Greetings to All:
Today I am at the mid-point of my third four-week chemo regimen. As you all know, the Lord has been using this regimen to send healing. At the same time it always brings along certain discomfort. As the days pile up the side effects increase. By now they are not unexpected and therefore also less of a surprise. Still the discomfort is there again and will likely increase for the next two weeks.
The mouth and tongue are super sensitive and the taste buds do not function (normally). Food is eaten for survival but is less enjoyable. My skin is dry and some nausea and reflux is starting to appear again. Although the latter two items are less intrusive as I have been given some medication to alemiorate these symptoms. There is also a marked reduction in energy. The thing to do, I imagine, is to lay low. To understand what is happening and to actually realize that I am ill and need to rest and be patient.
However, it appears that I have gotten used to the idea of healing and feeling well when I am off the pill and even during the early stages of taking the pill. But I must also continue to realize that the Lord is teaching me patience and that His healing does not come without some physical discomfort. I pray for patience.
At the same time Rita and I also express abundant thanksgiving in our prayers. I suppose that is an important point to stress especially because our neighbours in the USA are celebrating Thanksgiving Day today. We have heard that the American Reformed Church in Lynden, Wash. had a worship service this morning. We are glad to understand that they recognize the true focus or thanksgiving.
Although we Canadians have had our Thanksgiving Day more than a month ago we continue to give thanks every day. At our home we particularly give thanks for the healing we have and are receiving. We also give thanks for the many prayers that have gone to throne of God on our behalf. We further give thanks for the many other means of grace God gives us to strengthen our faith and to worship Him with. We give thanks for the tasks our God still lays before us and the strength He gives us to do them.
We are also thankful for what the Lord is doing with so many others who we also know to be suffering with cancer. We pray for healing for them as well and are thankful for the situations where He has sent that. And in the end we always realize that 'Thy will be done" is not only a fall-back position for when things don't go our way, but it should be our true desire, for His will alone is truly good and right.
My present chemo regimen is schedule to complete on Dec. 9 and on Dec. 14th I a CT Scan has been scheduled for my pelvic area to see what has/is happening to the cancer there. At present I am able to do far more with my left hip area than I have been able to for the previous six months. Nothing else has been scheduled before my next visit to the cancer clinic. That is schedule for Dec. 22. I suspect that I will be put on a fourth four-week regimen starting Dec.27. If all of this is true than we look forward to a wonderful end of the calendar year and all the attendant celebrations with good energy and much health.
Rita and I wish all of you a joyous Christmas and a blessed year of our Lord 2011.
Praise God from Whom all blessings flow
Pieter de Boer
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
November 10, 2010
Greetings to all:
Yesterday was Rita's birthday. In the morning her mother, and her five siblings with spouses all came by to celebrate. In the evening her local in-laws and spouses minus one, all her children minus one with spouses minus two, came over to continue the celebration. The Lord was good to her and to me to allow this celebration with so much family. There was much joy in our gatherings. We could rejoice about the goodness of God to Rita in that she has received many good years in which rich blessings could be showered upon her. Of course, when reflecting, she and we can also remember unhappy times, sadness and sorrow. But the Lord has kept her through them and given a day of celebration. We are happy we could enjoy this day together and with so much family. We praise(d) Him for it.
Today we received more reason for praise and thanksgiving. Although we had to bring our youngest son to the airport after a wonderful week of visiting, we received exciting news from the cancer clinic doctor this afternoon. Whereas he told us six weeks ago that the cancer in the chest and lungs had reduced, this time he informed us that he could not find any cancer on the x-rays at all.
He cautioned us that there might still be smidgeons left that he did not see, but he could not see any cancer on the x-ray. He also tested the leg which has been affected by cancer in the left pelvic bone and confirmed that there is better movement and less pain than there has been since April of this year. We are moved to tears of joy at the great blessings the Lord has granted in response to the many prayers brought before his throne.
The doctor advised experimentation with reduction in pain pills and increased excersize of the left leg. When we cautiously asked if it was permitted to speak of progress he concurred that we have definitely seen positive progress as the result of the chemo therapy. We rejoice greatly at the gift of healing the Lord has given.
