Sorry, I am so slow about getting the results of my lab work (from May 4th) posted. I mentioned that I had some bone pain for about a week and a half before my 3rd treatment. We were hoping that the pain was the result of my white blood cells replenishing themselves. Well, the lab report was a good one. My w
hite count was 10.2 (up from 3.1). My red blood count was also up, in fact the Doctor said that my blood profile was "really good". I still haven't had any issues with nausea, just feel very tired and I'm always trying to keep my mind focused on what God has planned for me and not dwell too much on the darker less encouraging thoughts.
My friend Grace recently gave me a book written by Lois
Olmstead,
Breast Cancer & Me. In it the author writes about her cancer and tells a story about how God led her to read
II Chron.20 (a story about Jehoshaphat). I know that I am in a battle, it's not just a little valley in my Christian walk, this wasn't "make believe", it was cancer. This enemy invaded by body and I need to know what God's plan is for me. God asks us to seek Him in His word, to call upon Him. Which we have with family, friends & churches that are praying.
There's a radio station called
KVIP out of
Redding, CA that has a
prayer &
card ministry. The woman who hosts this ministry is Carolyn, she is the wife of one of my classmates that I have known since 1st grade. Prayer requests are called in to the station and listeners commit themselves to pray & send cards to the ones in need. In the Spring of 2009, I had a problem with my left shoulder and had an MRI. The Doctor said I had some bone spurs, but didn't think it was wise to have surgery. Someone called
KVIP, regarding my prayer request and a month later I had received this envelope filled with 30+ cards from ladies praying for me. They sent scriptures with encouragement and I was in awe! They became ministering angels and my shoulder got better and the pain went away.
Well, here it is a year later and I received another envelope full of cards and messages! This time they were praying for me and my cancer. Some women shared that they had, had cancer and were okay today. I only hope that the people who participate in this prayer & card ministry know how special they are! Prayer is a mighty weapon against the enemy that tries to harm us!
II
Chron. 20:15 In it the Lord spoke to King Jehoshaphat,
"He said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's. 16 Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. 17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.' 20 Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the LORD your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful." 21 After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying:
"Give thanks to the LORD,
for his love endures forever."
22 As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. 23 The men of Ammon and Moab rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another. 24 When the men of Judah came to the place that overlooks the desert and looked toward the vast army, they saw only dead bodies lying on the ground; no one had escaped. 25 So Jehoshaphat and his men went to carry off their plunder, and they found among them a great amount of equipment and clothing [e] and also articles of value—more than they could take away. There was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it. 26 On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Beracah, where they praised the LORD. This is why it is called the Valley of Beracah [f] to this day. 27 Then, led by Jehoshaphat, all the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned joyfully to Jerusalem, for the LORD had given them cause to rejoice over their enemies. 28 They entered Jerusalem and went to the temple of the LORD with harps and lutes and trumpets. 29 The fear of God came upon all the kingdoms of the countries when they heard how the LORD had fought against the enemies of Israel. 30 And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side."
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