Éloge pour Nathalie Rivard, partie 1

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

Éloge pour Nathalie Rivard 

1964 – 2012

Montréal, le vendredi 3 août 2012

Par Nadia Battani

Merci à Yohann pour le merveilleux arrangement de « Va ne crains pas ». Merci à Marianne, Hyrum et Grant, ainsi que tous ceux qui ont accepté l’invitation à participer à cet événement spécial. Merci à tous ceux et celles qui ont travaillé dans l’ombre pour m’épauler. Un immense merci!

Jenfre, merci d’avoir accepté le défi de ta sœur! 

Papy, mammy, et la famille, si vous vous retournez, vous verrez combien de personnes sont venues rendre un dernier hommage à Nathalie. Si vous trouvez qu’il y a beaucoup de monde, je peux vous assurer que si nous étions un samedi, la salle serait comble de personnes ayant aimé Nathalie, ayant été touché par son magnifique esprit. 

C’est un honneur pour moi d’être devant vous aujourd’hui, mais comment commencer un éloge pour une jeune femme de 47 ans? Cela semble si injuste, surtout lorsqu’on la croyait sur le chemin de la guérison. En vérité Dieu est juste car il lui a permis de se purifier avant d’entrer en sa présence. Laissez‑moi vous illustrer ce principe.

Dans le livre de Malachie, au chapitre III verset 3, nous lisons : « Il s’assiéra, fondra et purifiera l’argent. » Ce verset rendit perplexes certaines femmes qui étudiaient la Bible et elles se demandaient ce que signifiait bien cette déclaration sur le caractère et la nature de Dieu.

Une des femmes a offert de trouver une explication sur le processus de raffinage de l’argent et en a fait rapport au groupe lors de leur prochaine étude de la Bible. Cette semaine‑là, la femme appela un orfèvre et prit rendez-vous pour aller le voir travailler. Elle ne lui a rien dit sur la raison de son intérêt au-delà de sa curiosité au sujet du processus de raffinage d’argent.

Alors qu’elle observait l’orfèvre, il tenait une pièce d’argent près du feu et le laissait chauffer. Il lui expliqua qu’au cours du processus de raffinage, il fallait tenir l’argent au centre du feu, là où les flammes les plus chaudes brûlaient toutes les impuretés.

La femme a alors pensé à Dieu qui lui aussi nous retient dans un endroit aussi brûlant, puis elle réfléchit encore à propos du verset qui dit: « Il s’assiéra, fondra et purifiera l’argent. » Elle demanda à l’orfèvre si lui aussi devait s’asseoir devant le feu tout au long du processus de raffinage de l’argent.

L’homme répondit que oui, car non seulement il devait s’asseoir là, tenant la médaille d’argent, mais il devait garder l’argent à l’oeil tout le temps qu’il était dans le feu. Si l’argent est laissé un peu trop longtemps dans les flammes, il serait détruit.

La femme se tu un moment. Puis elle a demandé à l’orfèvre, « Comment savez-vous quand l’argent est entièrement raffiné ? » Il lui sourit et répondit: « Oh, c’est facile, quand je vois mon image en lui. »

Si aujourd’hui, vous sentez l’ardeur du feu, souvenez-vous que DIEU vous a à l’œil et qu’il veillera sur vous jusqu’à ce qu’il voie son image en vous. 

J’espère que cette histoire vous apportera un peu de réconfort, tout comme elle l’a faite pour moi. Je vous avoue qui si vous me posez la question, je vous répondrai que Nathalie est partie trop vite car nous avions planifié de passer nos vieux jours ensemble. Tabourette! Plusieurs d’entre vous savent que ma vie est étroitement liée à la sienne, et ce, depuis notre rencontre en secondaire 4, il y a plus de 30 ans. On nous a souvent comparés aux deux doigts de la main. N & N comme on se plaisait à nous appeler. Il n’est d’ailleurs pas rare qu’à travers mes déplacements dans l’église, on m’appelle Nathalie et vice-versa. Dans mon cas, je l’ai toujours pris comme un honneur qu’on me compare à elle. 

J’aimerais vous lire une lettre qu’elle a écrit, il y a deux semaines, aux Davis, un couple âgé de missionnaires venant de l’Australie de retour au pays après un séjour de deux ans parmi nous. J’ose espérer qu’à la lecture de celle‑ci, vous comprendrez, à travers de SES écrits, comment elle se sentait. 

