Practically: Prayer Project

Since my dad was just asking about how to get on the prayer project, perhaps I haven't explained it well. :) :)

Pray whenever you want.  You people are blowing me out of the water with your "I want to pray every week/day/etc!"  We are grateful.  They are working.  Thank you!

Whenever it's important to you that the prayer be recorded in her prayer book and passed on to Dee Dee, email it to me at prayfordeedee @ gmail .com.  I compile them for the day, email them to her (so she knows what is being prayed) and handwrite them into her Prayer Project book.  I haven't written this much with a pen since about 8th grade, so this has turned into a handwriting project for me. Ha!

In terms of what you email me, I'll take anything.  Some people write out full prayers, which are beautiful.  Some people write out a sentence about what they prayed for that day.  Some people are sending verses, devotionals, prayers of others.  Whatever and however you want.

There were lots of prayers for a non-reaction during chemo, and they worked!  Carry on, everyone!

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It was a great day

It was a very good day at super happy Katychemoland today. No drug reaction!!!!! Thank you God for you protection. I continue to pray that you send the chemo directly to the cancer, make sure it destroys it and protect the good stuff in my body that does not need to be adversely effected from the chemo. 

The morning started with a few hiccups, but those were quickly tended to.  I displayed a God inspired amount of patience but did fail when it came to the "being anxious" department.  The nurse who did my chemo infusion was THE SAME NURSE AS MY VERY FIRST TIME...WHEN I REACTED TO THE DRUG! I was not sure how to interrupt that, but I always pray for God to do the nurse selection...and Belen, RN was the one. And it all went smoothly!!!!! Thank you all so much for praying me through this one.

So, in three weeks I will go back and we will start the game of seeing if my white count and platelets are normal enough for another infusion.  If not, we will have to put #2 off for one week while the WBC (white blood count) and platelets recover. Boring stuff...but good stuff.

I was whistling today as I walked the halls in the chemo infusion area. For those of you who know me well, whistling is a very good barometer of how I am feeling. I am filled with hope and peace and joy...lots of joy. And each of you have so much to do with that. Your support has done much to lift my spirits and keep me positive. Thank you friends.

Love to each of you. I am off to take a nap!!

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Round Two

cue the theme music from the movie Rocky

I am packing up my teal colored boxing gloves, and getting ready to start Round Two of chemotherapy tomorrow (Friday) morning.  I am to report to Katy Regional Care Center at 9 am...and I expect that if all the paperwork is in order, the infusion should start around 9:30-9:45. I will be anxious, as I did react to Taxol during my first encounter with the drug...so there is a chance that it might happen again. So prayer warriors, please pray for God's protection for me against any adverse reactions to this drug. 
 
The plan is to have three treatments, three weeks apart, and then we will access if the drugs are being successful in decreasing the tumor. If yes, we will do three more treatments, if not, then there will be some tweaking of the drugs. ...One step at a time...  We have every reason to believe that I should respond favorably to these drugs, so I am finding joy in that and expecting the best.

While I was on my two week cruise (that sounds so much better than admitting that the recovery kicked my butt!) I did a lot of soul searching. I still hold on to the fact that I know this is God's plan for me...there is a purpose in all of this...I want to glorify Him through it all...and I put my faith in Him. I just need to take one step at a time. "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!" Ephesians 3:20-21

Thank you for all your prayers (both those sent to the prayer project and those said on my behalf to the Almighty) and cards and kind and caring thoughts. 1Corinthians 10:13b says "God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." My way out is definately my faith and my family and friends. Y'all are the best!

I'll keep you posted on my progress tomorrow and the decisions I will be faced with in the future...like what color of hair should I pick once I have to go back to wearing a wig?

Here is hoping I do not turn a lovely shade of red tomorrow morning!

