Hi everyone.
Rhonda is continuing on the healing path, now over three weeks since her last radiation/chemo treatment. She and Al attended the Diercks Family Reunion last weekend, and had a good time - she even golfed nine holes! It’s so good to hear her enjoying life again!
Lately I’ve been thinking alot of how much my friends mean to me, especially Rhonda. She and I have been friends for so many years that I don’t remember how many years it’s been! I remember when she and Al moved to the New Hartford area, to a farm near our house. My Dad (who lives next door to us) told me there were “new” neighbors over at the old Harvey Behrens Farm, a young couple about the age of my husband and me. Dad encouraged me to go over and say “hi”. That was the beginning of a friendship that’s grown over the years to a point that I sometimes think I spend more time at the Shaw house than I do my own! (I KNOW my husband thinks I do!) Rhonda has been there with me at both the low and high points in my life. She’s held my hand while I cried, she’s laughed with me, celebrated with me, she patiently listens to me vent, never judges me, gives me advice, tells me when I’m unreasonable (not an easy job!), and kicks my butt out for walks even when I whine that I don’t want to! So when people tell me that she’s lucky to have a friend like me, it’s really the reverse, I’M the lucky one! God has blessed me with a friend that I can count on, through all the hills and valleys of my life, and that truly is a gift!
I hope that you will take the time out of your busy lives, in the few days left before Rhonda’s surgery on August 4th, to let her know that you’re thinking about her. She needs all of our support and encouragement through the coming days.
Remember, you can post messages on the “Care for Rhonda” blog at: http://careforrhonda.blogspot.com/
And keep praying that God will be with Rhonda until she’s fully restored to good health!
Denise Gibbs
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Update
Our girl, Rhonda, is amazing! We’re a little over two weeks out from her last treatment, and she’s already full steam ahead! Rhonda and Andrea have been busy with wedding preparations, trying to get as much done ahead as possible before Rhonda’s surgery on August 4th. Besides the wedding planning, Rhonda has returned to work full-time, and is back at serving as our Church’s Treasurer. That is quite a load for anyone, but for someone just recovering from cancer treatments, it’s AMAZING! I so admire her strength and determination to get back to good health! While she’s not yet 100%, she’s definitely headed in the right direction.
It seems like August 4th is a long time away, but in reality, it’s only 17 days from today. We can all help Rhonda prepare for surgery by remembering her in prayer, by asking God to continue to strengthen her body and mind, to keep His hand on her during surgery and in the days after, and to sustain the Shaw Family in the months to come.
Thanks everyone for keeping the Shaws in your thoughts and prayers!
More later......
It seems like August 4th is a long time away, but in reality, it’s only 17 days from today. We can all help Rhonda prepare for surgery by remembering her in prayer, by asking God to continue to strengthen her body and mind, to keep His hand on her during surgery and in the days after, and to sustain the Shaw Family in the months to come.
Thanks everyone for keeping the Shaws in your thoughts and prayers!
More later......
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Update
Greetings!
We’re now a little over a week since Rhonda’s last treatment. She is feeling better each day and feels like a “fog” has been lifted. She has returned to work as much as she is able. She did meet with her doctor yesterday, and her surgery has been scheduled for Monday, August 4th, at 10:30 a.m., at Allen Hospital in Waterloo. The surgery will take approximately three hours and she will be in the hospital for three to five days. After the surgery, there will be a period of rest and recuperation before she begins the 12 weeks of chemo.
Rhonda requested that I cancel meals for them after this week, as she is feeling better. I see that I had Julie Merfeld, Lisa Schmitz, Barb Mead, Terri Zuck, Teresa Johnson, and Denise LeBahn scheduled for July 15th through the 31st, so please do not plan to bring meals on your scheduled date. I will send a new meal schedule after Rhonda’s surgery on August 4th, and will plan to put you gals back on that schedule. I also have others who want to be included on the meals list: Kathy Juel, LuAnn Jones, Juli Kopriva, Darla Payne, and Diane DeBuhr. I won’t forget to include you!
