General Update

 

Cycle Three (Continued)

From Paul:

This week has been a blessing because Doris’ lab results on Thursday indicated she could continue with the ramp up of the Chemo #2 oral pill. At the beginning of the week she was at 100 mg per day. As of Thursday, she is taking 200 mg per day. The labs on Friday had no red flags, so the course continues. There will be one more uptick in medication levels for Chemo #2 oral pill to 400 mg starting on Thursday. That day also includes labs and a consultation with a provider before her infusion. It will be a long day, starting at 7:15 AM. She often feels more fatigued on infusion days. Even though her treatment is progressing and her labs look good, that does not mean the days are easy for her. She tires early and easily and often finds time to take a rest of duration between 30 and 45 minutes. I learned this week that outings that we do work better for her if we go in the morning. We will want to plan accordingly in the coming week.

Doctrine & Covenants 90:24

24 Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good, if ye walk uprightly and remember the covenant wherewith ye have covenanted one with another.

There is a great deal in the promises of the Lord. While He asks no more than we can give, it turns out He asks us to be willing to give everything.

There is a song that I sang with a choir that was organized as part of a devotional held for ordinance workers and volunteers in the Draper Utah Temple.

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross | Tabernacle Choir

The lyrics were written by a great hymn writer, Isaac Watts, who was born in Southampton, Hampshire, England. His birthplace is within the boundaries of the England Bristol mission.

1. When I survey the wondrous cross
   On which the Prince of glory died,
   My richest gain I count but loss,
   And pour contempt on all my pride.
2. Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
   Save in the death of Christ my God!
   All the vain things that charm me most,
   I sacrifice them to His blood.
3. See from His head, His hands, His feet,
   Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
   Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
   Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
4. Were the whole realm of nature mine,
   That were a present far too small;
   Love so amazing, so divine,
   Demands my soul, my life, my all.

From Doris:

Enduring Moment by Moment

Years ago my mother-in-law, Lorene, coined a phrase which I thought was a mistake.  She said she wanted to “endure through the end.” I thought she had meant to say “endure to the end.”

I came to appreciate a difference in attitude represented by her choice of words.  She was not referring to a passage of time until her trials were finished. She was focused on her efforts to be valiant and faithful while she endured trials.

I am trying to follow her example.  To do so, I have to focus on enduring through each moment. Heavenly Father helps me.  My prayers are very specific. “Please help me to endure this pain until I get home and can take some ibuprofen.”  “Please comfort me while I wait to talk to another doctor.” “Please accept my efforts to endure even if I can’t seem to stop crying.”  “Please help me bless someone else’s life.”

One day I will be privileged to embrace Lorene and thank her for teaching me by her example how to endure through the end. Hopefully I will succeed as she did.