Greetings! Nichole asked me to update her blog again (it's been a while!) so I will gladly do so. Nichole has recently received bad news... there is growth that the doctors weren't aware of that was detected in her most recent testing. Nichole can feel the pressure of the tumor (we assume), and the doctors want to operate in the next week or two. She hasn't been told the complete diagnosis at this point, but should hear tomorrow. Nichole continues to trust the Lord and rely on His promises, though it is admittedly difficult! This morning she told me, "I'm not going down without a fight!" She is seeking all the help she can get, and has the advocacy of so many at Grace.
1. Pray that the Lord would lead them to the best decision, quickly.
2. Pray that they would be at peace with the choice that they make, knowing that the Lord had made the decision before the beginning of time.
3. Pray that Nichole would heal quickly.
4. Pray that she would savor each moment with her family and precious kids.
5. Pray for the body of Christ to overwhelm them with support in every way.
6. Pray that their faith would be unwavering.
Please consider a way that you can show your support for the Greene family. There are many ways to help! Your prayers, a note of encouragement, help with the kids, spiritual encouragement for both Norm and Nichole, the kids, etc. This is your opportunity to serve and uphold a struggling family in the body of Christ! I guarantee you will be blessed beyond measure. Don't waste the opportunity!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Friday, August 8, 2008
Cervical cancer
This is not Nichole. My name is JenM, and I am a friend of Nichole's-have been for 17 years, we were in each others' weddings. She was one of my candlelighters, and I was one of her bridesmaids. Her wedding was performed in the Baptist church I attended as a child.
Nichole is feeling tired today. She is resting while I type. Nichole wants to meet other young women fighting cervical cancer, and that is why I titled this post, "cervical cancer", in the hopes that ijt will come up in a search for cervical cancer.
Nichole is feeling tired today. She is resting while I type. Nichole wants to meet other young women fighting cervical cancer, and that is why I titled this post, "cervical cancer", in the hopes that ijt will come up in a search for cervical cancer.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
June Updates
Week 4
The blessing poured in as the flood waters built up. Our family was sieged with yet another virus. In the course of approximate 2 months, our family endured 3 virus. By God's amazing grace, I got one virus, the mildest of the three. My blood work was good throughout the chemo. The side effects hit me hard. At one point I turned to Norm and told him maybe I should quit, it's too hard. Dr. B. said he wouldn't let me. At that point, I continued on trusting the Lord. If it's the Lord's will I live I must continue to fight. My Lord, my family, and friends were my motivation. I also didn't want to exchange my comfort for my mission field. You see that dreaded chemo room was my platform for the gospel. Right in the middle of a roomful of people without hope on their way to hell. How could I not at least share the hope that I have! Looking back now, I wish I shared more. Rachel who has melathusoloma lives nears church, Nadine who is terminal, a 32 year old man going through a divorce and testicular cancer, an Australian woman with reoccurring ovarian cancer, a woman baffling breast cancer and another woman with stage 3 cervical cancer that metatasized And there are others. the Lord knows them, please pray for all of their souls.
Week 5
There was a time I really felt like I could not go on. Dr.B. even hesitated as he saw me suffering. I probably lived off of the IV fluid, my veins are becoming worn out. God was kind to allow me to find a place near home to be hydrated. Bitter sweet, I wasn't in the battlefield/mission field with the others in the chemo room. instead I was isolated with my dear sisters in the Lord, who sacrificially gave of their time to sit with me in my sickness. Thank you Amy, Dinah, and Julie.
Friday morning, Dr. Friedman (GYN Oncology), Dr. Berkwitz (Medical Oncology) , " the Medicine Man" Dr. Ellabrook (External Beam Radiation Oncologist), and Dr. Botnik (Internal Radition Oncologist) all met together to make life changing decisions for their patients. The Lord knew I could not take anymore, so I believe He prompt my Dr.'s to say enough with the chemo. So I got the good news over the weekend. No more chemo!!!
The blessing poured in as the flood waters built up. Our family was sieged with yet another virus. In the course of approximate 2 months, our family endured 3 virus. By God's amazing grace, I got one virus, the mildest of the three. My blood work was good throughout the chemo. The side effects hit me hard. At one point I turned to Norm and told him maybe I should quit, it's too hard. Dr. B. said he wouldn't let me. At that point, I continued on trusting the Lord. If it's the Lord's will I live I must continue to fight. My Lord, my family, and friends were my motivation. I also didn't want to exchange my comfort for my mission field. You see that dreaded chemo room was my platform for the gospel. Right in the middle of a roomful of people without hope on their way to hell. How could I not at least share the hope that I have! Looking back now, I wish I shared more. Rachel who has melathusoloma lives nears church, Nadine who is terminal, a 32 year old man going through a divorce and testicular cancer, an Australian woman with reoccurring ovarian cancer, a woman baffling breast cancer and another woman with stage 3 cervical cancer that metatasized And there are others. the Lord knows them, please pray for all of their souls.
