Greetings,
The funeral, taking place on Tuesday, at 1:30pm Pacific Time, will be available via livefeed online. If you are interested in watching, check out http://www.langleycanrc.org/ and then I think you click on live video tab near the top. We have been overwhelmed by the continued support from the communion of saints across the country and beyond. We continue to Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Friday, November 4, 2011
Great is God's faithfulness
The service for commemorating God's faithfulness in and for dad deBoer is scheduled for Tuesday, November 8th, 2011, 1:30pm at the Langley Canadian Reformed Church - 21804 52nd Avenue.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Langley Hospice Society - memo: residence. We are greatful to the LORD that He guided things so that dad could spend his last days at the hospice. The care dad received, and the love we all received has been most overwhelming and generous.
We continue to rejoice in God's goodness and we Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Langley Hospice Society - memo: residence. We are greatful to the LORD that He guided things so that dad could spend his last days at the hospice. The care dad received, and the love we all received has been most overwhelming and generous.
We continue to rejoice in God's goodness and we Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Promoted to Glory
On November 3, 2011 our husband and father was promoted to Heavenly glory at 9:55 pm. We are thankful that his suffering is over and that he is now in the presence of our Father in Heaven.
Praise God from whom all blessing flow.
Praise God from whom all blessing flow.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Every day the Lord has appointed
Dad was appointed another day on Wednesday. This too, is from the LORD. While we pray that his suffering may soon come to an end, we recognize God's goodness in allotting dad yet another day on Wednesday. He was more awake on Wednesday - this has pros and cons. When dad is a bit awake, he is quite confused, but he is not forgetful. What I mean by that is that Dad recognizes certain people - he recognizes voices, he holds hands, he says our names, he enjoys our singing, he enjoys the reading of scripture etc. It is hard to imagine what dad is thinking and it must be difficult for him to want to communicate more with us, but he is unable. The difficult think for dad, and for us to witness, is dad's frustration and confusion. He was quite agitated yesterday at certain times but when that happens, we try to sing dad's beloved Psalms and Hymns.
On Wednesday, when we told dad certain people were here, or when people spoke with him he did respond as though he knew exactly about whom we were speaking. Today, dad's sister from Ontario is coming - we pray that dad will recognize her voice as well. As well, today Joanna (Chris' wife) and children are arriving. We pray for travelling mercies for all - also Uncle Ron (mom's brother) and Aunt Ina who are driving from Ontario.
We wait on the LORD - His will be done - We pray that He will redeem His servant from this earthly suffering and bring him into the great mansions above.
We are truly blessed to be able to:
Praise God from whom all blessing flow!
Chris
On Wednesday, when we told dad certain people were here, or when people spoke with him he did respond as though he knew exactly about whom we were speaking. Today, dad's sister from Ontario is coming - we pray that dad will recognize her voice as well. As well, today Joanna (Chris' wife) and children are arriving. We pray for travelling mercies for all - also Uncle Ron (mom's brother) and Aunt Ina who are driving from Ontario.
We wait on the LORD - His will be done - We pray that He will redeem His servant from this earthly suffering and bring him into the great mansions above.
We are truly blessed to be able to:
Praise God from whom all blessing flow!
Chris
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Waiting on the LORD
God teaches us to put our trust in Him and in His ways:
Isaiah 40:28ff.
"Have you not known? Have you not heard?The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.
Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted;
but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
Today, dad has been mostly sleeping or sedated. His breathing is getting a bit more laboured. He occassionally has bladder spasms that cause him a lot of discomfort. He is able to respond to some touches and sounds once in a while. For this we are grateful. When we read the scriptures, sometimes he moves his hand to hold hands with those around him. If one tries to let go, he might squeeze it, suggesting that you not let go. It is difficult to see him this way, but we are grateful to the LORD that dad is quite comfortable on the whole.
It is such a great comfor to know that all these things are in the LORD's hands - His ways are higher than our ways and they achieve His purposes. We pray that dad's suffering would soon come to an end, and we continue to be overwhelmed by the outpouring of God's love as expressed by the communion of saints. We all continue to:
Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Chris
Isaiah 40:28ff.
"Have you not known? Have you not heard?The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.
Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted;
but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
Today, dad has been mostly sleeping or sedated. His breathing is getting a bit more laboured. He occassionally has bladder spasms that cause him a lot of discomfort. He is able to respond to some touches and sounds once in a while. For this we are grateful. When we read the scriptures, sometimes he moves his hand to hold hands with those around him. If one tries to let go, he might squeeze it, suggesting that you not let go. It is difficult to see him this way, but we are grateful to the LORD that dad is quite comfortable on the whole.
It is such a great comfor to know that all these things are in the LORD's hands - His ways are higher than our ways and they achieve His purposes. We pray that dad's suffering would soon come to an end, and we continue to be overwhelmed by the outpouring of God's love as expressed by the communion of saints. We all continue to:
Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Chris
Monday, October 31, 2011
October 31, 2011
This morning we could visit with dad's doctor. She was quite saddened that Dad had such a hard weekend. She was able to tell us that the calcium levels are not coming down and that Dad will probably not become any less confused. This means that they will take more measures to ensure that he is comfortable and not agitated and that his time here on this sinful earth will not be much longer.
He is no longer eating or being hydrated by artificial means. He will drink a little here and there but not much.
As a family we are thankful that he is quite calm and at peace today. This morning while I was there some of us were able to sing and he did join us occasionally. What a beautiful sound it was to here him sing "I love the Lord..." In this, too, we can
Praise God from whom all blessings flow. :)
Belinda.
He is no longer eating or being hydrated by artificial means. He will drink a little here and there but not much.