We are going to start the third four-week chemo pill regimen this Friday, after which a CT scan has been scheduled for mid-December. We pray the Lord for continued healing by His great physician's hand.
We thank all of you who have included us in your prayers and who have visited us in person, by phone or by mail. Your Christian fellowship has been blessed and has comforted us greatly.
Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow.
Pieter and Rita de Boer
Yesterday was Rita's birthday. In the morning her mother, and her five siblings with spouses all came by to celebrate. In the evening her local in-laws and spouses minus one, all her children minus one with spouses minus two, came over to continue the celebration. The Lord was good to her and to me to allow this celebration with so much family. There was much joy in our gatherings. We could rejoice about the goodness of God to Rita in that she has received many good years in which rich blessings could be showered upon her. Of course, when reflecting, she and we can also remember unhappy times, sadness and sorrow. But the Lord has kept her through them and given a day of celebration. We are happy we could enjoy this day together and with so much family. We praise(d) Him for it.
Today we received more reason for praise and thanksgiving. Although we had to bring our youngest son to the airport after a wonderful week of visiting, we received exciting news from the cancer clinic doctor this afternoon. Whereas he told us six weeks ago that the cancer in the chest and lungs had reduced, this time he informed us that he could not find any cancer on the x-rays at all.
He cautioned us that there might still be smidgeons left that he did not see, but he could not see any cancer on the x-ray. He also tested the leg which has been affected by cancer in the left pelvic bone and confirmed that there is better movement and less pain than there has been since April of this year. We are moved to tears of joy at the great blessings the Lord has granted in response to the many prayers brought before his throne.
The doctor advised experimentation with reduction in pain pills and increased excersize of the left leg. When we cautiously asked if it was permitted to speak of progress he concurred that we have definitely seen positive progress as the result of the chemo therapy. We rejoice greatly at the gift of healing the Lord has given.
We are going to start the third four-week chemo pill regimen this Friday, after which a CT scan has been scheduled for mid-December. We pray the Lord for continued healing by His great physician's hand.
We thank all of you who have included us in your prayers and who have visited us in person, by phone or by mail. Your Christian fellowship has been blessed and has comforted us greatly.
Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow.
Pieter and Rita de Boer
Thursday, November 4, 2010
November 4, 2010
Greetings
Almost three weeks have gone by since my last blog. I have been blessed in the past weeks with good experiences. The past three weeks have included the last two weeks of my second four week chemo pill regimen and four days of the two week rest from the pill. This second four week regimen has gone better than the first go around. Of course, the first time I did not know what to expect. This time around I could base my expectations on what I experienced the first time, and by way of comparison I can say that the second time around was easier. I also had the benefit of some medication to deal with the nausea and reflux. Both of these side effects did occur but to a lesser degree. Also a decrease in energy was noticed in the last week. The side effects most notably present in the fourth week also held over into the first number of days of the rest week. However, today I am feeling an increase in energy and less stomach and reflux problems.
Although the side effects are unpleasant they have served to remind me of the serious illness that I have. During the first rest weeks and first few weeks of the second chemo regimen I had good energy and little or no side effects leading at times to a positive outlook that may have been unrealistic about the seriousness of my illness. We hope and pray that the good feelings and stronger energy level may be indicative of the chemo doing its job. Next week Wednesday we have appointments for blood work, x-ray and to see the cancer clinic doctor. We hope for good reports.
We remain convinced however, that our situation, yes, our life itself is in the hands of our heavenly Father. He has given us much reason for joy and we know that in the end we depend on Him, and Him alone. Doctors, medication, prayers and communion of saints are all means that He has chosen to use to achieve His ends. We thank our gracious God for all these means. We are convinced that the prayers of saints are of much value to us. (James 5) We are also very grateful for the communion of saints we are allowed to experience so much of. We value the Biblical love so many have shown to us by visits, cards, words of encouragement as we meet in the course of the days, and the prayers that are sent to the throne of God for us.
