Chemo is bearing down on Mary. Tomorrow afternoon she’ll line up with other chemo patients for her first infusion, and she’s nervous. Who wouldn’t be? But chemotherapy can be surprising. Some people are only mildly affected while others are laid low. For Mary, it’s still the great unknown.
Like most of life’s question marks, though, she’ll get the answers shortly. She doesn’t necessarily want to, but she will. So many parts of life follow that pattern: questions without answers, and then like it or not, the answers come.
Take childbirth, for instance. All of us wondered how bad it would be. Was it like Hollywood depicted, with sudden onset and scream-worthy pain? Or was it just hard work we could handle without drama? Eventually most of us found out it’s somewhere between those two extremes.
Another example might be going off to college. We weren’t sure what awaited us, knowing classes would be rigorous but hoping it wouldn’t be all work and no play. For most, it fell somewhere in between.
Mary’s chemo will probably be the same, landing in the middle between extremes. Though she may experience some side effects, she and all of us will pray they won’t be debilitating.
Today while listening to an online church service, I sang along with the congregation, “When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing it will be!” When Mary sings songs like these, I’m sure her perspective now is far different than it was 2 months ago. Starting chemotherapy serves as a reminder she isn’t the same person she was back then, but isn’t that true for all of us? Day to day we’re changing, and as Mary marches into her great unknown, the rest of us are marching, too, reorienting our perspectives as we go, just as she is.
Tonight Mary said, “Tomorrow we go into this new experience hour-by-hour. And if it needs to be minute-by-minute, then we’ll do it like that.” She’s feeling the presence of her co-marchers through their prayers, marveling at the strength they’re giving her. Of course that strength comes not so much from people as from God’s answers to what people are praying.
One thing Mary knows for sure about her great unknown: those answers will continue for as long as she has needs, measured out perfectly day-by-day… hour-by-hour… or, if need be, minute-by-minute.
“My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart.” (Psalm 73:26)
Praising and Praying with Mary
- Praise for a very busy week full of blessing from family and friends
- Praise for heartfelt Mothers Day notes from all her children
- Pray for few side effects, especially no nausea
- Pray for the stamina needed to plan a September wedding
Mary looks absolutely beautiful. Happy Mothers Day to you ladies!! 🙂
Praying and thinking of her, and you all, constantly today!
Lord Jesus, you know each of us intimately. You alone know what Mary’s journey is going to look like and how it will end. You alone are the One to give her comfort and grace as she goes into this next chapter. I ask that you carry her on a plain that can only be attributed to your touch. I ask that you give peace to her family as they watch you work in Mary’s life. I ask that you bless her and those who care for her. May this next chapter be to you honor and glory. Because you hear our prayers, I ask this in your name, Jesus. Amen
Amen (Claudia’s prayer)
Mary looks great. This is a beautiful family photo!
Mary and Bervin, I’Ve been thinking of and praying for you both ,and all those caring for you, so many times today. I also pray that now that the first treatment is over, you will know once again that God is with you in this. Love,
What a beautiful picture of family.
I am praying for you, Mary, and for your whole family. May Jesus be your strength and your peace!
Have you heard the song, “Oceans,” by Hillsong United? When you wrote about the “Great Unknown,” that reminded me of the song which has become somewhat a theme for me in the last 3 1/2 months since my precious husband went to the Lord. I know that the Lord has a purpose for me, just as He has a purpose for Mary right now. I do not know that purpose, specifically, but I sense that He is happy with my determination to live holy and pure, to glorify His Name and be an example. I pray that the Lord will heal Mary in ways that will glorify Him!
I learned of you blog from Gayle Wells, Becky’s sister and your neighbor. My last chemo is next Tuesday and I haven’t had any nausea to speak of. The first time i followed the directions and took my nausea pills but i have since quit. I have only had to do 4 sessions every 3 weeks. Be sure to get the cookbooks for chemo patients because food isn’t very good anymore. The best one is “One Bite at a Time” make the mineral broth. Not hard to make and gets you vitamins and tastes pretty darned good. I like decaf mint tea at night with maple syrup (your new best friend). French toast is my new favorite food…with maple syrup of course. I also got some mint chocolate protein bars from Costco. They are called Staybilyze but if you look for them, be sure to get the ones on Amazon…more protein plus dark chocolate. Should have 12 grams of protein. It really kept me going at first. I am much more flexible now, but I am 2 weeks past my last chemo so it makes a difference. God Bless!