13 Years Cancer Free

 As we traveled down the road yesterday I was thinking 🤔 about today. Today marks 13 years of being cancer free. I am blessed beyond measure. My Great Physician has certainly taken very good care of me.

Since my last birthday 🥳 in November when I turned 70 I have been looking BACK a lot. It is amazing when we are young we are always looking FORWARD to several things. Such as getting a driver’s license, going to college, getting to vote, getting married, having children, and the list continues on. As an older person now I tend to look BACK on my life. Thankful for so many things,

My cancer journey started in April, 2003. WOW,  20 years ago! When they told me that I had cancer and that it was Stage 4 ovarian cancer I never thought I was going to die. I immediately got into my Bible and began looking up verses on faith and healing. Here is the verse the Lord gave me: “…I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee:” 2 Kings‬ ‭20‬:‭5‬ ‭KJV‬‬. 

I had such peace that my Lord, the Great Physician was going to take care of me. I don’t know how anyone can go through such an awful journey without the Lord. I had surgery and immediately began the 1st treatment of 6 rounds of chemo, it seemed like it took forever. I would have blood work every week and chemo every 3 weeks. I truly felt like a pin cushion. After the first treatment my hair began to fall out. It was devastating, not just for me but also for Scott. He would see tears in my eyes every morning waking up with hair on my pillow or when I would wash my hair I would have handfuls of hair. 

I went 6 years cancer free, at one of my regular checkups I was told my cancer was back (December, 2009). Wow, “not again” was my first thought. So again I got into my Bible to get another verse to hang onto to get me through another bout of cancer. Here is my verse: “…This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.” John‬ ‭11‬:‭4‬ ‭KJV 

I had to have surgery again (January 10, 2010)with the 6 rounds of chemo. Yes, I again I lost my hair, but I will say it was not as devastating because I knew what to expect. One thing about it, you never have a bad hair day.😜 Another thing that was different, I could not tolerate the whole 6 rounds of chemo. It was either 4 or 5. I had an allergic reaction to the chemo. During my recuperating my incision reopened and the process to healing was AWFUL. I will spare you the details. So on May 23rd, 2010 was my last chemo treatment 🙌🏻

Since that time, we have been able to share with others who are going through cancer or who have gone through cancer. We each share our experiences. There is just something about folks that understand the cancer journey, they can bond together and gain strength from each other. One thing about going through cancer, your life is totally changed forever. Through it all, we have given God the glory.

Can’t express our gratefulness to everyone who prayed 🙏 for us during our cancer journey. I am so thankful for Scott, he was with me every step of the way. He never missed a chemo treatment or an appointment with me. He is the best!

“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” Jeremiah‬ ‭33‬:‭3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

He truly has!

January 12, 2023

    Just wanted to Praise the Lord for another great report from my checkups at MD Anderson. Thank you for all the prayers.

    My blood work was great 11.8, and just 1 stick. God is so good to me. 

January 2023

     We drove by the hospital where I was first diagnosed with cancer in April of 2003. Wow, 20 years ago! They referred me to MD Anderson and that is where I had surgery and 6 rounds of chemo. I continued to get my checkups there and in December of 2009 it came back. NOT GOOD!!

    I had surgery in January 2010 and again chemo. Not as many rounds of chemo because I had an allergic reaction to the chemo.

    Now this month on January 12th, I back to MD Anderson for my yearly checkup. I am thankful for MD Anderson and all they have done for me. We have some amazing stories, especially about the angel the Lord sent us. So, this coming May will be 13 years cancer free! Thank you to my Great Physician, my Lord.

    I will tell you that once you have had cancer, your life will NEVER be the same. Always, always before the next checkup we have some anxiousness, but we know it is all in the Lord's hands. I don't know how lost people go through cancer without the Lord!

    Do you know the Lord as your personal Saviour? The Lord is returning, and we are not guaranteed another second. We have heard of 2 deaths this week of people we know. Please don't put off asking Jesus into your heart.

    

September Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month - 2022

 As I sit here, thinking 🤔 about September being Ovarian Cancer Awareness month I remember where my cancer journey started. In April of 2003 I was at a point where I could not lay down to sleep and felt bloated, we had no clue what was wrong.

We ended up going to a clinic in our area and they immediately set up some tests at the hospital. I had had a ultrasound on my abdomen and as we were leaving, I told Scott I felt a little lightheaded and was going to just sit down while he went for the truck. About that time a nurse came outside, she looked at me and said, “honey you don’t look good,” she went inside got a wheelchair and we headed back inside.

Come to find out I had an ascites, which is fluid buildup in the abdomen. A doctor came in to let us know that they were going to drain off the fluid. So, as they tried, they were having trouble getting the needle in. So they took me back to the ultrasound area so they could watch the needle insertion. They drained over a liter of fluid. Wow, did I feel better. I thought I was ready to go home and eat something. That did not happen, they admitted me to the hospital.

That evening a doctor came in, he did not introduce himself, he said, “ma’am you have a cancerous tumor, and I will be back tomorrow to examine you.” We were shocked and the tears began to flow. That evening I got my Bible and started looking up verses on “faith” and “healing”. The 5th verse I read was II Kings 20:5 “…I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee:…” Immediately I had the peace of God and knew He was going to be with me.

I eventually ended up at MD Anderson in Houston, TX. God was so good to get me there. My first call from MD Anderson was to find out what kind of insurance I had, “I replied, we don’t have insurance”, they replied, “then you don’t have an appointment.” My husband started making several calls back to MD Anderson and reached a lady named “Tara”. She said, “we need to get your wife an appointment ASAP.” Long story short, she got us on a program at MD Anderson and my 1st appointment was May 19, 2003.

