Note: Scroll to the bottom of this page to find info on our upcoming Bible Study!
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Wow, it’s been ages since I posted here. So much has been going on in my life, and believe me, it’s been a crazy three months, to say the least. The last time I popped in, I asked you to pray for my mom who is battling cancer. That was February 1st. That day was a very low point in my life and I didn’t have a single spark left in me to write. Mom wasn’t doing well, and the week following was worse yet. It took everything out of me just to get up.
I received so many messages from you all. Thank you! I did read them, but I was at my mom’s bedside every spare moment I had, and so, unfortunately, I wasn’t able to respond to them. Please know, your words were encouraging and your prayers an incredible blessing!
On February 9th, mom was taken to the hospital on a stretcher, at which time we were told that she had a few days at most to live.
In case you didn’t read my last post, she has ovarian cancer. My sisters and I slept at the hospital, taking turns sleeping there so she wouldn’t be left alone.
Several days past, and then something happened that surprised everyone including the doctors. Suddenly mom was running around the hospital without her walker. This alone was astonishing because she’s been so weak for the past year. She uses a walker or an electric scooter, and could barely make it to the bathroom in her apartment without being winded. Now she was literally running, but unfortunately, she was also delusional.
We had read about cancer patients being delusional and having their last hurrah so to speak at the end, but this burst of energy was incredible. It was almost as though she had superhuman strength.
It was a trying time for everyone as she was paranoid, restless, anxious, angry, and confused. She was experiencing the most horrific nightmares you can imagine in her waking hours.
On a hunch, my sister asked the doctor to test her for a bladder infection. Someone at work had mentioned that bladder infections can affect your mental health causing confusion, irritation, and loss of appetite. Sure enough, she tested positive and treatment for the bladder infection began.
Fast forward a couple of weeks and my mother is stronger than she’s been in years. Her mind is clear, her appetite is back, and she’s happy. She’s gone from eating a tablespoon of food/day (she was down to 81 pounds) to an enormous plate full of everything and anything. She is out of bed, smiling, curling her hair again, phoning her friends, and in fact this past weekend she went shopping at Walmart. Apparently, she was halfway through Walmart and realized that she left her walker behind somewhere in the store.
She still has cancer, but her quality and length of life have improved tremendously thanks to your prayers and above all to God’s healing hand upon her. They’ll be moving her out of the hospital and into a local hospice as soon as a room is available. For now, we rejoice and thank God for this extended time with her.
I asked her if I could share her story and recent photo with you, and she said that I could. She is thankful for prayer and hopeful that God has a purpose in all of this.
Note: I have one more announcement to make.
Once again we’ll be going through the book of Exodus. I’ll have that study ready for you in just a couple of days as well as a study guide. There will also be a journal available on Amazon called, “A Journey Through Exodus: Bible-Study Journal.” That should be up in a day or two.
This study has 40 chapters. It goes through the 10 plagues of Egypt, invites us to examine the first Passover and the Feast of Unleavned Bread, then takes us through a detailed study on the setting up of the tabernacle.
We did this one a couple of years ago, but I’ve revamped the study to dig deeper yet. I’ll have more details for you later this week.
You are loved by an almighty God,
Darlene Schacht
The Time-Warp Wife
Oh Darlene, that is so exciting! God is so good to give us these little glimpses of heaven in the midst of our trials!
I’m so glad to hear about your Mom feeling better. I’m praying for her and for you and your family. Cancer is hard…it just is. Also thrilled to hear about your Exodus study. I’ll be on the lookout for it on Amazon when it’s ready!
I am grateful that your mother is doing better than she was before. I will continue to pray for you, your mom, and your family. Praise God for showing His grace and mercy in the midst of this storm.
Thank the LORD your mom is doing better. Will still pray for you and your family. Looking forward too digging in the word with you.
Praise the Lord– I am so excited for you–You have your mother back for the most glorious Holiday we Christians celebrate. Enjoy your time with her and this wonderful Easter Season. I am very excited to begin the study of Exodus. Thank you for your service. Prayers will continue.
Oh, wow! What a wonderful miracle! God is such a personal God. So happy to hear the good news about your mom! Also, I’m pumped for this new study!
Rejoicing! Awesome God He is. So wonderful! Thankful for this miracle. Prayers work! So happy you are back : )
That is exciting news! I love to hear stories like yours and your mother. My mom had Alzheimer’s. It is very hard but truly a blessing to be there with them as they go through their trials and to be their advocate. A real blessing! Enjoy your time together! I will be getting the exodus study. Is there anyway to get the ‘answers’ and conversation on the Romans study?
God is so good, ex-husband is fighting tonsil cancer from HPV, his last scan showed no new growth, and hasn’t spread, he still has a feeding tube, I just keep praying. He has minor children with his 2nd wife
WoW! That’s incredible! To God be the glory! I will continue to lift her and all the family in prayer – life is a vapor, and a most precious gift as we can all attest to. Love and prayers, sweet friend.
Beautiful story to read. God’s miracles are all around us but your Mom is a special one. Treasure the moments.
Darlene, I have missed you, but please know that you are in my prayers. I can relate with you as you tend to your mom’s well-being. Being a caregiver for a parent is tiring and stressful, yet rewarding and gratifying at the same time. It is challenging but truly a blessing. It hurts to see them siffer, but is inspiring to see them persevere. I know I will look back and be so grateful for the days we have been given with no regrets.
I too feel inadequate and unworthy of God’s goodness. I get busy with life and satan tries to tear me down.
I am encourged by your story, as I hope you are encouraged by mine, knowing that we are in this journey together. Praying for one another, never giving up and always holding on to God’s promise that He will never leave us or forsake us!
I love you sister in Christ! Carry on!
Love,
Nancy Scates
Oh God is so good. Amazing and wonderful is He. Love and enjoy your time with her.
What a blessing that you still have your mom with you! I’m so excited to hear she is feeling better, even in the midst of her cancer! Enjoy every moment with your mom! I lost my mom to lung cancer a year ago, and I miss her everyday, but I have such wonderful memories and she’s still with me in my heart! It’s hard to explain but I can feel her with me! She loved the Lord very much and was ready to go when it was time! I’m looking forward to the Exodus study! God bless you, Darlene, love your study journals!
Praise God ! He is mighty to be Praised! and OH how AWESOME He truly is! Your mother is beautiful and I am so Thankful with you for her Miracle. Blessings to you
Praise God!
Miracles do happen every day, your mother’s is a wonderful example to us all. Thank you for sharing this wonderful news with us.
I pray that your mother continues to have many more days with you and your sisters.
I’m so sorry to hear that cancer has found another family to harass, but can’t imagine how thankful you must be for this time with your mom. She is beautiful and looks like she has a kind spirit and huge sense of humor!