10.13.07 Debbie’s Update · Oct 16, 07:12 AM
Dear Family and Friends,
Last week, I went with my daughters and my mom to the Cauley Square Tea Room for lunch. As we were finishing our lunch and with tears in her eyes, another waitress rushed up to me and said, “Oh, my lady, I am so glad to see you. You look so wonderful and well (she had seen me when I lost my hair from chemo the first time).” She then proceeded to tell me about losing her husband to cancer when he was 42. She talked about praying for me and having faith in the Lord and how encouraged she was about how well I was doing. And at the very end she looked me right in the eye and said, “You are going to be ok. I feel it in my heart!” Needless to say, we all sat there with tears in our eyes. What an encouragement! She is not the first to make the statement, “You are going to be ok.” But, this time I realized, more deeply, how important we are to each other, how much we need to encourage one another and how without even realizing it our lives speak to those around us, even when we do not know it.
The results are in and the new oncologist is in agreement with the original diagnosis of Stage IV, Metastasized Breast Cancer. There was a brief moment of hope that the cancer had not spread, but after further testing, along with the growing mass under my arm and the increasing pain in my chest, it looks like there is nothing else we can do. The surgeon agreed that further surgery would be pointless at this time and I will be starting my fourth round of chemo this Tuesday (October 16th). The oncologist said there is no medical cure for Breast Cancer, but she chooses to be optimistic because there are many new treatments she can try. So pray for me, for us, as I climb back in the ring to face my opponent (cancer) again.
It was hard to hear the diagnosis again and it is hard to face chemo again, but I continue to choose life. I have talked to several young people lately about how important our choices are. Our son, John, even mentioned his boss speaking to the staff about everyone having two files to choose from, one negative and one positive and I told him that is how it is for me right now. Yes, I have been diagnosed with cancer, but I am choosing to look beyond the cancer to God and to life with my family and friends and no matter what I have to walk through, I will choose to be positive and encourage those around me. Is it hard? Yes. Is it impossible? No. The scriptures tell us nothing is impossible with God.
So, until the Lord intervenes, I am moving forward in faith. Thanks for walking with me on this journey.
Blessings,
Debbie
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Mom, I love you so much. I wish I could get in the ring with you and fight by your side, but it seems that all I can do is cheer you on from the sidelines. I will never stop cheering you on. Let me me know if there is anything I can do for you.
— Sarah · Oct 16, 08:24 AM · #
Debbie: Confio en tu determinación a salir adelante y la fuerza que Dios te esta enviando para lograrlo. Junto con Joseph son un verdadero ejemplo de Amor. Recibe un fuerte abrazo y mis deseos de una pronta recuperación por milagrosa que ella deba ser. Estas en mis oraciones Ana Maria
— Ana Maria · Oct 16, 09:28 AM · #
Cuando leemos tu determinación y la de Joseph de seguir en la lucha, sabemos que Dios es maravilloso y que no importa por lo que estemos pasando, el siempre nos guarda y nos da las fuerzas necesarias para continuar.
Los amamos mucho
— mario y yolanda · Oct 16, 09:34 AM · #
gracias Sarah, Ana Maria. Gracias Mario y Yolanda…también estamos orando para ustedes…los amamos y sabemos que Dios los cuidará y llevará por medio de este tiempo de transción.
— Joseph · Oct 16, 03:15 PM · #
Debbie you are in my thoughts and prayers. I praise the Lord that He is touching lives through you. You are a great inspiration to me. I very much appreciate your honesty and transparency. It helps me to look beyond my own situation, and confirm that God is in control. He loves us, and wants the best for us.
— Kimberly · Oct 16, 03:22 PM · #
Patricia and I are cheering and praying.
— Steve · Oct 16, 03:33 PM · #
thanks Kim… she is laying down and resting. I’ll tell her to check this and respond to you all when she gets up. When she was in the office today, she met two other couples, in which BOTH the wife and the husband were getting cancer treatment. We have much to be thankful for.
j
— Joseph · Oct 16, 04:40 PM · #
(Ding!) ROUND 4…......Thanks, guys. I am home now…weak but not too bad. The nurse said I might have some trouble sleeping tonight, which is what I experienced with the previous treatments. The one side affect I don’t look forward to is losing my hair again…but it’s just hair right? And there are a lot of neat hats out there. I feel the Lord’s presence. Joseph and I had a precious time with Him this morning in our quiet time and His grace has carried me throughout the day. I have received many encouraging calls and emails today…what precious friends I have been given. Thank you for joining me in this journey. God is good! Blessings, Deb
— Debbie Holbrook · Oct 16, 05:13 PM · #
What an encouragement to hear of your journey.
The fight isn’t over and only God can give you such will
and strength. We admire you both!
We continue praying for you,
Love,
Paco and Claude
— Paco and Claude · Oct 16, 06:04 PM · #
Debbie..you are always in our hearts and prayers, don’t give up! God has a lot of things in store for you still!
He is good and His mercies are forever.
Love you much
Ruben & Natty
— Natty & Ruben Suarez · Oct 16, 06:36 PM · #
We are standing with you that indeed “you will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living” Love, D&D
— Dennis & Dee · Oct 16, 06:43 PM · #
Querida Debbie,
Todo mi carino y apoyo en estos momentos.
