Happy Thursday everyone,
I sit here today looking at Christmas present and back at Christmas past, reflecting on all that has gone on since we started this epic battle with cancer.
I read through some of the past posts and I enjoyed reliving the emotions I felt at various times, certainly a roller coaster, but tempered by the lens of time.
I guess I look at the last five years as a test in some ways. We've tried to meet head on the challenges of cancer and then it's return, and I honestly can not imagine someone with a better attitude and more grace than Deb has shown throughout all of this. Where others may have given in or given up, she has been the epitome of courage and focus. I'm so proud.
The fight has taken it's toll. She is spooked by the cancer that remains in her liver and will always believe that her future is compromised by the probability of further cancer. And that's not to say anything about all the side effects that she has endured and remain.
Her hair has come back beautifully, and everyone marvels at her appearance and energy.
We believe that God has brought us through this season for a purpose. He has blessed us with so many gifts and we must remember to thank Him in everything and be content, because he is our Lord and Savior and will guide us with His word.
He will be with you also, all the way, that faithful God. Every morning when you awaken to the old and tolerable pain, at every mile of the hot uphill dusty road of tiring duty, on to the judgment seat, the same Christ there as ever, still loving you, still God.
"Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it." - Helen Keller
It makes no difference how deeply seated may be the trouble, how hopeless the outlook, how muddled the tangle, how great the mistake. A sufficient realization of love will dissolve it all.
Author:
Emmet Fox American Unity Minister, Metaphysician
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. [John 13:35]
We mourn the loss of Herman and Jill to cancer recently, and dear friends Mary, Jack and Logan who are fighting cancer. It seems this fight will never end.
Thank you for your prayers. Having cancer is sometimes lonely, sad too, not knowing the final outcome. But knowing someone with cancer gives each one of us the opportunity to make a difference. So call and be available, give love and hugs as they are the best medicine.
God Bless,
Dan
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Reflections
October 26th and while the grass is still green, the leaves are either in color or on the ground.
Isn't it something that time seems to go so fast except between November and March?
Strider is curled up beside me, while Val cleans our home. Deb is working and, John is here to do some electrical work for me. The sun is bright and a gental breeze blows.
Deb is getting her strength back and continues to amaze me with her positive attitude and reliance on good doctors and our Lord to see her through this cancer thing.
She goes to the various doctors who then examine her and give her a clean bill of health.
My retirement is still a novelty to me, but I'm liking it more all the time.
Please pray for healing for Jill Bryan, Mary Krummery, Mary Keller and Tom Brown. So many people with medical issues.
Thank you for keeping up with us. Without all of you, we wouldn't stand a chance to continue our feeling that this too shall pass.
God Bless all of you,
Dan
Thursday, September 22, 2011
A little of this, and a lot of that
Hello everyone,
This is a quiet Thursday evening with Strider snuggled up beside me and a warm laptop computer keeping me, well, warm.
Deb is out to dinner with dinner group two and so here I sit felling very content and peaceful.
Deb had a CT scan a week or so ago and the results were good. She was told that her lung nodules improved, but she doesn't remember ever hearing anything about her lungs before, so that's a puzzle she will have to solve when she visits the doctor. The cancer med she takes each day is starting to bring about side effects including irritability. She continues to work, God bless her.
Treatment continues for lymphedema in her left arm, and there has been progress. There will be a transition to something she will wear daily and something different for night time. This will replace the therapy she gets at Centegra three times a week.
Nothing else much going on with us. I'm enjoying retirement. Lots of little projects and I've taken Strider to the park so she can explore being a dog.
We continue to get great support from our small group and others from church. Friends old and new pray for us and we feel the warmth of love and good wishes. God has blessed us with abundance and we are grateful.
It seems to me that giving thanks is more than a seasonal thing. I'm convinced that I should start each day with my personal thanks for a great mate, my family and my health. And for the friends that have suffered through this last few years of Deb's trials with understanding and patience, we couldn't ask for more.