We showed up for my appointment, we got to meet Tara, with all of us crying, we hugged her neck and thanked her for everything. I had surgery the next week and began chemo. Every time we would go back, we would try to contact Tara. Scott would call the hospital, and nobody knew anyone named “Tara”. We never saw her again, she was our “Angel”. Thank you, Lord!

I received 6 rounds of chemo every 3 weeks with blood work every week. So, I went 6 years cancer free. In December 2009, while waiting for the doctor to come in, a lady came in for me to sign papers for a study I was on for the recurrence of ovarian cancer. As I was signing the papers, I thought to myself, “what if it recurs?” The doctor came in and she said, “your cancer is back.”
Wow, my thought was NOT AGAIN!

So, I got into my Bible again and God gave me another verse John 11:4 “…This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.” Peace from God again and we have been giving God the glory ever since. So, I had surgery again and was scheduled for another 6 rounds of chemo but due to reactions to chemo, I think I only had 4 rounds. Since May I am now 12 years cancer free. To God be the glory! I have had a “Great Physician”.

So, wherever you are in your cancer journey, just remember every individual is different, each situation is different, so DON’T compare yourself with someone else. Don’t get on the internet to investigate your cancer, just trust the Lord for his direction and healing. I had researched the first time and it was very depressing. I thank the Lord for my doctors, nurses, etc. but I know who the”healer” is, my Lord!

January 2022

 Happy New Year!

I hope I am better at keeping up with my blog than I was last year.  Life just gets busy as I am sure you know.  We all have busy schedules and life to live. So I am going to start off with reporting my news on my last doctors appointment at M.D. Anderson in Houston, TX.

My appointments started November 8th, first of all I had my blood work CA-125, then a mammogram, then a bone density tests, and finally the doctor exam. All my tests turned out good. My CA-125 was 11.1 and anything under 35 is good.   Then on Tuesday, November 9th we both went to our primary physician to have blood work for our prescriptions. 

In August we were at a meeting in Burlington, Iowa and we had gone out to eat on Saturday, with the pastor and his family. During the night I woke up throwing up, so we thought I had food poisoning. I continued to throw up so we stayed in Burlington a few more days and even went to the emergency room where they treated me for food poisoning. On Wednesday we decided to travel home to Bourbonnais, IL. I just couldn't hold any food down so by Friday night we back in the ER. We were informed I was a sick lady and that they were going to admit me. They tried first to see if I would be able to stop throwing up but I continued. So they decided I would need surgery. On August 24, 2021 I had major surgery for a double hernia and bowel obstruction. It was awful and it took me quite some time to recover. Because we live in our 5th wheel full time I had to go to my sisters to recoup, while Scott continue on going to meetings. It was a long journey because I was so weak before the surgery, it took longer to heal.

In October I started loosing my hair. Everyone kept saying it was from the anesthesia. I guess I never realiz3ed it with my cancer surgeries because I was taking chemo treatments. My hair just continued to fall out. I mentioned it at both my doctor appointments, my primary doctor suggested I go to a dermatologist. So Wednesday before Christmas I saw the dermatologist and she said it was stress and a major surgery. It could take 6 months to a year for it took grow back. She told to get on some vitamins and gave me some topical solution to put on.  It seems it is not coming out as much as when it started. 

So as of May 2021 I have been cancer free for 11 years. Praise the Lord! God has been so good to me. 

Cancer, Now What? - January 2020

Cancer, Now What?

            Have you or a loved one been told they have cancer? It is one of the worst things to go through. You know the saying “been there, done that” I have not only been there, but have been there and done it twice. I HATE CANCER! It is devastating, to the one going through it but also their family and friends.

            In April of 2003, I was told I had stage 4 Ovarian cancer. A lot of folks first thoughts may be “why me, “am I going to die?”, “what about surgery, chemo and radiation”, “how much it is going to cost”, and “what are we going to do?”

            After our initial shock, crying, and praying together when everyone left my room, I grabbed my Bible. I began looking up verses on faith and healing. I knew I was going to need some strength from the Lord. The third verse I found was II Kings 20:5 “…I have heard thy prayers, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee:…” Immediately the peace of God flooded my soul. I called Scott and shared this verse with him. In my heart I knew I was going to be OK. I never asked the question “Why me?” but “why not me” was my thought. I never thought I was going to die. My heavenly Father was there and was going to take care of me. I continued to look up verses. I laid there in my hospital bed praying and thinking about the verse He gave me. I remember laying there with tears running down my cheeks while knowing and feeling such peace. My Father, the Great Physician was going to go with us through this great trail in our lives.

            Several other verses that helped me were I Peter 5:7 “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” I Peter 1:7 “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” Psalm 57:1 “Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.” Isaiah 41:10 “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isaiah 41:13 “For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.”  This verse was always on my mind when going through tests and surgery. I would hold onto His hand. I have shared these verses with other cancer patients more times than I care to remember.

            So I went six years cancer free and in December of 2009 during a yearly checkup was told that the cancer was back. I again immediately got into my Bible again and the Lord gave me this verse John 11:4 “…This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.” So in January 2010 I had surgery and chemo again. Both times having chemo, I lost my hair. The first time was rough but not so bad the second time. I tell people about losing their hair, “at least there is not any bad hair days.” As of May 2019 I have been cancer free the second time for nine years.

