Prayer and Support for Friend Battling Cancer

[ChefBeckyD]

Hi All! I have talked before on other threads about my friend Michelle - who has been battling breast cancer for 4 years. Over that time it has metastisized to liver cancer, than brain cancer, and now back to the liver. She has defied the Dr's prognosis time and time again - but this time, the Oncologist has told her there is nothing they can do for her, and that it is just a matter of time (because she has beaten the odds so many times, he isn't willing to give an estimate of weeks, months, etc...)
Michelle has an incredible strength and an unwavering and deep faith in God - she totally believes that if it is God's will, he will heal her. She will be coming home from the hospital Wednesday, and has begun an alternative nutritional treatment using (I think this is what it's called) HG 951, and fruit & vegetable juices known to be liver detoxifiers. She is working with a nutritionalist who has actually had great success working with cancer patients following this plan. Because Michelle has stated that she isn't ready to give up yet, and she wants to try this, we as her friends and family have told her that we will support and help her 100%. Michelle is 35, and she and her husband Roy have a 4 1/2 yr. old daughter Kyley.
I know there has been such wonderful support with this group - and I immediately thought of all of you across the country joining us in prayer for Michelle's healing - and also for God's will to be done in this.
Thanks to all of you - It's so awesome to belong to a Co. and a group like this that will support each other not only in business, but in all areas of life!

 

[jenniferknapp]

My prayers are with you and your friend's family

 

[micocina]

Unceasingly pray,

God Bless Michelle and her family,

 

[supergirljennie]

I will keep your friend in my thoughts. I hope she has success with this new therapy. Best of luck to her.

 

[thechefofnorthbend]

For a Fighter..This poem was sent to my Aunt during her fight with Breast Cancer. She was 49 years old when she was diagnosed. She is 62 now and one of the most upbeat, God loving women I know. She sent this to us when she found out she beat her odds. I have kept it and share it with all whom I know are fighters...Please share this with your dear friend, Michelle. And I will pray for the miracle of Jesus to wash upon her the healing, not only of her sickness, but of her spirit and that God will walk with her and her family each step of the way!

The Sandpiper
Robert Bob Peterson

She was six years old when I first met her on the beach near where I live. I drive to this beach, a distance of three or four miles, whenever the world begins to close in on me. She was building a sandcastle or something and looked up, her eyes as blue as the sea.

"Hello," she said.

I answered with a nod, not really in the mood to bother with a small child.

"I'm building," she said.

"I see that. What is it?" I asked, not really caring.

"Oh, I don't know, I just like the feel of sand."

That sounds good, I thought, and slipped off my shoes. A sandpiper glided by.

"That's a joy," the child said.

"It's a what?"

"It's a joy. My mama says sandpipers come to bring us joy."

The bird went gliding down the beach. Good-bye joy, I muttered to myself, hello pain, and turned to walk on. I was depressed, my life seemed completely out of balance.

"What's your name?" She wouldn't give up.

"Robert," I answered. "I'm Robert Peterson."

"Mine's Wendy... I'm six."

"Hi, Wendy." She giggled.

"You're funny," she said.

In spite of my gloom, I laughed too and walked on. Her musical giggle followed me.

"Come again, Mr. P," she called. "We'll have another happy day."

After a few days of a group of unruly Boy Scouts, PTA meetings, and an ailing mother. The sun was shining one morning as I took my hands out of the dishwater.

I need a sandpiper, I said to myself, gathering up my coat.

The ever-changing balm of the seashore awaited me. The breeze was chilly but I strode along, trying to recapture the serenity I needed.

"Hello, Mr. P," she said. "Do you want to play?"

"What did you have in mind?" I asked, with a twinge of annoyance.

"I don't know, you say."

"How about charades?" I asked sarcastically.

The tinkling laughter burst forth again. "I don't know what that is."

"Then let's just walk."

Looking at her, I noticed the delicate fairness of her face. "Where do you live?" I asked.

"Over there." She pointed toward a row of summer cottages.

Strange, I thought, in winter.

"Where do you go to school?"

"I don't go to school. Mommy says we're on vacation."

She chattered little girl talk as we strolled up the beach, but my mind was on other things. When I left for home, Wendy said it had been a happy day.

Feeling surprisingly better, I smiled at her and agreed.

Three weeks later, I rushed to my beach in a state of near panic. I was in no mood to even greet Wendy. I thought I saw her mother on the porch and felt like demanding she keep her child at home.

"Look, if you don't mind," I said crossly when Wendy caught up with me, "I'd rather be alone today." She seemed unusually pale and out of breath.

"Why?" she asked.

I turned to her and shouted, "Because my mother died!" and thought, My God, why was I saying this to a little child?

