“Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper and the waves of the sea were hushed.” Psalm 107:28-29
Thank you so much for your ongoing prayers since the surgical procedure of the stents of two weeks ago. Sadly, I have not experienced any great changes in bloating, abdominal discomfort or the capacity to eat. I had an x-ray today to evaluate the stents and soon to follow up with the gastroenterologist and the oncology team after that.
My health continues to deteriorate. When we met with Dr. Martins last Thursday he recommended that we stop all treatment. Since the beginning of this journey, we knew we were dealing with a rare form of cancer that is considered incurable. Our goal since the beginning of this cancer journey – two years ago in September – was to fight the cancer to the best of our ability focusing on quality not quantity of life. Even though we are stopping treatment I will continue to maintain contact with the team who will monitor my health and ongoing issues at the moment.
Moving forward I am sensing God preparing me for Heaven. It is a sweet thing to be able to have this time to say good bye and to finish well. I have had the chance to reach out to old friends that I have not spoken with in years and have had people who I have not heard from reach out to encourage me. It is a gift from God when we are told, “that in this world we will have trials of various kinds” but we are exhorted to look for “joy in the journey”.
One of the best joys that God has brought to our journey thus far is our very recent news of the engagement of our youngest daughter, Kathryn, to her boyfriend of one year, Carl. We are thrilled for Kathryn and Carl as they start a new chapter of their lives and look forward to planning a wedding together over the next few months. Thank you for rejoicing with us!
On this journey I have never stopped believing nor asking God for a miracle. I know without a doubt that God could heal me in an instant, but walking by faith also causes me to know that each of my days are numbered by God, are very precious to Him and are held so tenderly in His hands.
As I now get close to the end of life, it is interesting how the things of greatest importance come to the forefront: Time with the Lord, time with family and time with friends. This is what occupy my thoughts and very limited energies.
Would you please pray for:
- My desire to finish well — and wisdom to do so;
- My desire to get to Canada to see my mom, who is in an Alzheimers care facility. We await ceratin border policy changes to permit this to happen. Please pray for a miracle.
- For my body — to permits rally and due to rest from further treatment.
- For Kathryn and Carl (and our family as a whole) as we plan their wedding together. That we would experience much joy and laughter together.
- For our family as we grieve together, with our desire to spend quality time together these next few months.
Please know that we thank you for journeying with us. Truly. With much love to you,
Debbie and Patrick — with our girls Sarah and Kathryn.
Debbie O'Connor's Journey 
My heart is heavy and tears are here, and yet…..He is our hope…this is not our home….and your words call me forward in faith and truth. I love you dear friend.
Forever friends
Georgie
Sent from my iPhone
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Thank you Georgie. You are a blessing!
On Tue, Aug 17, 2021, 6:06 PM Debbie O'Connor's Journey wrote:
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We love you and are praying for you. May the Lord’s presence be very real to you each moment (“For to live is Christ”), and may He give you peace as you anticipate seeing Him face-to-face (“and to die is gain”). — Dwight Bales
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So happy that Kathryn is engaged. Praying that you can be there for her wedding. Always praying for a miracle. Love you!
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Debbie my dearest friend..praying for you rejoicing with you..at Kathryns news..praying for that visit to see your mom..hoping for a miracle..and well said Deb
.as we see this journey through..my heart is filled with love for you..as you run the race..
So graced and blessed by your friendship..and honored to be your friend..let me know what you need..
Anything
In joy, in tears, in laughter, with love..dear one
Joanne
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Debbie you are such a wonderful witness to God’s great love and interest in our lives. Have been praying for you and will continue praying for you and your wonderful family. Doris Peterson
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Dearest Debbie, thank you for being a great witness of faith even during heartbreaking, painful times. I will pray daily that every moment of Kathryn’s wedding plans you will have strength and less pain so that you can enjoy this precious event. I will pray daily for a miracle for you to get to Canada to see your mother. I pray that whatever time the LORD gives you, you will feel His great love and presence every step of the way. Praying for Patrick, Sarah, and Kathryn too. Love and prayers.
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I have never met you Debbie but I have met Patrick. I am following your journey and weeping with you now with both joy and sorrow. You have run this race of life well and the finish line is near with your Savior waiting to place the crown of life on your head and say “well done.” Your life exemplifies grace, love, compassion, and a legacy of trusting in the one who created you. As we watch from the outside in, we can’t help but be encouraged by your example and testimony. You are loved…. and when the Lord does take you home, you will be greatly missed here on this earth; but we will also be rejoicing on that day to know that your Savior has healed you and is right there physically by your side. There is no greater place to be than in the presence of our Savior.
2 Timothy 4:15
The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
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Thank you friend. Your words of encouragement are very much appreciated. Blessings to you. Debbie
On Wed, Aug 18, 2021 at 6:43 AM Debbie O'Connor's Journey wrote:
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Dear Debbie,
My heart aches for you and your dear family. Two years ago when you reported your cancer, I remember weeping. I was grieving because I love you and Patrick. It also brought back memories of my brother, Dick, who passed of cancer at age 41. I recall the medical rollercoaster ride that happens when hopes and improvements are dashed by reality. Your steadfast faith in Jesus is keeping you filled with eternal hope even while your physical hope is fading.