As a family we are thankful that he is quite calm and at peace today. This morning while I was there some of us were able to sing and he did join us occasionally. What a beautiful sound it was to here him sing "I love the Lord..." In this, too, we can
Praise God from whom all blessings flow. :)
Belinda.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Our outer nature wastes away...
What is your only comfort in life and in death?
That I am not my own, but belong with body and sould, both in life and in death to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ. A comfort indeed!
Today (Sunday) was a very difficult day. Dad was very confused and he wanted so many different things. There are times that he can't communicate what he intends, and then there are times that he doesn't mean to communicate what he does. It is very challenging to follow what dad wants and we patiently try to understand what would be good for dad and do as much as we can for him. We are so grateful to God for the hospice in Langley. The nurses are most wonderful and they work diligently to give dad the care he needs.
We pray that dad's suffering may soon come to an end. The Lord also preserves us in such a way that without His will, not a hair can fall from my head. We thus pray to the LORD that His will would be to have dad's suffer end soon and grant that he may enter into a mansion that the Lord has prepared for those who love Him! Indeed, Dad loves the LORD the fount of life and grace!
We can indeed: Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Chris
That I am not my own, but belong with body and sould, both in life and in death to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ. A comfort indeed!
Today (Sunday) was a very difficult day. Dad was very confused and he wanted so many different things. There are times that he can't communicate what he intends, and then there are times that he doesn't mean to communicate what he does. It is very challenging to follow what dad wants and we patiently try to understand what would be good for dad and do as much as we can for him. We are so grateful to God for the hospice in Langley. The nurses are most wonderful and they work diligently to give dad the care he needs.
We pray that dad's suffering may soon come to an end. The Lord also preserves us in such a way that without His will, not a hair can fall from my head. We thus pray to the LORD that His will would be to have dad's suffer end soon and grant that he may enter into a mansion that the Lord has prepared for those who love Him! Indeed, Dad loves the LORD the fount of life and grace!
We can indeed: Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Chris
Saturday, October 29, 2011
An update on dad
Today is Saturday night and it is my (Chris) turn to prepare an update on dad's condition. Of course, dad's condition in the most important way is glorious. He is firmly secure in the LORD's hands and this is the best condition in which anyone can be.
Physically, dad's condition has been deteriorating since this past Wednesday. When I arrived I was able to greet him and he was able to interact with me for some time. This was a special time, indeed! On Thursday, dad was very tired. He slept most of the day and had moments of good understanding, but those moments got further and further apart. It was on Thursday that we were told of the next round of calcium reduction that would take place on Friday in the hospital. Dad was able to understand some of these things to a limited degree. On Friday, dad was very sleepy and confused. Mom and I had to take dad to the hospital from the hospice, a short five-six minute walk but it was very rainy and windy. Mom and I finally decided to take dad with the car - a fairly challenging task, but dad was a very willing patient to do as he was told/asked. On Friday afternoon dad seemed to be more 'with it'. He interacted better with us, and it was a pleasant time together. This morning (Saturday), mom and I were surprised to see dad as confused as he was. This was a very tough day for those who visited. Dad had spent Friday night in a very restless way - he really wanted to go to church all night long. On Saturday, the confusion continued and it continued through the whole day. We were pleased when dad could sleep for an hour or two at a time. The medication that dad took on Friday afternoon is supposed to really kick in on Sunday/Monday, so there is still some hope that his confusion will be diminished for some time. Whatever happens, we trust in God's goodness.
God's goodness has overflown and continues to pour out by means of the communion of saints. The continued comments of care, concern, and encouragement are a great blessing. You are all instruments in God's hand for our comfort to His honour and glory. Dad also is able to express this joy when people come to visit him. He is still able to recognize people and makes every effort to say 'thank-you' for the visit.
Let me conclude with what Dad regularly says: Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Chris
Physically, dad's condition has been deteriorating since this past Wednesday. When I arrived I was able to greet him and he was able to interact with me for some time. This was a special time, indeed! On Thursday, dad was very tired. He slept most of the day and had moments of good understanding, but those moments got further and further apart. It was on Thursday that we were told of the next round of calcium reduction that would take place on Friday in the hospital. Dad was able to understand some of these things to a limited degree. On Friday, dad was very sleepy and confused. Mom and I had to take dad to the hospital from the hospice, a short five-six minute walk but it was very rainy and windy. Mom and I finally decided to take dad with the car - a fairly challenging task, but dad was a very willing patient to do as he was told/asked. On Friday afternoon dad seemed to be more 'with it'. He interacted better with us, and it was a pleasant time together. This morning (Saturday), mom and I were surprised to see dad as confused as he was. This was a very tough day for those who visited. Dad had spent Friday night in a very restless way - he really wanted to go to church all night long. On Saturday, the confusion continued and it continued through the whole day. We were pleased when dad could sleep for an hour or two at a time. The medication that dad took on Friday afternoon is supposed to really kick in on Sunday/Monday, so there is still some hope that his confusion will be diminished for some time. Whatever happens, we trust in God's goodness.
God's goodness has overflown and continues to pour out by means of the communion of saints. The continued comments of care, concern, and encouragement are a great blessing. You are all instruments in God's hand for our comfort to His honour and glory. Dad also is able to express this joy when people come to visit him. He is still able to recognize people and makes every effort to say 'thank-you' for the visit.
Let me conclude with what Dad regularly says: Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Chris
Monday, October 24, 2011
Dad has moved
Dad has moved across the street today. He is no longer in the Langley Memorial Hospital but has moved into the Langley Hospice. It is still on the hospital property but closer to the Fraser Highway. If you drive in front of the hospital entrance and keep going you will find it on the left hand side.
The room that dad is in here is very large. There is lots of room for visitors and even a pullout couch if mom (or someone else) would desire to sleep over. Dad and mom seem to both be at peace with this move and decision to be here. Thanks be to God.
