Wednesday, December 3, 2014

My Race is Almost Run

Running has never been a favorite past-time of mine.  I remember having to run a mile every day in my grade school.  Even during basketball season I could never run the entire mile without stopping.  The distance was always too long.  Now it seems that a lengthy earthly race will also be too long for me.

My oncologist confirmed what Paul and I have been suspecting for the last week.  I am out of options.  I cannot take the oral medication because I won't be able to absorb the benefits because of my g-tube.  Also we will never know if it is the medication that is causing my issues or my digestive tract problems.  She did look quickly to see if there were any trials, but those are very hard to get into even in the best of circumstances.
Paul and I had a very good talk with Dr. Swisher and my nurse, Holly.  They said it was up to me to keep trying different treatments that would be toxic in hopes to extend my life or do something else that would give me a better quality of life.  Either way there is no guarantee in anything. 

For right now my main focus is getting to Disneyland at the end of the month.  The Dream Foundation is working with us and something should be done soon.  We are going either way because our trip is already paid for.  Hopefully they can get us the extra medical support I will need for traveling and for the time at Disney.  We know quite a bit of paperwork has come across my doctor's desk so things are moving forward.

After that I will be going back on Avastin that I was on before.  It took my ascites away and the hope is that it might keep the cancer stable for a time.  Once again, there is no guarantee.

As far as a time line, they really can't give one.  Just like with my mom, all of the sudden things will shut down and then they can say weeks.  What they did say is that it's not weeks but it's not years.  I asked about my family reunion in July and both my doctor and my nurse said that it's unlikely that I will be able to travel then.  They did say that it could be different in two to three months when they see how things are going on the Avastin.  We will cross that bridge with the rest of the family when we come to it. 

We told the kids on Monday.  Please pray for them.  It's not easy hearing that your mom will be going home to Heaven before you are even close to being an adult.  They all reacted differently, but how we expected them to.  Melanie chose to stay home with me yesterday where the boys decided to go to school.  Pray for Melanie as she sees her friends and lets them know.  That is going to be hard for her.  Pray for the boys as they process things in their own way.  Pray for them to open up when they need to.
Please pray for Paul.  He already is doing the jobs of both parents since I am quite limited.  He's getting tired and is always in need of help with rides or things around the house.  We appreciate any help people can give us.

As I have been pondering the past few days, the verse Melanie chose as her confirmation verse kept running through my mind.

    Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.  I Corinthians 9:24

For a long time I have pictured this race as something like this:



Like I said before, I've never liked running. My thought of this verse was the hard pounding running people need to do to train.  And honestly, that is part of our spiritual running, isn't it?  We have to pound away, constantly learning, constantly training to keep God's Word so embedded in our hearts that nothing can penetrate it. 

But now, I'm looking at this verse like this:


 


This is a painting Melanie's first grade teacher, Rachel Tacke, made for her confirmation.  It's based on 1 Corinthians 9:24.  I love this because it's a child.  A child just keeps running because that's what children do.  That child-like faith knows they are going to get to the goal, and the goal will be wonderful.  There is no hardship, but there is urgency.  There is no wondering, yet there is expectation.  There is no angst, just joy.

So as I finsih my race, I am going to be running with the child-like faith shown here.  I know I am running to an amazing place.  The last part of this race won't be easy, but the reward will be amazing.
 

31 comments:

  1. Love you Lisa.......your message is truly an inspiration and I will continue to pray for your family.......and for you.

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  2. Thanks, Lisa, for sharing this. I love the feeling of the painting; it is very touching. May God continue to hold your hand as you run your race.

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  3. My brother finished his earthly race this morning and is now enjoying the glories of heaven. Isn't it amazing that as Christians we can mourn and rejoice all at the same time. We are sad to know that your life may be over soon...but really, none of us know the day and the hour...and that is good so that we are ready at all times. We continue to hold you and your family up to God in prayer. You have touched so many people with the messages that show your strong faith...now we pray that same faith will carry you through to the time you too take Jesus hand and are lifted up to heaven. God be with you all. Millie Woller

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  4. It is hard to read as well, dear sister in faith. Thank you for always sharing your heart, as well as God's comfort. The Patterson family will keep on in our habit of praying for the Rittierodt family. God bless your travel together, and may He cushion your day-to-day trials. What a beautiful gift that picture is, Lisa~ a true shift in perspective. God's Peace be with you. <3 Lara

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  5. How brave you are! Romans 12:12 comforted my sister and me while she was on her journey. I am now MORE determined to get the word out about OVC. Your book is on the way. Thanks for sharing your story, so others may learn from it. Blessings.
    Debbie

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  6. I have often said that one of the greatest gifts God gives us is the ability to love others, but with that gift comes great pain. My heart and prayers go out to each of you. I only wish I lived closer so I could be of help to the family. You are such an amazing inspiration and your faith shines so bright even during dark times. God is with you all, so continue to lean on him.

