Prayer request

My blog and posts on Facebook have not been linked recently-

Here is what is happening currently::

Thank you for all your notes and prayers--
I want to give you an update and ask you to continue praying::

The second breast biopsy came back positive for cancer.
I also had a CT scan which revealed that the lesions in the lung have grown.

Tomorrow, I will go in for more biopsies of the lungs.
I continue to ask Jesus to take care of whatever is happening in my body, know that he is able to make things right. I want to ask others to do the same. 

Surgery is scheduled for 2pm PST. It will likely take a few hours.
Please pray it goes smoothly, that I do well with the anesthesia, and that there is a definitive diagnosis.

I'm grateful for you!

Entering a Clearing

Today was my last appointment with my Radiation Oncologist, a post-treatment follow-up. I am thankful to be finished with with treatment, and am looking forward to restoration.

The post-treatment results of my CT scan came back clear- praise be to God!  I continue to pray for healing and to remain cancer-free.  I hope to not do that again!

I have not written or been able to read much during treatment.  The chemo affected my eyes and it was simply too painful to do either.
At the beginning of treatment, I thought I would like to regularly write about the journey I'm on- the many provisions, joys and trials along the way.  However, I soon realized that I was simply surviving-  putting one step in front of the other, and completely living in the moment.  Being fully present in each moment, mostly out of necessity, turned out to be one of the most wonderful, unexpected gifts.

When I look back on the last 8 months, I mostly feel a deep sense of gratitude.  I am in awe of the blessings I receive each day, and want to easily recall them to mind.

One of the things I am thankful for is the ability to walk. I have always enjoyed walking outside in the fresh air, taking in the the beauty of nature, and wondering who (or what) I might meet along the way.  Walking feels transformative.   When I begin moving, my mind clears, my eyes and ears become alert, I breathe easy and talking with God flows easily.

Each day, I go for a walk in my neighborhood. During treatment, I slowly walked the same route. I felt a sense of peace and familiarity in knowing how far I could walk, and would often visit with new friends along the way.

Along this route, there is a tree called the Wishing Tree.  Hanging on the tree are thousands of "wishes".  I'm moved when I read the deep longings and prayers that my neighbors offer up on pieces of paper attached to a tree.
Walking is used as a metaphor for many things, but seeing this tree each day reminded me that every single person is on a journey of their own- filled with trials and hopes. It seems we all long for restoration, love and abundant life.
                                                    And, that we need each other.

Here are some of the prayers:

 




 

  

I could not help but think of Jesus suffering and dying on a tree out of love for all of us- Taking all of our burdens and wrong-doing upon himself that we might be restored, have life, and experience love and peace through him who conquered death.  My wish is that each person would know Jesus's love and have hope.

There are no words to describe how grateful I am for God's presence, and for my family and friends who walk with me- providing care, help, encouragement and love.
I want to be more like all of them when I grow up.

Continuing on

My last chemo treatment w/ my mom,
and the world's best nurse, Sheree

I cannot believe almost a month has passed since my last chemo treatment.  The first couple weeks post treatment are really a blur, as I rested, and began recovering in order to have surgery.
To say that I've been tired and felt as if I had few words would be a definite understatement.
I am however getting stronger, and even growing some hair back already!

* Here is an update and some great news as to where things are currently:

Yesterday, I had a number of scans in order to prepare for surgery on this coming Tuesday, and guess what?...
There are absolutely no visible signs of tumors!  Woohoo!  Thanks be to God!
A couple of the doctors mentioned that it is not often they see this- it is as if the tumors just melted away.  Last night, as I went on my walk, I was overwhelmed with gratitude for God's healing, his presence, and community during this time.

* One issue I want to ask you to pray for:

In one of the former tumor areas, they cannot find the marker they inserted in order to guide them to the tumor area.  The good news obviously is that the tumor is gone, the bad news is that the surgeon has no way to know exactly what to cut out.

There is one marker in the other tumor, and she will use that, along with older scans of the other area to do a lumpectomy.
  (*Being able to have a lumpectomy is also a huge answer to prayer!*)

• Please pray for my surgeon Dr. Johnson as she seeks out the best way to go about the surgery, and that she is able to remove the full area she needs to.

• Please also continue to pray that there are no cancer cells left in any area of my body, and that pathology results after surgery come back cancer-free! 

Thank you for continuing to pray for me and walk with me!  I am so blessed you!

With love~
Shasta

Good News!

I am back!  For the last month and a half of cancer treatment, I've felt like I'm in a time warp of sorts. Although challenging, it has been strangely refreshing in many ways.  I want to give you an update on how everything has been going thus far.

As the weeks of treatment have progressed, the tumors have shrunk in size considerably!
I met with my surgeon this week and she said that a lumpectomy is a good option to remove the tumors (or whatever is left of them)!  This is great news!

