Donna Has No Religious Faith

Saturday December 14, 1991

Spoke to Donna (Mom's best friend) for an hour this morning. Kinda a downer to talk to her. She has no religious faith and doesn't understand that God is taking care of me right now while I'm waiting to meet with a new doctor and get started on a new kemo. I'm not worried but she had a fit.

Called Chris and she is feeling better. Two days out of bed, but earlier in the week she was really sick. She's 10 weeks now. She saw the baby and heartbeat in the ultrasound last week.

Frank finished wrapping the gifts all day. I accomplished very little.

We have a real good dinner and watch TV.

I guess that is one of the job duties of the best friend: to worry. Five years earlier Donna was diagnosed with breast cancer and Mom had a fit too. Donna had a large lump in her breast that had been growing for several months. She did not tell anyone and did not go to the doctor for fear it might be cancer. Finally her husband noticed the lump and made her go. Mom was so upset that Donna was not taking care of herself. So now it is Donna's turn to be upset.

On the other hand, I am so impressed that Mom's faith was so strong that she was not the least bit worried. That takes a special kind of faith, the kind that the Bible speaks of in Phillipians 4:6-7: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests for God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Hey, Mom and Frank finally ate dinner at home!

Philippians 4:6-7

Sunday October 6, 1991

I really did not want to get out of bed and face the day. I couldn't quite finish my breakfast (oatmeal). My stomach and appetite are shutting down in anticipation of no food for 3-4 days. I cannot eat after 10 a.m. and must begin drinking 2 liters of Go Lightly to flush out my bowels. I am feeling anxious and depressed. My right eye is acting up with funny vision. I decide it's time to get on my knees and ask God to help me through this day and to give strength and health to all our family and John and Gary's dads (square dancing friends). I have been praying daily for God to bring me through my surgery without pain I can handle and good health and peace of mind. My bad symptoms are gone completely when I arise. I have a nice day on the phone with lots of loved ones and friends. I get all the washing and watering done. I manage to drink all the yuck stuff.

Mom was always such an incredibly strong woman. It's almost a relief to know that she is human here. Who wouldn't be anxious? It sounds like this surgery was going to take some time to recover. I'm so glad she knew to get down on her knees and give it to God, and then to ask for prayers and encouragement from her friends as well. God gave her great wisdom in treating her anxiety. Notice how in the midst of her anxiety she is still concerned about some square dancing friends and their situations and is praying for them as well. In the front of my bible I have taped the following scripture for just such moments as these: