Mother's day joy.

*English to follow

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Dear

Hello everyone!

It's been so long since I've written anything.  I had an enjoyable day with my family and the Saulnier family.  Our parents have been best friends since we were all babies, and it's always a delight to spend time together.


Everyone brought a dish and the table was just beautiful.  So we ate, talked, laughed, told stories about the old days.


I've been feeling better and better.  Monday morning was my appointment with the oncologist and he was pleased with my blood work results.  No more anemia!  So we go on with the same treatment.


The pain in my hips depends on the days I have, but it's a lot less then it was last winter.  I am working a little bit and also looking for part time work outside of my office to try and compensate for all the weeks I haven't been able to work last winter.  We'll see what happens.


I am now able to do 40 minutes of exercise and add new yoga poses to my routine from time to time. I'm being careful to reintroduce them gradually so I don't have to be totally sore.  I've dealt with enough pain last winter, so I don't want to suffer anymore then what I have to!  It is nice to be able to walk outside now.  I didn't go out much during the winter while ice covered the sidewalks.... The last thing I needed was to fall down and fracture my hip..............  But with the sunny days now, I do go out and take walks too. Makes me feel alive and that's an excellent feeling.


I've put on 16 lbs since I came home.  Hope most of it is muscle ;)


Emotionally, I'm starting to recognize myself more now too.  I've started to go out again and go to the chapel on Sundays and the temple on Wednesdays since the flue isn't as big a menace anymore. It's soooooo nice to see everybody there. Everyone is showering me with love and encouragements and I really appreciate it.


Thanks for your support, thanks for the people who give me a call or  come to visit, it's wonderful to see you!

Happy mother's day!!!!

Good day!

*English to follow

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Hi everyone! 

 Today was a good day.  I went to my appointment at the oncologist and all went well.  My blood work is better. My hemoglobin is up by 10 points. 
  
I'm still a bit anemic, but it's getting better.  I'll keep on eating that iron rich food every meal, everyday.

He told me he was pleased with my progress.

I'm taking my 1st client this coming Saturday and hope it will be the beginning of many satisfied clients and a year of good business.

I do have to take it easy, though and start with just one or two massage(s) a week so I don't get exhausted.  
 
I can now do 15 min. of exercise in the morning. I'm hoping to up that very slowly, week by week. 

My goal is to re-claim the strong healthy body I used to have.

Thanks for all your support!

PS:  If you have massage therapy on your insurance and live in the Montreal area, send me an e-mail and come see me at my office!

Dear

what's been going on.

*English to follow

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My lack of blog entree is simply due to the fact that I'm not used to having a blog and so not used to go write things.... Also that not that much have been happening.

Still need some rest, so I'm taking it easy.


I'm doing well enough.  Still doing a bit of exercise every day. It's not very much. I do the 5 poses of yoga I used to do as a warm up (I would do 21 quick reps of each and that would take me about 10 min.) 

The 1st week, I did 5 reps of each poses slowly. Then I would do 2 strength exercises to strengthen the mid section with my exercise ball that was given me by my sports therapist before I got sick (1 for the abs and 1 for the hips and butt). Then I do a yoga breathing exercise.

Yesterday was my 1 week mark, so I did 3 more reps of the 5 first poses.  I didn't have enough energy to add reps to the other exercises, so I didn't.  Then I had some lunch and went to lay down for a while and when I got up, I had a normal level of energy.  Those exercises really help, so I do them, no matter what.  Except on Sunday.

Monday, I did a massage on a friend. She's the lady who rents me my office.  We used to see each other every Monday afternoon. She would give me an hour of electrolysis and I would give her an hour massage.

I was able to give her the massage, but it was harder then it used to be.  I felt fine after that, but tired yesterday morning.  So that's helpful. It helps me to see what I'm able to do and how long it takes me to recuperate. The doctor cleared me to do whatever activity I want to do or to work, so I was not out of line for trying after 1 week of rest.

What it showed me is that I will be able to start with about 1 massage a week for a while.  I will privilege smaller clients (the friend I gave the massage to is quite big and, though I'm able to do it, but it was a lot of energy) This way, I will be able to pay the rent at my office and a bit of fuel for the car... My parents are kind enough not to charge me rent while I am not able to work very much... Very nice of them, but I don't like this situation and hope to be able to pay them soon....






I got a home visit from the CLSC's ergotherapist to see if I needed any extra assistance.  She told me that it should be at least 3 months until I am back in a pretty normal routine, if I have no complications.