I have two more chemo treatments remaining, and have surgery tentatively scheduled for May 30th.  After that, I will continue with six weeks of radiation treatment.

I continue to be incredibly grateful.

:: For Jesus's presence and love toward me.

:: For my friends and family, and how they generously love and serve me.

:: For all those near and far, those I have never met personally, and those I meet only briefly in the community.  Your prayers of faith are helping bring about healing, strength and encouragement to me.  This is undeniable.  God is answering your prayers on my behalf. I can see it, and feel it in every part of me.

:: For my skilled, kind doctors and nurses.

:: For my job, and those I get to work with.

:: That I have remained healthy throughout the treatment

:: That I have not had allergic reactions to the treatment

~I would love your continued prayers for full healing.  I am praying that there would be no cancer cell remaining in my body by the time surgery takes place!

~Please also pray for strength and continued health in the coming weeks.  The cumulative effect if treatment is taking its toll.  I cannot describe (or believe!) just how tired I am on many levels.

~I am having a treatment today.  Just one more after this!  Please pray again for minimal side-effects, and no long-term ill effects.  Pray for the nerves in my hands and feet to remain working properly, and for bone and muscle pain to subside.

Thank you!

Over the River and Through the Snowpocalypse

Yes, you heard right.  According to Portlanders, we are having a snowpocalypse.  Dramatic, I know.
This snowy reality does actually cause some difficulties in the Portland area. (In my Montanan opinion, this could be helped by actually using de-icing and the snow plows they have sitting someplace.)

I woke up wondering if the treatment center would be open, and if so, could I get to it on the icy roads, and then hoped that my blood counts were high enough to get treatment.  I was really hoping to get the second treatment, which is a strange feeling. Who hopes that ever!  Ha ha.
I got the call saying the center was going to open, so I got into the shower, and that's the moment my hair decided to begin falling out!

When I was a kid, I had a book called "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day" and every so often when things aren't going well, and I want to be a little dramatic, I am reminded of this book and repeat Alexander's mantra.  Today felt a bit like that.  Mostly because of the hair though.

Today was a good day overall.  My friend Matt got up early and braved the roads in a 4-wheel drive to pick me up and take me to the doctor.  When we arrived, my friend Sherree was working at the center today and was my nurse, which was such a wonderful surprise and blessing!  I have an awesome, kind, fun, doctor, and the chemist mixing my chemo drugs is my cousin in law!
They are all gifts to me.

So far, I am not feeling too bad and I would like to ask if you could pray specifically:

• That I do not get nauseas
• My eyes and vision.  The drugs mess with my focus, and can be blurry.
• For no migraines and muscle pain
• Blood platelet levels to increase
• Stay healthy
• Sleep
• One of the drugs causes extreme mood swings.  Please pray this is lessened.
• One side-effect is that I turn bright-red and get hot.  Please pray this doesn't happen anymore!

Thank you so much for all your support!

With love~Shasta

Steve, me and Sherree

Surfacing from the fog

The last four days were much more difficult than I imagined. I knew I would not feel well, but I was not prepared for the magnitude of pain, fatigue, and other challenging side-effects of the chemo.

This morning was a breath of fresh air. I awoke feeling a little better, so I got up, went downstairs and started playing my ukulele.  I really only know a handful of chords, but the sound of it makes me feel happy and reminds me of warm sunshine, blue water, and loved ones.  I'm grateful for my Hawaiian friend who taught me to start playing.  It is a gift.

I also felt well enough to try some coffee.  This morning, my friend introduced me to Stumptown Coldbrew, which has a lower acidity level.  My pounding head thanks both of you!

In the midst of these difficult days, I am so thankful for all those who serve and love me so graciously.
You are a treasure to me.

Thank you for continuing to pray for me. I know that God hears and is present to us all.

Please pray specifically that God would have mercy on me, and lessen the severity of the side-effects I am experiencing.
Please also pray that I would be able to sleep at night.  I have only been able to sleep a few hours a night, and I know this does not help in fighting the battle well.

I am grateful for all your encouragement, and for being in this with me!
~Shasta


 **Here are the words of my favorite ukulele song, best sung by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
      http://www.huapala.org/ChristReligious/I_Ke_Alo_Iesu.html

A quick update on the first day of chemo.

Hi all, this is Shasta's friend Matt. She asked me to give you a quick update about today. She's not feeling up to it tonight, but you should hear from her soon.

The good news is no allergic reaction to this type of chemo. Chemo overall went smoothly, and the hospital staff are great.

Shasta felt pretty good for the first few hours after chemo, but is having trouble with nausea now. Her friend Christine is staying with her tonight, so that is good.

If you could be praying for an end to the nausea and a good night's sleep tonight, that would be great. Pray for no nausea, lots of energy and strength for tomorrow (emotional and physical). Thank you. Shasta is so thankful for all of you and said multiple times today how thankful she is for your texts, notes, kind words and actions toward her.

Thanks everyone.

-Matt