LETTER FROM JANE RUSH UPDATE #5

Where do I begin….

Let’s start with the good news – CT Scans and Bone scans all came back clear – So no other cancer is detected!!!   Praise God!

Last Monday I had surgery to place the port – Ouch!!  I am still black, blue, green and purple on my right side.

Tuesday I did get to have my teeth cleaned and bought a wig – Liz, Carol Jeff and I had fun with that

Wednesday – had ct scans and bone scans.  Met up with friends Jack and Jo – Jo accompanied me to bone scan and then they took me out to lunch.  It was an unexpected pleasant surprise.

Thursday – started Chemo – rather surprised at how uneventful it was.  Jeff sat with me for 4.5 hours.  He has been very supportive and helpful, understanding, wonderful!!!

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Sunday I was able to go to church. Jeff had to nudge me a few times as my medicine caused me to doze a bit.  My daughters came over Sunday afternoon and we cut my hair off.  Get a little frightened when I look in the mirror – not recognizing this person staring back at me.  It is also much colder not having hair.  J

I have been very lucky in that I have not been really sick.  I have some nausea medicine that works wonders.  I find I need at least a one to two hour nap a day.

I started back to work this week and am trying to figure out a schedule on working.  I am going to try and work 4 hours – sleep one to two hours – work 4 hours.  That is my hope, but my body may not agree.  I am hoping to come up with a routine, so I can get something done before my next chemo treatment.

I am sharing a devotional this week from Charles Stanley that has given me comfort.  I honestly feel like I have a constant flu.  Today is the first day I feel OK, and tomorrow I go for another cocktail.  And this is just week 1!!  If you know anyone else going through chemo, please stop and say a prayer form them and their families.

Hurts are a part of a believer’s life as well.

Comfort is found not in the absence of pain but in the midst of it. So many hurting Christians believe their walk with the Lord is out of balance because of their intense pain. They don’t feel comfortable. Yet feeling comfortable and being comforted are two different things. The first is a nice feeling but tends to come and go, as feelings do. The second is a fact based on the Comforter, not on circumstances. And the Lord does not come and go: “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb. 13:5).

Those who have suffered pain know that it gets tiring after a while. The weary saint cries out with Paul to remove the thorn (2 Cor. 12:7-8). The Lord Jesus Christ Himself prayed for His cup of suffering to be removed. He was so physically and emotionally weary that an angel was sent to strengthen Him (Luke 22:42-43).

Often, however, the child of God hears nothing from heaven. Such silences are particularly difficult, especially if the agony has persisted. Yet it is precisely at these times that our Comforter is the most precious: He is the Shepherd in the valley, the Father to His child, the Rock of ages, the Shelter in time of storm.

Peace is not the absence of pain. We wouldn’t be promised a Comforter—much less need One—if the Christian life was a life of unending bliss.

The Healing

The Comforter soothes in various ways—through Scripture, hymns, other believers (who have probably experienced heartache), or other myriad ways that that He custom designs to soothe particular hurts. He is wonderfully creative, perfectly matching the comfort with the sorrow.

We have this assurance: “As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you” (Isa. 66:13). This side of His comfort indicates tenderness and gentleness, just as my mother cared for my hurts. As a comforting Father, He gives strength to go on in the midst of pain. As the perfect Parent, He knows exactly how to balance the two.

Here’s the most wonderful thing: As God gently soothes the stinging wound, He remains close by. One can almost hear Him saying, “My hurting child, you are so special to Me. I hurt with you. I’m staying right here to take good care of you.” The Father’s tender care can be summed up by the slogan of a billboard that was advertising a local hospital: “The most critical moments demand exceptional care.”

“Blessed be the God . . . of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Cor. 1:3–4).

We understand that although suffering will continue in this life, we have Someone who soothes us in the midst of it. Often we cry for even temporary relief, but the God of all comfort gives permanent consolation in the midst of excruciating pain. Paul makes it clear that comfort from God is not only for our benefit but also for sharing with other hurting people.

This will probably be my last update for a while.  I imagine life will become a routine. If we have any news on the cancer, I will let you all know.  Thank you for your prayers, calls, cards, gifts.  Thank you for being my friends.

Love Jane