Catholics

Just ,a ,quick update,-hanging il in at AFH +Hospice . Adjustment to. being more independent -things,change a lot -Listen to mass,on radio and Catholic radio shows,-Bless You !

Grammy so glad to hear you are "hanging on" spiritually, as well as to the comfort and care at hospice. May God bless you, today, tomorrow, always and forever.

In case of interest, I watched this with DH last night and loved it. 'Footprints, the path of your life'.

It is a beautiful and inspiring documentary film - available on Netflix - it's about a group of parishioners from Gilbert Arizona who set out to make pilgrimage on the Camino for 40 days. Don't be put off by Netflix rating of 2.5 stars, whoever contributed to that severely underrated this beautiful piece.

Website with info on the doc is here

http://footprintsdocumentary.com/

GrammyR thinking of you and keeping you in my prayers also. XXX

Welcome, Tri-lady!

What chemo regimen will you be getting? I found chemo manageable, and worked through it. Whether or not you feel up to attending a small group gathering may depend on the day you get chemo. I did chemo on Wednesdays (Day #1). By Day #3 (Friday), the steroids wore off, and the side-effects would hit. I made it to Mass OK on Sundays, but I didn't start feeling "normal" until Monday.

With chemo, everyone is different. Most women don't work through chemo, and some end up with infections and other problems. Praying that your side-effects are manageable!

So sorry to hear this feelingfeline. Praying for her daughter.

Hi Elainethere- I'm not sure what type of chemo yet as I have an appt. with the MO next Monday. Thank you for your advice. I hope it doesn't effect me to much. I guess it is a wait and see. Thanks again!

Hello, ladies. I'm glad I found this thread. I have IDC, triple negative and just had my first chemo session today. I'm so thankful that I found this thread full of women who understand what it's like to live with breast cancer and also understand the richness of Catholic spirituality!

I am never any good for selecting screen names, so I picked Agatha for St. Agatha of Sicily. She was one of the saints I used to think about a lot since I'm an enthusiastic amateur baker and she is patroness of bakers. Only now I look to her as a patroness of breast cancer patients, too.

My treatment is at Sloan Kettering in NYC and after my first consult with the oncologist and surgeon I was a little wound up. After the meetings I wandered a couple of blocks north and a couple east just to clear my head. I found myself at the steps of a wonderful church, St. Catherine of Siena. As soon as I stepped inside I felt immediately at ease, nurtured. There are wonderful side chapels for prayer and meditation. The parish is run Dominican Friars. At the end of the post I'll try to embed a little video about their health ministry. It's very interesting.

Please pray for me - I'll be praying for all of you, too. Peace be with you.

https://player.vimeo.com/video/167929480

Best wishes to you Agatha.

SOme good news on BC.org member's daughter. She made it through surgery. However still in ICU so prayers still needed for her continued recovery.

Hello, Ladies, and thanks for the welcome. Your all in my prayers

Welcome SajeScents. How wonderful that you were able to receive such grace during your ordeal. XXX

Amen

Update on BC.org member's daughter. Continuing on life support but responding to commands to move eyes, squeeze hands etc so clearly present and responding to her family and medical team. Her Mom says: please keep up the good work. No prayer is ever wasted. XXX

RonnieKay just posted that GrammyR has passed. GrammyR often posted on this board, in good times and bad. She had a strong faith in God, and often lifted up the rest of us in prayer. I hope she is at peace now, and I pray for her family and friends. Fly free, GrammyR!

I was in the midst of a long message to you all, Rene's sisters in faith, last night, only to have my phone lose battery and turn off. I cried....I knew how important it was to let you know she was with the angels...and then, I couldn't write again. We just got back from Mass...lots of prayers of thanks & candle lit. I'll tell you more about the friend I deeply loved and thank God that I was able to spend time with over the last three years...almost to the day.

Rene (pronounced Reny) was a very devout Catholic....all her life. She was never afraid of dying, she was just sorry that it took longer than she thought it should've (God's will, she knew). She said she felt like a scoundrel (her word!), when she went into hospice and then kept hanging on. I teased that her stoic English upbringing made me crazy...who uses the word scoundrel????

She was a devoted Mother to her only son, who she raised herself from age 7. He & his wife blessed her immeasurably with Emma-9, who she taught to sew and ride a bike, and Iain-7, who she babysat after preschool and had cookies for. She adored them! When she moved from assisted living to the adult family home, her son's family took Layla. She missed her but they had just lost their cat and Rene was thrilled that Layla was happy with them.

Rene was a nurse...in many different specialties...even hospice. She never expected enough (my words) of the people who cared for her in her final months...because she thought the nursing staff had others who may need them more. In other words-loving & selfless. My 4 yr old grandaughter & Rene were fast friends..Margaux would try to speak "British" like her. They ate lunch together sometimes. She liked when we'd take her a favorite DQ orange Julius or McDonald's fries.

Rene was a gifted seamstress, knitter & quilter. She made beautiful quilts as family gifts. When she was in assisted living, she taught knitting to residents. When she moved to her final hospice home, she only wanted her favorite wool blanket & the quilt she made with lilac & yellow flowers on it. I washed it at home so they wouldn't lose it. The one time they washed it-they lost it!! A few prayers to St Anthony & it was back :-)

Rene was a gardener. She had roses, roses and more roses and taught Iain all about them. Her favorite flowers were lilacs.

She was one of 8 children. Her mother died at 69 years old, of a heart attack...and she so wanted to live past 69. Her birthday was October 29th...last Sunday. She was 70. We celebrated with her favorite blackberry pie & ice cream. We talked & talked, laughed & laughed. I went on Wednesday. She said she felt alone, and that was okay with her....but we cried..and I reminded her she was never alone. Thursday night I texted her son to please tell me when they told him time was short. She died at 9:15, Friday morning. It snowed that morning. She loved her window where she watched leaves turn to gold and fall away. Her spirit drifted to the heavens that morning. I am sad but rejoice in her new life and the precious moments we shared.

Jesu, the very thought of thee / with sweetness fills my breast; / But sweeter far thy face to see, / And in thy presence rest

Rene loved all of you. Love & Peace, Ronnie