So for the rest, I'm home and I lie down a lot so I can replenish my energy as fast as possible.  I also eat iron rich foods at every meal and snack so that my blood counts will improve, as I was still a bit anemic before I left the hospital.

I'm hoping to have good results next week at the doctor's.  I have an appointment with the oncologist who treated me in the hospital and one with the radio oncologist who treated me there also.

Thanks for every one's support!

support is key

*English to follow

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Hello everyone!

I've had a pretty good day.  Again, lots of iron rich food to boost my hemoglobin count so that the doctor like my results on the next blood test I'm getting done in a couple of weeks.


A bit of exercise (5 min) and again, it made my hips feel better so it's worth being a little bit sore around the shoulders, the arms and the mid section of my back. 


I'll go on doing 5 minutes a day for the rest of the week, then I'll add a couple of minutes and will build nice and slow, until I can claim my healthy, strong body again...  Can't wait for that day to come.


I did a bit of shopping with my mom today and that went well too.  I'm about to go to bed and it will be nice to rest.


I've had a bit of a rough night, though, so every bit of support through those e-mails and a beautiful card I got from members in the Laval ward is key.


I've just been feeling a lot of the trauma of the whole situation.  The fear of having another tumor found somewhere and end up in surgery again.  The fear of getting trapped in a hospital room again.  The strange feeling as I look at myself in the mirror and can't recognize my own body which aspect has changed so dramatically in such a short period of time. 


Not sure what to feel about it. I don't know if I'm going to stay skinny and kind of frail like that for good or if my muscles and curves will come back again after a while.  Am I still loosing weight as we speak?  When is my physical body be OK?


So all these strange feelings going on.  Thank goodness for prayer.  I have a nice time coming up. The time when I go to bed on my comfortable mattress and talk to my Heavenly Father and get to feel that peace that comes only through the power of prayer.


So thanks for being there and reading this and thanks for all the phone calls, e-mails, cards, prayers. It helps me cope with strange moments like tonight. 


It makes me come back and be in touch with the part of me that knows I will be all right and that the Lord has promised me that I will recover completely.


So good night to all.   It's time to feel the great comfort of prayer.  I'm counting on feeling better tomorrow.      :)


Nathalie.

Dear

Still resting

*English to follow

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Hello to all friends and family!

I'm still resting at home.  It's hard to be patient, but I am not yet as mobile as I would like.  So I still take a lot of time to lie down and rest my aching joints and stand and sit when I feel up to it.

Yesterday, I did 5 minutes of exercises.  I am a bit sore from that, but will continue to do 5 minutes for a week or so, then, I will gradually increase the time and the number of yoga poses.

I lost a lot of muscle mass in the last 2 months and what used to be easy and fluid is now a big challenge.  But I decided to pray for help and give myself a pep talk every time I get discouraged.

My next check up is in 2 weeks.  I will see the oncologist and get a blood test done.

My parents are adorable, as usual, helping me out.   The food here is the best!  My appetite has grown more healthy and I haven't gotten nausea or heartburn from any of the meals I've eaten here.  Last night, we even tried tomatoes (which made me throw up every time at the hospital) and they didn't give me any problem.

Dorothy said  it best: "There's no place like home!"

Yes, I am home!

*English to follow

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Hello all!  Yes, I came home yesterday.  So happy about that!!!


It is so good to be home.  I sleep so much better here and my stomach doesn't get upset with the food we eat here, unlike the food at the hospital.


It was nice to be "girly" today and color my hair. It was nice to take a shower and shave so I don't look like "the bush woman" anymore.


I've also enjoyed a little outing.  I took my car and drove down to Bureau en Gros to make a copy of music that I'm practicing.


I'm preparing a demo to send to France to see if they might be interested to use my voice for the songs on the church movies.  They don't seem to have a variety of signers to dub the songs in France, so I'm hoping they'll like my voice and use me to dub the music soundtracks of the movies.


My hips are still bothering me at time, I don't know how long it will be until they stop hurting me. But I can already do a lot more then I used to, so I am pleased.  I tested the strenght in my legs today and it's pretty pathetic compared to what it was like 6 month ago.... But I'm determined to be in shape again, so I will slowly recondition my muscles by starting with yoga poses done on the floor instead of standing so I don't fall down or injure my joint doing something I'm not strong enough yet.

Patience, patience...... 


I will see the doctor in 2 weeks.   Hope the exam will go well.  I don't know when I'll be cancer free, but it is my goal.


Thanks for all your support!


