This one is naked, friends. Bear with me, I’m juggling movie metaphors. Beatrix Kiddo is getting ready to kick Bill’s ass once and for all, while the theme from Rocky plays in my head.
If you haven’t met Deb, go right now, just click on her name and read that post, then come back. She went in the hospital last Sunday, to prepare for the stem-cell transplant that will save her. That will give her back her life, and give her back to her little girl, Zoe. It’s almost time. The real deal goes down on Monday. If you’ve been praying, step it up. If you haven’t been, I’m pleading with you, start. I can’t tell you how much I believe in the power of prayer. I will go to a basketball game this afternoon where I will cheer for my evidence that prayer produces results. When I research the disorder that I have, and the medications that I took, to become pregnant — there is no medical reason that she should be here. My disorder was not cured nor even treated adequately. It was the prayers that were adequate. Mine, Jif’s, our families’, our church’s, that’s what gave LG life. Deb is getting the best medical treatment possible; combine that with prayer, and she will be given life, too.
This morning at 6:15, I nudged Jif awake. “You ‘member Kill Bill?”
“Whuh?”
“Kill Bill! ‘Member it?”
“Yea . . .”
“What was it, what was that move that Uma did that finally killed him?”
“I don’t remember . . .”
That’s what the internet is for. It was the Five Point Palm Exploding Heart Technique. Deb identifies with Uma Thurman’s character in the Kill Bill movies. AN ASS-KICKER EXTRAORDINAIRE. She’s even called “Debuma,” in certain circles. Deb has Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia — A.L.L. And if that doesn’t sound like a nasty-enough motherfucker, it is “Philadelphia chromosome positive.” I don’t know what that means, except that it makes it meaner and harder to kill. But did you see the movies? Who’s harder to kill than Bill? And he went down. And so will A.L.L., this time.
Sometimes, because I talk about God here (along with sex, and various body parts, and brownies, and all the rest of the crazy), people write to me about their beliefs or their unbelief. Sometimes they say they don’t know how to pray. Don’t overthink it. It’s just talking to God. You don’t need a special language, you don’t need a formula, you just talk. And I can guaran-damn-tee, there will never be anyone you talk to who is happier to hear from you. You will be welcomed with open arms. Just, PLEASE, do it. If you could hear me, you’d hear begging in my voice. If you could see me, you’d see tears.
And please take some comment-love to Deb today. Please bombard her with comments this weekend so that when she goes in for the stem-cells on Monday, she’ll take all of our love with her. “But I don’t really know Deb . . . ” Look, you don’t wanna mess with me like that today. I don’t know her, either. I know that she’s a human being who can be helped by something that we have, and it doesn’t cost us a dime. Go over there, and say . . . “Just thinking of you . . .” “Sending you love . . . ” “You’re in my prayers . . . ” “Susie sent me . . . ” Any or all of the above. Or tell a joke. OR write out your grocery list; she probably misses ordinary things like that. OK? Just go and do that, my friend.
When you go to Deb’s, you’re going to see some people that you may have seen here. A certain girl band, Nikki and the Sisters. I have to tell you, they are another big reason that I am praying so hard, and asking you so much to help me with that. They lost their beloved Sarah, just months ago, when she was in the process of trying to receive the same type of treatment that Deb will receive. They lost Sarah. I honestly don’t know where or how they have come up with the love, and the grace, the faith, and the hope, and the humor, and the generosity of spirit, to go and support Deb the way they have. But they’re there in full force, all the time. All the time. And I love them. And I want so desperately for THEM to have a win this time. And if you know them at all, I know you want that, too.
Medicine + Love + PRAYER = Five Point Palm Exploding Heart Technique
It’s time. Kill A.L.L. Volume II (because that’s the one where Uma kicks ass, once and for all).
You kick ass too Susie! On my way over now. I aint messin’ witchya.
xoxoxox
haha, smart girl, dashababymama! I can get a little bossy when I’m passionate, you know? š Thank you, sweetie. Love you.
I’ve been there several times, and keep going back. Also did something on my site to send peeps over.
(I cant believe I typed ‘peeps’ hmmm)
Deb has been and will continusouly be in our prayers.
God is holding her through this.
I know first hand what positive vibes, good wishes and sweet comments can do for one’s moral. It makes such a HUGE difference. Thank you, dear Susie, for being such a force to be reckoned with. In the best possible way, of course.
