Worship Wednesday with Wendy-Woo

Take a moment to worship today with one of Wendy-Woo's favorite songs!

(Only thing better would be a video of CRamsey singing it! Or maybe a Kari Jobe/Chris Ramsey duet- I would pay $ for that!)

Silence is Golden

Sorry for the time lapse since our last post! In this case, silence is golden! 

Following Wendy's first chemo treatment last Tuesday, she has done amazing with taking life as it comes! A.MA.ZING! 

While she did experience some fatigue (probably an accumulation of stress and anxiety, previous sleepless nights, and her first chemo treatment), a little loss of appetite, and some brief soreness from the insertion of her port, God has been SO good to care for her! She has been resting well, has not battled nausea or vomiting, and has been able to do the things she has wanted to do, for the most part! (Including a sassy new haircut!) That just makes me want to shout PRAISE from the rooftops! 

Wendy was able to pick up Taylor from camp Friday (and hug this anxious bestie!), hit a family birthday party Saturday, and attend church on Sunday! She taught her Sunday School class with her crafty partner in crime, and offered a beautiful testimony to her faith on this path called cancer during both worship services. There was not a dry eye in the house, but Wendy bravely stood before her church to proclaim her faith in Christ and His current calling on her life with grace and dignity. I know it has been a relief for Wendy to have these days (feeling well!) with her husband and kids, even if they have an excuse to be a little lazy here and there! She has also been able to work, both from home and office- what a warrior! 

So- you maybe wondering: 

Wendy gets to be a mom, wife, realtor, marketer, friend, and whatever other hat she wants to wear this week! Next week, Tuesday, she is looking forward to worshiping with friends at the Outcry concert in St. Louis, especially seeing this gal in concert! 

Wendy will undergo her next round of chemotherapy on Wednesday, August 5th. Although we don't know what to anticipate with regard to cumulative side effects, we are again hopeful for the absolute best, and we have faith God will walk with her through whatever comes her way! 

Many of you have been asking: 

Andy and Wendy are overwhelmed and humbled by the outpouring of love you have shown through phone calls, texts, Facebook messages, emails, cards, offerings of meals, childcare, housecare, company, hugs, and most importantly, prayers. While they want to be conscientious to "reserve help" for when they "really need it", they understand the drive in their friends and family to support them during this time. Look for following support opportunities coming soon: 

1) Wendy-Woo Strikes Out Cancer support bracelets and t-shirts COMING SOON. Look for pre-order information here on the blog! 

2) An Origami Owl/Thirty One fundraiser is coming in August with NEW Fall catalogs (offered by some sweet friends from church)! Online shopping options will be presented on the blog and a portion of the proceeds from your purchases will be donated to help Andy and Wendy with ongoing medical costs. 

3) I PROMISE to let you know when there are other opportunities to serve and love on Wendy during this interruption! (Specifically, meals or childcare opportunities!) 

Your outpouring of love speaks volumes to Wendy, and also speaks of the legacy of family and friendship she has built in her lifetime. You are a living, breathing example of John 15:13, "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." Every moment you sacrifice even a thought for the sake of Wendy, you point to the moment Jesus sacrificed His life for you. Each are born of love and are a testimony to grace and friendship. 

Many blessings to you all! K 

P.S. Wendy has been cheating on Diet Coke with Root-beer!? Who knew!? 

Worship Wednesday with Wendy-Woo

Enjoy a moment of worship today with one of Wendy-Woo's anthems for the journey!

First Treatment Down!

Hey friends of Wendy! What a blessing  to be able to hear from her today, right!? I am so proud of her and her willingness to share this journey with all of us, so we can pray, cry, laugh and encourage! 

I am sharing guest post tonight from Chris Ramsey, Minister of Music at RBC, and longtime Helton/Herweck friend/brother (and withholder of Wendy's big tambourine debut!) Chris had the privilege of sitting with Wendy today, and I asked him to share some of their day with you: 

“Love must be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good. Show family affection to one another with brotherly love. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer. Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality. Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.” Romans 12:9-13, 15

Today I was privileged to spend some time with Wendy as she went through her first chemo treatment. What a blessing to see Wendy and Andy face this together. Lisa Bullock was also there offering stability from a voice that has walked this road eighteen years ago! It is very encouraging to see Lisa ministering to Wendy and offering insight and guidance.

