Saturday, January 22, 2011

hey guys, it's me!

Well, here I am to say hi. I'm going to keep this short (mainly because I have this stupid thing on my middle finger that makes it hard to type with.)

Can I first say how overwhelmed I am by all of the prayers on my behalf, literally all over the world? I think one of my first and foremost lessons out of this will be the power of prayer. Holy cow. Please don't stop.

Obviously, the news wasn't *exactly* what I was hoping for, but it is still encouraging, nonetheless. Basically, since it's cancer, the doctor said the surgery couldn't have gone any better. Next stop, chemo. Dang it, I had just started growing my hair out and it was a fabulous color, thanks to my friend Aimee. Oh well...

In all honesty, it is the prayer that has me in a really good place today. I've been up and walking several times today. I'm sitting in a chair typing right now and I've even pooped (sorry, yes, I did just go there!) I feel relief. Yep, relief. The days of not knowing and wondering were killing me. Now, I know the plan. And I know God is in the plan. I STILL believe He is answering the prayer that there will be no more cancer in my body. It's just that I get to have chemo too.

God has held my hand over this past week. He'll hold my hand during the next chapter. I'm still a little scared. But mostly I'm at peace. Weird, huh? Jesus is just good like that. And so is the morphine. Little nervous for when that stops. I'll probably be here in the hospital until the end of the week. Friends have been so great to be here visiting with me.

Here's another cool, God showing up story and then I'll be done for the night. When I did my pre-admittance work they swabbed me for MRSA. Well, if you don't know us very well, here's your chance to learn our dirty little secret... my kids battle MRSA and have passed it back and forth for the last few years. So, not a big surprise when I found out I'm a host in my nose. Which means, I get a private room. Which means Steve can spend the night with me. My good friend, Sarah drove down from Ann Arbor, MI today to spend the night with me tonight. If it wasn't for MRSA, I'd have a roommate and no one would be able to spend the night. Ha!

Just another praise.

I am truly humbled by your prayers and response to my situation. And I'm not to shy to ask that you would continue, wanna join me on this little journey? I'd love the company. (Although, next time, let's just all take a cruise together!)

38 comments:

Lisa said...

E, so good to hear you back to your witty, writing self. When was it that you wrote about wanting to grow in your writing skills? Dang, you're good. There might be a book deal for you at the end of this. ;-) Well, friend, I love you and I'm so glad you're back on the wagon of blogging. Thanks for calling last night. It was wonderful to hear your voice! Love you!

maureen said...

never thought i'd thank God for MRSA but here i am thanking God for MRSA.

i'm going to make you a 'kick the hell out of cancer' mix for chemo stints. maureen

KTC said...

You've always looked cute in hats!

So glad the Lord is surrounding you with peace. We will continue to pray for that.

I am sad that you have to go through this.... but so thankful for your walk with the Lord and for his constant presence. We are with you through His Spirit! much love!!!

Andrea @ SavingsLifestyle said...

Since you're happy about the MRSA I am too! We will continue to pray for your recover and upcoming treatments.

1grown2togo said...

New follower also prayer friend <3 you for being such a strong woman~~Shari

jenny from mommin' it up said...

1) I love SO MUCH that you talked about poop. I got muy sick from a paralyzed bowel after my first c-section and am therefore overly concerned about anyone's post-abdominal-surgery poop, including yours. :)
2) You are still so WITTY in the midst of this! Morphine or not.
3) Reading this post and "hearing" your voice so strongly in it is a great comfort to those of us who love you, so thanks, and thank the Lord for giving you peace! He is so, so, so good. He can even make MRSA beautiful!! Love it & love you.

Christie said...

Found you through Mommin it Up. Praying for your recovery. I'm a nurse--I understand how precious a private hospital room can be! I bet you never saw How God would make MRSA out to be such a good thing. I pray that this cancer He has allowed you to have ends up being another such blessing.
I am also a former Apex member, until I moved, and know what a huge support you have in that awesome church family. God WILL be glorified in this.

Amy @ Finer Things said...

Hi Elizabeth - When your friend JennyItUp says PRAY on Twitter... we pray. :)

So sorry for the circumstances, but pleased to meet you and your beautiful family. Will be praying in Kansas!

alissa said...

Score for the MRSA. Many prayers.

The Hardy's said...

E....so excited to hear about the private room thing! And of course the poop thing too... No need for chipotle after all:) praying for a good night's rest!!

Celia said...

Yay for poop and MRSA! Lol, I guess it is a good thing you were taking all that fiber! So glad to read a post from YOU, we love you and are continuing to pray! Love you, E!

cindy q said...

Ross and Cindy here... We're so glad to read that you are up and poopin the day after surgery. Ross saw a hypoglycemic cloud today and thought of you. I bought a pair of Steve Madden boots today and thought of you. We had smiles on our faces as we thought of you at these times as opposed to the thoughts of yucky cancer. We're glad to hear that you're in a good mood. Yeah for God, morphine and MRSA.

Anonymous said...

Glad you are up and about and have a sense of humor. I will keep praying for you and your family. Michele Braceros

victoria said...

Oh Big...I already have a plan for something I am going to start work on that will soon get you a great package..I am beyond glad to be back to reading with you!! Though I will not stop praying and yo will stay on the payer list at my church too!

Colleen said...

Good to "hear" from you, E! How great to be able to have loved ones stay with you.

Mr. E said...

Hey..I was just talkin' to Victoria Willer and she made me aware of what is going on! I am so encouraged by reading your post...God is good. You got my prayers(as I know a million others).

emme said...

