Jen's journey

[dudette]

Wow, you are one strong lady. :thumbs: :bighug: to you and I hope Your next visit to the doctor goes well. Remember these are all but moments in our lives, and as we look back, we wonder how we ever coped, but you somehow have that stamina. :thumbs: you have my admiration.
Sterkte for the times ahead.

[gwasi]

Be strong, there are always reasons why we are put through so much while we are here, tho it can't always be seen at the time. All will be made clear and you faith has remained strong.

On the lighter side, Gail Porter has made it fashionable to go bald.

We're all with you on this

[Pronkertjie]

I received an email from Jen....

She wrote: I’m crying, I feel so blessed, have just read the replies to my ‘journey’, She is very overwhelmed by everyone's responses!

She had an opportunity to go away for the weekend and left a few minutes ago after she came to show me her pretty hat. She will be back on Sunday evening and will reply.

Thanks guys..... it is no easy journey for her - we are friends for a very long time and I have been part of this journey with her.

pring: pring: pring:

[oe-la-la]

:canwin: this a great 'smilie' - and like admin said we're all behind you Jen :lovef:

[benoniboy]

Dear Jen,

I am sitting in an office on a site with eyes filled with tears. Your life journey is very touching. I am sending you a big hug.

You are in my thoughts and prayers. I will be thinking of you on Monday, I promise.

Regards,

BenoniBoy

[Pronkertjie]

Yip Jen.....

With your : :tequila: hats and all....


:canwin: :canwin: :canwin:

[lols]

Jen, what a story! Your courage is an example to all of us! Good Luck for Monday and you will be in our thoughts during this difficult time!

Take strength that so often during time of difficulty we often wonder what we have done in our lives to deserve hard times, I am always reminded of a wonderful saying. The Lord would never give us things that we cannot handle and there are always reasons for things to happen. During the time when we have to endure hardship we are asked not to question why and just to accept and know that one day we will find out why the Lord has given us these crosses to carry.

Be strong! :hugs: :canwin::canwin::canwin:

[Britbok]

I received an email from Jen....

She wrote: I’m crying, I feel so blessed, have just read the replies to my ‘journey’, She is very overwhelmed by everyone's responses!

She had an opportunity to go away for the weekend and left a few minutes ago after she came to show me her pretty hat. She will be back on Sunday evening and will reply.

Thanks guys..... it is no easy journey for her - we are friends for a very long time and I have been part of this journey with her.

pring: pring: pring:

Hope you enjoyed your weekend away and was able to relax and forget things for a while.

[Venus]

Jen, my son & I have been praying for you & will keep you in our thoughts & prayers until you have fully recovered. Please keep being brave & please keep us up to date with your journey. Please add us to your support group. :canwin:

PS: I agree that hats & scarves are really cool. :kiss:

[Braveheart]

Jen, It is sad but also wonderful to hear how you are working through your pain and suffering. Know that I am praying for you and soo appreciate sharing your journey with you even if it is at a distance.

Braveheart here.

We are all on a journey through life (don't I sound philosophical?) and mine in the past year(s) has been somewhat different to expected - well, what do we expect from life? Especially having the strong faith that I have, I thought life was meant to go well, though I knew suffering existed and counsel people who are suffering, as I know God can and does comfort..

Here's a little of my recent journey - a few years ago I was living in Switzerland and had to rush back to Richmond, KZN as my Mum had terminal cancer.. soon after my arrival, my (only sibling) brother visited from P.E., and he wasn't well.. tired etc. A month later he died suddenly - and I was devastated. That was the second worst day in my life. My Mum took another year to pass away from slow starvation, while I nursed her all that time - but also had to watch over my Dad, who had dementia, and was like a child in the home. Soon after Mum's death, I did the hardest thing I've done in my life - put Dad in a home in P.E, to be near my sister in law, as I just had to go back to life and work in Switzerland. I felt like I'd abandoned my Dad, he was confused and hated being there. That was the worst day in my life.

After a number of months Dad also passed away - I'd lost my whole blood family within 2 years. I still don't know if the grief is all 'worked out' (does it ever?) - I think the hole that each person leaves never closes, but we learn to walk around it.

Early in 2004 I moved to England - starting a new phase in life and work and friendships etc. Then mid-2005 I started feeling a pain in my side and abdomen - which led to discovering the worst of the NHS! Waiting lists for every test imaginable, while the pain worsened and the pain-killers grew stronger and stronger, with morphine on the list. My wonderful GP persevered, though I felt sometimes that maybe it was all in my mind and that if I just snapped out of it, it'd go - but it didn't.

Finally, in March this year, I discovered that I had breast cancer. It's been surreal, I have to tell myself it's true - but the scars are there to prove it. My faith has been severely tested, I've received prayer and prayed up a storm myself, but it hasn't been healed. I have no option but to trust God, and that's the best option there is. He never did promise that we won't suffer, but He did promise He'd walk through it with us. I've now discovered and experienced the best of the NHS - suddenly everyone has been on my side, quick, efficient to get me the best treatment available. And I've discovered what love really means through my friends sacrificially forming a strong support sytem and safety net for me to fall into - taking me places, nursing me through the worst times, persevering when my emotions have been totally unpredictable. I wish everyone could have friends like this..

Now it's chemo time! My first one was 3 weeks ago and horrendous, I felt like I was dying amid all the side-effects, then slowly emerged from that to feel somewhat 'normal' again. The pain in my abdomen has since been assumed to be cancer cells in/on the ribs - and the pain since the chemo hasn't been too bad - is it from the medicine or the chemo that's working? I don't know, but am glad that something IS working. My next chemo is this Monday 31st - and I don't have the same dread I had before as I know what to expect, and somehow I expect it to be better this time. After all, some people don't suffer from the side-effects; do I have to? But I can't switch that off or on, must just keep on praying..

And now, too, my hair is falling out in handfuls - and I went for a wig fitting this afternoon. Found one that I feel comfortable and good in.. will I have the courage to wear it? Suddenly hats and scarves are interesting, when I've never looked at them before now..
the saga continues..