Update #11

Dear family and friends,

Two posts in one week! This is going to break my english and vocabulary skills. :) But we would like to update you on the situation. On Thursday after consultation with all the involved doctors, Rob and I made the decision  to go ahead with the next chemotherapy treatment. We know it is the only way to go forward in this fight with cancer but obviously for known reasons it was made with some nervousness. So yesterday Rob received his chemo, a one day treatment, the same type as the very first round that happened now about 7 weeks ago. He didn't have too many side affects that time other than nausea so we are hoping that with the new drug they are going to give him this time they can keep his nausea manageable. With much thankfulness we can say so far so good. Robs been eating his 3 meals a day and even had a special request for his mom's cabbage casserole yesterday for supper. We ask for your prayers that this will continue and that the chemo will have the desired effect. The hopes are that his lung drainage function will improve after this treatment. There are no guarantees for this but it is our prayer too that our God will bless this also.

People wonder how we are actually doing; we most definitely have struggles in this. It's hard, we see life go on all around us and sometimes wish for even just one day of normalcy. We are not extraordinary people. We know this is not something that most couples have to deal with a year after being married. Yet we have an extraordinary God.  He numbers the hairs on our heads, He is in control, in fact '...all the days ordained for me were written in His book before one of them came to be.' (from Psalm 139) Isn't that amazing? We don't know how this will end up, we have so much hope that God will bring us through this and let us grow old together. But we also rest in the comfort that His will be done. Please pray that we will never lose sight of that comfort.

Someone who encourages us more than they know reminded us of Psalm 63:2 from our Book of Praise. The words from the 'old' edition which we memorized as kids often floats through our minds and reminds us again of our purpose and the comfort that we have...

Psalm 63:2 "Thy steadfast love is better far

                   than life itself, O God my Saviour

                   Thy faithfulness will never waver

                   My lips Thy praises will declare

                   With joyful singing I will bless Thee

                   And all my life Thy love proclaim

                   With hands uplifted in Thy Name

                   I will in thankful prayer address Thee."

Update #10

Dear family and friends,

It's the day before Christmas and we're still in the hospital! There hasn't been a post in a while because things haven't changed a whole lot. Or rather we had hoped they would have changed more but they haven't. A week and a half ago Rob had a chest tube put in so that his lungs could drain properly as he had a buildup of fluid in his right lung. Since then he has drained approximately 9 liters of fluid.  Ah!! This drain is constantly open but it seems to 'dump' sporadically large amounts (700 mLs) every other day or so while draining slowly at other times. Last Monday a larger 'dump' occurred which his body definitely reacted to. His lung is partially collapsed due to the fluid so when the fluid drains his body has to take the shock of his lung re-expanding. His heart rate went up and his oxygen saturation went down which took pretty much all week to recover from. He went from being on a high rate on a oxygen mask all week to finally no oxygen at all on Sunday! This was a huge relief  for all of us. Of course though this slowed down physio the whole week, which kept us from attaining the tentative goal of being home by Christmas. Chemo also was put on hold for a bit, hoping to get Robs health more stabilized. Things are still up in the air to a certain extent though because his chest tube is still draining regularly and the doctors aren't totally sure as to why the fluid keeps building up. The likely theory that we've been told is that the lymph nodes which drain this fluid are obstructed due to the cancer.
  Dr. Wong met with Rob this morning and apologized for being vague because he couldn't tell us a whole lot. His wish is to get chemo started again as soon as possible so that also by that the lung drainage issue might be solved. Robs chest tube is a slight concern to him as a possible area for infection so somehow between him and the lung doctors they have to figure out the best possible plan. We will meet with Dr. Wong again on Thursday to set some action in motion hopefully. Please pray for wisdom of the doctors and our peace of minds as we look ahead to the next round of chemo.
  This is as you know a time of year when you least want to be in hospital, but we realize that this too is in God's hands. He has brought us this far and will continue to be near. We have so many things to be thankful for;  and with His faithfulness and love towards us being at the top of the list, how can we complain about spending these next couple of days in hospital. That doesn't mean it isn't tough, we of course miss the usual festivities of gatherings with family and friends but are very grateful that our families live close by so we can still enjoy some parties here at St. B.
  We would both like to thank you all for your continued support and prayers. It all means so much to us. We wish you all a blessed Christmas and joyous holiday season. All year round we celebrate the birth of our Savior and salvation that God has brought to us through His Son, yet there is something so special about this time of year. Truly the riches of the gospel are something to hold close in this Christmas season.


