Lyle's memorial service

Lylesmyprince
Lylesmyprince Member Posts: 130
edited March 2014 in Esophageal Cancer #1
Lyle's service was today and we had about 450 people in attendence. He was truly love by so many. The service was sweet. There was a song sung, "No More Night", we listened to a recording of Lyle singing "A Sinner Saved By Grace", and our dear friend Cathy play "Near to the Heart of God" on the piano. To top it off we had pictures showing during Lynell Richies song, "Goodbye". There was laughter and tears but most of all there were good friends and family. Lyle's desire for his service was a salvation message. Well he got it! It was wonderful and God met us there today! Lyle's journey here is finished...and as I heal and become stronger again, I know God will show me the direction my journey is to continue. I trust that God's gift of Lyle's love and his ministry was one with purpose. A purpose that will glorify Him! Tomorrow...I will fasten my seat belt and begin my old routine again by going back to work and going back to choir. Not sure if I will sing much yet. If you have a heart of worship...music is tough to sing when you are broken without just melting and sobbing all over the place. So in time...slow but sure...I will forge ahead to face God's plan for me...Susie Lanham...the gal who was soooo blessed to be loved by Lyle Lanham, her prince, and the gal who had the honor and priviledge to care for and love him to the very last breath.

I love you, Lyle!! Until we meet again!!!!!!

Susie

Comments

  • Hope_Faith
    Hope_Faith Member Posts: 150
    Beautiful ~
    You have such a beautiful attitude and spirit about you. You are such a strong woman. I truly admire you ~ thank you for sharing with us your journey here with Lyle and telling us of his beautiful memorial service.
    God bless you ~
    Shelly
  • Donna70
    Donna70 Member Posts: 852 Member

    Beautiful ~
    You have such a beautiful attitude and spirit about you. You are such a strong woman. I truly admire you ~ thank you for sharing with us your journey here with Lyle and telling us of his beautiful memorial service.
    God bless you ~
    Shelly

    great way to honor Lyle
    Hi Susie,
    You have written a beautiful tribute to Lyle. Sounds like he would have been so pleased by all that was done at the service. I wasn't able to get on the tribute page, don't know if it is chemo fog or just old age, but I said it before after you told us of Lyle's passing, he was one wonderful prince married to a beautiful princess. He must have felt so lucky to have you!! I will keep you all in my prayers and hope that your angel Lyle will watch over as you step forward to the future. Prayers always,
    Donna70
  • Donna70 said:

    great way to honor Lyle
    Hi Susie,
    You have written a beautiful tribute to Lyle. Sounds like he would have been so pleased by all that was done at the service. I wasn't able to get on the tribute page, don't know if it is chemo fog or just old age, but I said it before after you told us of Lyle's passing, he was one wonderful prince married to a beautiful princess. He must have felt so lucky to have you!! I will keep you all in my prayers and hope that your angel Lyle will watch over as you step forward to the future. Prayers always,
    Donna70

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • MOE58
    MOE58 Member Posts: 589 Member
    Your are an awesome woman
    Susie,

    I wish I had the strength you did, sounds like you was a wonderful wife before cancer set in. I agree, your journey is finished but you still have to come on and talk to us.

    We love you and thanks for sharing.

    Lori
  • Tina Blondek
    Tina Blondek Member Posts: 1,500 Member
    Hi Susie
    Thanks for sharing!

    Hi Susie
    Thanks for sharing! What a wonderful memorial service Lyle had! He is so proud of you, Susie, his loving princess! God bless you and give you peace at this time. Come back and visit us when you can. With our experiences with cancer we can help others.
    Love and many hugs,
    Tina
  • unclaw2002
    unclaw2002 Member Posts: 599

    Hi Susie
    Thanks for sharing!

    Hi Susie
    Thanks for sharing! What a wonderful memorial service Lyle had! He is so proud of you, Susie, his loving princess! God bless you and give you peace at this time. Come back and visit us when you can. With our experiences with cancer we can help others.
    Love and many hugs,
    Tina

    Susie,
    What wonderful

    Susie,

    What wonderful pictures of you and Lyle at the beach -- I know you said that was a special place for you two. I especially like the picture of the two of you waiving. I hope someday to be able to hear you sing in the choir.

    My prayers and thoughts are with you these difficult days and I have confidence that the Lord and the precious memories you have of Lyle will give you comfort. You have been a blessing to everyone on this site and I am sure to all your friends, family and congregation.

    Big hugs and love,
    Cindy
  • DLS5419
    DLS5419 Member Posts: 34
    Mrs. Susie,

    I know this has been tough on you, but I know you know God was with him every step of the way...and He was with you as well. Our Father is the Prince of Peace...this is my mom's testimony. I felt compelled to send it out to different people who have lost their loved one recently. You are in my prayers...may this give you a little comforting smile.

