Prayer Circle Sunday 10/15 & Update

Good Rainy Saturday Morning (at least in San Diego),

This is Stef writing today from my Mom’s place in Lakeside.

It has been quite awhile since either North or I have posted a blog as there has been a lot going on above and below the surface. This blog is timely in that there are some wonderful things to share as well as a strong request for positive prayer surrounding North (and me) as he goes in this Monday for his PET scan.

This test is a full body scan and its purpose is to determine whether or not anymore cancer is in his body. I am saying the test is to prove the cancer is GONE! That is my prayer… that the surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, combined with the incredible love, prayers and support of so many people, AND North’s determination to survive, thrive and do the work that is the passion in his soul (write, teach and make a positive difference in many lives); that these things all together have eliminated the disease from his body, completely and permanently. Please join me in praying for and knowing this.

I would also like to add a request for prayer for my Dad, Bill Swink. He recently discovered there are cancer cells in his prostate and he will be starting an 8 week, 5 days per week, radiation process (like North did) within a week or so. His prognosis is good and his attitude is excellent! These two most significant men in my life continue to awe and inspire me and I love them both more then words could ever say.

Several people have asked if we are going to have another prayer circle gathering in our home prior to North’s test. A grand idea I say! So, yes, we are and it is TOMORROW, SUNDAY, October 15th at 6:00pm. My apologies for the last minute invitation. Please join us any way you can. Being together in person is great. AND we also feel and appreciate your participation from any distance. The get-togethers prior to and after surgery were real miracle makers for everyone who came and made a HUGE difference to North as he went into and recovered from surgery.

A few updates:

North and I were given an incredible and generous gift of a trip to visit North’s Cousin Dan who lives in Hawaii! You all remember him…he was the incredible hero by my side through North’s surgery. Boy was it good to see him again. We just returned this past week. It was SO wonderful to spend time with Dan and his wife Vickie and their son, Will. A BIG added bonus was the fact that North, Will and Vickie each had birthdays within a few days of each other and Dan threw a great party to celebrate all three! (North turned 52 in October 4th, Will celebrated sweet 16 on the 5th, and Vickie reached her big 5 0 on the 8th). And, of course, the icing on top was the beautiful, warm, tropical setting and the tangible, healing, Aloha spirit of the islands. What a blessing!

Prior to our departure, North and I were deliberating about the trip, his healing process, and the timing of the test. We just so happened to be in the middle of that conversation while waiting for North’s surgeon, Dr. Armstrong, in the very exam room where we were told the extent of the cancer and surgery, etc., back in March. So when Dr. Armstrong came in, we asked his opinion about taking the test before or after our trip. Miracles have always been a part of this journey and his response, to me, was no exception. He listened to our concerns and was quiet a few moments, considering. This truly amazing man has always been very straight with us and to the point, answering my persistent questions with hard-nosed medical facts and statistics that were often difficult to hear. So his response surprised us both when he said that if he could write a prescription for everyone in our position to take a vacation in a tropical setting, he would! He then said that if we could leave our paranoia behind and relax in a beautiful place, focusing on healing and loving each other, that doing so would very likely have a healing effect that may alter the test results anyway! How cool is that!

So besides concerns about North’s ability to fly with his altered sinus cavity, etc. (which turned out to be fine) the only other issue about our trip, quite honestly, was that we worried about the possible misunderstanding and/or judgment from people who might not realize the trip was a gift, and wonder how we could have fund-raisers and accept financial support and then go to Hawaii. Truth is, the donations we have received have made all the difference these past several months and have gone directly to pay for medical and living expenses that North’s disability payments cannot cover. My organizing business has been going pretty well but is not to the point of sufficient income to support us both. So, with reconstruction surgery to follow the all-clear test results (most likely to take place in late November or December), our intention and goal is to move out of the fund-raiser and donation mode and back into self-sufficiency by February. We SO look forward to giving back, especially to people going through what we did. Exciting plans are already in the works. Stay tuned! (And just a side note – those we have shared about the trip with so far have been elated for us. AND the trip was a tremendously healing journey in many ways. Thank you GOD!)

In the meantime, fabulous blessings continue to occur and one we are most excited about is taking place on Sunday, November 5th. Several fabulous musicians and best selling author, friend, and spiritual teacher Marianne Williamson have offered to support North by doing a special evening fund raiser. For more information please go to our website at http://www.northandstef.org/ and click on events to the left of the page below the compass. Or to order tickets directly, go to http://www.northandstef.org/FundRaiser/mwfr.htm

Thanks for reading and staying connected with us. I’ll end with this great statement that came to me in a recent e-mail - Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply, Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God. We send our love out to each of you and add many blessings for peace and healing in any and every form you desire.

All the best of love and life,
Stef