For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
 Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David's throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.

Isaiah 9: 6-7

Update #9

Dear family and friends,

There really is not a whole lot to say this time around. Rob is still in the hospital regaining strength after his bad reaction to the last chemo. He has come a long ways in the week and a half but still has a ways to go before he comes home. He has no side effects of the reaction( though he still can't remember those couple days very clearly) but his physical strength did take a dive. So now that they have nausea under control again (was a hard thing for the staff to figure out proper dosage since he didn't get the full chemo treatment) his eating has improved this weekend and that goes a long way towards building back strength. The goal of the staff is to get him home this week, so we are going to work hard at that but we'll see what happens.

Chemo was originally scheduled for tomorrow again but this won't happen for sure this week. Dr Wong wanted him to regain enough strength to go home first before his next treatment. So at this point we're not even sure of the plan for chemo. We hope to see Dr Wong this week at one point, so then we'll get an idea of what we're looking at.

While this is not really a place we'd recommend for a lengthy stay, we can't say enough about the staff and excellent care that we get here at St. Boniface! Some of the most caring people work as medical staff and this is a huge blessing as far as the environment in which Rob is healing and making progress to come home. Couldn't ask for better.

One more thing we'd like to mention again is the amount of support that we continue to receive from so many people. While we're not up for all kinds of visitors we very much appreciate and feel encouraged by all the cards, phonecalls, texts and emails that we received! Thanks also to those anonymous people who help out in different ways, you know who you are. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

(Only to the interest of some of you: Robs phone, his only method of communication crashed a week ago and after some kerfuffle he got a new phone, with a new number. If you have been trying to contact him, he likely didn't get it. As for the new number, we're obviously not going to post it, but your welcome to contact me or our families if you want it.)

An encouraging phrase I heard this past weekend that provided food for thought was this: 'God spends more time making His people holy than He does making them happy.'. It kind of puts into perspective that our God has a purpose for us also in this battle with cancer that He put on our path. We don't always know His reasons for everything but we absolutely can and do put our trust in Him. We continue to pray that His purpose in our lives may be fulfilled.

Would like to end off with a beautiful Psalm, one that we have learned to say aloud as we go through this journey in our life.


Psalm 121

I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
 The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

Update #8

Dear family and friends,

Wow, what a roller coaster of emotions we have all been through over the past 3 days. A lot of you have been praying, and again our gracious God has seen fit to answer as always above and beyond what we hope for. 

Rob had one round of chemo on Wednesday and his only response was quite extreme drowsiness. So the plan was to complete the exact treatment on Thursday as well. Rob was still drowsy when they started on thursday but after not even an hour into it started showing signs of confusion. They immediately stopped the chemo and over the course of the afternoon and night kept monitoring him along with sending him for a CT scan of the head. After getting more and more confused all night long, he also got quieter and after they called me in early Friday morning he was quite unresponsive.

At first the doctors thought he was having seizures but after an EEG and another CT they ruled out that option as unlikely. They thought there was maybe infection in the fluid of the lining of the brain or maybe a possible spread of cancer to the lining of the brain. Or that this was a severe reaction to the chemotherapy drugs.

Alot of family came to be with us Friday evening which was a blessing. We had no idea what to expect but very much felt upheld in our Heavenly Fathers arms. The doctors were very frank and said that since Rob was so sick he very well might not make it through the night. Words cannot express the emotions which go through ones mind in times like these.