I spent about an hour there this afternoon as Dad was settling in. The care seems to be top notch and the atmosphere very peaceful - a lot calmer than a hospital ward.
Belinda.
The room that dad is in here is very large. There is lots of room for visitors and even a pullout couch if mom (or someone else) would desire to sleep over. Dad and mom seem to both be at peace with this move and decision to be here. Thanks be to God.
I spent about an hour there this afternoon as Dad was settling in. The care seems to be top notch and the atmosphere very peaceful - a lot calmer than a hospital ward.
Belinda.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Oct 22, 2011
I have just come home from a nice visit with Dad. We were able to catch most of the Canucks game - a favourite past time of ours.
Dad seems to be quite comfortable. Yesterday a doctor was able to remove 1.9 litres of fluid from his lungs. This will hopefully help him breath easier and ease the stress on his heart.
We are very thankful for the medical attention Dad has been receiving. On Monday we hope to decide how things will go from here.
Dad enjoys having visitors but does get tired quickly. Somtimes a 10 minute hello is just what he needs.
Your continued prayers are appreciated.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Belinda
Dad seems to be quite comfortable. Yesterday a doctor was able to remove 1.9 litres of fluid from his lungs. This will hopefully help him breath easier and ease the stress on his heart.
We are very thankful for the medical attention Dad has been receiving. On Monday we hope to decide how things will go from here.
Dad enjoys having visitors but does get tired quickly. Somtimes a 10 minute hello is just what he needs.
Your continued prayers are appreciated.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Belinda
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Update Oct. 19 2011
It was obvious today that some of the medications that dad has been taking are working. Since Sunday, today was by far the best we have seen dad. His mind was more on par to what we are used to. He was cracking jokes, laughing and smiling, and able to hold a decent conversation. We even saw him get up off his bed and walk a little bit. He was very tired today and slept off and on through out the day.
Because dad was able to take in liquids on his own, he was also taken off the IV. This made him quite happy as he wasn't "tied" up anymore.
In regards to the CT scan that he had yesterday, the doctor ordered this scan to see if he had any clots in his lungs. As it turns out, there was none, however he does have some fluid around his lungs. Tomorrow there will be an internal medicine doctor coming to see dad to discuss removing some of this fluid. This will also help in his breathing, although his breathing has already improved in the past 24 hours.
Part way through today dad was also moved to a different room. He is now in room 401 at Langley Memorial Hospital. This is a private room which allows his family and visitors a much more intimate time with him. This too is providential.
We continue to see improvement in dad's health so it is hard to say what the future holds. We know that our Heavenly Father has dad's life all planned out and we just live day by day. We are thankful for the time that we still have with our earthly dad/opa and in a lot of ways hope to have many more, but we also understand that soon, he will be with our heavenly father in paradise and this is something that excites us too.
We thank all of you who are following this blog and praying for our family in these trying times. We continue to ask the Lord for strength not only for us, but for Mom too, who is being strong through these days.
As my father has often said on this blog, Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Peter jr.
Because dad was able to take in liquids on his own, he was also taken off the IV. This made him quite happy as he wasn't "tied" up anymore.
In regards to the CT scan that he had yesterday, the doctor ordered this scan to see if he had any clots in his lungs. As it turns out, there was none, however he does have some fluid around his lungs. Tomorrow there will be an internal medicine doctor coming to see dad to discuss removing some of this fluid. This will also help in his breathing, although his breathing has already improved in the past 24 hours.
Part way through today dad was also moved to a different room. He is now in room 401 at Langley Memorial Hospital. This is a private room which allows his family and visitors a much more intimate time with him. This too is providential.
We continue to see improvement in dad's health so it is hard to say what the future holds. We know that our Heavenly Father has dad's life all planned out and we just live day by day. We are thankful for the time that we still have with our earthly dad/opa and in a lot of ways hope to have many more, but we also understand that soon, he will be with our heavenly father in paradise and this is something that excites us too.
We thank all of you who are following this blog and praying for our family in these trying times. We continue to ask the Lord for strength not only for us, but for Mom too, who is being strong through these days.
As my father has often said on this blog, Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Peter jr.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Update Oct. 18 2011
Dad's situation does not seem to be improving as much as was hoped. His calcium levels continue to be to high and his hemoglobin levels to low. Yesterday he had an x-ray to see what was causing him to be short of breath too. The doctor told us that he has a partially collapsed lung because of being in bed all day, but mostly because the cancer continues to grow on his lung. He also has a type of pneumonia. The doctor continues to treat these symptoms with anit-biodics. His heart rate is also elevated and normally to control this, he would be given blood thinners, however, in his situation, this would greatly increase his chances for a stroke.
This morning he was given a blood transfusion to help with his breathing as this has been difficult for him lately too. Last night he said was rough due to a hard time breathing. As the days progress from morning to evening, his mind seems to get clearer. The mornings are definitely rougher then the evenings. From time to time he mentions that he is in pain, but he is on a heavy dose of pain medication.
This afternoon he was brought in for a CT Scan on the lungs. We hope to get the results of this soon. Stay tuned.
This week dad had plans to go to Vancouver to get some tests done in connection to the trial drug he was going to be taking, however, it looks more and more that he won't be able to take the drug. One of the prerequisits for this trial is that he is able to be mobile on his own strength for at least 50% of the day. He is not able to do that at this time. The paliative doctor meet with mom today and mentioned that if his calcium levels don't come down in the next day or two, we might have to think about dad going to a hospice. However, that being said, she mentioned that it could still go either way and that it is still a little to early to predict anything.
