12.22.2010


The Best Gift

My sweet sister Shauna was admitted to the hospital Monday afternoon.
Most of you know that she has been fighting an aggressive cancer
that was discovered
in May of 2009.

Her legs have grown weak and nearly useless because of the tumors
that have grown on her spine.
She has to spend most of her time laying on the couch or sitting in her wheelchair.

The swelling has been tremendous lately.
She has fluid dripping out of blisters on her legs and ankles.

It has been hard to endure.

It makes my heart ache down to the deepest depths seeing my vibrant...
enthusiastic...beautiful sister go through this.

But she still has that shining light in her eyes and her smile.

She is amazing.

This cancer is so rare~
1 out of a million people get it

and because of the rareness...
they aren't really sure how to treat it.


Radiation helps where they can get to it.
None of the chemo so far has really touched it.
Until now.

Shauna had a cat scan yesterday...

it showed that her tumors have been shrinking!

She is on a new oral chemo that hasn't been tested for this cancer.
Well~
it seems to be working.

This is the best present that any of our family could receive.

It's so uplifting to get good news.

Obviously,
this is far from the end of the journey with cancer.

But it seems like a new path has appeared.

A fork in the road that is filled with hope.


Praise be to HIM for being our comforter....
for hearing our every prayer....

for having compassion on our breaking hearts.



Have a very merry Christmas...

Chasity

228/365

38 comments:

Brenda said...

So hard. Words aren't enough. But by you sharing your pain and fears you are reminding people like me in the quietness of my home to stop and say a prayer. Therefore, there is more people asking our Lord to heal her and take away the pain and give her good days. You keep reminding and I will keep praying.
The picture--those are the kind that speak to me. I look at one like that all day.

Simply Debbie said...

I LOVE WHAT BRENDA SAID CHASITY.
cancer is ugly, cruel, mean, and there are no words of comfort EXCEPT THOSE OF OUR LORD AND EVEN THEN TO WATCH THE DAILY SUFFERING DEPLETES YOUR ENERGY AND SPIRIT AS YOU WANT HER WELL AND HEALED AND OUT OF THAT WHEEL CHAIR.
FAITH MOVES MOUNTAINS AND JESUS HAS HEARD THE PRAYERS...THANK YOU LORD JESUS FOR THE TUMORS SHRINKING IN SHAUNA. JUST CONTINUE TO SPEAK IN YOUR SPIRIT...JESUS IS STILL SHRINKING THE TUMORS. SURROUND HER WITH POSITIVE THOUGHTS AND LAUGHTER.
SHE IS AN INSPIRATION AND HAS EARNED HER PURPLE HEART. SHE ENTERED INTO A MILLION TO 1 WAR THAT SHE DID NOT ASK FOR AND THE ODDS WERE NOT GREAT BUT REMEMBER JEREMIAH 29:11.
PRAYING FOR YOU ALL.
LOVE
ANGEL HUGS
SIMPLY DEBBIE

Ruth Hiebert said...

I praise the Lord together with you.May this give her some relief and strength.I pray too that you will find the strength to be with her and support her,I know you do.God is caring both of you in His arms.
Blessings,Ruth

traci said...

I am so sorry that your family is going through this. So glad that this treatment seams to be working. Bless her heart. I will keep all of you in my prayers.

Marcie said...

So sorry to hear that you'all are going thru such trying times. Wishing you and yours all the best..magical healing and happy holidays!

Rachel said...

I'm so happy that your family received good news about the cancer. Hopefully soon she will start to feel stronger as well. Christmas miracles are always wonderful to hear and to share.

Tiffany said...

I am thinking of you and your family~ I am glad to hear that some of the treatments seem to be helping. I hope that you can all be together during the holidays!
Sending lots of love~
Tiffany

Alison Agnew said...

Praising the Lord for this good news. And continuing to pray for complete healing.

Merry Christmas

the wild raspberry said...

It is the BEST gift!!!!!

~me

Lisa Gordon said...

Chasity - Both you and Shauna are in my thoughts and prayers. I cannot tell you how happy I am to hear of your encouraging news. May she continue on this road.

Merry Christmas Chasity!

Jamie said...

Such incredible news! You all continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.

Unknown said...

That is such good news to hear.
I will continue to
pray for you and your sister.. I hope you have a wonderful.
Christmas! Hugs, Linda

Another great photo!

Scott Law said...

You scared the heck out of me with the first part of the story but the second part is such a relief. Although we know that it is still a long way to the edge of the woods just knowing that you might be heading in the right direction is a blessing for now. She will still be in our prayers

Bernie said...