            What to do when you are told you have cancer. DON’T PANIC!! It is NOT necessarily a death sentence. Get treatment as soon as possible.  Keep focused, stay close to the Lord! Don’t start researching your cancer on the internet. Scott came home one day and I was sitting in front of the computer crying. He told me to stop looking up things about my type of cancer. I decided to keep looking up verses in my Bible, pray, and continue to ask others to pray.  Don’t go through it alone.

            I am thankful for all my doctors and nurses at MD Anderson but I know it was my “Great Physician” who healed me. I give Him all the glory.

            Every year in January I go for my yearly checkup. Once you have had cancer you are never the same. You have the anxiousness of going to the doctor, having tests, and then waiting for the results. “Is it back?” “Am I OK for another year?”

            Cancer is everywhere; it affects the young and the old. Most of us have been there or have known someone who has had it or is going through it. I think the main thing is to stay focused on the Lord. He can and will get you through it.

            Some people want to isolate themselves and not share with others. I immediately wanted to share I had cancer so others could be praying. If you know someone going through this awful disease, pray for them and their family. Maybe you can reach out to them, call them, send a card, go with them to doctor appointments, go with them to pick out a wig, (that is fun), spend time with them is major. A person if left to himself, may not be good.

            So the question “cancer, now what?” Continue on, stay strong, stay focused, let others help and share in your trial. Somewhere down the line you will be able to help others going through cancer. I can’t count how many cancer patients we have met while traveling. We immediately connect with them, because we have been there. So we may not know why we go through the trials in our lives, but we sure can be a help to others going through the same trials we have traveled.  Look for a need and fill it!

The Great Physician - August 2019

The Great Physician

Welcome to the Great Physician
Office hours are as you come,
He's a Specialist in all problems
And His day is never done.

He can heal a heart that's broken
He can mend the spirit, too,
No matter what your ailment
He does have the cure for you.

His fee for service never alters
He serves rich and poor as well,
He's our one chance for Salvation,
He alone saves us from Hell.

There's no fee for services rendered
All He asks is that we believe,
That He bled and died to save us
And all His blessings we will receive.

Do you have a special problem
That is troubling you this hour?
Then just simply leave it with Him
You can find no greater power.

Don't delay in seeking treatment
Please, my friend, don't hesitate,
For His office is soon closing
And He'll shut and lock the gate.

I wouldn't want you to suffer
While the Doctor's so close by,
Your whole life will be much better
If my Physician you will try.

Just wanted to share "The Great Physician" with you.  All of us go through the trials of life and the best place to get help is from the Lord.  I am so thankful for my Great Physician, He has healed me twice from cancer.  

Again, as we continue to travel down the roads of our country we continue to meet other folks going through the awful disease of cancer.  Recently, we stopped by our old work place and got to chat with a co-worker who is going through cancer.  The report they have given her is not good.  So as we stood there talking, I asked her if she knew she has a home in heaven.  She said she did.  Folks don't take it for granted that people are saved and on their way to heaven.  Ask them, share the gospel with them, because their eternity depends on it.

Everyday people are dying and we as Christians are the ones who need to be sharing the gospel with this lost and dying world.  Let's not miss an opportunity.

May 2019

     On May 27th, it will be my 9th anniversary of being cancer free.  I am rejoicing!  I continually give God the glory.  This is one of the verses God gave me.  John 11:4 "...This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby."  He is the "Great Physician" and "Great Healer".  There is no other that can perform miracles.  Men try to say that they can "heal" but they are liars.  It is up to God how He heals people and when.

     When I was diagnosed with cancer the first time (April 2003) I never once questioned God.  "Why me?"  This was my thought "Why not me?"  I know one thing, I could of never made it through that valley without Him.  Then again when the cancer returned (December 2009) I knew immediately I needed to lean on my heavenly Father.

     As we have traveled down the road, we have met so many people that have had or are going through cancer.  Our hearts are immediately knit with these folks.  We truly know what is is like.  It is awful!  Many times when we are going through some trial in our lives folks will say, "I understand" or "I know what you are going through."  They do if they have been through that same trial in their lives.

     I never realized the vast number of people with cancer, young and old.  I remember while I was going through treatment, friends of ours, 5 year old son was going through brain cancer.  They would often send names and stories of other children with cancer so we would pray for them.  It got to be so overwhelming, I had to stop reading all the new ones.  All I would do is cry.

     Even today, every time we turn around there is someone else with cancer.  We have a list of names of cancer patients right now we are praying for.  Yet we know who the "Great Physician" is.  We added a name just this past Sunday of another young mom with cancer.  It breaks my heart.

     A couple of weeks ago, a young girl and I were out soul winning.  When walking up the driveway I notice a breast cancer decal on the back of their vehicle.  I knocked on the door and began talking to a lady.  After awhile I asked if she or someone close had cancer.  Immediately she began to cry, her mom had recently passed away from breast cancer and she also had a grandchild with cancer.  The young girl with me asked the lady, "can I give you a hug" and the lady hugged her.  I began to share some about my cancer and again our hearts were knit.  We chatted some more and she said that she was saved but was not attending church.  I prayed with her before we left, please pray that April will get back into church.

     All I know, is that I am going to continue to give God the glory.  He has been so good to me and I just want to tell others.

February 2019

     Today I have been thinking and remembering a very special person.  Some of you know who it is before I even mention her name, Kelly Moncofsky.  It was a year ago today that she passed away from the awful battle of breast cancer.

      I am so thankful for all the special times I got to spend with her and their precious family.  Then to be adopted into the Moncofsky family has been such a blessing to Scott and I.  Since we never had any children Jason and Kelly were like are own, and then to have 5 wonderful grandchildren is just out of this world.

     Since I first began this cancer blog it is unreal how many people we have met or have heard about that have cancer.  There is no age limit to this awful disease, it hits the young and the old.

