The upside of the day: two of my friends from Baylor (both of which are from Houston), stopped by my hospital room after lunch and brought me a movie, a magazine, Sudoku, and an awesome Christian CD (compliments of E. Eddy's mother). Larkin and Elizabeth's visit made my entire day, thanks girls :) Today was also the first day that I actually felt affected by the chemotherapy. While the girls were in the room, the nurse brought me some anti-nausea medicine, and right after they left, it knocked me out for 3 hours. I'm talking like I couldn't even open my eyes knocked out. When two of my best friends called me from Argentina, I don't even remember what I said to them (so sorry Emmy and Kara!!). Today, God showed me a couple things, one that my life is on hold/or just completely turned upside down, and two that everyone else's lives will and should continue whether or not I am there. It's a pretty humbling realization--we are such a self-centered people.
Tomorrow I start two new types of chemo--Day 4: (In-patient) Doxorubicin for 24 hours x 1 dose, Vincristine x 1 dose. Please pray that my body will react well to the chemo, and that God will give me energy to stay healthy.
I love receiving everyone's messages. I check them every day (and yes when I'm bored, 2 or 3 times a day), it brings me a lot of joy to hear from you all :) So thank you
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13 comments:
Good Morning Kendall,
Lots of love from Tennessee this Monday morning! We are praying that you have a good day with your new round of meds. Just remember with each passing day of chemo, you have one less treatment to take. We are enjoying your blog, and keeping up with you through your mom, Kari Ann and Bryan. When I was reading your latest entry on your blog, you were talking about how you realized that everyone's life was going on with you there or not. I started thinking of all the people that do not even know you, that you have become part of their daily lives. They are praying for you and thinking about you every day! That is amazing! So yes, everyone's life continues, but you are now a part of so many. That does not include all of the people that already know and love you. Wow, that is a lot of love and prayer for you! I love this translation of Ephesians 3:20. "Now glory be to God, who by His mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or dream of--infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thought, or hope." Praise God! We love you!
Kendall,
I just wanted to say hi and let you know I've been thinking of you and praying for you. What an incredible testimony you are for the Lord. I can't even imagine how He is going to use this for His glory but I know He will. I'm praying for your body to adjust well to your new meds and for it to stay healthy and strong. I'm also praying for your heart and emotions. Isaiah 41:10 "Do not fear for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you. Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."
I love you,
Coach k
Hey Kendall:
Just occurred to me that you will be finished with your ordeal about the time we head for Escumbuit Island next summer. At 88 years I've been reluctant to talk about making it to the island another summer, but after reading your blog, I feel like a wimp!!!!! I am super proud to claim a grand-daugter of your substance.
Each of the three life crises I wrote about in Iceman to the Internet was experienced in less than an hour: I find myself searching my soul and wondering if I could have matched your courage given the challance you face.....I'm impressed....and to think that this remarkable girl is my grand daughter!!!!!! Wow!!!!!
I know its awful early, and I know that you will have alot of demamds on your time, but we would be thrilled to have you and a couple of your friends camping out in the boathouse down back of the island next summer. Something to think about while you recuperat!!!!!!!!
I circulated the news about your blog to the Kayworth family, and gotword back from Judy and Jeff Fletcher in Maine. Hope you hear from them.
Wlipamkanni (Penobscot Incian expression which translates to: "May your journey go well."\
All my love,
pop
Dearest Kendall,
I am reading your blog regularly. Thank you so much for keeping me "in the loop". You sound very upbeat. That is good. Truly, the proverb..."A cheerful heart is like good medicine"...rings true in your writing. Just know, though, that you can write whiny, complain-ey, pouty blogs too, and I will love you the same :-) You are a dear, sweet, young lady. We will be keeping in touch. I know that Emily and Jenny are reading, too. They will be home for Thanksgiving, but it is a short break. I know they have a long break for Christmas, and they are planning on popping down to Houston and seeing you...I'll let you guys work out the details. You are covered in prayer!! Love you so much, Jeannine
Sup Homegirl,
I just wanted to let know that you are my hero! I'm praying for you everyday! They better be treating you very well or else whenever I come down there to visit you I will not be happy! But from what I read in one of your blogs I'm sure your mom will see to that. :)... Plus from what I hear from commercials and stuff (I dont know if you've seen them but they are pretty good) MD Anderson is top notch! So you're in good hands! I seriously can't wait to see you!
Miss you mucho!
Trey Gomez
Kendall (My favorite Niece),
Omi just called and gave us your Web Site address for this Blog. We all love and support you. Many people here are praying for you. I'll quote Bobby Bowden, "Why worry when you can pray." Lots of love,
Uncle John
hello kendall this is sid.we have been praying for you every night and hoping you get better.At church we added you to the prayer list and people prayed for you.i hope you get better.
sid
Hi Kendall,
We haven't officially met, but my husband and I were fortunate to attend your sister's wedding in NYC.
