Riverside - Round 2 - encouragement from people

Madeleine’s Blog

June 28, 2012

So 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

Isaiah 41:10

Time has flown by, and here we are - back in Riverside again for round #2 of Madeleine's chemo treatment. During this past week or so, Madeleine's energy and appetite have returned - which has been great to see. To be honest, it was a little hard to make the drive down again yesterday, knowing what was ahead of us with the chemo. But it seems like today has gone even better than expected.

After arriving here last night, we headed straight to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner (just like we did last time)...and then we actually ate there again for lunch today. This can now officially be called a tradition for us. It is fun to enjoy all the great-tasting food knowing that the desire for food (at least for Madeleine) will be diminishing once the chemo starts.

After lunch, Madeleine was admitted to the hospital and had her central line put in again. In general, everything this time has been going a lot more smoothly. Madeleine is much more calm about everything because she has a better idea about how the procedures go and what to expect.

We also met some folks who helped make today a little better too. One of them was the technician who took Madeleine in to get her central line. He was an older man who had wisdom and care for Madeleine that was really exceptional. Outside the surgery area, he spent quite a bit of time encouraging her about the whole situation of her cancer and about the process she was in. Then, he prayed with her just before the procedure. After the central line was put in, Madeleine was brought up to her room and all the IV fluids were started to get her well-hydrated before tomorrow morning's chemo begins.

While we were in the room, another patient (and his wife and 15-year-old daughter) came by to visit with us in our room. We had met them the last time (the man is battling leukemia), and he has been in the hospital here for seven weeks now (!). He had lots of things to share (and good perspective too), and we visited with them for about an hour - laughing about the hospital food, comparing notes on favorite nurses, and hearing how he has battled the fear that comes with a difficult cancer diagnosis:

I only allow myself to experience the fear a few minutes, and then I make myself put the fear out of my mind.

And also some advice he got from an older, experienced nurse about how to get through this:

You can only feel sorry for yourself for so long, and then you need to face it. You can face it using either your faith, or your will to live ~ but hopefully you have both. Grab onto those as tightly as you can and fight.

Hearing these things from someone who is also fighting cancer was so meaningful. It was like getting much-needed medicine for your soul before beginning this next phase of the fight.


We are so thankful for how today has gone, and hopefully tomorrow will go well too. It is now time to get some rest before the first chemotherapy starts tomorrow morning at 5:30. Thanks for your continued prayers for Madeleine.