Grateful for one number… but need to lay down the rest

Gail's Journey

Some of you may have already heard that my cancer marker number increased by 20 points as of yesterday. This is the highest we have seen it since chemotherapy brought it down near the beginning of treatment. I’m having more swelling in my abdomen and legs, which is due to the liver disease from all of the tumors that spread there from the pancreas. I was unable to get my last chemotherapy treatment 2 weeks ago due to low white blood cell counts and more severe anemia. This probably did not help. We are praying that this does not mean the chemotherapy has stopped working, which it is known to do. We would certainly covet your continued prayers, and we continue to pray for healing also.

These were rough numbers to hear. I know I still need to keep trusting the Lord’s plan, and we will not stop asking for healing. I would love to be God’s personal testimony of His grace, overwhelming love, and His power to heal!!!

I’m trying to fight discouragement as I think of the other ways He has answered prayer. I know He has given me more time than expected, and we are being held up by your prayers in so many ways. He has provided us with many blessings.

The number I am grateful for, however, is the number 60. Yes, I will be celebrating a milestone birthday this week that I did not think I would see! I know this has been a gift from God. I turned 58 in August of 2016, and was diagnosed in December of that same year. I did not know if I would even see my 59th birthday.

Thinking about becoming 60 used to bother me due to vanity and also because of crossing that milestone that would make me feel that I would be getting old. I look at it very differently now and have ever since this cancer. Now I say BRING IT ON!!!!!!!!!!!

I am very grateful that I will see this milestone birthday! I am grateful for my awesome family, friends, and my wonderful church family! I am grateful for knowing Jesus Christ as my Savior since childhood! I want to spend this time being grateful for my countless blessings!!!

To those friends and family who are trying to think of a way to honor me for my birthday, let me suggest that there is nothing I need other than your prayers, and continual love. I would also be honored to have a gift given to Gail’s girls on behalf of my 60th birthday at www.gailgirls.org, as this is a passion God has laid on my heart.

Thank you to so many of you who have been there for me and continue to share your love, support, and encouragement. Thank you for your many prayers and I ask you to continue.

So you can see why I am very grateful for the number 60, but I need to lay the other numbers (cancer markers) before the Lord and trust Him with all I have. One of my favorite scriptures has always been Proverbs 3:5-6. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths.”