Today reminded me of so many experiences that I have had with Wendy over the past twenty years. Today’s treatment was a mixture of laughter, seriousness, reflection and a touch of emotion. Wendy and I have a tradition of sharing Krispy Kreme Donuts and so I brought her a dozen today, which got us laughing over some old stories. It is always interesting to me how the Holy Spirit often brings laughter into some of our most difficult life moments, and I’m so thankful that our friendship is built around our shared faith in Christ and the hope that He alone brings to our hurting world. Christ alone is Wendy’s comfort but He has brought a wonderful support network to help her. Christ’s hands and feet will be displayed through her husband, lovely family, and friendships.

Wendy is facing this season of her life with great courage, but the journey has now started and the variables begin as well. Pray for her tonight as she begins to deal with the side effects of chemo. Pray that God will bless her with sleep so she can recover and keep her strength up. There is still so much information to process, so pray for Andy as he attempts to stay “up to speed” on everything that the doctors and nurses are saying.

It seems appropriate to quote our Bible verse from Vacation Bible School this year that says, “and whenever you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: ‘This is the way. Walk in it.’” Isaiah 30:21

Join me in praying that Wendy and Andy can constantly hear God’s voice through this uncharted journey that they have started." 

- Chris

Thank you for standing in the gap today for Andy and Wendy. It is heart-warming to see the legacy of friendship Wendy has built around her. Today there were countless texts, calls, Facebook posts, Profile picture changes, blog comments, orange wearers, and prayers today, and they were certainly felt by way of overwhelming peace! 

Wendy's attitude is amazing, and tonight her health remains intact short of a little tiredness from an overwhelming day and some minor soreness from the port insertion this morning. Pray that the soreness is able to quickly resolve. Also, please continue to pray for Wendy's health as the effects of today's treatment set in, as well as for her white blood cell count to rebound so that she can stay healthy and do the things she loves (and feels like) doing! 

Treatment 1 of 16 in the bag, folks! Cancer: strike 1.

Many blessings into tomorrow! K

Day one is in the books!

This is Wendy!  First of all thank you so much for your love, prayers, emails, cards, posts, texts, facebook posts & messages and calls.  I am completely humbled and blessed by each of them!  To know that my God has me & my family in His hands is a huge relief!  I have such a huge army of family, friends, Crush-mates, church family, my Meyer Real Estate family and people I haven't even met praying and supporting our family!
Today went so well (so far)!  Andy was my rock, my mom loved and cared for my babies, Taylor had a great day at camp, the nurses were all AMAZING, I had three special friends who are more like family show up at various times to sit with Andy & then with us during Chemo.  It eased our anxiety!

Thank you all for praying!  Continued prayers that I feel ok & that I stay healthy!!!  Also pray for my husband that he stays rested as he has been so incredible during this entire process,  pray for my kiddos so far they have been so big & brave and I am so proud of them!, a special prayer for my Tay Tay as she is away at camp that she stay rested & healthy!, pray for my parents (this is hard for them to see their baby girl go through this!), my brother & his family and the rest of my family.


I am going to CRUSH this!!!  Cancer DID mess with the wrong Princess!

Hugs & Love!
Wendy

The Day Cancer Realizes it Picked the Wrong Princess

Today, cancer will realize it picked the wrong princess! 

At 8 am this morning, Wendy-Woo will head to the hospital to start her official  battle with stage 2 breast cancer. She will have a port placed, and after a brief follow up with her oncologist and some labwork, she will begin chemotherapy. It will be the first of four treatments in this first stage of chemo. 

This is a hard day. The unknowns with chemotherapy are so daunting. Will she be sick? Nauseated? Too tired to take care of her family? When will she start to lose her hair?  These are questions we don't know the answers to quite yet, and that leaves all of us close to her feeling a loss of control. It also leaves us uncertain as to how to help... but for today- PRAYER! 

God is not uncertain of Wendy's today. These things are not unknown to Him. In our humanness we may feel uncertain about what He is doing, but in our personal faith walk, we are called to be certain of what we do not see; to have sureness of what we hope for. 

So today, we must call one another to prayer with boldness. Share your hopes for Wendy with our Heavenly Daddy, and share them with faith, hope and certainty that He will answer. Trust that HIS ways are higher than our ways. Then- share them with her as encouragement for this fight! 

