Hi Kids

 

Good news! Dad's cancer is in complete remission. We spent the morning at the Cancer Clinic, getting blood work done and cleaning the PICC line, and then off to see Dr Dao. She explained that Dad's aggressive cancer is in complete remission, but the latent cancer is still there, which they will treat every two month over the next two years. New studies have shown that if the latent cancer is monitored, the chances of the aggressive form to come back is much lesser. If not treated, there is a 50% Dad could have it back again within five years. The daily radiation treatments will continue for the second week. Back to clinic to get his PICC line removed and tell all the nurses he has built up a relationship with the good news. They had hugs and smiles for Dad.

 

We are praising God for His healing hand in our lives! We don't know why God chooses to heal some and not others, but we do know that His purpose for Dad is not finished. Even yesterday, Dad is looking at other things that he could get involved with. 

 

Tonight we are going out for supper to celebrate. He has the choice to go anywhere, but not for an Angus burger.  

 

Thank you for holding us in your prayers for healing since January.

Love, Mom & Dad

Before Dad is able to get his PT scan this afternoon at 2 pm, he had to go on an all protein diet for 24 hours; eggs, cheese and meat. No fruit, veggies or sugar. No honey in his tea. No cream in his coffee. While he had steak for supper, I enjoyed my veggies and toast, and again cereal for breakfast while he had an omelette. I am amazed at all the things you can do with an egg. Six hours before the scan, no food or water. I will pick him up when he’s done and then we get to celebrate! This scan is to show if there are any active cancer cells in his body.

July 18 will be the beginning of his radiation. He came home last night after the doctor painted lines on his body; long green lines on both legs and blue ones on the top of his right thigh with a bull’s eye target where the radiation is to centre on. The lines are already beginning to fade, and I wanted torecolour them, but I only have red; Dad wouldn’t let me.

July 25, we should get the results of the CT scan, which measured the size of the cancer cells.

We had a marvelous time with the kids last weekend. What a gift God has given us through grandchildren. It is so precious that they want to spend time with us, and that Dad had the energy this time to do things with them too. We went on lots of hikes, swimming, played board games and of course, read stories. And of course, getting to meet Benjamin Charles. He is so full of love; staring at you with big, blue adoring eyes and a grin so big, the dimples appear in both cheeks. He loves to be held and cuddled.

Love, Mom

Pics of the new patio and Dad's garden

Hi kids

Dad had his last chemo treatment Friday, June 17. We are praising God for His healing touch, and that only six treatments were needed, instead of the eight the doctors first anticipated. Monday he met with the oncologist to set up a schedule for radiation. Each day for two weeks, treatments on his right hip will begin July 18, after we come back from Benjamin’s baptism. The doctor does not think there will be severe side affects. Good thing since Dad already lost most of his hair, and its just beginning to grow back on his head like a fuzz ball. Tomorrow he will have his CT scan to see how affective the chemo has been. We pray that Dad is totally healed and will not need any more. After each treatment, it takes that much longer for him to bounce back. We can count on the first ten days, that his energy level steadily declines.

The house renovations for this year are nearly complete. The roof was reshingled last month; the fascia, soffit and eaves were replaced two weeks ago; and now the back porch is nearly done. The old one was torn down, the fence pushed out, new patio stones laid. All that needs to be done is having shingles and fascia added. We are already enjoying our after work cup of tea and dinners on the patio, and look forward to entertaining our friends as soon as Dad has the energy to do so.

We thank our friends, Hennie Slikker & Gerry Wyenberg for providing transportation to and from the Cancer Clinic on Dad’s chemo days, allowing me the peace of mind to be at work. We also thank those who sent cards of encouragement, prayers of healing and food when we were both too tired to even think of eating. God is good.

Love, Mom & Dad

Hi kids

We had a good weekend, praise the Lord!

May 27, Dad fell asleep during the majority of his chemo treatment, right through lunch. Good thing he brought a sandwich along to snack on later. That evening, he could already feel the affects with an upset stomach. Saturday he wasn’t up to doing much, and continued loosing energy or the desire to do participate in any thing. Sunday after church, we went straight home and even cancelled out on Small Group that evening. During the week, he would go into work and come home shortly after 1 pm for his “nap”, and then be back in bed again before 9 pm. Friday was the change around day with him slowly getting his energy and appetite back again. When he wanted an angus burger for supper, (his favourite), I told him to stay home, while I went through the drive through at MacDonald’s. Saturday he lent his support at the Spence Neighbourhood street festival. After a short nap, he still had energy to work in the garden and dig out dandelions. Sunday, Dad surprised me by asking if friends could come for lunch after church, a rarity. I made a pot of lentil soup Friday, which went perfectly with home made bread and sundaes for dessert. That afternoon, we went to Assiniboine Park which held the Annual Dutch Tulip Festival the day before. We were pleasantly surprised at how many different colours that were still blooming. There must have been thousands and thousands, but we only saw those in the English Garden, and the new duck pond. Very nice that there are many benches in shaded areas giving Don a chance to sit before we carried on.  It was a beautiful sunny day.

