Faith, Hope, and Prayers
Our eldest daughter is diagnosed with the very rare Hurthle Cell Carcinoma.
Karmyn's GP and her surgeon had been so encouraging and had prepared her (and us) for a benign result. Instead, we are reeling from the pathology report with disbelief and shock. She now requires additional surgery to remove the remainder of her thyroid. Then she moves on to chemotherapy and thyroid hormone replacement.
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Our family has been buffeted by the winds of life's storms the past months. But there have been prayers answered ....
My dentist brother Ron (and his wife Kay) returned from an extended trip to a third world country that suffers a high incident of HIV. During one of the clinics, where my brother donated his skills on the locals teeth, he suffered a needle accident.
*Subsequent blood tests have shown negative results for any contracted virus.
Upon their return to the states, Kay was feeling ragged and run down. She was shortly diagnosed with colon cancer. I cried and prayed long distance with Ron as his wife was prepared for surgery.
*The cancer was encapsulated and she will not have to endure the rigid chemotherapy.
Our middle daughter is going through a litigious divorce following a tumultuous marriage. She and her three little ones arrived in the middle of the night with close to nothing and lived with us for five months. Having a 5, 3, and 1 year old in the house takes many adjustments for two grandparents who have been accustomed to their own space. But those challenges were minimal compared to the emotional turmoil brought on by a vicious custody battle. Unjustified accusations - both written and oral - keep us on guard.
*My grandchildren are still in our daughter's temporary custody. She acquired a great job that she loves - a blessing during a time of high unemployment. An unexpected receipt of funds also provided for a used car and an apartment lease. We continue to pray for peace in their lives.
My husband lost his job. The official term is Reduction in Force (RIF). His employer was the State and the budget cuts effected us very close and personal. Because of some physical limitations I have not worked full time for over two years.
*Shortly before the last day of his contract, my husband was approached to teach a programming class winter quarter at the local community college. It's been hard work to prepare the class, but it has been rewarding for him. Just last week he was contracted by a local business to build and maintain a website. On Friday, the college offered him a second class during Spring quarter. We have been blessed with income and have not been forced to raid our retirement fund.
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We are expecting miraculous healing and recovery for our daughter Karmyn. Just last evening our friends in Colorado Springs told us that they and their friends would PUSH for her. They explained that it was an acronym for Pray Until Something Happens.
That is exactly what we plan to do. PUSH for Karmyn. Please join us.
Karmyn's GP and her surgeon had been so encouraging and had prepared her (and us) for a benign result. Instead, we are reeling from the pathology report with disbelief and shock. She now requires additional surgery to remove the remainder of her thyroid. Then she moves on to chemotherapy and thyroid hormone replacement.
***
Our family has been buffeted by the winds of life's storms the past months. But there have been prayers answered ....
My dentist brother Ron (and his wife Kay) returned from an extended trip to a third world country that suffers a high incident of HIV. During one of the clinics, where my brother donated his skills on the locals teeth, he suffered a needle accident.
*Subsequent blood tests have shown negative results for any contracted virus.
Upon their return to the states, Kay was feeling ragged and run down. She was shortly diagnosed with colon cancer. I cried and prayed long distance with Ron as his wife was prepared for surgery.
*The cancer was encapsulated and she will not have to endure the rigid chemotherapy.
Our middle daughter is going through a litigious divorce following a tumultuous marriage. She and her three little ones arrived in the middle of the night with close to nothing and lived with us for five months. Having a 5, 3, and 1 year old in the house takes many adjustments for two grandparents who have been accustomed to their own space. But those challenges were minimal compared to the emotional turmoil brought on by a vicious custody battle. Unjustified accusations - both written and oral - keep us on guard.
*My grandchildren are still in our daughter's temporary custody. She acquired a great job that she loves - a blessing during a time of high unemployment. An unexpected receipt of funds also provided for a used car and an apartment lease. We continue to pray for peace in their lives.
My husband lost his job. The official term is Reduction in Force (RIF). His employer was the State and the budget cuts effected us very close and personal. Because of some physical limitations I have not worked full time for over two years.
*Shortly before the last day of his contract, my husband was approached to teach a programming class winter quarter at the local community college. It's been hard work to prepare the class, but it has been rewarding for him. Just last week he was contracted by a local business to build and maintain a website. On Friday, the college offered him a second class during Spring quarter. We have been blessed with income and have not been forced to raid our retirement fund.
***
Amanda, Jennifer, Karmyn with us on Oregon Coast |
That is exactly what we plan to do. PUSH for Karmyn. Please join us.
Comments
I hardly know where to start...just know that my prayers are with you and the family too. I will go right up to my bedroom and post a prayer request where I will see it. It is times like those when we say ...why God? This is just too much! I pray that you will feel his arms comforting you because we rarely get answers to the hard questions I just asked. When our kids and Grandkids are threatened it is like getting kicked in the stomach .... So sorry you have to go through this.
I am glad your husband got some work... keep us posted.
I don't know how you cope with the "buffets" life has thrown you - you've done marvelously well and I am filled with respect and a bit of awe.
...and now for some PUSH... I will do my best - for I know you and yours, including Karmyn and the middle daughter.
I know the grandkids are in a good place.
Hugs and pushes...
May many more blessings than challenges come to you and yours, Pat. I, too, will pray for Karmyn.
This post sums you up so well for me. Always counting your blessings in the midst of difficulty.
I will pray for your family. My father had thyroid cancer some years ago. It was also a rare type. I am pleased to say that he is cancer free and has been for about seven years. There have been challenges with the thyroid replacement therapy, but that seems to have stabilized. I hope for the same or even better results for your beautiful daughter.
xoxoxo
Stress..you have had just a little in your life in the past year..hang in there..you have supportive friends. Hug Karmyn for me..:)
I've been thinking of a similar post--along with many others that never seem to get written these days. Our family has been going through a lot lately as well. Through it all we have been able to find peace through trusting in God, and we continue to see His hand in each situation. I do not believe God sends trouble upon us, but I do believe He offers the way out.
I have been praying for Karmyn and your whole family and will continue to pray. God is bigger than all of the trials we face.
Love you and your family. Praying always.
Don't know how you have accumulated such a run of bad stuff Pamela, I am reminded of a conversation with WT where we voted you the NICEST blog friend we had... and it still applies.
I hope that the sun will shining again soon and all problems solved !
I will pray for your family and you to stay in high spirits and strong.
With all the love and positive energy headed your way, things will turn out just fine.
my friend. I love the answered prayers update. One day, one moment at a time. Much love.