Dad continues to have strength in his faith and shares that faith with those around him. We can all praise our Heavenly Father for all that He has given us and also during this time we can see the Lord's hand at work in dad's earthly life. We pray to God for the continued strength for Dad and Mom and the rest of the family and hope that one day soon, Dad will be able to be pain free and with his Heavenly Father.
This morning he was given a blood transfusion to help with his breathing as this has been difficult for him lately too. Last night he said was rough due to a hard time breathing. As the days progress from morning to evening, his mind seems to get clearer. The mornings are definitely rougher then the evenings. From time to time he mentions that he is in pain, but he is on a heavy dose of pain medication.
This afternoon he was brought in for a CT Scan on the lungs. We hope to get the results of this soon. Stay tuned.
This week dad had plans to go to Vancouver to get some tests done in connection to the trial drug he was going to be taking, however, it looks more and more that he won't be able to take the drug. One of the prerequisits for this trial is that he is able to be mobile on his own strength for at least 50% of the day. He is not able to do that at this time. The paliative doctor meet with mom today and mentioned that if his calcium levels don't come down in the next day or two, we might have to think about dad going to a hospice. However, that being said, she mentioned that it could still go either way and that it is still a little to early to predict anything.
Dad continues to have strength in his faith and shares that faith with those around him. We can all praise our Heavenly Father for all that He has given us and also during this time we can see the Lord's hand at work in dad's earthly life. We pray to God for the continued strength for Dad and Mom and the rest of the family and hope that one day soon, Dad will be able to be pain free and with his Heavenly Father.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Update Oct. 16 2011
It has been a while since there has been an update on this blog and that is because Dad was mostly maintaining it himself. Dad has been admitted to the hospital this past weekend so the family will update this blog when there is news to share.
On Friday mom recieved a call from the doctor that dad needed to go to emergency at Langley hospital because his calcium levels were to high. During the week mom was noticing more and more that dad seemed to be confused and not understanding what was going on. He was very repetitive and unable to hold a regular conversation. For those who know dad, not being able to have a conversation with him is a difficult reality to deal with. Since he has been in the hospital, the calcium levels seem to fluctuate, but generally are going down slowly. He will remain in the hospital until his calcium levels are back to normal.
While we were visiting him on Sunday, they did a blood-sugar test and his level was higher than normal, so he was to take some insulin. Since dad is type-2 diabetes, this is another factor that we have to contend with.
On Sunday evening when we visited dad, Kent came with his violin and we were able to sing Psalms and Hymns. Praise be to God for giving us His Spirit to strengthen us during this time.
We acknowledge all the followers of this blog, and continue to ask for your prayers for Mom and Dad as we continue to live out God's plan for dad.
Praise God from Whom all blessings flow
Pete jr.
On Friday mom recieved a call from the doctor that dad needed to go to emergency at Langley hospital because his calcium levels were to high. During the week mom was noticing more and more that dad seemed to be confused and not understanding what was going on. He was very repetitive and unable to hold a regular conversation. For those who know dad, not being able to have a conversation with him is a difficult reality to deal with. Since he has been in the hospital, the calcium levels seem to fluctuate, but generally are going down slowly. He will remain in the hospital until his calcium levels are back to normal.
While we were visiting him on Sunday, they did a blood-sugar test and his level was higher than normal, so he was to take some insulin. Since dad is type-2 diabetes, this is another factor that we have to contend with.
On Sunday evening when we visited dad, Kent came with his violin and we were able to sing Psalms and Hymns. Praise be to God for giving us His Spirit to strengthen us during this time.
We acknowledge all the followers of this blog, and continue to ask for your prayers for Mom and Dad as we continue to live out God's plan for dad.
Praise God from Whom all blessings flow
Pete jr.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
September 24, 2011
Good day to all readers:
It has only been a few days ago that we produced our latest blog. However, some developments have taken place and this is a very nice method of passing on news to those who have a keen interest in it.
This past Thursday we visited the BC Cancer Clinic in Vancouver; specifically we spent an hour with Dr. C. Kollmannsberger, Medical Oncologist. From several people we have heard that he specializes in Renal Cell Cancer (Kidney Cancer). Our visit was very pleasant. We covered all past items as well as new ones. We noted that all conventional treatment had been exhausted and that there are still about four options available.
1) To use a Sunitinib type of medicine which has not yet been approved by BC Medicare. It would cost us $5000 per month
2) Go back to Sunitinib itself, but now that would be treated as a third line of defence, not covered and would also cost $ 5000 per month
3) Do nothing and let the disease take its course. He explained that this would entail continued tiredness, nausea, etc., until my system would just close down.
4) To participate in a clinical trial. There is presently a trial being sponsored by a pharmaceuticla company and would cost us nothing but we would have to qualify. This medication has already passed stage 1 and stage 2, meaning that it is an active and useful medicine, but that it must still be fine-tuned in stage three. In order to qualify I must obtain a blood transfusion to increase my hemagloban and a byopsy must be done to ensuure the pharmaceutical company that I do indeed have the type of Renal Cell Cancer that they are treating.
The transfusion has been scheduled for Wednesday of next week at 7:30am. The rest will be scheduled shortly. We hope and pray that no untoward signs show up during these procedures. We also hope that once we are on the new medication that the effects will set in quickly. We hope and request your prayers for the intervening time as well as for the effect of the new medication. We are convinced that the Lord has heard your prayers and has given positive response in the past and we continue to seek the same for the future.
We look forward to the Lord's loving care now and each day as we go forward. Praise Him from whom all blessings flow.
Have a restful and edifying Sunday (Lord's Day)
Pieter de Boer
It has only been a few days ago that we produced our latest blog. However, some developments have taken place and this is a very nice method of passing on news to those who have a keen interest in it.