However God in his all knowing and ever loving ways kept Rob throughout the night. By the time morning came around Rob started to come around and showed signs of recognition. He knew my name and that I was his wifey, so I knew from that he'd be ok (he wouldn't dare forget me :) By mid morning he was talking in clearer sentences, and although he'd lapse occasionally and repeat words it was clear he was making progress.
The doctors have mostly come to the conclusion that this is a reaction to his chemotherapy drug. Dr Wong dropped by at one point and had very positive comments that though this was a scare he was sure Rob would be over this in a couple days with no ill effects. He will change the treatment to not include that one particular drug, but otherwise chemo will commence again in the course of weeks.

Rob cannot remember the past couple of days and still has slow speech but this will get better over a day or two we've been told. He was very surprised to see his two brothers from out west this morning as he had no idea they were coming. This is very special to the both of us. Rob keeps apologizing to his mom and myself for giving us such a scare, and by doing this shows the true 'Rob' again. :)

We are certainly praying for more restored health and strength. God has brought us this far and we feel confidant that his plan for our lives is not over yet. 

All of the above I wrote late last night. I was too tired to finish and post it though. We are thankful to see improvement today again even though Rob had a sleepless night last night. So in between family visiting he's been catching short naps all day. His speech is improving and he is remembering more things about this past week which he had not remembered yesterday. All in all we can only be so thankful to our gracious God for his continued care over Rob. He is the Healer, the Great Physician. Rob says that he feels he has the best possible care, from the staff here at St. Boniface and more importantly from our Heavenly Father. 

There is so much comfort that we receive and continue to receive from Gods Word. These words from our Book of Praise from Hymn 64 are very familiar and a good reminder and encouragement for us all.

1.What is in life and death my only aid,

my comfort when I am by troubles swayed?

I am not mine but Christ’s, who fully paid

for all my sins and saved me.

His precious blood for my offences gave he,

freed me from all the devil’s power and slavery,

for in the book of life God did engrave me,

and me his own he made.

​

2.My faithful Saviour keeps me in his care;

without my Father’s will cannot a hair

fall from my head; he shall for me prepare

a heavenly habitation.

All things must serve to further my salvation.

His Holy Spirit brings me consolation;

he makes me willing now with dedication  

in hope his yoke to bear.

Update #7

Dear family and friends,

It has been over a week since our last post but not until yesterday has a lot happened. Rob was able to be home from last week Monday till this Tuesday, and this was so wonderful. Was so nice to be out of the hospital atmosphere for a while and actually relax while enjoying time at Robs parents house. Immediately leaving the hospital, Rob got hit with thrush in his mouth which really hindered his eating. Not until these past few days has that finally disappeared and he could eat a bit more substantially. Of course lots of room for improvement, but with Robs persistence and a bit of time, we're hoping this will change for the better.
Tuesday (2 days ago) Rob had a appointment with Dr. Wong in the morning, who seemed to think things were going reasonably well. So we were admitted into hospital that evening so Rob could begin his 2nd round of treatment. Yesterday was a good day, his chemo took all day but Rob was still able to eat some. This time the side affects seem to be extreme drowsiness, so we'll see how it goes for the planned 3 days of treatment.
Thank you all for your continued love and prayers, the many cards and other tokens of care, whether it be directly to us or to our parents (our biggest support system!) The reality that this is our life for the next couple of months is slowly starting to sink in, and we can only continue to think about it one day at a time. Our Holy God and Father continues to be with the both of us and gives us His strength and peace. In this too we pray that His will and purpose for our lives may be fulfilled - to His glory! We ask for your petitions again to the throne of grace that Robs treatment may have the desired effect that in due time again he may be healed from this disease. 

