Sorry for the lack of posts recently! Getting back into school since Thanksgiving Break has been a complete whirlwind of tests, papers and projects. I cannot believe that the semester is almost over! It has flown by.
Saturday made me a nine month cancer survivor. It is really unbelievable to think. I can’t help but think that this time last year I had no idea I was sick. I guess sometimes ignorance is bliss. It is crazy. It’s almost like I cannot remember what my life was like before I knew I had cancer. Everything has changed so much.
In nine months, I have come so far. The two months after my surgery were brutal. I really look back on that time and cringe. Everyday was a dark battle, a choice to keep pushing forward, a fight against despair. I hardly kept a meal down for two months. Right after my surgery, it was a struggle for me to sit up in bed for ten minutes at a time. And walking even a few steps would completely drain all my energy, and usually result in me getting sick. I was going to the hospital nonstop, and having to constantly see doctors, or try new medicines. And I was usually in extreme pain from either the surgery or from side effects of the radiation. If I left the house, I usually had to be pushed in my wheelchair, because walking was too draining. One night in the middle of it all, I was talking to my dad and said, “I can’t remember what it feels like to not feel sick.” That was the lowest I’ve ever been. The memories still terrify me.
At that time in life, I would have never dared to dream that I would be back at Furman this fall, much less that I would be well enough to complete a whole semester on my own. Honestly, I am shaking right now as I write this, just thinking about it all. God is truly good.
I am getting ready to start my third round of chemo treatment. Although there are not tumors still present in my body, the doctors believe that there are still cancerous cells, so it is necessary to stay on the medicine to slow down any spread. I am not excited for it, but at least I know that it is helping, which gives me the encouragement to continue. And I will be on a reduced dose again, so hopefully my body will tolerate it better.
Thanks again for all the prayers and support. I really don’t think I can ever repeat this enough. It means the world to me.
"Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress. He sent out His word and healed them; He rescued them from the grave." -Psalm 107:19-20
Remember Perrin. It is in our weakness that His strength is shown.
ReplyDeleteCheering for you as you continue on in "the game." One you don't want to play in, but one you've been placed in and you can know that Jesus is right there with you "yoked along side" of you as you go through it all. You know what else? He has not left us comfortless. He's given us the wonderful Holy Spirit to Comfort us when we need it b/c He knew we'd need IT (HIM)in this world of troule, struggle and stress.
*NOTE* I shift from writing to you and then "us" b/c I need to hear these words just as much as you do.
Celebrating how far you and God have come, Perrin! "...and it is marvelous in our eyes."
ReplyDeletePsalm 118:23
Keeping you in our hearts and prayers.
Dearest Sister Perrin,
ReplyDeleteYes... such a radical detour in life's journey... and yet... and yet… the faith-full ways you and your family, and your supporters have RESPONDED to life's unavoidable detours has been...
Well, now I'm shaking too... There are no words to describe the praise and gratitude--except God's word, and the witness to how He has and is and will continue to work.
But I will offer one story of thousands that blessed me just last week: A very dear, faith-full, and close follower of your story, Pam—a "Perrin Purple Bracelet Person" from the very start—blessed me when she said (after I thanked her for her show of unceasing support), “Oh, Perrin’s bracelet? I never take it off. It has changed my life forever!”
‘Nuf said… Me too.
Blessings to you,
JohnDoz