This past Thursday we visited the BC Cancer Clinic in Vancouver; specifically we spent an hour with Dr. C. Kollmannsberger, Medical Oncologist. From several people we have heard that he specializes in Renal Cell Cancer (Kidney Cancer). Our visit was very pleasant. We covered all past items as well as new ones. We noted that all conventional treatment had been exhausted and that there are still about four options available.
1) To use a Sunitinib type of medicine which has not yet been approved by BC Medicare. It would cost us $5000 per month
2) Go back to Sunitinib itself, but now that would be treated as a third line of defence, not covered and would also cost $ 5000 per month
3) Do nothing and let the disease take its course. He explained that this would entail continued tiredness, nausea, etc., until my system would just close down.
4) To participate in a clinical trial. There is presently a trial being sponsored by a pharmaceuticla company and would cost us nothing but we would have to qualify. This medication has already passed stage 1 and stage 2, meaning that it is an active and useful medicine, but that it must still be fine-tuned in stage three. In order to qualify I must obtain a blood transfusion to increase my hemagloban and a byopsy must be done to ensuure the pharmaceutical company that I do indeed have the type of Renal Cell Cancer that they are treating.
The transfusion has been scheduled for Wednesday of next week at 7:30am. The rest will be scheduled shortly. We hope and pray that no untoward signs show up during these procedures. We also hope that once we are on the new medication that the effects will set in quickly. We hope and request your prayers for the intervening time as well as for the effect of the new medication. We are convinced that the Lord has heard your prayers and has given positive response in the past and we continue to seek the same for the future.
We look forward to the Lord's loving care now and each day as we go forward. Praise Him from whom all blessings flow.
Have a restful and edifying Sunday (Lord's Day)
Pieter de Boer
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
September 20, 2011
Good day to all of you:
It is only two weeks ago that I sent my last blog. Unhappily there is more news to pass on and the best way appears to be via a blogspot.
Last Friday was the regular appointment with Dr. Murphy, my Fraser Valley Cancer Society doctor.Upon entering the consultation room he announced that I was not feeling very well. He explained that the second cancer pill, Everolimus, was not working and that my calcium had risen too high, and that both my potassium and hemogloben were too low. The consequences of this prognosis was two fold. I had to go immediately to the emergency ward of a local hospital and I had to stop taking the Everolimus right away. In conclusion he noted that he did not have any more bullets he could try.
All of this news was rather unsettling for us. We had to go to the local emergency ward to do as much of a quick fix as they could and there was nothing positive that we could look forward to in the long term.
Now with our world and life view that is an incorrect statement. Both short and long term, our life is in our heavenly Father's hands. And while being in our Father's hand it is surely possible that He would lead us to a short stay on this earth and call us home to His eternal glory in short order. But only after a short stay of about 25 hours we got the word from the resident doctor at Peace Arch Hospital that I was ready to go home, that all the readings that were out of order had fallen back into place with the application of corrective medecine.
Also a number of weeks ago a customer of mine at ITB sent me an email with a note stating that her daughter works at the cancer research center in Vancouver and that she had discussed my circumstances with the head of that center who had said that I should come in for consultation. Given the setbacks I had received from Dr. Murphy I discussed this new development with him. He recommended this course of action heartily. So after some quick phone calls Rita and I have an appointment with a Dr. C. K. Berger at the Vancouver Cancer Clinic at around noon on Thursday of this week.
Of course this does not alter the fact that I suffer from a terminal cancer, but it provides hope that it is still possible that a drug exists that will fight the cancer and bring some temporary relief.
We continue to pray for God's comfort in our situation. We know, and have experienced that He can send healing according to His will. We believe we are in His hands in all circumstances and that He will decide when we are born and when we shall leave this life. Yesterday we experienced that when we buried our still born grandson, son of our daughter Belinda and her husband, Kent Dykstra. Barend Jan Dykstra was born approximately 20 weeks premature without life in him. Our heavenly Father had already taken Barend's soul to heaven some weeks before. Rev. T. Lodder appropriately noted that Barend was already in heaven with his Lord and Saviour yesterday at the grave side. What a great comfort that was to all of us.
Throughout the last year and a half many of you and others have contacted us by visits, cards, phone calls, facebook and other means. We really appreciate these methods of showing your care. We also know that so many of you pray to God for us. We know that your prayers have an effect before God's throne. They do not go unanswered. The Bible teaches us that the prayers of the righteous avail much. We are convinced that your prayers have been heard by our heavenly Father and so we covet your prayers now as well.
We are convinced that His Kingdom will come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Pieter de Boer
It is only two weeks ago that I sent my last blog. Unhappily there is more news to pass on and the best way appears to be via a blogspot.
Last Friday was the regular appointment with Dr. Murphy, my Fraser Valley Cancer Society doctor.Upon entering the consultation room he announced that I was not feeling very well. He explained that the second cancer pill, Everolimus, was not working and that my calcium had risen too high, and that both my potassium and hemogloben were too low. The consequences of this prognosis was two fold. I had to go immediately to the emergency ward of a local hospital and I had to stop taking the Everolimus right away. In conclusion he noted that he did not have any more bullets he could try.
All of this news was rather unsettling for us. We had to go to the local emergency ward to do as much of a quick fix as they could and there was nothing positive that we could look forward to in the long term.
Now with our world and life view that is an incorrect statement. Both short and long term, our life is in our heavenly Father's hands. And while being in our Father's hand it is surely possible that He would lead us to a short stay on this earth and call us home to His eternal glory in short order. But only after a short stay of about 25 hours we got the word from the resident doctor at Peace Arch Hospital that I was ready to go home, that all the readings that were out of order had fallen back into place with the application of corrective medecine.