Our friend Jack is still treating for skin cancer, but his lymphoma is dormant, while Jill Bryan suffers through chemotherapy and the side effects that brings. Please pray for them as they battle the uncertainty of health and healing.
God Bless you all,
Dan
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Earthquakes and Rain
Dear Friends,
This afternoon finds me watching the earthquake coverage for the east coast and being thankful that we are not involved. What fear something like this must generate in people who remember the recent Japan quake.
Fear is something that we know first hand, and fight all the time. Fear of suffering, death, losing loved ones and being out of control. We all realize that we should calm ourselves and have faith, but when the bottom is dropping from the market and homes are selling for 60 percent of the asking price just two years ago, it creates plain old fear.
So I can understand how Deb would feel about the liver scan scheduled for September ninth. There is already cancer present, we know, and the last scan was several months ago, so a bit of fear or concern would be expected. We will know more after the scan.
We see some good results in the lymphedema therapy, with a steady decrease in the retained fluid. That has Deb feeling better.
With September 11th coming soon, it's not too early to remember those who died in that terrible tragedy.
Being content is the hardest thing to do, but if you can pull it off, you will find much more satisfaction in life.
God Bless,
Dan
This afternoon finds me watching the earthquake coverage for the east coast and being thankful that we are not involved. What fear something like this must generate in people who remember the recent Japan quake.
Fear is something that we know first hand, and fight all the time. Fear of suffering, death, losing loved ones and being out of control. We all realize that we should calm ourselves and have faith, but when the bottom is dropping from the market and homes are selling for 60 percent of the asking price just two years ago, it creates plain old fear.
So I can understand how Deb would feel about the liver scan scheduled for September ninth. There is already cancer present, we know, and the last scan was several months ago, so a bit of fear or concern would be expected. We will know more after the scan.
We see some good results in the lymphedema therapy, with a steady decrease in the retained fluid. That has Deb feeling better.
With September 11th coming soon, it's not too early to remember those who died in that terrible tragedy.
Being content is the hardest thing to do, but if you can pull it off, you will find much more satisfaction in life.
God Bless,
Dan
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
The routine continues
Good Morning!
It's a bright and sunny day here in the Chicago area, with Arizona type temperatures and Florida humidity. As I sit next to a snoozing Strider and sip coffee, I'm counting down the days to my retirement on July 31st. I'll be at work next week and then gone forever.
Most of you may remember I had a short retirement in 2000 at the end of my career at Kemper. But now, at 66, I imagine my employment days are over.
I continue to recover from my hip replacement. I feel good except for a lack of stamina. I'm at my best pushing a cart around a store, something that frightens Deb a bit.
I have three more therapy sessions this week. I've discarded all walking aids.
Deb is going to therapy three times a week to reduce the swelling in her left arm. She also is taking some occupational therapy to help with range of motion in her right arm.
We feel as if we've received a special blessing from God. Our health continues to improve and we hope for further good results. We have been doubly blessed by your prayers.
Our friend Jack is having tests again for his non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Please remember him in your prayers.
God Bless each of you, and bring you health and grace.
Dan
It's a bright and sunny day here in the Chicago area, with Arizona type temperatures and Florida humidity. As I sit next to a snoozing Strider and sip coffee, I'm counting down the days to my retirement on July 31st. I'll be at work next week and then gone forever.
Most of you may remember I had a short retirement in 2000 at the end of my career at Kemper. But now, at 66, I imagine my employment days are over.
I continue to recover from my hip replacement. I feel good except for a lack of stamina. I'm at my best pushing a cart around a store, something that frightens Deb a bit.
I have three more therapy sessions this week. I've discarded all walking aids.
Deb is going to therapy three times a week to reduce the swelling in her left arm. She also is taking some occupational therapy to help with range of motion in her right arm.
We feel as if we've received a special blessing from God. Our health continues to improve and we hope for further good results. We have been doubly blessed by your prayers.
Our friend Jack is having tests again for his non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Please remember him in your prayers.
God Bless each of you, and bring you health and grace.
Dan
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Nothing Startling Out There For US
Hi everyone,
I'm reporting this as I sit and wait for my car to be ready at the dealer. Oil change. At least they have Wi Fi.
