February 25th, 2010
Dear Family and Friends,
Fathers being buried, parents dealing with their child's deadly illnesses, cancer diagnosed, jobs lost, bosses that show mental illness, financial struggles, limbs threatening to be amputated, court cases, cars broken down, moms going blind, dads dealing with stroke, broken relationships, hopelessness flooding in, loneliness overtaking, offices/homes being broken into, children far from home by their choices, all of these are prayer requests that are part of my life right now.
And none of them belong to me but rather others all around me.
I have recently read this saying...
A godly man once said, 'When you find yourself oppressed by melancholy, the best remedy is to go out and find something kind to do for someone else. When you dig someone out of trouble, the hole left behind is the grave where you can bury your own sorrow.'
I have opted to be a grave digger. To hold others up, and IF I have any sorrows, which I don't this day, I will have a ready grave to place them in. Digging graves is not a fast or quick process, it is tedious and makes every muscle you have ache if you are not used to doing that. But in time, it becomes easier and comes faster with skill built up. So I challenge you this day, will you become a world class grave digger? Will you give hope where there is none, a smile to a stranger, a prayer as the Lord leads so you can 'dig someone else out of trouble' and also providing a fit place for your own sorrow as well?
Some ask me, HOW are you REALLY doing? They've heard of my diagnosis and they look at me, and look at me and look at me and ask again....”NO, really HOW are you doing?” So my answer now and hopefully in the days to come is “I'm doing good, prayers are answered, and I am covered in the loving grace of our heavenly Father God”.
So here is the update with me. I was 'in hospital' last weekend, returning home this past Monday. All went well, all the tests came back clear of cancer. The lymph nodes and the parameters in the breast. As much as I was hoping, Chemo and radiation will be a part of my life. Starting March 11th. I thought it was one month from this last op but it was to be started 4-6 wks after the op in January, ugh!!
So what this means is the trip to Holland, the UK and on to the USA will be canceled. God knew this before all of this started. So I am leaning on the knowledge that when it does come to be it will be the very best time for me and for my visits with all of you as well.
I'll be having a 'port' put in so when the Chemo is done, it will not hurt my oh so lovely veins. Hey a girl has got to preserve any part of her when she can. My veins are slim, wouldn't you know, and they also have a tendency to roll. My sister Diane, the nurse, suggested this, and my doctor agreed it was a great idea. This surgery to have it put in will be this coming Tuesday March 2nd .
The Chemo dates are March 11th, April 1st, April 22nd & May 13th then every week there after for 9 weeks. A couple of weeks off, CT scan to make plans for radiation, then every day for 6 weeks. Hectic hey? But in 6 months it will all be behind me and hopefully a full and long life ahead of me.
Prayer requests:
·The 'port' can be put in on March 2nd will go without incident.
·My insurance company will process in a more timely manner.
·No huge residual affects from the Chemo, esp no 'bald' face (eyebrows/lashes)
·My friend, Liz can come to visit from KZN & be with me the first day of Chemo
·My cousin Lynn is going through a horrible time with cancer & needs your prayers.
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Praise reports:
·High probability I'll not have to pay the $200 cancellation fee for the trip to USA
·Pain is at a minimal level from recent operation.
·Clear lymph nodes and parameters and cancer free.
·Grace, the car, is still alive and kicking
In His Service,
Valerie Gail Markowski
·The best e-mail for me: bg4thechildren@yahoo.com
·My work day number: +027-021-370-2524 work # Mon-Fri 8a-4: 30 pm
·My cell number: +027-072-381-5493 (also accepts text messages, really, try it!)
·Mailing & Physical Address: Valerie Gail Markowski, 16 Kommetjie Rd, Outspan Lodge #11, Fish Hoek 7975, Cape Town, South Africa
·USA Financial Donations for me: YWAM, PO Box 3000, Garden Valley, TX 75771-3000
·(Do not write my name on check/only on outside envelope or attached note to obtain tax credits). For info or help setting up automatic giving via draft/credit card contact Patricia Robinson patrobinson@ywamtyler.org or phone 903-882-5591.
·SA Financial Donations: VG Markowski, Nedbank, branch : Fish Hoek 121121, Account: 1211011658
·More information about Beautiful Gate Ministries: www.beautifulgate-rsa.org
·I’m on Face book let me know if you are? Would love for us to be a part of each others daily lives.
·Skype name: Valeriegailsa