I am sittiing here writing this, so filled with joy and a desire to somehow give back to all of you even a fraction of what you have given to me. I am so very thankful on this Christmas to have a joy that is 'unspeakable'. I do not take for granted this year, and I pray never again, the hope that is mine in my living Savior. The hope that we all have when we trust in Him. I thank you all for your support and especially for your prayers. I have experienced the 'Body of Christ' through the wonderful love, prayers, and encouragement of so many of you. Just as I have nothing of worth to offer my Savior, I do not know how I could ever repay what I have been blessed with through each of you. I found this poem in my reading this month and I would like to share it with you, it is the best Christmas present I could think of! It is from "Streams in the Desert", there is no credit given for the writer of the poem.
If you have gone a little way ahead of me, call back--
It will cheer my heart and help my feet along the stony track;
And if, perhaps, Faith's light is dim, because the oil is low,
Your call will guide my lagging course as wearily I go.
Call back, and tell me that He went with you into the storm;
Call back, and say He kept you when the forest's roots were torn;
That, when the heavens thunder and the earthquake shook the hill,
He bore you up and held you where the lofty air was still.
O friend, call back, and tell me for I cannot see your face;
They say it glows with triumph, and your feet sprint in the race;
But there are mists between us and my spirit eyes are dim,
And I cannot see the glory, though I long for word of Him.
But if you'll say He heard you when your prayer was but a cry,
And if you'll say He saw you through the night's sin-darkened sky--
If you have gone a little way ahead, O friend, call back--
It will cheer my heart and help my feet along the stony track.
I am calling back to all of you, we serve an amazing God who is indeed all sufficient and abounding in grace and mercy. He has carried me tenderly thus far, and I know He will continue to answer as I cry out to Him. Isaiah 12:2, 4 "Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation. And in that day you will say 'Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name. Make known His deeds among the peoples; Make them remember that His name is exalted.'"
Friday, December 25, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Five Down, One to Go!
I can hardly believe that I only have one chemo left! The news was all good this week. Praise God, I got to have the treatment on time, that makes 5 for 5...yea God! The doctor is looking forward, he says I am doing so well that I am on "auto pilot". It was a nice reminder to me that God has been my pilot and He is fighting this battle for me. I am doing quite well, it is Wednesday evening and I am tired, but I have eaten very well and have maintained my walk everyday! God has truly covered me with His grace and mercy. I am slow at writing this because I am VERY distracted by all four of my incredible children and their crazy father! It is great to have them all here, and to have the house full of laughter! I am so thankful for them all and for the laughter that only God can provide at such a time as this. I have an appointment on January 6 with the surgeon, and I have a CT scan on February 2. I should have a date for surgery confirmed some time after the appointment with the surgeon. Dr. Limentani says that is normally 4 to 5 weeks after my last chemo, which is scheduled for January 11. I don't really understand all that is involved in the surgery and the reconstruction and I hope to have a better handle of things after my meeting with the surgeon. Please continue to pray, as always, for the cancer to be completely destroyed and for by body to be completely healed. Pray for the wisdom of Dr. Limentani, Dr. Flippo, all of the related staff and doctors and technicians, and for the logistics of everything. I am praying with believing for my complete healing, and I thank you all for praying with us and for us. Please continue to pray for the Passion 2010 conference, for my strength and protection while I am there, and for all of those college kids who are coming together for God! I am so excited to be a part of it and I am trusting that God will be so powerful and lives will be changed. I am praying for the speakers and worship leaders, and for the many volunteers and worker-bees who will be serving behind the scenes but holding everything together! It is amazing to see how God builds His Kingdom, and that He does is with energized college students and He can even use a broken down cancer patient to His glory! Wow, what a God we serve! Luke 1:37 "For nothing will be impossible with God."
