Cells Behaving Badly #1 (specifics of cancer treatment and progress)
I think it was Martin Luther who said the best way to learn theology is through meditation and suffering. Well, God has enrolled me in seminary…..for the second time! 11 years ago we got the dreaded diagnosis of breast cancer and after a rigorous regime of chemo, surgery and radiation I was declared cancer free. This continued until a routine mammogram showed a suspicious spot earlier this month. The familiar shot of fear raced through me but after having spent all spring learning to “Preach the Gospel to Myself” I immediately began putting into practice what I had learned. God’s peace has sustained me throughout these early weeks of tests and diagnosis. Last time the tumor was very high up in my left breast with lymph node involvement. This time the tumor is high up in my right breast with lymph node involvement. Treatment will be very similar. 18 weeks of chemotherapy, surgery upgraded to a double mastectomy, radiation and then reconstructive surgery six months later. All told, over a year of treatment.
Before the Face of God (personal meditations)
As the visceral response to the news awakens me many nights with my heart pounding I have found the discipline of talking to myself rather than listening to myself to be invaluable. My meditations have centered on Philippians 4:6-7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” and Psalm 27 “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom (or what) shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; whom (or what) shall I dread? ………One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek. That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple. For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle.”
Please join me in Prayer...
*That God will use us to make His name known among those we come in contact with during treatment
*That God will help us all find a rhythm and routine during chemotherapy
*That the boys will become prayer warriors
*That God will use the means we have chosen to heal my body
*That we as a family will experience His peace which passes all understanding
*That Leslie will use whatever energy she has to continue serving her family and not whimp out!!!!
I think it was Martin Luther who said the best way to learn theology is through meditation and suffering. Well, God has enrolled me in seminary…..for the second time! 11 years ago we got the dreaded diagnosis of breast cancer and after a rigorous regime of chemo, surgery and radiation I was declared cancer free. This continued until a routine mammogram showed a suspicious spot earlier this month. The familiar shot of fear raced through me but after having spent all spring learning to “Preach the Gospel to Myself” I immediately began putting into practice what I had learned. God’s peace has sustained me throughout these early weeks of tests and diagnosis. Last time the tumor was very high up in my left breast with lymph node involvement. This time the tumor is high up in my right breast with lymph node involvement. Treatment will be very similar. 18 weeks of chemotherapy, surgery upgraded to a double mastectomy, radiation and then reconstructive surgery six months later. All told, over a year of treatment.
Before the Face of God (personal meditations)
As the visceral response to the news awakens me many nights with my heart pounding I have found the discipline of talking to myself rather than listening to myself to be invaluable. My meditations have centered on Philippians 4:6-7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” and Psalm 27 “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom (or what) shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; whom (or what) shall I dread? ………One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek. That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple. For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle.”
Please join me in Prayer...
*That God will use us to make His name known among those we come in contact with during treatment
*That God will help us all find a rhythm and routine during chemotherapy
*That the boys will become prayer warriors
*That God will use the means we have chosen to heal my body
*That we as a family will experience His peace which passes all understanding
*That Leslie will use whatever energy she has to continue serving her family and not whimp out!!!!
You amaze me again and again! You are a blessing to behold and an encouragment as always! Love you.
ReplyDeleteErin Farley
Leslie,
ReplyDeleteWe're praying for you out here in VA. We shared w/our church (www.covenantheritage.com) on Sunday and prayed for you as a congregation. Tomorrow (Tuesday) you are on the weekly rotation of prayer.
You've always epitomized grace to us. Someone once told me, "Generals put their best troops in the heart of the battle...would you expect God to behave differently?" While we pray for your peace in the battle and your healing from this horrible disease, we also rejoice in God's grace evident in you and want you to know that we grow because of Him in you.
If God makes it so, we'll be "home" in a few months, happy to do anything tangible we can.
We love you dearly, Leslie, and your whole family as well.
Press On!
Jack, Susan, Alex, Billy, Sarah, Margaret, Andrew, Gracie Ann
Leslie--
ReplyDeleteIt really is a privilege to be your pastor. You reflect the grace of God so brightly. It is so easy to see Christ in you.
"And he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ might rest upon me."
With love in Christ,
Joost
"I thank my God upon every remembrance of you" Leslie and family. We are behind you and we pray with you and for you. Trust in the LORD with all your heart. Fret not, it leads only to evil doing. Lean not on your own understanding. Genuine spiritual fruit is heavy, costly and very valuable.
ReplyDeleteAll I know Leslie, is that the costly fruit that was bore in part from the previous cancer pervades your life now.
Ben
Mrs. Ansett,
ReplyDeleteWe pray God's abundant blessings and healing hands upon you. We also pray His grace, peace, and joy upon your whole family.
the Cummings Family
Dear Leslie, Tim, and Family,
ReplyDeleteJohn 16:33 reminds us that only in HIM do we know true peace. We see the power of Christ resting on you. I will be blessed (again) as I sit in your Theology class. Praying daily. Love Always, ~~The Peterson family
(Nancy Piper has been my ghost writer's name.)
Tim and Leslie:
ReplyDeleteJust now reading this very hard news...I have a huge lump in my throat as I write, as I don't want my dear friend and Sister In Christ to go through this...again...or your precious family...but it looks as though this is His perfect plan for you at this time...I am still processing the news and will be writing more later, but will start praying every day...Loving you Lots! Shar and family