(Pour vous mettre en contexte, les Davis m’ont aidé à prendre soin de Nathalie durant les six (6) semaines qu’elle passa à l’hôpital l’année passée.)

Je pensais à vous et à sœur Davis hier.

Je reçois toujours des traitements, mais j’ai arrêté la chimio parce que ça ne donnait pas de résultats et que ça endommageait mes organes. Je me suis donc tournée vers la médecine parallèle, et le Seigneur m’a guidé vers un merveilleux thérapeute, et je travaille dur avec lui depuis quelques mois.

C’est difficile parce que la destruction des tumeurs libère beaucoup de toxines dans mon sang, et mon foie a du mal à gérer tout ça. En plus de la douleur, j’ai souvent la nausée et je vomis beaucoup, mais, mon thérapeute dit que tous ses patients atteints du cancer passent par là, et que ceux qui ont la foi et la force de continuer s’en sortent bien, alors je serre les dents et je continue.

Autrement, je vais bien. Je me repose beaucoup et je suis patiente. J’appelle quelqu’un qui a la prêtrise pour avoir une bénédiction lorsque c’est trop difficile, même s’ils viennent tous les dimanches m’apporter la Sainte Cène que j’apprécie beaucoup!

Elle parle ensuite de sa famille et termine en disant : « cela renforce ma volonté de vivre car je veux tellement les aider et prendre soin d’eux… »

Voilà un très bon exemple de « Notre » Nathalie. Elle s’inquiète toujours plus des gens autour d’elle et prenait toujours sur son dos la responsabilité de les aider. Une vraie « samaritaine » dans tous les sens du mot.

Il y a deux (2) semaines, alors que je revenais vers la maison un dimanche soir, elle m’appela me disant qu’elle voulait partager une bénédiction qu’elle avait reçue en juin dernier. Elle m’expliqua les circonstances entourant celle‑ci et la difficulté qu’elle avait eu à rencontrer ce frère qui ressentait que le Seigneur avait une bénédiction à lui partager. Après l’avoir écouté, je lui ai demandé si elle me donnerait l’autorisation de la partager avec vous aujourd’hui car elle expliquerait l’état d’acceptation dans lequel Nathalie était face à la maladie.  Elle accepta volontiers, sachant que cela pourrait vous aider à mieux accepter son passage dans l’au‑delà.

« Nathalie, le Seigneur Jésus‑Christ a un message pour toi; il t’accorde le pardon et l'exaltation. Il n'y a rien que tu puisses faire dans cette vie qui te déviera de lui. Il t’a préparé pour être la personne qu'il veut que tu sois et tu seras exalté, et il te promet ceci et te montre le chemin. 

Il aime ton humilité et aimerait que les gens prennent exemple sur toi. Il comprend et respecte leur libre-arbitre et il les conduira au repentir. Mais il t’aime tellement et il te donnera une occasion de choisir. 

Tu auras des moments difficiles sur ton chemin. Tu pourrais te retrouver dans un long sommeil pendant quelques jours, dans un sommeil profond peut-être même pendant des mois et durant ce temps, tu Le verras, tu Le ressentiras, tu Le connaîtras et tu décideras si tu veux revenir sur terre ou aller avec LUI. Ceci sera une décision difficile pour toi parce que tu ne voudras pas le laisser. Il t’aime tellement et a besoin que tu sois prête à entendre cette bénédiction. 

Éloge pour Nathalie Rivard, partie 2

Je désirais la partager avec vous aujourd’hui afin que vous puissiez comprendre combien Nathalie est une femme remplie de foi. Elle était prête à accepter la volonté du Seigneur et se réjouissait à l’idée de se retrouver à ses côtés. Elle me partagea que s’il ne lui permettait pas de revenir dans un corps en santé qu’elle ne voyait pas comment elle pourrait quitter sa présence. Je lui ai répondu que je ferais la même chose et qu’elle n’avait pas à s’inquiéter pour nous car nous serions capable de surmonter l’épreuve de devoir la laisser nous quitter pour un monde meilleur. Vous m’excuserez mais à ce moment‑là, j’ai parlé pour vous et moi car je savais que tout comme mon père, qui fut également emporté par le cancer à l’âge de 42 ans, nous serions capables de faire preuves de foi et d’accepter de la voir retourner vivre en la présence de notre Père Céleste.

Oh « Thalie », comment as‑tu pu rester si forte devant l’adversité?

J’ai trouvé la réponse dans son journal. Laissez‑moi vous en traduire un extrait. (Lire le témoignage de Nathalie dans son journal).

