Thankful, and ready to go!

Hello everyone! It's been awhile since I have updated the blog. Here is a quick peek into whats ahead for me and my precious, loving family.

But first ... did you hear about the newest and greatest gift God brought to us last Saturday? Oh boy ... He out did it this time. Slade Greer Tichenor was born June 12th at 3:02 ... weighing in at 8lbs, 6oz! He is perfect and beautiful. AND ... Richard and I got to keep Carson for several days. We had a ball ... I love that little guy so very much. Meredith, Kevin, Carson and Slade are all doing great! Thank you Lord for growing our little family! And thank you Mer and Kev for bringing us another precious grandson. Love this SO MUCH!!

I completed radiation with flying colors. Felt great, plenty of energy and the staff at MDA was amazing. One more "thank you Lord" ... you take such good care of us!

I went to MDA Friday (yesterday) to complete a minor surgery to install the chemo port. All went well ... we were in and out of there in no time! While I awaited this surgery, there was one thing on mind ...

"Jill ... learn to laugh at yourself more freely. Don't take yourself or your circumtances so seriously. Relax and know that I am God with you. If I continue to desire His will above all else, life becomes much less threating. Laughter lightens your load and lifts your heart into heavenly places. Kinda like a parent delights in the laughter of their children ... The Lord delights in hearing his children's laughter. I am not going to miss the Joy of His Presence by carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders. For it is written in the book of life:Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me. My yoke is comfortable and pleasant; My burden is light and easily borne!" Amen and Amen!!!

Next step in this journey is Chemo ... for 6 months. We start on Monday ... I am a bit anxious, but ready. The Good Lord is bringing peace to me and my family as this long journey begins. I pray this chemo walk will bring a more still, quiet Jill. A child of God that needs to slow down and be still before His throne. I know God is calling me to something for His kingdom ... and I don't want to miss it! Jill, Seek His Face with a teachable spirit. Come into HIS Presence with thanksgiving, desiring to be transformed. HOW EXCITING IS THAT!!! CAN'T WAIT FOR HIS PLAN TO BE REVEALED!!

Your prayers mean everything to us, if your looking for prayer requests I have a few:
1. Pray boldly for Richard .... he has been amazing thru this journey- pray for strength for him, that God teaches him something special thru this, and that our marriage and love for each other explodes with passion for His kingdom.
2. Pray for our girls ... pray for peace and God's will in this. They are the most amazing girls ... I stand in awe at what God gave to us.
3. I could use a bolt of prayer as I begin Chemo. I pray the side effects won't stop me from living life and loving people!

We have witnessed tremendous blessings during this walk that started in January. Can't wait to see what else HE has in store for us! Thank you, thank you, thank you for loving me and my family like you have. You have touched our lives in a most special way. Our Lord and Savior is working in you .... His face is shining upon you and bringing Him glory in all you do.

Exceptionally blessed,
Jill

Modern Medical Technology is a WOW!

Wow ... what a week ( or should I say couple of weeks)! Yesterday completed my radiation treatments- hip, hip hooray! I must say, the Drs., Nurses, Physicists and staff at MDA are amazing. Their tender care, love, compassion and humor took the "scary" right out of all this fun. They truly were terrific. I will miss their genuine smile and care ... but I'm not gonna miss the contraption that was inserted into my body on April 27th. Most unbelievable thing I've ever seen - for sure! I truly stand in awe at medical technology of today.

The definition of "contraption" is ... a mechanical contrivance, gadget, device. Yep ... I was sportin' a mighty contraption with me for 11 days! It's the latest and greatest type of radiation. It is truly the craziest thing I have ever endured in my body. A torpedo looking contraption inserted into my body that the Drs. hook up to the radiation. I was a "perfect" candidate for this partial radiation, which only radiates the area where the tumor was. Much easier on the body for the long term and a very high dose radiation attacking the cancerous area. We are truly blessed to live in a city that continues to improve the treatment and options for its patients. MDA is certainly "cutting edge."

Can I brag for one minute? Thanks. How do I even deserve the husband and children God gave me? I don't deserve them! They have been unbelievably"over the top" thru this little thing we've got goin' on! I simply would not make it without (The Lord first) and my precious, loving family. Thank you to my amazing husband and my beautiful girls ... I love you more than words can express ... you are my angels on this earth.

