Cancer, !#@%$

Hello Friends,

Day 50 of lockdown in Puerto Rico. Hard to believe that this has been our world and that the majority of my time here in Puerto Rico has been spent sheltered indoors. However, starting here this week we will begin to phase out of our lockdown. I’m excited that the first freedom we get back is the ability to be outside again. Looking forward to some long walks.

I want to tell you about some ministry updates, but first I’ll get to the “more inquiring minds” part of the update. All of my health tests are back! I’ve had a mixed bag of news this last week. Some is excellent, and some is going to be challenging. It's a relief to have the months of waiting over and to be able to move in some sort of purposeful direction.

First the good news: I have zero genetic mutations in my genes. This is what we were praying for! So yay! I also do not have any new tumors in my body including in my brain! This is one area my doctors were concerned about, and it really is news worth celebrating! All of this means my next news I am sharing is an isolated case and is manageable.

Onto the not-so-great news. The next challenge I am facing is the doctors say I have an aggress type of Ovarian Cancer.
 

*”NOOOO!!!!” .... right??!! That’s what I said too! What do you do with that info?! As for me, I was extremely grumpy for a good solid two days. I cried once, and then a day later I found my peace and resolve that's it’s gonna be okay. It truly will be okay. Time to be aggressive in controlling what I can control, and not worry about the things I cannot. God is gonna turn all the bad reports for good, I believe this with all my heart. I am confident that although hard things are probably ahead, there will be new grace every day for them. One day at a time.

So onto all of the questions, I am sure you all have:

What does all of this mean? Well first off, I need more tests! My favorite! ;)

What stage are they saying this is at? They have diagnosed it at stage 1, but I will get a new evaluation later this week. 

What happens next? 

I go to the specialist this week. I have more tests (MRI, blood work, and a sonogram). I will need more treatments. At this point that means another surgery on my remaining left ovary, to try and preserve it. They have mentioned surgery in June and I will likely see a fertility specialist as well in the next few weeks.

How am I feeling?

I have felt somewhat numb and fatigued. That’s not my day-to-day mode, but when I’m reflecting on all the uncomfortable things that lie ahead, they feel daunting. Like most of us are feeling regarding the subject of corona, I am in general feeling fatigued from talking about my own heath. But it is now a subject I am becoming well versed in. I mean how many lucky people like me have a slide show of every major organ in their body!? Huh?! Not too many! Just say the word, I’ll send a few snaps of my perfectly healthy organs. I also am sad that friends, at this point, can not come to visit. Many of you have been so supportive and generous and I definitely feel loved. But I could really use a hug and a hand at some of these tough appointments. Also could use a Spanish translator, can I Amazon a hugging pocket Spanish translator?! :)
 

Many of you have asked how you can help outside of praying. I will say that people reaching out has been helpful. It grounds me to not feel so isolated. Cards, notes, calls, etc... all good.

I have a list on amazon of practical things I need. Trying to fight this on all fronts and doing all the natural healing steps is part of my process. I’m sure I will need some additional financial help as well. Although to be honest, I’m not fully sure what that need is at the moment. 

Below are both financial and practical help buttons, as well as my address. Thank you to those of you who have already give and thank you in advance to anyone who will give. I am continually humbled by your generosity. 

Puerto Rico

Although the first few weeks of lockdown were slow with the nonprofit, we now have more projects going than we did before. We’ve had to shift our plans since we will not be hosting teams at least until the fall. The majority of the nonprofit is funded by an online store. So Carlos designed some masks and we started making masks and selling them online. This has allowed us to employ four people (3 single moms & 1 single Dad), raise funds for projects after covid, and it's also allowed us to give thousands of masks away. We’ve even created gift bags with supplies (mask, hand sanitizer, & gloves) to a few hundred elderly in their homes and/or facilities.

We are also working to apply for grants to continue the rebuilding after this lockdown.

This week we met with the Mayor’s office twice. Once to tour a building they want to provide us with for our trade school. Then again to meet with our local senator to see how Happy Givers NPO can help coordinate the feeding of about 1000 meals a week for kids and elderly in our city. No one is feeding people in our city and we are honored to help in any way we can to get the ball rolling. Please pray for favor as we meet with the department of education on Tuesday.

These projects excite me. They are the reason I am here. I feel life from them and am expectant that as they roll out, so much good will come from them. If we take over this campus they have offered, it’s in the heart of an impoverished area with high crime. I am expectant that it would be a place of hope and healing for the community and I can’t wait to see what God does.

Last thing: I woke up to an earthquake Saturday. It was centered in the south and they have sustained major damage down there. We are in the north and had little effects other than a short power outage. Please be praying for Puerto Rico.

Much love!

Your friend, 

Natalie