3 janvier 2012,

Les sœurs missionnaires me donnent un défi à chaque fois qu’elles me voient. Cette fois‑ci, elles m’ont demandé d’écrire mon témoignage.

Mon témoignage est que je sais que Dieu a une église rétablie sur la terre, l’Église de Jésus‑Christ des Saints des Derniers Jours, et qu’il voulait que je me fasse baptiser dans son église lorsqu’il m’a envoyé une équipe de missionnaires cogner à ma porte et m’enseigner les principes de l’évangile par le pouvoir du Saint‑Esprit.

Je sais que Dieu vit et qu’il m’aime. Il est conscient de mes besoins et ma situation et il veille sur moi. Je sais qu’il me guérira complètement de mon cancer.

Je sais que Jésus‑Christ vit, et qu’il est mon Sauveur et le Sauveur de toute l’humanité. Je sais qu’il est à la tête de l’église de Dieu. Je sais qu’il m’aime et qu’il ne va jamais me laisser tomber. Je sais que sa patience est infinie envers moi. Tout ce qu’il désire est que je fasse honnêtement de mon mieux et que je me repente à tous les jours.

Je sais que nous avons des prophètes vivants dans cette dispensation et que suivre les enseignements du prophète est le moyen le plus sûr dans cette vie.

Elle continue à laisser son témoignage pendant encore plusieurs lignes.

Missionnaire un jour, missionnaire toujours! Laissez‑moi maintenant vous lire la carte que j’ai écrite à Nathalie samedi passé, alors que je ressentais qu’elle était en train de nous quitter. Elle n’a pas eu l’opportunité de la lire de vive voix, mais sa mère lui a lu alors que je venais de retourner à la maison prendre une douche et me changer avant de retourner à l’hôpital lundi matin. Je suis reconnaissance Madame Rivard que vous ayez eu la présence d’esprit de lui lire ma carte avant qu’elle ne prenne son dernier souffle. Je vous en serai toujours très reconnaissante.

(Lire la carte).

Le samedi 28 juillet 2012

Ma très chère Nathalie,

Aujourd’hui plus que jamais, je veux que tu saches tout ce que tu représentes pour moi. Tu es pour moi une grande sœur, remplie de sagesse, de connaissance, compassion, bonté qui font de toi la meilleure amie au monde! Maintes fois tu as été la seule personne à pouvoir me comprendre et me réconforter et je ne serais certes pas là où je suis en ce moment si ce n’étais de toi car tu dégages l’amour pur du Christ et tu as su me pardonner maintes et maintes fois.

Ta vivacité et ta ténacité sont deux qualités que tout le monde te reconnaît car tu sais être un exemple pour tous ceux que tu côtoies. Tu laisses toujours les gens autour de toi contant d’avoir passé du temps avec toi. Tu trouves toujours le moyen de nous faire sourire de nous réconforter et de nous faire sentir aimé.

Sache que je t’aime énormément car tu es tout pour moi. Une sœur en Christ comme tout le monde devrait avoir. Tu es un exemple merveilleux d’un vrai disciple du Christ et j’ai tant de choses à apprendre de toi! Je t’aime Nathalie et je suis choyée de t’avoir dans ma vie et de partager tous les moments de complicité qui font de notre amitié une vraie perle rare. Je serai toujours là pour toi et tu peux compter sur moi.

Avec tout mon amour,

Nadia
XOXO

Nathalie est partie à la rencontre de son créateur et de son fils Jésus‑Christ avec la foi qu’elle pourrait rester à leurs côtés et je sais que c’est la raison pour laquelle elle est n’est pas revenue car elle se sentait en paix, enfin délivrée d’un corps qui lui apportait maintenant plus de douleur que de bonheur. Elle ne souffre plus maintenant là où elle est. Je sais que les membres de ta famille qui t’ont précédé t’ont accueilli à bras ouverts et que tu étais contente de pouvoir les reconnaître grâce au travail généalogique que tu as su entamer durant ces longs mois qui te tenaient éloignés de ton travail.

À Papy, Mammy, Nathalie était si reconnaissante de vous avoir comme parents, elle vous aime d’un amour inconditionnel.

À Martin, Jenfre, Bridge, votre compagnie, vos camaraderies et vos chinoiseries lui ont donné des heures de bien‑être.

Gina et Sylvie, les belles‑sœurs! Elle a tellement d’amour pour vous et était tellement contente de pouvoir vous compter parmi la famille.

