Empathy

Last night a church member called to find out how I was and we had a conversation about how I was keeping. The conversation then went on to a much loved former PTEC member who has since graduated and is now serving in one of the church schools in Tonga. I was informed that her cancer had returned, apparently with a vengeance and what she was told by the authorities in Tonga who had reviewed her case that since the cancer had spread they would not recommend her evacuation to NZ. I would tell Melefepaki Afu NOT to give up and to join others in praying and to read Luke 18: 1-7... a story Jesus shared with His disciples about the woman who prayed persistently, crying out day and night and praying perseveringly despite all the physical evidences (pain & growth) don't give up, don't let go of our Lord's hand. (Early Writings p.73).

Cancer fighting foods

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/27-top-cancer-fighting-foods.html?page=1

ONLY a little challenge

One week ago today, I woke up with groin like pains on my right leg. I took no notice of them and continued with my normal morning routines of getting my grand-daughter's school lunch ready, having breakfast and getting ready for work. By the time we were ready to leave home I found myself ambling in pain out the door. Mum noticed and called after me in Fijian, "nacava e vosoti?" 

I honestly did not feel it would be prolonged until we reached Fletcher Road and I began shivering uncontrollably. It felt funny, I reached for my phone to call my colleague, Torika Taoi but I could not even use it. I gave up and left it to Tulagi to call her and to ask her to pass the message on to our HR people. We returned home because I realised I would probably make a spectacle of myself at work. I decided, I would not take anything other than panadol for my pains and the good old hot water bottle was a good friend through this experience. But once again, I found myself losing my appetite and it was hard to get myself to eat anything. The pains continued through to Friday and by Friday evening I agreed to have Waisea call the Oncology Nurse at CWM Hospital.

My next two days were spent in the Lancaster Ward and that was an experience after my last hospital admission in the early 1990s. I found this time around that the iron bars on the bed base were painful and luckily the room next door had a few empty beds and we were able to double the mattress. I suspect it isn't old age :) but the pains on my hip bones which require a little more padding. The time in hospital was a blessing as well in multiple ways. There were so many direct messages for both Waisea and I that God is with us through this experience. The doctor who saw me on Sunday morning verbalised his puzzlement about my symptoms suggesting that my case is so different from most other ovarian cases. We had to tell him that this was because of the many prayers being sent out on my behalf and we believed it was a definite answer to prayer. In this time of sickness and pain, the church family, family members and friends across Fiji and the world have been upholding my name in intercessory prayer. 

The fact that I have been able to get to work and survive each day this week is evidence of God's answer to those many prevailing intercessory prayers. Over and over again I am reminded of the fact that those prayers have also been for my family who are bearing this experience with me. We are immensely grateful to everyone for the time given to praying for us, for encouraging us, visiting us from abroad and for calling to check on our well being regularly. Your support confirms the text: Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. (NIV) May God bless you all.

Savouring each day

My Resolutions: enjoy each day, participate as much as possible in family events until fatigue sets in. At home, I take things easy as much I can.. spring cleaning during holidays like yesterday's Queens Birthday long week-end was a great temptation. Enjoying my grand-children's growth is fulfilling and though previously I thought 1st Birthdays need to be conservative because the main person is too young to understand, I am definitely going to make sure this birthday is one we celebrate with close family... a perfect excuse to enjoy time with everyone.

My Beautiful Mum

Mum and I during the iMPACT Nadi trip, Oct 2011

She has been my inspiration Strong, stubborn and full of life. She turned 73 last week and spent most of her week participating in the Bowling Carnival.

When the sun set on Friday she still hadn't come home. We returned from Vespers and were a little late with preparations for Visitor's Sabbath but she was already in bed. On Sabbath morning she left again.

I experienced such intense emotions with her departure wishing instead she could be my visitor sharing my gratitude for her 73years of life. For many in my immediate family it would be hard to understand my emotions. And I can understand that. They would see this time out as refreshing, feeding her need for company, for fun, for life as they would call it.

Tonight I discover that she is fighting an internal battle with how unfair life is. And here I was thinking, she was coping. She had spent three months away in Australia and if she could she would stay away more. Being here at home, she sees the physical changes to my body, she witnesses me succumb to a bad bout of the flu and other things which I am not aware of.

I must request prayers for my dear Mother who needs to build her trust in God's leading and to accept the answer He gives to our prayers.

Professor writes candidly about painful effects of ovarian cancer – USATODAY.com

 I found this article an interesting account of an academic's experience with ovarian cancer.

Professor writes candidly about painful effects of ovarian cancer – USATODAY.com

Nutritional Supplements

I look myself in the mirror everyday and note the amount of weight I have lost since February this year. It is unbelievable how much weight I have lost, I can now see my rib bones, the bones on my shoulders and arms. On reflection I attribute this weight loss to the reduced quantity of food I am eating. On Sunday the 6th of May I began taking USANA supplements and noted within the week, my appetite picked up. Last Sabbath I enjoyed my lunch so much...it has been a while since I have felt 'over full'! :) However the swelling in my lower limbs which started several months ago still appears and disappears. Am not too sure what the cause is and am attributing it to two things... carrying my gorgeous and irresistible grandson, Eli or to something I am eating. Yesterday, the pains were constant but luckily it was a Sunday, I was able to lay down and rest as much as possible. My God is so GOOD!