    I also wanted to share this article that Kelly wrote for me to share on my blog.  I thought I would share it again.  When you read it, think about her friend, Jesus.  Do you know him?  Is he your friend?  If not, please make him your friend today.  Message me and I would be glad to share Jesus with you.

Time To Start Over - January 2019

     Have you ever started to do something, messed it up and decided to just start over.  Maybe you were baking something,, messed up the ingredients or forgot to put something in it.  It was a flop! So start all over again.  Maybe you were sewing something, messed up the pattern or sewed it the wrong way.  Oops, rip it apart and start over.

     I don't know about you but I am glad to have a forgiving, loving, heavenly Father who wants and allows us to start over.  Here we are starting a new year, what are your resolutions or goals for this year.

     There are so many, I know many will say, "I am going to loose weight", "I am going to eat healthier", "I am going to find a better job", and on and on we go.  Also, many will say, "I am going to read my Bible through", "I am going to go to church more", "I am going to pray more", "I am going to learn how to win souls", "I am going to win more to the Lord" and all of these are good things.

     I don't know about you but sometimes I can make too many goals and it will overwhelm me.  This year I read a post about finding "A New Name for A New Year" well I listened to the video and then watched another video on all the different names for Jesus.  When Jehovah Jireh came across the screen and said "The Lord Will Provide", I knew immediately that was my name for 2019.  Many things that Scott and I are praying for this New Year, we know that "the Lord will provide".

     So I choose to seek the Lord daily and make short goals.  Already this year, I have chosen a name for 2019, and today I started a Bible devotional on prayer.  I am going to try not to set goals that are way out there.

"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart."  Jer. 29:13

"But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him will all thy heart and with all thy soul." Deut. 4:29

"Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:"  Ps. 139:23

     There are things that I am striving for but am not seeing results because I messed up and now I have to "start over".  It is OK to "start over" and we must continue to "start over" or we will just quit.  But it is so encouraging to see some of those short goals accomplished.

     I guess what I am saying is I am going to daily seek the Lord.  Make some daily goals instead of months and a yearly goal.  Do you ladies make lists of things you want to get down daily or weekly..  As you do what is on the list you check it off, and down the list you go.  Doesn't that make you feel good in that you have accomplished something?

     So I choose daily goals instead of the yearly goal.  Today I can read my Bible, pray, eat healthy, exercise, walk, send an encouragement card, call a friend, bake cookies, clean bathrooms, etc. You can look at your list and see what you have accomplished.  Don't get discouraged if you didn't finished the list, pick it up tomorrow and continue on.  Another list might be, pass out 5 tracts today, talk to someone about the Lord, visit a shut-in, etc.  The lists change daily and we can see our goals scratched off daily.  

     As I close this writing I would like to ask you to pray for me as I go to MD Anderson on January 8th for my year check-up.  I give the Lord all the glory for healing me of cancer twice.

   

      Recently we visited a lady we use to work with Becky Eastep who has gone through breast cancer and it is back.  She has already had a couple of surgeries to remove tumors on the brain and will be going through radiation treatment soon.  Please pray for her.  We have seen many others going through this awful disease of cancer.  A pastor friend, we got to see a family in Missouri that the man had cancer and is doing well now.  We immediately bonded with this family.

     As we travel we try to encourage those families going through cancer.  We know what they are going through and can share our hearts and prayers with them.  If you think about the different things in your life, there are things that you have been through that can help someone else down the line.  We may not know why or how come we go through certain things in life but be assured you can help others going through the same thing.

Each Day is a New Goal!

Out of Sight, Out of Mind - November 2018

     I know we have heard this saying, "Out of Sight, Out of Mind".  This saying means that a person stops thinking about something or someone if he or she does not see that thing or person for a period of time.  It is sad but so true.  We all get so busy in our daily routines.  Just like my blog it is out of sight and I forget I even have it.  I was changing something on our web page for our ministry and I saw the button for my blog.  Then I realized how long I have neglected it.  So with the Lord's help, I am going to at least try to update it when we do our newsletter.

     So many things come and go in our lives.  We meet so many different people especially as we travel.  It is hard to remember names, faces and where they are from.  As missionaries we carry prayer cards and hand them out because we want people to remember us and to pray for us.

     Have you ever had someone ask you to pray for them and you say you will but if you don't write it down or pray right then, "what happens?"  We forget, Out of sight, out of mind.  It is sad but we all have been there.

    So much has happened since my last post in March.  The beginning of this year was rough.  We were traveling back and forth from Texas to Quincy, IL.  We wanted to be with Kelly and her family as much as possible.  I thank the Lord for all the time He allowed us to spend with her in her last days and also with Bro. Jason and the kids.  We love them all so much.  Bro. Jason and Kelly were like "our kids" that we never had.  They were our first church that we helped when we started Ambassador Baptist Ministries.  We seemed to bond from the very beginning.  The kids call us "Pawpaw and Grandma Debbie" makes our hearts melt.

 

     As time went on the pain was less but I think about her almost every day.  When Mother's Day came around it was very hard.  I found myself crying on and off most of the day thinking about her.  Be assured I think and pray for Kelly's parents and have seen them and sent notes.  I am just an "adopted mom".  I must say it is neat that they adopted us.  

     Things I do to remember her, I go back to our text messages and read them.  We talked just about everyday, depending on how she was feeling.  I will go back and look at lots of pictures of us together and watching videos we took at the end up at the hospital.  Especially her birthday celebration in ICU.  We have LOTS of special memories.  We also see the family often.  Recently we were at a meeting and there was a pastor's wife who looked so much like Kelly.  I felt like I was stalking her, always looking her way and I just wanted to go give her a hug.  Brought tears to my eyes, but oh, how sweet when the Lord does things in our lives to help us "remember" those things or people that are "Out of sight, out of mind".

