CHEMOTHERAPY IS WAR
As Karen noted in her recent post, I had a pretty rough week this week. On Thursday I was chatting with my friend Jay Desko who has himself been through the chemo battle with family. He made a statement that I have been reflecting on since he said it. “Chemotherapy is like enduring a war.”
Chemo IS war. Every day you have to start with a fighting mentality. You have to decide that you will do whatever you need to do keep living. Medications, menus, exercise, rest, treatments, etc. are all part of the equation. There is a litany of decisions to make and then execute. With limited energy and limited time, you have to put every bit of energy you have into what is most important. Chemo and cancer are literally sucking life from you and you have to decide that you are going to do everything you can to fight and win. This leads to making difficult decisions about where you will spend your time and resources. You have to decide who you should spend your time with and who will distract you from the most important things. You have to look at your limitations and willfully and boldly pursue only what is truly of highest value. If you ever let your guard down, you lose ground. Sometimes that ground can be made up, many times it cannot.
As I continued reflecting, I realized there really is no difference between the chemo war and the life war. Everyday is a battle for what’s most important. Everyday you have to wake up and set your mind to pursue the things that are of highest value. Every moment we make choices as to what we will spend our time doing and in whom we will invest. When you get a terminal prognosis, you start thinking about it more, but really, none of us knows what time we have left and we should always be fighting to win the war of life.
Food for thought:
- Who should you be investing in right now?
- What have you been given that needs to be passed on?
- Where are you wasting time assuming you have lots of it?
- What relationship needs to be reconciled?
TRIBAL DMx UPDATE
1. We are excited to continue planning for this experience. We have about 40 people officially registered and a bunch more saying, “We are planning on it.” For planning purposes for us, it would be helpful if you are planning to come that you let us know officially by registering. Thanks!
2. We are dropping the idea of a marriage day on Wednesday so if that has hindered your decision, don’t fret anymore!
3. We will have a more specific schedule posted soon, though it is like wet cement.
Such wise advice, Wes! Like Tim McGraw says, we should all “Live Like You Were Dying”! Continuing to pray! Love y’all!
While cancer has the reputation of negativity, FIGHT is the most positive word to do this battle! One moment at a time! As you said, now is all any of us have! My husband passed in a split second 35 years ago in a farming accident. We Have Now! FIGHT & Praise God!
Love To You All! Betty Short.
Words to ponder. Thanks. Praying for all of you.
I continue to pray for you everyday, for healing, a cure, strength for your treatments, for Karen and your family. You are loved by so many and I’m forever grateful to have shared life with you and Karen. God Bless all of you!! Love you, Patty
I’m with you in the war. Life is short but eternity isn’t. Thanks for the reminder that we all have such a short time and we do waste a lot of it.
Though we haven’t seen each other in many, many years, your words today have caused me to rethink my priorities! I know I waste a lit if time everyday.
Praying for you and the family, that God will be glorified.
Praying for you and the family! God has nuch to teach you through all of this and I know He will use you to teach others at the same time! Life itself is a battle,but thankfully we don’t have to do it alone! Remember that you have many praying for you! I hope that gives you peace and comfort,draw strength from all that love you and care about you! Keep your sense of humor,that will help as well! Thanks for the update and let us know how to pray for you! Blessings to you,stay strong!
Through my chemo there was an ad campaign running that said “its a brand new day”. It was a running joke between Karen and myself because the ad ran seemingly all the time. We look back and realize that we were being told that every day is a blessing….
I really appreciate these words. Thank you for your perspective and wisdom. Thank you also for sharing. I am praying for you and your family today.
Thank you for writing your heart. Your words are to be reflected on and make appropriate changes. Praying for you and your family.
Such powerful words, Really we are born into a war. I love the reminder of choosing daily to fight and to not waste time. Praying for you continually, and for Karen and the kids. You are loved in the Davis family!
Keep fighting the good fight! Love to all.
Thanks Wes for your words. I’m going through chemo now myself and I appreciate your out look. I pray for you and you family daily. I know prayer from others help, I feel them.
God bless you,
Ron
Lifting you to the Father for healing.
These are the 2 verses I declare when faced with a health battle. I gave them to my daughter, Victoria, as she faced the removal of a kidney a few months ago at age 45. She was so fearful, but she says today that they are what calmed her and gave her peace and strength. I pray it does the same for you.
Ps 118:17. I shall live and not die, and proclaim what the Lord has done.
Jeremiah 17:14. Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise.
You got this. The Johnson crew is still praying and sending positive vibes.