October 15, 2010

Greetings:

It has been almost two weeks since my last post. In actual fact not many things have changed from then. Yet, there are things to report and to be thankful for.

I am now almost two weeks into my second four-week session with the chemo pill. I can not exactly remember the timing of the side effects from the first round, but I seem to be feeling better this round than the first time. I have received some medication for nausea and reflux. These appear to be working well. Also my energy level continues to remain higher than it was before I learned of the cancer. Folks who visit or who see me when I get out frequently remark that I am looking better than previously. All these things are encouraging and in themselves may be serving to improve my frame of mind and perhaps even physical condition.

Although the above is part experience and part speculation, one thing is sure. I am overwhelmed by my own joy. I am thankful beyond words for the grace of God Who answers prayers and provides me with everything I need, even in abundance. It is truly so that I can at times not find appropriate words to express my the joy I feel about my energy level and lack of side effects or pain.

I have been able to continue to do my work as an elder in the congregation by visiting and phoning the members placed in my care. Together with Rita (my wife) I have been able to get out and visit and do other necessary and pleasant things.

We were saddened to hear of my sister's brother-in-law's sudden passing away, also from cancer, in Ontario. She and her husband have flown to Ontario to be with family and to attend the funeral. We pray for God's comfort and strength for the de Gelder family. We also remember others who suffer with cancer. There a number of Christian sisters who suffer in this way. One sister, in particular has expected to pass on for some time already, but the Lord continues to prolong her earthly life. Her faith remains strong and she enjoys the worship of our God whenever she is able to attend church but looks forward to worshipping Him in perfection without pain and suffering. But she remains patient in waiting for the Lord's hand to take her home at His time. Her example has been and is a blessing for me and many others, I am sure.
There is another sister who has had breast cancer and is receiving chemo treatments because her cancer was genetic, and even though she is presently cancer free, preventative measures need to be taken to try to prevent a re-occurance. The chemo treatment she receives brings considerable suffering so we remember her and her family in prayer.
There is a third sister who also had breast cancer and became cancer free, however at present she suffers from lung cancer and has also contracted pneumonia. She suffers greatly from difficulty in breathing and has to stay in hospital. Her joy at being cancer free was all to short and now she suffers again. We pray for her and her family that the Lord will have compassion on her and provide healing and easing of the suffering she is enduring.
Finally, we have heard from a minister of one of the Canadian Reforemd Churches nearby that the doctors have good hope that they can cure him from the colon cancer they discovered and removed. They plan to treat him with chemo therapy once his body has recovered from the surgery. We pray that the Lord will bless the treatments and that he will spare our brother from much suffering during the treatments.

We note how the Lord is busy with all His children. His hand is at work in all our lives. It is not only in sicknesses that we should Him at work but also when we are healthy we need to remember that we are His and He will guide our lives even though it is our responsibility to live obediently for Him.

Let us remember to pray for one another in sickness and in health. Our Father will hear our prayers and He will answer them. Of that we can be sure.

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow.

October 4, 2010

Greetings to all who read this:
Since the last time I posted an update things have been well. Not taking the chemo pill has restored my energy and eliminated the side effects. I might even  be able to say that I have felt better than before starting the chemo pill about six weeks ago now.
I have been off of the pill for two weeks and have started a new four week regemine this morning. But I am pleased to do so as last Thursday the doctor at the cancer clinic showed us that two cancer spots on the chest/lung had reduced in size during the four weeks I was taking the chemo pill. We were very pleased to hear this good news and hope that the same thing was happening to the other cancer spots. The doctor has only checked the chest/lung area this time but we hope that he will check the kidney and pelvic areas after this next four week regemine.
As the result of feeling better these past two weeks we have also been able to do more things. We have been out more and were also able to do some elder work. It is wonderful to feel that the Lord still has work for us to do while we are in this life.
We joyfully live day by day and are happy to do the work He sets before us. We also trust that His plan for our lives is good and we hope that we may perform the tasks He assigns to us to glory of His name and edification of His people. Surely when we can do that our own faith will be strengthened as well.

We continue to enjoy the many visitors that look us up and the many cards we receive. Our family also continues to encourage us to stay in tune with what is happening in our lives. We thank them very much.
The de Boer brothers and sisters have started a habit of coming together for an evening every four weeks to chat and catch up, but also expressly to sing Psalms and Hymns together. This has become a highlight for us and a wonderfully edifying experience.

We also continue to remember others who are also dealing with illnesses similar to ours. We remember them regularly in our prayers. In particular we commend Rev. R. Schouten, Sr. J. Wubs, Sr. N. Krabbendam and Sr. H. Aikema to our heavenly Father and His care as they are also dealing with cancer in their lives.

May our loving and gracious God also be with all who read these words and give them His Holy Spirit to direct you all to Him in faith for salvation, eternal life and above all to the glory of His name.