Week 5
There was a time I really felt like I could not go on. Dr.B. even hesitated as he saw me suffering. I probably lived off of the IV fluid, my veins are becoming worn out. God was kind to allow me to find a place near home to be hydrated. Bitter sweet, I wasn't in the battlefield/mission field with the others in the chemo room. instead I was isolated with my dear sisters in the Lord, who sacrificially gave of their time to sit with me in my sickness. Thank you Amy, Dinah, and Julie.
Friday morning, Dr. Friedman (GYN Oncology), Dr. Berkwitz (Medical Oncology) , " the Medicine Man" Dr. Ellabrook (External Beam Radiation Oncologist), and Dr. Botnik (Internal Radition Oncologist) all met together to make life changing decisions for their patients. The Lord knew I could not take anymore, so I believe He prompt my Dr.'s to say enough with the chemo. So I got the good news over the weekend. No more chemo!!!
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Happy Times
Nichole is getting her energy back and is enjoying her kiddos once again. The treatments made it very difficult to spend any time with the kids (other than them climbing around on her while she rested). It has been a blessing to watch them interact again, and Nichole has had the opportunity to take each of the kids out for a one-on-one date. The kids were buzzing around as usual on Friday so it was a little difficult to corral them for the picture. Noah (bless his little heart!) had just been bit by a yellow jacket on his finger, as you can see him holding onto it.
Nichole and Norm are still strong in their trust in the Lord, but have reached another decision time as the treatments are over and they will be reevaluating soon.
Pray for them- that they would make wise decisions as to how to proceed from here, and that Nichole and Norm would not be anxious about what is to come. Pray that Nichole would be committed to trusting and hoping in the Lord- using her time to seek Him whole-heartedly, and committed to her family- rather than using her time to be searching and reading and trying to find a cure. This is exactly what she verbalized to me when I spent time with her.
She is so appreciative for everyone's support and help. Please continue to pray for the Greene family!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Feeling Better
Nichole is feeling much better! The tumor is shrinking with each visit, which is indeed good news! An important doctor visit is coming up, and Nichole is a little nervous about hearing what this somewhat pessimistic and very direct doctor has to say. He is top in his field though, so she's prepared to take it! Nichole is definitely feeling much better, and is able to do quite a bit more around the house these days. Please continue to pray for her body to heal.
Spiritually, Nichole is still thriving. She is trusting the Lord in all things. She has decided that it would be best to focus on her family and her communion with the Lord in all of her spare minutes, rather than reading and searching out alternate cancer treatments. Because of all that her body is enduring, she is experiencing emotional waves as well. Please pray that she would not succumb to temptation to depressing thoughts when the emotions waver. You can only imagine how difficult it would be!
Nichole is continually thankful for all that the church is doing to serve her family during this trial. Please continue to pray!
Spiritually, Nichole is still thriving. She is trusting the Lord in all things. She has decided that it would be best to focus on her family and her communion with the Lord in all of her spare minutes, rather than reading and searching out alternate cancer treatments. Because of all that her body is enduring, she is experiencing emotional waves as well. Please pray that she would not succumb to temptation to depressing thoughts when the emotions waver. You can only imagine how difficult it would be!
Nichole is continually thankful for all that the church is doing to serve her family during this trial. Please continue to pray!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
First-hand from Nichole written July 1st
I am told that if I write in my blog people will read it. All this computer stuff is a little foreign to me so I have someone entering on my behalf. It also amazes me that people would be interested and amused by the happenings in my life. So for what it is worth, here is my journey through this fire, and what a blessing that I don't have to go it alone, but have you all to join me. Many of you are not merely spectators but active participants. Thank you all. I pray you will be blessed!
I am 32 years old, 17 years in the Lord. The Lord has brought me through many fires, but none as fierce as this. Mid December is about when it started or at least when I was alerted to it. Through many tests mid April I was diagnosed with stage 2 cervical cancer. They found a very large tumor the size of a baseball. Just about a week before I started treatment we had a big birthday party for my 5 year old son (one of 4 children). On top of one of his gifts, he received a colorful baseball. I often try to get rid of that ominous ball by throwing it outside, but somehow it keeps turning up in plain view, as if it is screaming "look at me! Here I am!" - a painful reminder of what is inside of me. Being bounced from doctor to doctor- 5 to be exact, they came up with a 5 week intense treatment plan of chemo along with external radiation, followed by 5 weeks more of internal radiation. With excitement in their eyes and sheer determination to "win" they set me off on this great adventure. I have often said I feel like I am in a video game with all the high tech laser beams and chemical warfare all trying to get the bad guy.
Week 1 Cisplatnium- the worst nauseating chemo you can get. 60 mg. Sick as a dog. Shaking with fear of my first treatment I sit down in the battle room(chemo room) with all the other troops (patients)
I sat next to a dear saint filled with the Spirit, uttering words of encouragement and praise to God, and I was brought to tears at God's glorious goodness of cradling me into the fire. All because of her kind and sweet speech worshipping our Savior.