Also a number of weeks ago a customer of mine at ITB sent me an email with a note stating that her daughter works at the cancer research center in Vancouver and that she had discussed my circumstances with the head of that center who had said that I should come in for consultation. Given the setbacks I had received from Dr. Murphy I discussed this new development with him. He recommended this course of action heartily. So after some quick phone calls Rita and I have an appointment with a Dr. C. K. Berger at the Vancouver Cancer Clinic at around noon on Thursday of this week.
Of course this does not alter the fact that I suffer from a terminal cancer, but it provides hope that it is still possible that a drug exists that will fight the cancer and bring some temporary relief.
We continue to pray for God's comfort in our situation. We know, and have experienced that He can send healing according to His will. We believe we are in His hands in all circumstances and that He will decide when we are born and when we shall leave this life. Yesterday we experienced that when we buried our still born grandson, son of our daughter Belinda and her husband, Kent Dykstra. Barend Jan Dykstra was born approximately 20 weeks premature without life in him. Our heavenly Father had already taken Barend's soul to heaven some weeks before. Rev. T. Lodder appropriately noted that Barend was already in heaven with his Lord and Saviour yesterday at the grave side. What a great comfort that was to all of us.
Throughout the last year and a half many of you and others have contacted us by visits, cards, phone calls, facebook and other means. We really appreciate these methods of showing your care. We also know that so many of you pray to God for us. We know that your prayers have an effect before God's throne. They do not go unanswered. The Bible teaches us that the prayers of the righteous avail much. We are convinced that your prayers have been heard by our heavenly Father and so we covet your prayers now as well.
We are convinced that His Kingdom will come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Pieter de Boer
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
September 6, 2011
September 6, 2011
Greetings to everyone!
Many are asking for an update on my blog, and they are right, it has been a long time.
Most of the time this means that there has been little news to report, but even that would be of interest for many. So here we go.....
To many who ask I answer that emotionally, psychologically, spiritually, etc I am doing rather well, one could even say very well. Physically I can not give a very accurate response, I usually end up saying, I don't know.
About two months ago the cancer doctor advised me that the sunitinib was no longer working and that the cancer was once again spreading. At the same time he explained that there is a newer drug that they could try. Well, as disappointing as it was, there was still hope, humanly speaking.
During the transition from one pill to another I did notice that the pain in the pelvic bone, left hip had returned.
On the other hand the side effects of sore feet and dryness of mouth and skin had gone away, but they were equally disabling replaced with tiredness and mild nausea in the stomach area. The new side effects have continued on. I am more restricted in doing things because of the tiredness. It varies from day to day, but continues to have affect every day. For the last number of weeks I have the definite impression that the new drug, Everolimus, is working. The pain in the left side, pelvic bone has completely gone away again. I do still suffer from some ache in the right side and do not know its origin. As to the tiredness the doctor thinks it may be due to an under active thyroid and has given a small pill to counter that. However the smallness of that pill corresponds to the effect it is having. The tiredness, in general, continues and has reduced my effectiveness in getting things done. Let the fact that this blog is at last appearing be evidence that there is some improvement though.
As I have said somewhere above, this is all from the human perspective. God has given us many good gifts in the field of medicine and we may use them with thankfulness. But at the same time we must always remember that He is in control of life and death, and that for believers death is the opening of the door to eternal life. This knowledge and comfort is with us always. He has been gracious to us in strengening our faith ongoinly.
We pray that He will continue to do so and not leave us to our own resources because they are too weak to depend upon. He has promised to remain faithful and He will do so. In conclusion we will depend on Him alone and He will remain true to His Word and promises.
Throughout my illness and especially more so lately again we confirmed in the fact that many of our brothers and sisters continue to pray for us. We covet those prays, knowing firmly that our Father hears the prayers of so many of His saints
Rita and I would also like to use this medium to thank those many of you have offered condolences at the time of the passing on of her mother and my mother in law, Mrs, Oma, Mom Wendt/Berends. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers
Praise God from Whom all blessings flow.
Pieter de Boer
Greetings to everyone!
Many are asking for an update on my blog, and they are right, it has been a long time.
Most of the time this means that there has been little news to report, but even that would be of interest for many. So here we go.....
To many who ask I answer that emotionally, psychologically, spiritually, etc I am doing rather well, one could even say very well. Physically I can not give a very accurate response, I usually end up saying, I don't know.
About two months ago the cancer doctor advised me that the sunitinib was no longer working and that the cancer was once again spreading. At the same time he explained that there is a newer drug that they could try. Well, as disappointing as it was, there was still hope, humanly speaking.
During the transition from one pill to another I did notice that the pain in the pelvic bone, left hip had returned.
On the other hand the side effects of sore feet and dryness of mouth and skin had gone away, but they were equally disabling replaced with tiredness and mild nausea in the stomach area. The new side effects have continued on. I am more restricted in doing things because of the tiredness. It varies from day to day, but continues to have affect every day. For the last number of weeks I have the definite impression that the new drug, Everolimus, is working. The pain in the left side, pelvic bone has completely gone away again. I do still suffer from some ache in the right side and do not know its origin. As to the tiredness the doctor thinks it may be due to an under active thyroid and has given a small pill to counter that. However the smallness of that pill corresponds to the effect it is having. The tiredness, in general, continues and has reduced my effectiveness in getting things done. Let the fact that this blog is at last appearing be evidence that there is some improvement though.
As I have said somewhere above, this is all from the human perspective. God has given us many good gifts in the field of medicine and we may use them with thankfulness. But at the same time we must always remember that He is in control of life and death, and that for believers death is the opening of the door to eternal life. This knowledge and comfort is with us always. He has been gracious to us in strengening our faith ongoinly.
We pray that He will continue to do so and not leave us to our own resources because they are too weak to depend upon. He has promised to remain faithful and He will do so. In conclusion we will depend on Him alone and He will remain true to His Word and promises.
