Strong

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STRONG

I’ve posted before that I was diagnosed with cancer in 2021. It is called Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia. That’s quite the mouthful, huh! It’s a slow growing cancer in my lymph nodes and bone marrow and the markers my oncologist were looking for are now present in my bloodwork. I have now started chemotherapy.

I had some reactions from the treatments, one of which caused my hemoglobin to tank. I was given 2 units of blood last Thursday which gave me back some of my energy. On Sunday at 3 a.m., my heart went into a-fib and didn’t come down. I called my cardiologist who tried to bring it down with an adjustment to my medication, but it didn’t work. I was referred to the emergency room and admitted to the hospital for two nights. They ran lots of tests and a sonogram of my heart. They were able to bring my heart rate down with medication, so they didn’t have to shock me. Yay! I just got out on Tuesday. My heart rate finally came down after 24 hours of being between 135 and 165. I feel so much better today. My heart rate is now between 55 and 75. Yay! They put me on a blood thinner and adjusted my medication.

My friend, Kelly, is also going through cancer treatments. She just got back from UC San Francisco. She prepared to go by finding a relevant scripture, printing it and framing it so she could see it every day. I think this is a fabulous idea. I really loved her choice.

Isaiah 41:10

¹⁰So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

So, I started looking for my own that I could relate to the best. This is what I found:

Psalm 59:16 & 17

¹⁶But I will sing of your strength,
    in the morning I will sing of your love;
   for you are my fortress,
    my refuge in times of trouble.

¹⁷You are my strength, I sing praise to you;
you, God, are my fortress,
my God on whom I can rely.

I was telling Kelly about a song that I recently heard. It’s probably been out for a while, but I found that it now resonates with me. It’s called “Strong” by Anne Wilson. I think it’s going to be my anthem for the remainder of this year. Here are the words:

[Verse 1] Strong, trying to make ’em all think I’m strong
Yeah, the face I keep putting on says I ain’t tired
But these tear-stained eyes ain’t lying
’Cause hard, nobody told me life could be so hard
A weary soul with a worn out heart that’s barely beating
But every time I get that feeling

[Chorus] I hit my knees with my hands held high
Saying, “Dear Lord, Jesus, you know I can’t do this on my own
I can’t do this on my own”
Lord knows I’ve tried but I’m good at falling down
Thank God you’re good at picking me up off the ground
The world’s gonna try to break me
But I know the one who makes me
Strong

[Verse 2] Strong, like my daddy always told me so
There’s a place you can always go when you got nothing
And then he handed me the one thing
That’s strong, doesn’t matter how old it gets
There’s power in the words in red in this old Bible
And when I’m desperate for revival

[Bridge] I’m strong when I got nothing
I’m strong even when I’m weak
‘Cause the strong arms of my Savior
Are holding on to me

My prognosis is good and I should feel better by the end of this year. I’m counting on God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit to keep me strong. They are my Savior, my Healer, my Comforter, my Strength, and my Friend. I’m so glad that I have my God in my life. I don’t know how anyone can get through cancer without the strength He provides. Praise and honor to God!

If you are in need and want to find out more about the God that I know, please consider attending the next Hearts Being Healed Conference in Chico at the Neighborhood Church on March 16, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. You can sign up online at www.heartsbeinghealed.net. It’s only $25 and includes a continental breakfast and lunch. I encourage you to come and see what it’s all about. God will meet you there!

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