Love you all,
Dee Dee

 

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Sistering

I fell down an internet rabbit hole the other day, and instead of coming up with a lot of wasted time and regret, I found this video:

So, in honor of mom's sister, Ellen, who is with her now,  and her other sister Anne, who is coming next week, and all of YOU, who have been sistering in so many ways already, THANK YOU.

(UPDATE- I can see the video on my computer, but no one else can?  Apparently I did this wrong.  Watch it online HERE.)

Mom Update
Well, there are two options here: (1) she's been on a 6 day cruise and without technology or (2) recovery is "kicking her butt."  I know I probably had a false sense of the ease of recovery since she was released from the hospital so soon, but in reality, it's still major abdominal surgery.  But Nurses Bruce and Ellen claim that she is better every day.  Your continued prayers for healing and her body to get back to "fighting strength" would be appreciated!

Prayer Project Update
You guys are rockstars.  Some of you have asked how this is working. Daily,  I collect any prayers that are emailed to me and make them into a digest that I email to mom each night- so she can know what has been prayed for her that day.  I'm also handwriting those requests into one of the books I bought for the Prayer Project so there will be a written record of the love and faith in this journey.   Email or touch base whenever it strikes you.  I'd love to add your words to the book.

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Technology has failed me!

Today I received the beautiful books I had made for the prayer project.  One of these will stay with me to record all of our prayers for mom, and one of these will go to her so she can record her requests and how she sees God answering all of our prayers. (Mom, which one do you want?)

But I have to admit, I've been little blue the last few days.  I thought I had set up the PrayForDeeDee email address to forward to my personal email, but not one thing had come in.  I was sad that it didn't look like what I had intended would come to fruition, but I knew the power of this was in the prayers, not my plan.  But I just went and signed directly into that email account and found SO MANY BEAUTIFUL PRAYERS!  You ladies (all ladies so far-- where are you, guys?) have quite the way with words.  I can't wait to write them down and share them with mom.

Clearly I'm not as tech savvy as I thought!

So keep up the amazing work.  Someone told me once there is nothing better you can offer than having a personal conversation with the King on their behalf.  And when it comes to something like cancer, that's absolutely the truth.

If this is all news to you, more info on the prayer project can be found in the column on the right.

Also, many of you signed up to pray on a certain day every week.  THANK YOU.  If you want me to go through and put you on the schedule for all of those specific days, let me know.  I think I can do it much more easily behind the scenes than it is for you all to sign up for each day.

Love you you all.  Thanks for your help!

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Headed home

home today...one day earlier that I expected to be. I cannot say enough good things about the care given here at MD Anderson. Granted I do not have any experience with other hospital, but I still think this place is the best. Plus I had the privilege to meet one of the gynecological fellows, Dr. Makelia Onsted and I know in my heart this world is a better place just for having people like her in it. She is so loving and kind, answering tough questions with compassion and caring. It is comforting to know that there are people like her out there working to find answers about Ovarian Cancer. Maybe one day, with her help and MD Anderson we will find a means for early detection and treatment. Until then, I continue to hold on to joy and hope and faith that God is walking this walk with me and has me in His arms. 

Speaking of arms...soon I will have my arms around my newest grandson! Parker David is anxiously waiting to meet me!!!!! Ok, he has no idea who I am, but I plan on smothering him in kisses. Drew (the 5 year old grandson) has told me I am "to  kissy".  Suddenly he is to big to have me kissing on his sweet head when he sits in my lap. Isn't it wonderful that God gives me another child who can't complain about my kisses!!! 

My middle sister Ellen flies in tomorrow from Phoenix. There is nothing like family love (especially a sis) to make the healing go faster. 

So the game plan is for complete healing and then moving into chemo. 🤗☺️ YEA chemo. 

Love you all. Thanks for all the prayers and thoughts.  

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An update and a baby!

Thanks so much for all your prayers.  The doctor came to talk to us about 11:30 after a 4 hour surgery.  The surgery went perfectly.  Unfortunately they did find more than one spot, so, as the plan always was for situation, they stopped the surgery and will proceed with chemo.  The doctor said the new spots were small and completely treatable with chemo, and he isn't one to tell us that if he had any concerns.

