Hope Cancer Retreat

Update on our guest. We somehow always give people a nickname that are staying here so we could relate. Actually it's because Pookie can't keep up with the names of the people that are here most of the time. So the people in the lodge (Wanda and Jody Shelton)we call them the kids..... They're not kids but there are kids age. And the mother and daughter that are in the Americana (Judy and Paige Downing)we call them the girls. These are just the names that we refer to them in our home. Well update on the kids first. She had expected to go back home to Virginia but her counts on a few things were off so they want her to stay here while they give her another treatment I think next week and monitor her accounts after that. She'll be here another month. I think she's doing a fantastic from observation and our talks. She gets out and walks the grounds and has a fantastic attitude. Tomorrow we're taking them to a local church here.

The girls mom (Dorothy) did not get good news last week. She was already diagnosed with lung cancer and it had spread to her bones and in her brain. They wanted her to go on a clinical trial but after an MRI she had increased tumors and they took her out of the trial. She goes Monday for biopsy of her arm. She's very limited of use in her arm and I believe her hip or leg. She was in so much pain last week I gave her some of the painaway. She called me a few days later and said where can I buy these they take the pain away for me. Just so happen I am a distributor. I am so glad that has helped her with her pain. I encouraged her to get out on the weekends take in a movie to get her mind off of things. They're gone to a movie right now. I would love for y'all to pray for both of these guests. That God would supply every need they have be it physically, mentally or spiritually. I pray that every financial need they have would be met. I pray that friends and family smother and cover them with love while they're on this part of the journey here with us. Sometimes you're out of sight and you become out of mind to your friends. If you would like to send a card to our guest send it to their name C/O Hope Cancer Retreat 26904 Brentwood Rd. Splendora Tx 77372.

One last thing I would like to ask is some gift cards to Cinemark theater in valley ranch New Caney. This would give them an out on weekends. Even some gift cards to local restaurants. If you feel like this is something you would like to help with get in touch with me please.

I enjoy some of the talks I get to have with my guests. It is then I am reminded of some of the things we have come through. We never go through things just for ourselves. That would be so selfish to go through something and learn something good and not share something that would make others lives better.

Sometimes I take notes of something that is profound that speaks to my spirit. Pookie and I have been through so much physically I have learned not to overlook any symptom it could be something serious. Ten years ago I was having some health problems and I was talking to my youngest son about my concern that it might be cancer but yet I didn't want to tell anyone because it gets embarrassing.. He said Mom you can look at it two ways. You can keep it to yourself but if you do ......you can't claim a Victory over something you never acknowledge you had a fight in. So when you have come through something share what got you through it. Don't just cover the mountain tops tell how you came through those low days. It will help someone.

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When we first built the 2 bedrooms we thought it would be for people with children but what we have found is we get very few small children. What we get are adult children coming with their parents. We realized more and more as you age you need someone to be able to be with you through challenging times.

We had a mother and daughter move in last week into a 2 bedroom. The mother is the patient. She was diagnosed in July with lung cancer and not the normal lung cancer. It had metastasized to her bones. They told her she was terminal. She was going back and forth to her oncologist in the Dallas are till 1 week ago. Everytime she asked them about the plan they never really had one. They did more test and found it now had metastasized to her brain. She asked what the protocal was going to be. The doctor said well I guess we should start on the brain first and later if you want to take chemo we can talk about that. At that point she checked out and called MDA and sent her records within just a few days they had her in. She is not old. She has already seen the doctor and they are doing another brain MRI this week. Pray for her. She is fighting a battle she never saw coming. She needs to be covered and smothered in prayer, love and concern. She is a single mother with a young adult daughter.

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I just heard from our guest Wanda and she doesn't have to stay in the hospital after she had her treatment today they're letting her come back to the cottage. She's on her way home here. Praise the Lord.

If you know anyone coming to Houston to MD Anderson needing lodging, we have a cottage available.

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Our newest guests Wanda who has faithed her way every step of the way starts her treatment today. She was told she would have to enter the hospital and be there for 5 days on her treatment. They called her last night and said she may not have to stay in the hospital they are going to watch her. It would be much better for her and her husbands rest if she didn't and was able to stay at her cottage so they could get some rest. I pray she handles this like a champ in the hospital today and gets to come home. Would you agree with me in prayer too?

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Praise Report: our guest Wanda's insurance was approved this morning for her treatment. Thank you Jesus.

Meet our newest guests Wanda and Jody.
They flew in from Virginia this evening. What a roller coaster they have been on. They brought her to MD Anderson because her cancer is really rare. I will not even attempt to explain it. They get accepted into MDA, make plans then they call them and tell them there is a worldwide shortage on the chemo they want to give her. They tell her it may have to be cancelled.

They call after a few days and secure the medicine. Today as soon as they land they received another call and tell her that her insurance isn't wanting to approve it. Please help us pray that the obstacles will stop and she can receive her treatment. Pray that the treatment will do what it is intended to do and nothing more. That she receives complete peace of mind and healing and all her needs will be supplied.Pray peace for Jody and their kids back home. In Jesus name.

It's 2 pm. The temperature is 94° with 55% humidity. No wind. Pookie has already spent 2 hours yesterday w**d eating and about an hour and a half today w**d eating and insisted on mowing. When he miles he wears his hat to protect his head and neck, he wears goggles and he wears a face mask and earplugs. I do not know how this guy breathes. He has been out there about 2 hours mowing now. I cannot get him to quit.

I love some of the wonderful memories I have with guests who have been here. Here is a sweet testimony I want to share.

Storytime:

Recalling a really sweet victory........ In March 2014 we had a guest, a teacher from Norman Oklahoma, and taught in Little Axe. It was Suzanne Beckwith who was staying here while her husband was in the hospital receiving treatment. I never got to meet Wes. He came with brain cancer and was paralyzed on his left side. Wes and I wound up being FB friends. Suzanne and I kept in touch while in their stay here in Houston and still today. They were here in the Houston area for several months. While here Wes got to watch a certain preacher on TV. After his several months here he made a post to his friends. He said I came to Houston to get well. I have started watching a young TV preacher here his name is Joel Osteen. He has changed my outlook on life. He encourages me to keep fighting this awful disease. At the end of every program, he invites everyone to ask Jesus into their heart and pray with him. He said if you pray this prayer with him, we believe Jesus has forgiven you of your sin. Well, I did and I am coming home a different man. You may notice something different about me and that is what it is. I loved that post he made. Today I was watching Joel on TV and thought of Wes. I went to Suzanne's page and saw where he had gone home to be with the Lord. The end of the video was played to Amazing Grace. It solemnly ended with the phrase.....♪ ♫ I once was lost, but now I'm found. Twas blind but now I see♫ ♪, then the credits began to roll and it said Directed by Wes and God. I love that. So glad Wes came to Houston and found God.

No one person reaches everyone but Joel reached Wes. I like Joel. I get why Wes watched him. Joel shares stuff about facing the giants in his life all the time and killing them. That encourages me. I face different giants than you and I need encouragement from someone who has won some battles. With MD Anderson here in Houston we have people from all over the world here that are stuck here fighting for their lives. They are desperately looking for hope. I wonder how many Wes’s that Joel has reached. He will never know until he gets to Heaven.

I had a gentleman who came and brought a gift card to us the other day and in that conversation, I found out he and his wife followed me. That was a high compliment. I try to tell stories to challenge people and encourage them but the truth is I will never know who I touched and made a difference in their life till I get to heaven. Join our winning team. Sow “Hope”. Be an encourager!

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