Nathalie.

She's home!!!!!!!!!

*English to follow

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Dear family and friends,

Contrary to what I would have done, i.e. escaping after the first week, Nathalie has been really patient and obedient and today it all paid off! Today we get to rejoice because she finally received her discharged from the hospital. What a sigh of joy and relief we all felt in the room when Dr. Melnychuk entered the room with the good news. I was so elated that I started doing the "Happy dance". Yes, yes, dancing is allowed in the hospital when patients get discharged!!! ;)

Oh the sight of relief!!!!!!!!!! I had envisioned this moment a while back and kept seeing Nathalie walking out of the hospital, happy to go home and that day is finally here. Visualizing pays off!!!

So from now on, the blog will be maintained by Nathalie, unless she wants me to follow up on something that I'm the only one that can do, but in all honesty, now that she's done her first post, she's a pro!!!

Thank you again for your constant support. It has meant the world to Nathalie (and I) and her family. We love you and appreciate your prayers on her behalf and all that you have done to make her 6‑weeks hospital stay more bearable. I am so glad to see that the faithful prayers of many have been answered.

I know the staff from the Montreal Jewish Hospital won't get to read this, but in the odd chance that this gets back to them, a million thanks to all the staff for making her stay more comfortable. There were so many nurses, nurses aid, bed's assistant, maintenance workers, etc. back at 8 North West that helped my dear Nathalie get back on her feet. All your little attentions have been greatly appreciated. Of course I cannot speak of the staff without mentioning the tireless efforts of Dr. Melnychuk, Nathalie's oncologist, who visits his patients EVERY SINGLE DAY without fail! If that's not dedication, I don't know what is!!!

So now I'm signing off after my 6‑weeks assignment. I've finally been fired! Between you and I, it's about time!!

This is Nadia, hoping I'll never have to be a correspondent again under such circumstances.

May God's blessings be upon each and everyone of you, now and always.

Much love,

Nadia

XOXO

P.S. Thank you for allowing me to be Nathalie's scribe during her stay in the hospital. I know she was strengthen by your constant support and it has helped during her recovery. I feel very blessed to share so many amazing friends with her and want you to know that you have touched my life in so many ways. I feel honored and blessed to call you friends.

A day off...

*English to follow

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Hi everyone!

Today was more than wonderful! I have been given permission to go home for the day. I can't describe with words how good it feels to be out of that hospital room and not being trapped in that uncomfortable bed! It's hard for me to find words to say just how bored I am in that place, it's driving me bananas...

It had been 6 weeks yesterday since I was admitted and let me tell you my friends, I am a fairly patient person........................... I don't remember my patience being spent and gone like it has been in that situation....................... Arrrrggghhh!!!!!

Ok, thanks for letting me vent!

As you all know, the original plan was that I was going to have permission to be out here for the weekend. Then Dr Melnychuk said that he was going to send me home for Friday and then let me, if that went well, go home on Monday.

When we were in the middle of dinner, I was apprehensive about having to get ready to go back to the hospital. Nadia suggested I'd call and see if I could get permission to stay for the night.

I did call and I was blessed because the good doctor was actually there with the guy who answered the phone. I asked and Dr Melnychuk said I could stay for the night.

YÉÉÉÉ!!!! I get to sleep in a comfortable bed tonight!!!!

I'm also happy to report that the wonderful  food we have here at home did not give me heartburn like the hospital food does. The food isn't as bad as it could be for hospital food, but compared to the beautiful gourmet meals we prepare  from scratch here at home, it can't be compared... We prepare here with organic food and being careful about the amount of salt, fat and sugar we cook with makes all the difference in the world!

So yeah, no fever, no heartburn or nausea today.  It's been good.

Tomorrow, I'm going to try  to see if Dr Melnychuk would please please please let me stay for another day since I've been so happy here and maybe he'll say yes.... We'll see.

Good night all! And thanks for visiting me here on the blog.

P.S. To write an email to Nathalie while she is in the hospital, please use withfaithineveryfootstep@gmail.com. I will print the letters and bring it to her or answer any inquiries about Nathalie. I strongly encourage you to send her a card at home. If you do not have her home address, please email me at this same address.

It's working!

*English to follow

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Dear friends,

All of your prayers and visualization for Nathalie is really paying off!!! She is doing much better today and the doctor has confirmed that he will give her the weekend off so that she can go back home and if everything continues to improve, he will discharge her shortly!!!

