This is one of my favorite pictures of Jim. I took it about a year ago when we were out "watching" for birds.
We have a situation going here. We were blindsided when Jim's bladder cancer returned in October. Thought that was done - remember he had surgery to clean up that little problem last March - and it was supposed to be a closed issue. His surgeon was as surprised as we were. I have not said anything on the blog about it - hopiing it would go away.
So, the first plan - a six week round of Chemo - took us through Christmas. Then there was a waiting period to see if the chemo had "fixed" things. Wednesday the surgeon looked to see - with Jim watching on the computer screen - and it was not what we hoped. The chemo had not stopped the growth of the cancer.
Now we are talking surgery. Big time surgery.
Let me just tell you - this is scary. Ever the doctor, Jim is calm and accepting. My outsides are not showing my insides - I am biting a bullet
With one difference. Instead of saying, the way I usually do, that everything is fine. - I am telling you the truth and asking for your prayers and good wishes. I learned from my friend Joan a few years ago when her husband was terribly ill that its OK to let people into your loop. To ask for their support. In their case it brought health and healing. I am praying for the same.
So, I am asking for your prayers and support. Today I imagined a crowd of well-wishers standing beside Jim - you know "his people" - cheering him on, wishing him good luck and good health. I am hoping to collect greetings for Jim to take with him to the hospital February 27. Prayers, hugs , laughs- - to lift his spirits and keep him focused on healing.
Please leave a comment on the blog - - - I will paste them on postcards and put them in a small album.
Your greetings will fill his room and his heart with warmth and encouragement and healing.
Many thanks.
50 comments:
All the best to both of you -- cherish each other and take care of each other...
Namaste....
I'm sending healing thoughts and prayers for rapid and joyful recovery. I love you both.
Jim….
There are often times when we would like to convey to those who face the trials they are handed our thoughts and well-wishes in new and unique words that are uplifting and memorable. But often such words prove to be illusive or fall short of our desired message. So let me say that even though I only know you through the written words of a loving wife on a simple blog, you and your wife will truly be in my thoughts and prayers during these trying times.
Alan
Jim, this too shall pass. You've had a rocky year, but your good nature and zest for life have carried you and Ellouise through many challenges during your marriage.
I will expect to see you next summer at some storytelling event, looking as cheerful and interested in every thing around you as you have always been.
Love and prayers winging your way.
Dear Cousins,
My thoughts and prayers will be with both of you during this time. I pray the Lord will guide the Doctors as they plan the next step.
God bless you and Ellouise.
Stephen Hollen
Jim,
Good luck recovering from surgery! Here's wishing you a beautiful Spring 2009 followed by happily ever after.
Wishing both of you all the best,
Susan
Jim,
Best of luck with your surgery. My thoughts and prayers are with you for healing and peace through it all.
Lori
Jim, I am praying for your health and healing. I'll be praying on the 27th. I am a friend of Granny Sue's. She was a grade ahead of me in elementary school. I love to read Ellouise's blog. Take care, Debbie
Jim,
You don't know me. I am a blog-friend of Granny Sue's and read her post about you today. Please know that prayers from Happy, TX are with you and your wife.
From what I have heard about how wonderful a person and healer you truly are from my friend Granny Sue, I can only imagine how deserving you are of as many prayers and good wishes as possible. I will be thinking of you, and rest assured, as many healing wishes and thoughts as possible are headed your way. Blessings.
Holding thoughts of well being and a positive outcome and peace for both of you.
Ellouise and Jim, I reach you through Granny Sue's blog. I sure do enjoy her stories and story telling . . . and her truths and observations.
Praise the Lord for new technology . . . and new medical procedures . . . and good friends like Granny Sue.
God be with you.
Ellouise and Jim,
I'm sending all good thoughts--may this all go much more smoothly and easily than you expect, and may you have a complete recovery.
Priscilla
i came here via the gorgeous granny sue to wish you well with the coming times~sending out healing wishes
xoxoxo
I'm here because of Granny Sue. Sending up prayers for both of you (because you're in this together) and sending healing thoughts your way. Lots of love and hugs to you both!!!
