March 8, 2013 A New Second Home - The Hostel at the SJRH

March 8, 2013 A New Second Home 

The Hostel at the SJRH - We are all in the same boat of cancer, but for a different reason.

One of the night house mothers at the Hostel at the SJRH.  Saw her a little over 1 1\2 

After I’d finished treatments.  They were such a special team of people.  God is good.

The Lord has been good.  Jamie has been able to be with me my first three days 

to see me at the hostel and get me settled in.  You may wonder what it is like 

to stay in the hostel...  well we are all here for the same thing, cancer, but 
all to different degrees.  I had a Christian roommate this week.   We have been 
talking a lot.  She was given 18 months to live 8 months ago.  Today they told 
her that there is nothing else that they can do for treatments for her.  We 
talked and shared much about The Lord... sometimes I think that God just wants 
you there to listen too. We both agreed that we don't know how anyone could go 
through something like this without the Lord.  This morning, I held her in my 
arms and prayed with her before she left.  What an honor and privilege.  I know 
that I won't see her again on this side, but I will see her in Heaven.  You see 
God does indeed have something for us to do no matter where we go.  You see the 
value of prayer has an even deeper meaning in my life now... to think of all of 
you who pray for me.  I am blessed and those prayers do make a difference on a 
level you can't always visibly see.  Jamie & I have been going to visit an older 
man too, whose wife is in the oncology ward where I was, when they put me in the 
hospital to have my chemo treatments.  His wife is not doing very well and 
sometimes I think that people just need a hug.  Sometimes a hug with no words is 
enough.  All of you that know me, know that I am a hugger and was raised in a 
huggy family full of love.   You see it is the little things in life that can 
make a difference no matter how simple they may seems.  Never think of something 
kind you want to do and then think that it is too small, for there is no gift of 
kindness too small.  Just keep listening to God's still small voice and He will 
lead you.

Here in the hostel, people are very friendly and we gather around sometimes to 
just talk and do a puzzle or play a game.   I brought the game "Pass the Pigs" 
with me and the others seem to enjoy it.  The Weavers introduced me to that game 
a few years ago.  It has brought many smiles and is just something different to 
break up the day.  A lot of them bring handy work with them to work on (knitting 
etc).  One thing I know is that their hearts run deep and they have been through 
a lot.  It doesn't take far to look to count your blessings.  None of us know 
how long we have, but we can make a difference no matter how long it is.

As for the radiation treatments, so far so good.  The first day was the longest 
as they got things lined up perfectly with the tattoos they marked me with over 
a week ago.  The second treatment was shorter.  The treatments do not hurt, 
though I am sure the position they have my arms etc. in while giving me the 
treatments would be a photograph to make you smile.  Kind of like one of the 
karate kids moves frozen in time, as I must lay perfectly still.  My 
understanding is that the radiation will eventually make me have a strong 
fatigue and my skin could become very irritated and burn.   I have seen lots of 
very red sore burnt skin this week, but to me I feel it will be better than 
chemo.  I have succeeded in continuing to walk my 30 minutes walk twice a day 
while at the hostel.  I am hoping it will help me to keep the strength I have.  
I have some stretching exercises that I need to start doing too.  I am suppose 
to do them three times a day for the next year, to help the areas that are 
receiving the radiation to not end up with other long term side effects.  
Eventually I hope to get into more of a routine... well what my chemo brain will 
allow me to remember.

Before I left the hostel today, they moved me into a private room.  It 
will be nice in that when I can't sleep, have those bathroom moments which have 
occurred a lot since the chemo or watch TV, talk on the phone etc... I know I 
won't disturb anyone else.  In someways I think I get more rest while I am at 
the hostel.  I don't feel guilty about resting because I am not thinking that I 
should be doing this or that, like I do while I am at home.  We all require rest 
who are there and we try to encourage each other.  You find blessings no matter 
where you go if you just look around.

Thank you all again for your many kindnesses and prayers.  I just started a new 
devotional book today called, "Jesus Calling" (Enjoying Peace in His 
Presence)... thank you Judy... I will think of you when I read it.  Dad thanks 
for dropping off the things for me so I would have them when I got home.  Dad 
has been my personal Genie and what ever I need appears.  Mom, thanks for 
sharing and letting him make so many trips to town.  Bill thanks for cooking me 
a surprise homemade banana bread.  Lindsay for all your encouraging text 
messages and pictures... for all the emails, cards etc, but most of all for all 
of your prayers... my heart can not thank you enough.

My love, ((((HUGS)))) and prayers,
Paulette