I could use prayers! I’m a mom to 8 ages 1-14. I’ve been fighting neuroendocrine carcinoma for 16 months, and now we are seeing progression. I just started a new immunotherapy and I need it to work. I need to be here for my babies. I’m really struggling mentally , and emotionally. My husband is only able to work part time and we are struggling. It’s been really hard.
SO many prayers, Becky. Thank you for sharing your situation with us so we can pray - and sharing your lists so we can send some tangible support, too. Hoping that immunotherapy will bring good things, and soon.
Becky- two items from your personal wishlist will be enroute soon. I pray you are able to keep feeding your heart and mind as your body engages this battle. The body does keep the score and we must tend to all its parts. Prayers for stamina and peace that surpasses understanding.
Prayers for a friend of a friend whose son hemorrhaged after a tonsillectomy and was without a pulse for almost 30 min. They are waiting for doctors to determine if his brain has any function left 😭 He is 8.
Lord, have mercy. An utter nightmare. Praying so hard for this family and their loss. Thank you for sharing this with us; I am holding them close in prayer.
My mom is nearing the end of life. My sister and I are in charge of so many decisions, including choices we never thought we’d have to make. To enter hospice as a private pay insurer (does not have MA), is an amount that our family just does not have. So as well as dealing with grief, is the financial hardship. It’s just too much. Prayers are so appreciated.
Oh, Cindi. This is heartbreaking. I am so sorry. Praying for you and your sister and your whole family - and your mom as she nears the end. May there be a way where there seems to be no way.
I can use prayers, too. No major health crises, no fires, no major (capital T) Trauma; there is, however, a low-level pervasive trauma that makes it hard to re-engage as fully with life as I'd like. Over the past several years a dear friend has died from cancer, parents and family have have been unsupportive in some hurtful ways, and even volunteering for a significant project turned into a thankless task. The lack of kindness all around adds to hopeless feelings. I hear God saying "Trust Me" to begin again and to put trust in people, yet the hurt and pain is hard, leaving me skeptical. Would you please pray for me to gain courage, resilience, and trust, to see the good in some, even when others have hurt me?
And thank you, Laura, for being compassionate with US, too--this is a beautiful way to share compassion!
Jennifer, I am so sorry. The accumulation of hard after hard can make it feel like you're trudging through mud. Praying for God's strength and comfort to draw near and stay close - and for you to know that the good you are putting into the world, no matter how small it might seen, is rippling out in ways that matter, deeply.
Trust can be so very hard. I will pray that each day God shows you clearly one of His constant goods and this leads you to a small declaration of trust in Him. And may those daily declarations snowball.
God bless you and may your receptivity to His grace be restored and renewed. It is not an easy place, I know.
My kids' (young) teacher grew up in Pacific Palisades. She lost both her parents and had most of her physical reminders of them stored at her aunt's house, also in the Palisades. That house, along with other family homes, were lost in the fire. Also, the parish and parish school that she attended and taught at were destroyed. She and her family, and their parish community, could use your prayers while they sift through the rubble for anything that might be salvageable and begin to rebuild their lives.
Arlene, I am storming heaven for both of you! No limits to what God can do, but some days it feels like no limit to our suffering here-below, too. May God make a way for your son where there seems to be no way. And may your scans be clear today.
Not sure why it is so hard for some. Met a young woman in the mall who was homeless. All her stuff in a shopping cart. Gave her money thinking life shouldn’t be this hard
My cousin fell off a roof while working (he’s a builder) back in early November. He broke several ribs and his neck, so he’s been out of work since then. He’s on the mend, but prayers would be appreciated that his neck stays in alignment and that he’s able to get back to work soon. We have a GoFundMe set up for him, if anyone is able to contribute. The donations go directly to helping take care of him and to paying the bills during this time as he’s out of work: https://www.gofundme.com/f/f4svy-support-matt-gauthiers-long-road-to-recovery. Thank you so much, and may God bless you all abundantly!
Oh my goodness, what an awful accident. Thank God your cousin is on the mend, but what a long road of recovery. Will be holding him and his healing and his family in pray. And thank you for sharing his GoFundMe!