    My mom's testimony.

    I remember praying the night mom was in the hospital. I had just turned 14 years old (2004). Mom had stage 4 tonsil cancer that had metastasized to her left lymph nodes and reached to her carotid artery. They had given her 22 treatments of radiation and 2 types of chemo...which almost killed her. That night I had seen mom in the most severe pain I have ever seen anyone experience; no meds could touch it. She was burnt from the inside out (esophagus all the way up to her lips were sores) and she was on TPN through a port. She was deaf in one ear and her immune system was completely compromised. They prepared us for the worst. She was only 40 at the time. My dad was in total emotional shock...understandable. But there was something so disturbing about that pain...I could not stand it. I went home and begged God for His help. I just begged for her to have a peace that passes ALL peace...a peace like the sound of angels singing...a peace only HE could give her. I prayed for Jesus to hold her...to take her pain away. That night I gave it to Him. I found this letter from mom to a friend who was losing a father to cancer. Here is mom's version the story and her miracle:
    _____________________________________________________
    My dear friend,
    I did not know (and still do not know who) that you recently lost someone so dear to you. I needed to send you a special message.

    We have known each other for so very long and I believe with all I am that our Father is so faithful he puts people into our lives even if it is momentary to remind us that He is carrying us through our pain. I know death. I was so close to death in May 2004. I will tell you that I had people praying for me I did not know. I was in the hospital and had been septic and in so much pain for 4 days. Now, I want you to read what I am telling you and know for certain of God's comfort for His children at death.

    I could not see very well and had lost almost all of my hearing due to an overload of chemo and radiation. Nothing was helping and I was being treated for severe burns. I drifted off and woke up to music in the next room over. I was so surprised to actually hear music playing. It was Christian music and I figured I couldn't place the songs due to the level of drugs being forced into me. Each song was so familiar and beautiful, Brad. It did not stop all night. People came into my room and I didn't even care. I was so comforted by the songs being sung and the music of my neighbor. I couldn't see one person from the other because they had to dress in scrubs anyway. I rested all night into the next day feeling less pain than I had in days. I was so glad that the Dr.'s finally found a combination of meds to help me. When Dani and Van insisted I open my eyes to listen to them, I was a little annoyed because I was resting so well. I had lost my voice due to vocal cord burns, but whispered to each of them that I could hear the beautiful songs. I asked what the names of the songs were beause they were so familiar and I knew they would know them. I could not hear them try to talk to me, but remember wondering why they looked so sad when I was obviously feeling better and more rested. For the next 4 days I rested and listened to the beautiful choir sing and the melodies flowed through the room and quieted my thoughts and pain. Time was not important and I was able to focus on the love of my family without having to struggle with words. I thanked God for my neighbor in the hospital and prayed the person would get better, but also secretly wanted them to stay since I could hear music for the first time in so long.

    On the 8th morning, I awoke in tremendous pain with no more music. Doctors were in my room with Dani and Van. Nurses were poking and moving me. I hurt so badly and was upset I couldn't hear. I whispered to Dani and Van who were very very happy (which made me confused)...... did my neighbor leave? I miss the music I told them. I need better pain medicine again I explained tears streaming down my face. They were making arrangements for home health care so I could be transported home. I thought to myself that they were crazy! I was worse!

    Brad, I was better.......there was no neighbor. There was no music from another room. I had been barely responsive and my medicine had not been changed or lessened.

    I was given the chance to hear just a little of the sweet sounds of Heaven. Death does not hurt Brad. To everyone around me, it looked very painful and upsetting. To me, I felt better than I had in months and rested wonderfully to the songs of angels and saints singing. It was as clear as an ipod with headphones. Beautiful and clear. Comforting and soft. The melodies were as familiar as my husband and child. When God let me stay, the pain of life returned. I am so blessed to be here and felt The Holy Spirit telling me to explain death to you. I listen when Christ moves in me. I owe Him!

    You can count on prayers of your friends and the Love of your Holy Father. Death, although it seems bad to those around us, does not hurt.

    Love,
    Alison
    ___________________________________________________

    I hope to all who get the chance to read this understand: my prayer was answered. The next day after asking for mom to have peace, I walked in the room to her smiling. It was a strange smile and she could only whisper what she was hearing...beautiful music. The angels were singing. My Jesus is the Prince of Peace. Our heavenly Father is with you every second...even on death's door. My mom lived. She survived. I truly believe she was meant to share her miracle and help others who are going through such difficult times. God is with you. As you walk through this valley, do not be afraid. He is with you.

    Dani