I have always been so healthy (and still am), never went to the doctor (until now)" but this past week reminded me so often of a quote from Beth Moore ...
"if I die suddenly, my gravestone might appropriately offer this insight into my departure: "God got tired." I require lots of work." I have prayed so fervently to the Lord, truly have laid all this at the Cross and have completely trusted God and His mighty plan since learning this diagnosis in February. I'm most certain my family would agree with Beth's quote ... I pray my precious family is not growing tired! I love them all so very much. Please keep them in your prayers. They may need a big dose of strength as I could be wearing them weary. Ugh!

A huge praise and note of thanksgiving to Our Lord God Almighty ... such a meek and humble offer of thanks. HE once again, met me at the door of MDA early Monday morning for my first radiation treatment. I have never felt the Lord literally carry me through what could have been a very difficult week. But it was far from it! We (God, my family and myself) blazed thru these 10 high dose treatments with joy and plenty of energy. The Lord was in that place. As I mentioned the staff was stupendous- treated me so tenderly and gracefully. AND ... HE brought Melinda there on Monday morning to begin her 10 radiation treatments. I was sad she had to walk this path, but I was so blessed to have met a new friend in Christ (and post cancer!!) Melinda and her husband John love Jesus with every fiber of their being. We became instant friends. You should have seen us trying to hug each other ... my contraption was on the right side of my body, hers was on her left side! But we quickly learned how to hug and not bother our hanging contraptions! I praise His Holy Name because Melinda is done with her cancer walk! Finished- History! She is cancer free and has no more treatment. I pray we will be friends for life ... thank you Jesus for bringing me a friend to endure every radiation treatment with! Just love her so much.

The previous post from precious Meredith shows the little celebration after we completed all our radiation treatments. They removed the crazy device from my body and I am good to go! I go back to MDA on May 20th to prepare for chemo. Richard and I met with the oncologist last Tuesday and she strongly recommended I do 6 months of chemo. It was our choice and after heeding her advice and seeking the Lords counsel ... it is best that I do it. My lymph nodes were cancer free, my margins were clear, tumor was 1.9 cm (still stage 1) ... but the type cancer I HAD (Drs. say I am completely cancer free now) was a high grade, fast growing type. So ... they feel chemo will kick it for the long haul of life.

I have a relatively positive approach to life and what is thrown my way ... but ... I am struggling with this chemo thing. I think we all know the side effects of this two sided thing called chemo (it saves lives everyday across the world, but it's one monster of a drug!) I have pleaded with God to humble me and let me gracefully accept the side effects. I am struggling with the hair thing ... there I typed it, but I can't even talk about it. Yikes! So, if you still have the energy to pray for this, I would be most appreciative. I may be wearing out my "prayer time" from you!

This journey could be very difficult, very lonely, very frightening walk. But it has been the absolute opposite because of you! Yes ... all of you! At 51 yrs. of age I've been thru some difficult moments in my life. I have trusted the Lord thru most of them. But I have never seen the footprints of Jesus walking before me and with me as I have in this current journey. I see Jesus in YOU. The love of the Lord is before me every moment of the day through YOU. We are turning into chubby little piglets over here from the delectable meals you have brought to us. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. My entire family has feasted on one meal after another ... from the most amazing cooks our big bellies have ever enjoyed. The cards continue to flood my mailbox, the emails, messages and outpouring of love and concern is a sweet taste of what heaven will be like. YOU have been the hands and feet of Jehovah ... Our Mighty God.

So I humbly Thank You ... "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
1 Chronicles 16:33-35. For it is thru the Lord that you have brightened this path we are on. YOU are amazing and so very precious to me and my family.

Love you all ... so very much,
Jill

Today is a blessing!

"This is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

Today was a BIG day for my mom (Hi, it's Meredith again!)-- she finished her last of ten radiation treatments and had the painful port removed! Oh happy day!! Megan, Carson & I went with her to her afternoon appointment to celebrate the end of this phase of treatment, and to watch her "ring the bell!" A little "ceremony" thing they do at MDA when you finish a round of treatment. Carson brought pink roses for his JiJi & a sweet woman named Melinda that we have been blessed to get to know the past few weeks. She and my mom have been on virtually the exact same surgery/treatment schedule. She got to "ring the bell" today too! Enjoy a few pictures of the "celebratory" last day of radiation treatment...