 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.   Philippians 4: 6-7

Update #6

Dear family and friends,

God has been so faithful to us! So many things to be thankful for and so many prayers that have been answered. We know that in all things not a hair can fall from our head without our Fathers will, and this comfort continues to uphold us day by day.
This is just a quick update to let you know the latest. Robs treatment has been going well so far. He had one day of chemo last saturday (Nov 10), and his next scheduled treatment is a 3 day cycle of chemo to happen in ten days or so. The tentative schedule for chemo will be every two weeks alternating between a one day and a three day treatment cycle.
Robs response to chemo was a loss of appetite including a bit of nausea, but doctors overall were encouraged by how well it went. The day after his first chemo treatment they could tell through his blood markers that the tumor was already breaking down. What an encouragement to hear!
Kidney function levels keep improving; the doctors are still keeping an eye on them but they are not concerned. The fluid buildup in his body all around his lungs and causing all the swelling in his legs has pretty much disappeared. In this last week Rob lost over 20 lbs of body fluid weight. Yikes! This is a good thing though and obviously causes great relief for Robs breathing and mobility.
So...good news is that if everything continues to go well, Rob will get discharged from hospital tomorrow till his next chemo treatment! We are extremely thankful for this good news, and though we know Rob is a pretty fragile guy right now, we're hoping once we get home his appetite will increase and we can put some meat on him. :)
We will likely stay in the city close to hospital for the next couple days at least until we feel comfortable enough to venture home. Please pray for Robs continued health, that his appetite may increase so he may begin fighting back in that regard.
Thank you all for your continued prayers, this is the best support that we could ask for! Our loving God has been with us and has answered so many prayers. Thank you also for the many cards and emails with encouraging words. We truly appreciate every one. What a blessing that on this earth already here we can experience the joy of being part of one big family, with One Heavenly Father.

Isaiah 40:31

'...but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.'

Update #5

Dear family and friends again,

As I write this I hardly know where to start, so much to say.  Results came back from Mayo on Thursday afternoon. They have figured out what type of cancer Rob has and have come up with treatment plans. This started out as testicular cancer and has now changed into a different type of cancer, a form  of sarcoma. (forgive me if my spelling or terminology is not quite up to medical par) The good news is that they have diagnosed it; the bad news is that this cancer is quite aggressive and fast growing. Typically this cancer will respond to chemotherapy in doctors hopes that it will shrink the tumor. They are quite certain however that it will not completely kill it so at a later point down this road surgery will likely be the option to remove the last of the cancer.
Now as this is an aggressive cancer there will be aggressive chemo to match it. Our oncologist Dr. Czaykowski at Health Science Center has transferred Robs care to Dr. Wong at St. Boniface Hospital. We will miss his excellent care but seeing as Dr. Wong is specialized in this type of cancer we are comfortable with this decision. We won't miss HSC though and since yesterday late afternoon we are comfortably settled into a private room at St B  with a big window for front row seats to the 'big storm!'
As I write this Rob has started his very first dose of chemo. Dr. W wanted to start as quickly as possible, so while it has been alot of news thrown at us in a short time we are happy to say that we/they are 'doing something!' . Our heavenly Father has indeed been good to us and answered our prayers for treatment to start this quickly. The doctors have told us in no uncertain terms that though this chemo is being used to save Robs life it is also so severe that it could take his life. Robs health is frail and we ask for your prayers that he may persevere through all this.
Robs kidney functions are coming down quite nicely so that makes the doctors and us quite happy about that. This also is a answer to prayer. Though it may have been mentioned before, the doctors no longer are planning on dialysis in conjunction with chemo, as this specific chemo is not affect the kidneys.
On the subject of visitors, we have appreciated any and all visitors up till now. As typical with any sort of chemo however, things change. Rob is on a tough regiment of drugs which though they kill cancer, they also will kill a lot of good things in his body too. Including his immune system. The doctors have requested that myself and any family member who visit get the flu shot; this goes for others who visit as well. We request that absolutely NO ONE just drop in, please contact us or family first. If anyone has or has come into contact with colds, flus, etc we ask that you don't come. This is VERY IMPORTANT!
We thank you for your prayers on our behalf and ask that you keep on petitioning our faithful Father for his blessing on Robs health. Please pray that Dr. Wong may make the right decisions so that treatment may go well. Please pray that Rob may have the strength to sustain these treatments both physically and mentally. Please pray that our heavenly Father may give his strength and peace to our families that we in turn may be able to support Rob in all this.

