Greetings to all:
This past Monday was the first day that I did not take the oral chemo pill. I have been taking it for four weeks. This regimine of one pill per day will hopefully reduce the spread of the cancer and perhaps even take some of it away. However, the treatment has side effects. These side effects were provided to us in a list, along with some things we could do to ameliorate them. Early on we did not notice side effects but as time went on we did. It seems that the more pills we took to more the side effects increased. The most difficult to handle was the nausea and acid reflux. Towards the end of the four week period vomitting in the mornings also became part of the routine.
We are happy to be able to take a break from this treatment. The side effects have also lessened. nausea and acid reflux have reduced to almost none by yesterday and again today.
We are thankful for being allowed to feel better this week and hope it continues for the balance of this week and into next week as well. On Thursday of next week I am scheduled to see the doctor at the cancer clinic in Surrey. I imagine he will prescribe another 28 days of the same treatment (pill). I am also curious to discover how they will measure the success of the pill.
I continue to suffer very little pain although I do take a pain pill every five hours or so just to keep the hip pain in check.
The fatique is still present however I do feel more energy this week than in the past number of weeks.
In all these things we see the hand of our heavenly Father. We pray regularly for healing and trust in Him - and He provides. We truly experience the 'amazing grace' of our Father.
Visitors continue to help in dealing with our situation. They show the love of God through the communion of saints. They provide opportunity for us to witness of His nearness.
So many have promised to pray for us and we experience the answer to the many prayers in the experiences noted above. We ask for your continued prayer and thank you for it.
Pete and Rita de Boer
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
September 10, 2010
Hello to all
The past days have been mainly good. We thank God every day for the gift of a new day and pray that we may serve Him well in it.
Tuesday of this week I experienced nausea and acid reflux for most of the day. These were among the side effects of the oral chemo therapy that I have been advised to follow. There are a few less difficult effects as well, but these two were very debilatating.
On Wednesday my GP (family doctor) called to see how I was doing. She confirmed that the blood tests I had done about 10 days prior looked good and hence I did not get a follow up call from her then. I discussed the side effects of the chemo and she suggested I call the cancer clinic to confirm some suggestions she had to help. I did as she suggested and we were able to pick up some Gravol and Zantec at the drug store and those side effects have not bothered me in the last three days, We are thankful.
We continue to enjoy visits from our relatives and friends. The blessing of the communion of saints is ever present. We also appreciate the many cards and phone calls we have received. And we are thankful that so many promise to remember us in their prayers for healing, and above all comfort and contentment in the ways of the Lord,
We are thankful to God for the comfort of His Word and the many blessings He has given to us in these daysn as well as in all of our life. His nearness and blessings of the past also convince us His promise to stay with us in all circumstances of life.
We pray that He will continue to watch over us from day to day, strengthening us for each day a new, until we shall finally live with Him in eternal bliss.
Pete de Boer
The past days have been mainly good. We thank God every day for the gift of a new day and pray that we may serve Him well in it.
Tuesday of this week I experienced nausea and acid reflux for most of the day. These were among the side effects of the oral chemo therapy that I have been advised to follow. There are a few less difficult effects as well, but these two were very debilatating.
On Wednesday my GP (family doctor) called to see how I was doing. She confirmed that the blood tests I had done about 10 days prior looked good and hence I did not get a follow up call from her then. I discussed the side effects of the chemo and she suggested I call the cancer clinic to confirm some suggestions she had to help. I did as she suggested and we were able to pick up some Gravol and Zantec at the drug store and those side effects have not bothered me in the last three days, We are thankful.
We continue to enjoy visits from our relatives and friends. The blessing of the communion of saints is ever present. We also appreciate the many cards and phone calls we have received. And we are thankful that so many promise to remember us in their prayers for healing, and above all comfort and contentment in the ways of the Lord,
We are thankful to God for the comfort of His Word and the many blessings He has given to us in these daysn as well as in all of our life. His nearness and blessings of the past also convince us His promise to stay with us in all circumstances of life.
We pray that He will continue to watch over us from day to day, strengthening us for each day a new, until we shall finally live with Him in eternal bliss.
Pete de Boer
Saturday, September 4, 2010
September 4, 2010
Greetings to all:
Finally, another update.
One of the reasons it has been too long since the last update is that we have been blessed by many visits. This is only by way of explanation and certainly not meant as a complaint. The communion of saints and the love of the brotherhood surely shines in our lives. We are also very grateful to our family members who remember us regularly by dropping in for a coffee and a chat to see how we are doing.
Another reason will be the tiredness that continues to come and go. Usually after a visit it is good to take some time to rest and that can quickly lead to a nap.
This past week has gone by without a doctor visit; while it did start with a scheduled blood test at the lab. However, it appears that the blood readings were in the acceptable category as no doctor called to follow up. We are grateful that there was no need to see a doctor as it also has given us an opportunity to catch up on the status of things and to become used to our situation.
The Lord continues to bless us with faith in Him. He uses His Word as well as His people to comfort and strengthen us.
For the past two weeks I have taken medication in pill form. It is hoped that this pill regimen will slow the spread of the cancer and perhaps even kill some of it. It has also had other positive effects on others who have also had the type of cancer I have. The instructions with the pill indicate that some side effects may occur. We are experiencing some of them. Tiredness and nausea are the two that seem to affect me the most. We have been able to deal with things quite well, so far.
We pray that the Lord will use the medication to His glory. We will likely not hear much in the way of effect of the medication until about two or three weeks from now.
I suspect the doctor will call us for an appointment after four weeks of use of the pill. At that time we must stop using it for two weeks.
Rita has called me for supper, so I have better go.
May our heavenly Father be with us all and may we worship Him in uprightness and truth tomorrow.
Pete de Boer
Finally, another update.
One of the reasons it has been too long since the last update is that we have been blessed by many visits. This is only by way of explanation and certainly not meant as a complaint. The communion of saints and the love of the brotherhood surely shines in our lives. We are also very grateful to our family members who remember us regularly by dropping in for a coffee and a chat to see how we are doing.
Another reason will be the tiredness that continues to come and go. Usually after a visit it is good to take some time to rest and that can quickly lead to a nap.
This past week has gone by without a doctor visit; while it did start with a scheduled blood test at the lab. However, it appears that the blood readings were in the acceptable category as no doctor called to follow up. We are grateful that there was no need to see a doctor as it also has given us an opportunity to catch up on the status of things and to become used to our situation.
The Lord continues to bless us with faith in Him. He uses His Word as well as His people to comfort and strengthen us.
For the past two weeks I have taken medication in pill form. It is hoped that this pill regimen will slow the spread of the cancer and perhaps even kill some of it. It has also had other positive effects on others who have also had the type of cancer I have. The instructions with the pill indicate that some side effects may occur. We are experiencing some of them. Tiredness and nausea are the two that seem to affect me the most. We have been able to deal with things quite well, so far.
We pray that the Lord will use the medication to His glory. We will likely not hear much in the way of effect of the medication until about two or three weeks from now.
I suspect the doctor will call us for an appointment after four weeks of use of the pill. At that time we must stop using it for two weeks.
Rita has called me for supper, so I have better go.
May our heavenly Father be with us all and may we worship Him in uprightness and truth tomorrow.
Pete de Boer
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