Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Radiation and some GOOD News!

I feel like Spider Man in that mask....only for a few minutes though.

I have now had 5 radiation treaments and so far, bless the Lord, I am doing fine. Today the Radiologist met with Bear and me and asked me a few questions, like how are you feeling, any side effects, etc. No pain.
He said to us that there are 3 tumors on my brain and he expects the smallest one to completely shrink. He only knows what he can know. I believe they will all be gone.
Friday night the Oncologist met with us (I just got out of the hospital yesterday after 2 weeks) and he told us when he sent me for the ultrasound of the tumors in my belly that the Euro-gynecologist actually had a panic attack when he saw the size of the tumors. I asked Bear did he think he was kidding when he said that. Bear didn't think he was kidding either. The Euro-G said that I needed to call another doctor in immediately to have surgery. My doctor said no surgery.
That is why he put me right in the hospital 2 1/2 weeks ago and gave me a constant infusion of chemo for 46 hours. That was tough. I was sick but the tumors did shrink and I am not in any pain.
Tomorrow after radiation at 10:15 I have to have another round of anti-body. I believe I will be home somewhere around 2:00 PM...HOPEFULLY! A lot of times it's the waiting game and it gets frustrating.
Anyway my understanding of all of this is that I have way outlived what they expected.
Whether or not you like him, I have been listening to some healing tapes during the night from Pastor Rod Parsley. They are called At The Cross. He takes me back go the Garden of Eden and how there was never supposed to be sickness in this world. It was a perfect world when God created it and then of course...Adam and Eve or it could have been Bear & Arlene...that would be a tough one to have hanging over you for eternity.
Anyway, these messages have been so simple, just the plain gospel. They have ministered over and over to me. I told Bear I will never be the same.
Pastor Parsley said why do you want to wait until you go to Heaven to be healed...there's no sickness there anyway? Makes sense to me. He also said don't get in the middle of this fight and give up...I'm on the brink of a miracle! I can't give up now! God is so good to me.
Bear and I were sitting at dinner tonight and my phone rang. It was an unfamiliar number and sometimes I don't answer those until I get a message. I just picked it up and could not believe who was on the other end of the phone. It was a Bible College Student from Pastor Parsley's. He said he was just calling to thank us for the support and asked if I had any prayer requests.
I told him that I had been diagnosed with cancer (I never say I have cancer, it doesn't own me). I told him how I had been listening and so very blessed by what Pastor Parsley had to say...just the simple Gospel and how much it means to me. He prayed for me...I gave him a few good tidbits from the doctor and he said he was writing them down as we spoke. When he was finished he didn't ask for a donation or anything just prayed, wrote and hung up.
I have to say we have supported Pastor Parsley for a good while now and NEVER have I had them call me just to pray. This was the perfect day.

I wanted to update and am finally able to work my fingers again pretty good.
The physical therapist was so pleased with how I was walking up and down the stairs that she said she doesn't need to see me anymore.
I am looking for all of the good news that can possibly come out of this thing yet. I know that God has a work for us to do together and I'm not about to give up or in to the devil.
I told the College Student that I am beginning to put the testimony together of everything God is and has done and I would email it to them as the progression keeps getting better. He said please do.
We feel that this is something people need to hear...it's not just something we need to or can keep to ourselves. I do believe if I kept this to myself, God would not be happy with me. He's done so much for me, how could or why would I want to keep it? People need to know that God is MY healer!
I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your prayers. I am very strong MOST of the time, but there are times, I just need to know someone is praying. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you for all of the cards, flowers, dinners, gifts and emails. You could never, ever know how much they mean to me.
I have begun to make a list of everyone that I know is praying for me and pray for you too. I am sure I am so consumed with what is going on here that sometimes I don't pray for you like I should.
We have some friends at "The River" in North Carolina and we were listening to their streaming faith video and they ministered tremendously to us also. We are so blessed to be living in this day and age.
Looking forward to blogging with you for many, many years to come, Healed, Whole and Proclaiming Jesus to the World!

13 comments:

Louise said...

Bless the Lord O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless His holy Name.
For He has done great things,
He has done great things,
He has done great things,
bless His holy Name.

Remember that song Arlene? And we all have so much to bless Him for! He guides our steps and He directs our paths and He does all things well. He is the Beginning and the End of our faith. He is Creator and Sustainer of the universe, how can we not trust Him?

Thank you for updating us. May you soon be home.

We love you.

Arlene - BY HIS STRIPES!!! said...

Thank you so much Louise. I am home now, as of yesterday. Of COURSE, I remember that song! Love you too!

Anonymous said...

Flyby hugging!!!!!




very special lady!!!!!!!

thank you!

jel

Jim said...

Arlene, you have me on your list of people praying. Every day, even in Scotland. And often a lot more than just once a day.

I know there are so many, many praying for you. And I think you can feel it, it is a strange feeling, isn't it?

When I was terribly bad off in 2001 I could feel that many were praying. It was scary, but a good and scary feeling.

God does the healing but he wants our prayers too. I remember Jesus telling his disciples that for certain healing to take place they must fast and pray. It is in God's plan that we do.

The Scripture I have chosen for you tonight is

Psalm 35:27,
May those who delight in my vindication
shout for joy and gladness;
may they always say, "The LORD be exalted,
who delights in the well-being of his servant
."

BTW, I can tell by your composure while holding little Hudsyn that you are a loving, wonderful and Godly grandmother.

God bless you and keep you,
..

Arlene - BY HIS STRIPES!!! said...

Thanks, Jel. I need those fly by hugs!

Arlene - BY HIS STRIPES!!! said...

Jim, You have encouraged my soul. You are so right about it feeling strange when people pray for you and especially ones you don't know. But every bit as wonderful. It seems like blog friends just come our of the woodwork to pray. What a blessing they are! Thank you for your comments on my grandbaby. I love them all so much and pray for their little souls to serve him all the days of their lives. Thanks for taking time to check on me while you are on vacation too! Thanks so much for your prayers, Bear and I appreciate them so much.

Pat said...

All I can think of is God's amazing grace. I'm sitting her tonight with tears rolling down my face as I am typing this. Your healing is healing others. God's hand is sweeping across the lives of his people and all that you have endured has been key in having it happen. You have been faithful to praise Him in the hard times and He is blessing lives because of it.
Love you guys!

Trish said...

Oh Yes! Oh Yes! I'm a child of the King and His Royal Blood now
flows through my veins.
I who was wretched and blind now
can see! Oh Yes! Oh Yes! I'm a child of the King!!

Arlene, I am about to have a Jerico march around this room!
Excuse me, but I've got to go
find my white hanky!!

Mrs. Mac said...

You precious sister in Christ (whom strengthens you). Just you put those words of discouragement from your 'friend' right out the window. They are not meant for you and should have never been uttered to you ... You have lots of rockin' to do for that new grandbaby and lots of praising God and bringing Him so much glory that you will be busy for some time to come. Be healed ... by His stripes.

Anonymous said...

The bigger the battle the greater the testimony!!!! I can't wait to read the book! I will help you come up with the name! HA!

Love YA!

Terry said...

For sure Arlene and we are looking forward to blogging with YOU too for the rest of the time until the Lord comes to take us ALL home!
......................Love Terry

Rebecca said...

Hi Arlene....thanks so much for this update.....you sure are a fighter and that is what we are all called to be, I guess, but in different ways. I pray that during the times you do not feel strong that the thoughts and prayers of others continue to encourage you and your husband. Bless you

Amrita said...

Praising God for you godly attitude and faith.Lots of Love.