Since I last wrote, it seems that the hormonal therapy has kicked in, so we expect a full recovery. So far, she can walk much better than a few weeks ago, the pain has diminished a lot and has been manageable with Tylenol for the past 2 weeks. When she gets discharged, she will continue to visit her oncologist as an outpatient. This is such exciting news!!!!!!!

So no visits at the hospital on Friday because we're not sure what time she will be discharged for the weekend but you can imagine that she is really excited about that, so she'll want to leave as early as she can. As for visiting during the weekend, I suggest that we let her get reacquainted with her environment at home before we line up to come and visit. Her parents will closely monitor her and will screen the calls when she is sleeping, so it would be best if the phone did not ring off the hook to let her sleep as much as she needs.

We so appreciate all that you have done for Nathalie and will continue to do until she has fully recovered, namely praying, doing the healing code, writing her cards of encouragement, putting her name in the temples around the world so that more faithful Saints can pray for her recovery. From the bottom of our hearts we (me and the family) wish to thank you for your constant support. We have no idea yet how long it will take before she is able to go back to work, but we hope that she'll be able to resume her normal activities within a month or so.

May God's richest blessings be upon you and your family always.

Nadia

P.S. To write an email to Nathalie while she is in the hospital, please use withfaithineveryfootstep@gmail.com. I will print the letters and bring it to her or answer any inquiries about Nathalie. I strongly encourage you to send her a card at home. If you do not have her home address, please email me at this same address.

There is hope...

*English to follow

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Dear friends,

I just came back from the hospital with Nathalie's parents and tonight Nathalie shared with us a very good news: her blood seems to be stabilizing and improving on a daily basis. We are still waiting to hear from the bone marrow test to hear whether or not they will need to do chemotherapy but I am sure hoping that she won't have to go through that very invasive procedure.

She was moved last night since the new lady sharing her room might have had pneumonia, so instead of taking a chance, they moved both to private room to keep them under observation. The good news is that now she can really rest, not having to worry about the patient's needs on the other side of the curtain. I really hope that they will keep her in that room until she is discharged to go home. If you want to call her, the new phone extension to reach her is 1804. As for the room number, well please get in touch with me before planning to go and visit her so that I can make sure that there is not too many people visiting her at the same time as it is very tiring. She still takes long naps during the day so I'll tell you when is the best time to go visit her.

On a personal note, I must say that I am really touched by the beautiful expression of love and faith that a lot of you have shared with Nathalie through the email that was created for her here. Every night that I am at home, Nathalie calls me and we go through the emails written and she dictates the answer and I write the email. It is really edifying to read some of the beautiful emails of love she receives. Thank you. You have really touched my heart and Nathalie feels really blessed to have so many wonderful friends around her, praying for her recovery and visualizing her happy and healthy, singing and dancing. We ALL can make a difference.

Thank you!

P.S. To write an email to Nathalie while she is in the hospital, please use withfaithineveryfootstep@gmail.com. I will print the letters and bring it to her or answer any inquiries about Nathalie. I strongly encourage you to send her a card at home. If you do not have her home address, please email me at this same address.

One day at a time...

*English to follow

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“One day at a time — this is enough. Do not look back and grieve over the past for it is gone; and do not be troubled about the future, for it has not yet come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful it will be worth remembering.”

And this is how Nathalie is trying to live, one day at a time, but honestly sometimes some days are harder to deal with than others. Yesterday was one of those. After talking to her oncologist, he reiterated the fact that if her new blood test results show that it has moved into her bone marrow, he will start chemotherapy on Monday. When the chosen path of treatment was radiotherapy and hormonal therapy, she felt relieve that she wouldn't have to go through chemo. Hearing him talk about the chemo brought back the unwanted emotions and the fear associated with that. She is working on getting reacquainted with the idea of having the chemo.

I can only try to imagine what is going on through her mind at the moment. Fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear of the side effects. Fear of loosing her hair. As I put these thoughts on paper, I am reminded of the most important thought I have ever heard: "Act in spite of fear" which reminds me of the famous quote from Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 1933 Inaugural Address. “So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.”

Fear does not exist in the present. It is based on something that may or may not happen in the future!" Did you get that? It may, or may not happen. So we are afraid of something that has a probability of not happening. Instead of focusing on that, let's focus on the positive and all the good things that can come out of our lives when we move forward.

When I catch myself feeling unsettled about the whole situation, I am peacefully reminded of Nathalie's will to fight, and that keeps me going. I am reminded that she may look like a kitty cat, but she has the courage of a lion. Let's help support her in this time of need that she may feel each and everyone of us supporting her in this battle.

