When I am weak, then I am strong...

This past week has been great in many ways.  The third week after chemo is supposed to be much better than the other two -- and it has been! My appetite is better, nausea down, and energy rising. Well, "they" are right. Best week this round, so yeah!  Back to the Cancer clinic this week for the mid-way check up and all seems to be progressing as hoped.  The medicines are doing their job, and my body is taking this on, fully armed. I do know prayer has played a MAJOR role in this as it is sustaining and motivating me onward.  

Minor issues facing me are fatigue and now some hair loss.  This is expected and on my list of "how do I work around this.." smile.  A Paracentesis (drainage of liquid) procedure was done again, but with less this time --1.6 litres.  What relief in movement, sleeping and basic comfort to have it done.  Hopefully, it will not occur again, as shrinkage in my abdomen should be responding to the treatments.  

Once again, I am overwhelmed with kindness and thoughtfulness from every angle.  This past week, special visitors came to visit, encourage and pray. How special and reassuring to be enveloped in love from the body of Christ.  Then, more flowers and baskets revealing little treasures inside -- more notes, calls, prayer and emails -- where is all this coming from? Lord, you have taken me on this detour to places unknown and I feel your smile and tenderness for me through your extensive family around the world.  

"Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." 

The hospital staff have been so caring and informative, sharing what to expect next and stressing their support along with hope.  Special!  A friend writes to say, "expect a quilt, specially made by Victoria's Quilts Canada" -- made for me, because, yes, I am a cancer patient.  What a symbol of goodness and warmth, so that I can be cozy when being treated. This is a world I never knew existed...not at all...not until I was led down this unexpected road. Yes, I am starting to see, that God has new plans for me, good plans, surprising plans -- a new place for my eyes to view tenderness, fingers to feel clasping hands, and arms to embrace gentle hugs.  A whole world of sharing and caring for others they do not know.

"This is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties."

There is more, yes so much more for me to know, feel and yearn for -- and only YOU can take me to those places -- YOUR hand in mine, secured.  I am blessed this week because I have been shown that weakness is strength. I do not need to be more, for He is that.  I just need to daily follow and trust Him.  You know everything that I need.  This week, you gave me a gift -- having my man of years coming home to be with me. A balm, a blanket and a smile of love. YOU are good! As I go to round two of chemotherapy on Easter Monday, You knew I needed this. Thank You! You have blessed me with family who are love, friends cherished and endless frames of faces who decorate the walls of this moment.

"For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Cor. 12:9-10

WHAT CANCER CANNOT DO.....

Cancer is so limited,

It cannot cripple love,

It cannot shatter hope,

It cannot corrode faith,

It cannot destroy peace,

It cannot kill friendship,

It cannot suppress memories,

It cannot silence courage,

It cannot invade the soul,

It cannot steal eternal life,

It cannot conquer the spirit.

-Author unknown