Had the port put in a few days ago. This is the device they install (my highly technical medical term) in your chest to receive chemo treatments and draw blood. It means your arm isn’t used as a pincushion for every IV and blood test for the next six months. Having a port put in should kind of make everything more real I guess, but the truth is it was real from day one. D-Day, I call it. Diagnosis Day. That was the day my primary care doctor called to give me the news that the CT scan had shown cancer: she and I have known each other 20 years and she choked up delivering the news, so yeah. It was real then. And it’s been real every day since. Anyway, after inserting the port the surgeon told me that I have a narrow space between the clavicle and ribs, and he didn’t want to risk puncturing a lung (um…thanks?), so he went through the jugular. You read that right – he went straight for the jugular. This is my life now, friends.
Kickin’ it!
April 12 – Straight for the Jugular
13 responses to “April 12 – Straight for the Jugular”
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love you sweet sister, we are kicking it with you! xo
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Son of a beehive!! I did not know that. Portia better kick it like she’s never kicked it before in her life!!
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Can I say,… even sharing life changing news, to put it mildly, you deliver with a keen sense of lightheartedness & honesty. I’m in … I’m kicking’ it with you my dear, sweet, strong, courageous Warrior friend Charla, every step of the way. An abundance of prayers, hugs & love to you & yours as you travel this path to healing. Love you with all my heart! xoxoxo… GinGin
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As always, Charla, your creative way with words is so moving and beautiful. I’m sorry we’re joining together for this reason, but I hope you feel the prayers, positivity, gratitude and powerful healing energy from your surrounding community, near and far. Love to you, my dear friend!
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Heck yes Charla!
You have put into words such a feeling and an energetic. It’s amazing. All of my loving thoughts and prayers go with you.❤️
Feel like I am right there with you as I am in Boston with my sister and she is almost at the same moment, getting her port on Thursday.
She however had her first “healing therapy” a week ago and is already doing so much better!
I love you CharlaLikeLike
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Right for the jugular — love it, and love you! Think Coulter was channeling you this morning — I heard a lot of Charla-like wisdom in his sermon. Keeping you close in prayers and good thoughts
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You don’t know me but Sherri Goodwin recruited me to be a prayer warrior for you. Kicking it with you!
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Your sense of humor in such a difficult time is admirable! You have such a way with words! Charla, you are in my prayers. May our Lord put His healing hand on you and hold you tight through this trial.
Xoxo,
MarthaLikeLike
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Thanks for the help.I got it now. Tell ben we want as number to call him.
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Hope all goes well today with chemo! Prayers for you!
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Dear dear Charla, We are with you in spirit on the daily from way out here in New Jersey. Sending you extra strength and love and optimism. I think often of your brilliant recent sermon about the woman at the well, and I love the idea that Christ’s loving water of life and love and healing is flowing to and around you now.
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And also, Charla, BRAVA on your recent doctoral accomplishment! Thrilled beyond measure for you about that!
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Charla I had therapy this morning and all during it I prayed for you to not have any side effects and that it would go get those cells. We love you.
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About Charla
In March of 2023 our dear Charla was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer which had spread to the lymph nodes. Charla is a beloved friend and pastor to so many. In an effort to keep all of those who care about her in the loop, and lighten the communication load that would inevitably fall on Charla and her family, we have established this blog. Please post your comments of positivity, prayer, encouragement, and inspiration on this site, or mail encouraging messages via snail mail.
Prior to this diagnosis Charla had tossed around the idea of starting a podcast. With a background in PR and TV, years of expertise teaching and writing on parenting and other topics, a Doctorate in Ministry from Duke University, and 13 years under her belt of co-pastoring and leading a church, Charla has a deep well of wisdom to draw from and “kick around” in conversation in a podcast setting. We can’t wait to “kick it” (slang for “hang out”) with Charla in the years ahead and hear her declare triumph over this diagnosis.
For now, we join Charla in solidarity, with love and constant prayer, as she kicks cancer out of her body.
Kick it with Charla. And lift her up in prayer.
Kick it with Charla 
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