We are also happy to announce the birth of our eleven grandchild; Leah Estee was born Sunday, May 29. We are truly blessed! We are so thankful for Skype, as we were introduced to both Benjamin whom we will see in July and Leah in August at their baptisms. What darlings.

Love, Mom & Dad

Hi Kids

Dad had his fifth chemo treatment today, from 9-3pm. In spite of his good intentions to do some work on his laptop, he slept through most of it because of the drugs they give him.  Tonight is a “stay at home” night, allowing him to rest, and a good excuse to watch Hockey Night in Canada. We have come to notice that his pattern is five good days after the treatment and then he slowly goes downhill in energy and with it, frustrations that he can’t do all that he would like to. This peaks (what’s the opposite: valleys?), five days later and then slowly he begins to get back to his “normal” self, with five days before the chemo, the best. Dad is slowly beginning to resume things he used to do. We are thankful that he is able to increase his hours at work, though not working full time. Last weekend, we bought plants for our flower and vegetable gardens. He putters away with it, putting them in, moving others from last year to another location, and digging out dandelions. I wanted to buy a chemical to get rid of them, but he won’t hear of it. But I did hear that vinegar works wonders on those who have taken root in the patio. And YES! It does work. Later I read that a solution can be made by mixing a gallon of water, ¼ cup dish soap and ½ cup vinegar. Why bother when you can use it full strength? Just be careful you don’t pour it near the plants (grass) you want to keep, as it will kill them too.

Now, how did I get onto that? Yesterday, Dad met with the doctor who wants him to get radiation on the hip, as he still has a noticeable limp, even more so when he is tired. The other day we went for a walk together, and I tried to match my stride to his. He has a long left stride and a shorter right; one that you can’t notice until you walk with him. When next Dad sees the doctor, she will give him a date of when the radiation treatment will occur. I don’t think he is yet convinced that this is the route to take. Dad has been feeling remarkably well with the chemo, but is afraid the radiation will make him very ill, and if this is just for “cosmetic” reasons…… I am trying to convince him that this is also for his bones, muscles and nerves sake, as it is not good to put uneven pressure or stress for a long time on one part of the body. But the decision remains with him.

Good news! We have another grandson. Benjamin Charles was born May 19; 7 lb, 9 oz, 20 in long. Thankfully Charles was able to take the week off work to be with the family, while everyone adjusts to a new one in the family. Thank you to all who have given support and encouragement to them through casseroles, looking after the kids, etc.

Love, Mom

Greetings from St. Boniface Hospital where I am on my fourth chemo journey.  So far it has gone very well, very little nausea and only some fatigue.   A week before treatment, my white blood cell count is low but during the week the count usually increases to healthy levels and I am able to get my treatments on time. 

Fortunately, I am able to continue working at about ¾ of the time.  With sick days and holidays there is no decrease in income.  So, after turning 65 in April, we are still full speed ahead but, with my pension starting this month, I am looking at working fewer hours.

A scan done about and half ago showed that the lymph nodes have decreased in size and there is suggestion that I may need only 6 instead of 8 treatments.  The 80% promise of a good response to treatment is happening.  

On the other side, the doctor told me that there is a 50% chance of the cancer coming back during the first 5 years after treatment.  There is no way that I can call myself cured until those five years are up.  So prayer for a cure is long term endeavour.     

The doctors and nurses are great and always up beat.  The chemo nurses always have stories to share and encourage participants to share their.  The weekend of the Royal wedding, they all wore tiaras and talked about where they were in the early hours of the morning.

Friends too are outstanding.  Hennie took me to hospital each time of get a treatment.  The treatment includes Benydrill and I’m not allowed to drive.  Gerry will pick me up this after.

Dale gave me some deer meat and I cooked it up Thursday night.   It went well with mashed yams, brussels sprouts and a glass of red wine.  According to Dale, deer meat is great for improving the white blood cell count.

So I’m well cared for and take good care of myself.   I know how to spoil myself. 

We can see many answers to prayer.   Please give payers of thanks along with the petitions.