     Just a reminder that we need to find ways to keep those things or people before us.

"Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip."  Hebrews 2:1

    Let's not let the things which we have read and been taught from the Bible slip away or those special memories.

March 2018

The last few months have been very hectic and stressful.  Being on the road makes it difficult to keep my blog updated.

For the last couple of years I have not been able to go to MD Anderson for my cancer check ups because of Obamacare.  In November of 2017, I turned 65 and was able to go back to MD Anderson because I went on Medicare.  Praise the Lord!  I had my check up in December and I am still cancer free.  Since Kelly and I talked just about everyday, I didn't want to tell her about my good report.  So I just didn't bring it up, but of course, she did and I had to tell her.  She was happy for me.

In January things got worse for Kelly, on January 22nd we got word that she had had a seizure. Well, we knew we needed to make plans to get to Illinois.  We left Texas the next day headed for Quincy, IL.  Arrived Thursday morning and headed directly to the hospital.  Kelly was in ICU and on a ventilator.  She was awake, alert but could not talk.  She did have a white board and talked to all of us that way.  Sometimes you would think she was asleep and than she would ask for her white board.

The next day was Kelly's 40th birthday, the nurses decorated her room, bought cupcakes, made a pillowcase for her and throughout the day, they would bring in gifts for her.  The kids came up early that morning before they went to school.  It broke our hearts to see the kids in her arms crying.  We sang "Happy Birthday", all of us were crying and she was smiling and giving the thumbs up.  She was excited because she received several balloons for her birthday and that is what she really wanted.

That evening a lady from their church and I were sitting there talking low, I was telling her how I had forgot a skirt while packing so fast.  Immediately Kelly asked for the while board, she wrote on it "get money from hubby, I want to buy you a skirt" and pointed her finger at me.  I told her she was ease dropping and getting bossy now that she was 40.  She just smiled and thumbs up.

Scott and I asked her if there was anything we could do for her and she wrote on the board, "any time you can love on my kids they love you!"  With tears in our eyes, we said of course.  I took a picture of her board with those words.

On Saturday, January 27th they took the ventilator out and moved her to a hospice room in the hospital.  With the ventilator out she could now talk to us.  On Sunday, a nurse bought her some eyelashes and put them on her.  A couple of nurses got together and did a mini makeover.  Kelly was all smiles and felt better with some eyelashes and makeup.  Sunday night while I was sitting with her, she got into her pink bag and pulled out a cancer bracelet.  She gave it to me and said now we have a bracelet alike.  I had given her a necklace with two hearts, I have one just like it, I told her that was our hearts. We worn the necklaces all the time.  She would text me and say "I am wearing my necklace" and I would tell her "I was too".

What a blessing that all through her stay in ICU until she went home, she was alert and talking to us. She was not in pain so that she would have to be sedated.    On Tuesday, January 30th, Kelly went home to her house with Hospice care.  I knew in my heart when I told Kelly that we would be back in a couple of days that she probably would be in heaven.  

The next day we left to go back to Texas for a meeting we had, Sunday, February 4th in Coleman, TX.  We left Monday to go back to League City, TX.  Early Wednesday morning Bro. Jason called us to let us know Kelly had gone to heaven.  Our hearts broke, we packed and headed back to Quincy the next day.

Tuesday, February 13th was Kelly's home going celebration.  It truly was a celebration, the church was packed and with 1 saved.  We drove to Bourbonnais Wednesday to be at the memorial service for her at Faith Baptist Church.  Both services were amazing.

I wanted to share all of this so you could read about how her last few days were like.  Never a tear from her eyes, asking Preacher (Bro. Anglea) about heaven, asking Pawpaw (Scott) to sing, always smiling, writing constantly on the while board when she couldn't talk and encouraging everyone that enter her room. Nurses and doctors would come in and be amazed by her, many of them crying, hugging her and some noticing that there was something different in her room.  I am telling you GRACE was every where.  She had a wonderful testimony for her Saviour and was looking forward to seeing him and those who had gone on before her.

Scott and I are blessed to be able to be in Quincy at Grace Baptist Church filling in while Bro. Jason and the kids get away.  We are staying in their home and my sweet, Kelly is everywhere.  For those who don't know Grace Baptist Church in Quincy was the first church we helped as we started Ambassador Baptist Ministries.  Seth was 6 weeks old when we got there.  It seemed like we just meshed with the Moncofskys.  As time went on and Kelly was diagnosed with cancer we bonded.  She called me the day she found out and the next day we were in Quincy.

Because of having cancer I knew first hand what she would be facing.  It is not the same with everyone, I didn't go through a lot that she did.  We would talk almost everyday.  I must admit, I miss her so much.  I even caught myself going to text her.  I found a text message on my phone from her, "Happy adopted Mother's Day," oh my.  You see, she was like a daughter we never had.  The kids call us Pawpaw and Gamma Debbie.  I am so thankful to how Kelly's parents and Bro. Jason's parents welcomed  us in and to be a part of the family.  In fact, we were told Netterville means Moncofsky in Lithuanian.  

We have been blessed to have known Kelly and we miss her tremendously.  Please continue to pray for the Moncofskys.

Denise Medley - November 2017

November is Family Caregivers' Month so I wanted to share this post from Denise Medley whose husband wrote last month for me.