Deb is in her second week back to work. She was so tired last week. This week is a short week and when she has therapy, she takes a half day of vacation, so it is easier on her and she gets home early. She continues to have therapy on her right arm for range of motion and the left arm for lymphedema. Her arm is wrapped in gauze, foam and sport elastic bandages each day and will stay that way until the swelling goes away. The path for lymphatic fluid was disrupted when several lymph nodes were removed at the surgery in 2007. Up until the bout with shingles everything was fine. The shingles resided in the left arm.
She soldiers on without too much to say one way or the other. I'm trying to help since I'm still home. I will do the laundry, the trash and get dinner ready, and try to do things I've put off. I think she is convinced that while cancer is still in her liver she is not out of the woods.
I expect that she will be working as long as she can, and we have no idea how long Kemper will want her. I'm retiring July 31st. My hip replacement is coming along fine. I'm having therapy three times a week.
I am aware of how God has blessed us with good medical care, and so much more. Without him how could we go on with our lives?
Thank you all for prayers, cards and good thoughts. It does make a difference. God hears each one.
God Bless
I'm reporting this as I sit and wait for my car to be ready at the dealer. Oil change. At least they have Wi Fi.
Deb is in her second week back to work. She was so tired last week. This week is a short week and when she has therapy, she takes a half day of vacation, so it is easier on her and she gets home early. She continues to have therapy on her right arm for range of motion and the left arm for lymphedema. Her arm is wrapped in gauze, foam and sport elastic bandages each day and will stay that way until the swelling goes away. The path for lymphatic fluid was disrupted when several lymph nodes were removed at the surgery in 2007. Up until the bout with shingles everything was fine. The shingles resided in the left arm.
She soldiers on without too much to say one way or the other. I'm trying to help since I'm still home. I will do the laundry, the trash and get dinner ready, and try to do things I've put off. I think she is convinced that while cancer is still in her liver she is not out of the woods.
I expect that she will be working as long as she can, and we have no idea how long Kemper will want her. I'm retiring July 31st. My hip replacement is coming along fine. I'm having therapy three times a week.
I am aware of how God has blessed us with good medical care, and so much more. Without him how could we go on with our lives?
Thank you all for prayers, cards and good thoughts. It does make a difference. God hears each one.
God Bless
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Improving day by day
Hello everyone,
Since I last wrote, Deb has had a couple of doctor's appointments and is starting a physical therapy program to help with range of motion in the right arm and lymphedema in the left arm. We think her bout with shingles called the lymphedema.
So, she is going to a specially certified therapist for this at Centegra Hospital, three times a week. Yesterday she went to the prosthetic store for some new stuff to wear. She still is very tender.
The doctors conferred and believe that no radiation is necessary now. They will monitor the liver via a scan every three months or so and she will take Arimidex, an anti cancer drug in pill form, every day.
Deb seems in good spirits, but she will have to be better to return to work on 6/20.
We seems to be enjoying being home together. The days are filled with medical appointments and therapy it seems. We are thankful for the continuing prayers and good wishes that keep us positive and focused.
We are blessed by all those who lift us and we are confident that all will be well as time goes by.
God Bless,
Dan
Since I last wrote, Deb has had a couple of doctor's appointments and is starting a physical therapy program to help with range of motion in the right arm and lymphedema in the left arm. We think her bout with shingles called the lymphedema.
So, she is going to a specially certified therapist for this at Centegra Hospital, three times a week. Yesterday she went to the prosthetic store for some new stuff to wear. She still is very tender.
The doctors conferred and believe that no radiation is necessary now. They will monitor the liver via a scan every three months or so and she will take Arimidex, an anti cancer drug in pill form, every day.
Deb seems in good spirits, but she will have to be better to return to work on 6/20.
We seems to be enjoying being home together. The days are filled with medical appointments and therapy it seems. We are thankful for the continuing prayers and good wishes that keep us positive and focused.
We are blessed by all those who lift us and we are confident that all will be well as time goes by.
God Bless,
Dan
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