I am feeling much better today and have not been sick once. We have had a really relaxed day just resting and spending time with one another. The people at Clatterbridge also said I would not lose my hair until the week after my treatment which will be strange as I will have finished but it gives me a good timeline of when it will go. We both slept really well last night and have woken refreshed this morning. The treatment went well and I have had no side effects this afternoon, we have been for lunch and really known the strength only the Lord provides.
I was sent an email today and I know this person reads the blog but it really was an encouragement today. In word for today it said 'Cancer is limited; it cannot cripple love, it cannot shatter hope, it cannot erode faith, it cannot eat away peace, it cannot destroy confidence, it cannot kill friendships, it cannot shut our memories, it cannot silence courage, it cannot invade the soul, it cannot reduce eternal life, it cannot quench the spirit and it cannot lessen the power of the resurrection'. It was posted in the Mayo clinic and a real encouragement,thank you.
Anne and I have continually said we would not have coped with the cancer without our faith and without our hope in Jesus Christ. I was reading today of Isaiah 9 v 6-7 'For to us a child is born, to us a son is given and the government will be upon his shoulders. He will be called Wonderful Counsellor,Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign over David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord will accomplish this.' This was written around 700BC and what a passage as it means He is our counsellor, Mighty God and his kingdom will not endure for a few years but forever. Forever! We are able to trust in a God who keeps his promises not just over a few days but from the start of creation until his coming again and if it is so then this verse shows who we should be putting our trust in, Christ.
Thank you for all your prayers, texts, email, support and love it really is a working demonstration of the love of Christ and gives us such encouragement in the Lord and for our situation.
Verse for the day: Isaiah 9 v 6-7
Prayer for the day: Praise the Lord we have a God who is faithful and who's promises and love endures forever. Praise the Lord he has been with us in all we have been through. Please pray for the Lord's mighty hand will be over the treatment to kill the cancer cells. Pray for his strength in recovery and rest from the treatment. For a love of God's word during our treatment and continued close walk with him. For our witness within the hospital and to others around us.
Thank you for taking the time and effort to keep us all up-to-date with the progress of your treatment, physcial and spiritual strength. It's great to know that thus far the Lord has seen fit to answer our individual and collective prayers. Thanks to Anne, too, for her reassuring and optimistic updates in Facebook. I'm sure there are many of us anxious to know how things are going, and thank God that so far all is so much better than it might be. As for your imminent hair loss, please don't worry. You are not Samson, so none of your physical and spiritual strength will be sapped by it's temporary departure! Indeed, I anticipate that it may be more of a challenge for strangers and acquaintances who meet you. As we discussed often in human geography sessions, whether we like it or not we ALL make instinctive judgments of others based on initial appearances. And being hairless carries multiple cultural meanings - is this person a 'skinhead thug', neo-Nazi, or very, very frail and poorly. You are none of those things, thank God! And I am certain that many who discover that will be introduced to the Lord inspired by the depth and breadth of your faith in Him.
ReplyDeleteAll very best love and gratitude to you, as ever, Teresa xxxx