First of all, please forgive me for not updating this blog very much lately. My family and I have been preoccupied with the memorial blog for my mother, which you can find at http://rememberingsharon.blogspot.com. Your kind words and cards have meant so much to me in the last month since my mother died.
Karen is a little stronger every day and looking better. We've been told it takes about a year for one's body to get completely back to normal. Chemotherapy kills so many cells. We're trying to replenish them by drinking mangosteen juice, which has 500 x the antioxidants that the same serving of orange juice contains (e-mail me if you want more information about this at soulwise@msn.com). Her fingertips are numb and Karen has to call on me or the girls to open jars, for example. Some hair is returning...it's almost as long as my hair was at its shortest. Karen will go to the doctor every three months and see what the CA-125 is doing. She maintains the no-sugar diet.
In the meantime, we are meeting many others whose lives are being affected by cancer. While we were out to dinner about a month ago, a lady approached Karen and asked her if she were battling cancer. It turns out she had just been diagnosed a couple months before with bone cancer. While the girls went out to the van to wait on us, Karen and I spent about 1/2 hr with her and her husband. In addition, a colleague of mine at Allianz was just diagnosed and I've been able to share our experiences with her. As Paul says in 2 Corinthians, God comforts us in our afflictions that we may comfort others.
Please keep our family in prayer as we face financial hurdles right now. I know in God all things are possible, so it's hard to get discouraged...that's why it's not wise to ever listen to the news. Gas and food prices are skyrocketing and making it hard for all of us to live. God has been good to us in so many ways and we're thankful. There is so much worldly noise to shut out.
God bless and thank you for being there for us.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Latest developments in the fight against cancer - and thank you
To those who have sent cards, e-mails, phone calls, and prayers for me and my family over Mom's death - thank you. Not a day goes by without tears. The wake was last Wednesday night the 26th and the funeral mass the following morning the 27th. A few hours after the burial, my sisters, brother and I selected a simple stone to mark her burial in Green Lake, Wisconsin. It will read "Sharon Jacobsen Darnick 1937 - 2008 Love you forever"
Another blog has been created in Mom's memory at http://rememberingsharon.blogspot.com.
This morning I arose very early to take Karen in for surgery - to remove the abdominal port, the one that you may recall was causing many of the problems last November. We were home by 10:00 am. Karen saw Dr. Argenta yesterday who was optimistic at the news of the CA125 going from a 6 to a 5. He informed her that most women never see the CA125 go down at all and for hers to have gone down to 5 is excellent progress. He also told her it will in all likelihood never go below that. I prayed all morning that the Lord would give Karen some good news - usually these doctor visits are very sobering. It was great to see Karen leave feeling encouraged.
Karen's strength is back. Her hair is beginning to come back, but those of you who remember how long it was (scroll down to the photo below) know that it will take a long time. We ask for prayer for discipline and strength to maintain the no-sugar diet. You would all be amazed at how easy it is to give up. I drank a Coke last week and felt sick afterwards - I learned later that my body had gotten used to not processing such huge amounts of sugar.
Thank you for prayers during this difficult and dark season of life. We're certainly ready for the sun to shine again. Faith, however, gets us through. To see the goodness of God in the midst of this storm is what faith is all about.
Another blog has been created in Mom's memory at http://rememberingsharon.blogspot.com.
This morning I arose very early to take Karen in for surgery - to remove the abdominal port, the one that you may recall was causing many of the problems last November. We were home by 10:00 am. Karen saw Dr. Argenta yesterday who was optimistic at the news of the CA125 going from a 6 to a 5. He informed her that most women never see the CA125 go down at all and for hers to have gone down to 5 is excellent progress. He also told her it will in all likelihood never go below that. I prayed all morning that the Lord would give Karen some good news - usually these doctor visits are very sobering. It was great to see Karen leave feeling encouraged.
Karen's strength is back. Her hair is beginning to come back, but those of you who remember how long it was (scroll down to the photo below) know that it will take a long time. We ask for prayer for discipline and strength to maintain the no-sugar diet. You would all be amazed at how easy it is to give up. I drank a Coke last week and felt sick afterwards - I learned later that my body had gotten used to not processing such huge amounts of sugar.