A couple of months after my DIEP flap reconstruction, my precious 1 year old kicked me in the shiny new breast and it left a large, hard, walnut sized knot/lump for several months. Two and a half years later, it has softened!
I also had a lump in my sternum about a year ago that had me also writing my own obituary. My radiologist, who 2 years before was the one to tell me with tears in his own eyes that is was very positive I had cancer, did the ultrasound for this new lump. His eyes brightened and he looked at me and said, "Definitely not cancer. Your rib mobilized and is poking through your sternum!" I called my husband and mom and everyone else and chirped the same happy news, "No cancer! My rib is just poking through my sternum!" Cancer survival is a perspective shift, for sure ha.
I need you to know that my husband and I both GUFFAWED at this when we read it, because only cancer survivors could rejoice at "only my rib poking through my sternum!" Lord, have mercy.
And thank you for sharing about your DIEP flap reconstruction too. It really helps me to hear how others' complications have turned out ok. Even when I wouldn't wish this on anyone!
Laura, your description of compassion versus sympathy is 💯 spot on (and hilarious). Thank you. So good. I’m so pleased to know that your scare turned out to be nothing more than a fatty little bugger. I would like to encourage the compassion brigade to pray for and, if possible, support Jeremy Zavitz and Family. Jeremy helped shape my sons and was the most impactful educator they’ve had. His humor and kindness and openness endeared him to my children and many more. He is now in hospice and preparing to say goodbye to his wife and young son and the beautiful community he has created. Thank you to the brigade for sending some love and prayers his way. https://www.caringbridge.org/site/117ff6a1-e934-31f3-9ca0-4953062dc726/post/dd5aa573-c2e0-4c64-aac7-cef8f53e9a70?utm_source=amazonses&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=jen_new_journal
Loran, thank you so much for sharing this. I do not know Jeremy in person, but I was so moved by his commencement speech last year that I watched online. I could see even in those few moments what an impactful teacher he must be. Sending so many prayers for him and his family and all who love them.
I’m a fellow fat necrosis buddy, Laura. I ended up having a big lump taken out of my diep flap about six months after my double mastectomy, and thankfully it was benign. Two years out, my “new” breasts are having regular mammograms and MRIs… I thought that would end post surgery, but apparently not. I have a huge amount of pain associated with mine. If that happens to you, see your surgeon about getting help for that. I’m praying for you this morning!!
Lisa, thank you SO much for sharing your experience! I hate that you went through this, too. But it (weirdly?) helps to know others' stories to hear how this can pan out. And I'm so sorry to hear that you have had pain from it too. UGH. Cancer is such a jerk. Praying for and with you on this journey. (And since I know we share something much more delightful too, GO IRISH!)
My family can use prayer. My baby brother (30) unexpectedly and tragically passed away this past weekend. He was an excellent doctor and uncle to our 4 boys. Please pray for the repose of his soul
Madelynn, I am so deeply sorry for your enormous loss. Your brother sounds like an incredible person. Thank you for sharing his life with us. Keeping him and you and all who love him close in prayer. He shares a birthday with my youngest, so I will continue to pray for all of you then as well. May God draw near and stay close.
Honestly, that opening paragraph was like one of those roller coasters for the little kids at the county fair and I never even liked those, so all that to say I’m really really really glad you are still cancer free.
This is tiny, but here in Florida, one of our lovely local Catholic schools has to close on the West Coast due to insurmountable hurricane damage. Tiny saints is running a contest right now for an entire school to win tiny saint keychains. They are in their last semester right now, and doggone it, I just want them to win. This is a simple quick click to vote.
St. John Vianney Catholic school on Saint Pete Beach.
