean to us until after they are gone. I have had the privilege to still be alive to hear all of your wonderful words of encouragement and it has touched my heart.

Aurora, I have been praying that your second time with Abraxane will work for you and praying that your scans did not show a worsening condition after being off treatment for so long.

Faith, praying for your first eye to heal and praying for your second cataract surgery coming up in a few weeks.

Mags, I read your post and I will be praying for direction for you. It did sound like positive news as far as the tumor growth. Maybe a milder treatment will be just the thing for you to have a better quality of life. I am also glad to hear about DH which is also a positive. I have continued to pray for both of you.

Joanne, thanks for all of your uplifting banners and songs and lyrics that you post that always hit the nail on the head.

Bev and Char, you have both been a blessing to me and many ladies on this thread. I have on more than one occasion scrolled back to the very beginning of this thread and through your time on this thread. You both have been such a blessing in your encouragement and in your character which was and is such great role models for everyone to see. To see you both post now is a blessing.

I am still receiving PM's from some of you and I appreciate ALL of your support. I have sent out a few PM's that maybe some of you have not seen.

I am starting a very intense two weeks taking a photography class. It will be 12 hours in class plus (he usually runs over) and 4 hours of commute in four sessions and that includes homework in between sessions. In other words I am going to be very busy starting tomorrow. I am still waiting on the Lord's direction and I am still praying for you.

I visited an orchid nursery yesterday. I thought you might enjoy these. God's workmanship never ceases to amaze me.

Love

Nancy

Teka

Yes, beautiful pics Nancy. I also love the soft salmon colored ones!

bandwoman1234

Thanks Joanne and Teka. This nursery has a sign that there are 25,000 varieties of orchids in the world. Who knew! I have buyers remorse in that I wish I had bought some plants while I was there to practice photographing here at home.

Kindergarten

Love You, Nancy!! You are always a Blessing to others!!

bandwoman1234

Thank you Kathy. I miss you.

Here is a word of encouragement. The last I checked it was 47 days until the time change. Today when I checked it is only 27. Wooooooooooooooooohoooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I pray that we can lift each other up in love and encourage one another and this thread will thrive.

Love,

Nancy

Ade

Nancy your photos are exquisite! Have a wonderful time at your classes but don't wear yourself out.

Mags, it looks like things are a little more hopeful both with tumor shrinkage and DH. Know we love you and you are in our prayers. The LORD is with you, in you and for you.

There is a little fella, Nicholas, who goes to our church. He was diagnosed with a rare form of aggressive brain cancer a year ago at only 9 years old. He underwent an extensive brain surgery and has been on rotating chemo AND radiation for this whole year. His latest scan shows no growth in the brain tumor but now a spot on his spine. They gave him a 10% chance of survival for the brain cancer a year ago when he was diagnosed. He has 4 brothers and sisters, a loving father and a mother who is a strong woman in the Lord. If you can find it in your hearts to pray for this little boy and his family they would be truly blessed.

Love,

Ade

bandwoman1234

Ade, I am praying that little Nicholas will beat those odds. Such a precious young man who certainly deserves better that what he is dealing with but God can work things out of the worst situations for His glory and His good. Praying that will happen.

I survived a very long night. Got too the class an hour early and he didn't let us out until 10:30 pm so it has been a five hour night and I am done in. I worked so hard before the class started that I actually did all the homework for Thursday going into the class tonight. So glad that happened.

I am in the middle of a living room make over in the midst of all of this other stuff. Crazy week for sure.

Thank you Ade on your nice comments on my orchids. I went out and bought an orchid today just so I could practice taking pics here where I can manipulate the lighting and try out one of my specialty new lens that has been sitting in the box since Christmas. This is not the new lens yet. No time to fiddle with that today.

Going to bed now.

Love

Nancy

magdalene51

Nancy, it's so good to see you here! My cousin was given an orchid last summer and I took some picks with my phone, hoping to get around to painting it sometime. I put is on a background of brown velvet for a nice contrast. Here's one:

I've decide to go forward with the chemo and left a message with the oncologist. Now just waiting for a callback with a time.

jrow7

My name is Jenn, I'm 40. I have 5 children (19, 17, 15, 8, 8) and a wonderful husband of 20 years. I'm awaiting surgery 3/1. Just dropping in to say "hi".

