Resting in His Arms…

I just wanted to update you all since you have all been praying for my mom since she found out about her lung cancer...    


Molly N. beloved wife, mother, and friend is now resting in the arms of her Lord and Savior where there is no more sorrow or pain.  She died peacefully tonight in a deep sleep without any pain and was surrounded by her family and close friends.  Mom was an extremely strong fighter and was a true blessing to so many people…

Thank you so very much for your prayers and concern for our family.  Our family will always treasure your love and support during this time.  Mom always loved to write and encourage others on this blog, and she loved each one of you.  We are resting in the fact that she is in a much better place now.  God was ready for her to come home, so He must still have a plan for the rest of the family here on earth.   We will make it through this  difficult time, but only with His strength.

In Christ Alone,
Emily (for the rest of the Nichols family)

Update on Mom {Saturday}

Please feel free to pass along this prayer request to anyone that you know...

Mom still needs prayers that her platelets will increase and that her kidneys will function properly. Yesterday, she was a little responsive.  She answered yes and no questions by shaking her head and when dad asked if she wanted to see us, she even opened her eyes.  The doctor said something to the effect that these next 24 hours are critical for her, though... 

Thank you all for praying for our family!  We are so thankful for your love and support for our family.  I'll update again when I can...

Trusting in Him, 

Emily

Update on Mom...

Mom was moved to ICU yesterday.  She is okay but very sick.  They have her on a ventilator to help her relax in her breathing.  She has something down her throat that is trying to help get the fluid off of her lungs.  She was alert earlier when we were there, but now she is pretty sedated.  She can't talk with the thing in her throat but she was able to squeeze our hands. They feel like with her in ICU that the nurse can monitor her better.  I will try to update again soon. 


~Emily (Molly's daughter)

Urgent Prayer Request

Please be praying for mom and the rest of our family...  

Mom had chemo last Monday and on Thursday, she woke up with a terrible sore throat.  She had a reaction to the chemo and it's called chemo mucositis.  She wasn’t able to eat or drink for a few days because of it so she got really dehydrated.  My dad took her to the ER Saturday morning and they said that she was dehydrated and she has pneumonia.  She hasn't eaten since Thursday because it hurts to eat, so she is really weak.  She has been eating ice, but that is definitely not enough.  The goal for the week is to help her throat to feel better, so she can talk without hurting, get her pneumonia under control, and to get her to eat food again. 
Under the circumstances she is doing well but it's hard to see her like this.  They did put her on oxygen yesterday because her throat is extremely swollen, so her breathing levels were up and down.  When we left the hospital last night, she was doing better than when Katie got there earlier, but she said it was pretty scary earlier.  I had something to do all day to keep my mind of everything, so I'm glad I wasn't there at that time.   We have already had quite a few breakdowns.  We have never seen her like this before and it’s really scary.  I know that God is in control of everything that happens, but it’s hard to trust that everything is going to be alright when it feels like everything is falling apart.  

That's about it for now.  Her main doctor comes back today (he has been on vacation), so we will find out more.  I'll keep you updated!  Thank you for all your prayers and concern. 

In Christ,
Emily (Molly's daughter)

Prayer request

I went to my thyroid doctor today and she had run many tests as she usually does. The liver and kidney levels do not look good. The iron level is very high as well. It was 44 last year and this year is 3000. It should be below 100. I've asked Dr. W (the oncologist) about how my kidney and liver were looking in the past and he always says fine. I've never seen the results, just trusted he knew what he was doing. I have been having trouble being anemic for the past week and a half. Things are not improving so I'm going to see him tomorrow. Please pray that my dh and I will have favor with him as we share the results from my thyroid doctor with him. I'm a little nervous about that plus I don't feel well and am tired and emotional. Something has to be done about my kidneys and liver levels though and the iron level as well. My dh said I looked yellow yesterday so my color is off. This is new territory for me and a tad bit scary.

Please pray for our children and that they will rest in the arms of Jesus as we walk through this. I've had a few breakdowns lately and as much as I try to be strong for them, I can only do so much. The reality of all of this hits hard when the Mama can't hold herself together, ya know? 

Thanks for your prayers and I'll update when I can.

Love,

Molly

I am dealing with anemia right now and would appreciate your prayers.