Numbers of people have spoken of literal prayer lists that they have at their homes. This reminds us of so many others who are also suffering; some with a variety of cancers, others with different illnesses, still others with none physical difficulties. This leads us to the command to bring the difficulties of our brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ before the throne of our Father. He is indeed our Chief Physician. We are still living in a world affected by sin, sin that makes us all guilty before God's throne of perfect justice. But there is a solution to our guilt. Our Saviour Jesus Christ has taken on human flesh and blood in order that He could suffer and die as we were destined to do as the result of sin. Through faith in Jesus Christ this payment for sin has been accepted by God as payment for our sin and guilt. We praise and thank God always for such a greeat salvation. Each and every moment of our lives it is our desire to thank God for this marvelous work in our lives.
Adam and Eve were created by God to serve and praise Him forever. They (and in them we too) failed because of our rebellion in wanting to be like God rather than serving Him. But having been graciously and mercifully forgiven of all our sins we now want and must live an obedient life of thankfulness in all we do each and every day. With the help of the Holy Spirit we are able to make an imperfect beginning in this calling. However, soon we will be delivered from this imperfect life which is nothing more than a constant death, and will appear without spot before the righteous judgement seat of God and will reign with Him over all things.
While we await our departure we pray for strength and energy to continue to do His will in all things for as long as He will allow.
With joy and thankfulness in God through Jesus Christ,
Pieter de Boer
Almost three weeks have gone by since my last blog. I have been blessed in the past weeks with good experiences. The past three weeks have included the last two weeks of my second four week chemo pill regimen and four days of the two week rest from the pill. This second four week regimen has gone better than the first go around. Of course, the first time I did not know what to expect. This time around I could base my expectations on what I experienced the first time, and by way of comparison I can say that the second time around was easier. I also had the benefit of some medication to deal with the nausea and reflux. Both of these side effects did occur but to a lesser degree. Also a decrease in energy was noticed in the last week. The side effects most notably present in the fourth week also held over into the first number of days of the rest week. However, today I am feeling an increase in energy and less stomach and reflux problems.
Although the side effects are unpleasant they have served to remind me of the serious illness that I have. During the first rest weeks and first few weeks of the second chemo regimen I had good energy and little or no side effects leading at times to a positive outlook that may have been unrealistic about the seriousness of my illness. We hope and pray that the good feelings and stronger energy level may be indicative of the chemo doing its job. Next week Wednesday we have appointments for blood work, x-ray and to see the cancer clinic doctor. We hope for good reports.
We remain convinced however, that our situation, yes, our life itself is in the hands of our heavenly Father. He has given us much reason for joy and we know that in the end we depend on Him, and Him alone. Doctors, medication, prayers and communion of saints are all means that He has chosen to use to achieve His ends. We thank our gracious God for all these means. We are convinced that the prayers of saints are of much value to us. (James 5) We are also very grateful for the communion of saints we are allowed to experience so much of. We value the Biblical love so many have shown to us by visits, cards, words of encouragement as we meet in the course of the days, and the prayers that are sent to the throne of God for us.
Numbers of people have spoken of literal prayer lists that they have at their homes. This reminds us of so many others who are also suffering; some with a variety of cancers, others with different illnesses, still others with none physical difficulties. This leads us to the command to bring the difficulties of our brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ before the throne of our Father. He is indeed our Chief Physician. We are still living in a world affected by sin, sin that makes us all guilty before God's throne of perfect justice. But there is a solution to our guilt. Our Saviour Jesus Christ has taken on human flesh and blood in order that He could suffer and die as we were destined to do as the result of sin. Through faith in Jesus Christ this payment for sin has been accepted by God as payment for our sin and guilt. We praise and thank God always for such a greeat salvation. Each and every moment of our lives it is our desire to thank God for this marvelous work in our lives.
Adam and Eve were created by God to serve and praise Him forever. They (and in them we too) failed because of our rebellion in wanting to be like God rather than serving Him. But having been graciously and mercifully forgiven of all our sins we now want and must live an obedient life of thankfulness in all we do each and every day. With the help of the Holy Spirit we are able to make an imperfect beginning in this calling. However, soon we will be delivered from this imperfect life which is nothing more than a constant death, and will appear without spot before the righteous judgement seat of God and will reign with Him over all things.
While we await our departure we pray for strength and energy to continue to do His will in all things for as long as He will allow.
With joy and thankfulness in God through Jesus Christ,
Pieter de Boer
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