Abigail Adams – Update – IOTW Report

Abigail Adams – Update

Saturday, 30 December 2017, 22:58 BFH Uncategorized 71

People have been asking about Abigail Adams. A week ago she had asked the community to pray for her. She was facing some potentially dire news.
Well, if anyone still doubts the power of prayer, they should rethink their position.
Abigail had an inkling as to what was going on, and given the possible scenarios the prognosis is better than the bulk of them.
Also, Abigail has a peace and calm that she can only explain as the power of prayer. Your prayers.
I’ve said enough.
Here’s Abigail in her own words:
Some fellow IOTWR’ers have asked me this week, in various threads, how I am doing or if I have an update.  I haven’t wanted to hijack a thread with my situation, so I hope you don’t mind if I ask you to post this update for anyone who is interested.
First off, I have felt the immediate effects of everyone’s petition to God for peace for me.  In some ways I have never felt so calm, even quite happy. I only had one low day this past week and I remedied that by having an incredible conversation with my dear friend and former minister, Jay.  He’s always been able to make me laugh and we had a fabulous discussion about how anyone facing the real prospect of death from a terminal illness feels inadequate and wonders if they are in the Book of Life — for sure.  Jay has been around a lot of dying, so I was glad to know I was in the good company of people who wondered the same things.
I’m getting ahead of myself.
What I have is bladder cancer.  Good news: the most common cancer of all, so much has been documented about its treatment, etc.  I didn’t want to give that info at first because it’s just so….well….part of our most intimate processes.  Potty talk.  In my family, growing up, one didn’t talk about their bathroom habits, it was just not done.  Which is kind of ironic seeing how we had six kids and one bathroom.
Dr. Torgerson is a wonderful human being.  More good news.  He got me in as soon as he could this week, yesterday, and pre-scheduled me for surgery on 1/11 (but that may change depending on other insurance-related stuff).  He has over 23 years of experience and bladder cancer is his specialty.  He’s old enough to be wise, astute and funny, but young enough to still have all his marbles.  At yesterday’s visit he did an exam and said he did not feel the tumors despite their rather large size, and that is great news.  Though he did say that only during the surgical procedure will he be able to know for sure whether or not they have taken over any of the bladder muscle (wall).  He also said that from what he can tell of the physical exam and the CT, that the tumors are paniculate, meaning the tumors appear to be attached to the bladder wall via a slender stalk and, if that is true, is the best news.  If they were growing transectionally to the wall that would mean major surgery to remove them and resection or remove (probable) the entire bladder.
He also said that besides the size of the tumors, it is obvious to him that these things have been growing for quite some time — at least six months and probably more like twelve.  He was quite impressed that my only symptoms arose in just the past week and that I was feeling zero pain.  So far there are many miracles coming my way.  For those tumors to be that big, old and still paniculate is really amazing.  It’s a sort of “caught it just in time” thing, before the cancer spread to other organs like (typically) the kidneys.   If everything is as Dr. T. seems to believe it is, I will undergo a completely non-invasive (everything happens through the natural opening), outpatient surgery with localized chemo and follow-on checkups and additional chemo at monthly intervals.
So, I have tremendous thanks to give to you and to everyone at IOTWReport for their outpouring of prayers, positive wishes and love.  I’m not out of the woods by any stretch, but it’s looking incredibly positive at this point.  I was prepared for the doc to tell me how rough a road I had before me (and that may still turn out that way), but for now I’ll take the good news.
The cancer still leaves me easily tired, and I still have another ghastly symptom that won’t go away for about a month after surgery, but otherwise I’m just exceedingly grateful for the health I have and for my good friends at IOTWReport.

71 Comments on Abigail Adams – Update

  6. Abigail, you sounded wonderfully exuberant on Mr. Pinko’s and Mike’s show this past week. My Sunday school class that I teach has been praying for you along with my family. Much love! Hope all the news continues to be good news!

    -Meerkat

  10. AA is a sweet heart. I know because I have met her. Her and Geoff are Salt of the Earth. My wife and AA could be best friends. That says a lot. I’ve been praying to the best of my ability. Good news.

  11. Psalm 28:6-9

    Blessed be the Lord!
    For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.
    The Lord is my strength and my shield;
    in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;
    my heart exults,
    and with my song I give thanks to him.
    The Lord is the strength of his people;[a]
    he is the saving refuge of his anointed.
    Oh, save your people and bless your heritage!
    Be their shepherd and carry them forever.

  20. Praise God !
    May all the best scenarios be the only options.
    We’re praying for you, family, doctors and nurses.

    My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.—James 1:2-4

  22. Abigail, thanks for sharing such a long and heartfelt message, I look forward to sharing it tomorrow with my Sunday school students who have been praying for you. It has been a lesson in you don’t really know them, but you identify with them in a blog, in a game, in some kind of an internet way. And you connect, because you have the same ideas about life. And your life is special, yet disconnected from my life, on a physical level. Yet these children seem to communicate in their lives online when they are very near to each other and can contact physically. So thank you. So I can teach this tomorrow.

  28. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

    You put yourself into his hands. As Americans, we value our freedom. To non-Christians, giving yourself to God is anathema to that desire for freedom. But God takes what you give him and returns a freedom that surpasses anything that a man-made system could give.

    Abigail, I meant what I said in the first post that Fur did for you. We need you (you fight for truth here on this site and nation/world-wide). This site has benefited so much for your contribution. I truly believe that God is using you for his good.

    God bless you.