May all of our lives be enriched with the little thinks in our days that make this world a great place to live in.

P.S. To write an email to Nathalie while she is in the hospital, please use withfaithineveryfootstep@gmail.com. I will print the letters and bring it to her or answer any inquiries about Nathalie. I strongly encourage you to send her a card at home. If you do not have her home address, please email me at this same address.

Nous attendons les résultats de l'hématologue

*Le texte en français suivra

This time it will be in French, so for those of you who don't understand, here's hoping Google Translate can do a good job!!!

Bonjour à tous,

Mes visites à l'hôpital se sont espacées car dans les 2 dernières semaines, Nathalie avait besoin de beaucoup se reposer car elle surmontait une infection des reins. Elle a terminé de prendre les anti-biotiques dimanche mais malheureusement son taux d'hémoglobine a encore diminué et elle fait de l'anémie. Son oncologiste a demandé une consultation avec l'hématologue afin de trouver la raison pour laquelle son taux d'hémoglobine a descendu sous la normale à plusieurs reprises. Elle devrait avoir les résultats d'ici vendredi mais ils craignent que sa moelle épénière ne soit atteinte. Si tel était le cas, des traitements de chimiothérapie devront être envisagés très rapidement.

Elle a encore des nausées, parfois accompagnées par des vomissements, mais à une fréquence moins rapprochée qu'avant mais comme vous pouvez vous imaginer, cela affaiblit énormément, c'est d'ailleurs la raison pour laquelle elle avait demandé de ne pas recevoir de visiteurs. Comme elle se sent mieux, ceux intéressés à aller la visiter doivent communiquer avec moi afin de trouver une plage horaire où Nathalie n'aura pas de visiteurs. Je vous demande de respecter sa demande de confimer votre visite avec moi afin qu'il n'y ait pas trop de personnes la visitant en même temps. Elle a toujours besoin de se reposer mais aimerait bien voir quelques uns de ses amis.

A few people have offered to send care packages with goodies. She thanks you for your thoughts but since she is not keeping much of the food it's best not to send anything, UNLESS you can find the OLD LONDON Melba toasts which are virtually impossible to find in Canada or for a company to ship them here. The other brands we have here are just not as good, but she's been having a craving for those lately since they help prevent the nausea. So if you want to send a care package, please consider sending her the OLD LONDON Melba toasts. She'll be thanking you and more especially her stomach will thank you.

P.S. To write an email to Nathalie while she is in the hospital, please use withfaithineveryfootstep@gmail.com. I will print the letters and bring it to her or answer any inquiries about Nathalie. I strongly encourage you to send her a card at home. If you do not have her home address, please email me at this same address.

How to do a breast self exam

Ok, so yesterday was World Cancer Day so I thought it just fitting to post this video about breast self exam, to encourage all women out there to thoroughly do their breast exam. This video will explain in detail what you have to do. I hope it will be very instructive, especially to all the young women out there who are clueless about how to do a self exam.

Make this part of your monthly routine. Just say NO to cancer!!!

P.S. To write an email to Nathalie while she is in the hospital, please use withfaithineveryfootstep@gmail.com. I will print the letters and bring it to her or answer any inquiries about Nathalie. I strongly encourage you to send her a card at home. If you do not have her home address, please email me at this same address.

It's been a month already!!!

*English to follow

Pour traduire le texte, vous pouvez utiliser Google Translate pour vous aider.

Dear friends,

So I had written a nice post and lost it all... so I apologize for the delay, but sometimes it's my life that gets in the way of posting on the blog. Nathalie has been replying to all the emails she gets from this blog, so it's a really nice personal way to get in touch with her. Obviously I have to help transcribing the emails while she dictates them to me over the phone, but we do get to them all. Sometimes, the lucky ones get an answer the same day. Other times, it will be within 2 days, but they all get personally answered. The email is at the bottom of this post.

It's hard to believe that Nathalie has been in the hospital for a month already!!! She finally started hormonal therapy on Wednesday. When the nurse came in with the kit, they were both surprised to see the size of the needle which was quite large. I think they were both scared when she pulled out the needle. She described it as a big needle, such as the one they use on big animal, then she recalled that when they used those kind of needle on the animal it never seem so bad, so it gave her the confidence she needed. Apparently, it wasn't that bad afterall. That's a good thing since she will have to start again in 3 months. We'll know in 6 weeks how Nathalie is really responding to that treatment.

