I mentioned in my last post on Tuesday that this week was supposed to be another chemotherapy week. Cindy's white count, however was too low for the chemo to be administered this week, so the treatment has been moved to Monday. The doctors tell us this is not unusual at all for cancer patients. I think the delay is actually a real blessing. Cindy will have a few more days to recover and build strength. She has been off her nausea medication now for a couple of days and has probably eaten better than she has since we began this journey. Praise the Lord! She has also been a lot more active and she just looks better to me. This morning, however Cindy has again been experiencing some nausea. I think it is just going to take time for her bowels to recover and begin fully functioning again. I am astounded, really, at how well she is doing considering all the trauma her body has experienced and continues to experience. On top of the fact she had a complete hysterectomy, she also had a significant section of her colon removed, her gall bladder removed and now ongoing chemotherapy to eradicate the cancer. The recovery period for any one of those things is significant and yet she experienced them all at once. Cindy is one strong, determined, faith-filled person. She does, though at times grow weary. So in your prayers ask the Lord to give her an extra measure of perseverance and strength. The thought of more Chemo is very discouraging to Cindy. It is also very, very difficult for me to watch her go through so much. My consolation is that I know the chemo is working and this is the path to a better tomorrow. If she is able to have the chemo on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday will be especially difficult days. Please remember to fervently pray for her on those days.
We have really been blessed this week to have my sister Kay with us. I think she has been good for both Cindy and me. Aside from Cindy, Kay is my closest friend and someone I deeply trust and respect. This week I have been able to go to the office more and do some work. I know this whole experience will deeply affect how I preach and approach the practice of ministry. I have mentioned previously that Jesus' prayer in Matthew 6:9-15 has come to mean so much to me in recent days. This Fall I plan to preach a message series from that passage titled, "Learning to Pray Like Jesus." I am getting pumped just thinking about it!
God bless you!
Kevin
We have really been blessed this week to have my sister Kay with us. I think she has been good for both Cindy and me. Aside from Cindy, Kay is my closest friend and someone I deeply trust and respect. This week I have been able to go to the office more and do some work. I know this whole experience will deeply affect how I preach and approach the practice of ministry. I have mentioned previously that Jesus' prayer in Matthew 6:9-15 has come to mean so much to me in recent days. This Fall I plan to preach a message series from that passage titled, "Learning to Pray Like Jesus." I am getting pumped just thinking about it!
God bless you!
Kevin
posted by Kevin Owen | 10:47 AM
15 Comments:
Cindy & Kevin,
Read the blog glad Cindy is doing well and that the nausea is a little better, you all are in our prayers.
Rick & Shirley
Kevin and Cindy,
I know that prayers can do so much and yet it seems like so little to do. Thanks for the blog updates. Don't forget to include specific prayer requests in your blogs. Don't you just love that God cares about the little things?! Blessings on your week end.
The Hardins!
Dear Kevin and Cindy,
I just read about your struggle in the FHU alumnigram and want you to know you are in my prayers. Kevin, I know you and Kay from my time living in Carbondale, Illinois when you used to give me rides to/from FHU. I've kept up with Kay through Karen Roby who used to live in Memphis and is a good friend of mine.
I just stopped and said a prayer and called your pager so someone in Missouri is praying for you too.
Our God IS an awesome God and he promises not to give us more than we can handle!
I'll continue praying and checking your blog! Kari Sohn-Ferguson (whelank@charter.net)
Kevin,
I really can't wait to hear your series on learning to pray like Jesus! I'm getting pumped too! I'll be praying for Cindy for an extra measure of perseverence, especially on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. And would you read her a Bible passage for me? James 1:2-4. It was my Uncle's favorite passage, and my Aunt would often read it to him when he couldn't hold his Bible anymore.
I hope that you guys have a wonderful weekend and that Cindy is able to gain more strength and perseverence.
Love you all,
Kim Scott
Cindy & Kevin, Nearly 6 yrs ago, I was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. Yet, I had always been so healthy, I was a medical wimp. Even so, I knew my journey through cancer & its treatments would be a battle with the physical, the emotional, the mental, & the spiritual. But just as my battles were diverse, so is the multi-facetted hope of God. After surgery, while still in chemo, I began writing to others whose treatments were not as far along as mine. I related to them each scripture, each helpful hint, scientific study, medical trick, & every insight which eased my struggles. Eventually these letters to 40 people became my book, LETTERS OF HOPE: SURVIVING, THRIVING, & SHARING STRENGTH. It is published by 21st Century Christian. I tell such things as: If chemo makes your nose dry, use a humidifier (We put ours in a child's wagon, so I could easily pull it to any room.) If your mouth hurts due to chemo, besides the "Magic Mouthwash" prescription which I tell about, I also give a recipe for frozen salad which soothes a mouth in pain. I look at texts which uplifted me: Job, Sarah, Elisha, the woman with the issue of blood, & Lazarus' sisters.
