Summer Journeys

June 19, 2019

Our last post was March 26^th.  There have been many celebratory events in the Gray and Kinney family within the past 2 months, including my son’s wedding. There has been many a time I have paused these past 3 months and thanked the Lord that Cherie could share in all of these celebrations. Back in January, we were unsure of what those next 6 months would hold, but God’s grace has been more than sufficient as Cherie continues to be able to join all the celebrations for her niece and nephews PLUS celebrate another year of her own life (she turned 51 in May)!

Last week, Cherie had her appointment with the oncologist after a CT scan a couple of days before. He went over the results and made us aware of areas in her body in which the cancer has grown in the lymph nodes.  We are fully aware that the cancer is growing and spreading throughout her body, but Cherie is still in good spirits and is continuing to live a “normal” life. She has lost some stamina, but I know that her soul rests in the One who loves her most and I am resting in Him daily as well. Looking at her day to day routine, she is active and continues to be the Cherie that we all know. Although her stamina has been down, she continues to strive to put things in place for her ministry. Those who love her most are continually reminding her to rest as much as possible.

Because of exhaustion and even some pain lately, Cherie has made two important decisions.  One is that she needs to exercise more. She’s hearing it from all directions, and she knows the significance of it. Fitting it into her schedule is a different story! The other decision is that she needs to slow down more and let go of more things. It is very hard for Cherie to let go of things that have always been her responsibility and that she loves. If you would like two specific things to pray for, now you have them.

Dr. Brooks has referred Cherie to a palliative care doctor. It is NOT hospice…many confuse it as such! A palliative care doctor will help Cherie deal with the symptoms of her illness and pain and can help make her comfortable. It is important to establish this doctor early so she is a registered patient.

As I sit and reflect on the last 6 months I think of all the events and all the visits from people that have been such a joy in Cherie’s life. The struggle continues. It’s a struggle in a different way for each of us, not just Cherie. In the Kingdom of God, when one person is affected by something, whether happy or sad, all of His followers are affected. It has been a different journey for each person within our family, as well. Please continue to lift us up in prayer. Pray that we will freely communicate what’s on our hearts with one another as we seek to understand God’s will in all of this. We have 4 children and each of them is digesting this trial in a different way. My mom and dad are each affected in their own way. Cherie has to soak in the fact that God has her best interests in mind…this is true for all of us…this is not easy.