As David puts it in Psalm 62:


My soul finds rest in God alone;
my salvation comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
How long will you assault a man?
Would all of you throw him down—
this leaning wall, this tottering fence?
They fully intend to topple him
from his lofty place;
they take delight in lies.
With their mouths they bless,
but in their hearts they curse.
Selah
 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
my hope comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
My salvation and my honor depend on God;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.
Selah
Lowborn men are but a breath,
the highborn are but a lie;
if weighed on a balance, they are nothing;
together they are only a breath.
Do not trust in extortion
or take pride in stolen goods;
though your riches increase,
do not set your heart on them.
One thing God has spoken,
two things have I heard:
that you, O God, are strong,
and that you, O Lord, are loving.
Surely you will reward each person
according to what he has done.

Update #4

Dear family and friends,

It has been almost 3 weeks since we've started this journey and yet it feels like we are no further to a diagnosis than when we started. Last week Friday our oncologist told us that they together with the pathology team here at HSC could not come to any diagnosis in regards to Robs biopsy so they sent it all for further testing to the Mayo Clinic. So as of today yet we are still waiting to hear the results, it could be today, or it could be on the weekend. At times it can make us frustrated and impatient; both Rob and myself are eager to start on the road of treatment. Yet we both rest in the comfort that this waiting too is in God's hand. Even if the doctors are baffled by the abnormalities of the cancer, God already knows the course of action that will take place in the months ahead.
It is amazing now to think that just 3 weeks ago Rob was still going to work. Since coming into the hospital his eating and mobility have deteriorated quite alot. He has pain from his kidneys sometimes, so he gets morphine for that. A more noticeable issue has been that since his lungs are quite full of fluid he loses his breath very quickly. He is on oxygen alot especially when he is sleeping so that he doesn't have to fight for breath. This has been getting better yesterday and today since they are working on draining his lungs through different medication.
Rob was able to get out on a day pass for both of the past weekends. This was a huge blessing for both him and myself, to get some fresh air and different scenery was wonderful. We always remind each other to only think day by day so we have yet to see what this weekend will bring.
Rob and I have been overwhelmed by the support and encouragement from the communion of saints both nearby and from different provinces. Thank you most of all for your prayers, we feel the Lords nearness every hour. Please continue to pray, our God is an awesome God and He can heal Rob. We fully rest in His strength and take much comfort from His holy word.

Time and time again we go back to our wedding text Psalm 33: 20-22. I'll post the whole psalm here.

Psalm 33:1-22 NIV

Sing joyfully to the Lord , you righteous;
it is fitting for the upright to praise him. Praise the Lord  with the harp;
make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully, and shout for joy. For the word of the Lord  is right and true;
he is faithful in all he does. The Lord  loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of his unfailing love. By the word of the Lord  the heavens were made,
their starry host by the breath of his mouth. He gathers the waters of the sea into jars;
he puts the deep into storehouses. Let all the earth fear the Lord ;
let all the people of the world revere him. For he spoke, and it came to be;
he commanded, and it stood firm. The Lord  foils the plans of the nations;
he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord  stand firm forever,
the purposes of his heart through all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord ,
the people he chose for his inheritance. From heaven the Lord  looks down
and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches
all who live on earth— he who forms the hearts of all,
who considers everything they do. No king is saved by the size of his army;
no warrior escapes by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;
despite all its great strength it cannot save. But the eyes of the Lord  are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death
and keep them alive in famine.

We wait in hope for the Lord ;
he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love be with us, Lord ,
even as we put our hope in you.


.