Pink Roses for JiJi & Melinda from Carson

Sending her off for her last round of treatment and port removal...

The MD Anderson Bell...

"Ring this bell 3 times well,

It's toll to clearly say

My treatment's done,

This course is run,

and I am on my way!"

Pink roses for sweet Melinda...

Mom walking out... Radiation ALL DONE!

Precious Melinda ringing her bell! She's ALL done with cancer treatments.

Treats for the incredible staff from JiJi...

Big hug for the wonderful Dr. Bloom!

Mom's turn to ring the bell...

This course is run... hooray!

The wonderful staff at MD Anderson Radiation Center of Bellaire... truly incredible!

How incredible are these two? Both of them have had TEN rounds of radiation treatments this week (two today) and both are just moments from walking out of having their ports removed... they look RADIANT! "The JOY of the Lord is my strength!"

My mom has asked me to let you all know that she will be posting this weekend... so be sure to check back for an update directly from her.

As Mother's Day is upon us, I simply cannot say thank you in enough ways on behalf of our family for praying over our precious mother this week, this month, and over the past several months... we believe in a God that can do immeasurably more than all we could ever ask or imagine. Thank you for partnering with our family during this faith journey.

Love & Blessings from all of the Greer's!

AND A VERY HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO YOU AND YOURS...

Be with me Lord...

"Be with me Lord, I cannot live without you. I dare not take one simple step alone..."

It's Meredith again...

Today, my mom is halfway done with her radiation treatments-- five down, five more to go. Radiation began first thing Monday morning, with her scheduled to have a treatment at 8am and 2pm every day this week-- her 8am treatment went well, she did great! The afternoon treatment didn't go as planned: the "radiation machine" went down and they were unable to repair it. After three hours in the waiting room, we were sent home with the hopes that a part overnighted from Maryland would fix the problem, and her treatments could resume as scheduled on Tuesday. Hooray, they got it fixed and she was able to receive two treatments both Tuesday and Wednesday-- tomorrow (Thursday) she'll go in very early in the morning, then again in the afternoon, and back again in the evening (each treatment must be 6+ hours apart). She'll have three treatments tomorrow to make up for her missed treatment on Monday. Then Friday, she'll finish her last two and have the catheter removed for the weekend!

She'll tell you she's getting more comfortable with the port/catheter, and that the radiation really hasn't been very bad at all... really, it can't possibly be as easy as she makes it look-- truth be told, she's simply AMAZING. She's so strong, so incredibly positive and resilient. She never complains, she rarely even lets you know she's uncomfortable... our whole family is in awe of her grace, her patience and her stamina.

We've been blessed to have met some precious people this week... even the staff at the treatment facility has been incredible. It's so refreshing that even in the midst of something so unpleasant, we are able to see God's hand, His goodness, His presence all around.

It wouldn't be right to go without continually thanking each of you for your prayers as this journey continues-- for the meals you have so graciously prepared for my parents-- for the overwhelming encouragement, support, and blessings you have showered over my precious mom. As far as we know Friday will be the last radiation treatment and port removal, then she will have a "week off" next week, and is set to begin chemotherapy the week of the 17th. As we receive more information and details, we'll update you all.

May the Lord bless you and keep you... thank you for being so wonderful to our family!

Jesus, You're My Healer!

Guest post from Meredith again...

Hello precious friends, family, and blog readers!

I wanted to give a little update on my mom since her surgery a week ago. No surprise to any of us-- she came through the surgery like a champion, kept telling us all "she was fine," and insisted on going about her days as normally as possible. We would all quietly rejoice when we'd find her napping, going to bed really early, or allowing my Dad, Megan or I to do something she'd normally do herself. She's an incredibly strong woman, she epitomizes Proverbs 31.

Today, she had an appointment at MD Anderson for a scan to view the spacers put in during last week's surgery in preparation for her radiation port to be put in tomorrow. She'll go in around 10am and will be put under for this surgical procedure. It is our understanding that she will begin radiation on Thursday, but that is subject to change pending the results from the pathology report, which she will also receive tomorrow.

You all have been so gracious, so generous, so encouraging and we are so blessed by you. Please continue to pray for my precious mom. Here are some specific prayers that you can lift up on her behalf...

