Chemo Round Ten involved handing out ice cream, rejoicing over final chemos, touching conversations, receiving gifts, and reflecting on some note-worthy parenting.

 

I’m Rhonda, inviting you to peer inside our #danielkickscancer journey, shared with permission by Daniel, my 22 year-old, soccer-loving, Hodgkins Lymphoma-battling son. (logo and photo credit to his sister Alexis)

#danielkickscancer

 

Today was the tenth chemo. Two more to complete the chemotherapy infusion treatment plan and then onto radiation. Our first stop was at Chick Fil A to pick up 40 donated containers of ice cream to share with fellow chemo patients and their guests. Travis, a team leader, carried the box to the car, shook Daniel’s hand, and asked how he was doing.

 

Chemo Round Ten #danielkickscancerChemo Round Ten. #danielkickscancer

 

Thank you, MeiChing at Chick Fil A for the handwritten sign inside the box of ice creams.

“The joy of the Lord is my strength.”

Chemo Oncology nurseIMG_8990

 

Daniel’s port had no clotting and all went very smoothly. This chemo was the fastest ever. Under 5 hours.

IMG_8960 Oncology nurse #danielkickscancer

While his port was being cleaned and accessed, Jim came in our room to check on Daniel. He had great news to share. This would be his wife’s final chemo. Yahoo!  And.. drumroll… his own recent CT scan for cancer came back clear. Yaaadoublehooo!!

Jim shares good news

I thought this news was most certainly worthy of a crazy photo. He wholeheartedly agreed.

Jim got a clear CT scan

Daniel’s fianćee Gabi and I were the lone guests, making it for a quiet day of chemo, Daniel mostly watched sports and rested…

Chemo Round Ten

He occasionally talked and laughed. #mamalike

Chemo Round Ten. #danielkickscancer

This patient had completed her chemo treatments for breast cancer and made sure to say goodbye. We stood at the checkout desk, and through tears and laughter, shared cancer stories. The receptionist was listening from behind her desk, but when she saw tears begin to flow, she got up to embrace this cancer survivor, standing face to face, listening to her emotional journey. Wow. #peopleskills

Chemo Round Ten. Peer into the #danielkickscancer journey through the eyes of his mother. Today we were calm, cool, and collected.

Strong Woman Alert. Her transparency was beautiful, yet gut-wrenching. Knowing her story is a common battle for many cancer-fighting women and desiring her story be helpful to others, she gave permission for me to share. She had gained 60 pounds during chemo, lost all of her hair, and often locked herself in her room, feeling like a “monster.”  Her husband was 100% supportive and loving, gentle and kind, and routinely told her she was beautiful. But reality for her was, when stripped of her outward covering and identity, the effects of cancer wreaked havoc on her emotions. She was embarrassed. She was ashamed to go anywhere and felt alone – even though the reality was she was surrounded by loved ones.

Some tears were from remorse. She shook her head, disappointed in how her self-focus had spiraled out of control, resulting in such a distorted view of herself and the situation.  She now desires to help other women avoid this common path of self-lies and the pitfall resulting in depression. She snapped out of this self-pity in one clear moment – when her husband fell and was injured and her focus was put on caring for him – and she recognized the unconditional love and support that had been right in front of her the whole time.

I just love her heart, transparency, desire to encourage others, and I rejoice with her in the completion of chemo. Please pray for Lisa.

Chemo Round Ten. #danielkickscancer

Handing out ice cream, patient to patient, is a great way to be a blessing to others. But, a far greater benefit is the doors of communication that are opened, giving opportunity to build community, ease fears, and converse in a safe place where others understand.

Chemo Round Ten.

It also provides an avenue to check up on those with whom we’ve shared this cancer-battling journey. This is one such friend. He and his wife have been such encouragers, so upbeat, faithful to ask about Daniel and Gabi. Please pray for our friend Bob.

Chemo Round Ten.

Talking with others allows us to see needs, to encourage those who are receiving chemo for the first time. This man has cancer, and both his wife and daughter are here to support him. His wife was telling us that she is usually super detailed and organized, but when she heard the C word, she didn’t hear a thing past that. Their daughter goes to all appointments with them just to be a second set of ears and to record the details accurately. Please pray for their journey ahead.

Chemo Round Ten.

We have the opportunity to stop and pray with those who are scared. For those whose pain and heartache go beyond cancer. For those who sit alone, and not by choice….having chemo while…signing divorce papers.

Chemo Round Ten.

We are encouraged by others whose stories are much more challenging. This adorable couple radiated with joy, their story moving us to laughter and tears. The wife, in the bright pink shirt, just won her battle with breast cancer. But then… boom… right after that, the husband found out he has testicular cancer. So, here they go again. Isn’t he sweet to let his wife and their friend sit in the big comfy chair intended for those receiving chemo. They said their faith in God is unwavering. What a joy to meet them. Please pray for Tony and Sarah.

Chemo Round Ten.

He showed me a precious video from this morning of one of his two young children, showing how he’s affected by cancer as well. He gave me permission to share it with you.

Chemo Round Ten.

On social media Tony writes:  “Our poor little Cole, seeing His mommy go through cancer and now me. I found him in his bathroom this morning getting ready for school and my first day of chemo, talking to himself and crying. We forget how these types of things affect our kids, God is in control ! Love our sweet boy !!”

Brittany, loving caregiver to her mother Ruth, came into our room sharing the good news that this was her mother’s final chemo. YAHOOO!!! Rejoicing!!  She asked if we like chocolate. What what? Next thing we knew, she handed us a basket of assorted Peterbrooke chocolate covered yumminess. #mamalike. Caring friendships have been made here on the third floor at MD Anderson. Next stop for them – a much needed vacation to visit family. Please pray for them.

Chemo Round Ten. #danielkickscancer

The chemo floor has a few fridges, coffee stations, and even a snack cart with sandwiches, drinks, and chips for cancer patients and their guests. mmmm.

Chemo floor snack cart ice cream for chemo patients

We labeled containers of ice cream for the oncology nurses and the staff and stored them in the freezer.

Once again, as Daniel was finishing his chemo, he grabbed a cup of coffee – not to drink- but to counteract the alcohol smell that triggers the onset of nausea.

Chemo Round Ten. #danielkickscancerChemo Round Ten. The Joy of the Lord is my Strength

I took the traditional photos. One of D and G.. and then one of the three of us. Then we left to go home.

Chemo Round Ten.

But we were stopped in the hall. A precious lady who has been reading the blog felt prompted that very morning to come visit us and offer her home as a place for out-of-town family to stay during chemo treatments. Get this. Because I desperately want you to see how YOU can be used to bless others whom God puts on your heart. Simply expect to hear his voice. Trust the person/idea was from him. Obey – do it.

I knew OF her. I had served alongside her at an Apples of Gold event. (If you’re looking for a Bible study that mentors ladies in practical ways while building friendships, check it out.) I had great respect for her, knew she oozed with hospitality, but did not KNOW her. That was the only time we met, though. And here she was, at chemo, responding to that nudge of the Holy Spirit, generously giving to us. WOW!!

Chemo Round Ten.

We haven’t had out of town visitors for chemo, but I was able to say we would LOVE to take her up on the offer for out-of-town wedding guests. She was more than pleased to share her home for that event.

I was so thrilled for Gabi to be able to experience first hand this outpouring of provisions. Do you recall the post I just did on her wedding prayer journal? You can read it HERE, but if you’re short on time – she has written down needs and desires of her heart for their wedding and is watching as God provides. This unexpected, random gift was another faith-builder.

A gift delivered on the chemo floor

I’m so grateful to be able to trust God and depend on him for all things in life – for the #danielkickscancer journey as well as in wedding planning.

What can you bless someone with today? There are needs all around and God wants to use his people to meet the needs in others.

I hope you’re still reading because this is a big lesson for all parents out there..

Daniel’s friend Chris stopped by when we were on our way out. Today I reflected back on something BIG! Really, a lesson for all of us parents. Wait for it…

Chemo Round Ten.

