The Prodigals musical production was a wonderful success! God really blessed the whole thing MORE than we ever imagined. There were 9 cast members plus our narrator...and ALL of them were incredible! Super talented! Caleb, the director (and also in the play) added so many creative ideas and staging to the songs. It really told the story in a fresh way, but was still true to the original story in the Bible. The theater planned on doing four shows, but they all sold out, so the director and the cast decided to do 2 more. Those were almost sold out as well! The whole experience was SO touching and beautiful. It was truly a dream and desire of my heart for years, more than 20...and it finally came true. All the people involved gave their time and talent to pull it off. God, Who is so good and loving, gave all of us a wonderful experience...but I know, for me, I received a huge gift from my Father in heaven. "Praise the Lord God, Oh my soul!"
Other July events...today is my 34th anniversary! Tom and I have had such an incredible journey together, full of great moments and lots of love. Thirty four years together and four wonderful children...we are truly blessed! I love him way more today than that first year together. We look back at how much in love we were that first year...but all the richness of life made that love deeper and deeper each year. I am forever grateful to God for my precious husband!
Also in July... I continued to go to treatments. I see my doctor once a month to just review labs and to see how I'm handling the treatments, etc. I saw her last week and the appointment went well. My labs came back and for the first time since who knows when....(drumroll)...my calcium was normal and BOTH of the tumor marker blood tests were in the normal range too. Praise God!!! These are the indicators she has always looked at before we see the scans and she was very pleased with the lab results. Me too. :-) I'll probably get the scans done in September.
I had treatment that same day that I saw the doctor. The past treatments have gone so well, all during the Prodigals rehearsals and shows...it was incredible. God truly just gave me strength and no side effects, it was really amazing. But after last week's treatment, about Wednesday, I wasn't feeling that great. Thursday was yukky, which means nausea and pain. But Friday got better and Saturday even better. Other side effects...I can tell my hair is coming out now. The new chemo, Taxol, has the side effect of losing my hair. Because the chemo is spread out in 3 doses rather than one large dose, the hair loss has been gradual. I don't really want to lose my hair, of course, but I have done this before. Been there/done that...so, it's not as scary as the first time. It's still not fun, though. I know God will give me the grace and emotional adjustment to handle this. He continues to take care of every part of this journey. I think it will be gone in the next 2 weeks. I already picked out a new wig from New Outlook at St. Vincent's. It'll be fine...I'm going brunette with soft highlights. New doo, (as in hair-do) .
I go back tomorrow (Monday) for treatment. One of the pre-meds they give for the chemo is Benadryl, so I usually conk out pretty quickly after I get it. Wear my earplugs, listen to my ipod, and snooze lightly. Takes about 2 hours. Then, home.
So...how am I doing overall?
I am grateful. God gave me a wonderful gift...Prodigals was such a blessing and joy!
I am grateful for my marriage of 34 years! My Tommy is incredible and wonderful!
I am grateful for the good lab reports. It helps increase hope.
Yes...I am VERY grateful. God has faithfully watched over me, giving peace and strength for each day. I do get weary. But He's told me to just live one day at a time. Sometimes it is one hour or even one minute at a time. But He never leaves me alone. He is so good. SO many people are praying...and I can tell. It is an honor that my name is spoken in prayer by family and friends. I really, really feel God's care and love day by day. I'm so grateful to all of you for your prayers.
That's all. Grateful. Still need prayers. Still here. Still fighting. Praise God.
Oh Father,
Thank You. That's all...just...thank You.
And one more thing...I love You.
Your daughter,
Lisa
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Prodigals
In the middle of this medical journey that I am walking through, God truly has given me a joyful surprise along the way!
On July 12-15, the local community theater in Searcy, Arkansas, Center on the Square, is going to present a program of songs that I wrote called "Prodigals". I am SO excited and honored that it's going to be done! There are 12 songs all together and they tell the wonderful story that Jesus told 2,000 years ago about the prodigal son. The songs are being performed by local singers and the music performed live. This is a dessert theatre. Coffee and a variety of desserts will be served and are included in the ticket price.
The other exciting part is that the production will be a benefit for IHCF African Christian Hospitals ministry, which is the ministry where Tom works. Specifically, the money will go straight to a new Cancer Treatment program that began in Nigeria this past year. It was started by two surgeons from America and two Nigerian doctors at Nigerian Christian Hospital. They've also written a book that is being used throughout Africa called "Where There is No Oncologist".
This whole battle I've been fighting is not a journey that most Africans with cancer ever have to deal with. Not because there is no cancer in Africa, but because, for the most part, there is no treatment available. It is rarely an option. I have had treatment available since the very first day I found out I had cancer...and promptly began all that was available. I am SO blessed to live in a country that has medicine to fight back. Nigerian Christian Hospital, in West Africa, has begun an oncology program that is wanting to "fight back" cancer in their region. I am so excited that this show, "Prodigals", will benefit this new cancer program.
I wrote the "Prodigals" songs about 20 years ago and have always hoped that someday they could be performed at a wonderful theater like this. Can't believe that it's actually happening! :-) ....and that it will bless my husband's work of helping the sick in Africa in the name Jesus. YAY! SO thankful!
If you are in our area, I hope you will come and see it! I think you'll be blessed. And if you are not close by, I would love for you to pray that the shows will be successful.
Showtimes are June 12-14 at 7 pm and June 15 at 1:30. You can call Center on the Square for reservations and information at 501-368-0111. Tickets are $15 and may be purchased in advance or at the door. Please come if you can!
If you want to participate with helping African Christian Hospitals, their addresss is
102 N. Locust, Searcy, AR 72143.
Here is a link to the theater for more information...