• Continued prayers for her physically-- for her to be cancer free, completely healed, rejuvenated, cleansed, and stronger.
• Prayers for her emotionally-- in my own words, I can only imagine the weight of constant visits to a hospital, appointment after appointment, procedure after procedure... coupled with the physical discomfort and pain. Please pray for her strength, for her comfort, for her spirit. Please ask the Lord to calm her and be a peaceful presence as she returns to MD Anderson tomorrow.
• Pray over the pathology report. Her surgeon seemed confident that her lymph nodes were clear of cancer and that she successfully removed the entire cancerous tumor and got clear margins. Please boldly pray that this is the same news received tomorrow. This confirmation will make for a much more tolerable road as far as treatment goes.
• Continue to pray for the medical team that works on her-- give them strength, clarity, wisdom, steady hands, patience... let them give her the utmost care.
• Continue to pray for my Dad-- he's been incredible thus far. I can only imagine that as their 29th wedding anniversary draws near, they are counting each other as greater blessings than they ever have before. Please pray for his continued strength, support, communication, caregiving, comfort, and peace.

And, I just want to share a beautiful song that has been an anthem for our family since we got the news of my mom's diagnosis-- Healer done by Kari Jobe. You can click that link to listen to it... here are the beautiful words...

You hold my every moment

You calm my raging seas

You walk with me through fire

And heal all my disease

I trust in You

I trust in You

I believe You're my Healer

I believe You are all I need

I believe You're my Portion

I believe You're more than enough for me

Jesus You're all I need

You hold my every moment

You calm my raging seas

You walk with me through fire

And heal all my disease

I trust in You

I trust in You

I believe You're my Healer

I believe You are all I need

I believe You're my Portion

I believe You're more than enough for me

Jesus You're all I need

Nothing is impossible for You

Nothing is impossible for You

Nothing is impossible for You

You hold my world in Your hands

I believe You're my Healer

I believe You are all I need

I believe You're my Portion

I believe You're more than enough for me

Jesus You're all I need

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your continued prayer. We will update as the week progresses. Lots of love and blessings to each and every one of you!

And to our sweet mommy--

"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."

Proverbs 31:29

Immeasurably More! (Guest Post by Meredith)

All praises be to the King of Kings, for the Lord our God, HE IS WONDERFUL!

This is Meredith, Jill's oldest daughter...

I have maintained for years and years that my mother is an incredible woman that truly is a cut above the rest. She's physically beautiful, she's outwardly one of the most vivacious, engaging, adorable people you could ever wish to meet... she is full of joy, full of love, full of encouragement. She has a servant's heart, an unshakable faith, and as of yesterday... A CANCER FREE BODY.

Our day at MD Anderson started bright and early. My parent's, along with my mom's sister Teri, arrived shortly before six o'clock in the morning. My sister's and I arrived about 7 o'clock... all prepared for her surgery to begin around 8am. Her surgeon decided when she arrived that morning to re-administer the radioactive dye that she'd had injected Friday morning-- the dye has to "permeate," spread around, do its thing for at least an hour... so she was told they'd call her back around 10:30am to get things started. At 11am, they finally called her back again, and we were told that the surgery officially began at 12:41pm. We expected the surgery to last a minimum of 2.5 hours-- so we headed to grab lunch in the building, then came back to wait... at 2:45pm, her surgeon came over to our family in the waiting room, "Greer?" We all about leapt from our chairs... she went on to tell us that my mom had come out of the surgery beautifully, that she'd gotten clear margins and was able to remove the tumor entirely, as well as a portion of the muscle near the tumor just to be thorough... and then came the news we were all waiting for, she said that the lymph nodes LOOKED CLEAR, CANCER FREE!! The official pathology report will tell the exact findings, and we'll have that a week from today... but her precious surgeon seemed very confident that the lymph nodes were clear and cancer free. WHAT A MIGHTY GOD WE SERVE!!! A short while later, we were allowed to visit my mom, one at a time... she looked amazing! She was so precious, so grateful for the news... so relieved that the cancer had been taken out of her body... it was a long, long day but by quarter til five, we were wheeling her down to the car, ready to go home!

This morning, I called her to check in and my goodness, she sounded incredible! She's such a fighter, such a trooper! She's filled with relief and thanksgiving that the surgery is behind her and was a success. She's resting at home, but is doing remarkably well. My sisters and I are taking turns "babysitting" so my dad can go back to work.