I read about you on Granny Sue and am so glad. I found out 3 years ago I had bladder cancer. It was stage two. I wasn't happy with the treatment options here in Charleston so I went online to see what I could find out with Cleveland Clinic. I was matched to an incredible doctor, Dr. Stephen Campbell, at the Glickman Urological Institute there. It will 3 years at the end of this month that I had surgery to remove my bledder and have a neobladder placed inside me. Dr. Campbell and Dr. Gill did the surgery there. They are 2 of the best in the country. Please call them. You will not regret it. Tell them Cathy Snyder refered you and my email is cathylsnyder@yahoo.com. Love and Prayers.
Sorry, I should learn to proof read before publishing. I can spell :).
Granny Sue said you were in need of good thoughts and prayer. I am sending both. Peace and healing to you both.
Amy H.
((((((( Ellouise & Jim ))))))))
Much healing, strength and love !
I found your blog through Granny Sue and made my way over as soon as I could.
I'm visualizing Jim surrounding by all his ancestors and their healing energy. It feels as though there are hundreds of them surrounding his body. They are offering and giving him the much needed strength both physically and emotionally. Know that this too shall pass.
As a survivor of two different cancers at the age of 19 and a 6 year battle with Cdiff and crypto, I am totally understanding of your situation.
Jim, visualize those ancestors of yours sending beams and specs of bright and brilliant healing energy into your very core of existence. Let the energy flow through your body and flush out the dead matter and particles left behind from the cancer.
You are a vessel of love and life with limitless healing capabilities! Allow your journey of recovery to be one of love, thanks and gratitude. :-)
Blessings to you and yours,
Reverend Kandice Thompson
~ Rainbow Tree ~
I came by way of Granny Sue-to send well wishes and prayers to Jim and to you!
Jim & Eloise,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love and Light always,
Cindy & Star
Ellouise and Jim,
I found you through Granny Sue. My thoughts and prayers are with you both at this time. May God hold and heal you at this time of need.
Deloutre in Louisiana
Blessings to you both. You are in our prayers.
Lyn Ford
sending healing thoughts and prayers your way
I, too, came via Granny Sue.
I am sending some positive energy in your direction.
I will say a prayer for you everyday until Jim is well again.
Hello to you both. I found my way here via Juli's Barefoot Gypsy blog, which linked to Granny Sue's and told of your troubles. I'm sending good thoughts and prayers your way, and hope you will be well again soon.
Seems Granny Sue is a one woman cheerleader who reached out. I came here via Susan at Stony River Farm but am reaching out all the same.
My Dad had cancer of the esophagus but the thing which got us through the tough times was laughter. We had the same silly sense of humor, often leading the Doc to come in during chemo to inquire if Dad had received the wrong drugs... and if I was on them too because we found things to laugh about. We played silly word games, watched funny movies and made the nurses laugh with us.
The most important thing was we talked. A lot. About everything. Nothing seemed to be off limits. The best piece of advice the doctor gave me was, "Follow your Dad's lead." Whether it was to simply commute to treatments in silence, discuss what to do when the end came or talk about when he could go fishing...Dad set the course and I tagged along.
I wish you most of all peace of mind and laughter. Prayers will be sent up in your name but you know, it appears the best medicine of all is the love of the woman who told us about you. Take care!
I read about you through my sister's blog 'granny sue'.
My better half burned 70% of his body in 2006. Roger and I will pray very hard for his recovery. What a beautiful story your lives are. I am glad to have read it.
Maggie and Roger
My prayers are going up and my thoughts are headed your way. I want to add that my brother has had bladder cancer for 5 yrs now. He had surgery and then chemo and radiation. It has came back 2 more times and he has had chemo and radiation the second along with surgery the 3rd time. He is 64 yrs old and still working. He takes off for his surgery and missed a couple days work because chemo made him sick but other than that he says its not getting him down. I wish for your husband the same. That the cancer won't get him down and he will keep on enjoying life. God Bless!
Prayers coming your way. I KNOW they work! :-)
Praying for you and yours.
