Breakfast with Prunes!

On Wednesday Morning Rosanna prepared oatmeal with prunes ans we all posed for a photo in Ruth's kitchen. (From the left) Ruth's sister Debbie, Fausta, Ruth and Rosanna.

Ruth's Garden Tour

Update #10 Words from Ruth

Dear Friends,
Thanks so much for your continued support, prayers, phone calls, e-mails, love, food, friendship, books, flowers and other gifts of love. It's been great having my Mom and sister here. My mom went back on Wednesday to be with my Dad, whose illness has progressed, and as of last week, he is no longer able to walk and is therefore wheelchair bound. My sister goes back today. I thank the Lord for the support of my aunt and brother-in-law who have taken care of her 4 children while she was here. My sister and I haven't had time together like this in years. It's been nice to have the opportunity for my mom and sister to meet my friends here in Boston. We had a nice supportive group, working as a team since Monday morning, consisting of my mom, sister Debbie, Mike, Rosana (Hosana), and Fausta. They were all able to hear the report from Dr. Christian, with the good news that the operation went well, he was pleased with the results, no lymph node involvement and cancer cells not found. We are waiting for the pathology results from the tumors and further testing of the lymph nodes. - Praise the Lord for a good outcome!! Pastor Pena was also there for a large portion of the day. Fabiola popped in several times as well.
It was nice having visits from different residents - some mistaking my sister for me. When I first got to my room (Thank God for a private room where you don't even know what is happening outside the room), the nurse was suprised when she saw very little swelling and the incisions looked great. Great nursing care.
Tuesday, the nursing care wasn't the greatest and they were going to discharge me at 6:00pm when I had a lot of pain. The decision to go home or not was hard. We decided managing the pain meds at home and sleeping in my own bed was the best choice.
I've been sleeping and resting well, getting used to the implant, been at peace and have been enjoying friends and family. Many times when I'm laying or sitting, I feel nothing major has hapapened to my body. I almost feel everything is the way it always was.
I am enjoying the environment I have to recuperate in. The birds are chirping all day long, the trees and flowers are blossoming around me, with gorgeous view from my large windows. It is quiet and peaceful. I was able to take a walk to the pond yesterday. I enjoyed seeing the white swan in the middle of the pond.

Post-surgery photo and smile

Update #9 After surgery

Ruth was doing well, but hadn't walked much before 3pm. She had a lot of pain and was very uncomfortable when it was time to be discharged. After resting a bit more, getting pain under control with the proper meds, eating, and a shift change of nurses, she was able to go home at 10p.m. 5/23
Ruth was glad to be home and sleeping in her own bed. She slept well.
5/24 We are having a quiet day today, taking naps, managing meds, eating, taking short walks in the house, and taking care of her medical needs. She even relaxed with some special hand/lotion treatments. Your prayers are so much appreciated. She is on the road to recovery and will be looking forward to some company soon. It's amazing how good she looks!!

Update#8 day after surgery

Ruth's blood pressure was a little high after surgery so they held her in recovery till 6:00pm last night. She looked great when she got to her room. She still had her smile, very little swelling, color good, and for the most part - no pain. She ate well and enjoyed some company last night. Her friend Rosana stayed the night. She was great company for Ruth and had her sitting up, eating and her hair was beautifully done. Her mom and sister came back to the hospital this morning. Ruth had 2 drains, a catheter, oxygen, and an IV. Everything has been removed except 1 drain. She hasn't walked yet. She will probably go home today and a visiting nurse will come to her house tomorrow. We praise God how He has answered prayer.

Update #7 Surgery

Ruth is in recovery...not intensive care. Mom says she is glowing and smiling. She looks great.

Update #6 Surgery

Arrived at hospital at 5:20am. Ruth was unable to receive IV dye at 6:45am as scheduled. Was finally able to reschedule at 8:15am. Surgery at 9:20am. Ruth went in smiling, at peace, and knowing God was right by her side through it all. After 2 1/2 hours, Dr. Christian came out and reported a very successful surgery. Praise God! Nothing was found in the lymph nodes, but had some samples sent to pathology to be tested. - Results in a week. The doctor felt everything was removed, but she will receive chemo as a precaution. Reconstructive surgery followed and that also went very well. She is in intensive care right now. There is a good possibility she will be going home tomorrow 5/23. Thanks for all your prayers so far. God is good.
****************
message from Ruth.....I woke up and felt I was in a dream.

Cartoon from Poland

This is a cartoon sent from Poland for Ruth:

Storms of Life

These are the encouraging words from a card Ruth received:

We can't foresee the turning of the tide
When problems beset us and tears are cried.