Thank you to Chris Thompson, Michelle Weber, Carol Thompson, and Marta Anderson for providing meals these past couple of weeks. Your willingness to help the Shaw Family during this very difficult time is very much appreciated!
Please continue with your prayers, thanking God for being with Rhonda through her first round of treatments; although the last couple of weeks of the treatments were extremely difficult for her, God saw her through it, and for that we are thankful! Pray that her body will continue to heal and that she will be strong & healthy before the August 4th surgery. Ask God to surround Rhonda and Al and their family with His love and strength for the days ahead. Also continue to pray for the many who were affected by the tornado and flood.
THANK YOU all again for providing prayers, cards, e-mails, phone calls, visits, and food. The Shaws are a special family to many!!
We’re now a little over a week since Rhonda’s last treatment. She is feeling better each day and feels like a “fog” has been lifted. She has returned to work as much as she is able. She did meet with her doctor yesterday, and her surgery has been scheduled for Monday, August 4th, at 10:30 a.m., at Allen Hospital in Waterloo. The surgery will take approximately three hours and she will be in the hospital for three to five days. After the surgery, there will be a period of rest and recuperation before she begins the 12 weeks of chemo.
Rhonda requested that I cancel meals for them after this week, as she is feeling better. I see that I had Julie Merfeld, Lisa Schmitz, Barb Mead, Terri Zuck, Teresa Johnson, and Denise LeBahn scheduled for July 15th through the 31st, so please do not plan to bring meals on your scheduled date. I will send a new meal schedule after Rhonda’s surgery on August 4th, and will plan to put you gals back on that schedule. I also have others who want to be included on the meals list: Kathy Juel, LuAnn Jones, Juli Kopriva, Darla Payne, and Diane DeBuhr. I won’t forget to include you!
Thank you to Chris Thompson, Michelle Weber, Carol Thompson, and Marta Anderson for providing meals these past couple of weeks. Your willingness to help the Shaw Family during this very difficult time is very much appreciated!
Please continue with your prayers, thanking God for being with Rhonda through her first round of treatments; although the last couple of weeks of the treatments were extremely difficult for her, God saw her through it, and for that we are thankful! Pray that her body will continue to heal and that she will be strong & healthy before the August 4th surgery. Ask God to surround Rhonda and Al and their family with His love and strength for the days ahead. Also continue to pray for the many who were affected by the tornado and flood.
THANK YOU all again for providing prayers, cards, e-mails, phone calls, visits, and food. The Shaws are a special family to many!!
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Update
Hi everyone.
Rhonda finished her chemo treatments last Friday and her last radiation treatment yesterday!! Woo hoo!! The doctor wants her to stay home this week and take time for her body to recover. She is still very tired and her body needs to heal. It may take up to two weeks for the side effects from the treatments to subside. At this point, she doesn’t know when the surgery will be, but anticipates it will be in approximately four weeks. As soon as I have that information, I will pass it on to you.
Since Rhonda will be home this week, if any of you would like to call or stop by, please do so. If you would like to visit, please call first, and keep your visit short, as she does tire easily.
Please continue to pray for Rhonda, specifically that the tumor has shrunk and that her surgery will not be as invasive, and that her body heals quickly from the treatments.
Thank you to Cheryl Payne and Kathy Schweer who provided meals this past week - your efforts were VERY appreciated!
God bless you all for surrounding this family with your love and support!
Rhonda finished her chemo treatments last Friday and her last radiation treatment yesterday!! Woo hoo!! The doctor wants her to stay home this week and take time for her body to recover. She is still very tired and her body needs to heal. It may take up to two weeks for the side effects from the treatments to subside. At this point, she doesn’t know when the surgery will be, but anticipates it will be in approximately four weeks. As soon as I have that information, I will pass it on to you.
Since Rhonda will be home this week, if any of you would like to call or stop by, please do so. If you would like to visit, please call first, and keep your visit short, as she does tire easily.
Please continue to pray for Rhonda, specifically that the tumor has shrunk and that her surgery will not be as invasive, and that her body heals quickly from the treatments.
Thank you to Cheryl Payne and Kathy Schweer who provided meals this past week - your efforts were VERY appreciated!
God bless you all for surrounding this family with your love and support!
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