A huge thank you to those of you that stopped by the hospital yesterday to encourage our family. It was a precious blessing. We'll never forget your faces in that waiting room. Thank you as well to those of you that are bringing meals to my parents this week-- another huge service that they appreciate so much. And, on behalf of my mom, thank you for the cards, the texts/emails/calls, the gifts, the flowers, the outpouring of generosity and love you've showered over her. Most of all, THANK YOU for answering the call to be prayer warriors on her behalf. God has heard and we are so thankful for what He has done and what He continues to do. You have all been the hands and the feet of Jesus for my mom, for our family... and it truly is immeasurably more than all we could ask or imagine.

We all love and thank you!

Richard, Meredith, Megan & Makenzie

Easter is a time of Celebration ... Jesus is Risen!

Easter is a time of humble rejoicing and celebration because of Jesus Christ. UP FROM THE GRAVE HE AROSE, HALLELUJAH CHRIST AROSE!!! Being faced with illness is a time of celebration too! Thank you Jesus for your example as you walked on this earth. Hearing the words from a Doctor on Feb. 18th, "this is not good, I don't have good news" (nothing like softening the blow a bit!!) ... basking in Jesus and celebrating Him is where I want to be. "My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my Rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken." Psalm 62

Where did the Easter Bunny come from and how can he hop from one house to the next hiding eggs? I don't know how he does it, but this Easter ... the bunny absolutely hopped on by to my house.

I have never been so amazed, astonished, touched, blessed and loved! I woke up Sunday morning to 400+ Pink Eggs in my front yard!!!

Every single egg has a pink note from so many of you! My family and I are touched to the core of our being by the love, notes, scriptures, encouragement and even humor!!

It is Wednesday and I still have 2 large bags of eggs to open and savor ... cherishing every word on every sheet of pink paper. Words simply cannot express how YOU have touched us. The root of this loving gesture is the Lord ... He used my sweet BFFE, Gaynor to spearhead. Those of you who know Gaynor ... knows that God can give her a task and she will complete it with the utmost of love and perfection. She has an unselfish gift of making a human feel so warm and loved. She chased you down with pink papers and spent countless weeks to complete this most amazing gift of love from so many special people across this land! Thank you Jesus, thank you Gaynor and thank YOU ... for making this an Easter I will cherish forever and ever. As I quietly open pink plastic eggs and read the tender notes ...

I stand in awe and rejoice at what the Lord is doing thru His people! "He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me; for THERE WERE MANY WITH ME!" Psalm 55:18. Thank you for being there sweet people for me and my family.

"I will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the Lord." Psalm 33:14.

Last week was a week of Dr. appts. and a plan has been laid before us. Thank you merciful Jesus. We will continue to know "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou may prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospeth. 3 John 2. God's highest wish is for us to be well ... mostly in our soul, but even in our physical body. On April 19th at 2:00 I will have surgery to remove the tumor. Recover for about a week and begin radiation. Our prayers are many, but a few big ones are:

1) my lymph nodes are cancer free

2) one test we are waiting for will determine if I can take chemo orally (1 pill/day for 5 years) ... that's what I would love Gods plan to be (remember Jill ... God's plan, not yours!). If this is not the plan ... it will be chemo for 6 months with some not so fun side effects!

3) surgery goes as planned ... and they find no surprises!

Real quick, I have to tell you about Alma ... the EKG nurse at MD Anderson. I was in her office getting my EKG test. She asked me if I was a Christian. I shouted with joy ... YES! I LOVE JESUS! She put in a CD from the christian group Hillsong during my EKG. She then held my hands and prayed the most passionate and bold prayer over me. She was a scripture quoting prayer warrior. It was powerful! Let's all say a prayer for Alma ... she is soon going on her first mission trip to Honduras. If the people of Honduras only knew that Alma was coming ... Wow ... she will touch lives there just as she is doing at MD Anderson. Thank you Alma for your witness and confidence in Our Lord and Savior! I will come see you soon!!

My feeble words seem so inadequate and unappreciative ... but I cannot express our Thanks for being who you are in this journey. The outpouring of love has been unbelievable. You have shown me and my family "the love of the Lord." For that, we are so very grateful. I ask God daily to make me a better servant and lover of people ... every person who crosses my path and my heart let me love better. Thank you for showing me and teaching me. Jesus is smiling on you ... a super proud Father indeed!

With sincere love ... Jill