Need a Hero? Psalm 33 · Feb 3, 09:03 AM
16-22: There is no king saved by the multitude of a host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. A horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength. Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
Our soul waits for the LORD: he is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.
There are times when all we can do is cry out to the Lord and trust that He will help us. The first week of December was like that for me. The chemo and the shot hit me so hard that I wasn’t sure I could make it. I was sick in bed for about nine days with incredible pain and nausea from the drugs. 
I finally cried out to the Lord and told him I needed His help and He had mercy on me, just as I would run to one of my grandchildren if they cried out in pain. With His help, and that of my dear husband and children, I pulled through.
When I saw the oncologist I explained what had happened and she gave me a new medicine to help with the nausea that includes a steroid that helps with the pain. She told me that some people scream from the pain that is caused by the shot. The new med has made such a difference in the last couple of treatments. I am actually able to function after my treatments and don’t require as much time in bed. The symptoms are bearable now. Thank God!
Some good news is that the doctor allowed me to skip the treatment in mid-December and I was able to go to Ohio with my family to celebrate Christmas with them and I felt good. We had a wonderful time seeing everyone again and we celebrated Joseph’s parent’s 60th Anniversary! We spent Christmas Eve with my mom and family and we had a nice time.
The whole time was a gift to me. Then in mid-January (at my request) our family went camping at Lion Country Safari KOA and had a spectacular time.
The camp ground is right next to the Safari, so we could hear the lions roaring in the mornings. The grandchildren loved it, especially when we had to stop and let the zebras and rhinos cross the road in front of us or the ostrich came up to the window to look in.
I had had chemo and shot just a couple of days before the trip, but because of the new meds, I was able to enjoy the whole time and even helped set up the campsite! I spent a couple of days in bed when we returned, but overall everything went great.
My doctor is encouraged right now because my tumor markers (which tell how many cancer cells are in your blood) have dropped down from 50 to around 30 (which is within a normal range) and she feels no evidence of the tumor that was under my left arm. We should know the results of a recent PET scan soon to determine if the chemo has made any changes to the tumors in other parts of my body. Our daughter, Sarah, was with me
and asked if there had been any changes in the statistics for someone with Stage IV Metastasized Cancer in the last three years since the original prognosis was 18 months and sometimes up to five years and she said, “Yes, as a matter of fact we are beginning to see some patients live as long as 10 years. It is encouraging to know that in three short years there has been that much change. The other question we asked was if/when I would be able to take a break from the chemo.
This answer was not as encouraging because the answer is ‘never’ at this point. The doctor said this specific type of cancer has a triple negative for receiving hormone therapy so I will need to stay on the chemo indefinitely to hold the cancer in check. This was hard news for me to take and I would certainly appreciate your prayers on this. So, far I am dealing with it by being thankful that I am still alive and by continuing to take one day at a time. Isn’t that what we all have to do anyway…take one day at a time and trust God? I hope you are trusting Him as you walk through your own trials. He is so faithful! He’s my Hero!
Blessings, Debbie
Comment
Commenting is closed for this article.
Oh! Teach us to live well! Pslam 90 God makes everything come out right! Psalm 103
Thanks Debbie for your courage! I am praying for you.
— Michael Tomko · Feb 3, 05:07 PM · #
oh debbie
god is truly our hero and our ever present help, our thougts, prayers and love are SO with you. may jesus be lifted up and praised!!
— catherine · Feb 3, 05:38 PM · #
Debbie, You are amazing in a Rebecca Petrie way. Others are probably already saying to someone else that she is amazing in a Debbie Holbrook way. hope I get to see you next weekend.
— Dennis & Dee · Feb 3, 05:38 PM · #
I love you mom! Just thought I’d say that.
— sarah morgado · Feb 4, 09:00 AM · #
Its a great and beautiful morning, and you certainly help to make it so.
— Tom · Feb 4, 09:50 AM · #
The depth of your faith and strength of character is a great inspiration to all of us.
Patti and Michael
— Michael · Feb 4, 10:19 AM · #
Debbie, you are such an inspiration! please know you are in our prayers, may God continue giving you strength.
Remember ““your life is in His hands”.
Natty & Ruben
we love you
— Natty & Ruben Suarez · Feb 4, 10:22 AM · #
Hi Debbie, I’m not sure if you and your husband remember me, but I have been lifting you in prayer as Jane Biggs keeps me updated on your progress. I am very glad she gave me your site so I can keep it in my favorites and check up on you. It is evident that the joy of the Lord is your strength as well as your entire family. Every moment in life is precious and how easy we can take things for granted. I will continue to believe with you and your family for God’s blessing and His Word to be made manifest in your body. May He continue to shine His face upon you! Blessings in His love, Lois O’Campo
— Lois O'Campo · Feb 4, 10:58 AM · #
Thank you all for being such a great support to me through this time. I love you all…Debbie
— Debbie Holbrook · Feb 4, 12:22 PM · #
HI Debbie; you are certainly one of my heroes! Thank you for your openness, honesty, and God seeking heart. Your faithfulness is a tremendous inspiration. You and your whole family continue to be regularly in my thoughts and prayers.
— Randy Reinhardt · Feb 4, 12:40 PM · #
hey Randy! thanks for your kind comments. Debbie is a reluctant blogger…I have to nudge her a little to get her in here…but it is so encouraging to receive these comments.
How are you?
— joseph · Feb 4, 02:42 PM · #
We will continue to pray for you, Debbie, and hope that there will come a time when the doctors will decide that chemo is no longer necessary. May God’s blessing on you and your family be over and above all that you have endured.