This is a season of miracles and you are blessed to have a miracle in your family. I so love all of you and will continue praying for a healing for Shauna. I am so excited for all of you, God is so good. Merry Christmas Chas to you and your family. sending love, hugs and prayers for Shauna....:-)

Jan n Jer said...

My prayers are with you, Shauna and your family. Glad to hear of the good news and new medicine. God surrounds us always with his love and encouragement. May you n yours have a Blessed Christmas!

jennyfreckles said...

I thought you were going to say awful news - but this is good news and I rejoice with you. Christmas will be even more special for you all - and you and your sister are in my prayers. I pray that you feel the love of the Christ child wrapped tightly round you all.

Anonymous said...

Oh Chas, that's WONDERFUL! I'll continue to pray, of course, but this is great... you have so much faith & that's so good considering what you're all going thru... Praise be to GOD!!! I'm so happy for her, you, & your family & friends & may God continue to hear our prayers! =)

darlin said...

Praise be to God, miracles happen and I'm going to continue to pray for your sister and for your family as well.

May God continue to be with your sister and with you Chas and your family as well. Huge hugs sent your way.

And a very Merry Christmas to you as well.

Lisa said...

Your story of Shauna is one so fresh for me with the blisters breaking , and weakness.ect.
Shaun remains in my Prayers. I believe in Gods divine intervention also guiding us each on the paths we need to walk.
So very sorry for the pain that Shaun has and that you have in watching and feeling helpless but to pray.
Merry Christmas to you , your family and I think it will be a good one.
Your a blessing.

Kala said...

I am so sorry that you, your sister, and your family have been going through such a terrible time. I home your sister's tumors shrink away completely.

Merry Christmas Chasity.

Lisa said...

My brother had that swelling and badly . I never talked about it . It was heartbreaking to watch and they could not treat it or get it under control . His skin would break open and well you know.
I think Shauns case is different.
Im praying.

Justine said...

such fantastic news, a true fork in the road filled with hope.

Leah C said...

This is the season of miracles, right? It breaks my heart to hear all that Shauna has had to endure...and how your family aches for her. So, it really gladdens my heart to know that her tumors are shrinking! I, for one, am impressed with her grace and strength. Thank you, Chasity, for sharing this good news with us...wishing you & family a very Merry Christmas. And prayers always.

sherri said...

I choked up over the sadness, the hope, and the praise. I'll keep remembering all of you, especially Shauna during this time.

Traci said...

Oh, Chas...this is such fantastic news and I will keep Shauna in my prayers. God's peace and blessings to you and your family.
And a very Merry Christmas to you all!

Bernie said...

Merry Christmas Chas to you and all your family.....God Bless and many prayers for Shauna...:-)Hugs

SouthernSass said...

Cancer is horrible - it takes so much from all who are touched by it. Thank God for your good news - I will continue to pray!

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Caroline said...

You and your sister are in my prayers. Here's to a healthy New Year for her.

Anonymous said...

Chas, it's such a long road that you and your family have been on, I feel that I can only stand by the way side and wave, provide an encouraging thought, and whisper a hopeful prayer.
May your family gain strength from the friends you have, and know that we all want only what is best for your sister.
Peaceful Holidays to Shauna, your family, and to you. AJ

Unknown said...

Tears in my heart and on my face after reading this. I am praying unceasingly for Shauna. Praise God for the shrinking of the tumors. Our family will continue to pray!!!!

Love you♥

the wild magnolia said...

Though I do not know your or your sister, this is blessed news!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Oh, my precious Chas! I read this with tears in my eyes and joy in my heart that Shauna is better. Praise God! That is a wonderful Christmas present.

Please know I am thinking of you and wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Prayers of gratitude for the news about Shauna and prayers for her complete healing!

Love you...

XO,

Sheila :-)

Bevy @ Treasured Up and Pondered said...

Continuing to think of you and pray often.
This is certainly good news to hear today.

~Bevy

georgia ~ gi gi said...

Hope is a wonderful gift! I will be praying!
Much love to your sister, you and your family! I will be praying!
love
gi gi

What Karen Sees said...

Christmas put me behind and I'm just catching up on my blogging. The words and thoughts and prayers have been said so well by those commenting above, but I wanted to add my faith, my prayers, my wish for peace and healing and hope for your sister and your family in the New Year.

River-Rose said...

What encouraging news for Shauna and everyone who loves her. My prayers haven't ceased and I do hope that the New Year brings many blessings!

Britney Emilie said...

What an amazing photo!!!! (thank you for your comment on my "best face of 2010" photo :)

Anonymous said...

I'm behind and just catching up here. You've got some beautiful photos!!

I'm so glad to read your sister's treatments seem to be working!! Keeping you all in my prayers!