Friday, December 3, 2010

Prayer Warriors Unite!

You've been asking for a while now, I know.
I've been waiting for inspiration - giving Mom some space in this journey - watching her - wishing to be of better use in this coming to terms with 'stuff'.
The facts of the matter:
Momsie was diagnosed with metastasized breast cancer last May.... two short years after her first foray into the chaotic world of chemo, radiation and radical surgery to purge herself from the cancer.
Her prognosis was a year to a year and a half with treatment.  'Treatment' means several rounds of poisonous chemo which the odd recipient at the Juravinski Cancer Centre doesn't comport well.
Like our mom.  She ended up taking most of her monthly cycles of chemo at half potency which she also rightly assumed would be far less effective.   Last weeks CT scan confirmed her suspicions; of her numerous tumours, that worrisome beast on her liver is twice the size.
Her pain is more constant now.  She is fiercely independent and trying to weather herself through it without
too much medication.  She doesn't like the effect that codeine in Tylenol 3 has on her system.
Carrying that pain around though, makes her weak and weaker still.
I mean shockingly so.
Now she's started a pain reliever called Endocet:  it contains a narcotic (oxycodone) and a non-narcotic element (acetaminophen).
I suspect that Mom's reluctance to incorporate this stuff in her daily regiment is a fear of developing a dependency on pain relief too early.  She saw what a zombie it made of her daughter Yvonne many years ago when Mom was her attentive nurse-maid.
It's a bit of a vicious circle.  She has no energy to speak of and yet hanging around like a limp dishrag has a negative effect on both the body and the spirit.  Is this resignation I see?  Is this a necessary and natural part of the journey?
She also has until December 21 (or 23rd?) to consider taking more chemo in pill form.  *sigh*
The conclusion of the matter:
We need to engage in prayer with you.  All of you.
1.  For the strength to pass this over to the LORD and to rest in Him.
2.  For courage to face the coming days with confidence and (dare I say it?) with joy.
3.  For relief from pain and a drug that she's comfortable (and may I add consistent) with.
4.  For clear direction regarding the decision for more chemo versus palliative care.
Thank you for loving Mom with us.  The Family of God is a great place to be.

5 comments:

  1. Strength and prayers to you and yours Joanne. My heart breaks when I read this. Such a journey you've been on already and now another one to face. Many are thinking and praying for all of you.

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  2. Joanne, your journey so resembles the one my beloved and I walked a short eighteen months ago. I know firsthand the sorrow your whole family experiences while watching your Mom suffer. But know that the Lord feels our pain too, and He has promised never to leave us. He will guide your family on the path that is best for you, you need only to trust Him, that He doesn't make mistakes. We are all on the same journey, just some of us get to our destination before the rest of us.
    John was faced with the same choices, but ultimately we both realized that the medical community were making promises they could not keep. We had His peace only after we placed our lives and John's passing in our Father's hands.
    May you be comforted with His word and Spirit, and know that you and your loved ones, especially your Mom, will be in my prayers.

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  3. Thanks for being so honest, Joanne. Hope your mom can make it to our Christmas get together on Monday....I will call you some time on Sunday. Be assured of our prayers for your mom. I did talk to her on Friday and was disappointed in how she sounded. Blessings.....

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  4. Oh Joanne, please know that I will continue to keep your family in my prayers. Brings back so many memories of when my Mom was sick. She has been gone 11 years and I can still say I miss her dearly. You write with such eloquence. Have you published any books yet?!

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  5. Sonja Heeringa
    we will pray for your Mom and for you all.....
    December 4, 2010 at 10:54am · Like

    Rolean Aasman
    May the power of prayer continue to hold you and your Mom before God and may it give you peace and confidence to face what ever the journey may hold. May it also give your mom strength and assurance.
    December 4, 2010 at 11:33am · Like

    Anita Kamstra Poort
    Praying~
    December 4, 2010 at 1:28pm · Like

    Sheila Kamstra
    thanks for sharing...will keep praying
    December 4, 2010 at 9:11pm · Like

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