"Oh," she said quietly, "then this is a bad day."

"Yes," I said, "and yesterday and the day before and--oh, go away!"

"Did it hurt?" she inquired.

"Did what hurt?" I was exasperated with her, with myself.

"When she died?"

"Of course it hurt!" I snapped, misunderstanding, wrapped up in myself. I strode off.

A month or so after that, when I next went to the beach, she wasn't there. Feeling guilty, ashamed and admitting to myself I missed her, I went up to the cottage after my walk and knocked at the door. A drawn looking young woman with honey-colored hair opened the door.

"Hello," I said, "I'm Robert Peterson. I missed your little girl today and wondered where she was."

"Oh yes, Mr. Peterson, please come in. Wendy spoke of you so much. I'm afraid I allowed her to bother you. If she was a nuisance, please, accept my apologies."

"Not at all -- she's a delightful child." I said, suddenly realizing that I meant what I had just said.

"Wendy died last week, Mr. Peterson. She had leukemia. Maybe she didn't tell you." Struck dumb, I groped for a chair. I had to catch my breath.

"She loved this beach so when she asked to come, we couldn't say no. She seemed so much better here and had a lot of what she called happy days. But the last few weeks, she declined rapidly..." Her voice faltered, "She left something for you ... if only I can find it. Could you wait a moment while I look?"

I nodded stupidly, my mind racing for something to say to this lovely young woman. She handed me a smeared envelope with "MR. P" printed in bold childish letters. Inside was a drawing in bright crayon hues -- a yellow beach, a blue sea, and a brown bird.

Underneath was carefully printed: A SANDPIPER TO BRING YOU JOY.

Tears welled up in my eyes and a heart that had almost forgotten to love opened wide. I took Wendy's mother in my arms. "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry," I muttered over and over, and we wept together.

The precious little picture is framed now and hangs in my study. Six words -- one for each year of her life --that speak to me of harmony, courage, and undemanding love. A gift from a child with sea blue eyes and hair the color of sand -- who taught me the gift of love.


NOTE: This is a true story sent out by Robert Bob Peterson. It happened over 20 years ago and the incident changed his life forever. It serves as a reminder to all of us that we need to take time to enjoy living and life and each other. The price of hating other human beings is loving oneself less. Life is so complicated, the hustle and bustle of everyday traumas can make us lose focus about what is truly important or what is only a momentary setback or crisis.

This week, be sure to give your loved ones an extra hug, and by all means, take a moment...even if it is only ten seconds, to stop and smell the roses.

This comes from someone's heart, and is shared with many and now I share it with you.

There are NO coincidences! Everything that happens to us happens for a reason. Never brush aside anyone as insignificant. Who knows what they can teach us?

May you find a sandpiper to bring you joy!

 

[ChefBeckyD]

[/I]There are NO coincidences! Everything that happens to us happens for a reason. Never brush aside anyone as insignificant. Who knows what they can teach us?

May you find a sandpiper to bring you joy! [/I]

Darby,
thank you for this! It is beautiful......One thing that we (those of us in Michelle's circle of support) have talked about and know for a fact is that God has brought us together, not just to bring support and comfort to Michelle and her family, but also to teach us - we have learned so much about the presence and grace of God, and what it means to love and honor each other....and the meaning of faith and trust, and perseverance. There have been times of great joy in the midst of this difficult and hard time..thank you so much for the beautiful reminder!

 

[lizcooks4u]

Of course...

Darby,
thank you for this! It is beautiful......One thing that we (those of us in Michelle's circle of support) have talked about and know for a fact is that God has brought us together, not just to bring support and comfort to Michelle and her family, but also to teach us - we have learned so much about the presence and grace of God, and what it means to love and honor each other....and the meaning of faith and trust, and perseverance. There have been times of great joy in the midst of this difficult and hard time..thank you so much for the beautiful reminder!

My thoughts/prayers will be with you and Michelle's circle. I sure hope she beats this too. That's one of the most important aspects is her positiveness, and obviously miracles do happen.

I lost my best friend to Cervical Cancer. The minute I found out she was to start Chemo I drove about 3 hrs to go see her and spend the next 4 yrs battling this horrific disease. She left behind 3 small girls and a very loving husband as well.

Everytime I read Darby's poems I often times think of Amy. I relocated to S. TX. the very end of Aug and Amy passed almost 2 months later. She was a very hard-working RN and very devoted to her religion as well.

I miss her a lot, but know she's in a better place.

I really hope your friend beats this too.

liz

 

[jentapp]

The whole family has our prayers. One of my coworkers called me yesterday to let me know that one of her husband's cousins just died from some form of hidden breast cancer. Their daughter is 16, and everyone is in shock. I hope things work out much better for your friend with this nutritional approach.