We left our meeting with the doctor, and within 5 minutes Travis called to let us know that PARKER DAVID FINCHER was born via c section.  8.7 lbs, 21 inches long.

We were quite the waiting room story- I think every nurse and volunteer here heard about the family waiting on not one, but TWO family members in surgery.

And a funny Dee Dee anecdote- one of the doctors PA's loves my mom's apple muffins.  So mom promised her some the morning of surgery, and true to her word, we packed up two tupperwares with treats.  We didn't see the doctor or PA prior to surgery, so they were with us in the waiting room.  Kelly just came to find me and told me that when mom woke up she looked at Kelly and said "Did you get your stuff?"

Seriously, even anesthesia can't keep this woman down.

Will post more updates (and maybe even a baby picture!) later.  Please pray for mom's spirits-- this was her least favorite of the possible scenarios and I know it will be hard when she finds out there were multiple spots.

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Surgery Updates Tomorrow

Hi Friends,

Heads up, if you get this blog by email it is sent at 5:45PM, no matter when we post tomorrow. We expect surgery to end around noon and will post an update then, but you will have to come directly to the blog (www.deedeefincher.blogspot.com) if you want the info before it hits your email box at 5:45.

Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers! Mom and I are off to get pedicures, because surgery demands nice toes. :)

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Ready...Set....

Port in place...done

Surgery...Monday, Jan 11, 2016  (Previous surgery Monday, Jan 13, 2014)

Length of hospital stay...one day or three to five days...I am hoping for a three day stay!

Daughter Lindsey (aka The Communication Czar) will be coming in for the surgery. Son Travis will be at his wife's side as they wait for the birth of their baby.  Hubby Bruce imagines himself ubbering between MDAnderson and Women's Hospital to tend to me and his newest grandson. (We hope he will be making his arrival soon, but he is proving to be a boy who likes to do things on his own time schedule!)

As far as communicating to you all about the result of the surgery...the communication czar will be updating this blog.  Many people have said that they "must have been taken off the blog because they have not gotten the newest post..."we have not taken anyone off the blog. If someone is no longer receiving the post it is not intentional on our part. Please feel free to forward this site to anyone who is interested. www.deedeefincher.blogspot.com There is a box in the upper right hand corner where you can sign up for the blog. 

I cannot think of a thing funny to say. I guess I am a tad bit anxious.😮

I ask that you pray for Dr. Bevers that God will give him wisdom and the skills he needs to make this the best surgery possible 

Please pray that Dr. Bevers will be able to cut out the tumor without any complications and that I will recover quickly and without complications. 

Thank you friends for again sharing this journey with Bruce and I. I have no doubt that your prayers resulted in all the good of these last two years. I know God can do this again and I pray that He will. 

Love you all...Dee Dee

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The Prayer Project, Part 2

So following up from yesterday's post, as I began to pray and read about praying while stuck in the desert, I was struck by several things that became the basis for the Prayer Project.

1. That I am supposed to petition God for the things I want and need. ("Do not worry about anything, instead, pray about everything.  Tell God what you need, and thank him for what he has done."  Philippians 4:6)
2. There is power in many people praying together. ("Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree on anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my father in Heaven."  Matthew 18:19)
3. God will use my prayers to emotionally involve me in the needs of others, and I can learn more about myself and God while in prayer for others.

Thus, the idea for the Prayer Project was born-- to harness the power of all of us praying together for both the HOPE line and the REALITY line, and be able to chronicle the impact that is having on mom's cancer journey.  Here's how the Prayer Project will work:

Step 1: Go to this website and sign up for days to pray. The dates start next Monday, January 11th (the date of surgery) and go through the end of May. I will adjust the end dates once we know how long chemo will be- so check back!