I had a shot of medicine that is suppose to increase your red blood cells last Friday.    I do feel a little better this week, but certainly not how I want to feel.    I'm still weak.    We called the doctor this morning and he says to give it a few more days and if I'm not stronger by next Monday or Tuesday, he wants to check it again.    Please pray that I will feel better and get my strength back.    I'm weary from the different trials I have to encounter after each chemo session.    Since February, I've had a set back each time.   If I'm going to have to do chemo, I sure want to feel better and not just exist.    Pray for my children as well.   They are concerned for me and that I'm not bouncing back.

Blessings,

Molly

Just wanted to share that the CT scan shows the fluid is GONE, there are less cells than last time, and that the radiation on the esophagus is decreasing! This is an answer to my prayer request! God is good!


It was hard for the nurses to find my veins this time, so instead of three sticks, I got five this time. I will be calling in the morning to see about getting a mediport appointment in May for sure. :-) Dr. Walker wants me to stop the inhaler and thinks that is what has been causing me to be so hoarse. Also, the chemo I'm taking causes sinus issues, so it could be that. We'll try dropping the inhaler now that the fluid is less and hope that takes care of the hoarseness. I surely hope so. If you could pray about the hoarseness and that the sinus issues would be minimal that would be great.

I finally got the nerve up to ask the doctor today as I know many of you have asked when will I be finished with chemo. I am on a maintenance dose of chemo on a four week schedule. The type of lung cancer I have responds to this mixture of chemo as long as you stay on the maintenance dose. If you stop the chemo, within four to six weeks, the cancer would multiply rapidly. So, at this point, I will be continuing the maintenance dose . Of course, we are still trusting the Lord for complete healing. As long as I'm not sick with any other illnesses or the chemo tiredness, I am able to function at about 80% of what I used to do, so I am thankful for that. The Lord has helped me through 2.4 years now and I'm trusting him to restore my health and that I will live a long time.

I am thankful for each prayer you have prayed on our behalf! May each of you be blessed for your faithfulness to pray for us.

In Him,

Molly

I'm still here. I'm sorry to have not updated before now, but we had

a hard winter with lots of sickness in our family.   Our family has never been so sick before.   My husband managed to stay well, thank the Lord.    We have variations of the flu, bronchitis, strep throat, pneumonia, sinusitis, and the common cold from mid-February until two weeks ago.   I am still recovering from pneumonia and strep throat, but praise the Lord, I feel better than I did a week ago.    I got very weak from the strep throat because I couldn't eat since my throat hurt so bad.   I have been SO hungry for the past two weeks so I've been trying to eat and drink as much as I can.   It's helping me to get stronger.   I am also on Prednisone so that isn't helping my appetite.   I'm usually not phased by Prednisone, but I have been this time.

I'm really glad to see spring come.   This winter was very hard for me and I've struggled with depression.   Being sick on top of that has left me a little battle weary.   I've not been this low spiritually since all of this began.   I'm trying to read or listen to the Word more often and watching what comes out of my mouth.   I so want to have confidence in what His Word says and that that Truth will nestle deep down inside of me again.   I want it to be life to me again.    Please pray I can get my eyes back on Him and his Word and not on the circumstances.

I will be having a CT scan on Monday to see if the fluid they saw two months ago has gone.    Please pray that it is and that there are no new cancer cells.    Also, please be praying that the radiation that is on my esophagus is gone.   I had radiation in that area back in October and the last CT scan showed it was still there.   That combined with the chemo makes me cough a lot.   I'm praying that they won't find anything and that the Lord will heal me of this dreadful disease.   Cancer changes your life in many ways, some good and some bad.

I do have some praises that are worthy to be mentioned and He deserves the glory for them.    We received a check for a large amount of money a few months ago from a group of people.   I don't know who they are as the card was not signed.   If you were amongst that group of people, THANK YOU for the blessing!!!   It was timely and greatly needed.    We appreciate your generosity so much!    My daughter received the money she needs for the summer school session she has to take, praise God!    The Lord has been blessing my husband with extra work to earn extra money at his job.   That is a huge praise in this economy!   We have many extra expenses with medical bills, food and medicine needs, and of course, as you all are experiencing as well, the cost of living just keeps rising.   We are thankful for his job and that we have very good insurance.    So far this year, my medical charges have been over $200,000 and it's only April.   Thankfully, most of what we have to pay is a $35.00 co-pay and our $1500 deductible, but that does add up quickly when you go to the doctor at least three times a month.    I just have to trust the Lord with all of it because it is way too big for me.  

