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.