Sharon, our beloved dorm Mom, soccer Mom, and actual Mom, is sick - she was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in late 2016. Over the last months, she has undergone a number of different treatment protocols. After completing her most recent protocol, although her doctor initially thought she was in remission, her cancer came back aggressively and in different forms. Due to her weakened condition from the recent treatment protocols, she is not able to re-engage the desired conventional protocols available in Taiwan for 3 to 6 months. However, because of the speed with which the cancer is moving, she can't wait for her body to recover to take action. This blog is setup to keep you up to date on how Sharon is doing.

Sunday, November 12, 2017

11/11 into 11/12

Rough night here. It's 4:38 AM and she just went to sleep for first time. The hospital will be in with all their business starting the day soon.  I prepare to do what I can to hold them off.


Several messages of prayer support come in just at a "low" moment.  5:22 Sharon makes the call as she wakes up herself "gotta pee".  I helped her with the bedpan myself much of the first night here and oddly enough enjoyed it because, just like everyone else I want to help. Plus I was so happy to be with her regardless of what we are doing.  Changing the others bedpan doesn't and probably shouldn't rank on any list of 'good dates' but love has a tendency to just mix everything up and make abnormal totally acceptable. I don't know why, well I think we all know why but anyway,  on this occasion I elected not to spring into action but rather go to the door to see if anyone more qualified than i  might be available to help.  Sparse night time crew but one nurse looked and came over to me immediately. She responded to Sharon's  statement "that was the first time I was comfortable all night." with  "Aah man and now we gotta move you." She proceeded to manage the task many times better than I would have, taking care of all Sharon's needs right down to organizing wires and getting ice chips.  In the course of her work she brought up Cannabis, which is still listed on the board in Sharon's room even though the Dr has given a definitive "no" answer.  So I asked, "what do you think about that stuff nurse?" Turns out she is totally in support of it's use for medicinal purposes.  The conversation was so uplifting for Sharon's spirit and had a connective element that had been missing this whole evening previously, the first time that's happened since we got here really.  "Well the hospital day will start soon so get some rest you guys" she says after we've shared a few stories about life back and forth. Stunned again by "small" but "timely" provisions. Who does that? We all know the answer to the question.  This morning "praying nurse" is back on duty and I've requested her.  When she left the other day we'd already spoken of a little church service together with James Mark and Josh seeing as it's Sunday morning. If it turns she isn't placed with us there'll be a good reason.  By the way Sharon missed as she was asleep but the sunrise was a stunner.  Now she's up working the hospital bed controls like an airplane pilot in the cockpit looking for that comfortable position. On it goes...

14 comments:

  1. Thanks for the updates, Terry. Wish we could do more for you. Praying in AZ.
    Josh and the family

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  2. We love you all. Praying in Florida.

    Ron and Julie.

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  3. Holding you up to the Lord in prayer! Greetings, prayers, and love from Finland! May God bless you in this valley and comfort you all.

    Helka

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  4. Praying as we start the school day back home. Love to all!

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  5. So glad your nursing staff is being such a support to your whole family!

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  6. We are praying for you! Terry I also want to let you know that I will be flying into SanDiego on the 22nd and will be there for a week. Is there anything I can bring you from Taiwan?
    Mike (Anna's dad)

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  7. Fill free to respond to heathmv13@gmail.com

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  8. Praying for a better night tonight. Seems so often a good day is followed by a rougher one. Praying for more good days--and nights! Love you all!

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  9. Love these updates terry - thank you! Praying for you and Sharon and the boys. There obviously a web of love around the world praying for you, Sharon, and why not? You're such a wonderful woman full of laughter and light. Love to you, lariss

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  10. Thank you for the updates, it helps a lot to know how to pray specifically. The night before you posted that Sharon got her tube removed and was DANCING and improving we had 22 earthquakes in one day back here in Taiwan. I wondered if God was trying to hint to us he was moving mountains-- all of the earthquakes came from the mountain and hill area south of Taichung. There was a 24-7 prayer coverage coming from all over the world for you guys! To wake up and see her update was big rejoycing! Continuing to pray and watch God move in Sharon's beautiful life. Love from Taiwan! Also so special to read stories of Sharon from "way back" as they are posted on fb, what an amazing woman! ❤️

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  11. Terry and Sharon,
    holding tight -- letting go,
    praying -- rejoicing,
    laughter -- tears,
    questioning -- knowing,
    exhaustion -- celebration...
    ...you have shared life and vocation so intimately for so many years...and in this very tough part of the journey...you shine as you dance together in each moment...may God's continue to be known in the dance.

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  12. Terry, in LA now, like to see you and pray with you if ok. Let me Know what I can do for you. Sean Lin 6264576000

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  13. Praying for you, too! Love, Steve and Laura

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  14. Praying from Taiwan, terry and Sharon!! Love you both, Steff.

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