In the meantime, her radiologist decided not to irradiate the other hip just yet, so we'll see if she has to do more radiotheraphy soon. Since she is still nauseated at times, her doctor is keeping her under observation. The fact that the pain has not subsided either is another good reason to keep her there a while longer. At least we know she is getting really good care at the Jewish Hospital, so it's OK.

She is slowly resuming to accept visitors. Again, I ask you to please get in touch with me before deciding to go visit Nathalie. Since she is still nauseated sometimes, it's important she gets all the rest that she needs.

Hope you'll have a great weekend!

P.S. To write an email to Nathalie while she is in the hospital, please use withfaithineveryfootstep@gmail.com. I will print the letters and bring it to her or answer any inquiries about Nathalie. I strongly encourage you to send her a card at home. If you do not have her home address, please email me at this same address.

Let's try an experiment

*English to follow

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Dear friends,

I was watching the movie "The Secret" with a dear friend last night and became impressed to write about a very simple principle that we could all try right now, to witness a miracle, the hand of God in action. I hope that you have kept a very positive outlook about everything. What I would like to experiment is for all of us to start shifting our way of addressing what is happening to Nathalie at the moment. Instead of focusing on the negative, I would like to ask you to focus on the positive aspect. Let me clarify my thoughts.

I would appreciate if everyone would start to say: "Thank you for healing Nathalie and restoring all her bodily functions to perfection". Now remember when you do this, you have to talk in the PRESENT, as if it already happened. For example, this is NOT Nathalie's cancer, she DOES NOT WANT IT, it is not hers. So let's rephrase our thoughts. Right now she is battling cancer, she doesn't have cancer. Do you see the difference? I sure hope you do.

For those of you with great imagination, start imagining Nathalie running, doing yoga or every little thing that she used to do before her hip started to hurt and that gave her great pleasure. Imagine her completely healed, in a happy state among family and friends. You have to feel it in your bones, you have feel the happiness as it unfolds in front of you.

I appreciate you sharing the link of the blog with your friends, especially those that know Nathalie so that they too can become part of this experiment. Let's be positive. Let's laugh, let's rejoice in seeing her completely healed in our mind and in our hearts. Thank you for doing this experiment with me, I know that we can ALL be part of all the positive to happen in her life from now on.

Thank you God for healing Nathalie, and restoring all her bodily functions will be my mantra from now on.

Be you all be blessed with health and all the little things that makes your life more enjoyable.

XOXO

P.S. To write an email to Nathalie while she is in the hospital, please use withfaithineveryfootstep@gmail.com. I will print the letters and bring it to her or answer any inquiries about Nathalie. I strongly encourage you to send her a card at home. If you do not have her home address, please email me at this same address.

More tests to come and also more radiation next week!

*English to follow

Pour traduire le texte, vous pouvez utiliser Google Translate pour vous aider.

Dear friends,

Well, today Nathalie is starting her 3rd week in the hospital. Hard to believe isn't it? I am so glad she is receiving good care at the Jewish Hospital. Some of the nurses are so nice and friendly, so it's always a pleasure to see them. We especially love Sadia, a morrocan nurse who is so loving and reminds us both of our dear friend Nadia, who is also morrocan (and not the Nadia writing this blog). We think of you often Nadia and we want you to know that our prayers are with you as well. The roses Mishari brought on your behalf smelled wonderful for a whole 2 weeks. Thank you!

Nat got the blood tests results that revealed that her fever comes from a renal infection, so her oncologist started her on antibiotics in order to help cope with that. She is also scheduled to meet a GI (Gastroenterologist) Specialist to find out why she has been nauseated for so long now. He was supposed to meet with her today but I haven't heard from her tonight, so I'll tell you more as soon as I know.

The radiologist also told her that she will have to radiate her left hip as well next week, so it seems that she will not be leaving the hospital just yet. One day at a time.

When I visited Nat last night with her parents, she had the pleasure to read all the cards, letters and packages she had received at home. Thank you so much for those words of encouragement, they mean so much to know that you are keeping her in your prayers. Despite the illness that is causing her pain, she still finds words of encouragement for her parents that love her so much and care for her very deeply. It is humbling to see the relationship they share. You can definitely tell that the apple did not fall far from the tree.

Well, that's it for tonight. May your lives continue to be blessed with health, that you may be able to do all that you want. Again, a big heartfelt thank you for your words of love, support and encouragement for Nathalie.

