11-06-2008, 08:15 AM
Hi Rita
How wonderful that the last session was celebrated with balloons!!!
I am learning that I do need to rest. I have learnt to say no on some occaisions and delegate stuff to my colleagues. I also work from home more and more so that if I feel tired, I can have a quick lie down. I have gone to site briefly but I need to stay out of the sun so I have stayed away totally from a build in Zululand which for me has been really hard to do because I love being out in the communities with our volunteers and the kids but I understand this is just a temporary thing...... the volunteers this week are from the UK.
What I am really trying not to do is allow the treatment processes to swallow me up totally. I never realised how many hospitals, specialists, blood test centres and other medical services are involved in trying to save our lives from this disease. You go from one to the other and back again and you are dealing with side effects which mean more medications and then more side effects that I can begin to understand how all of this really begins to take it's toll on spirit, body and mind. It's as if the word CANCER invades all aspects of your life because you have to really take good care of yourself and do as you are told so everything you are doing in and around appointments,medications and tests etc is centred on that one word. You read prognosis articles on survival rates of patients with breast cancer and with the type of cancer I have and the stage I am at, general prognosis is that 70% will survive 5 years and as new treatments come about, more are living up to 10 years and so on. So, do I take on that generalisation? Do I live my life with those stats hanging over me? No, I listen to that quiet inner voice that guides and supports me.
I share only my feelings on this, because each person will have their own thoughts and ideas and no one is right or wrong. For me, I continue to carry on as normal. I have a disease that is getting the best possible treatment and I will follow the sound advice and treatment. BUT, I will not allow an illness to consume who I am and that is what I mean when I say I have lots still left to do. God has a plan and purpose for my life and now is my time for R&R ..........but after that....back to work for Him!
For I can already begin to see how easy it is for the 'person' you were to get lost in the processes and maybe in one way that is a good thing as was mentioned by Stacey, you are given time to reflect and how often are we blessed with the time to do that? But I also see a down side which I am still processing and will I am sure share that at some time.
So I look at Psalm 23.............
The Lord is my Shepherd
That's Relationship!
I shall not want
That's Supply!
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.
That's Rest!
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
That's Refreshment!
He restoreth my soul
That's Healing!
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness.
That's Guidance!
For His name sake
That's Purpose!
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.
That's Testing!
I will fear no evil.
That's Protection!
For Thou art with me
That's Faithfulness!
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me,
That's Discipline!
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
That's Hope!
Thou anointest my head with oil,
That's Consecration!
My cup runneth over.
That's Abundance!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.
That's Blessing!
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord.
That's Security!
Forever
That's Eternity!
Have a wonderful day!!!!
How wonderful that the last session was celebrated with balloons!!!
I am learning that I do need to rest. I have learnt to say no on some occaisions and delegate stuff to my colleagues. I also work from home more and more so that if I feel tired, I can have a quick lie down. I have gone to site briefly but I need to stay out of the sun so I have stayed away totally from a build in Zululand which for me has been really hard to do because I love being out in the communities with our volunteers and the kids but I understand this is just a temporary thing...... the volunteers this week are from the UK.
What I am really trying not to do is allow the treatment processes to swallow me up totally. I never realised how many hospitals, specialists, blood test centres and other medical services are involved in trying to save our lives from this disease. You go from one to the other and back again and you are dealing with side effects which mean more medications and then more side effects that I can begin to understand how all of this really begins to take it's toll on spirit, body and mind. It's as if the word CANCER invades all aspects of your life because you have to really take good care of yourself and do as you are told so everything you are doing in and around appointments,medications and tests etc is centred on that one word. You read prognosis articles on survival rates of patients with breast cancer and with the type of cancer I have and the stage I am at, general prognosis is that 70% will survive 5 years and as new treatments come about, more are living up to 10 years and so on. So, do I take on that generalisation? Do I live my life with those stats hanging over me? No, I listen to that quiet inner voice that guides and supports me.
I share only my feelings on this, because each person will have their own thoughts and ideas and no one is right or wrong. For me, I continue to carry on as normal. I have a disease that is getting the best possible treatment and I will follow the sound advice and treatment. BUT, I will not allow an illness to consume who I am and that is what I mean when I say I have lots still left to do. God has a plan and purpose for my life and now is my time for R&R ..........but after that....back to work for Him!
For I can already begin to see how easy it is for the 'person' you were to get lost in the processes and maybe in one way that is a good thing as was mentioned by Stacey, you are given time to reflect and how often are we blessed with the time to do that? But I also see a down side which I am still processing and will I am sure share that at some time.
So I look at Psalm 23.............
The Lord is my Shepherd
That's Relationship!
I shall not want
That's Supply!
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.
That's Rest!
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
That's Refreshment!
He restoreth my soul
That's Healing!
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness.
That's Guidance!
For His name sake
That's Purpose!
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.
That's Testing!
I will fear no evil.
That's Protection!
For Thou art with me
That's Faithfulness!
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me,
That's Discipline!
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
That's Hope!
Thou anointest my head with oil,
That's Consecration!
My cup runneth over.
That's Abundance!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.
That's Blessing!
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord.
That's Security!
Forever
That's Eternity!
Have a wonderful day!!!!