Thank you for prayers during this difficult and dark season of life. We're certainly ready for the sun to shine again. Faith, however, gets us through. To see the goodness of God in the midst of this storm is what faith is all about.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
SHARON JACOBSEN DARNICK 1937 - 2008
About an hour ago on this Easter Sunday 2008, my mother Sharon Jacobsen Darnick has gone to be with our Lord. She was welcomed there by Jesus, by the host of the heavenly angels, her parents, and many others. Her years of pain are over. She is at peace.
On this Easter Day, remember Who conquered death for us. Remember the One who made it possible for my mother, as well as each one of us, to live eternally.
On this Easter Day, remember Who conquered death for us. Remember the One who made it possible for my mother, as well as each one of us, to live eternally.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Updates - and Easter greetings
Thank you for prayers for my mother. Though she was very close to death last Wednesday, with a doctor telling us to get into town because it looked like the end, she made it through the night and began to improve. After a few days in the hospital, she returned home. She has home health care nurses each day spending a few hours with her as well as hospice checking in on her each day. Because of the condition of her lungs it could be any time, but the imminent danger appears to be past.
Karen continues to gain more energy and is even looking at job opportunities again. Ovarian cancer is a chronic disease and it's a matter of keeping it away. In all likelihood, it will recur. We have faith. That - and changes we make in our lifestyles - is all any of us has control over.
We're spending Easter here with our dear friends the Sanders. Have a happy, safe, and enjoyable Easter.
Karen continues to gain more energy and is even looking at job opportunities again. Ovarian cancer is a chronic disease and it's a matter of keeping it away. In all likelihood, it will recur. We have faith. That - and changes we make in our lifestyles - is all any of us has control over.
We're spending Easter here with our dear friends the Sanders. Have a happy, safe, and enjoyable Easter.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Pray for Sharon Jacobsen Darnick
Good morning everyone: Yesterday my mother was unable to get out of bed in the morning. She was blue faced, with tremors and labored breathing. She was taken to St Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac, WI. Her blood pressure had started dropping as well as her oxygen saturation. She is nearing the end. She is 70 years old.
Please pray for my mother, as well as for my sisters Laura and Marilyn, brother Jim, and myself as we face her death. For many reasons, this has been coming for a long time, but that doesn't make this any easier. I have the assurance of my mother's salvation and know when she does pass away, she will be free from the pain of this life.
Yesterday our daughter Shelby was baptized at our church, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. In the midst of the death and disease we have been dealing with, to witness Shelby's baptism into God's family was a blessing and an encouragement.
Thank you all for being there for us in prayer.
John J
Please pray for my mother, as well as for my sisters Laura and Marilyn, brother Jim, and myself as we face her death. For many reasons, this has been coming for a long time, but that doesn't make this any easier. I have the assurance of my mother's salvation and know when she does pass away, she will be free from the pain of this life.
Yesterday our daughter Shelby was baptized at our church, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. In the midst of the death and disease we have been dealing with, to witness Shelby's baptism into God's family was a blessing and an encouragement.
Thank you all for being there for us in prayer.
John J
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Marching into March - and don't forget to set your clocks ahead
We're now about four weeks out from Karen's final chemotherapy treatment. She is gaining energy back slowly and is becoming quite restless. Karen's not used to being sedentary. The hair will take a little longer to return. She's not ready to face the workforce just yet.
As for me, I start the position with the New York firm within the next couple weeks. I plan to remain at Allianz for the duration of the project I've been working on here, though on a part time basis. Your prayers for the next position and its financial success are appreciated, especially as we have a hole to dig out of. But I've got a good shovel!
We appreciate the ongoing prayer support and ask for it now as we encounter some March blues. March is a rather bleak month anyway (my apologies to anyone who has a birthday this month). So many friends of ours are taking trips for spring break. We're not going anywhere. Add to that the Minnesota weather - the cold spell certainly debunks any notions of global warming - and it's a recipe for depression. There have been way too many burdens, but I realize they are not ours to bear. God gives us rest - Matthew 11:28 - and this is what I have to keep coming back to.