Celery Hearts, Spinach, Peanut Butter, KY Warming Jelly…
OOOH, over on the OTHER blog… OK.
captainlawbrat, peeps is a perfectly useful word, even when it’s not Easter. I love your hairy legs, and you š
kranki, force to be reckoned with? You’re making a crack about my ass, aren’t you? :p
chchchchia, whuh . . . you’re confusing me . . . you take the spinach, leave me the rest, I’ll figure out something to do with it . . . mmmm peanut butter . . . OH, it’s your grocery list! OK, smartass, get outta here. I’m serious, though, leave me the peanut butter and the KY š
Kitty, thanks for the reminder! I gotta get spinach.
Peeps!
You made me weep openly, Mrs. Fairchild. I do NOT weep openly. Now what do you plan to do about it??
You put into words precisely my own feeling regarding Nikki and The Sisters — I want Deb to win as much for them as for Deb herself and Zoe!! I’ve been all but paralyzed this week with the weight of concern, and I believe that when your heart is that burdened by another’s pain, it is no accident. Somehow, someway, there’s a message in such things that requires response. So, thank you for sharing the burden I feel in rallying around Deb. It has me smiling through these tears.
You could (should) have added that Deb needs do-re-me. I sent her some USD. You might wanna tell other readers to do the same. She’s gonna be in debt bigtime. All the kinds of ways that people can donate are listed on her site.
I can hardly see the key’s on the
laptop for the tears are “a flowing”.
I think I need to come back and
thank you when I am not sobbing.
I can probably get this out…
We love you for being the best
kind of friend one could ever ask
for in life.
While the transplant is Monday “that
part is easy” it is merely a transfusion. We have to pray it takes, we have to pray her body does not reject her brother’s cells. We have to pray she does not get a bad
case of graft vs host. The complications are infinite. I could
drone on, but you get the idea.
For everyone who visits. We all
thank you, we all know what it means to have the love and support of
people like you.
I should stop and find a paper bag
and take a big deep breath.
As Sarah would have told you
L’Chaim which is the Yiddish
phrase which means to life.
Love,
Nikki and all of Sarah’s family
Just got back from Deb’s. I was just over there the other day through Eclectic. Prayers are there.
Susie, you rock! I don’t know how you do it. You have the biggest heart of anyone I know…Okay I don’t know you …you know what I mean.
We all may say our children are gifts from God. I truly, literally, believe it. (Now I have tears.) I know it’s a post about Deb, but the “evidence” part of what you wrote spoke to me more this time. Maybe because I know I don’t need your encouragement to visit Deb. She is in my thoughts always.
lawbrat, peeps backatcha š
eclectic, what do I plan to do about it? Maybe I’ll just lick your face! Beyonce turned down my offer, I understand . . . no, wait, I’m too good for her . . . Beyonce who? I love you, Shari, even though your cheerleader uniform fits better than mine š
hoss, people who come here know by now that what the commenters say is always better than what I say anyhow, so you have just spread the word, and I thank you. Of course you are right. I did my thing today, in this regard, and I know some others who read here have, as well. Thanks, my friend.
nikki, you are far too generous to me. I’m glad you said what you did; I know that praying doesn’t stop when the transplant is accomplished. I’ll keep getting that message out, too. My love to you and the whole band.
squirl, I never forget the meaning that all of this has to you and to our baby sis. I can’t say more without falling apart right now. Just know that I know. XOXOX
william, I know; you’re saying I have the biggest heart of anyone you don’t really know . . . no, you’re not, because that would just be ridiculous, William! You make me smile; you’re no lightweight in the heart department either, my friend š
karen, 1. I know, I’ve been down that road, too. And 2. I know. I see you there all the time. Hugs to you.
Hi,
I don’t have lots of computer time
with my menagerie. Lisabeth is
with my other sister’s and called me.
She told me that I should read your
blog. You are very kind, generous,
and compassionate.
I know it is very difficult to visit
Deb’s blog. I take a deep breath,and
hope I can read and not cry.
It’s not just because my sisters
died, it is so painful to know
she is a single parent, with a
young child and has a killer disease.
Our family recognizes the courage
it takes to click on her blog.
We also know the courage she needs
to fight her disease. I think
you all are very courageous.
Rachel
(A proud member of the Nikki
and the Sisters group)
Sigh,
I read this earlier and cried and
could not write. I came “home” and
I am with some of my “sisters”. I have the original HOULIGAN Grace
with me. She finally went to bed I heard. She is staying with Nikki,
since she likes to “dress her”.
I was at Deb’s and saw something about waxing, short skirts, did you change professions?
I have cried too much today. And I see my sister Rachel and Nikki
thanked you properly. I am subbing
for Shoshie on Deb’ site with the
Yiddish phrase. I thought you may
want this on your page.
Kush meer in toches which means
kiss my ass. You never know when you may want that phrase. Sarah
was fluent in Yiddish, she paid
attention to our parent’s. Shoshie
is fairly good. I know bit’s and pieces. Enough that I can sub for
Shoshie and leave you a great phrase.
