For Carmen--A new beginning--A new journey: The beginning

Monday, March 23, 2009

The beginning

Hi to all

This blog stuff is new to us but we will give it a try. The reason for doing this is to let you know Gail's story as it unfolds. A quick quick summary. Gail was diagnosed with breast cancer in the fall of 2003. After surgery, chemo, radiation plus a year of weekly treatments she was doing fine and the world seemed good! In December of 2008 we decided to go on somewhat of a health kick and lose weight. As we lost some weight and exercised Gail found a small lump on her chest. That was in late January. Over the last month medical tests have revealed cancer in her neck, her sternum, in her liver and perhaps in her spine. Because her cancer is now labeled HER2-negative there is limited treatment. Gail did start the recommended treatment, hormone therapy, 3 weeks ago. The side effects were not good. Because of that we have decided to not go farther with that treatment.

WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW AND WHAT ARE WE DOING?

Gail is currently feeling well. Actually if she had not discovered the lump in January she would not know what was happening in her body. What are we doing---for now we are asking everyone to pray for a healing. We believe our God is the healer and we pray that his intent is to heal Gail. Of course we do not know God's mind but we pray daily for Gail's health to return. We invite you to pray our prayer with us. We have printed it on this blog. We pray it each night before we go to bed.
We have also changed our eating somewhat. More fruit, more veggies, less sugar and white flour and the list goes on a bit more. It seems that eating that way is a better way regardless if one is trying to beat cancer or not but we believe it will help Gail's body return to good health.
I should say that we are continuing to live life to the fullest in the ways we know so on our blog you will often see pictures of Audrey, Faustina, Leo, Liam and Henry. They certainly are a joy for us as we see and experience them growing way too fast.
On the family side Cynthia/Mike are expecting #2 at the end of August so that is exciting.

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The first reading at Gail's funeral September 18, 2009

I know of no one who fit this better than Gail

Proverbs 31: 10-31
A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm.
all the days of her life.
She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.
She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She sets about her work vigorously:
her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her;
Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Well done good and faithful servant, your praise is much and your reward is to be with God forever.

Our Story

Our story begin in 1951, when Carmen was 4 and Gail was 5! We met as our parents were at a camera club. Fast forward--Carmen begin to attend grade school in town in 1957, the same school that Gail went to. Fast forward--We had our first date in the winter of 1964 in Gail's senior year of high school. Again--we were married June 1st of 1968. We moved to St. Paul in October of 1977 and lived at 2094 Niles Ave until Gail's death September 14 of 2009.
Gail first breast cancer was found in October of 2003. After surgery, chemo, radiation and infusions for a year she felt well and we lived life in our normal mode. Carmen retired in June of 2007 and shortly after that we quit doing the paper route as well. In the fall of 2007 we went on our dream vacation. We camped for 7 weeks in Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia and in the New England states. Sleeping in our truck and eating over an open fire we felt that we had experienced heaven. Then in January of 2008 we spent 3 weeks in Hawaii with friends and again had so much fun. In the fall of 2008 we did much work on the outside of the house and we were so excited to enter 2009 with big plans and dreams. In January Gail was diagnosed with new cancer. For the next 7 1/2 months we prayed, changed our life style, laughed and cried often. As the end of Gail's life drew near she was peaceful and family cared for her at home until she met Jesus. It was a journey that was wonderful, exciting, blessed, full of life and full of love but of course it was too short. Gail is so missed but I know she is in a better place so my journey must continue on without my true love.
I enter a new decade as the "I" that I never wanted to be but I have hope. Hope of things not experienced and hope that life will again, in 2010, become something that I look forward to each morning. My hope is based on our Lord who gives all, who is all and who gives love to all who believe. I enter this new decade with so many questions and so few answers but with faith that all will be well.

For Carmen--A new beginning--A new journey

Monday, March 23, 2009

The beginning

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The first reading at Gail's funeral September 18, 2009

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