Karl‑Antoine, Sébastien, Rafael, Philippe « Babe », Zacharie et Auréliane, elle parlait sans cesse de vous. Elle était une tante TRÈS fière. Gardez son sourire en mémoire car elle veut que vous vous souveniez d’elle comme une personne pleine de vie.

À Jacynthe, Line, Assunta, Christine et tous ceux et celle qui n’ont pu se rendre aujourd’hui, elle vous dirait, « t’es mon ami(e) pareil! »

Elder Blackhurst, Nathalie est très fière de toi.

Aux jeunes filles, je n’ai qu’un mot pour vous « Pollo ». Lâchez pas, elle vous aime!

Au revoir ma sœur, tu me manqueras beaucoup, mais tu resteras toujours dans mon cœur. Je t’aime Nathalie, va en paix, dans le repos de ton ami et Seigneur Jésus‑Christ. Je t’aime ma belle.

J’aimerais inviter Anne‑Marie Bilodeau à venir chanter une dernière fois pour Nathalie.

♪ღ♪*•.¸¸¸.•*¨¨*•.¸¸¸.•*•♪ღ♪¸.•*¨¨*•.¸¸¸.•*•♪ღ♪

♫♪♫ Chante Rossignol chante, toi qui a le cœur guai,
Tu as le cœur à rire, moi je l’ai à pleurer.
Il y a longtemps que je t’aime, jamais je ne t’oublierais! ♫♪♫
♪ღ♪*•.¸¸¸.•*¨¨*•.¸¸¸.•*•♪ღ♪¸.•*¨¨*•.¸¸¸.•*•♪ღ♪

Au nom de Jésus‑Christ, Amen!

Here are the original texts in English that I had to translate into French for Nathalie's Eulogy.  Enjoy! 


Refining Silver

Malachi 3:3 says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver"

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of GOD. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.

That Week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about GOD holding us in such a hot spot, then she thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver." She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined.

The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?" He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, That's easy when I see my image in it."

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that GOD has His eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.

Nathalie’s letter to the Davises

Hi brother Davis!!!

I was thinking about you ands sister Davis yesterday.

I am still in treatment. I stopped the chemo because it wasn't working and was causing damage in my inner organs.

So I went with alternative medicine. The Lord guided me to a wonderful therapist and I've been working hard with him for the last few months.

It is difficult because the destruction of tumors brings a release of many toxins in my blood and my liver is having a lot of problems to process that. So lots of nausea and vomiting along with the pain.

But my therapist says that all his cancer patients go through that and those who have faith and drive to continue do very well so I'm clenching my teeth and keep going.


Other then that, I'm all right. I get al lot of rest and keep patient. I call on the priesthood for blessing when it's all too much. They come every Sunday to bring me sacrament and I appreciate it!

Then she went on to talk about her family and finished saying “That about triple my will to live as I want to help them and take care of them so much...”

Blessing for Nathalie Rivard received on June 3, 2012

Nathalie, the Lord Jesus Christ has a message for you. He grants unto you forgiveness and exaltation. There is nothing you can do in this life that will deviate you from him. He has prepared you to be the person that he wants you to be and you will be exhalted, and he promises this to you and shows you the way forward. He loves your humility and he wishes that people would learn from you. He understands and respects their free will and he will bring them to repentance. But he loves you so much and he will give you an opportunity to choose. 

You will have difficult moments ahead of you. You might be in a long sleep for a few days, in a deep sleep maybe even months, and during that time, you will see him, you will feel him, you will know him and you will decide whether to come back to this earth or to go with him. This will be a difficult decision for you because you will not want to leave him, but he loves you so much and needs you to be ready to hear this blessing. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

À la demande générale, voici une copie du programme des funérailles.  
Here's a copy of the Funeral Program.

Merci à tous ceux qui ont participé de près ou de loin aux funérailles de Nathalie hier. Nous sommes très reconnaissant du travail que vous avez accompli afin que cette journée soit très mémorable. Nous vous invitons à laissez vos commentaires ici, en cliquant sur le mot orange "Comment" plus bas, afin que nous puissions les imprimer et les garder en souvenir de votre amitié avec notre fille et soeur. Merci! 


We thank all of you who participated in Nathalie's funeral yesterday. We are most grateful for all the work accomplished to make this such a memorable day.We now ask you to leave your comments here, by clicking on the orange word "Comment" below, as we would like to print them as a momento of your frienship to our beloved daughter and sister. Thank you!