Warm regards to all...

zjrosenthal

I am so glad you have made your decision about cheno.. I pray you at peace with it. Please continue to post your so we can pray you through whatever is going on day by day.

Jenn, welcome to our group. There is a lot of prayer support here. We will be praying for your surgery.

love, Jean

Blessedteacher37

Good evening ladies,

Just checking in to say hello. All of you have been in my prayers as you cope with side effects, healing from surgery, scans and test results, treatments, family illness, insurance issues...the list goes on . I have two friends currently dealing with surgery and radiation treatments. In addition to praying for you, I also pray for research to continue until we find the cause and cure for this disease that has affected the lives of so many.

I am blessed to announce that I have finished PT for my hip surgery , and have my last surgeon appointment this week. God has blessed me with a good recovery and my energy is slowly returning.

Next month begins the round of Cancer related appointments...hopefully they will all be reduced to once a year.

My daughter is getting married in September, so the next few months will become hectic...trying to be a good mom and let her have the wedding SHE wants. Our Bible Study is in the last three months and the leadership opportunity has been a real blessing.

I'll continue reading the posts and praying for you all, Even though I won't post often. I have had little trouble with the Tamoxifen this time and hope it keeps the few hormones I have left away from each other!

God bless all of you ; I know God will continue to hear our prayers!

Ellen

bandwoman1234

Dear ladies,

As I had expected I have spent a lot of hours studying. I am taking a short break.

Mags, I love your orchid pic. I am glad to hear you are going to try to hang in there with your chemo. I am praying for you.

Joanne, thank you and I am praying for you and your family.

Ellen, congratulations on finishing PT. That has got to be a great feeling to have two hip surgeries behind you. I know you will be excited and hopefully enjoy the pre wedding things to share with your daughter.

Jenn, welcome and know we will be praying for your surgery on March 1. We welcome any age ladies here by the way. You are so young and I am so sorry you have been affected but praying that you will have a great outcome and that you can go forward with a treatment plan so you can get back to being a mom of five and to your DH.

Have a good evening dear ladies.

Love

Nancy

I will eventually get caught up on my communications so please bear with me.

SA8PG

Welcome to our encouragement corner Jenn!!! Your in the best hands for your surgery with our Lord!!!! If you have any questions let us know. I'm a mommy to 8, diagnosed at 39. You will be in our prayers for your March surgery!!!!

Continued prayers and blessings to all of you ladies on here.

You are loved!!!!

Ade

Good morning, Girls!

Nancy, I hope you are getting enough rest with so much going on right now, but I also pray the Lord will bless your socks off with the class.

Welcome, Jenn! May our Lord grant you (and your family) His peace in the days ahead, give your surgical team wisdom and skill as they treat you March 1st, and may the Lord's hand bless you with as little discomfort as possible and rapid healing without complication after surgery.

Susie, healing from such a great loss takes time. And we are never completely "over it". May the Lord comfort your hurting heart. Lean on Him in the pain of grief. We're her for you.

Ellen, the 'hip hurdle' is behind you - Praise the LORD! I pray your se's will subside now so you can be more comfortable. May the wedding planning be a sweet time between you and your daughter and not one of stress or pressure at all.

My hubby was down for a day but thankfully he felt better yesterday and he even took me out for a valentines lunch. The Lord is so good!

Blessings upon your day!

Love,

Ade

(Please remember Nicholas & family in your prayers - see post above. THANK YOU!)

bandwoman1234

Good morning dear ladies.

Good to hear from you G. I think you and Jenn probably have some things in common.

Susie, thank you for your nice comments. I continue to pray for your family and for Jeremy as well. I imagine this is going to be a very hard thing for him to get through both physically and emotionally.

Have a good day.

Love,

Nancy

ladyb1234

Welcome Jenn!

Susie, continuous prayers for you, your family and Jeremy on his rode to recovery.

