Confessions of a Multi-tasker

She can recruit a volunteer for VBS on the phone, while checking emails on the computer, pull materials for a confirmation class,  tell an individual who is walking by her office that she will be there in just a few minutes, all while making notes about a family birthday party, planning the summer calendar and putting on makeup. And that’s just a typical five minutes!   Jess is a MAJOR multi-tasker, over achiever.  She is always taking on one more job or responsibility. She’s not very good at saying no to any request and she is a perfectionist at heart.  (I suspect I may be partially to blame.)  She likes doing more than one or two things (or three or four things) at a time.  She thrives on it. 

Ringing the bell after completing her final radiation treatment!

She is even a multi tasker when it comes to cancer.  Most people take radiation and then start their chemo; but not Jessica.   Jessica’s cancer is so advanced they decided to do both at the SAME TIME!  It has taken a toll on her body.  She is nauseated, can’t seem to keep food in, weak and feels like she is dehydrated most of the time.  She has been to the ER for fluids, had a port put in and just completed her last radiation treatment. Today, her platelets were to low for her to receive chemo. They will check it again tomorrow and if  it continues to be low she will have to have another blood transfusion. 

While the doctor visits, treatments  and tests are a a busy whirlwind of activity.  It is still a singular focus.  Recently Jessica told me, “Mom, out here our whole lives are all about the cancer.  Everything is about cancer.  Where I go, what I can eat, or can't eat, how to manage this or that, how not to do too much or too little.  I don’t want my life to be all about cancer. I don't want cancer! She has worries and fears. But she recently enjoyed and shared this passage from Jesus Calling that meant a lot to her. 
 

"It is not so much adverse events that make you anxious as it is your thoughts

 about those events. Your mind engages in efforts to take control of a situation,

 to bring about the result you desire. Your thoughts close in on the problem like

 ravenous wolves. Determined to make things go you way (each task of course),

you forget that I am in charge of your life. The only remedy is to switch your

focus from the problem (task) to My Presence. Stop all of your striving, and

 watch and see what I will do. I am the Lord!" {Jesus Calling - May 21). 
 

 And so with vigilant hearts and devoted prayer, we can't wait to see what God will do! For He is Lord. 

This weekend Jessica and Jason are coming home.  And as we have said Jessica is a multi-tasker, but you also know that she loves being around people, being with people, talking to people.  And I hope that you will come and see her.  This Saturday and Sunday though we would like to reserve for family visits and transition time.  We ask that you respect this request. After that she would welcome your visits. And I know she would be thrilled to be distracted and to get involved again in activities as she is able.  Simply call her before you come to be sure it is a good time. 

May we all be reminded that  "yes" , Jessica has cancer. "Yes, it is an aggressive form of cancer. And "yes", this scares her and us and maybe even you. But, now is not to time to focus on the task, but on HIS PRESENCE. "What then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all  - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?