*English to follow

Notre chère Nathalie Rivard est décédée le 30 juillet 2012 à la suite du cancer du sein qui s'est généralise en cancer des os. Elle a beaucoup souffert mais est partie en paix. En plus de laisser ses parents, Renée et André, ses frères Martin (Sylvie) et Jean-François (Gina), sa sœur Brigitte (John) et ses 5 neveux et sa nièce dans le deuil, elle laisse aussi une autre grande famille.

Vendredi, le 3 août 2012, nous célébrerons la vie de cet être qui nous est cher.

Elle sera exposée de 10h00 à 12h00 à la maison funéraire Urgel Bourgie situé au :
3503 rue Papineau
Montréal (Québec) H2K 1B3

Papineau + autobus 45 ou 15 minutes de marche du métro

Les funérailles auront lieux de 12h30-14h00 au centre de pieu de l'Église de Jésus-Christ des Saints des Derniers Jours, situé au:
1777, av. de Lorimier
Montréal (Québec) H2K 3W6

Papineau + 6 minutes de marche

L'enterrement sera réservé aux membres de la famille immédiate et un goûter (potluck) sera partagé au retour de la famille en provenance du cimetière. Nous vous invitons à fraterniser ensemble et à partager vos merveilleux souvenirs de Nathalie en attendant.

Avec son grand amour et sa générosité, Nathalie a su partager le meilleur d'elle-même dans différentes paroisses et pieux à Montréal, au temple et dans sa vie quotidienne. Merci pour tout ce que tu as fait pour nous; “Chante rossignol chante, toi qui a le cœur gai, tu as le cœur à rire, moi je l’ai à pleurer. Il y a longtemps que je t'aime, jamais je ne t'oublierai.”

**Afin d'aider à soulager la douleur d'autres foyer dans la même situation, nous préfèrerions que vous offriez un don à l'Hôpital Général Juif où Nathalie a été soignée par le personnel très attentif, nous ayant permis de passer les derniers moments en toute sérénité avec elle. Vous pouvez faire vos dons en ligne ici.**

________________________________________________________________________________


Our beloved Nathalie Rivard, passed away on July 30, 2012 as a result of breast cancer that progressed into bone cancer. She suffered a lot but left her earthly abode in peace. She is mourned by her parents, Renée and André, her brothers, Martin (Sylvie) and Jean‑François (Gina) and her sister Brigitte (John) and her 5 nephews and one niece, but also by her other big family.

On Friday July 3, 2012, we will celebrate the life of this amazing woman who is so dear to us.

The viewing will be held at Urgel Bourgie Funeral Home from 10AM to 12PM. It is located at:
3503 Papineau St.
Montreal, Quebec H2K 1B3

Papineau + bus 45 or 15‑minute walk from the metro

The funeral service will be held from 12:30 2:00PM at the stake center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, located at:
1777 de Lorimier Ave.
Montreal, QC H2K 3W6

Papineau + 6‑minute walk

Following the funeral, the immediate family with be going to her final resting place for the interment while you will be able to mingle and reminisce about her love for life. When the family returns to the church, we will enjoy a potluck together.

Through her great love and generosity, Nathalie has shared the best of herself in various wards and stakes, at the temple and in her everyday life. Thank you for all that you have done for us; “Sing nightingale, sing. Your heart is so happy that yours feel like laughing while mine feels like weeping. I have loved you for a while, but I shall never forget you.”

**To help relieve the pain of other families in the same situation, we would prefer that you offer a donation to the Jewish General Hospital where Nathalie was looked after by the very attentive staff, allowing us to spend the last moments calmly with her. You can make your on-line donations here.**

Nous avons le regret de vous annoncer le décès de Nathalie Rivard. Elle nous a quitté en paix ce matin vers 9h30. Il nous fera un grand plaisir de lire tous vos bons mots d'encouragement sur le blog; nous les lirons tous.

Nous vous fournirons plus de détails quant aux funérailles dans les jours qui suivent. Merci de ne pas téléphoner à la famille, mais référez-vous au blog ou rejoignez-moi (Nadia) par courriel à 
withfaithineveryfootstep@gmail.com.

We are sadden to let you know that Nathalie has died this morning around 9:30AM. She left this world for a better one, where the pain will no longer affect her. We will be pleased to read all of your words of encouragement on this blog.

We will post all the details for the funerals as soon as they become available in the coming days. We ask you not to phone at her home, but please refer to the blog or you can reach me (Nadia) at withfaithineveryfootstep@gmail.com.

Mother's day joy.

*English to follow

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  
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

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

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

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

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

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

“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.