Hugs from Grace and Lisabeth
rachel, thank you for saying such kind things . . . it is tough to visit Deb sometimes; you and the rest of Nikki and the Sisters lead the way; you show the rest of us how to be courageous and hopeful. Thank you for that š
lisabeth, I haven’t changed professions, I’m just moonlighting as a cheerleader; and in my new outfit, I have no doubt that I will soon have occasion to use my new Yiddish phrase. In fact, I can’t wait to try it out.
Kush meer in toches! (Not saying that to you, you understand, just practicing for when I need it š
Please give my MEAN GIRL Shoshie my love, and tell her I miss her š
In the event somebody is curious
about the infamous Philadelphia
chromosome. Here is a little explanation. I “think” it’s not too
much medical “mumbo-jumbo as we say.
The Philadelphia
chromosome (named because it was discovered at hospital in
Philadelphia), is actually what is known as a balanced, or reciprocal,
translocation. What this means is that early in cell division a process
known as crossing over occurs. This is when the tip of each of a a pair
of chromosomes breaks off and switches places. This increases genetic
variety in a species and is one of the reasons that no two organisms are
exactly alike (unless they are clones You know like Dolly the sheep remember her). Sometimes the pieces don’t
switch places correctly. One of the errors that can happen is called a
translocation. A piece of one of the chromosome pairs doesn’t make it
to the other to trade and actually attaches to another chromosome that
isn’t its pair. In the “Philadelphia chromosome” a piece of chromosome
9 attaches to chromosome 22. It is a reciprocal translocation because
part of 22 also attaches to 9. Other types of translocations occur when
the piece attaches to the other chromosome but they don’t trade info.
The information that piece carries is inserted next to another gene and
causes what is known as a “fusion protein.” This means that the two
parts now work together to form a new message. The gene from chromosome
9 is called “abl” and the gene from 22 is called “bcr.” “Abl” is a gene
that plays a role in normal cell division. Because the exchange is
reciprocal, two different forms are made.
And here you have your Philly
Info
Nikki
Dear Susie,
I’ve been lurking for a while, and only recently decided to comment when you called us all to pray, even if we were not used to doing so.
..I have to say, I’ve been reading you for longer than a lurker should, but I’ve not had the courage to post until now.
I see that you frequently call for prayer on behalf of those you do not “know”, and that gives me hope.
I am a 21-year-old recovering agoraphobic from Florida who has bee n struggling with God thus far. You’ve really made me want to learn, to forgive, to be thankful.
You’re an inspiration to me, and, apparently, to others.
Thank you, and I hope you don’t mind if I comment a bit from now on.
Thanks again,
-Samantha
samantha, welcome! Mind if you comment? Get outta here, I’m a total comment whore! I really am glad you let me know you were here. You have no idea how much your words mean to me. Comments like yours help me talk back to that part of me that says I’m wasting too much time, here, not really doing anything that’s worth much to anyone. Tell you what, I have a notebook right HERE by the keyboard, where I started keeping a list of blogfriends that I pray for — actually, my friend, kranki here was the first one on this list š . . .and now, Samantha, you’re the most recent addition! Don’t you give up, keep recovering. And God is tough enough to contain your struggling. Keep doing what you need to do, until you and God are OK. May I give you a hug? I hope you’ll comment again š
Susie,
You may ABSOLUTELY hug me!
Let me hug you back, and let me say that, while I was not requesting prayer from you, that it certainly made me feel better!
I was housebound (I’m sure you, as a therapist, have seen or heard of this), but have recently “seen the Light”.
I have a wonderful man, soon to be my husband, who has seen me through these changes.. I am holding a job i n our community, I am “back in the swing of things”!
I hate to do this, as a new commenter..
But..
Dare I ask that you and I pray for each other?
Susie, pray that I might see God for all He can be for me, and all that I can be, for not only myself, but for others in need..
I am far from “normal”, but I know that there are others who need a helping hand, others who may be where I was before.
(Hopefully) In God’s Love,
-Samantha
samantha, I am so happy for all your good news š May God bless your marriage and your work; I have absolute faith that you will continue becoming who God created you to be! Normal’s not all it’s cracked up to be, just keep being Samantha š And I would welcome any and all prayers, thank you for that.
Wonderful! I’ve already been there today but just for you, I’ll go again! MWAH!
I’m a little late to the party, but I’ll be sure to leave Deb some comment love. She’ll be in my thoughts and prayers today.
Love and hugs to you, Susie.
I am late too, but I gave Deb the comment love anyways. And this post made me cry for some reason.
(And that is not something I ever write unless it’s true.)