Sometimes life deals from the bottom of the deck

Filling us with worry and leaving us a wreck.

The enemy seeks to devour and destroy,

Using deceptions to eliminate our joy.

While walking through the valley, our heads hung low,

The mountain top seems so high, our footsteps slow.

How many times have we traveled this road

To battle the frustrations of troubles bestowed?

Yet when we come to our darkest hour

God demonstrates His infinite power.

It doesn't matter how bad things might seem,

He always comes through, our faith to redeem.

God will not fail us in our times of pain.

He'll never forsake us, by our side He'll remain.

So when we find ourselves at a total loss

Or when the valley seems too wide to cross,

Just remember you're in His love and care,

Look over your shoulder, He's always there!

Out of the Mouths of Babes

Over the last month I have had precious moments that have made me laugh with love and enjoyment as I think of the comments out of the mouths of babes. Thank you, Lord, for humor in the midst of a storm of my life. I have been laughing more and smiling more than usual. Seeing God working in this storm is beautiful.

Precious comment #1 from my nephew:

At dinner they were talking about Aunt Ruth being sick and needing an operation and my nephew said:
"Does Aunt Ruth need a hernia operation like I did?"

Precious moment #2 from a three year old friend:

Some friends of mine were over and we spent some time praying together. At the end their three year old said," Is Ruth sick because she ate too much candy?"

Precious moment #3 from my nephew (6 years old):

He prays for me every night, but one night a few weeks ago he prayed, "Lord, whatever it is in Aunt Ruth's body that is not supposed to be there, just take it out!"

I thank the Lord for these little ones. Please pray for my nieces and nephews and the other little friends in my life, as my illness impacts them. Especially pray for wisdom for their parents who are seeking God on how much to say to them and how to tell them. All my nieces and nephews know I am sick. Depending on their ages some know more or less. They are all praying with their whole hearts for me. Thank you Lord for the prayers and love of these dear little ones.

May 18th photo of Ruth

Peace that Passes Understanding (Update # 5)

Ruth called this morning (May 19) to report that her pre-op testing and paperwork took all day yesterday, from 11:30 until 4:00, but all the clinicians have been friendly and easy to get along with. Ruth said, "I had no anxiety before or during the appointments, and this is supposed to be scary. Lord, this is you, in action, full time." Her friend Fausta was with her and said, "Ruth, there is such a peacefulness and calm in every exam room we were in -- it's just that peace that is in you, it comes into each room."

Another friend asks every day if the peace is still there. Last night she said, "I know it is real because I am seeing the peace. Your whole body is reflecting that inner peace. It shows on the outside. You are looking great. Ruth said, "I really felt carried by people's prayers yesterday -- things are effortless. It feels like being showered with miracles, just showered." For those of us, like me, who can't be there with Ruth and would love to help out tangibly, be certain that she is being well taken care of by friends and family in Boston, and most of all by her heavenly Father.

Ruth's hospital stay will be only one or two nights, so it would be better to plan visits for after she gets home. However, she would like a few visitors -- just telephone ahead first. Her mom and sister, and about three friends, will be with her at the hospital Monday through the surgery. The possibility of having a nurse as a roommate hasn't worked out, but many other people have offered to help with the injections. Ruth says one of her Colombian friends is on plastic surgery rotation next week, and she thinks he will be assisting during her operation. This is the doctor who helped her feel comfortable about the plastic surgery options, and to be confident in the advantages of having implants instead of using muscle flaps for the plastic surgery.

Messages from Ruth (Update #4)

Tuesday, May 16th, Ruth wrote:


Hi to you all,

Thursday is my pre-op day, which means most of the day being bombarded with information and more pre-operation tests.

My sister Sharon, brother-in-law, and niece and nephew were here over the weekend to set up my new laptop (the other one's screen blew a few weeks ago), to help organize, clean up, and help me get ready. Was also great to have a chance to really forget about the big event in my life for a while. It really diverted my attention and I forgot that I have cancer. Life seemed normal again.

Thanks for all your e-mails, calls, love, prayers and support. I encourage you to read the story posted on the blog by Monica under the comments for blog number 3. I do feel like you are all helping to carry the burden. The Lord is carrying me, and with Him and you all, the load is lighter.

Blessings,

Ruth

Surgery Scheduled (Update #3)

The date for Ruth's surgery has been set for May 22nd. She needs to be there at 5:30 AM, with surgery at 7:30 AM or so. It's supposed to last 4 hours. She has lots of pre-op appointments happening this week. So please pray for her, the doctors, nurses, etc. during this time.

Ruth wanted me to share with you some wonderful blessings with you. You can praise God along with Ruth in how He orchestrates the details of our lives.