I was so impressed with you as I watched you during the evening. You showed such grace and joy as you danced with your sister and then gathered your grandmother and others to join you.
Even with the knowledge of your very challenging medical journey that lay ahead, you put all of that aside and celebrated your sister's special night! What a very special young woman you are!
I hope you feel the prayers of so many of your brothers and sisters in Christ whom you have never met. We are remembering you daily. I love the verse in Jer. 33:3 which says "Call upon me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things that you do not know." We're claiming that verse as we call upon Him to give you peace and courage and strength.
Your sweet spirit is evident to all you are encountering and what a witness that is for our Savior!
In His Love,
Margo and Rodney Fitzgerald
Kendall!
Hey Girl, just wanted to say HI! i really love being able to catch up on what is going on with you. this blog was a great idea!
It truly sounds like you are getting care in the right hospital & that the people that are caring for you are very attentive and careful. somthing to be thankful for surely!
you are in our thoughts & prayers for sure & i can tell that there is alot of love out there for you!
Even my sewing staff at work (who are mostly all Catholic) are praying for you in Mass!
lots of love!
Kendall,
I am so glad that you are able to keep in touch with your friends and family this way. I was thinking about you this morning on the way to work and wondered how your treatments were going.
Although no longer part of your "medical team", I still am intensely interested in how you are doing. I recieved some consult notes from your physicians so I will also keep up on the medical side of things through their updates.
Hang in there! As Jeannine mentioned you are being "covered in prayer", as is your whole family. We are all confidently trusting in Gods provision for you during this time.
J Tandy
Kendall, heard you saw one of our friends Jennifer Daniels - we also have some contacts with Christ the King Pres that are planning on stopping by - I think we are going to be swinging by on friday (Kristen's sister is having her baby Thursday). Hope we are able to see you & please know we are praying for you. Miss you girl.
Pete
Dearest Kendall,
I am so glad to be able to talk to you! We think about and pray for you every day. The kids pray for you too. We are also praying for your family. Hey, I'm a sudoku geek too! Do you time yourself? I like to compete with Cal and Knox and see who finishes first. Of course, I always do! Have you seen the newest J Crew magazine? Cute shoes on the front cover. Just trying to chat with you to pass your time away...can you tell? Bryn wants to tell you that she misses you as a Kid's Quest teacher! I hope we can come see you in Houston. I haven't forgotten about our book conversation. I'll try to bring some or send some. Kendall, please know that we love you very much and are very sorry that you have to go through this. Always know that we are beside you in our thoughts and prayers. We will check your blog every day. If you feel like reading, 2 Corinthians chap. 4 is my favorite chapter!
Love you,
Nancy Hatton
Hey Kendall...it's just Mrs. Renfro again, I smile as I think that because I can still hear you calling me that through out soccer and all the other sports you & Noelle shared :-)
I read this article the other night written by Judy Palpant & I thought you might could use some of the suggestions. I have trouble going back to sleep sometimes, thinking too many thoughts (some people call that worrying, I call it trying to be prepared, haha)- the article was about having a "sleepless-night liturgy" or a set of "words of reassurance" that you can memorize to draw your mind back to the comfort & strength of God. I thought it was a super idea. You could use scripture, poems, hymns, quotes...anything that encourages you.
The author used Isaiah 26:3 "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee" which I happen to love. She also used the opening question and answer of the Heidelberg Catechism:
Q: What is your only comfort in this life and in death?
A: That I am not my own, but belong-body and soul, in life or in death-to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ.
I wanted to add "Even before they call, I will answer; while they are still speaking, I will hear." Isaiah 65:24
I also considered part of your post from Sunday...the part about your life being put on hold. I hope you reconsider - it seems more of a detour, at least from your plans. I pray you see and hear all the things God will speak to your heart during this time, in the moments when all you have to lean on is His strength and comfort. I have such confidence that you will come thru this so much stronger and closer to Christ! And that He will touch so many that you come in contact with, even those that don't know you - especially thru this blog.
NO pressure here Kendall, we all love you - so like someone said before...you can whine & complain all you need to. It just shows you are human and then shows the stength and faithfulness of God as you work thru everything, and God will accept everything you throw at Him. To borrow from another article, this one by Lorrie Orr, try reading Psalm 13 and notice vs. 5 "I trust in your unfailing love." It was David's confidence in God's love that allowed him to share his feelings openly. Then add Isaiah 54:10 "Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken," and 1 John 3:1 "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!" He can withstand all your emotions.
Ok, sorry this is so long! I hope you find something useful. Know you are loved and prayed over every day and night!
You and your Mom hug each other and pretend it is from me :-) !
love & prayers,
debbi
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