A little over a year and a half ago, my husband was diagnosed with stage 3 rectal cancer. After many surgeries, 2 rounds of chemotherapy and radiation, and 16 months out of work he is still struggling mentally with it all. As a spouse it is very hard to watch and feel so helpless a lot of the time. His personality has dramatically changed. He went from being Mr. outgoing funny guy to self conscious, low self esteem, and depression. He was always the one that made the major decisions, to now question his every move. His one oncologist still considers him to be in the early stages of recovery with last chemotherapy/ radiation being 8 months ago. It is has been very hard to see all he has had to go through. I've never left his side. If he had to stay at the hospital for weeks on end, I was too!! We did it all together. With that being said, he now cannot handle being separated from me at all. He goes into panic mode if my schedule gets hectic and he's not included and I'm not around. He would be in the hospital and yell out my name and inconsolable until I returned. Then he would be ok. I can't imagine how on earth I could have gone through all this without the Lord and my church family and couple relatives! I felt such peace as I watched him in ICU. The prayers of those dear friends and family were my strength through it all. Even though he is back at work for the last 5 months, things do not feel the same. He hurts all the time. It's very sad to see as I stay home and homeschool our 2 daughters. I babysit on the side and house clean as well but feel so helpless. I had to have a couple of my own surgeries in the last couple months. My doctor found precancerous tumor in my ovary. He was a constant wreck!!! He just kept telling me that he could never be without me. That pressure was hard to handle. Thankfully I was ok.

I said that to say our lives are totally different from before. I now have new roles in our family and in our marriage. We are still getting used to it all. We take things day by day. We have more bad days it seems than good a lot of times. He had always been the optimistic one and me the pessimistic one, but those roles were forced to be changed. Because I am naturally pessimistic, he can affect me more easily.  The Doctors have said that his "chemo brain" will get better, not sure how much better, but say that it could be a year and a half AFTER his last treatment. That's why they said they still consider him in the early stages of recovery.

Joe Medley - October 2017

We met Joe & Denise Medley while we were at a church in Missouri.  We started sharing our stories and our hearts were knit together.  I asked him to share his story and later you will also get to hear from Denise.

Hello, my name is Joseph Medley. Here is my story...

At 42 years old, on January 16th 2016, I was diagnosed with colonrectal cancer.

I had two prior instances when I had bleeding out of the rectum. The third time, it became really bad. I was in the bathroom continually. My wife and children had been at church, and when my wife came home, we started talking about going to the ER. Before we could, I passed out in the bathroom, and she called the paramedics.......

After an overnight stay in the hospital, drinking the prep, I had a colonoscopy done the next day. That colonoscopy revealed a tumor, at the base of the sphincter muscle, labeled at that time Stage 1. So, the plan was made to do a surgery that would remove the tumor, and give me a temporary ileostomy bag while my body healed......

Shortly after what we thought was a successful surgery, I got an infection that was affecting my surgical wounds. We had a drain surgically implanted, while we treated for the infection. The complications continued, and required another surgery.........

We started to realize the damage that had been done to my body, and we were faced with the realization that life may never be normal again. It came down to one of two scenarios:

Scenario 1: I will have to wear a diaper for the rest of my life, because I will never regain control, or...

Scenario 2: I could get a permanent colostomy bag installed.

After many conversations and a lot of prayer, my wife, doctors, and I decided to go with scenario 2.

So, we had the surgery to fix the infection and other issues, as well as removing the ileostomy bag and installing the permanent colostomy.

This surgery resulted in a 16 day hospital stay. The night after my surgery, I aspirated, and that put me in ICU, after Rapid Response saved my life. I then ended up with pneumonia, staph infection, MRSA, on oxygen, etc......

My wonderful wife never left my side the entire hospital stay. She was so incredibly strong for me through this entire illness, and continues to be.

As a result of this surgery, they also found more cancer. This cancer was labeled Stage 3, and turned life upside down instantly. As a result, there was a treatment plan implemented including chemotherapy and radiation.

After 7 weeks of recovering from everything that happened in the hospital, we started the chemotherapy treatment. My treatment consisted of two weekly visits, 4-5 hours each visit, as well as wearing a portable chemo pump whenever I wasn’t at the Cancer Center. We went through 2 complete rounds of this, each round consisting of 6 weeks.

During the second round, we incorporated the radiation into the treatment plan. The radiation was every weekday, for a 6 week period.

By mid-December of 2016, the very long year was coming to an end. I completed all treatments, and officially labeled “in remission”

I knew that cancer was a horrible thing, but I never realized how horrible the treatments are. I believe to this day that the only symptom I ever had, from the cancer itself, is some bleeding. But the list of symptoms and side effects from the treatments are a mile long.......

Don’t get me wrong, I’m very thankful for the treatments, and believed they were used to save my life. I’m just saying that though treatments are successful in battling cancer, it is horrible what the treatments do to a person.

The radiation literally burned my entire pelvic area, to the extent of my body literally splitting open. Thankfully, I have fully recovered from all of the radiation side effects, though I still experience some hip pain that was never an issue before radiation.

The chemotherapy has a different lasting effect. I can’t even really fully explain it, or even fully personally understand it myself. I just know that my thought processes, reactions, decision making, etc. has been drastically affected from the chemotherapy. I really am not even the same person anymore in many ways.

That said, I returned to work in March of 2017, and have been working 50-60 hours a week ever since.

I praise and thank God for my salvation and His presence with me through all of this. I have no idea how I could have even made it through without Him, and I know that my wife and children would say the same.

One of my hopes going forward is that somehow some way my story might be used to help inform, strengthen, or encourage somebody else.

