Wednesday, March 02, 2011
I have good news to report! We saw Dr. Williams today and while Di does have a recurrence of ovarian cancer, the two spots are just in her abdominal cavity and no where vital. The doctor immediately started her on a different chemo and assured us the fight was far from over. She said this wasn't even maintenance to keep the cancer from progressing but we were still going for eradication!
Di and I both burst into tears at the news. AND this new chemo won't make her lose that adorable hair she has now. I'm going to take a picture and post it. She looks so cute with her hair this length.
I can't even begin to thank you all for your prayers. We know God heard all of us beseeching heaven on her behalf. Please keep up the prayers and we'll keep you posted. Love you all!
Labels: Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Dr. Williams, ovarian cancer
Colleen Coble
posted at
8:24 PM
Comments (10)
Monday, February 28, 2011
I have to admit I was upset with God this past week. On Friday when news came that Di's cancer was back, I felt betrayed. I argued with God saying, "But you led us to Cancer Treatment Center of America. I know you did. And now this?" I railed and cried and was generally a total mess.
Thankfully, God is big enough to love me when I question Him. Our pastor's message on Sunday was about how our happiness on earth is not God's goal. We're on the path to heaven and God is making us more like Christ before we get there. But heaven is our final destination. This life is such a blip on the radar of eternity. And none of us knows which of us is going to get there first. A car accident or something else could take us on home at any moment.
There's a Petra song that I love. The lyrics are below. The part is red is my favorite part and it's a good reminder to me right now that this journey isn't all there is. That we are to expect trouble and heartache because we are pilgrims here. Just because it comes doesn't mean God doesn't love us.
Tomorrow Dave and I are taking Di to Zion, to the Cancer Treatment Center. Pray for her and her family. This is so hard on Jim and the kids. And pray for wisdom for the doctor. I believe that God is allowing this so that we will see His power as He miraculously heals her. :) We've made a pact that whoever gets to heaven first will put a down payment on the mansion next door. And you know what? In light of eternity, that moment when we're reunited with our loved ones will be like a second. My grandparents and my brother are there too. When I get there, they'll say, "Are you here already? I just got here and barely had a chance to look around."
Here's to keeping our sights set on the goal--heaven!
Road To Zion lyrics
There is a way that leads to life, the few that find it never die
Past mountain peaks graced white with snow, the way grows brighter as it goes
Chorus:
There is A road inside of you,inside of me there is one too.
No stumbling pilgrim in the Dark, the road to Zion's in your heart,
the road to Zion's in your heart
The river runs beside the road, it's waters living as they flow,
in liquid voice the water calls, on thirsty knees a pilgrim falls
(CHROUS)
Sometimes a shadow dark & cold lays like a mist across the road,
but Be encouraged by the sight, where there's a shadow there's the Light
(CHROUS)
Sometimes it's good to look back down , we've come so far we've gained
such ground but joy is not in where we've been, Joy is Who's waiting at the end
What about you? Have you ever been mad at God?
Labels: Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Diann Hunt, Road to Zion
Colleen Coble
posted at
6:39 PM
Comments (24)
Monday, January 31, 2011
Denise took my topic yesterday right out of my mouth, er, fingers. I am also plotting out a new series idea. And the more books I write, the more I'm convinced that we women need relationship even in our reading material. Friendship among women is what makes us live longer and keeps us happier. That even extends to our reading material!
In one study, for example, researchers found that people who had no friends increased their risk of death over a 6-month period. In another study, those who had the most friends over a 9-year period cut their risk of death by more than 60%. Friends are also helping us live better. The famed Nurses' Health Study from Harvard Medical School found that the more friends women had, the less likely they were to develop physical impairments as they aged, and the more likely they were to be leading a joyful life. In fact, the results were so significant, the researchers concluded, that not having close friends or confidants was as detrimental to your health as smoking or carrying extra weight.
I love that sentence in red because it tells me Di is going to outlive us all. :) This past year was just a blip on her screen of joy. Love you, girlfriend! I was thinking this week about last January and our time at Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Zion IL.
Our craving for companionship extends to many areas. That was brought home to me tonight. Kara and I were doing our nightly Pilates together. Instructor Denise Austin was telling us to lift our legs up along with our chests. This movement is really hard for me (your legs and arms are kind of in a V.) I caught the order for the new pose, but Kara didn't so I was suffering alone. I yelled, "Kara!" and she thought she was doing something wrong. And she was. She wasn't joining in my suffering as I turned my toes out "like a ballerina." LOL Then we got so tickled we had trouble holding our legs up there. And periodically through the rest of the workout, we giggled.