Specifically pray:

- For Wendy to have overwhelming peace during her procedures today. Limited pain at her insertion site. As few side effects as possible. The support network that she needs at her side. Loving nurses who explain processes and expectations in a way she can understand. To physically feel the arms of her Heavenly Daddy wrapped around her. To feel the prayers of her army being lifted up for her. 

- For Andy to have overwhelming peace during her procedures today. For him to remain strong at her side and be a source of laughter, love and encouragment. For him to feel loved and supported as a caregiver, and to have the support network he needs when the load gets too heavy. To have peace and release from fear and helplessness.  

- For Ashlyn to have peace from fear and helplessness. For strength as the oldest sibling, and to lead in love and grace. For her to find support and love from friends and family. 

- For Taylor as she is away at camp this week during a highly emotional time for her mom. For relief from any anxiety she maybe having while away. For her own health during a stressful and sleep deprived week at camp. For peace and understanding of her role of daughter at this time. 

- For Luke that he may have peace from fear and helplessness. That he may understand his role as son at this time. That he may find support from his parents and other family when needed. 

Wendy is one of the strongest women I know, and she isn't going to "choose" being sick on this journey. Last night she was celebrating life and showing cancer who's boss with her Orange Crush teammates at BWW's instead of letting cancer win. She sent her daughter to camp with her best friend this week instead of keeping her birdie in the nest because she knew God has something in store for her here. She's looking forward to a concert later this month with her church family - I dare you cancer, try to mess with that. You messed with the wrong princess. Be ready for the strike out. 

Many blessings to you, Wendy's army. Your love and strength are felt and heard. I know many of you are willing to help Wendy in unlimited ways; but, I ask respectfully that for this first treatment you give Andy and Wendy (and family) space to understand what that need actually looks like. Their desire is to keep things as "normal" as possible for their family while at the same time appreciating the tremendous outpouring of willing hands. You have my word that when the time comes they need something specific, we will let you know! In the meantime, you prayers and posts of encouragment are overwhelmingly appreciated, and laughter and humor are a bonus! Also, Wendy's favorite color is Orange (for her fav softball team AND fav Orange Leaf fro-yo, of course)! So anytime you want to post a pic in your most awesome orange and tell her you are thinking of her, that would be awesome too! Thanks for your unending support! 

Let us pray boldly now FOR TODAY. Fear, Pain, Sickness - 0. Wendy-Woo, strike 1.

Many blessings! K 

Peace and Clarity in the Decision

God places people in our life for seasons and purposes we rarely recognize before we need them...

Wendy has decided to go forward with her original treatment plan as prescribed by her oncologist. After much prayer, reading, overwhelming emotional uncertainty, discussions with family and a God-given neighbor who "just so happens" to be an oncology nurse, clarity and peace came. 

Though Andy and Wendy know there are no "guarantees" on this path they find themselves traveling, they felt the most peace with the "tried and true" treatment regimen as opposed to a clinical trial with limited results available. When asking their nurse/neighbor, "What would you tell your sister to do?", she agreed: the standard protocol. While the clinical trial enticed Wendy with fewer total treatments and longer intervals between treatments, she doesn't want to take any shortcuts on her way to striking out cancer; so, they are playing it safe. 

This kind neighbor was also able to speak a little more clearly about some expectations for chemotherapy, as well as offer Wendy the challenge, or "permission", to carry on with life as normal to the extent she can. This was also reassuring for them. Knowing that there are going to be occasional limitations, Wendy's greatest wish for this journey ahead is to still be the best wife and mommy she can be. Let's pray boldly for that, and help encourage her any way we can! 

Thanks for standing in the gap for Wendy and Andy this week when she needed lifted up. I know their peace came as an answer to prayer. Please continue to pray for a sense of calm in the incredibly emotional and anxious days ahead. Look forward to some specific prayer requests and an update about the plan for Tuesday...

Many blessings. K

Specific Prayer Request!

Today, Wendy has been presented with a unique opportunity to participate in a clinical chemotherapy trial that has been successful in treating her "type" of cancer. 

As you might imagine, a decision of this magnitude brings with it much anxiety and uncertainty. This therapy would "replace" the prescribed therapy of drugs originally recommended by her oncologist, and the treatment schedule is significantly more favorable. However it is emotionally difficult to replace a "known" therapy, for a slightly more "unknown" therapy. 