Prayers for our brothers and sisters who have no home. We have shelters in our town who do their best to care for their needs. A men’s shelter and a women’s shelter which allows children as well provide a warm home and meals as well as fellowship. As they transition to housing when it becomes available their greatest need is a bed. Facing this transition without this basic need is an overwhelming hurdle. Some families cannot accept the offer of housing if they have no bed for the children because child protective services requires that every child have a bed. Our local parishes have started a program by which we can fund the purchase of a bed for those leaving the shelters. This is a tangible way in which we can show them the care and provision of Christ. Folks who give do not need to be in the position to purchase a whole bed but can give any amount they want. We’re all able to and are called to help when we can. If anyone would like to participate they can do so:
I could use prayers! I’m a mom to 8 ages 1-14. I’ve been fighting neuroendocrine carcinoma for 16 months, and now we are seeing progression. I just started a new immunotherapy and I need it to work. I need to be here for my babies. I’m really struggling mentally , and emotionally. My husband is only able to work part time and we are struggling. It’s been really hard.
We do have a wishlist for family needs/birthday gifts https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/DQ0H8O8DZPRS/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_2
And my personal wishlist https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3KXWAAURE47XH?ref_=list_d_wl_lfu_nav_6. 💗💗
SO many prayers, Becky. Thank you for sharing your situation with us so we can pray - and sharing your lists so we can send some tangible support, too. Hoping that immunotherapy will bring good things, and soon.
Thank you 💗
Praying alongside the others, Becky!
🙏
I'll be praying for you, Becky!
I gotcha. ❤️
Becky, email me if I can buy your family dinner. Karendegiorgis@gmail.com
Prayers are en route.
Becky- two items from your personal wishlist will be enroute soon. I pray you are able to keep feeding your heart and mind as your body engages this battle. The body does keep the score and we must tend to all its parts. Prayers for stamina and peace that surpasses understanding.
Prayers for a friend of a friend whose son hemorrhaged after a tonsillectomy and was without a pulse for almost 30 min. They are waiting for doctors to determine if his brain has any function left 😭 He is 8.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/prayers-and-support-for-joes-healing?attribution_id=sl%3A562c7fac-6360-493c-8049-701a1592fdef&lang=en_US&utm_campaign=man_sharesheet_dash&utm_content=amp13_t1&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=facebook
Lord, have mercy. An utter nightmare. Praying so hard for this family and their loss. Thank you for sharing this with us; I am holding them close in prayer.
Annelise, I have just read his updates on the GoFund Me link. My prayers are with his family. Thank you for sharing the link to support them.
Praying as I write this for this entire family and medical team!
This is tragic. I'll be praying for him and his family!
My mom is nearing the end of life. My sister and I are in charge of so many decisions, including choices we never thought we’d have to make. To enter hospice as a private pay insurer (does not have MA), is an amount that our family just does not have. So as well as dealing with grief, is the financial hardship. It’s just too much. Prayers are so appreciated.
Praying for you and your sister, Cindi!
🙏
Oh, Cindi. This is heartbreaking. I am so sorry. Praying for you and your sister and your whole family - and your mom as she nears the end. May there be a way where there seems to be no way.
I can use prayers, too. No major health crises, no fires, no major (capital T) Trauma; there is, however, a low-level pervasive trauma that makes it hard to re-engage as fully with life as I'd like. Over the past several years a dear friend has died from cancer, parents and family have have been unsupportive in some hurtful ways, and even volunteering for a significant project turned into a thankless task. The lack of kindness all around adds to hopeless feelings. I hear God saying "Trust Me" to begin again and to put trust in people, yet the hurt and pain is hard, leaving me skeptical. Would you please pray for me to gain courage, resilience, and trust, to see the good in some, even when others have hurt me?
And thank you, Laura, for being compassionate with US, too--this is a beautiful way to share compassion!
Jennifer, I am so sorry. The accumulation of hard after hard can make it feel like you're trudging through mud. Praying for God's strength and comfort to draw near and stay close - and for you to know that the good you are putting into the world, no matter how small it might seen, is rippling out in ways that matter, deeply.
Thank you, Laura. This is the kind of stuff I need to hear, over and over it seems. I so appreciate your words!
Trust can be so very hard. I will pray that each day God shows you clearly one of His constant goods and this leads you to a small declaration of trust in Him. And may those daily declarations snowball.