  31. “Six kids and one bathroom” – what a chuckle that brought to my throat! I’ve always believed in the power of prayer but also of a great sense of humor. And that we’re on the receiving end of laughter you’re the one gifting, that’s a special present. I’m really grateful for it.

    God bless, Abigail, and sending out continuing prayers for one good piece of news after another.

  35. It’s late here — I hope you all can read this message at some point before this ends up on page two. Where’s the BP when you really need it?!

    Again and again I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of your love and good wishes and prayers. There is simply no way to describe my gratitude to you all. I so wish I could name you each by name and thank you with personal words of thanks. Please know that in my heart that is what I would like to do. I even thought of writing out just one long list of personal thanks to each one of you, but then I thought, no, I’ll miss someone because I just know I would make that mistake.

    I must tell you, each and all, that what you have done for me is utterly humbling. Your love, your prayers and practical advice — whether for me or anyone else — is the greatest testament to our living Father. Your faith has been the most thrilling thing to behold. Can’t even describe it. Beautiful. Awesome.

  40. Prayer really is effective. I know this because I’ve experienced the direct effects twice in my lifetime.

    God, all praise and acclimation go to you.i confess my everlasting hatred of Islam and Socialism. I thank you for your sending of your Son Jesus Christ to take upon Himself our sins so that we may be redeemed and achieve salvation and everlasting life. Please heal and keep safe our sister Abigail Adams. In Jesus name, amen.

  42. Abigail Adams, my heart is lifted to hear from you and know that you are in God’s care. Prayers will continue for you through surgery in January and your recovery, which we all pray is speedy and full.

  44. AA–I echo all the above statements and I am so glad you were able to give us your update. You are in my prayers every night and every time I see your name pop up here. I continue to pray for God’s presence, power, and protection for you, your family, and your medical team.
    Just a short example how things can turn well on a dime with prayer. My husband was diagnosed with the worst kind of brain cancer (6 weeks to live). The surgeon went in to debulk the tumor only and found that he had a large abscess instead. The neurosurgeon was stunned. 15 years later, my husband is still going strong. Prayer is amazing!

  45. Thanks be to God, AA! Continuing to remember you and your family in prayer and looking forward to an amazing testimony (even more so than what you’ve already reported!) of God’s healing and provision. Blessings to you and yours.

  47. God will heal you, he is always faithful and has heard your prayers. Having lost my wife 5 years ago to leukemia and with 3 friends who currently have cancer and my 99 yr. old Uncle in Bremerton with a very aggressive brain tumor which appears to be terminal since he is currently on hospice care, I hate cancer of any kind. May God bless and Geoff the Saltine in the Seattle area. I’m sure you’ll come through with flying colors and an increased faith in God, you can count on that.

  51. The march, not the dirge, has ever been the music of Christianity.

    The person who has made God his dwelling place will always have a safe habitation. We can face tomorrow cheerful and unafraid.

    Onward Christian Soldier.

  57. Hey, Abby, thanks for the update!
    I am so happy that things are working out.
    And I don’t need any convincing re the power of prayer.
    I’ve seen it myself in too many situations to count.
    May God continue to bless you.
    Love, norm

  58. Just said a prayer for you!
    Here is a song with words that puts life on this earth back into perspective for me. Hope you like it. Ive had a full plate of disasters happening in my life this fall and I had to stop and realize Im not in control but thankfully we can lay our burdens at the Lords feet and come away with that peace that passes all understanding.

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xUT4trsrBCw

  59. Dearest Abigail,

    GREAT NEWS, AA!! Great attitude too. We are very happy to have read your update and the likelihood that all will be well. Thank you for the report.

    FWIW, we have, for many years, truly enjoyed your posts and the lady who is behind them. We thank you for them.

    And, FWIW, we have a friend who, years ago, had a much worse DX and whose treatment was far more intrusive than yours is likely to be. And she is doing just fine!

    All our best hopes and wishes!

    Mr. and Mrs. Enraged

  63. By the time I get on this website on the westcoast most of these posts are old news. So it may seem late but here’s wishing you all the best. May God protect and keep you safe.

  65. I think you’d have to go a long, long way and still not find a better group of people on the internets than are assembled here at IOTWReport. From the fuzzy-hatted BFH, MJA, Dr. Tar, Claudia, “The Esteemed” Mr. Pinko, Irony Curtain, and last but never least, Illustr8r, and every single one of its readers/commenters (and we all know who we are), I don’t believe it would be insulting to say this is the 4077 M*A*S*H of blogs. On the surface there’s a whole lotta mischief, semantic jokers, thinly-veiled innuendo of all stripes (but mostly sexual), and enough profanity to attract smut ads. But in the larger society where virtuousness is more usually superficial, it is among this group you find it is the bedrock under this fast-flowing stream of rowdy consciousness.

    PA: Attention all personnel. Tonight’s film has been cancelled so that we can bring you a Happy New Year. That is all.

  66. Dear Abigail, I wish you a full recovery and the best of luck in the New Year.
    I concur with your description of this site. I’ve been coming here since iOTW v.1 and agree- the posts and commenters are top-notch.
    Thank you one and all.

    (But I’m keeping an eye on Larry.)

  67. Stay strong Abigail-you will get through this by force of will, ptrayers from everyone who know and love you (online and “real life”) and good humor (you are dealing with potty issues!). Find time to laugh and soldier on. Know that you will be okay.
    👍👍<— the Golden Trump thumbs up says here’s to a bigly recovery and beautiful health AA!

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