I would not be so arrogant to ask you to pray for me, but I am here taking figurative hat in hand to ask you to pray for my mother.

I left Des Moines, on active duty for the better part of three and a half weeks, bound for Milan, Tennessee, on 1 June 2005. As scheduled, my Mom went into the hospital for removal of "a mass." I'd have rather been with her, but... well, it's a duty thing. Some of you will understand that, some won't. Regardless, I wasn't able to be with her.

They removed said mass and it contained cancer. Days later, the tests proved the cancer to be benign and the doctor felt he'd gotten all of it. He said that had it not been caught (during a check-up) and had gone undetected for another year... it would have been "bad."

She came home from the hospital just a few days ago. Yesterday morning, I found out from my Stepdad (we have AWFUL cell phone coverage where I'm at, but I managed to get the voice mail when I finally had a moment of good signal) that she went back into the hospital because she was throwing up and having other problems. I have spoken to the nurse caring for her and I'm told this is not a typical situation for the recovery period.

I'm somewhat at wit's end. I'm on active duty and I have a mission to do. All I can do is pray, and I've been hitting it hot and heavy. First, it was "please, please, please..." and then it was "thank you, thank you, thank you." Well, now I'm back in the "please" mode again... and, given I'm a big believer in the power of collective prayer, I'm here asking you, my friends (I feel a tad closer to you "African" folks than I do those of the other AR forums) to take a moment, put your hands together, and ask God to heal my Mom. Her name is Kathryn.

I'm on duty until about the 25th of June and I really can't get out of this for all practical purposes... and, I know her, she'd want me to do what I'm doing.

This is a tough position for me. I love my mother. I know many of you have seen the ugliness and hatred and harshness in my personality... but I tell you, with God as my witness, whatever "good" I have is largely, perhaps entirely, due to my Mom. Regardless of any ill feelings some of you may have toward me, I humbly ask you to set them aside long enough to put in a prayer for my Mom. As of a few minutes ago, as I type this, she was undergoing some endo... something or other... to see what the situation was with the "blockage" that is apparently causing the vomiting and such. If I had hair (I don't), I'd be pulling it out.

So... as nicely as I can manage it, please, if you would, take just a moment out of your day and put in a prayer for my Mom. I believe in the power of collective prayer and this is all I can think of that I can do for her right now.

Thank you, folks.

Russ

Consider it done my friend.

RET
99% of the bad things we worry about,never happen.The 1% that does turn bad,we can not change.You and Your Mom are in my prayers.

My mother is a firm believer in prayer and hers usually get answered. We will both be praying for your mother and the rest of your family.

Thanks for doing what you're doing - especially at a time like this.

Shannon

Been in your position and you and your family are in my prayers....stay strong.

My MOM went through breast cancer surgery and I know how helpless I felt all I could do was pray and be by her side. My prayers are with your MOM I hope she gets well soon.

Katie, Derrick and I want to say we are sorry to hear about your mother. Our prayers are with her and we will have a mass said for her recovery. We want you to stay positive and keep a sense of humor. With everything I have been through in my life (and especially lately) prayers, faith in God and a positive outlook can get you though anything! Believe ME!

PS: We need you to send us your email address again! Yet another computer blew up and we lost everything!(thank god for total replacement warranties!!LOL) Stay safe on your exercise and hope your mother is doing better....
Cathy Stone

Russ,

Our small prayers are with you and yours.

Done, I know well what it is like to be gone and not able to be there. You will ALL be remembered in ours.

Russel

Prayers on the way and best wishes to your whole family.

As far as the "ugliness and hatred" thing goes, nobody has seen that guy around here for a long time . People grow and people change. I don't think any of the newer members have a clue about what you are talking about.

Regards

Elmo

May the blessing of God be upon your mother, yourself and your family in this time of need.

Your mother will be remembered in my family's prayers....

Lynn D

You bet Russ. I know how you feel. I was pretty freaked out when my Ma had an emergency triple bypass last summer, and I WAS able to be there.

All the best,
Canuck

Russell,

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and all your family.

Russ, Can do easy!

Russell,

Your Mother is in our prayers.

May God Bless Her-Ron

Done and we wish you all the best of luck.

I'll pray for her comfort.

I believe in the power of prayer, and have seen it proven many times in my life, I will prayer for you and your mother...Ask and you shall receive.

Done. Prayer is very powerful. My wife had a brain tumor removed two years ago. It's a very scary time. I wish you all well.

My prayers are with you and your family......

Bob

Consider it done, and thankYOU for yor service

Prayer just sent. I certainly hope your mother makes a full and speedy recovery.

Perry

Russel, I know where you are coming from and she will be in my prayers...You also to carry on
as a patriot...and brother...

Mike

Give your Mom our best regards, and let her know that she is at the moment in a tremendous amount of AR members thoughts and prayers.

Russell:

I've walked in your shoes, my friend. My beautiful mother lost her fight to breast cancer on her 40th birthday. That was 10 short years ago.

Both you and your mother are in my family's prayers.

May the hands of her doctors be steady and true, her spirits always high and love and support from everyone close to her always there.

God bless you and your mother.

V/r

Prayers on the way, Russ! You, my friend, keep your mind on your job at hand, we'll take care of this end!

I lost my Mom, and My mother-in-law of 45 yrs at the same time in April, so I know your pain! The prayers are the way to go in this case, and I have a very strong feeling they will be answered to your likeing!

Keep your head down, and your eyes on the horrizon! Come on home we have hunts to do, so you can tell your mom about the outcome of them!

Russ, I pray for her, you are both in my thoughts.

Regards,
Martin

Done - Phillipians 4:6-8

Russell,

I don't always agree with you but I just sent out a prayer for your Mother.

A man that doesn't love his mother isn't much of a man and I can see that you very much love yours.

God Bless!

Sincerely,
$bob$

Will certainly do so.

God's will be done. We ask that He keeps her in the palm of His hand.

Russell,

All my best thoughts for your mother and you. Thankfully my mother pulled through her cancer trial 20 years ago. Hang in there and be positive.

John

Russ-

I know how you feel...

My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer 12 years ago, while I was at artillery school at Fort Sill. Knowing that there was absolutely nothing that I could do, they chose to not tell me until I was home.

Fortunately, it was the same situation as your mother.... caught early. After some chemo & radiation, she was good-to-go (until a heart attack claimed her one year ago today )

But her cancer was never an issue after her treatment.

Hang in there, and know that I'm thinking of you (and her).

Hope to see ya this weekend, first round is on me!

Russ, Prayers inbound from me and mine. I'll pass the word along to some of the old gang at SC as well.

Lost my mom some years ago and I know how you feel. Done.

Russell...I'm a cancer survivor too, and deeply greatlful that you have such a strong sense of duty...I don't talk to the Big Guy often, and usually i'm scolding him...this time my one on one will be more of a pleading nature. My daughters will also be praying for your mother today.

Bless you

Russ,
We will pray for your mother, Kathryn.
I know prayers work as my husband just came home from the hospital. The prayers said for him have worked wonders.
Your mother did an excellent job raising a son who understands the concepts of integrity and loyalty.
Melody
http://www.long-grass.com

Russ, we have you covered.

Russell, my mom spent 28days in the hospital during March/April. She had had several serious health issues including cancer. I am in good practice in the prayer department and will gladly pray for both you and your mom. Thank you for your service and sacrifice for our country.

Perf

Done.

And on the other thing, everyone would rather deal with someone who is honest about his feelings rather than someone that blows smoke.