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Passion
I had my ten day blood labs today and all was great! I must confess that I am a little weary. My labs were very good, but my body is showing signs of the struggle of this horrible disease and the treatment that is used to defeat it. She told me to expect the next two treatments to "get my attention". She said that the effects will not be any more severe or harsh, just lingering a little longer. I have found that 10 days after my last treatment, I am still a little tired and that nasty taste is still with me. I confess to feeling a little weary, it is frustrating to just feel worn out. I really can't complain, I am getting my walk in every day, and I am not idle. I am very thankful for the protection God has put on me. I am so very thankful that I have not been sick, that my treatments are on track, and that the cancer is being defeated. I have a while to go, I know this is a marathon. I ask for prayer for my strength and perseverence. Please pray for Mason to remain strong and patient with me, I must confess that my weariness has produced a little moodiness and perhaps a mini melt-down or two! Please continue to pray for Jillian, Mason Thomas, Alex, and Madi. Pray that they will continue to trust in the Lord, to feel His comfort and love, and that they will be patient as I bow out of things every now and then. Thank you all for your prayers for each of us, and join us as we praise our faithful Father for His amazing grace and healing power. His hand of mercy is felt by each of us and we are thankful in our praise to Him.
Mason and I signed up to volunteer at Passion 2010 back in the spring. The event is January 2 - 5, we believe we have to be there on December 31. If you don't know what this is, it is a college ministry event that is powerfully impactful. Mason and I have such a heart for this age group and for this particular ministry, I really want to be able to fulfill my commitment. This is going to be a powerful time with the Lord, and I want desperately to be a part of it. Please pray that God will protect me and strengthen me so that I will be able to be there.
I have my next treatment on December 21 as long as my labs are good. Please pray that I will be able to take that treatment on time and that my body will remain strong through it. As always, please pray with believing, that the Lord will defeat every cancer cell and that He will be glorified through this journey. We have so many conversations with so many different people everytime we are at the office for the various visits. I want to reflect the love and grace that has so mercifully been poured on me in every word and every deed. Pray that Mason and I will be obedient to what ever the Lord is leading us to. Pray for Dr. Limentani to be wise and attentive as he cares for me. He is at a breast cancer convention this week, please pray that a cure for this evil disease will be found.
I leave you with a passage that my son reminded me of last night. Isaiah 40:31 "Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary."
Mason and I signed up to volunteer at Passion 2010 back in the spring. The event is January 2 - 5, we believe we have to be there on December 31. If you don't know what this is, it is a college ministry event that is powerfully impactful. Mason and I have such a heart for this age group and for this particular ministry, I really want to be able to fulfill my commitment. This is going to be a powerful time with the Lord, and I want desperately to be a part of it. Please pray that God will protect me and strengthen me so that I will be able to be there.
I have my next treatment on December 21 as long as my labs are good. Please pray that I will be able to take that treatment on time and that my body will remain strong through it. As always, please pray with believing, that the Lord will defeat every cancer cell and that He will be glorified through this journey. We have so many conversations with so many different people everytime we are at the office for the various visits. I want to reflect the love and grace that has so mercifully been poured on me in every word and every deed. Pray that Mason and I will be obedient to what ever the Lord is leading us to. Pray for Dr. Limentani to be wise and attentive as he cares for me. He is at a breast cancer convention this week, please pray that a cure for this evil disease will be found.
I leave you with a passage that my son reminded me of last night. Isaiah 40:31 "Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary."
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
God is Great!
Yesterday went very well, we were there for quite a long time, a lot of catch up from the Thanksgiving holiday. Mason and I met a lot of people while we were waiting. I'm not sure of everyones stories, but it was all women going through treatment, with husbands there for support. We all laughed a lot! One husband is convinced that his wifes chemo is coming through her skin and entering him, as he is losing his hair. Mason simply affirmed his thought process! If you haven't seen Mason lately, he likes the idea of placing blame on his hair loss!
Dr. Limentani gave us very good news. While lesions are still showing up on my bones, there seems to be little or no activity with them. He explained that since I have cancer on my bones, there is damage to them. It will take about a year after all of the cancer is destroyed for the bones to repair themselves, kind of like when a bone breaks. Until then, lesions will show up on my scans. He saw no cancer in my breasts and can't really tell anymore what he is feeling, could be tissue or could be traces of cancer. On the original CAT scan there were 2 lymphnodes that showed cancer, they are smaller now but still showing cancer. When I asked about that, he said that what doesn't disappear with chemo will be removed with surgery, he was not concerned. He is very pleased, gave us a 'two thumbs up'!
God has been so gracious to us, I am overwhelmed at the love and grace and mercy I have experienced. Mason and the kids would say the same thing. Jillian and Alex made it home and back safely, and we had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Filled with laughter and people, and lot's of love, the Vincent home is overflowing with God's grace! Thank you all so much for praying for us, and walking with us through this journey.
Chemo yesterday went very well. I saw two people who were sent home because their blood labs were low, and a couple of people who had to get extra stuff because they were borderline. I do not take lightly the miracle of how my Lord has so tenderly held me through this. Please continue to pray for my strength and healing. Mason is home now for a while, sometimes I'm not so sure that is a completely good thing! He gets restless, but he needs the rest and he is always thankful once he settles in. The kids are doing great, and we feel so blessed to have them and to watch all of you in action as you love on them and care for them. Thank you for your compassion and prayers!
I keep thinking of Rick's sermon last week. We have been truly blessed by the love, prayers, and support of God's Army, all of you. I was touched by this passage from Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 "Two are better than one, because they haave a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him, and a threefold cord is not quickly broken." Thank you for being such an obedient army, you have picked us up in so many ways; prayer, sending scripture, words of encouragement, loving us and our children, gifts and so much more! God has heard and is blessing all of us!
Please continue to pray for my safety and healing, for the encouragement and growth of Jillian, Mason Thomas, Alex, and Madi, for Mason as he bears such a burden through this, and for all of our suppurt. This is indeed a marathon, and I pray that you all do not grow weary, so we pray often for extra blessing and grace on so many of you, some we don't even know personally! As always, we are asking, with believing, for a miracle.
Blessings to all of you, and I hope that your Thanksgiving was a sweet time of joy and togetherness.
Psalm 103:1 - 5 "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."
Dr. Limentani gave us very good news. While lesions are still showing up on my bones, there seems to be little or no activity with them. He explained that since I have cancer on my bones, there is damage to them. It will take about a year after all of the cancer is destroyed for the bones to repair themselves, kind of like when a bone breaks. Until then, lesions will show up on my scans. He saw no cancer in my breasts and can't really tell anymore what he is feeling, could be tissue or could be traces of cancer. On the original CAT scan there were 2 lymphnodes that showed cancer, they are smaller now but still showing cancer. When I asked about that, he said that what doesn't disappear with chemo will be removed with surgery, he was not concerned. He is very pleased, gave us a 'two thumbs up'!
God has been so gracious to us, I am overwhelmed at the love and grace and mercy I have experienced. Mason and the kids would say the same thing. Jillian and Alex made it home and back safely, and we had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Filled with laughter and people, and lot's of love, the Vincent home is overflowing with God's grace! Thank you all so much for praying for us, and walking with us through this journey.
Chemo yesterday went very well. I saw two people who were sent home because their blood labs were low, and a couple of people who had to get extra stuff because they were borderline. I do not take lightly the miracle of how my Lord has so tenderly held me through this. Please continue to pray for my strength and healing. Mason is home now for a while, sometimes I'm not so sure that is a completely good thing! He gets restless, but he needs the rest and he is always thankful once he settles in. The kids are doing great, and we feel so blessed to have them and to watch all of you in action as you love on them and care for them. Thank you for your compassion and prayers!
I keep thinking of Rick's sermon last week. We have been truly blessed by the love, prayers, and support of God's Army, all of you. I was touched by this passage from Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 "Two are better than one, because they haave a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him, and a threefold cord is not quickly broken." Thank you for being such an obedient army, you have picked us up in so many ways; prayer, sending scripture, words of encouragement, loving us and our children, gifts and so much more! God has heard and is blessing all of us!
Please continue to pray for my safety and healing, for the encouragement and growth of Jillian, Mason Thomas, Alex, and Madi, for Mason as he bears such a burden through this, and for all of our suppurt. This is indeed a marathon, and I pray that you all do not grow weary, so we pray often for extra blessing and grace on so many of you, some we don't even know personally! As always, we are asking, with believing, for a miracle.
Blessings to all of you, and I hope that your Thanksgiving was a sweet time of joy and togetherness.
Psalm 103:1 - 5 "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."
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