Throughout my illness and especially more so lately again we confirmed in the fact that many of our brothers and sisters continue to pray for us. We covet those prays, knowing firmly that our Father hears the prayers of so many of His saints
Rita and I would also like to use this medium to thank those many of you have offered condolences at the time of the passing on of her mother and my mother in law, Mrs, Oma, Mom Wendt/Berends. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers
Praise God from Whom all blessings flow.
Pieter de Boer
Saturday, July 23, 2011
July 23, 2011
Greetings to all:
It is high time to update matters concerning my health. Every time I was about to do so something new was on the horizon and I thought it better to wait. In any case, now is a good time to provide some new and additional details.
The most recent event is that this past Wednesday we went to our regular six week cancer doctor visit. This time his news was surprising and not so good. He explained that my cancer had mutated in a way that made the sunitanib (the medication I was taking for the cancer) ineffective. As a consequence I was told that I could not receive the medicine any more. However, he did explain that there is an even newer medicine as a back up to the sunitunib, but he would have to apply on my behalf to see if I would qualify to test it and to try to block the cancer in a different way than the sunitunib had been doing for the past year.
Only late Friday evening did we find out that I qualify for this new medicine, called Everolimus. The intended benefits of this drug are to "destroy and/or limit the growth of cancer cells in my body. This treatment may improve my current symptoms, and delay or prevent the onset of new symptoms. It may take several treatments (a four week cycle of one pill daily) before the doctor can judge whether or not this medicine is helping."
This medicine, similar to the previous one, will have a number of possible side effects. With the sunitunib I had some side effects that got progressively more debilitating with use, but I also avoided many of the other possible side effects that were listed. Of course, we hope and pray that the side effects of this medicine are no worse than we have had to undergo with the first one.
One significant difference with the new medicine is that there is no scheduled time for relief as with the sunitunib. In the past I tooke the pill for four weeks and went without it for two weeks. This was done to give the body opportunity to recover from the side effects. The new medicine will be taken daily on an ongoing basis. However, the dosage is smaller and it is anticipated by the doctor that the side effects will not increase in intensity but remain the same on an ongoing basis.
As you can imagine these developments were surprising and disappointing to us. It took a good day to deal with the emotional challenges that come along with this news. As always we recognize that also these developments are in the hand of our heavenly Father. We trust that His ways are far higher than our ways. Perhaps this change of medicine is designed to remind us of the temporariness of life; perhaps the new medication will not be helpful and the cancer will continue to grow. Only the Lord knows and is in total control of these things. We praise and thank Him for the wonderful joy He has given us in the past year by allowing us to experience many things that we at first thought would not be possible. He has answered many prays and has been gracious to us.
Now we continue to pray for healing and strength, but also for strength in our faith. We pray that we may put our trust completely in Him. We also value your prayers for healing, but also for a strong faith.
Yesterday we returned from a two night stay in Seattle connected with picking up our son-in-law from the Seattle airport on his way back from Brazil.
We are settling in to our new dwelling and are happy to live to the glory of our heavenly Father, praying constantly to fight against sin and temptations that continue to attack us.
Praise God from Whom all blessings flow.
It is high time to update matters concerning my health. Every time I was about to do so something new was on the horizon and I thought it better to wait. In any case, now is a good time to provide some new and additional details.
The most recent event is that this past Wednesday we went to our regular six week cancer doctor visit. This time his news was surprising and not so good. He explained that my cancer had mutated in a way that made the sunitanib (the medication I was taking for the cancer) ineffective. As a consequence I was told that I could not receive the medicine any more. However, he did explain that there is an even newer medicine as a back up to the sunitunib, but he would have to apply on my behalf to see if I would qualify to test it and to try to block the cancer in a different way than the sunitunib had been doing for the past year.
Only late Friday evening did we find out that I qualify for this new medicine, called Everolimus. The intended benefits of this drug are to "destroy and/or limit the growth of cancer cells in my body. This treatment may improve my current symptoms, and delay or prevent the onset of new symptoms. It may take several treatments (a four week cycle of one pill daily) before the doctor can judge whether or not this medicine is helping."
This medicine, similar to the previous one, will have a number of possible side effects. With the sunitunib I had some side effects that got progressively more debilitating with use, but I also avoided many of the other possible side effects that were listed. Of course, we hope and pray that the side effects of this medicine are no worse than we have had to undergo with the first one.
One significant difference with the new medicine is that there is no scheduled time for relief as with the sunitunib. In the past I tooke the pill for four weeks and went without it for two weeks. This was done to give the body opportunity to recover from the side effects. The new medicine will be taken daily on an ongoing basis. However, the dosage is smaller and it is anticipated by the doctor that the side effects will not increase in intensity but remain the same on an ongoing basis.
As you can imagine these developments were surprising and disappointing to us. It took a good day to deal with the emotional challenges that come along with this news. As always we recognize that also these developments are in the hand of our heavenly Father. We trust that His ways are far higher than our ways. Perhaps this change of medicine is designed to remind us of the temporariness of life; perhaps the new medication will not be helpful and the cancer will continue to grow. Only the Lord knows and is in total control of these things. We praise and thank Him for the wonderful joy He has given us in the past year by allowing us to experience many things that we at first thought would not be possible. He has answered many prays and has been gracious to us.
Now we continue to pray for healing and strength, but also for strength in our faith. We pray that we may put our trust completely in Him. We also value your prayers for healing, but also for a strong faith.
Yesterday we returned from a two night stay in Seattle connected with picking up our son-in-law from the Seattle airport on his way back from Brazil.
We are settling in to our new dwelling and are happy to live to the glory of our heavenly Father, praying constantly to fight against sin and temptations that continue to attack us.