Sue and I are emerging from our biggest medical challenge. For over two weeks, we’ve had the new strain of Covid that took us down to a level of sickness that we’ve never experienced. I had eighteen days of fever, weakness and brain fog. I told Sue, “I didn’t look death in the face, but I knew he was around the corner.” God has seen fit to give us improving health, but the lesson of how fragile I am will never be forgotten.
As you wind down your earthly life and look ahead to your life forever in heaven, I will pray that you will finish well. The days of our lives are in God’s hands “before there was one of them.” Patrick, Sarah, Kathryn and Carl will also be in my prayers. I am hoping that you have a good pastor who will walk with you through this marathon. If you or Patrick need to talk, I am available at 714 615 1875 any time day or night.
“Earth hath no sorrow that heaven cannot heal.”
Pastor Jerry
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Dear Pastor Jerry, Thank you for sharing your heart. Yes, I would love to talk and catch up with you. I know we had a time lined up a week or so back but then life took a turn which it often does. Rollercoaster very much describes this cancer ride. I am hoping we can schedule a zoom talk time for sometime this week. I will let Patrick set this up as he is my IT man and is so gracious to get all the technical stuff lined up for me.
Words can not express how grateful I am to both you and Sue for your impact in our lives. Getting close to the end is a blessing and I have had a lot of time to reflect and learn to prioritize for now what are the most important things. We will catch up soon. With much love and appreciation. Debbie
On Wed, Aug 18, 2021 at 11:15 AM Debbie O'Connor's Journey wrote:
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DEAREST DEBBIE,
We assure you of our prayers for your requests! We share your Joy and Sorrow.
We LOVE THE GOD IN YOU!
A Testimony of His Love, Grace and Mercy daily that has ‘Met your
Needs’.
We continue to walk with you. 💕🙏🙏🙏💕. 🎶🎵🎵💕🌻🌻🌻🙏
We LOVE YOU!
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Thank you Robert.
On Thu, Aug 19, 2021, 6:43 AM Debbie O'Connor's Journey wrote:
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Dear Debbie,
Thank you for always letting us know about you. We are part of this journey as well.
We keep praying for you, your family and the prayer requests.
We are so happy for Katherine. Sara and Katherine will always be in our memories as the little girls we once met.
We love you all and we will always keep you in our prayers.
With great love,
Jenny and Kenia Guillen
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Thank you Jenny. I love you and Kenia so much. Thank you for being a blessing to me.
On Thu, Aug 19, 2021, 9:17 PM Debbie O'Connor's Journey wrote:
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Dear Debbie and Patrick, and your family, Jim & I were away at our Staff Conference when we received your latest news. It was with tears that we prayed for you and this next part of your “Race”. How wonderful to hear about your steadfastness, and also for the way God is allowing you to rejoice in the anticipation of Katherine and Carl’s upcoming wedding! May God give you many joys together as you plan for this event, and our other desire along with you is that it will work out to see your dear Mom as well. We will continue to pray for you all, and send our love, prayer and great respect for all of you as a family as you testify to God’s sustaining love in all things!
Warmly, in Christ,
Jim & Becky Hamilton
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Thank you Becky. We are in shock and life has been overwhelming this week with lots of emotional ups and downs. But as always God is showing himself as our anchor and hope. Love to you and Jim.
On Sat, Aug 21, 2021 at 9:07 AM Debbie O'Connor's Journey wrote:
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Praying for you
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Sweet Debbie – one of my fondest memories of my time in Honduras was the day we spent in the hospital, praying over the patients there and crying so many tears together. We wondered whether we had done any good because our hearts were so broken for those in pain. Had we made them sadder? But I think it was our tender hearts that knit us together as instant friends. Now my heart hurts for YOU, and for Patrick, and for the girls.
On that trip, we also laughed a LOT! Tenderness and joy. I am praying that in the midst of such sorrow, the Lord would bless you with moments of sweet joy. I doubt I will get to see you again this side of heaven, which brings tears to my eyes as I write this. But please know that I’ll be looking forward to reuniting in heaven, where there will be no more tears, only joy.
May the Lord provide you with an ever increasing sense of His nearness, so that stepping into heaven will feel so right and perfect and natural. I love you dearly and still feel such kinship. Know that I will be praying for all of you…
With so much love,
Amy Elliott
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Debbie, May the Lord continue to meet you step by step and use you in every season. May you sense His loving hand upon you each minute and day to day. You are His child and praise God for His hand upon you and your family. Thank you for these beautiful updates, even as hard as they may be to write. Blessings, Keith & Judy
Sent from my iPhone
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Thank you Keith and Judy. We as a family have had a rough couple of weeks. Lots of emotions flying around every where. And they are tricky little things because they just pop up at the oddest of moments! But God has brought a calm to the storm and we are held sweetly in His hands. We have chosen a hospice team and the nurse comes today to examine me. I never stop believing God for a miracle. And can now say with great peace “not my will but yours be done.” Blessings to you both. Debbie
On Tue, Aug 24, 2021, 8:56 PM Debbie O'Connor's Journey wrote:
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Debbie. You are always on my heart and in my thoughts. I’m praying God amazes you each day with His care and comfort. I am so happy for Katherine and her fiancé. What a joy for you to watch and encourage her. Take care and know you are loved by us and many others here in Tigard. Ginny
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Thank you Ginny. Send our greetings to the group. I continue to pray for Megan. Blessings!
On Wed, Aug 25, 2021, 11:49 AM Debbie O'Connor's Journey wrote:
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