Friday, October 26, 2012

Karen's Crossing Fight a Good Fight


2 Tim 4:6-8 I have fought a good fight. I have finished the race and I have remained faithful And now the prize awaits me, the crown of righteousness that the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that great day of His return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to His glorious return.    Good News Bible

 
 With several scriptures marked and highlighted in my daily Bible my eyes could have fallen on any of the scriptures standing out in yellow. Each one of them holding up their hands as if to say, “read me, read me.” However, my eyes went to the first one and no further. Perhaps it was because of the tears in my eyes that I couldn’t go any further or was it the tug in my heart that said, “Stop here.”

                                
How many of us can truly say, “I have fought a good fight.” To us a good fight means we beat the crap out of someone else to get what we want. Perhaps the better meaning is to try our best whether we succeed or not.

 
Right now this is where I’m at with my cancer. I want to make sure I have fought a good fight. As I type those words the original tears that showed up as I first read the scripture have returned. One by one they run down the same path on my cheeks as the previous tears. I’m beginning to think those wrinkles on my face aren’t from old age but from the water flow of tears over the years. Each trench representing not old age but the pain, joy, sorrow, and excitement that brought on each waterfall of wetness.

 
Both spiritually and physically I want to know in my heart I have fought a good fight. That I have I been a good enough soldier for Christ, one that God would recruit if He needed backup. I hope so.

On November 4th Don and I will be flying to Arizona to a Cancer Treatment Center of America hospital that I checked myself into. We will be there 3 to 5 days if not more. If I could fit Nycol in my pocket I would take her along too. My loving sister Juli and dear sweet niece Stephanie gave me the information and within two days with the whole process moving quickly I was approved to go and airline tickets purchased. Confessing to my doctor to what I did I told her I had to do this in order to know I did all I could.

 
Several days after being approved to go to the Treatment Center I got to thinking, ‘I did this same thing with my epilepsy.’ Over 25 years ago when I had epilepsy I checked myself into an epileptic clinic my sister Robin had found in Washington. After being in the hospital there for a week they told me 90% of my seizures were stressed caused and only 10% were epileptic. They told me I didn’t qualify for the surgery to cure me until I got rid of the 90% of stress caused ones. For five years after that I took my stress issues to the Lord and leaned on His scriptures and strength to see me thru. Next I found myself in Portland Oregon facing the same doctor I did in Washington and he told me the stress seizures were gone and I qualified for the surgery. The end result is I have been seizure free now for 27 years, Praise the Lord.

 
I had done all I could for my epilepsy and now it’s my cancer that has my attention. I doubt if the outcome will be exactly the same as with my epilepsy but that’s okay. I asked my doctor what if they say the same thing, “90% of your cancer is stressed caused, come back when you get it taken care of.” Ha, ha….just teasing I told my physician.

 
What they are going to help me with is eating the right foods that kills cancer cells and avoid the ones that enhance them. Broccoli kills, sugar enhances. Oh, why couldn’t that be the other way around. J Dream on Karen. I made the mistake of telling this to my co-workers the other day and when I asked them for a donut all I heard was, “Veggie Weggies Karen. Veggie Weggies.”

 
I can’t believe the wonderful support group I have around me. My family, church, co-workers, friends, and even total strangers have reached out to be my support. I can fight a good fight because of God and those around me. I will do all I can to beat this disease I fight. It may win by taking my body but “Veggie Weggie or “nanner, nanner” to it because my body wasn’t going to last forever anyway but it can’t have my soul. That is the part that lives for all eternity so in the end who truly wins. It will be me.

 
Cancer will never fight fair but I can still fight a good fight in spite of that, in my heart and in my spirit.

 
I love Jesus, and I love those around me He has blessed me with to be my support team. Those who will be there on those days I don’t feel like fighting any more. Yes, I’m confessing. I have those days but thankfully they are few and far between.

 
Let the fight begin! Oh, it already did almost two years ago.

8 comments:

Jerry Cumiford said...

How can I help Karen? Unfortunately I am familiar with the good fight. My fiance "fought the good fight" and in the end **was called home by God. I know you will be strong and if anyone can beat this it is you! You have always been an inspiration to so many of us since we were kids. When I left for the service in 1976 I swore I would never come back, because I felt like I never fit in. 35 years later I realized the biggest thing missing in my life were the people I grew up with and the place I called home. As time passed while I was gone, names and faces faded to the darkest recesses of my mind with the exception of a few. You are one of those people I have never forgot. You left such an impression on me when we were in school I never forgot you. Remember while you are fighting that you are not in this alone, You have allies and angels with you. I'll be here for you and Don.

Jerry Cumiford

Karen said...

From my daughter Nycol on Facebook regarding this post: "Mom, if any one has fought a good fight it has been you, while some of us( mostly me) struggle deeply with your cancer you never complain even when you can hardly walk and always put everyone above yourself despite any pain that you are in. You are the strongest person I have ever met and I am so proud to be your daughter. If I could fit in your pocket, I would be in Arizona with you. But due to your pockets being to small for me I wont be able to. I WILL be with you in Spirit. I LOVE YOU!"

Karen said...

Thank you Nycol for your encouraging words. I'm proud of you and the strength you do manage to show and the support you give me in spite of your inner struggles with my cancer. I know you will be with me in Arizona as you've always been with me in spirit. You made it thru my twelve years of epilepsy and now another journey has begun for us and together we will survive because of the love that binds us. Luv you, mom

Karen said...

Karen, will be praying for you as you go on this journey! Your blog touches my heart! HUGS! from Jeri Bushard Childress on Facebook regarding my blogpost

Karen said...

Thinking good thoughts for you and praying for some good news and treatments that will help!!
You are an inspiration for us all with your positive attitude and great outlook on life!!
We love you to the moon and back!! from Micki Russell my cousin via Facebook regarding this blogpost.

Karen said...

I know that it will be a good trip for you. A new adventure. Love you sis. from my sister Juli McDonald via Facebook regarding this blogpost

Karen said...

My friend, my heart is with you as it seems many are. You are a gift. May you be blessed as much as you have blessed others your entire life. I love you from my friend Cynthia Heiden via Facebook regarding this blogpost

Karen said...

From my friend Carleen Harper via Facebook regarding this blogpost: "Oh my friend...I love your heart! I will be looking forward to that message about the rainbow!! :) I love you!!" Carleen and I both like rainbows and how God uses them as sticky notes in the sky to tell us He loves us and is with us. I told her on the day we fly out to Arizona to the Cancer Center I bet there will be a rainbow in the sky by the airport. A sticky note from God telling me He loves me and He is with me as well in this journey.