1. Various members of her family will be coming before, during, and immediately after her surgery to be with Ruth.

2. A dear friend of Ruth's will be staying with her to help care for her an unlimited amount of time

3. Her boss and work group have been so helpful and flexible in letting her work from home from time to time and work a reduced number of hours. She recently met a woman who also works at Brigham & Woman's and going through something similar who didn't have this flexibility. Since there's no short-term disability at B&W, Ruth has been so thankful that her boss will allow her this flexibility.

4. This past week she has been meeting people who have also gone through or are currently going through breast cancer treatment. They have been greatly informative and encouraging to her.

5. This one is AMAZING...One of Ruth's greatest needs after her surgery will be finding someone to give her the Chemo injections. Her landlords' have a friend who just had the unfortunate experience of losing her house to fire. Since Ruth has been needing an apartment mate, the landlords' thought about asking this woman if she wants to live with them for a while in Ruth's apartment. And as you can guess, this woman just happens to be a nurse!! They hope this situation will be helpful to both.

Here are some encouraging thoughts that Ruth passed on to me:

"Jesus is the frangance of Springtime. He refreses us and renews us. He makes all things beautiful in His time. He is the author of everything beautiful."

from Isaiah 43:
"But now, this is what the LORD says -
He who created you, O Jacob,
He who formed you, O Israel;

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name;
You are mine.

"When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.

"When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.

"For I AM the LORD, your God,
the HOLY ONE of Israel, your Savior.

Do not be afraid, for I AM with you."

Sincerely,
Sheri Michel

How to help Ruth (Update #2)

On behalf of Ruth, thanks for all of your thoughtful replies and messages via email and phone. She has been greatly encouraged by hearing from you. Many have been asking how to help Ruth, so I thought I'd send out an email with some ways she would appreciate help. She still hasn't heard about the exact surgery date, so some ways to help won't apply until after she comes home.

1. Food - cooking healthy, well-balanced meals or dishes. There is a recipe for super-healthy muffins on the back of the Flax-meal package sold at Trader Joes that she especially enjoys. I usually substitute honey for brown sugar (cancer patients should not have refined sugar). Ruth said food with high-fiber, green vegetables, lots of fruit (especially papaya) are good.

2. House - cleaning help in her apartment once in a while after the surgery

3. Computer - she will hopefully be able to work from home, so wondered if she could call on someone in case her computer were having problems. Also, she needs someone to help with data entry in some files (this could start now and she could send the files via email).

4. Visits, Cards, Phone Calls, Flowers, whatever - this is my own idea, we all know how sentimental and social Ruth is, she would love to continue to hear from people over the next few months. It will greatly encourage her as she recovers.

Ruth still continues to maintain a positive outlook. The other evening she was able to forget about everything as she enjoyed nature while playing golf. She has finally settled on one of the options for plastic surgery which was a huge weight on her shoulders for a while. Last weekend she enjoyed a Spanish and an English gathering where people prayed for her healing. She said it seemed like her wedding day because she was so happy. Even now, she feels the power and encouragement from people all over the world including Latin and South America, Eastern and Western Europe, etc. who are praying for her.

Here are a few quotes from some readings that have encouraged her recently:

<>"Storms at sea can be like crisis times in our lives. Emotions of FEAR ad UNCERTAINTY can come against us like the waves that crash upon the shore. But like the sea, GOD has put limits on the storms in our lives. He sets the boundaries and says, "THIS FAR AND NO FURTHER". Roy Lessin

<>"My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness."..."
II Corinthians 12:9 NKJV

Peace,
Sheri Michel

Initial Notice (Update #1)

For those of you who have not yet heard, Ruth was diagnosed only a few weeks ago with breast cancer. She has been so busy with doctor's appointments and decisions that she has not had time to contact everyone she knows, but wanted to let you all know her status. I will be sending periodic emails with information about how she's doing.

At the moment, she's very positive and at peace. Because she works at Brigham and Women's hospital (and also from divine intervention!) she has a top-notch group of doctors that she also really connects with. Also, she's thankful that her insurance will cover her care from this Brigham & Women's medical team. In addition, she's amazed by the speed with which the organization of details have come together.

She wanted me to pass on some requests that you can be remembering in your thoughts and prayers:
1. A miracle would occur for her to be healed, prior to surgery
2. Her surgery will most likely be within the next 2 weeks
3. She will have chemo for 4 months after surgery, but probably not radiation
4. Problems with her computer to be solved, so that she can work from home
5. God would be glorified through all of this

A verse from the Bible that has greatly encouraged her is Habakkuk 3:19: "The Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights."

Peace to you,
Sheri Michel