June 27th Update from Denise

I've had a problem with swelling in my leg, and pain behind the knee. Today that seems to be much better. So I praise the Lord for that improvement. I am very tired today though. I guess that is to be expected. Thanks for your prayers. Love Denise

Saturday, June 22nd Prayer Request

Prayer request -  Denise texted me this morning and asked us to pray.   Her foot is swollen and she has pain behind her knee.  She is putting heat packs on it.  Not sure what is going on.  Please keep her in your prayers! 

Friday, June 24th

Good morning everyone.
 I know it has been a long time since you've heard from me on a personal level. It would seem that I have all kinds of time free, but I can't explain really where my time goes!  I am not much of a writer, and if I don't feel well, writing seems to be the last thing I can do, so my apology for not being more on top of it, but it is what it is.

However, this morning I was doing a discipleship lesson with my friend, Jin from Alabama. And she was such a blessing to me, I had to share it with you. It's really very simple and something that I've heard and even experienced before. (There's noting new under the sun!) However I was blessed.Lesson: As you think of His works, what has God done in your life since you have become a Christian for which you can praise Him?  Take a moment to ponder and jot down some of those things,,,Jin's response: A lot. I can see God's work, plan, purpose, perfect time...  God is so awesome. I don't know how to describe that. It is like we stop for a moment to wake up and realize [what] God has done in our lives (by action).My answer: That is worship. You are actively looking for God's work and grace in your life. It's also fellowship. You are ready to talk with Him about what He is doing with you, and with the people you love.  That is what friends do. (And this is where it got me. I don't take the time to just sit and talk with Him like a friend. I've done it before, but haven't in awhile). You put yourself in a place to be a friend of God. And not in a bad, or proud way. Wow! I GET IT :D (that's our personal saying when God has blessed us in His personal way!) Here's something you've (Jin) just taught me! I've been missing this. I need to put it on the blog!So that was it. It seems like it's been so "overworked," or "overused" or whatever. Maybe it was Jin's statement: "It is like we stop for a moment to wake up and realize..."
"...stop and realize..." 

I've had my siblings coming in to visit a lot this past week and this coming week. It has been great. I ask for your prayers that I feel good while they are here. I wasn't doing well when my brother, Duane and his wife Nancy, came from Saratoga. So I hope that we can get together again. Maureen in in from Tenn. So far our visit has been going very good. Marc hopefully will make it in from Az tonight, and I'll get to spend time with him next week. It's tricky to plan anything when you don't know from day to day how you will feel. So I ask your prayers again for God's will in it all.
Love you all for your faithfulness in praying.
Denise

Tuesday, June 21st

I see that several of you have been checking the blog and there has not been an update.  There really has not been a lot of change.  She has had some days where she has felt decent and then days where she isn't doing well.  While vsiting with her yesterday, she said she is very weak.  Her stomach doesn't seem to be able to tolerate much.  She said that the past couple days have been on the down side.  She appreciates all of your prayers so much.  Pray for God's continues peace, comfort and strength.

Monday, June 13th

I am happy to anncounce that Pastor and Denise are the proud grandparents of their second grand child, Declan Dean Carpenter!!!  He was born June 9th.  What a blessing it was for Denise to get to hold him!  She said she didn't want to give him up!  Last week was a very rough week but the last couple days she has felt a little more energetic.  I went over last night to visit with her and we painted the vacation Bible school memory verse posters together!  She even kept a couple posters to work on herself - she said she wants to keep serving Him to the end!   We all were surprised when Denise walked into church yesterday morning!  We shouldn't have been surprised because God answers prayer!!!
I will attach some pictures of Denise with her new grandson - they show up on the bottom of the blog.

Wednesday, June 8th

There is no easy way to say this.  Denise had her doctor appointment yesterday morning.  The doctor told her that her cancer has spread.  Her liver is full of cancer.  The doctor said that she has a few weeks left at the most.  She is very weak.   She has fought this battle long and hard.  She is such an amazing woman, inside and out!  Please pray for God's continued peace and comfort for her and her family during the days and weeks ahead.

Monday, June 6th

Denise was at the hospital by 8:30 this morning.  They did some tests, drained some fluid pockets in her abdomen, changed the needle in her port (I hope I got the wording right on that ) and they put in a new G-tube.  She was home by around 3:00 but was quite exhuasted from the day.  Now that the G-tube is draining, that is helping with some of the stomach issues that she was having.  She returns to the doctor in the morning to see about starting up the TPN (the food supplement that she was receiving for 12 hours every night) again, now that the infection seems to have cleared. Thanks for praying.....keep it up!   

Sunday, June 5th

Wanted to let you know that Denise made it home safely.  Praise God!  She is not doing well right now because of the G-tube still not draining, which is causing a lot o issues.  She has to go to the hospital tomorrow morning for some tests and for the doctors to decide what to do.  If you want to send her a note, comment on the blog.....she doesn't get on facebook so she doesn't see the comments you leave there, but she can check the blog and see your comments.  I'll let you know more tomorrow.

Friday, June 3rd

Sorry I didn't update you sooner.  I usually wait for Pastor or Denise it tell me to do so, but I could have let you know what was going on.  Denise ended up checking herself out of the hospital because they really weren't doing anything.  Her G-tube is still not draining which is causing her a lot of discomfort. She is also having trouble with the pump for her 12 hour fluids.  She is going to the ER this evening to get some fluids and she is praying it will give her the energy to get back home as they are flying out tomorrow.  Please keep all of this in your prayers.  I will let you know when she gets back home.  Keep on praying!