Un abrazo
Aurora
— aurora morcillo · Oct 16, 07:43 PM · #
hi all, we are watching Lord of the Rings III, the one where Gandalf falls into the black hole with the demon…as he falls, he grabs his sword with firm intention and goes down fighting…if we are going down…we are going down fighting for good!
si vamos a caer..vamos a caer luchando por lo bueno…
gracias doctora Morcillo… tus palabras son muy animante para mi..
joseph
— joseph · Oct 16, 07:55 PM · #
Debbie,
We continue to lift you up to the Lord Who loves you. He will give you the strength to go through this. And what’s a little hair? Bill’s doing fine without his!
Bill & Terri
— Bill & Terri · Oct 16, 09:18 PM · #
hehehe… thanks Terri… I think Deb is sexy without hair, even if she does not believe it.
— joseph · Oct 16, 10:04 PM · #
Debbie,
All of the Simpson family, as well as Covenant Church of Mobile, sends our love to you and want you to know of our continued prayer and agreement with you in faith for healing. You and your family mean so much to us.
In Jesus,
Stephen Simpson
— Stephen Simpson · Oct 16, 10:29 PM · #
Islands Community Church joins all who love you both for God’s radiance to cover you.
— Douglas Patterson · Oct 17, 12:34 AM · #
Debbie, We’re joining our prayers with everyone together believing God for a continued miracle of healing. Our house church here in Paris will be praying, too.
Andrew Howell
— Andrew Howell · Oct 17, 03:18 AM · #
Deb,
You are still my teacher; thank you for the lessons of faith that you are still teaching me. You are continually in our prayers. Our church; New Hope Community Fellowship is praying for you both. “JESUS LOOKED AT THEM AND SAID, WITH MAN THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE, BUT WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.” AMEN!
— Gary Holman · Oct 17, 07:07 AM · #
Deb,I am proud to know you! Keep up the good fight! Gideon didn’t need an army to win the battle. Count me as a prayer warrior. (And you don’t need hair to look gorgeous.) Martha
— Martha Martin · Oct 17, 07:34 AM · #
You are setting a wonderful example to all of us on how to face challenges with faith in God. I will praying for you!
— Astrid · Oct 17, 10:03 AM · #
Debbie,
Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers daily. Like Sarah, we wish we could fight for you, but we know we can pray, and we continue on. Hang in there, you’re doing great!
Much love from Africa.
— Micah · Oct 17, 11:04 AM · #
hi friends, you don’t know how much your thoughts and kind words mean to both of us. I’m at school, and Deb is at home spending time with little Alex (our grandson). I believe she plans to get in here and respond to your notes… I’ll give you a preview: she woke up this AM without pain for the first time since we returned from Brazil…apparently, this treatment is very effective. Thanks again!
— joseph · Oct 17, 11:25 AM · #
Debbie,
It was wonderful to hear your voice yesterday. I admire you so much for your strength, courage, and faith. You, and your family, are in my thoughts and prayers.
— Kay · Oct 17, 03:29 PM · #
Hi Debbie & Joseph,
Our prayers are with you. May God give you strength to “fight the good fight of the faith”. Love, David & Polly
— David & Polly · Oct 18, 10:09 AM · #
For this moment, may the Lord pour out a double portion of mercy and peace on you both. His lovingkindness sustain you and uplift you. May He send His healing word that does not return to HIm void, but accomplishes the purposes for which He sent it.
In our prayers daily,
Ed & Angela Flores
— Edward F. Flores · Oct 18, 08:39 PM · #
Thought a quote from today’s Experiencing God, Day by Day might be appropriate:
“When you are in the midst of your trials, your Lord will reveal His character to you in ways you never knew. You will experience His strong and comforting presence. Like Job, you will learn that your Lord will remain, even when everyone else abandons you. You will see God more clearly as He take you through the dark times. Then you will experience God in ways you had previously only heard about from others.”
Job 42:5 “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, But now my eye sees You.”
I am praying that you experience God on your way to healing.
Blessings, Neill
— Neill Walker · Oct 18, 10:02 PM · #
thanks Neill … this week has been a little bit like the week from hell … Debbie starting feeling much better the next day (decreased pain) but then there were other issues that arose with the insurance company. And I developed an abscessed tooth and am eating percoset and anti-biotics…I just LOVE the vally of the shadlow of death! that is where the Lord’s prsence is so sweet…
— joseph · Oct 19, 08:03 AM · #
Hi Debbie…we are praying and lifting you up to the Lord His grace is sufficient for you. Love Bill & Cristina
— Bill & Cristina Carp · Oct 19, 07:55 PM · #
we appreciate your prayers … she is feeling really bad today with flu-like symptoms, probably a reaction to the injection she had on Wed. Her temp is gradually creeping upwards … if it passes 100.5, we will be calling the doctor.
— joseph · Oct 20, 02:53 PM · #
Hi guys, The chemo went fine on Tuesday, but when I had the Neulasta shot on Wednesday, I started feeling rough and as of today (Saturday) am sick in bed with a low fever and the worse case of flu-like symptoms I have ever had. Thank you for your continued prayers and uplifting words. Thank God for His grace. Blessings, Debbie
— Debbie · Oct 20, 03:07 PM · #
Deb,
Cada paso que tu tomas en ésta jornada, nuestro Señor te lleva en sus brazos de amor tierno y fuerte. No temas porque el te carga. Mateo 11:28-29.
Recibe nuestro apoyo y amor,
Ed & Angela Flores
— Edward F. Flores · Nov 10, 12:09 AM · #
Debbie,
My prayers are with you.
love
Aurora
— aurora morcillo · Nov 11, 08:21 PM · #
Debbie
I am praying for you. You are so strong.
With love
Melinda
— Melinda Harper · Nov 24, 07:42 PM · #