Step 2: Email me at prayfordeedee @gmail .com each time that you pray. You can just tell me that you prayed that day, or you can give me any level of detail about WHAT you prayed that day. As much as you are comfortable with.

Other things to know

• Please sign up for more than one day!  You can sign up randomly, or on any sort of schedule that works for you.
• The website will email you prior to any day you sign up, so don't worry about picking days far into the future.
• I put 5 spots for each day to spread the love, but if you want to pray on a day where all 5 spots are taken, please feel free and just skip to Step 2.
• Please forward this link/email to anyone else who may be interested- I know this blog only goes so far.

I will take the daily Prayer Project emails and transcribe them into a journal by date.  I'm also going to give mom her own journal to write down her requests and how she sees God answering all of the requests.  Since she is the only one who will have all the prayers and see how they are being answered, hopefully she will share some on the blog about what she is noticing and what she is learning in her own desert.

We will probably never know why God allowed this cancer in mom's life (again!),  but I hope and pray this project will give us a little glimpse into the way God is using this for our good and growth.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for indulging me in supporting my mom in the very best way I know how.

Love,
Lindsey

PS- As I have written these posts, I have gotten absolutely snarled in the amount of information that is out there about prayer.  I've had to boil down big theology and big concepts into something that is readable.  Some of you reading this post are probably Christian but still confused about how prayer works (honestly, that is probably all of us to some extent!).  Some of you may not identify as Christian, but want to know more.  I definitely don't know all the answers, but if you have any questions and want to talk more, please feel free to reach out at the address above.

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The Prayer Project, Part 1

Written by Lindsey

Well, it took me several attempts at remembering my password to this blog, if that gives you any indication of where we thought we stood with this cancer thing.  It was done, the battle was over, prayers had been answered, and she had won.

I prayed many a prayer during Round 1:

"God, please give my mom strength." Yes.

"God, please give my mom wise doctors and nurses." Yes.

"God, please help chemo be kind to her body." Yes.

"God, please keep her spirits up."  Yes.

"God, please take this away."

I thought the answer to that last one was also "Yes," but it appears the answer is actually "not yet."  Or potentially even "No."  And I've spent the last three weeks pondering that.

And then I saw this graph in a book about prayer.  I'll explain it in a second, but, spoiler alert, I'm in the desert.

The bottom left hand corner where everything starts?  That's me on December 11th, when "chemo", "cancer" and "MDAnderson" were no longer parts of my vocabulary.  And then mom and dad arrived -- under the guise of dropping off furniture and staying off freshly cleaned, wet carpet -- bearing bad news.

My heart was torn between despair and hope.  To be honest, it was mostly despair at first -- how could this be happening again?  My hope was being crushed by doctors we greatly trust calling it "chronic" and indicating it was a battle that may need to be fought again and again.  But I was pondering all of this during the Christmas season, and everywhere I turned was the image of a baby, born to a virgin.  Lots of trained, smart medical doctors would tell you a child can't be born of a virgin.  But Jesus was.  God is not contained by our science, and I slowly began to see hope.  And pray.

So I re-set my "hope" line as mom takes this journey again.  My HOPE is for the cancer to go and to never come back.  And my God can do that, and will do that when it falls in line with his divine will (Hebrews 2:4).  So for healing I will pray, all the while knowing that God is good and all things work together for those who love Him. (Romans 8:28)

But I also must pray along the reality line.  I will pray for a successful surgery, the wisdom of the doctors, that chemo is yet again gentle on her body.

And as I pray those prayers, I will wait in the desert.  To be honest, I'm really, really terrible about being in a state of unknown.  It's hard and uncomfortable and I'd like to just move on already.  But over and over God does his best work on people when they are in the desert and all they have to reply on is faith.  And I trust that he will work on my heart, and moms, and yours, if you will let Him.

During Round 1, so many of you reached out to us to help, and we are still so thankful.  You offered meals and rides and all sorts of emotional support, and i rolled that into the Morale Project.  Just weeks before she found out about Round 2, mom told me again that she had just re-read through everything and it brought her so much joy.  So it was obvious to me that I was going to do it again, but with a twist.

