Christian Photographers Community

This is from my pasto.  His dear wife had cancer a few years ago and had radical mastectomy and then was in remission for a couple of years but now it seems to have come back.

This is the email that we received during this week:

Hello Dear Friends,



Tomorrow, Monika will be meeting with the thoracic surgeon to determine what will need to be done about the fluid build up in her chest.  Then on Wednesday, she will be having an ultrasound of her internal organs and a chest x-ray.  These tests are to determine if the cancer has metastasized to other areas of her body.  In one sense we are looking forward to these tests and yet a part of us is somewhat hesitant. 

We are still awaiting the results of her echocardiogram a couple of weeks ago.  Monika has been having some difficulty sleeping as she is very uncomfortable and is experiencing a great deal of pain.  Her cough is contributing to this difficulty of sleeping.  It has been a difficult few weeks for her and we are praying that the next few days might bring some good news for a change. 

We are continuing to just to trust the Lord in it all.  We know His will for Monika is perfect even though we do not humanly understand why she must suffer so much.  What we are absolutely confident of is that our God never leaves her to face this alone.  He has given grace and strength to face each day and we are so thankful for His presence with us.  Please pray for Monika, she needs rest and physical strength.  She needs to have this cough attended to and her lung capacity returned to normal if possible. 

Thank you for your calls and cards and especially your prayers.  It is such a comfort to be able to come before the throne of grace in our times of need and to know that God answers prayer according to His perfect plan and purpose.  Our desire is for God to receive all the glory through this trial, no matter what the outcome may His name be glorified.

Love and Thanks

Wayne & Monika

I've just had an update:

Hello Dear Friends and Family,



This has been quite a week for my dear wife.  She continues to be short of breath as there is fluid around her right lung.  Tomorrow at 10:15, we will be at the Etobicoke General Hospital to hopefully have some of the fluid drained off.  This will we trust bring her some relief.  She is experiencing quite a lot of pain but continues to take pain medication for that.  The surgeon feels that there is some fluid now around her left lung which seems to be a new development. 

She had an ultrasound of her organs last week and we are awaiting the results. 

Pray for tomorrow's appointment if you would.  We are hoping for the best, but will leave all in God's hands.   How wonderful to Know the Saviour in trying times. 

I will update you if I can when we get home.  God bless and thanks for praying.



Wayne & Monika



Thank you all for your prayers.

i'll pray pat

I am praying Pat. My Pastor's wife also has breast cancer she is just 39 it is her third time with cancer. She has had lung cancer and brain cancer.

Thanks for printing this Pat.  They are a wonderful couple!

My prayer is for a healing and riddance of cancer in your friend. 
Carol

Oh Father, we are, as usual, at a loss.  Of course we want Monika to be healed.  Oh how greatly we desire all diseases and pains to be removed from this earth.  We long to stand before our Savior in perfect joy and peace.  But Oh Lord, we're still in this fallen world, and You, better than any other, know what discouragements, frustrations, and pains we experience.  Oh strengthen Monika - and Wayne - to endure to the end, whether that be in this life or the next.  Oh minister to them even now, Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ.

C.P. family:  PLEASE please continue to pray for Monika, this Pastor's wife.  She is very ill.  You wouldn't believe how beautiful she is....both inside and out.  This dear couple REALLY love the Lord, and are trusting in Him.

Thanks Judy...  Just waiting too for a further update but this dear family must be so busy with doctor's appointments, etc.  We'll just keep praying and be patient.  I'll post as soon as I hear anything.

I'm so sorry but I had a little mini crash with my computer where I lost only the emails in my INBOX and so a few updates from Pastor Boadway were lost.


But here's one:


Update May 31


Hello All,

Just wanted to let you know what happened yesterday at the oncologist's.  I think he was somewhat surprised by Monika's condition as he last saw her on Apr 26.  She has certainly slipped since that time.  The result of the bone scan was not very encouraging.  The cancer has metastasized to her bone.  We are not surprised by this news, we were certain that this would be the news we would hear.  He thought maybe the edema in her legs was due to a blood clot in her legs, but it not.  At this point we do not know what is causing the edema, so we will have to wait for the cat-scan on Monday.  At this time, the doctor is strongly urging Monika to go ahead with chemotherapy.  This is a route she had determined not to do after having had 6 months of high dose chemo in 97-98.  We need to make this decision by Tuesday of next week.  It is a difficult one and so if you would make it a matter of prayer, that God would give us wisdom, we would greatly appreciate it.  The nurse spent a good 1 and ½ hours with us this morning which was a great help to Monika.  We are just taking life one day at a time and trusting the Lord in it all.  May He be glorified by our lives and our testimony of His grace.  Take care and thanks for praying.