P.S. To write an email to Nathalie while she is in the hospital, please use withfaithineveryfootstep@gmail.com. I will print the letters and bring it to her or answer any inquiries about Nathalie. I strongly encourage you to send her a card at home. If you do not have her home address, please email me at this same address.

The radiotheraphy is going well

*English to follow
Pour traduire le texte, vous pouvez utiliser Google Translate pour vous aider.

Dear friends,

Sorry for not being able to update sooner, but there was a power outage in my area because of the cold and it has kept me away from my duty of informing you of what is going on.

As mentioned in the previous update, Nathalie was marked on Friday so that they would be able to start the radiotheraphy on Monday. She was told that it was possible that the pain would increase after the first treatment, but luckily it didn't. She is taking her pain medicine like clockwork though to make sure she feels minimal pain on a daily basis and with the last nurses assigned to her, it has been easier.

She called me tonight to ask you to pray on her behalf about very specific things, which are:

1. To help stabilize her kidney function. The extreme amount of calcium found in her body when she entered the emergency made it difficult for her kidney to fully recover. In order to paliate to that problem, they had to plug her into an IV again.
2. To help stabilize her hemoglobine
3. The help in the healing of her hip and take away the constant pain
4. So that she would have a good digestive function
5. That the pain in the left shoulder she has been feeling might disappear the same way it appeared, quickly!

Even though her whole world seems to be ever changing, she has kept very hight spirit throughout the whole process. On Thursday night, she will have been in the hospital 3 weeks and it might go on a little longer, depending on how well her body is recuperating. Last week she had to cancel most visitors as she started being sick again, having nausea and sweating during the night, accompanied by fever. Though it is hard to stay away, I know it is best to just contact her through the phone during that time. She has been resting and sleeping a lot as well, which is why a lot of people told me that they haven't been able to get a hold of her yet at the hospital yet. All I can tell you, is try again. I know it is hard, which is why I've created the blog, so that you can stay informed, even though you can't visit or talk to her directly.

In the past week, the two ladies who shared the room with her lost their battles to very advanced stage of cancer. She is on the floor use by cancer patients and that is a reality that she is faced with everyday, which is why Nathalie feels so fortunate to have the knowledge of the gospel. Though we all feel very strongly that her time has not come yet, she is at peace with the situation because of her belief in the Plan of Salvation and the knowledge that life doest not end after death. We have been given this time on earth to prepare to meet God and since she is a woman of faith, she feels confident that when her time will come, that she will have done everything in her power to stay true to her covenants.

I wish to thank you all for your generosity in time, money, comfort and everything else that you have been able to provide her. She appreciates each and every one of you and feels blessed to have so many wonderful friends praying for her recovery. The world may be big, but when we all unite in prayers, it seems so small. Speaking of prayers, Brigitte (Nathalie's sister) brought to my attention the need of a little 7-year old girl name Élimie Filiatrault who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a cancer that had lodged near his kidney and is very resistant to medical treatment. A Facebook page has been created for her explaining in more detail her condition, but Brigitte has asked me if we could include this little angel in our prayers as well. Her mother was actually Brigitte's son teacher, which is why she has heard of her condition. For more info, you can check out one of the many pages created for her on Facebook. The pages are all in French though.

Well, I hope that this update will find you well and know that it is Nathalie's wish to thank you all for everything you are doing on her behalf. A very heartfelt thank you to you all.

If you have a minute, please write a comment under the posts and let me know how I can better spread the information.

P.S. To write an email to Nathalie while she is in the hospital, please use withfaithineveryfootstep@gmail.com. I will print the letters and bring it to her or answer any inquiries about Nathalie. I strongly encourage you to send her a card at home. If you do not have her home address, please email me at this same address.

14e jour ~ La radiothérapie commencera demain

*Le texte en français suivra

This time it will be in French, so for those of you who don't understand, here's hoping Google Translate can help decipher this message!!!

Nathalie m'a appris la bonne nouvelle que ses traitements de radiothérapie commenceront demain. Enfin par débuteront demain ça veut soit dire qu'ils vont commencer à faire les marques sur son corps afin de pouvoir recevoir la radiothérapie dans les prochains jours ou qu'ils entameront tout le processus, y compris le premier traitement, ce que je souhaite vivement. À ce stade-ci, nous ne savons toujours pas combien de traitements elle devra recevoir ni combien de temps sa convalescence durera. Pour l'instant, comme elle reçoit encore des injections pour sa douleur dans la hanche, je ne crois pas qu'ils décident de la laisser retourner à la maison tant que les traitements ne montrent une diminution de la douleur, du moins je l'espère.

