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
Thursday 29 November 2012
Sunday 18 November 2012
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.'
Saturday 10 November 2012
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.
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.
Thursday 8 November 2012
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.
.
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.
.
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