Wayne & Monika

Update:  June 3


Hello All,



Yesterday late afternoon we received a phone call from Monika's palliative doctor to check in on her and to give us the latest news on her bone scan.  We already knew it was in her bones but did not know to what extent.  It would be easier to tell you where it is not.  Since late March, the cancer has spread to her upper arms, centre chest, both sides on her ribs, several points in her spine, both hips and both femurs.  This cancer it seems is very aggressive and is spreading quickly.  Just to clarify with regard to the chemo the doctor is suggesting.  Monika is well aware that chemotherapy will not save her life, the chemo the doctor is suggesting is strictly to give her pain relief in some of the sites.  It is what they call palliative chemotherapy.  If it were an attempt to make her better, there would be no question in her mind.  What is difficult to know is, can the chemo help reduce the tumors to the point of decreasing her pain.  The choice may seem straight forward, however Monika does not want to suffer and chemotherapy has not been in her experience a pleasant thing.  The decision is a difficult one and we are trusting the Lord to give us His wisdom to make the right decision.  We are so thankful to the Lord for all that He has done in our lives especially over the past few months.  He has been our stay and has given us grace and surrounded us with His love and wonderful family and friends to help us face this difficult time in our lives.  I can not imagine how someone who is not saved and only has the hope of this world could face such a challenge.  James says that this life is but a vapour and with eternity in mind, how very true this is.  It is so wonderful to know the Lord and know His ever abiding presence with us even in the deepest valleys of life.  We have found Him faithful and trustworthy, His ever abiding presence has allowed us to face this trial with complete assurance.  I trust you know Him personally as your Saviour.  If you do not let me ask you one simple question, "What hope do you have?"



God Bless

Wayne & Monika & Family

I sent a short email to Wayne to let them know I was praying daily for them..

Here's his wonderful reply. 

Dear Pat,

As I read this e-mail, our youngest daughter who is home-schooled is playing the piano in preparation for her lesson latter today.  The song she is playing, "When We All Get to Heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be!"  How appropriate as her mom lies in the room beside her soon to be with the Lord.  God's Grace?? God's grace IS sufficient and it is His grace that allows a 13 year old to play such a hymn knowing full well that her mom will soon be with Jesus.  My how our hearts ache and yet how they rejoice even now in this trial because we now know not only from the truth of God's Word that He is our strength and our stay, which is all we really need, however, we now have experienced it in a real way.  We do rejoice, not at the illness or the suffering, but at God's goodness to us as we go through this trial.  Thank you for your email and your words of encouragement, they do help.  May God continue to use you for His glory.



God Bless,

Wayne & Monika

Pat, thanks for the updates on this terrible ordeal for this family but also the very positive message they are conveying in their strength through reliance upon God. 

Yes, Pat. Thank you.  My heart just aches for this dear family.  And what an inspiration for many who would have questions of why God didn't heal her, or others who have gone home this way.  Yet some have been healed miraculously.  It's in God's hands.  We simply trust, and lean on God's love and mercy.  As Wayne said, HIS grace is certainly sufficient.

This is a difficult time for some and a more hopeful and positive time for others.  There are always lessons learned at a time like this.  Who knows the depth of those lessons and the impact on many lives the faith and trust of this family will have.  Thanks, Pat, for sharing.

Thanks dear friends.

Just keep on praying.  Wayne never stops smiling.  He's a wonderful pastor.  And in March (the last time I saw Monika), she gave me such a hug and there was no evidence of any of this and look at the speed in which it's taken hold of this dear mother's life.

The Lord called Monika home to be with Him this morning.  No more pain or sorrow for our dear sister.

My condolonces Pat.  I'm sure she will be missed.

PAT~I understand the rush of mixed emotions at a time like this.  Sorrow that a loved one is no longer with you and a sense of relief and release that she is not continuing to suffer.  My condolences are with you and the family and all who know and love them.

Here's the email that Pastor Boadway sent out...