Thank you for continuing to follow my blog and for your continued prayers for our family!   Please pray that the Lord will heal me completely.   I am trusting Him for that.

God bless you,

Molly

To God Be the Glory!

This week marks two years since I found out I had cancer. I cannot let this time go by without giving Him praise as we stand in awe at what the Lord has done in these past two years. Doctors will tell you all the statistics, etc., but we chose to not listen to them. I AM NOT A STATISTIC in God's eyes and I refuse to listen to the what if's and predictions that the doctors say about my situation. As a friend told me early on in this walk, only God knows the day He will call each of us home. 

One of the things that we've learned through this journey has been to truly be thankful for each day and use it for His glory serving Him, doing His will and walking with Him. Each day is not a guarantee, but truly a gift from above. It's so easy to get caught up on the merry go round of things that life throws at us, that we begin to keep God at arm's length and then He is put further and further away. He wants to be involved in our lives every day, not just when it is convenient or problems arise.

We're also learning that what used to bother or concern us, we just really need to put in the Lord's hands and let Him take care of it. He told us to not worry or have anxiety or fret, but to pray and watch expectantly to see what He will do. He told us numerous times in His word to not be anxious, so I've really tried to pray about things and just release them. With all the extra medical expenses this past year, I've had to really learn to let go of that care. We've been amazed to see His hand move. We were blessed several times with financial gifts because God knew we needed it. He is such a loving and caring God! He really does care about His children and all the details of our lives. I can't tell you how many times I'd receive a call, card, visit, meal, or gift just when I really needed it. Those things just confirmed to me how much He truly loves me. 

We have also learned in the past two years about the power of prayer. We can look back over the past two years and see where His hand has moved in mighty ways. He has answered so many of our prayers I can't remember them all. YOU have been a part of those answered prayers and we are so very thankful for each prayer you've prayed on behalf of our family. This journey isn't just about us. Every person that has been a part of this journey is learning something new about the Lord. This is just an avenue He is using to draw us all closer to Him. How many times have you prayed for us and we got the answer and got excited to see how He answered it? God has been so good to us and He alone deserves all the glory, praise, and honor. 

I am truly thankful to be alive today and to be feeling almost like I did before all this started. Praise Him with me! I do covet your continued prayers that I continue to do well and for complete healing. Pray that our faith will continue to grow as we trust Him with the future. There is still a battle to be fought in the mind, body, and for our faith. Pray that we will obey Him and leave the consequences to Him.

Thank you to each of you that have supported us through these past two years and for walking this journey with us!

Love,

Molly

As I reflect on the past year and look forward to the New Year....

*I wrote this post last January 1, 2010 and re-read it today.   I can't help but re-post it because it says exactly what I would want to say again today as we begin a new year.  I made a few changes and hope you don't mind the re-post.  :-)
**********************************************************************************
As I reflect on the past year and look forward to the New Year..... 


"Now to him who is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work in us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." - Ephesians 3:20-21~

Today on this last day of this year as I reflect on how generous God has been and is to us. As we look back on the year and all that’s happened to us, there are lots of mixed feelings.  We've had our struggles and fears.   We've had heartache and pain.  We have been touched with rest and relief; as well as moments of joy and comfort too. While it’s easy to focus on what has gone wrong, we must refocus on what has gone right. God has joined us and is accompanying us on this journey.  He understands our distress.  He is bringing help in every moment of need.  This is cause for celebration and relief! 

As this year closes and another is about to begin, help me Lord to not  focus just on what has been hard for me. Instead help me find  encouragement and hope in recounting all that has blessed and uplifted me this year. There are more blessings than I can say.  Thank you for seeing us through another year.   While it has been the hardest year of my life, you have been faithful to walk with me through it.   Help me to have an attitude of gratitude, for you have done exceedingly more for us than we could ever imagine.  Thank you, Lord.  Amen.