 

[thechefofnorthbend]

Darby,
thank you for this! It is beautiful......One thing that we (those of us in Michelle's circle of support) have talked about and know for a fact is that God has brought us together, not just to bring support and comfort to Michelle and her family, but also to teach us - we have learned so much about the presence and grace of God, and what it means to love and honor each other....and the meaning of faith and trust, and perseverance. There have been times of great joy in the midst of this difficult and hard time..thank you so much for the beautiful reminder!

You are more then welcome!

 

[Jennie4PC]

my thoughts and prayers go out to your friend and her family.
Darby thanks so much for that story it really brought tears to my eyes. Cancer is such a horrible thing to have to deal with my grandpa also died of cancer, we had him around a lot longer then we were told we would he was a real fighter also

 

[Gina M]

I will pray for your friend and her family as well. I know a lady in her 80's who was diagnosed in her 40's with ovarian and breast cancer - told she wouldn't live long and is still alive and kicking. So you just never know the power of prayer and how one person will react to anything.

 

[poohritz]

thoughts and prayersNo one should have that happen to them. My father is a walking miracle as he is a colon cancer survior as well as a heart patient. May God work his miracles again on your friend. My prayers do go out. They can work wonders.

 

[MissChef]

I have learned a lot through my pastor and the one thing that has the largest impact on me is..... That it's God's will for us to live long and happy lives. He does not want us to be sick and doesn't want us to to die! This is the work of the enemy and not God. Tell her to keep praying for her healing and to have faith in God, and that she is already healed and that she needs to believe that with all her heart! God loves us all and He's our Heavenly Father, if we as mankind can love our own children so much, how much more does He love us?! I always remember this when times are hard and I never pray "If it be your will", because in the bible, especially in the new testament it shows us over and over, that it is His will for us to live a long life and to live it abundantly. Jesus died for us so that we don't have to suffer, if all of us could just get a hold of that, really get ahold of that in our hearts, there would be so much healing going on!!!
Okay, I could go on and on, but I will stop! But I will say this, I will pray to God and thank Him for healing your friend and I will pray for her and you and all her family to have the God kind of Faith that can move mountains! Which translated means the Faith in God that will heal her. Because the bible has the truth in it and the truth is, God can change anything! His truth can change the facts! The fact is your friend has cancer and it looks like there is no cure, but the truth is God can do anything including healing your friend! Anything is possible with Jesus!
I will pray this for you! I have seen SO many "miracles" or testimonies in my own life and my familiy's life because of getting ahold of this truth!
I will also thank God for her healing because I also believe that once I have asked God and believe it to be true then I praise Him and Thank Him for it. And I keep thanking and praising and I quit asking him because I believe he's done it!
I will do this for you, because I would love to see the mountains move for your friend! May God Bless you and your friend and her family and keep you close to his side, I will also pray for His peace to be with you all!
God Bless You and Remember to keep your faith!
Love,
Cathy
aka MissChef

 

[ChefBeckyD]

UPDATE for those who have prayed.....I wanted to let those of you who have prayed for Michelle know that at 1:30pm on Jan.1st, Michelle ended her battle with cancer, and is now in the arms of Jesus. She was an inspiration and an example of what it means to truly have faith in God, even in the middle of unspeakably painful and difficult times. She has been and will remain a personal hero of mine. Right now I'm numb - I've lost a dear friend, and I'm grieving not just for myself, but also for her husband Roy and 4 1/2 yr old daughter Kyley. Please continue to pray for them during this difficult time.
We are also celebrating Michelle's life, and know that we have that hope that one day we will all be together again. We do not always understand God's ways or His timing, but we know that above all God is good, and He is in control. We can rejoice in the truth that Michelle is now HOME, and we can be thankful to God that she is at peace, and has experienced ultimate healing.

Thank you all for your continued prayers for her family!

 

[jrstephens]

My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I am truly touched by the way you speak of Michelle and know that she is now healed with Jesus. We all hope that healing is on this side of heaven but the best healing is the kind you get with Jesus. And I can tell from your faith that you know one day you will see her again when you go to be with Jesus.

 

[micocina]

My prayers are with you and the family.
My sister-in-law passed away 3 years ago also from breast cancer. She was 43 y/o and left 4 kids, the youngest was 8 at the time. It is still hard on my brother, but mainly because he has never accepted a close relationship with the Lord. We that know the true God have the comfort of knowing that we will all meet again and even like you said sometimes we don't understand God's ways or timing, he IS faithful and he reassures us that he is the peace.

May the Lord be with you to comfort you and guide you and the family into HIS peace.