Comme elle ne se sentait pas très bien se matin, elle a annulé toutes les visites pour la journée afin de pouvoir dormir le plus possible, ce qui s'est avéré la meilleure chose à faire pour elle afin de pouvoir récupérer. Ses parents lui rendront visite demain, ce qui lui fait toujours très plaisir.

Son moral est toujours excellent, et sa foi inébranlable. Encore et toujours elle demeure un pilier de reconnaissance pour toutes les petites choses autour d'elle et reconnaît la main de Dieu en toutes choses. Égale à elle même, elle partage toujours de magnifiques expériences spirituelles avec ceux qui veulent bien l'écouter.

J'en profite pour remercier tous ceux qui m'envoient de magnifiques paroles d'encouragement et de reconnaissance pour ce blogue qui leur permet de se sentir plus près de Nathalie. Je suis contente de pouvoir être l'instrument qui vous permet de vous rapprocher d'elle.

Je vous souhaite tous une magnifique fin de semaine.

P.S. To write an email to Nathalie while she is in the hospital, please use withfaithineveryfootstep@gmail.com. I will print the letters and bring it to her or answer any inquiries about Nathalie. I strongly encourage you to send her a card at home. If you do not have her home address, please email me at this same address.

The oncologist revealed the PET Scan results

*English to follow

Pour traduire le texte, vous pouvez utiliser Google Translate pour vous aider.

Dear friends,

I just learned that cancer that metastasizes (spreads) to the bones from other parts of the body, such as the breast, lung, or prostate, is called metastatic cancer, and is named for the organ or tissue in which it began. Primary bone cancer is far less common than cancer that spreads to the bones.
 In order to complete the diagnosis, her oncologist performed the following tests:

• A computed tomography (CT or CAT) scan, which is a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body, taken from different angles, that are created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine.
• A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedure, which uses a powerful magnet linked to a computer to create detailed pictures of areas inside the body without using x-rays.
• A positron emission tomography (PET) scan, in which a small amount of radioactive glucose (sugar) is injected into a vein, and a scanner is used to make detailed, computerized pictures of areas inside the body where the glucose is used. Because cancer cells often use more glucose than normal cells, the pictures can be used to find cancer cells in the body.

Nathalie's oncologist came back with the PET Scan results today. Turns out it's a good outlook!

The tumor is located in her hip and there are a few lesions around her spine in her back. Her oncologist will now start the treatment shortly, exactly when, we don't know. He mentioned that he will start her on radiotheraphy and hormonal therapy to irradiate the tumors. Nathalie is very optimistic about this news because it means that it hasn't spread too much.

Her treatments will include:

1. Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, involves the use of high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells.
2. Hormonal therapy. Hormones are chemical substances that are produced by glands in the body or made in a laboratory. Hormonal therapy is a treatment that removes hormones from your body or blocks their action and stops cancer cells from growing. Drugs, surgery or radiation therapy can be used to change hormone levels.

Again, I want to emphasis that Nathalie is really positive about the whole process, and you should too. Her will to beat this cancer is what will carry her through. I hope and pray that we will all be able to sustain her during this time, by staying positive and upbeat and by constantly showing our support. Remember, Nathalie has the faith that she will overcome this cancer, and so should you.

May God's blessings be upon you all.

P.S. To write an email to Nathalie while she is in the hospital, please use withfaithineveryfootstep@gmail.com. I will print the letters and bring it to her or answer any inquiries about Nathalie. I strongly encourage you to send her a card at home. If you do not have her home address, please email me at this same address.

Avant d'aller visiter Nathalie

*Le texte en français suivra

This time it will be in French, so for those of you who don't understand, here's hoping Google Translate can do a good job!!!

Encore une fois j'aimerais remercier toutes les personnes qui se sont déplacées pour aller visiter Nathalie mais j'aimerais vous rappeler que suite à la demande de Nathalie, je vous invite à communiquer avec moi par courriel avant d'aller la visiter afin d'éviter qu'il y ait trop de personnes qui lui rendent visite en même temps car elle est à l'hôpital pour se reposer. La priorité est également donnée aux membres de sa famille.

Merci de votre compréhension.

P.S. To write an email to Nathalie while she is in the hospital, please use withfaithineveryfootstep@gmail.com. I will print the letters and bring it to her or answer any inquiries about Nathalie. I strongly encourage you to send her a card at home. If you do not have her home address, please email me at this same address.