I'm not quite sure how I'm going to continue my workouts without my baby girl. She's made it actually FUN.
This study said that when women are stressed they often pull back on friendships and that's the worst possible thing for them to do. So what about you? Are you nurturing your friendships? Your assignment today is to call a friend you haven't talked to in a while. No, don't email them. CALL them. And make plans to get together. Then report back to here. We'll be your accountability partners. :)
And I'd love to hear how a friend or two has enriched your life.
Labels: Cancer Treatment Centers of America, friendship. Denise Austin Pilates
Colleen Coble
posted at
11:32 PM
Comments (5)
Thursday, March 11, 2010
HE LEADETH ME, HE LEADETH ME
Praising GOD right now!!! Di called with the most stupendous news. Her CA 125 level was 35 which is the top range of NORMAL! Before surgery it was 1154. The doctor said it usually doesn't drop this low until at least 4 chemo treatments! I just have to thank God he led us to Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Zion. To Dr. Williams and Carm and the rest of the amazing team up there. I'm still bawling off and on since getting the news. this is just further proof that God has led us all the way and will lead us the rest of the way through this journey.
This is Jim and Di at Lake Michigan. Doesn't she look beautiful?
Thank you, our dear friends here on the blog who have been praying for her, and for all of us as we go through this valley together. We're climbing up into the sunshine now and it's because of your prayers. Love you all!
Labels: Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Carmel, Dr. Williams, prayer
Colleen Coble
posted at
4:16 PM
Comments (9)
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
TRUE COURAGE
For we women, our hair is part of our identity. Curly, straight, thick or thin, it's our covering in some special way. This week I got to see real courage in action. Yesterday I got to the hospital. Di looked good. Makeup already on, her cute navy turban in place. I eyed her bright eyes then asked, "The wig appointment is at 9. Do you want me to see if they can do your hair instead?" I was expecting her to waffle and decide not to do this but no. With her head up and her eyes shining, she said very emphatically, "I'm going to do it."
The nurse came in about then and she made the call for me. At ten to nine, the nurse and I helped her into the wheelchair. By now her eyes were gleaming with tears, but we prayed together and I helped wheel her down to the salon on the 1st floor. She didn't want anyone back there as they shaved her head, so I sat on a chair outside the door in case she needed me and prayed. A few minutes later I heard laughter and knew it was going to be okay. Wherever Di is, laughter is sure to be floating in the air! When I next saw her, she looked just the same. Navy turban in place, beautiful eyes shining. But there was a new sense of accomplishment in her face. She'd taken this big step with courage. I was so proud of her!
It would have been more than I could have handled to wait until my hair was falling out in clumps. This way SHE was in control, not the cancer or the chemo. I've just been so encouraged and blessed by her attitude this past week and a half. She has a lot to teach younger women. :-)
I'm home now. I wanted to cry when I left her, but I had to finally get home. Dave had to be back to work, and I have a dr appt tomorrow I've been waiting on. But she's in great hands. I can't recommend the Cancer Treatment Center of America enough! It didn't feel like a hospital but like a really nice Victorian mansion (bigger than that though) and the nurses and doctors were incredible. They prayed with us at the drop of a hat. They have cutting edge technology plus all the support like homeopathy and nutrition guidelines. Dr. Williams and her nurse Carm are wonderful. Supportive and encouraging. It wasn't at all like I expected. Though everyone had cancer, you saw hope everywhere you looked. The food was incredible too! I didn't want to have to come home and cook. LOL
Continue to pray for Di, my dear friends. She has a long road of chemo ahead of her. But a woman who takes charge the way she has will have the fortitude to go all the way! this pic is her with her new wig. Doesn't she look adorable?
Labels: Cancer Treatment Centers of America, chemo, ovarian cancer
Colleen Coble
posted at
11:20 AM
Comments (19)
I have good news to report! We saw Dr. Williams today and while Di does have a recurrence of ovarian cancer, the two spots are just in her abdominal cavity and no where vital. The doctor immediately started her on a different chemo and assured us the fight was far from over. She said this wasn't even maintenance to keep the cancer from progressing but we were still going for eradication! 
Delicious
I have to admit I was upset with God this past week. On Friday when news came that Di's cancer was back, I felt betrayed. I argued with God saying, "But you led us to Cancer Treatment Center of America. I know you did. And now this?" I railed and cried and was generally a total mess.
Denise took my topic yesterday right out of my mouth, er, fingers. I am also plotting out a new series idea. And the more books I write, the more I'm convinced that we women need relationship even in our reading material. Friendship among women is what makes us live longer and keeps us happier. That even extends to our reading material!