Update 3

The week that has gone by since our first post has been a week that we will not forget anytime soon. I have been diagnosed with cancer, had kidney shunts placed in, had a biopsy done on Wednesday, had hoped that I would start chemo this week sometime. After all has been said and done, we still don't have the results of the biopsy back and I haven't started and treatment yet, the doctors have decided however not to operate to remove any tumor(s) until chemotherapy has done its work. The kidney shunts have brought the levels in my kidneys down but not to the levels that was hoped they would. There is now fear that cancer has started to invade my kidneys. The problem with all that is for the doctors to be able to give me chemo, my kidneys need to be functioning at 100% so the tentative plan is to give me chemo and dialysis at the same time so as not to cause further harm to the kidneys. That is all the news we have to share right now, it's been a week of waiting and some stressful times but through it all our Heavenly Father has blessed us with much peace. He has comforted and guided our hearts by His word and Spirit.


Nahum 1:7 NKJV

The Lord  is  good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him.

Update 2

Good morning all,

Yesterday I had surgery for the kidney shunts. The surgeons where quite happy with how everything went and things seem to be draining now. I'm definitely in some discomfort right now but well looked after. The next step now is to meet with oncologists to decided if surgery to remove some of cancer mass or chemotherapy is next.

A simple thank seems insufficient to everyone for all your prayers and support but thank you. Please keep it up, we can never underestimate the power of prayer. Let us remember in all things, including this, that God is working for His purpose, for His kingdom, and for His Glory. So to him be all praise both now and forever!


Psalm 145
A psalm of praise.
Of David. [1] I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. [2] Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.  [3] Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. [4] One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts. [5] They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works.  [6] They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds. [7] They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.  [8] The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. [9] The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. [10] All you have made will praise you, O Lord; your saints will extol you. [11] They will tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, [12] so that all men may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. [13] Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.  [14] The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. [15] The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. [16] You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.  [17] The Lord is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made. [18] The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. [19] He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. [20] The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.  [21] My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.

Update 1

Family and friends,

Do you ever have it when on our sojourn through this life that path God guides us along takes a turn in a direction you weren't expecting? That our heavenly Father, in His infinite wisdom, places us in certain place or situation in life? But then even in that often hard and difficult place or situation He gives us what is needed. God has said this life would not always be easy nor free from pain and suffering but He has given us His Holy Spirit, who through His word guides and comforts us. 

In this past week my wife (Felicia) and myself experienced a turn in the path God has placed us in that we were not expecting. For the past couple of months I have not been feeling well. In the last month I have undergone tests and blood work with no resolution of what the problem was. This past Wednesday I had an ultrasound done and we waited somewhat anxiously for the results. Friday morning we had a call to come down to the clinic and where we were told that the doctor had found a tumor but was not sure if was malignant or benign. I was scheduled for a CT scan and more blood work that afternoon and when by 5:00 Friday evening we hadn't heard anything I called the clinic and was informed that I had to get myself to a clinic ASAP because my kidneys were failing and I was in need of some pretty serious medical care. Once we got to the hospital we learned the results of the CT scan. We learned I have cancer, that it has spread to the my back and my lymph nodes in my abdomen. The lymph nodes are extremely swollen which in turn has put tremendous pressure on my kidneys and they are at the point of failure. Because of my kidneys not being able to function my body has started to absorb a lot of fluid, including in my legs, feet, abdomen and my right lung. The main concern right now is getting the stress off the kidneys so the plan is to have surgery and put 2 shunts in through my back and drain the kidneys and my right lung. As of now we are waiting for a phone call from Health Science Center in the city that they have a bed for me. 

We realize that well things don't look very good at the moment, we both are comforted by our heavenly Father and his word. We covet your prayers first for strength and peace in this time but also for healing and we acknowledge that it is through prayer that God hears us and gives us what we need.

I'm not much of a writer so I'm not sure how often I'll do this but we will keep you all updated one way or another. 

Psalm 27 

Of David. 

[1] The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? [2] When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. [3] Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident. [4] One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. [5] For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. [6] Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord. [7] Hear my voice when I call, O Lord; be merciful to me and answer me. [8] My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek. [9] Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior. [10] Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me. [11] Teach me your way, O Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. [12] Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence. [13] I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. [14] Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.