Sunday, May 22, 2011

THE BATTLE and the Foreward to YAHSHUA'S BRIDGE

Many of you already know of this, but on November 1, 2010, the very day my debut novel THE MASTER'S WALL was released, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 T-cell Lymphoma: cancer. Since then, I've been undergoing the fight of my life, but not without the support of my family, church family, friends, schools, and the ACFW family. Truly, the prayers and support have rocked our world! 

Well, I'm now nearing the final battle. I'm in the hospital getting ready to undergo a bone marrow transplant. I've completed three days of totally body radiation, and just finished my last round of chemo today. Without the donor's bone marrow, I won't survive. The donor's bone marrow will arrive on the 24th (this Tuesday) and will be injected into my body (much like getting blood). Please pray for my donor. We haven't met, but I know he's in a lot of pain with the injections he has to take to produce more blood (all this for a complete stranger; it's amazing!). 

Anyway, I just wanted some extra prayers coming my way during this time. I likely won't have much energy in the upcoming weeks as my body will be at war within itself. The new marrow is supposed to grow and wipe out my old marrow, and in effect, tackle the cancer. Please pray it only takes out the cancer and nothing of "me." There's a chance it could attack my skin, gut, or liver. 

It's a scary time, and I have four children counting on this to work (17, 14, 11 and 3). My husband is using time off to be with me during my difficult times (he's also able to work from the hospital most times), and his parents are in town from Holland to help out at the house with the kids. My sister will be with me during my worst of times next week.

In the meantime, my second book galleys are being proofed. I sent them on to my editor, Wendy Chorot, to proof them. I just can't do it. I pray I'll have the strength to read the ARCs once those are released, and Lord willing, I won't find anything major that needs fixing! :-) It's rather ironic that this story is to release after/during all I've been through. You can read the book jacket description of it on my last blog entry and see the cover. In the meantime, I'll share the foreward with you below, which gives better insight into just how deep this story goes. I thought the foreward was very touching, and it might give you all an idea of what this road has been like for me.

Love you all, and thank you so much for your prayers. If you'd like to share this with other prayer groups or blogs, please do! ALL the prayers I can get mean everything to me! EVERYTHING!

Love in Him,

Sandi

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Foreward for YAHSHUA'S BRIDGE (Iron and the Stone: book two)

Nothing could have prepared me for the gut-twisting pain of discovering Sandi Rog was diagnosed with stage four T-cell Lymphoma. I have never experienced such raw, hyperventilating terror as the realization of what my best friend would endure sank into my heart.

This diagnosis came on the eve of birthing Yahshua’s Bridge, though she suffered many months prior to its completion. Each word became a struggle as she experienced devastating symptoms of the cancer that threatened to abort Yahshua’s Bridge. But Sandi pressed on, ran the good race, and word by precious word, completed this God-honoring masterpiece. The moment it fell into my hands for editing, I realized God had provided me with a coping mechanism for dealing with the grief of her diagnosis. As I sank further into the story, I realized God had provided Sandi with the same comforting tool. You see, Sandi doesn’t write anything about God that she doesn’t believe. As these characters came alive in the story, each with their own struggles, Sandi weaved truths and promises around them that come straight from our Lord’s Word. Truths and promises her family and friends can echo back to her when she is too weak to read them for herself.

You, Dear Reader, have in your hands a work of art built on the Master’s teachings. Yahshua’s Bridge will stir your soul, send you to your knees, and then cradle you and pour sweet peace into the corners of your heart. Its depths will leave you breathless for your savior while offering you comfort only His embrace can give. Yahshua’s Bridge carries the marks of suffering Sandi Rog endured to guarantee it touches you forever.

Wendy Chorot

22 comments:

  1. Hey sweet lady!! I just wanted you to know that you are in my prayers! I hope everything works out this week and that the marrow does what it is supposed to!! I think you are amazing! I've missed those Kindergarten days and am sorry that I haven't been around as much. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help you out!!

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  2. Wendy's forward brought me to tears. It was beautiful and about a beautiful author. Sandi, stand strong. I know you can do this. We all have a future together. Love you and praying for you.

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  3. Praying, Sandi! You are so special--just as the Lord provided the marrow donor, He will continue to provide for you. I'll be passing on your prayer request, and confident that HE will be holding your hand and holding YOU in His hands throughout the coming weeks and months.
    Hug, hug, hug!

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  4. Praying for you, Sandi, and for complete healing. Wow, Wendy's words really touched me. God has put some awesome people in your life during this valley. Hugs!

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  5. Praying for you! So sorry you have to go through all of this. May God bless you with peace and great health.

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  6. Praying you feel Jesus' strengthening hand beside you every step of the way. Lots of love and prayers coming your way!!

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  7. Praying for you, Sandi. As a fellow mom of four, I'm praying for your health and your mommy's heart. Rest easy when you can.

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  8. covering you, your family, the donor, and the doctors in prayers.

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  9. Sandi,
    Thank you for sharing and for the opportunity to pray for you.
    I appreciate you sharing from your heart, from your pain, with us.
    Patti

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  10. Praying for you Sandi. Be brave, dear friend.

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  11. Praying for you right now. Press on, mighty warrior. May the everlasting arms hold you and give you courage.

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  12. Praying for you right now.

    Laura

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  13. My prayers are with you and your family, Sandi. May God hold you all in the palm of His hands and bring you through the other side of this fire, not only stronger, but with a message for all to hear.

    God bless!

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  14. Praying for you. Peace on your journey.

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  15. As always, you are in my prayers.

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  16. Sandi-I had the pleasure of teaching Whitney this year, and I want you to know that I have prayed for you and your family this year. Whitney is such an amazing young lady, and she is a great testament to what is obviously a strong, loving mother. Blessings to you all.
    L. Cillessen

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  17. Sandi, I continue to pray for you and so does my church. You are such a blessing.

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  18. Sandy, Stay strong and believe that God will always be with you and will hold and comfort you when ever you need him. I will continue to pray for your recovery.

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

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WHEN THE WORLD SAYS YOU CAN'T, FAITH SAYS YOU CAN!