But for somebody looking for any hope, or peace, I would point to the Lord Jesus Christ, who is always there with open arms to “whosoever will”

Thank you

October 2017

As I am updating my blog I am sitting in a cabin in the woods in Newton, MS.  Spending a couple weeks out here and helping a church has been a great place to do some thinking and praying.

First of all, I would like to ask ya'll to be praying for Kelly Moncofsky who wrote an article for this blog in March.  She is going through some difficult issues right now and they could use some prayers.  Also, you might want to go back and read her article to refresh your mind.

I have asked several people who I know that have gone through cancer themselves, a family member, a caregiver, to just share their hearts.  I know as we meet people along the our way and find out they are going through cancer or have gone through it, we just seem to connect.  I find it encouraging to share with others what we have gone through and how the Lord blessed.  So I hope you will enjoy reading these articles and if they bless your heart please share that with these folks.

I notice sometimes that having gone through cancer twice as time goes on it is like it never happened.  It has been seven years of being cancer free for my second round, I am so thankful.  Yet, as I sit out here in the woods, I just thank the Lord for another day He has given me.  I think of others that I am praying for that are in the midst of the battle right now, and I am so blessed.  I don't want to dwell on the bad times, but I don't want to forget what I went through and what my Lord has done for me.

August 24, 2017

As I begin to update my blog I see it has been too long since I wrote something.  Sorry, for that but just like everyone else, we tend to be busy with all kinds of things in our lives.

So thankful for the ministry that the Lord has allowed Scott and I to do.  We don't take it for granted and thank him often for being used in the ministry.  We have had several issues with our trailer and it has created a lot of stress.  Looking forward to seeing how the Lord is going to help in all of this.  We know HE WILL.

We pray often for our health that we will stay healthy to be able to stay on the road.  We realize we are not spring chickens.  I have received several items in the mail and see online about Medicare.  Wow, does that mean I am getting OLD????  I know it is hard to believe but in November I will turn 65 years old.  People are shocked when they hear how old I am.  After going through cancer twice I am so thankful to be alive and am proud to share my age.  The old saying, " you never ask a lady how old she is" I love to tell my age.

Please continue to pray for folks going through cancer.  I have a list I pray for and I am sure you probably have some you are praying for.  It is a very difficult time for the person going through it and their families.  Praying for them is the greatest thing we can do.

May 30, 2017 - 7th Anniversary Cancer Free

              As I write this article, I am three days past my 7^th anniversary of being cancer free, for the second time.  We have been so busy, going here and there that it just slipped by us.  Scott told me yesterday, he knew it was getting close but too didn’t remember and we didn’t get to celebrate.  Every time I had a good checkup or it was another year of being cancer free, we would always celebrate.   These are great mile stones when going through cancer.

            As we travel the roads of our great country we have had the opportunity to meet so many people, who have gone through cancer or going through it as we speak.  It always touches my heart, because I know exactly what they are going through.  We always seem to connect with those families.  So we try to encourage them and pray with them.  I am praying for several people right now with cancer or who have had it.  I also pray that the Lord would continue to keep me cancer free.

            Pray with me as I would like to put in book form about my cancer journey.  I kept a journal while going through cancer both times and would like to be able to share with others.  I must admit it is very hard to either have time to just sit down to write or have a quiet place to retreat too.  Also, I am not a very good writer but it sure blesses my heart to be able to write down what I am feeling.

            I am totally blessed beyond measure with what my “Great Physician” has done for me.  I give him all the glory.  My verse God gave me the second time going through cancer.  John 11:4 “When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.”

Mother's Day - 5/14/2017

I must admit today is not one of my favorite days.  Since I have never had any of my own children, as I get older Mother’s day gets harder.  While I was young it seemed that I handled not having any children easier than now that I am older.  Now that my husband and I are older, we miss not having any grandchildren.

I feel for all those young and older ladies who have never had children, I know how you feel.  As I go to church I must make a decision how am I going to answer everyone telling you “Happy Mother’s Day.”  Years ago I just decided to just say “thank you” and let it go.  So this morning a lady says, “Happy Mother’s Day” and I reply, “thank you”.  She doesn’t stop there, she says, “how many children do you have?” and I reply “none”.  Now she is apologizing and it is awkward.  Sometimes I wish I could just sleep through this day, but missing church is not an option for me.

I am totally happy for all you mothers out there and God bless you.  What is something else that hurts my heart is when you hear mothers complaining about their children.  How much sleep they aren’t getting, how children have totally messed up their life, or whatever else they can think to complain about.  Or see all the children that need to be adopted here in the USA and how expensive it is.  We totally prayed about children and adopting children when we were younger, but the Lord never opened those doors.  Like I said we were content and have been able to help others in our same situation.

Since we have been on the road with Ambassador Baptist Ministries I have been able to talk to others in the same situation.  Also, since on the road we now have 6 adopted grandchildren.  We adopted the first 5 and just recently a 16 year old boy adopted us to be his grandparents.

            So I guess as I am venting today and helping my hurting heart, I just want you to stop and think about other women out there who are hurting this morning, aching to be holding their own baby in their arms.

April 13, 2017

     I hope you enjoyed the last post from my friend, Kelly Moncofsky.  We are still praising the Lord for what He has done for her. A lot of things have been on my mind these last few weeks.  Once you have gone through cancer, you are connected with folks you meet with cancer and sometimes even those you have never met.

     Recently a young woman who I never met passed away from her battle with cancer.  Her story is very sad but in the long run, we know who is in control.  Her and her husband were missionaires to the foreign field.  A month ago she gave birth to a precious baby girl, and two weeks later she passed away.  They have 5 children, so please be in prayer for this precious family.