Dan
— Dan & Patti Crute · Feb 4, 07:30 PM · #
A peace and surreal presence came into the room as I opened your site.
Jesus in the music said, “I am hope, your hope, your comfort and peace in the midst of this and all storms.”
You have a mighty arm; strong is Your hand, Your right hand is soaring high. Ps 89:13
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch forth Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me. Ps 138:
— Jim Bulkley · Feb 4, 07:39 PM · #
Thanks for the update Debbie. It’s great to see His faithfulness all along! We’ll continue to pray for you and the challenges you’re facing. It’s also great to see Curi Mami keeping you company! Thank you for taking care of her. It means a lot to me. We miss you all so much. Love you!!!
— Liza · Feb 5, 05:52 AM · #
As you always have been to me Debbie, again such a true inspiration of what it really means to love the Lord with all of your heart and to trust him with all~
— kristin · Feb 5, 08:35 AM · #
Damos gloria a Dios, porque sabemos que Él en su misericordia nos da fuerzas. Seguiremos orando por ustedes para que esta lucha los lleve a una victoria total. Han sido ejemplo valioso para nuestras vidas. Los amamos mucho.
mario y yolanda.
— mario y yolanda · Feb 5, 11:24 AM · #
Debbie, I’m really touched by the courage and faith you have as you do through this time of hardship. It is a big encouragement to me. Your faith will not go unrewarded. God is a gracious and giving god. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
— Grace-Ann · Feb 5, 12:48 PM · #
thanks for your kind words Grace-Ann (Joseph here). How is life in the Big Apple? We miss you down here.
— joseph · Feb 5, 01:47 PM · #
hi folks…
Deb was real tired today and her blood sugar was very high (thanks to the chemo and the steroids)
but the good news is that in the pet scan it appears that not only the tumors under her arm, but also the tumors in her breastbone and in the spinal column have shrunk and disappeared.
we are thinking positive thoughts here….
— joseph · Feb 5, 11:13 PM · #
Dear Debbie: I am so blessed each time I open and read your updates. Your website is truly a holy experience! We are praying for you.
Oliver and Mary Heath
— Mary Heath · Feb 5, 11:52 PM · #
Yeah for the pet scan!!!
Your words are a reminder to see each day as precious…thanks for our growing friendship!
love, Jane
— Jane Lopez De Victoria · Feb 6, 04:33 PM · #
Debbie,
I will not take up the space to quote Psalm 71:5,9,16,18, but please read them in the UKJV if possible. My wife and I keep you in our prayers. She almost left for Heaven in August, 2006 because of Guillain-Barré syndrome. When I had her read your website comments, she immediately said how much she wanted to pray for you. Life this side of Heaven comes with hardships, but our Hero, Our awesome Father has mercies that are new every morning, and His steadfast love never ceases… His lovingkindness is better than life. May you be blessed by His presence and His words that accomplish the purposes for which He sends them tailor-made just for you.
Our love and prayers,
Ed & Angela Flores
Dallas, Texas
— Edward F. Flores · Feb 6, 07:58 PM · #
Thanks for including the beautiful pictures of you and your family. when I saw them my thoughts were “Love is at work here”. May He who is love continue His good work in you.
Love, Jack
— Jack Kopechek · Feb 6, 07:58 PM · #
Yes, that puts it nicely…“love is at work here.” What a beautiful tapestry He is weaving in all of our lives…Debbie
— Debbie Holbrook · Feb 6, 09:48 PM · #
Debbie, I love you; we are praying for you. Continue to fight the good fight!
— Gary & Tammy Holman · Feb 6, 10:27 PM · #
You are such a beautiful, strong, woman of faith! You are a hero to all of us! It was so wonderful to spend time with you and Joseph the other week! You looked wonderful, and your spirits were amazing! Jesse sends his love. You are in our thoughts and prayers! Thanks for sharing this blog with us!
Love,
Kay and Jesse
— Kay Logan · Feb 7, 09:36 AM · #
Debbie, thanks for having the courage to share as you are going through this. I send my love and want you to know that you are in my prayers. The Son is shining on you.
— Grace McGee · Feb 7, 09:55 AM · #
Dear Debbie and Joseph I have changed my e-mail address and want to make sure that I stay in contact with you. Please keep us on the list. Thanks and blessings, Robbie
— Robbie and Mary-Ann Parker · Feb 7, 11:02 AM · #
Dear Debbie, You truly are a hero! Of course Jesus is the Main One, but He is using you to speak to so many people. You are so beautiful and encouraging and honest and trusting the Lord as your all in all… We love you and continue to pray for you. We would love to have you come visit us out here in the mountains. What a great retreat for us all! Loving and trusting our Lord together with you, Polly and David
— Polly Uher · Feb 9, 04:19 PM · #
How precious to see how you are treasuring every single moment with your family. The pictures show the love and support they are to you. The bibles talks about the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. That is what I see, when I see your pictures. How the Lord has preserve that in you, in spite of everything that you are going through! Only He can do that! You are certaintly a very blessed women!! Psalm 119:49&50 says: Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope. My comfort is this: Your promise preserves my life. Psalm 31:14: But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God. My times are in your hands.”
There is nothing like His word! Hope to see you soon. Praying for you & the family. My husband says hello.
Love,
Marien
— marien guillen · Feb 9, 11:28 PM · #
Dear Debbie and Joseph,
You are true champions and a great example to me.
You are in my prayers.
Love you,
Daisy
— Daisy Salazar · Feb 10, 07:17 PM · #