Dear Family and Friends,

For several months now you have been faithfully upholding our dear family before the throne of Grace.  What a marvelous truth that the God of heaven hears our prayers and answers according to His good and perfect will.  This morning at 8:35, my dear wife Monika passed into the presence of her dear Saviour. 

Over the past few days with the suffering she was experiencing I had asked you to pray that God would be merciful and take her home and He did just that.  Today although we sorrow greatly we rejoice with Monika as she has finally been delivered from all suffering and pain of this life.  She was a very special precious wife and mother who will be greatly missed, however, we are eternally grateful to God for His love and mercy. 

Thank you for sharing in this struggle with us through your prayers and cards, calls, flowers and so much more.  I will post funeral arrangements as soon as everything is finalized. God Bless and again, on behalf of our family, thank you.

Love Wayne, and Children

I certainly send condolences for Wayne and his family at this difficult time.  I continue to be in awe at the Christian maturity I see exhibited in his postings throughout this ordeal.

I so agree, Larry.  How proud Father God must be of His son, Wayne.  He has gone through this trial with his beloved wife and kept his faith, and willingness to minister to others, as a shining light for saints and angels alike to witness.

I thought you might like to see the obituary that was in the newspaper along with a lovely photo of Monika...



Monika F. Boadway  September 14, 1959 - June 14, 2005.   

Mrs. Monika Boadway (nee Friedel), passed away peacefully into the presence of her dear Saviour at home with her family at her side, on Tuesday, June 14, 2005. Monika was in her 46th year and was the dear loving wife of Wayne Boadway for the past 21 years.

Dear mother of Sonja (17), Matthew (16), and Andrea (13). Monika is survived by her loving parents, Ernst and Ruth Friedel of Waterloo, in whose home she learned to cherish family; her wonderful siblings, Norbert and his wife Catherine, Andrew and his wife Valerie and Brenda and her husband Stephen Clutton all of Waterloo; as well as many cherished nephews and nieces.

She is also survived by her in-laws, Debra and her husband Bill Martin, Skyler Boadway and his wife Nancy, and Lynda and her husband Scott Young all of Lindsay and Michelle and her husband Steve Gallagher of Huntsville. She is also survived by many cherished uncles and aunts in Canada and Germany. She was predeceased by her parents-in-law, Theodore and Betty Boadway.

Monika was born in Kitchener, September 14, 1959 and grew up in Waterloo attending the University of Waterloo earning a degree in Chemistry. She then attended Teacher's College at the University of Western Ontario. She taught elementary school for several years.

Her greatest joy was raising her three children, home-schooling and caring for their home.

She served faithfully alongside her husband who pastors the Royal City Baptist Church, in the city of Guelph. Monika will be greatly missed as she touched many lives with her warm caring heart.

The family of Monika Boadway received friends at Royal City Baptist Church, 100 Ridgewood Ave., Guelph, (Wednesday, 7-9 p.m.) and will receive friends today (Thursday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.). A funeral service for Monika will be held at the Royal City Baptist Church, Friday, June 17, 2005 at 11 a.m..

Interment Woodlawn Memorial Park, Guelph. In memory of Monika, donations may be made to the Royal City Baptist Church Building Fund, 100 Ridgewood Ave., Guelph, N1H 6C5. (Arrangements entrusted to the Wall-Custance Funeral Home & Chapel, 206 Norfolk St., Guelph, N1H 4K3; 1-519-822-0051; www.wallcustance.com).  A tree will be planted in memory of Monika Boadway in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest, University of Guelph, Arboretum. Dedication service Sunday, September 25, 2005, at 2:30 p.m..

Thanks, Pat.  My Jean was 46 when she was overtaken with cancer.  I understand.

Oh Jane., I am so sorry about your loss too.  How long ago was it that Jean passed away?  Did she have a family?

Pat - were you able to post the photo of Monika?  (it dosen't show up on my computer)

- Judy

Judy~Jean died December 31, 1999 (New Year's Eve Y2K).  She left four children and three grandchildren -- her DILwas pregnant with #4 but Jean didn't know it was to be another grandson.  Her daughters were only 12 and 14 at the time of her death.  Her sons, Tim and Dave, from her first marriage, are now 32 and 29. (You might remember Tim recently served time in Iraq, along with Bryan) Thanks for asking and for your concern.

Imagine the rejoicing around the Throne as this saint came through the gates to that wonderful CITY!!!

Ruth Ann