Tomorrow I'll tell you about my plans for the Prayer Project.  And I hope you will join me in covering mom in prayer every single day of Round 2.  Big, HOPE prayers, and smaller, Reality prayers.  Because truly, those prayers will make the difference.

(Note: Since apparently we are going to be on the blog for awhile, check out the updates and new features at www.deedeefincher.blogspot.com.  If you got this post to your email account, you are set up to get anything new that is posted via email.  If you viewed it on the website or were forwarded the email and would like to get updates on all new posts via email, go to www.deedeefincher.blogspot.com and put your email address in the box on the lefthand side that says "Follow by Email.")

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Baby report (no, not me silly!) & Surgery update

Baby report first...

Many of you know that Travis and his wife Lyndsay are expecting the birth of their son very soon. Actually,we have been anticipating his arrival since Christmas. In spite of being head first, then breech and now head first again, he apparently has decided that he is quite comfortable and is happy where he is. In other words, we are like every other expectant family and we are waiting. I will update y'all here whenever he arrives. 

Surgery report...

Tomorrow I return to MDAnderson to have a port put back into my chest for future chemotherapy treatments. 

On Monday, I will report early for an expected 9:30 surgery to remove the "pelvic implant". There are a lot of "ifs" with this surgery. 

Dr. Bevers will start with a laproscope meaning a smaller, less invasive surgery. If thru the scope, he sees more than one implant (we used to call them tumors), he will withdraw the scope and not proceed further as he does not believe it would be to my advantage. I would go home the next day,and we would start chemo. 

However, he only sees ONE implant on the PET scan, and assuming that is indeed what they find, the issue now becomes what it is attached to. This will determine what is done. If it is attached to the bowel, he will not proceed further, I will go home the next day and head to chemo. If they can remove the implant without resecting the small bowel, they will open up my belly and go to work...kicking this cancer...of maybe knifing is a better word. Anyway, that would be the most ideal outcome for me and would require a 3-5 day hospitalization. 

So many variables. 

But I am sure God has his hand on all those variables. I am filled with joy and at peace with this decision. I am going to fight!!!!!!

So prayer warriors, I ask again that you pray for the healthy delivery of baby Fincher without complications for baby or mom. 

And that you pray for an uncomplicated port placement tomorrow and a successful surgery on Monday without complications and with a rapid recovery. Because, I can't wait to start chemo! :)

Love you all. 

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The title of this post should be…

Oh No!!! Say it Ain’t So!!!!!!

or

Second Verse, Same as the First

or

Round Two

Ok, all three are good!

Yes, it is back!!! The cancer has reared it's ugly head once more.

I was surprised.  I thought I had beaten this damn disease.  Even though the odds were aagainst me, I thought I was going to beat it.  So now I am on the second verse in this battle.  And I pray the second verse is as successful as the first time. I will have surgery to remove the mass in my pelvis on January 11th. Dr. Bevers has referred to this reoccurrence as the beginning of a "chronic" problem, Meaning it will not go away, but there are treatment choices...mainly chemo. I am praying that the next reoccurrence will be years down the road. In the meantime, I am on to round two!

So Prayer warriors, I need you.

Please pray that the surgery is successful and without complications.  Pray that I will recover quickly and will be  able to start chemo with 2-3 weeks. Please pray that I will respond to the chemo with maximum results and minimum side effects...just like last time.

In the meantime, I am choosing JOY.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will  for you me in Christ Jesus."

Romans 15:13 "May the God of hope fill you me with all joy and peace as I you trust in him so that I you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

I know God is in control. I know this is His plan for me. But I will admit that I am having a hard time wrapping my head around this latest development. I ask God to give me peace.

I will keep you posted on any new developments, but in the meantime, I wish you joy and peace as we start this new year. 

 

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