Update from Denise

Hello Everyone!

Praise the Lord for another great day.  I've had several this week where the pain has been under control, and my energy has been "out of control" so to speak. Aww, don't worry, I'm being sensible and haven't been out snowmobiling (though tempted)!

Again I want to thank everyone for their support in prayer, cards, gifts, expressions of encouragement, help...and the list goes on and on. 

One of the blessings was the box of letters you wrote about how the Lord has used me to bless you. I read several and was totally amazed that so many think they know me but really don't!  Some said that they were inspired by my faithfulness to serve the Lord. Yet, I, seeing myself from the inside out, had to admit that there have been times that I've fallen short of being faithful.  So many times I've missed opportunities to do what He requested, and regretted my choice.  I dare say that you, who see me faithful, may in fact be more so than me.  A couple commented on my humility, yet I struggle with pride and at times even haughtiness. Your vision of me brings me to shame. You, in fact, may be more humble than me.

I could go on, but the idea is that I'm not some great Christian that has arrived at some high level of service.
And I don't want any to think that I'm criticising what you wrote.  I do want you to know that you have blessed me by exposing some hidden sins, that I've now brought before the Lord, and He has been faithful to forgive me. 

So, if you're wondering how you could serve God in the midst of your situation, circumstances and trials, just know that He is wanting to use you as you are now, so that He can change you to what He wants you to be. It's easier to train someone while they're doing something, than it is to train them when they're doing nothing.

Now that I've gotten my "confession" out there I can continue to read the rest of the letters. Thank you so much for taking the time to write out your thoughts, and to be such a blessing.

Love
Denise

Thursday, February 24th

Not too much to report but Denise wanted me to let you know that her chemo treatment went well today.  She's having a pretty good day!  The pain isn't too bad. Praise the Lord!!   Her two sisters are here visiting for a couple days so she is enjoying spending time with them.  Thanks to everyone who sent in a note/letter.  I was able to give them to her Tuesday night.  Praying they will be a blessing to her and her family! 

Tuesday, February 22nd

Talked with Denise this morning.  She sounded very tired today.  She said that her pain is moderate at this time and was praying that it would decrease as the day went on.  She has had some busy days, with family and friends visiting.  She has been able to spend quite a bit of time with her grandson, Daniel and enjoys every minute of it.  She is scheduled for another round of chemo this Thursday.  Her two sisters will be visiting with her on Thursday and are planning on going with her.  She is very much looking forward to their visit.  Denise has expressed to me that she would really like to go for a snowmobile ride.  This is something that she loves to do!!  She is praying that this next round of chemo will give her another burst of energy that would allow her to go.  Let's pray together that God would allow her to do this.  I will be taking the letters that everyone wrote to her tonight.  I pray that they will be a blessing to her and her family!

A Note from Denise!!!

Hi everyone,  Yes, this is coming to you "Live from Denise!"  And I must say that it is live from because of the Lord's mercy on me, and because of His faithfulness to answer prayer.  He is AWESOME, and you all are amazing in your faithfulness to lift me and my family to the Lord.  I cannot thank you enough.

As you probably know I had a chemo treatment yesterday.  It went very well.  There is not a lot of outward side effects that are bad.  For me, and this going to sound funny, the outward side effects are great! We have noticed a definite pattern where I am energetic and ready to tackle the world after having a treatment.
Such is the case this week.  All the pain I've experienced Monday - Thursday was gone this morning!  I've been up since 6:00 am, and still no pain. 

Again thank you for your support and love.  Thanks for all the cards and gifts.  Praise the Lord for His faithfulness.  Psalm 27:13.

With love,
Denise

Thursday, February 17th

Just talked with Denise.  She had her chemo treatment today and it went well.  The doctor did tell her that by doing the chemo treatments it may give her a few extra weeks to live beyond what was originally said.  The doctor said that asking for another 2 months was pushing it.  They were praying that the chemo would give her much more time than the doctor said.  Please pray with them on this matter, that God would extend her time even more.  Of course we know that He is the Great Physician and if He chose to, He could heal her at this very moment. 