    Lin

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  7. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." Philippians 1:20-21

    Praying that God would give you and your loved ones an extra measure of strength and contentment in the days ahead. Much love to you all from Michigan.

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  8. Thinking of you and your family as I read your blog...God keep all of you in His loving arms! Hugs, Colleen Oldenburg

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  9. Praying for you, Lisa, and for peace and comfort for you and your family.

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  10. Praying for you, your precious family, your dear friends, and your medical team. God bless you and keep you until He takes you home.

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  11. Asking God to bless and be with you and your family. We will keep your whole family in our prayers up here in Michigan.

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  12. Prayers for you and your family from your brothers and sisters in Christ in Alaska. God has certainly kept His word and strengthened your faith through the Gospel for such a time as this. You are a hero in faith for me! In Christ, Robb

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  13. Mrs. Rittierodt, you are by far one of the biggest inspirations in my life, because of the fact that you have, even in times of trouble, been so strong in the faith. My prayers go out for you and your family.

    Looking back I can still remember taking Melanie to our house because you were all so busy. I pray that God gives you all peace, and that in the end He will tell you, "Well done, good and faithful servant." My love and heart goes out to you and your family.

    I ask God to provide you with strength as your race comes to a close so that you may finish with all the heart you started with. You are indeed one of the most impressively strong Christians I know. Looking in the face of adversity as you do and standing firm on the Rock, you are an inspiration for me and everyone who reads your blog. Thank you for being an astounding example. Again, my prayers go out for you.

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  14. Perhaps the greatest lesson here is that we should all live each day as if it were to be our last...because we don't ever know what the next minute might bring!
    Hugs to you, and your family!
    Never give up hope!

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  15. God Bless you and your family Lisa. Your words are an inspiration.

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  16. May your race be the best one you have ever been in. My prayers are with you and your family. You are a brave soul and an inspiration for me. Thank you!

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  17. Beautiful!! As I was reading, there were tears of joy and sorrow!! I am amazed at your outlook, that child-like faith! Lisa, that prize is yours and He is waiting to wrap his loving arms around you!! Much love, Kristin

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  18. Dear Sister:
    As we have watched you and your family on this journey, we marvel at the way you have always been so loving to all around you. Even when the race is almost completed, it seems that you are watching out for us .Strengthening our faith, when we should be strengthening yours. Just trust in this, you are truly loved, never alone and you and yours are always prayed for.
    a passage came to mind:
    •Luke 6:21 - Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.
    His Peace be with you.
    Lori and Todd

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  19. Lisa,
    You have been and will continue to be a great runner for God until you cross the finish line. Whenever that time comes we will join you in a song of triumph! Prayers for continued strength for you and your family.
    Love, Lynn S.

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  20. "He comforted them and spoke kindly to them." Genesis 50:21 I chose this verse to let you know your family will be well taken care of by GOD as they realize that you "have overcome the world." My prayers are with you and your family as you start your 'transitioning'. Your family will always remember you and your 'race' and the courageous way you ran it. You are indeed an inspiration to me. May GOD continue to BLESS you and I hope to meet you someday in our permanent home where there will be no more suffering nor pain. Love to you and your family, Joyce S.

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  21. Praying for all of you and sending you love. Loves, Michelle

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  22. Praying for you, Lisa! Your faith in the midst of this trial is such an inspiration – God is using you to reach many others. “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” –2 Cor. 4:17 Lisa, take a look at the blog at www.mundanefaithfulness.com – written by another Christian woman who is determined to glorify God in the midst of terminal cancer. I pray that it will be an encouragement to you.

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  23. Your light is brilliant. Your love is pure. These words from a song I heard come to me as I read your post. God bless you.
    Dixie

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  24. "My ways are not your ways" declares the Lord. I want to hold your hand and sit by you at the basketball games, and track meets and see our children healthy and strong but how would we ever grow with only our idea of happy and perfect?? Praying for you every day that you find joy and strength in His perfect Love!

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  25. This is my first time at your blog, Lisa, and my heart is breaking for you and your family. You inspire me as an ovarian cancer survivor now in my first recurrence. I write a weekly blog at www.outshineovariancancer.blogspot.com which I find helpful to me as I face my challenges, learn from guest bloggers, and explore issues about health/wellness, relationships, spirituality, and cancer. God bless you, Lisa, and I pray you will be able to go to DisneyLand and your family reunion.

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  26. Prayers are with you and your family.

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  27. Prayers are with you and your family.

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  28. Your courage in what you are facing and your beliefs are awesome. Prayers will be said for you and your beloved family daily at my Church

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  29. Your courage at what you face is awesome. I will make sure my church congregation pray for you and your family

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  30. God's plan is not our plan. May God be with you and your family.

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  31. May God be with you and your family. He will supply you with strength and peace and hope. Lisa, your faith is an inspiration to many.

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