Chemo Kindred

There is no color here. No religiosity. No gender differences. Cancer is no respecter of persons.
Chemotherapy is the common denominator.

West Clinic. Nothing seems changed since previous visits with different friends. 

This Clinic still has dedicated, friendly, capable staff and volunteers. People care for each other---even patient to patient.
Outside, the pond still reflects trees though sun is not shining and most of the branches are bare. Just a few scraggly leaves are holding on.
Inside, patients are holding on awaiting the drip that hopefully will save their lives. Some have been there weeks, others months and even years. But all with hope.

Seasons change. Weather changes. Cancer is the constant. Hope remains.

However, this is the last Tuesday at this location. Lots of emotional detritus will be left here. The good the bad and the ugly as cancer leaves it's mark.
But God .....is in this place. Today I once again saw "the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living."(Psalm 27:13) 

The good news is----God and hope will be at the new location as well. I know because sweet friend Pam will take Him there! 

familiari-TEA

...whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this? (John 11:26, NIV)

Driving to Jones Clinic this morning to deliver some cookies, my mind started spinning. A knot in my stomach began to tighten. The cookies were a simple thank you to those who had been so caring to my friend Claudia for the last  2+ years.

Yet, this was the first time I had been to the clinic since her death 6 weeks ago. Re-entry fear was real. I had never been in the chemo room without her. Would it hold bad memories for me? Would I have an old-fashioned "come apart?"

Instead, I was overwhelmed by the contentment I experienced as I saw the familiar IV poles, big computers, disposable products and trays, the basket of handmade quilts and blankets. Even the Bigelow "tea" station.

My original fear took a back seat to the welcoming familiar smiles of the in-take staff, the lab techs, the nurses, pharmacist and the social worker. Patients filled the recliners. Many were sleeping peacefully as their latest chemotherapy protocol dripped into their veins----a very familiar scene. All still with hope for remission. No finali-TEA for them---not yet. They still have hope for a better tomorrow, this side of heaven. It was Claudia's chair that was unfilled. It's emptiness brought a catch in my throat.

But God....took over in my thoughts. Acceptance of that empty chair came with the reminder that Claudia knew her final destination. How often she reminded me and many at Jones Clinic the truth of John 11:26.

The familiarit-TEA of her voice, with her words of trust, brought the real comfort.
Familiari-TEA such a comfort cuppa.

Waiting Rooms

7/13/10 We have all been in different periods of waiting in our lives---sometimes in actual rooms. Waiting rooms in labor and delivery are fun places to be. Not so much so in an ICU waiting room. Today’s trip to West Clinic to wait for info on Mommar was somewhere in between those beginning and ending extremes.

I’m not sure what I expected---maybe a sterile environment with people slumped in chairs under a spell of self-pity, dwelling on their own sorrow or disappointment. Would there be tears of despondency? I knew there would be tears from brother-in-law Bill. He had cried yesterday during her birthday celebration.

There were lots of different waiting rooms at West clinic---somewhat warm and inviting, especially considering the circumstances. But the room that I saw that seemed to be filled with the most smiles was the one full of the folks in the recliners waiting for the completion of their chemo treatment. Maybe it was because these people had hope that their treatment would give them more tomorrows.

Not only does our sovereign Lord not leave us during a time of suffering, He gives us hope for “better tomorrows.” He gives us a course of action, a place to turn---toward Him. The invitation of Hebrews 4:16 is open to all who are in God’s waiting room. "Let us, therefore, come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." If you are there, in a period of waiting, boldy approach the One who is the Giver of grace and mercy. You will find it in your time of need even as you “wait.”