Update for 6/11: More blessings, Gilda's Club, and church last night

The first thing I have to share is the Good News!
I talked to my insurance company and the laboratory that does the genetic testing is covered, so with some help from my doctor and the genetics counselor, I may only have to pay $300 instead of $3000. That is fantastic! Also, I had a bill that came in that was for about $4000 and they hadn't submitted it to the insurance company yet, so that will also be only about $400. So, that's great news.
In addition, a really kind friend has offered to procure a new laptop for me, which just blows me away. So, I've been looking into the right specs and software. The main goal I have is to finally get my computer and keyboard to talk to each other, record, make drum loops, chart in staff notation, etc. I'm very excited about this. Of course, it will give me another project to do with learning all of the ins and outs of the new software, but I'm so excited. For day to day tasks, I can post to the blog from wherever I want to in the house, becuase I'll be wireless, and actually have microsoft word, etc. Not to mention that, thanks to a friend, I now have an Ipod so that for music rehearsals when I want to get fancy using loops live I can just download to that, hopefully (when I figure it out and get better). Also, I'll have my whole library on that and my laptop which will make music planning a whole lot more efficient and effective. Being able to have that technology is HUGE. WOW. I think I have said Wow more frequently during this period of my life than any other. That word just doesn't suffice for the extent of people's kindness to me during this time. I'm so thankful and grateful.

Finally, I know that the Bloch Aid shirts are still selling and I'm so amazed by this. I'm really really going to try to make it to promotion at John Glenn. I want to see the kids. I should be sort of okay by then because I have chemo this Monday.

Gilda's Club
This is a fabulous place of support for people with cancer, their families and even their friends. It is a great facility in Cathedral City that is only 18 months old with meeting and relaxing rooms, a huge nice kitchen area (where theyhold cooling classes), a fantastic kids area called "noogieland"support groups, and of course a community area. They hold classes on all kinds of things from art to tai chi, social activities, and just a really nice place to be. I went to a new member meeting on Saturday based on a suggestion from Karen Pendelton and just felt such peace there. It was amazing. It was also neat to share about my faith in Christ during this time and provide hope to the others that were in that new members class as well. What I love about it, is not only the facility, which is so nice, and the peace, which is amazing, but that their approach is for the whole group of people affected by someone's diagnosis - not just the patient. It really fabulous. I'll let you know when I attend something there.

Church last night/reflections
Dan asked me to share during the worship set about the fact that I had been diagnosed with breast cancer. I was so unsure what to say, which is funny for someone who can be as verbose as I. The challenge was so be parsimonous. I just wanted people to know that I have this incredible joy that comes from Jesus in this time and that makes me so excited because I know that it's from him and it's not me. The joy is further evidence that Jesus lives. Also, even though I have something physical that I am fighting and dealing with, other people have emotional, or family challenges that can be just as devastating as a diagnosis of cancer. BUT, Jesus is the healer, Jehovah Roffe who heals and leaves no scars. I believe that He does this. He has done this in non-physical ways in my life so powerfully. I know that he is waiting for us to just be broken so he can lift us up and show everyone His life by the way that we move and live in Him.
It is so evident to me that this is God-powered time. I just sense the Holy Spirit even as I write this. If you are reading this and you are hurting, I pray that you would know that he can heal all of your hurts. Every soul ache, all of the scorched places, the personal places that the locusts have eaten can be redeemed and restored. I know my Redeemer lives. He lives in me, and he can live in you too and bring such healing and relief on a level that you've never known. In this time I know how big my God is: big enough to handle the problems of every heart. If you don't have a relationship with God and you're reading this, I pray that you would open your heart to Him. He is the healer and He is the God of the Universe, Adonai Echad, Jesus, who can make all things new. That is the miracle of knowing him. Ask him to come into your heart and to take all of you. Don't hold back. He is waiting for you to put down all of the shame and burdens that you have been carrying. He will carry you. Ask him to come in and live in your heart and your soul. You will never regret it. He has changed my life and given me a hope and a future that is beyond reason. Why not ask him to come and live in your heart and forgive you for trying to be righteous on your own? Isn't it tiring to try to live on your own apart from the love and peace and forgiveness of God? Ask him to come and forgive you and heal you. He will, if you are willing.
Also, if you are open to it, let me know if you did ask Jesus to come and live in you. You can give me your phone number and I will call you. I would love to pray for you. I just know that Jesus' love for you, for all of us, is so much more than we could ask or imagine-and I know He loves you.
Lord, bring healing to those reading this post, that they would find rest as they pour out their hurt to you. You are the sustainer of all things, and you are the life, you can breathe life into dry bones and make them live. Please show your love to those reading, restore tenderness in the scorched places, and renew sensitivity where there are callouses of anger to mask the hurt. Lord, I pray for your Holy Spirit to do a mighty incredible inward work in those reading so that they would know You, are the Lord of all. Amen.