Dessert Theater: Prodigals at Center on the Square
Thanks so much!!!
P.S. Monday I go for treatment again...thank you for your continued prayers.
On July 12-15, the local community theater in Searcy, Arkansas, Center on the Square, is going to present a program of songs that I wrote called "Prodigals". I am SO excited and honored that it's going to be done! There are 12 songs all together and they tell the wonderful story that Jesus told 2,000 years ago about the prodigal son. The songs are being performed by local singers and the music performed live. This is a dessert theatre. Coffee and a variety of desserts will be served and are included in the ticket price.
The other exciting part is that the production will be a benefit for IHCF African Christian Hospitals ministry, which is the ministry where Tom works. Specifically, the money will go straight to a new Cancer Treatment program that began in Nigeria this past year. It was started by two surgeons from America and two Nigerian doctors at Nigerian Christian Hospital. They've also written a book that is being used throughout Africa called "Where There is No Oncologist".
This whole battle I've been fighting is not a journey that most Africans with cancer ever have to deal with. Not because there is no cancer in Africa, but because, for the most part, there is no treatment available. It is rarely an option. I have had treatment available since the very first day I found out I had cancer...and promptly began all that was available. I am SO blessed to live in a country that has medicine to fight back. Nigerian Christian Hospital, in West Africa, has begun an oncology program that is wanting to "fight back" cancer in their region. I am so excited that this show, "Prodigals", will benefit this new cancer program.
I wrote the "Prodigals" songs about 20 years ago and have always hoped that someday they could be performed at a wonderful theater like this. Can't believe that it's actually happening! :-) ....and that it will bless my husband's work of helping the sick in Africa in the name Jesus. YAY! SO thankful!
If you are in our area, I hope you will come and see it! I think you'll be blessed. And if you are not close by, I would love for you to pray that the shows will be successful.
Showtimes are June 12-14 at 7 pm and June 15 at 1:30. You can call Center on the Square for reservations and information at 501-368-0111. Tickets are $15 and may be purchased in advance or at the door. Please come if you can!
If you want to participate with helping African Christian Hospitals, their addresss is
102 N. Locust, Searcy, AR 72143.
Here is a link to the theater for more information...
Dessert Theater: Prodigals at Center on the Square
Thanks so much!!!
P.S. Monday I go for treatment again...thank you for your continued prayers.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Grateful Heart
It's Wednesday...and I'm actually doing pretty well. Yay! Praise God!
Monday we saw the doctor. She said the new chemo is usually given in one dosage every three weeks, but she decided to divide it into three dosages so that it doesn't hit me as hard. That's why I'm going once a week, for three weeks and then I get one week off. (I really don't get that week off because I get other drugs that are on a different schedule, so I'm basically going every Monday.) About my scans next week, she said that she didn't feel like we needed the scans because we can see from my lab and from just seeing me physically get around better, that the last treatments were working. But since we are starting a new chemo, she said we could wait till I'm on it for awhile, probably 3 months, and then get the scans done. She said we could get the scans if I just wanted to see, but it was up to me. Tom and I both said "no...that's okay, we don't have to see the scans". They have a lot of radiation, so if I can avoid them, that's great.
My lab results were good again! Calcium was 9.3 (10 is normal) and the tumor markers both had gone down some more (yay)...one in the normal range, one close. All indications seem to be that it is working. My doctor believes it is the Avastin in particular that is working well to stop the growth. I'm grateful for her optimism and confidence. My prayer is just that the new chemo will continue the good momentum.
Thanks SO much for your prayers! It's amazing that I haven't been real sick on this Day 3. That is so wonderful! SO thankful to God! I'm also feeling more peace about the drug change. Instead of being frustrated with the insurance issue, I'm remembering that God is in control of all of this and believing that this is what He wanted next. I want to trust Him always.
Thank You, God, for being with me on Monday! Thank You for the great results and for helping me to transition to this new drug. Father, I'm believing that You have orchestrated all of these details. You are so good and so full of love for us all. Thank You for giving me strength and peace for this day. I give You all the praise!
In Jesus Name.
Amen.
Monday we saw the doctor. She said the new chemo is usually given in one dosage every three weeks, but she decided to divide it into three dosages so that it doesn't hit me as hard. That's why I'm going once a week, for three weeks and then I get one week off. (I really don't get that week off because I get other drugs that are on a different schedule, so I'm basically going every Monday.) About my scans next week, she said that she didn't feel like we needed the scans because we can see from my lab and from just seeing me physically get around better, that the last treatments were working. But since we are starting a new chemo, she said we could wait till I'm on it for awhile, probably 3 months, and then get the scans done. She said we could get the scans if I just wanted to see, but it was up to me. Tom and I both said "no...that's okay, we don't have to see the scans". They have a lot of radiation, so if I can avoid them, that's great.
My lab results were good again! Calcium was 9.3 (10 is normal) and the tumor markers both had gone down some more (yay)...one in the normal range, one close. All indications seem to be that it is working. My doctor believes it is the Avastin in particular that is working well to stop the growth. I'm grateful for her optimism and confidence. My prayer is just that the new chemo will continue the good momentum.
Thanks SO much for your prayers! It's amazing that I haven't been real sick on this Day 3. That is so wonderful! SO thankful to God! I'm also feeling more peace about the drug change. Instead of being frustrated with the insurance issue, I'm remembering that God is in control of all of this and believing that this is what He wanted next. I want to trust Him always.
Thank You, God, for being with me on Monday! Thank You for the great results and for helping me to transition to this new drug. Father, I'm believing that You have orchestrated all of these details. You are so good and so full of love for us all. Thank You for giving me strength and peace for this day. I give You all the praise!
In Jesus Name.
Amen.
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