     There are so many folks we know that is battling  cancer right now and we are praying for them and their families.  We know cancer is not only a battle for the individual person, but also for their families and friends.

      When I hear of someone passing from cancer or hear of another one fighting cancer, it just breaks my heart.  I have been their twice, we know what they are going through.  I know one thing, I HATE CANCER!!

      Hopefully, in the near future I will have some more testimonies to share with you.  Not only patients, but spouses, and other family members who are caregivers.  If there is anyone out there that maybe we could be an encouragement to, please let us know.

Have a blessed day!

     

Kelly Moncofsky - March 14, 2017

Never A Friend Like Jesus

by Kelly Moncofsky

All your anxiety, all your care

Bring to the mercy seat, leave it there

Never a burden you cannot bear

Never a friend like Jesus.

Do you have a best friend? Someone who you can count on, tell your secrets to, be real with, “unload” your burdens to? I do. His name is Jesus. This song means more to me now, and in the past year and a half,  then it ever did before. I’ve sung it many times in church, but the words are dearer to me now. When you hear from the Dr. that you have the “C” word, life changes and Jesus really does become your dearest friend. In August of 2015 I was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. At the time, I was only 37 years old. Not something many 37 year olds hear. With a husband, 5 kids, and a church to take care of, this news was hard to bear. Put me into shock, actually. I knew something was going on because I hadn’t felt good for about 2 months prior. I still had no idea I was about to embark on a journey that would turn my world upside down. Millions of questions and scenarios raced in my head while my husband and I sat in the Dr’s office that day. I was literally waiting for someone to pinch me so I could wake up and say it was just a bad dream. However, it wasn’t. It was real, and I was scared. I remember sitting there, watching my husband with tears coming down his cheeks. It almost hurt more to see him hurting so badly. All I could do was pray. And pray I did! Unless you’ve experienced something like this yourself, you probably won’t understand completely what I’m about to say next. The peace that swept over me in those next few hours of tests and poking and prodding was absolutely unbelievable! “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee” (Isaiah 26:3) I didn’t lose it. I didn’t panic. I didn’t even cry which for me, is a miracle in itself because I normally cry over everything The Lord was with me. He was my rock (Psalm 61:2). He was giving me the grace I needed. He was bearing my burden!! To make a very long story short, I chose to go the natural route after all my tests and biopsies came back confirming my illness. I had no treatment for almost a year after, just a big change in my lifestyle and diet. The testing that I had done each month from the naturalist I was seeing showed that I was improving and that the cancer was going away. However, about 10 months into it, I started feeling terrible. I had no energy, I was losing weight, couldn’t even climb the stairs of our house. I was basically on the couch or in bed all day long. After several family members urging me to get blood work done, I finally agreed. My husband had to carry me to the car that day. We went to the ER and had blood drawn. Turned out, I was severely anemic…like, deathly anemic. My hemoglobin was 2.8. That is NOT normal. In fact, it’s considered critical. The nurses and my ER Dr. were in shock that I was still alert and awake. That was God! So of course I was admitted and given a blood transfusion shortly after. From there, they had to determine the cause of my anemia so again, several tests were done. The entire time I was going through these tests, the Lord was there, giving me peace again. He was once again, my best friend. I told Him I was scared. I told Him I was nervous, burdened and anxious. He knew. He took care of me. “Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still” (Psalm 107”28-29) After many hours of seeing Dr’s, giving my blood away, getting new blood, having a heart monitor, etc. an oncologist met with me and told me that my cancer had spread and was now in my bone marrow, which was causing my red blood cells to be destroyed as well as my platelets. I was also at risk for bleeding. Yeah….that’s a big load to carry!! But Jesus said, let me carry it, child. “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (I Peter 5:7).  My hospital stay ended up being almost 2 weeks. I had one oncologist tell me when it was just her and I in the room that I had about 6-18 months to live, with this diagnosis. Um…say what?! Boy was this a time to cast all my cares upon Him; to bring my burden to Him. I heard a lot of bad news in the hospital during those 12 days but honestly, I also felt the peace of God that truly “passeth all understanding.” (Philippians 4:7).  Unexplainable peace. I’m so glad I had Jesus as my best friend at this time. I’m so glad He was there with me during the MANY tests, biopsies, Doctor visits, blood draws, transfusions and scans. Friend, is Jesus your best friend? Can you take all your cares and burdens to Him? Are you? Or are you trying to bear them alone? It’s so much easier when you give them to Him. I’m ashamed to say it, but up until my diagnosis, I don’t think I really relied on Jesus to carry my load. I think I tried doing a lot of it myself. I trusted myself to get through the hard times and challenges of life. Maybe God put me through this to show me HE ALONE is the one to trust. My earthly friends are wonderful. I have some of the best of friends here on earth. But none of them could have helped me through all of this like Jesus did. None of them could have given me that peace. None of them could have sustained my spirit like He did. Psalm 16:11….in his presence is fullness of joy. Amen to that! So, its been 5 months since I came home from the hospital and to God’s glory, I have been making remarkable strides in my health. I went from having blood transfusions every 10 days, to not needing one now for 2 months! I feel great, have had encouraging Doctor appointments, and just feel like a new person, praise the Lord!! He is so good to me. I’m so glad He taught me to lean on Him more. One of my favorite verses while going thru this trial was, and still is Isaiah 41:10! Such powerful words! My story is nothing special. I know there is so many others who have experienced something like this, or who are going through it right now. I just wanted to brag on my Jesus for a bit, and let you know that you’ll never find a better friend!