We remain on a vigil. The odds aren't good as ovarian cancer recurs in 90% of the cases. If Karen can make it two years, she is most likely in that group that will conquer this disease. With every test, we'll be asking for your prayers.
Please pray also for my mother, Sharon Darnick, who saw her pulmonologist a couple weeks ago and has been diagnosed with lung cancer. She is nearing the end. Please keep me, my sisters, and brother in your prayers as we are very likely anticipating her death. She has been in hospice care since November and is at her home in Green Lake, WI. I anticipate going down to see her in the next couple weeks as well.
No matter what happens, God is still Lord of All. Be encouraged.
As for me, I start the position with the New York firm within the next couple weeks. I plan to remain at Allianz for the duration of the project I've been working on here, though on a part time basis. Your prayers for the next position and its financial success are appreciated, especially as we have a hole to dig out of. But I've got a good shovel!
We appreciate the ongoing prayer support and ask for it now as we encounter some March blues. March is a rather bleak month anyway (my apologies to anyone who has a birthday this month). So many friends of ours are taking trips for spring break. We're not going anywhere. Add to that the Minnesota weather - the cold spell certainly debunks any notions of global warming - and it's a recipe for depression. There have been way too many burdens, but I realize they are not ours to bear. God gives us rest - Matthew 11:28 - and this is what I have to keep coming back to.
We remain on a vigil. The odds aren't good as ovarian cancer recurs in 90% of the cases. If Karen can make it two years, she is most likely in that group that will conquer this disease. With every test, we'll be asking for your prayers.
Please pray also for my mother, Sharon Darnick, who saw her pulmonologist a couple weeks ago and has been diagnosed with lung cancer. She is nearing the end. Please keep me, my sisters, and brother in your prayers as we are very likely anticipating her death. She has been in hospice care since November and is at her home in Green Lake, WI. I anticipate going down to see her in the next couple weeks as well.
No matter what happens, God is still Lord of All. Be encouraged.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
New chapter beginning
Hi all: I'll begin with good news: the New York company I've been talking to has extended an offer. We're negotiating, but it is looking like a go. Your persistent prayers made this possible and I thank each and every one of you. Working from home is the best scenario for our family.
With chemotherapy done, Karen is looking at her options now. We home school 11 year old Shelby - which has been a real joy - but Karen is very anxious to get back into window treatment design on a part time basis. She continues to investigate the possibilities.
We need much prayer right now for our 7th grade daughter Kylie. This is a hard age, as you're all aware. Add to this the stress of her mother's situation and our economic concerns over the last few months in addition to just being in 7th grade.....
Humor is important to have when dealing with something like cancer and I have a story to share with you from last week. Karen fixed a beef stew recipe from a cookbook I bought her early in the cancer struggle called "The New American Plate Cookbook". It is a cookbook with many recipes rich with antioxidants (necessary for fighting the beast). Near the end of the meal, I found a hair in the stew. I pull it up and show it to Karen with a quizzical stare. She takes off her scarf to reveal a bald head and says "Don't blame me!".
We go to Kansas City tomorrow to see Karen's extended family, most of whom haven't seen her since the diagnosis. It's hard to see her mother, who has dementia so bad she will probably not remember us.
God's love to all of you today!
With chemotherapy done, Karen is looking at her options now. We home school 11 year old Shelby - which has been a real joy - but Karen is very anxious to get back into window treatment design on a part time basis. She continues to investigate the possibilities.
We need much prayer right now for our 7th grade daughter Kylie. This is a hard age, as you're all aware. Add to this the stress of her mother's situation and our economic concerns over the last few months in addition to just being in 7th grade.....
Humor is important to have when dealing with something like cancer and I have a story to share with you from last week. Karen fixed a beef stew recipe from a cookbook I bought her early in the cancer struggle called "The New American Plate Cookbook". It is a cookbook with many recipes rich with antioxidants (necessary for fighting the beast). Near the end of the meal, I found a hair in the stew. I pull it up and show it to Karen with a quizzical stare. She takes off her scarf to reveal a bald head and says "Don't blame me!".
We go to Kansas City tomorrow to see Karen's extended family, most of whom haven't seen her since the diagnosis. It's hard to see her mother, who has dementia so bad she will probably not remember us.
God's love to all of you today!
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