Ellen, Praise the Lord. We rejoice with you

bandwoman1234

2 Corinthians 12:9New International Version (NIV)

9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

magdalene51

I would like to invite a sister to join us but she is somewhat younger lady. She's just learned she's got mets in several places. I think she would be a good fit for the thread. What do you think

Lita57

Thanks Nancy. Just what I needed to read. PET scan results tomorrow. It will either be on to the easier stuff, or being fitted for a port and dealing with the HEAVY DUTY IV chemo because pill form xeloda chemo will have finally failed. So yes, I'm a little on pins and needles.

I'm leaving it in the Lord's hands because there's nothing else I can do but trust Him in all things.

And of course, pray for His tender mercies.

auroaya200882

Mags I don't know about anyone else but I vote to welcome your friend into our little fold. After all God has brought us together for a purpose and as a mets gal I know I wouldn't be coping without this as well as I have with everyone's support and prayers from here. So depending on what everyone else thinks I say welcome her. Also if she wants to talk about the mets diagnosis have her pm me.

Aurora

zjrosenthal

Mags, that sounds great. There are some younger ladies here and they have always been welcomed. Love, Jean

Lita57

Since my Dr can't spend an hour with me at every appt, I got an advanced copy of the PET scans on DVD so I could review them in advance. I've spent the last couple of hours pouring over it and comparing it to the previous CT scans. Surprisingly, the PET scans are much easier to read as the radioactive isotope really makes the cancerous sites light up. All the previous areas are still lighting up - no shock there: Spinal areas, hip, pelvis, psoas muscles, etc. But I also saw some new areas of activity, particularly in the sacrum area, and it looks like old lesions on the kidneys and adrenals are definitely spreading. I'm not going to freak out about it yet because, heck, I am NOT a radiologist. Prayers to our Lord, maybe it's something else.

They did extra views of my lungs (which concerns me)...once again, not gonna freak out yet, but stuff showed up in parts of my lungs that are VERY bright and consistent with the brightness of the lesions in my spine and hip/pelvis areas.

I'm not surprised by any of this. I was told that there MIGHT be progression since we reduced the dosage and scheduling of the Xeloda to minimize some of the debilitating side effects and give me a little better quality of life. And since I presented at initial Dx with SO MANY areas back in April, this is to be expected when you're metastatic Stage 4.

I'm grateful for the last two and a half months since the Xeloda dosage was reduced. Other than the usual fatigue and occasional diarrhea, I've been doing pretty well, considering where I was 10 months ago. That may change dramatically because they'll probably put me on a much stronger chemo now. Dr told me this would be a very strong possibility.

So keep me in prayer...I re-posted parts of this from another thread. As someone once said to me, "God has a plan!"

ladyb1234

Mags, I say invite her. When I came to this thread I was welcomed with open arms even though I did not meet the age "criteria".

auroaya200882

Hello sisters! Tomorrow it's my first chemo after a two month break due to moving and insurance issues. Doc will also be reviewing my CT scan with me so please pray for me.

Aurora

SA8PG

Hello dear sisters,

The past 6 months have been incredibly hard. I have buried 3 young breast cancer friends that all had progression to stage 4. One was 37, 44 & 49. All of these beautiful women had such amazing strength and faith. To watch them in their final months was heart breaking but I was also thankful for the time I had with them. 2 of these beautiful women took my workshop and I loved them dearly. I am posting this because I am signing off for a little while. I need to not look at BCO so much especially in the evening hoursand work towards taking care of me (which by the way I haven't figured out how to do effectively???!!!!!). I am beginning a new workshop on Wednesday and it always takes the strength of the Lord to see me through. I love all the women that attend and i ache when they do. I carry the burden and pain with me and I need to not fully engulf myself and set up better boundaries. I am blessed that you are such great examples of women of faith. Women that push through because we know that God says in His word "he that endures to the end the same shall be saved." Matthew 24:1

I will check in again. You all are in my prayers and I love that we have one another. I praise God because He is good and faithful and He hears us when we call. What a mighty mighty God we serve.

God bless you & keep you.

G