Week 2 I was so sick that I had to go down for hydration. All the way to Burbank. To my mission field. Like Jonah, I am convinced, God has put me on the mission field, to cancer patients and those who care for them. Praise the Lord! I always wanted to be a missionary. The Lord has a granted my hearts desire, I have a mission field I cannot escape! Pray for those in the chemo room who have heard the glorious Gospel of our Lord, all because I was throwing up! God causes all things to work together for the good. Romans 8:28 Just about every time I was down there getting hydrated, I was given the privilege of sharing the Gospel. With everyone we meet there are two goals we should have: Evangelism if they are unsaved and edification if they are the Saviors'. Proclaim and build up. This is one way we can glorify God with all we come in contact.
Week 3 Still sick as a dog. Blood work good. Losing weight. "What about the kids?" they all ask. This question also haunted me one night in May. I wrestled with it and was unable to sleep well. If I die I'll go to Heaven, but what about the kids. Sometime before dawn the Lord brought me rest to mind and body. They belong to the Lord. They are not mine, He cares for them I need not worry, so in this I don't. Jesus said if you love brother or sister, son or daughter more than Me, than you are not worthy of Me. I love my kids and want to see them grow, but I want Christ more! So when people ask what about the kids, I know they are asking who is caring for them while I am ill. My answer to them is I go to a wonderful church filled with people who love the Lord and want to serve Him and me.
So you my friends, any of you who have served in any way, rides, childcare, cleaning, meals, (plummers). You are a witness of Christ to my doctors and many others. We will be a witness to the world by the love we have for one another, we learn in 1 John 1. So thank you all who have proclaimed the Gospel indeed, and the labor of your love is going out to the San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valley!
I am 32 years old, 17 years in the Lord. The Lord has brought me through many fires, but none as fierce as this. Mid December is about when it started or at least when I was alerted to it. Through many tests mid April I was diagnosed with stage 2 cervical cancer. They found a very large tumor the size of a baseball. Just about a week before I started treatment we had a big birthday party for my 5 year old son (one of 4 children). On top of one of his gifts, he received a colorful baseball. I often try to get rid of that ominous ball by throwing it outside, but somehow it keeps turning up in plain view, as if it is screaming "look at me! Here I am!" - a painful reminder of what is inside of me. Being bounced from doctor to doctor- 5 to be exact, they came up with a 5 week intense treatment plan of chemo along with external radiation, followed by 5 weeks more of internal radiation. With excitement in their eyes and sheer determination to "win" they set me off on this great adventure. I have often said I feel like I am in a video game with all the high tech laser beams and chemical warfare all trying to get the bad guy.
Week 1 Cisplatnium- the worst nauseating chemo you can get. 60 mg. Sick as a dog. Shaking with fear of my first treatment I sit down in the battle room(chemo room) with all the other troops (patients)
I sat next to a dear saint filled with the Spirit, uttering words of encouragement and praise to God, and I was brought to tears at God's glorious goodness of cradling me into the fire. All because of her kind and sweet speech worshipping our Savior.
Week 2 I was so sick that I had to go down for hydration. All the way to Burbank. To my mission field. Like Jonah, I am convinced, God has put me on the mission field, to cancer patients and those who care for them. Praise the Lord! I always wanted to be a missionary. The Lord has a granted my hearts desire, I have a mission field I cannot escape! Pray for those in the chemo room who have heard the glorious Gospel of our Lord, all because I was throwing up! God causes all things to work together for the good. Romans 8:28 Just about every time I was down there getting hydrated, I was given the privilege of sharing the Gospel. With everyone we meet there are two goals we should have: Evangelism if they are unsaved and edification if they are the Saviors'. Proclaim and build up. This is one way we can glorify God with all we come in contact.
Week 3 Still sick as a dog. Blood work good. Losing weight. "What about the kids?" they all ask. This question also haunted me one night in May. I wrestled with it and was unable to sleep well. If I die I'll go to Heaven, but what about the kids. Sometime before dawn the Lord brought me rest to mind and body. They belong to the Lord. They are not mine, He cares for them I need not worry, so in this I don't. Jesus said if you love brother or sister, son or daughter more than Me, than you are not worthy of Me. I love my kids and want to see them grow, but I want Christ more! So when people ask what about the kids, I know they are asking who is caring for them while I am ill. My answer to them is I go to a wonderful church filled with people who love the Lord and want to serve Him and me.
So you my friends, any of you who have served in any way, rides, childcare, cleaning, meals, (plummers). You are a witness of Christ to my doctors and many others. We will be a witness to the world by the love we have for one another, we learn in 1 John 1. So thank you all who have proclaimed the Gospel indeed, and the labor of your love is going out to the San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valley!
Monday, July 14, 2008
UTI
Please pray for Nichole! She is still feeling relatively good, but has a urinary tract infection and her white blood cell count is low. She is still able to take her treatments, but doctors want those white blood cells to be up. Please pray that the family would stay healthy, so that there is no added risks or added stress for them. Nichole and Norm were able to enjoy a little break this morning and went out to breakfast together- just the two of them. They enjoyed the quiet time together. Praise the Lord!!
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