I reflected back to the year 2004, when Daniel was in fourth grade and had been in a motocross racing accident. He was life-flighted to a hospital where he spent a few weeks recovering.

Daniel fourth grade motocross accident

He got a visit from a boy in his Sunday school class and his mother. They brought a gift bag and a few motocross magazines.

Daniel fourth grade hospital family

I was choked up thinking about how this boy named Chris had been taught by his mother the importance of being there for friends. To be there. To just be. 

How to be there for a friend battling cancer

To be there in fourth grade. To be there during cancer. To be there at graduations. To be comfortable in different situations. To be there for a friend. To just be. (photo above: Sherri and Chris around 4th grade)

Life Long friends sharing the #danielkickscancer journey

Daniel at Chris’ college graduation party with TV screen showing Chris (and Joel) at Daniel’s college graduation.

Reflecting on the importance of teaching our kids to be there for friends. Thanks Sherry, for being a mother intentional to teach your son to be there for his friends.

When we arrived home, Daniel was exhausted. But before snoozing, he had to take his antibiotic for STREP THROAT, crushed in applesauce. He gags on pills.

Chemo Round Ten. strep throat

And I wanted to read to them the Q and A from our local newspaper North Jax Monthly, where a reader had asked for a follow-up from a feature article written on the #danielkickscancer journey.

North Jax Monthly #danielkickscancer

We continue to be amazed at the opportunities given to proclaim God’s faithfulness through cancer and beyond. (Here’s a close up of the Q and A, written by Kandace Lankford.)

north jax monthly #danielkickscancer

And, just like that, he was out… with chocolate gift bag and spit bag close by.

CHemo Round Ten.

But, Gabi and I kept talking. We were so excited about what we see God doing in our lives through this #danielkickscancer journey. Gifts all around. A gift to know him more. Beautiful gifts we would have missed had we not embraced cancer as the tool he chose to refine and grow us. GIfts of hearing you all share specific ways this journey has impacted you. GIfts of time. Gifts of prayer. Gifts galore. We’ll be sharing about these gifts in an upcoming blog post.

Exhausted after chemo

Thank you for being a part of this journey with us. Thank you for praying for Daniel and those you know battling cancer or facing difficulties. I’d love to hear how this story has touched you, encouraged you, helped you in your walk with Christ, or helped you to just be…

Be there for someone. Be used in someone’s life today.

Next week is Nurse Appreciation Week. Got ideas?

Rhonda thankyouforyourprayers ellis

 

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10 Comments
  1. Tonia Haymans

    Prayers for you all!! Your strength and desire to use this situation for God”s glory is awe-inspiring.

    • Rhonda

      Tonia, thank you for your encouragement and prayers. We are so very grateful to God to share all feelings and cast all cares on him. I pray those reading who don’t know him will trust in him and experience life with him.

  2. Elizabeth Bynum

    I am always inspired by your posts! Thank you for allowing us to be a part of this journey and truly bring His hands and feet! Praying for all!

    • Rhonda

      Thank you Elizabeth. May this touch others.

  3. Lee Anne Anderson

    Wow — tears flowing as we read this update. Thank you for sharing so honestly what you all are experiencing and letting us all have a glimpse of the impact you are having of sharing God’s love with other patients and their loved ones.
    Love to you all!!

    • Rhonda

      Hello to my friend from far away. Your prayers mean so much. Praying for you and an upcoming wedding. 🙂

  4. Nancy Smith

    We send our love to Daniel! You have such a gift of sharing his experience in a way to inform, encourage, recognize and give praise to the good that still surrounds each of us when going thru a very difficult time. Wish I could give you a hug dear Rhonda in person!

    • Rhonda

      Nancy, thanks for taking the time to be an encouraging friend. 🙂

  5. Betty Walls

    God, bless Daniel and all these other precious people that battle this disease each day. May we be reminded each day to pray for them. Thank you that we can be used to bless others even in our own suffering. Love and prayers…

    • Rhonda

      Hi Betty, Yes indeed.. may all of us be used in whatever journey we have to be a blessing to those around us.

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