God bless you and may your receptivity to His grace be restored and renewed. It is not an easy place, I know.
Raine, thank you. These words are precious. Today's one of God's goods that's increasing trust is hearing these words from you, a stranger.
🙏
My kids' (young) teacher grew up in Pacific Palisades. She lost both her parents and had most of her physical reminders of them stored at her aunt's house, also in the Palisades. That house, along with other family homes, were lost in the fire. Also, the parish and parish school that she attended and taught at were destroyed. She and her family, and their parish community, could use your prayers while they sift through the rubble for anything that might be salvageable and begin to rebuild their lives.
Lord, have mercy. What a nightmare. Holding her close in prayer. Thank you for sharing so we can rally in prayer for her.
Nicole, I am praying for your kids' teacher <3
For my grown son who is feeling sad and lonely and has no job
And for clear scans for me on Monday. Not that God has a limit to how many prayers we can offer up, but man. All the prayers for my son please
Arlene, I am storming heaven for both of you! No limits to what God can do, but some days it feels like no limit to our suffering here-below, too. May God make a way for your son where there seems to be no way. And may your scans be clear today.
Thank you for doing what you do. I love how real you keep things
And thanks for all the prayers
Prayers for both of you, Arlene 🙏🙏
Not sure why it is so hard for some. Met a young woman in the mall who was homeless. All her stuff in a shopping cart. Gave her money thinking life shouldn’t be this hard
My cousin fell off a roof while working (he’s a builder) back in early November. He broke several ribs and his neck, so he’s been out of work since then. He’s on the mend, but prayers would be appreciated that his neck stays in alignment and that he’s able to get back to work soon. We have a GoFundMe set up for him, if anyone is able to contribute. The donations go directly to helping take care of him and to paying the bills during this time as he’s out of work: https://www.gofundme.com/f/f4svy-support-matt-gauthiers-long-road-to-recovery. Thank you so much, and may God bless you all abundantly!
Oh my goodness, what an awful accident. Thank God your cousin is on the mend, but what a long road of recovery. Will be holding him and his healing and his family in pray. And thank you for sharing his GoFundMe!
A couple of months after my DIEP flap reconstruction, my precious 1 year old kicked me in the shiny new breast and it left a large, hard, walnut sized knot/lump for several months. Two and a half years later, it has softened!
I also had a lump in my sternum about a year ago that had me also writing my own obituary. My radiologist, who 2 years before was the one to tell me with tears in his own eyes that is was very positive I had cancer, did the ultrasound for this new lump. His eyes brightened and he looked at me and said, "Definitely not cancer. Your rib mobilized and is poking through your sternum!" I called my husband and mom and everyone else and chirped the same happy news, "No cancer! My rib is just poking through my sternum!" Cancer survival is a perspective shift, for sure ha.
I need you to know that my husband and I both GUFFAWED at this when we read it, because only cancer survivors could rejoice at "only my rib poking through my sternum!" Lord, have mercy.
And thank you for sharing about your DIEP flap reconstruction too. It really helps me to hear how others' complications have turned out ok. Even when I wouldn't wish this on anyone!
Laura, your description of compassion versus sympathy is 💯 spot on (and hilarious). Thank you. So good. I’m so pleased to know that your scare turned out to be nothing more than a fatty little bugger. I would like to encourage the compassion brigade to pray for and, if possible, support Jeremy Zavitz and Family. Jeremy helped shape my sons and was the most impactful educator they’ve had. His humor and kindness and openness endeared him to my children and many more. He is now in hospice and preparing to say goodbye to his wife and young son and the beautiful community he has created. Thank you to the brigade for sending some love and prayers his way. https://www.caringbridge.org/site/117ff6a1-e934-31f3-9ca0-4953062dc726/post/dd5aa573-c2e0-4c64-aac7-cef8f53e9a70?utm_source=amazonses&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=jen_new_journal
Loran, thank you so much for sharing this. I do not know Jeremy in person, but I was so moved by his commencement speech last year that I watched online. I could see even in those few moments what an impactful teacher he must be. Sending so many prayers for him and his family and all who love them.
