Monday, October 18, 2010

PRAYERS FOR JANICE

I'm not sure when our friendship began, it was so many years ago. She was a couple years older than I. My earliest memories of her are from high school. Maybe it's because we are both older than dirt now, and my memory is fading.
Because she was a few years older, and my idol, she got to do everything first. A drivers license, graduate from high school , got married and had children. 
Those aren't necessarily the way my memories are filed away.  Everything about her reminds me of laughter. No matter what the circumstance, she had a funny story to tell. Even to this day, I can call her and she will make me laugh.
We promised, as most of us to to always stay in touch with each other, no matter what. I was in their wedding. I was there when her children were born. Life gets in the way, and friends go their separate ways.
We used to run into each other at the store. We would exchange information and once again promise to keep in touch.
When I first heard the news about her son Darrin, I remember the ache in my heart. Not Darrin. "Are they sure it's leukemia?" Darrin lost his courageous battle to that ugly disease in 2001.
Now my precious friend Janice is fighting her own battle with cancer.
Of all things, it started in her thumb. She thought it was a splinter. They removed the cyst on her thumb and had it biopsied. From that, they learned there was cancer somewhere else in her body. It turned out to be in her lung. I always equate lung cancer with someone who has smoked, or at least been around someone who smoked. I don't think there's anyone in Janice family who has ever smoked.
She goes to the hospital today for another MRI. Just to determine if the chemo has reduced that horrible tumor in her lung. I am praying she has been completely healed.
It's so difficult to learn about someone you love so much going through difficult times. This is her week "off" chemo. She's not so sick today.
I  talked to her a little while ago to see how she and her precious husband are doing today. He has a fever and is on the couch with the flu. So I'm also praying for him.
I'm finding comfort in this verse today. My hope is that Janice will find comfort there too.
2 Corinthians 4 HE comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.

6 comments:

Carol J. Garvin said...

That's the perfect verse! It's so hard to see those we love going through difficult times and know there is nothing we can do to make the trouble go away. We pray, and we remind ourselves of his promise: “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Joshua 1:5) I'm sure just knowing you care and are supporting her will be a blessing to Janice.

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

I'm praying, Katt. I have had too many friends die from cancer. I also lost a friend last year who had lost both her husband and her son to cancer. Consequently, I've had survival's guilt a lot. Why, is the big question and probably will be until we're gone. Then I suspect the question loses its relevance. Reminds me of my little boy screaming bloody murder because I insisted he wear a suit and attend a birthday party in the neighourhood.

Yes, he went screaming all the way, but YES he had a marvelous time and was praised for looking so darn cute too.

We don't have the full picture. But one day we'll pass on and come upon this absolutely beautiful place, and we'll wonder "For Heaven's Sake! What was all the fuss about!"

At least, that's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

I'm full of cliches today for some reason.

Kathryn Neff Perry, PhD, MA, LMHC said...

Carol, I have two close friends who are battling cancer right now. I'm surprised how much peace and comfort I'm getting from scripture. Both of them are very strong Christians and in fact THEY have been comforting me!
Love you my sweet friend

Kathryn Neff Perry, PhD, MA, LMHC said...

Joy, Amen sister! You are exactly right. Someday we will get the whole picture. I am so thankful for friends like you. Kids are so funny---I guess we are just the bigger version?
My other friend Char is in the hospital right now, recovering from lymph node surgery this morning. She had a double mastectomy about a month ago. Cancer is such an ugly word.
Love you my precious friend.
Katt

Karen Lange said...

Will pray for your friend. It's a blessing that she has a friend like you.

Kathryn Neff Perry, PhD, MA, LMHC said...

Karen, thank you so much for praying. I'm blessed too. Janice has been through so much in her life, but she's always that same cheerful, loving, funny girl I've loved so much all these years. Please pray for her precious hubby too---I can't believe he has the flu!
Hugs
Katt