E, I just got caught up on what's going on. I'm so thankful to hear the way God has been working thru this. I'll be praying and call soon. Love you!!

Anonymous said...

E, this is Steve's cousin Ken. We received an email from Steve, which was the first we had heard of things. Lisa and I are so glad to hear the surgery went well and that recovery is off to a good start. We are following your blog and praying fervently for your health and your spirits. May God bless you and the family--may He use this time to show Himself to all of you in ways you never even imagined.

Cortney @ evanhaslanded.com said...

I love a good poop story. Hey and I love that I got to read your voice tonight. I can't wait to see where God leads in all of this.

Unknown said...

E, you are a wonderful writer who has made Becky and myself laugh. What a wonderful gift to bring humor to others when your writing from a hospital bed. We will pray for you and continue to read your blog through this journey. Much Love, Sam and Becky

Stacie@HobbitDoor said...

Can honestly say I've never heard anyone be happy for MRSA before and I see a LOT of MRSA! Praying this peace and these unexpected blessings continue.

greg and kara said...

Glad u r up and around. Happy to find your fun blog even if the reason stinks. Praying for u and your kids as they deal with all this too

One chance at this life said...

That is so awesome that you are already up in a chair and writing!!! Praise the Lord for your private room and ability for people to spend the night! Thanks again for openly sharing your heart.......I love reading what you write, even though we have actually never met before. We prayed for you and your family during our service at Covenant Creek Community Church last night, and we will continue doing so!!

Rose said...

Praying for you here in Toledo! So glad that God gave you the gift of humor! I will share your prayer request with my small group on Tuesday!

Mark.Householder said...

Elizabeth, Marianne and I are praying and pulling for you. You are doing awesome! Keep going....! Mark

Julie Gillespie said...

So amazing to think of you typing your blog so soon after surgery! Thankful to hear all the great reports and God stories. We will continue to pray for your recovery and the road ahead. Much love from MSU!
The Gillespies

Bacho and Laura said...

Hey guys,

we just heard about the surgery via Scott Sommer. We are praying. Let us know how we can help.

Much love.

Bacho and Laura

Anonymous said...

Isaiah 43:1-3 (NIV)
But now, this is what the Lord says---he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. [2] When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. [3] For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;

Hi Elizabeth, you don't know me, but I have read your blog a few times and always enjoyed your honesty and way with words. Thought of the above verse as an encouragement for you. Praying for you and your family.

여상주 said...

Yay, you're back~! Am keeping on praying for you and your fam. :) Love you and miss you <3

Anonymous said...

E, Mary Rynsburger here! I'm friends with Lisa on facebook and saw her post with the news that you were diagnosed with cancer. Case and I are so, so sorry to hear it. Actually, Case's cousin's wife was diagnosed with ovarian cancer (had spread to her colon by the time they found it) and that was 6 years ago, she has her hair back and a clear bill of health! :-) But that's beside the point. I just wanted to tell you that I am committing to pray for you every day, as long as it takes. Keep letting us know specifics on how to pray! In God's love, Mary.

Marisa said...

So good to read your post. I was awake quite a bit with my little one last night and I prayed for you as I walked the floor. I love your perspective and even though we really don't know each other I will gladly join you in this journey :) You and your family will be in my prayers! (And I can bring yummy meals if there is ever a need. Or childcare too)

jenny said...

So very glad to "hear" from you, E! I am beyond thankful for the peace that the Lord is obviously giving you. And thrilled that you were able to sit up today and start to regain some energy. We are continuing to pray everyday for you, Steve, and the kids. And of course, are here for whatever needs you guys have....meals, help with kids, encouragement....now and in the coming months. We love you guys and are claiming God's victory over this!

Mom said...

Hi E, sorry about the "mom" ID (that's the label my kids gave me for our family blog) I am Susie's mom and I have been praying for you like you are one of my own kids. My prayers will continue for you. What an amazing woman of God you are. I pray for healing for you and praise God for the glory you are bringing to His name. Kathy

Lisa Jackson said...

PRAISE THE LORD!! Wow what a testimony to hear how the Lord has not only sustained you but given you grace upon grace (listen to Rob's sermon today if you get a chance-oh so good!) Its such a grace to see you at peace now...the turmoil of waiting and anticipating has transitioned to peace in God's sovereignty! It just overwhelms my heart! I read these verses this morning and they made me think of you...hope it encourages!

19 Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens,
you who have done great things.
Who is like you, God?
20 Though you have made me see troubles,
many and bitter,
you will restore my life again;
from the depths of the earth
you will again bring me up.
21 You will increase my honor
and comfort me once more.
Psalm 71

Appreciate your humor, wit and just plain realness...so refreshing!!

Love ya!
Lisa Jackson

kris horlacher said...

sure is good to hear how great you are doing. prayers answered for sure. must be humbling to see a small portion of how many are in prayer for you and your family. I was at a YL conference all weekend. Saw your name on the prayer wall. Many, many prayers were sent on your behalf from Great Wolf Lodge!

kris horlacher said...

sure is good to hear how great you are doing. prayers answered for sure. must be humbling to see a small portion of how many are in prayer for you and your family. I was at a YL conference all weekend. Saw your name on the prayer wall. Many, many prayers were sent on your behalf from Great Wolf Lodge!

Anonymous said...

So glad to hear you are up and movin...in more ways than one hee....We will continue to lift you up(and the fam) We love you and are in your corner, prayin our butts off....( I ned someone to tell me I'm thin!)Love you guys!!!Dan and Michelle

Anonymous said...

Continuing to pray for you! Knew you would be handling this with faith and humor. It hasn't caught Him by surprise. Love ya!
Wendi C.