If anyone wants to support their family via GoFundMe, here's his link via Caring Bridge: https://www.gofundme.com/f/love-and-support-for-jer-maud-and-eddie
Praying for Jeremy and his family <3
I am so, so sorry you had to go through this, Laura!! What a lighthouse you are for all of us. Bless.
Thank you, friend. You are a light to me!
I’m a fellow fat necrosis buddy, Laura. I ended up having a big lump taken out of my diep flap about six months after my double mastectomy, and thankfully it was benign. Two years out, my “new” breasts are having regular mammograms and MRIs… I thought that would end post surgery, but apparently not. I have a huge amount of pain associated with mine. If that happens to you, see your surgeon about getting help for that. I’m praying for you this morning!!
Lisa, thank you SO much for sharing your experience! I hate that you went through this, too. But it (weirdly?) helps to know others' stories to hear how this can pan out. And I'm so sorry to hear that you have had pain from it too. UGH. Cancer is such a jerk. Praying for and with you on this journey. (And since I know we share something much more delightful too, GO IRISH!)
Go Irish ☘️ Love thee Notre Dame!!!
My family can use prayer. My baby brother (30) unexpectedly and tragically passed away this past weekend. He was an excellent doctor and uncle to our 4 boys. Please pray for the repose of his soul
https://everloved.com/life-of/benjamin-ofallon/
Madelynn, I am so deeply sorry for your enormous loss. Your brother sounds like an incredible person. Thank you for sharing his life with us. Keeping him and you and all who love him close in prayer. He shares a birthday with my youngest, so I will continue to pray for all of you then as well. May God draw near and stay close.
Honestly, that opening paragraph was like one of those roller coasters for the little kids at the county fair and I never even liked those, so all that to say I’m really really really glad you are still cancer free.
HA, those mini roller coasters really suck. Excellent analogy! And thank you. I am really, really glad too.
Mmmm “let compassion be your compass,” what a grounding phrase for today and onward…💜
Thank you, friend. Thanks for reminding me on a day when I'm not feeling particularly kind or compassionate either...you know <3
Ummm ditto🫠🫶
This is tiny, but here in Florida, one of our lovely local Catholic schools has to close on the West Coast due to insurmountable hurricane damage. Tiny saints is running a contest right now for an entire school to win tiny saint keychains. They are in their last semester right now, and doggone it, I just want them to win. This is a simple quick click to vote.
St. John Vianney Catholic school on Saint Pete Beach.
https://www.tinysaints.com/pages/csw-promotion?utm_source=Klaviyo&utm_medium=campaign&utm_id=01JHT20NNG9DG2XEM2D6A27KDQ&_kx=U5clpvyRSWI7pbztSQ6f_FcT1k69Tf77yK2Rirsucy3gIXNWwSpfPeZ-JkNfWZ6S.Wtayje&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1SJQWNKJWsY7MqrNkc8_e94xWLd_Q8W0cCUBUQWDuS-dHJqo9kTcVJhlI_aem_5X3eK76kgqYG3X0sDoaM_g
Voted! I used their zip code: 33706 to find the school.
(I graduated from Eckerd College and St. Pete Beach holds a special place in my heart. Thank you for sharing!)
Ahh you do have to enter your email to vote. But it doesn’t take long!
Prayers for our brothers and sisters who have no home. We have shelters in our town who do their best to care for their needs. A men’s shelter and a women’s shelter which allows children as well provide a warm home and meals as well as fellowship. As they transition to housing when it becomes available their greatest need is a bed. Facing this transition without this basic need is an overwhelming hurdle. Some families cannot accept the offer of housing if they have no bed for the children because child protective services requires that every child have a bed. Our local parishes have started a program by which we can fund the purchase of a bed for those leaving the shelters. This is a tangible way in which we can show them the care and provision of Christ. Folks who give do not need to be in the position to purchase a whole bed but can give any amount they want. We’re all able to and are called to help when we can. If anyone would like to participate they can do so:
Https://www.osvhub/triumphofthecross/forms/neighbors