We know that our God, the great Physician, absolutely will NOT lead Andy and Wendy astray in this decision. Let's join together in prayer for PERFECT peace as they rest tonight; that they may awaken fresh and renewed with overwhelming peace and for His light clearly shining over the path they are to take. 

Thank you for your prayers, friends. God will hear each of them! K

The Beginning of the Journey: Wendy-Woo Strikes Out Breast Cancer

I am Kindra. Wendy-Woo is my best friend! Who knew that more than 10 years ago when she coerced me into choir practice at Ridgecrest Baptist Church that we would be here today, together. We've shared life, laughs, tears, work, ministry, (and sometimes) even husbands- jk!

On Monday, June 29, 2015 @ 12:03pm, my cell phone rang; I will never forget that call. Wendy shared with me that she had breast cancer. The weeks prior had been filled with a lot of fear, anxiety and waiting. After a routine visit to the gynecologist turned into a mammogram, a mammogram into a diagnostic mammogram, and a diagnostic mammogram into a sudden and unexpected biopsy of a breast tumor and lymph node, we were awaiting results. Though expecting to hear from the physician on Tuesday, the fateful call came early, much to God's perfect timing.

We had been planning and looking forward to our long awaited mission trip to Dauphin Island, Alabama, and were planning to leave the Wednesday after hearing this news. Quickly, the radiologist made plans for Wendy to see an oncologist and a surgeon at Siteman Cancer Center, and scheduled an MRI for Tuesday. Everyone's goal was to do what was best for Wendy, all the while Wendy concerned herself with her Monday night Orange Crush softball game (which she played with courage!) and getting her family ready for the upcoming 11 day mission trip! Her fight had begun!

After her consultation with her physicians on Tuesday, it was determined that she could, indeed, travel with her church family on mission, and would be ready to hit the ground running upon her return. We had an amazing trip, and God certainly allowed for some sweet memories, cleansing cries, belly-aching laughs, and some awesome worship on our road trip! Coming home was bittersweet, as we knew a new reality faced us upon our arrival- facing cancer head on.

Upon return from Dauphin Island, Wendy received some reassuring news about her cancer: her PET scan was negative for metastasis and her genetic marker was also negative (she cannot genetically pass cancer to her children.) Her cancer is defined as Stage 2, triple negative breast cancer. There is a tumor in her left breast, and the nearest lymph node is also involved. This Tuesday, July 21st she will begin her battle. Wendy will have a port placed and immediately begin chemotherapy. Her first round of chemo will occur every 2 weeks for a total of 4 treatments (or approximately 8 weeks), followed by another round of chemo weekly for 12 weeks. Following chemotherapy, Wendy will undergo surgery, and then will complete treatment with radiation.

Wendy is a strong, courageous, (stubborn) child of the ONE TRUE GOD who sees her diagnosis as an interruption. God is not surprised. Our best laid plans are not always HIS. Holy interruptions are inevitable in this life, even (and sometimes especially) when we desire to hang a “do not disturb” sign around our neck. Yet, as Christians, we are called to TRUST HIM, and that, she does.

We see Holy interruptions in scripture repeatedly, many which significantly changed lives: Mary's interruption was Jesus. Noah's interruption was an ark. Moses interruption was the Israelite's. Jesus interruption was the cross. God often uses interruptions to do things far beyond what we have dreamed or imagined. While we cannot imagine what God has planned for Wendy during this interruption, we must trust that it involves prosperity, hope, and a future, HER future! “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 

So, here I am hoping to walk this journey at her side and share it with you. She has an army of people who know and love her, and you will want to know how she is doing throughout her journey. How Andy, Ashlyn, Taylor, and Luke are doing. How you can pray. How you can help. How you can cheer for Wendy-Woo as she strikes out breast cancer. I am sure from time to time you will hear from her and other friends here too. Leave a comment, give her a cyber high-five. Pray. Please pray. As Ruby (my 3 year old) says, "Jesus, Thank you for Aunt Winny and for helping her boobie feel better. In Jesus Name. Amen." Let us all walk this journey alongside Wendy with faith like a child.

"Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the LORD : He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished. If you make the LORD your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone. You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet! The LORD says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.” Psalm 91

Peace as we grieve together, hope together, trust together, cheer together... Kindra