I am thankful that we can find encouragement in God's Word!
Heb 11:1 ¶ Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Ro 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Tuesday, February 15th

Denise called this morning.  She is having quite a bit of pain on her right side.  She's not sure what is causing it.  The pain patch she is on has not been keeping it under control.  She asks that you pray for the pain to get resolved.  A visiting nurse will be coming over later today and will better be able access things.  She also found out that she is scheduled to have chemo this Thursday.
Denise is up to having calls and visits.  You are welcome to call her or stop by.  If possible, call before you come for a visit.  Please use your common sense as to what times you call and visit her. 
She said to pass along to everyone her appreciation for all the prayers and thoughts.  She said it has been overwhelming.....beyond words.
Also a reminder for those of you who are planning on writing a her a note - I am extending the deadline to this Sunday so that will give you more time.

Answer to Prayer!

Thanks everyone for praying!  They found a nurse and she is coming home today!!!  Praise the Lord!!!

Friday, Feb.11th

Pastor just called with an update and a prayer request.  Denise could come home today if they can find a nurse that can go to their house and show them what needs to be done.  If they cannot find a nurse to do that today, she won't be able to come home until Sunday.  So please pray that they can find a nurse for TODAY!  She is feeling quite well today.  She's been walking the halls at the hospital!  They also have decided that she is going to try a couple rounds of chemo.  I will prayerfully update you later that she is coming home!

Thursday, Feb. 10th

  There isn't too much to update you on today but I know some of you keep checking the blog. I just came back from visiting her (and Pastor.)  When we got there, pastor was "in training" on how to take care of the tubing. She was in some discomfort but the doctors goal is to make her pain free.  She is currently on a pain patch and they will increase the strength as necessary.  She is hoping to come home tomorrow.  They are trying to get everything set up for her to come home.  She is very much looking forward to getting out of that hospital, although she said that the food hasn't been too bad! 
Please pray that she will get to come home tomorrow.  Continue to pray for them and their children.

A Way to be a Blessing

In these kind of situations, everyone wants to do something but you never quite know what to do.  I had prayed about what we could do to be a blessing to Denise during this time.  God gave me an idea and I'd like to share it with you.  Denise is always about being used of God and glorifying God.....if God has used Denise in a special way in your life, then write her a letter/note saying just that.   Don't make it about how great she is (even though we all know she is : ) but center it around the Lord and how God used her in your life. I think that this would be a huge blessing to her and I know without a doubt that she will praise God for it all.  I would like to compile these letters and give them to her all at once.  If you would like to take part in this, please give me (Lynn Stemp) your letters/notes by February 16th.  If you don't live in the area and would like to e-mail me your letter, I can print it out. (lstemp@twcny.rr.com)  I know this is a short notice but I want to make sure that she is feeling well enough to read each one.
Also, another note, I meant to let you know that she is in Crouse Hospital in Syracuse for those who are planning on visiting her.

Wednesday, Feb. 9th

Pastor just called with an update on Denise.  She should be able to come home from the hospital either Friday or Saturday.  They have decided that she will come home with the pic line (for the nutritional supplement) and the drainage tube from her stomach.  The pic line will have to be hooked up on a 12 hour cycle, so she will do that during the nighttime hours.  The drainage tube from her stomach only has to be hooked up for 1 hour a day.  This will allow her to continue to be mobile when she is feeling up to it. Because of this, a nurse will be coming to their house as needed to take care of the pic line and drainage tube.
If anyone would like to visit her at the hospital tomorrow, they said you are welcome to visit but PLEASE keep it short.  Please don't be offended if she asks you to leave, as she gets very tired and needs to rest.

February 8, 2011

Pastor asked if I would start a blog to keep everyone up to date on how Denise is doing.    As you know, she had surgery yesterday.  The doctor was hoping to remove the section of her intestines where the blockage was.  When the doctor opened her up, she saw that the cancer was basically eating her intestines and they are dying.  In which case, there was nothing that could be done.  She was told that she has a few weeks to a few months.  She currently has a drainage tube in her stomach and a pic line in which she can receive a food supplement.  There are some choices that they have to make.   She can come home with nothing or she can come home with both the pic line and drainage tube.  The doctor said that she could do chemo and that may give her a little more time.  The problem with that is without sufficient food intake, the chemo would make her very sick.  Please pray for them as they make these difficult decisions.  Pastor and his family are asking that people don't smother them. Please do not vist or call their house or cell phones until further notice.  If you have any questions, you may call the church office.
He says that God has given them a peace in the whole matter.  The best thing we can do as a church family is to covet them in our prayers or send a card or note.  Pastor knows that we are there for him.