I came over from Granny Sue's blog and I will definitely keep you and your husband in my prayers.
Tracey
On the wings of a snow white dove
He sent His pure sweet love
A sign from above
On the wings of a dove.
I came here from Susan's blog at Stony River Farm ~ and I want you to know that you are being lifted up in prayer around the world. May you feel love. May you feel peace.
Ellouise and Jim
Our thoughts and prayers are with you We will put Jim on our church prayer list.
Muriel and Hank
I found my way here from Juli's (Barefoot Gypsy) blog. My thoughts and prayers are with you as you revisit this path of your journey through life. I am sending you as much positive energy as I can gather.
I'm here by way of Susan at Stony River Farm.
We've all had someone close to us get ill at some point in our lives, so best wishes to the both of you with this.
I hope all the messages give Jim a lift, it's a very nice thing you're doing for him.
Hi Jim,
From California, we wish you the best. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.
Jim and Ellouise--
I'm sending sunshine, gentle breezes, prayer and all good thoughts from San Diego. Most of all, I wish you calm and strength and peace.
Mariyn
Will keep Jim in my prayers.Prayer works.Take care of yourself.My cousin worked herself into a major autoimmune disease from the stress of caring for her father during his long term illness.Love to both of you.
Jim & Ellouise,
My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family during this trying time. Get some rest and I plan on seeing you both at the next Schoettler reunion!! :)
Jared Schoettler
Jim... I want you and your family to know that you are foremost in our thoughts and prayers. You have the entire Schoettler clan rooting for you! Thank you Elloise for letting us direct our good wishes your family's way. Jim, here's to a speedy recovery. Keep smiling! You are surrounded by friends and family who care. Go get 'em!
All the very best to you,
Mark, Joyce, Mike and Kari Schoettler
Dear Jim and Ellouise,
As the matriarch of the Schoettler family, I want to assure you the combined prayers and healing thoughts of the entire extended family are with you day and night.
You both are strong and loved, and we can't wait to see you at the Rogue Festival next year -- or sooner.
Love,
Aunt Peggy
Jim and Ellouise,
I refer to the Word of God in Isaiah where it says:
Isa 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
Isa 53:5 But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
This passage has helped John and me get through more than one health issue. Keep your eyes on Him and know that by his stripes we are healed! God said it, I believe it and that settles it!
Know that you are both loved and in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Donna (Schoettler) Adams
(Your God daughter)
JIMMY & ELLOUISE
THIS IS AN IRISH BLESSING THAT I ALWAYS HAVE WITH ME.
MAY GOD GRANT YOU ALWAYS.....
A SUNBEAM TO WARM YOU, A MOONBEAM TO CHARM YOU, A SHELTERING ANGEL SO NOTHING CAN HARM YOU. AND WHENEVER YOU PRAY, HEAVEN TO HEAR YOU.
I LOVE YOU BOTH
MARILYN BARTLETT GENTRY
Just was wondering around the internet and found your site. I will be praying for your Jim and sending comforting wishes to your whole family.
Jim and Ellouise - I was so sorry to hear that even more treatment is necessary. I keep remembering our fun times in Paducah, especially sitting in the booth near the river comparing pimento cheese recipes! Gregory and I include you in our community prayers every day and know you are being watched over and cared for by the ultimate healer. Best wishes - hugs and kisses to you both ...
Dear Cousin Jim, now you are one of the remaining "oaks" and they live for a long time. You are in our thoughts and prayers, and you are in God's good hands (and Ellouise's), so be tall and strong and we will wait for the this dormant season to pass, and on to a glorious Spring. By then all this will be behind you. Love, Sandy and Peter
Jim, I bet you didn't know you're a poster boy in McLean. I printed out a handsome picture of you from Ellouise's blog and have it sitting next to my computer monitor at work. Every time I look at it, and it's many many times every day, I take a few seconds to send good juju in your direction. I also have one sitting in a place of honor on my altar at home where I keep requests that the Universal Manager need pay extra special attention to.
Sending Love and Light to you.
Janet E.
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