Eat whatever you can keep down right now, but when chemo is over, I have a chapter on recovering your health --- nutrition & supplementation to rebuild your depleted body. And, I include foods & nutrtion to help THWART CANCER'S RETURN.
I pray for your comfort, soothing, and complete health.
I wish you peace,
Lynette Carnahan Gray, East TN
Dear Cindy & Kevin, I am not blog-savy, so I do not know if my last e-mail arrived. In it I told you about my book, LETTERS OF HOPE: SURVIVING, THRIVING, & SHARING STRENGTH. It is Christian insights,helpful hints, recipes, supplies, & emotional strategies for how I got through my surgery, chemo, & adjuvant care.
One thing that greatly helped me was hymns/gospel songs. These are CDs of diverse a cappella music which I recommend:
WALKING IN SUNLIGHT by Ray Walker order at: (800) 251-2477 (21st CC).
WE SHALL RISE by Dedication order at (615) 228-2926.
PRECIOUS MEMORIES A CAPPELLA by The Cathedrals at Bible Stores.
BLUEGRASS A CAPPELLA by the Isaacs
at Bible Stores.
IMAGES OF GOD, VOL 5, by Jeff Nelson. Howard Publishing
(800) 858-4109
50 OLD TIME SOUTHERN GOSPEL A CAPPELLA QUARTET FAVORITES order at (800) 247-4784.
I hope music helps you. When we went to chemo, I would take headphones & a CD player. I would close my eyes & be taken to another place --- far away from the chemo room! Spiritual words, melodies, & harmonies lifted me more than I thought I could be lifted. Sometimes I even cried, but they were sweet tears of thankfulness for God's soothing. Your Sister in Christ,
Lynette Carnahan Gray
Just want to say we love you. Mark and Kristi
Hi Sweetie. I'm so thankful to the Father for answering our prayers in such a way that only he could do! We pray for you every day that you will continue to heal and astound those doctors!
These two verses have been in my mind so much when I've thought of you throughout all you've been experiencing.
Isaiah 40:30-31 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Remember it, Hon, and as you continue to put you faith in Him, He'll renew you.
Hang in there and soar my dear sweet eagle. I love you, Linda
Hi Cindy & Kevin,
I just want you to know that you have been in my heart, thoughts and prayers for the duration of your ordeal. I just didn't know about this site until I read it on the FHU alumnogram. So, I am thankful to be able to check in and see how you're doing from time to time. I guess I didn't truly understand the power and comfort of the prayers of fellow Christians until I struggled with my own illness this past year. It is such an unbelievable blessing and is such a comfort to know there are literally thousands of people holding you up to the Lord. I want you to know that I fervently bring you up to Him with every prayer. Fellow Freedies and Christians here in Tennessee are continually updating each other on every step of your journey. (By the way, I am now an active member at Walnut Street in Dickson where Cindy's dad used to preach.) We love you and are marching with you. God bless you for your faith, your courage, your example.
Donna White
FHU class of '86
Cindy remains in our prayers. I'm glad she is regaining some strength, and we'll think of her next week during the chemo treatments.
Wish we could hear your sermon series. Do you podcast?
We continue to pray WITH you and FOR you! Know that you are never more than a moment's though away from us! We will keep Cindy in our prayers especially on Monday...may God giver her strength and courage and optimizm to get through this challenge! We love you more than you can ever know. Teri & Paul
Hey Cindy and Kevin,
Elizabeth has been keeping me up-to-date with your journey, but just today I received the FHU alumni e-mail with the blog address. I am not a blogger, but it was really encouraging to read your story from the beginning. I do pray on a continual basis and believe that God will provide exactly what you need. I will ask for an extra measure of peace and comfort and a whole lot of "take the nausea away". I do wish I could hear hear your lessons this fall, as I enjoyed listening to you when you preached at Macland Road Church of Christ about 10-11 years ago. In fact Chase was only a little thing. Anyway, may God's peace, joy, and ever filling love sustain you through this journey. I am so Thankful to our great and glorious God that he has brought you thus far. Hope things go good today and tomorrow.
In Him,
Paula and Norm Patterson,NC
Kevin and Cindy,
You all are in our prayers daily. You both were such a blessing to all of us at Skyline in Jackson and we want you to know that so many here are lifting your name to the Father everyday, praying for God's healing.
Dear Cindy and Kevin,
I just found your site from the FHU alumnagram. We think of you and pray for you often.
Robert, Linda (Reaves), and Juliana Crossett
Cindy, Kevin and Kids,
Thinking of you all from Henderson and praying. I talked to Kay a couple of weeks ago and got the blog address to share. Please let me know any time we can do anything from FHU.
Dawn (Garrett) Bramblett
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