Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (King James Version)
I can do all this by the power of Christ. He gives me strength. (NIV)
I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me. (Good News Translation)
Phil 12-13 (Passion translation): I know what it means to lack, and I know what it means to experience overwhelming abundance. For I’m trained in the secret of overcoming all things, whether in fullness or in hunger. And I find that the strength of Christ’s explosive power infuses me to conquer every difficulty.
"I feel GREAT."
"That's great mom... okay, it's been a DAY... you've had ONE treatment," I said reassuringly.
This was the jist of Monday's FaceTime conversation with my mom following her first round of radiation and infusions for her grade four glioblastoma. A disease with a survival rate you can look up yourself.
Every day, my father drives my mom down to Edina in the morning for her treatment. Due to COVID, my mom goes in by herself while my dad waits in the car. Because FOMO (fear-of-missing-out) is something that plagues both me and my dad, we try to chat throughout the duration of the appointment every day whether by phone or by FaceTime.
We don't talk about cancer or what they are doing to the woman we both love more than anyone in the world... we talk sports. We talk politics. We talk about how he "completely understands why Tom Brady would go down to Tampa Bay to finish out his career, because Florida is a fantastic place to retire." We talk about vacations and Christmas and everything in between. But not about cancer.
Then after a short period of time (radiation quite literally lasts 5-8 minutes), my mom gets back in the car and tells us how it went. She tells us how she is feeling (sometimes good and sometimes bad). And then we talk about what God spoke to us in both of our time with Him that morning.
Julie is one of the toughest people I know. Not the toughest woman I know... literally, the toughest PERSON. PERIOD. Ask me or either of my two brothers... she's a tough nut to crack and you do not want to cross her.
So come hell or high water, Julie is going to do it HERSELF with NO help. Well, when you have cancer, the reigns need to be relinquished a bit.
I'm not writing these things because they are bad traits. I would not have been able to endure the first few years of my adult life if it weren't for the words of encouragement and assurance of strength from Jules.
But I write these things to show that cancer humanizes the people we thought were invincible. After a week, Julie was definitely feeling the treatments. There are several side effects that took their toll.
Overall, Julie did fantastic in her first week of treatment. The doctors and staff that care for her... we cannot thank the good Lord enough for the work they are doing in her case.
Continued prayers are greatly appreciated for:
- No nausea
- No headaches
- More energy
- HEALING
- More laughter (as if there could be more)
And remember that it is not ME who has the strength through Christ. Emphasis on the latter...
It is CHRIST that is the strength that works through us. I love reading the multiple translations of one of the most popular verses in the bible.
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (King James Version)
I can do all this by the power of Christ. He gives me strength. (NIV)
I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me. (Good News Translation)
Phil 12-13 (Passion translation): I know what it means to lack, and I know what it means to experience overwhelming abundance. For I’m trained in the secret of overcoming all things, whether in fullness or in hunger. And I find that the strength of Christ’s explosive power infuses me to conquer every difficulty.
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