Praise God from Whom all blessings flow.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
June 9, 2011
Greetings to all of you:
A lot has happened since my last blog. One thing is that I have not kept up my intention to blog about once every three weeks. The reason for that is that my wife and I have had the privilege of being away on vacation for about five weeks. And now we are home again. But our home situation has been another adventure, as we have sold our home of the last eleven years and have moved into a basement suite in the house of our son-in-law and daughter (along with their five children). We moved our possessions into our new dwelling and left before we unpacked. Now that we are back from our vacation we are busy unpacking and assigning places for all of our things. As the move entails a considerable down-sizing, the task is not simple. We continue to make trips to Bible for Missions and such like places to reduce our possessions in order to make sure we have enough room to move around in our new home.
All in all the last six weeks and more have been a busy and interesting time for us. We are very thankful that the Lord has allowed us to do all these things. We are especially grateful for the opportunity to drive across our vast country, to enjoy the variety of landscapes and people one comes across in the many kilometers and miles that separate us from our three sons: one in Winnipeg, one in Smithville, ON and one in Strathroy, ON.
We had decided to drive to Winnipeg and evaluate how that went before determining whether or not we would drive to Ontario or use different methods of transportation to get there. As it turned out the driving was very pleasant and allowed us much freedom to do as we wanted and health dictated. We drove through the US from Winnipeg to Ontario and back and found that costs in the US were considerably lower there than in Canada.
The fact that we were gone for five weeks also meant that we would have to deal with the full range of the side effects of the chemo pill I continued to take. We may gratefully report that other than less energy on the last leg of the trip we were not affected in our plans by the side effects.
Now that we are back we continue to be busy with unpacking, so we are still more active than normal, but I am in the two week period without the chemo pill. That regime begins again this coming Monday.
My health continues on as it has been for the last number of months. I did discover a lump in my right breast which I discussed with the doctor yesterday. He is not sure what to make of it. He suggested that men can also have breast cancer (something which I was aware of) or it might be the kidney cancer masticizing in a different locale, or it might even be a cist of some other kind. As it has been there for some four weeks already and has not grown over that period and does change size from day to day and even from morning to evening, we decided to continue on with the regular chemo pill regimen and schedule a CT Scan before my next doctor visit in six weeks and review matters at that time.
We praise God for the fact that we have no other difficulties or pains and are hoping to put in a round or two of golf in the next week or two.
Especially we are thankful to our heavenly Father for the fact that we were able to visit our three sons and their families and stay with them in their homes to experience their family lives first hand. It was a great blessing and a wonderful experience. We are also thankful that we could make that large trip without untoward incidents and any health set backs.
Praise God from Whom all blessings flow.
Pieter de Boer
A lot has happened since my last blog. One thing is that I have not kept up my intention to blog about once every three weeks. The reason for that is that my wife and I have had the privilege of being away on vacation for about five weeks. And now we are home again. But our home situation has been another adventure, as we have sold our home of the last eleven years and have moved into a basement suite in the house of our son-in-law and daughter (along with their five children). We moved our possessions into our new dwelling and left before we unpacked. Now that we are back from our vacation we are busy unpacking and assigning places for all of our things. As the move entails a considerable down-sizing, the task is not simple. We continue to make trips to Bible for Missions and such like places to reduce our possessions in order to make sure we have enough room to move around in our new home.
All in all the last six weeks and more have been a busy and interesting time for us. We are very thankful that the Lord has allowed us to do all these things. We are especially grateful for the opportunity to drive across our vast country, to enjoy the variety of landscapes and people one comes across in the many kilometers and miles that separate us from our three sons: one in Winnipeg, one in Smithville, ON and one in Strathroy, ON.
We had decided to drive to Winnipeg and evaluate how that went before determining whether or not we would drive to Ontario or use different methods of transportation to get there. As it turned out the driving was very pleasant and allowed us much freedom to do as we wanted and health dictated. We drove through the US from Winnipeg to Ontario and back and found that costs in the US were considerably lower there than in Canada.
The fact that we were gone for five weeks also meant that we would have to deal with the full range of the side effects of the chemo pill I continued to take. We may gratefully report that other than less energy on the last leg of the trip we were not affected in our plans by the side effects.
Now that we are back we continue to be busy with unpacking, so we are still more active than normal, but I am in the two week period without the chemo pill. That regime begins again this coming Monday.
My health continues on as it has been for the last number of months. I did discover a lump in my right breast which I discussed with the doctor yesterday. He is not sure what to make of it. He suggested that men can also have breast cancer (something which I was aware of) or it might be the kidney cancer masticizing in a different locale, or it might even be a cist of some other kind. As it has been there for some four weeks already and has not grown over that period and does change size from day to day and even from morning to evening, we decided to continue on with the regular chemo pill regimen and schedule a CT Scan before my next doctor visit in six weeks and review matters at that time.
We praise God for the fact that we have no other difficulties or pains and are hoping to put in a round or two of golf in the next week or two.
Especially we are thankful to our heavenly Father for the fact that we were able to visit our three sons and their families and stay with them in their homes to experience their family lives first hand. It was a great blessing and a wonderful experience. We are also thankful that we could make that large trip without untoward incidents and any health set backs.
Praise God from Whom all blessings flow.
Pieter de Boer
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
April 27, 2011
Greetings to all:
Once again we may report good news.
Today we visited with our cancer specialist and he told us that the cancer had not spread since the scan in December. As a matter of fact there is no cancer visible in the lung/chest area and the cancer in the kidney has neither grown or diminished (with a 25% margin for error either way), and the cancer in the pelvic area has diminished while the pelvic bone is healing. Considering it has been four months since the previous scan we are very grateful for this news. As you might imagine four months of chemo pills with the attendant side effects sometimes makes us think that things have taken a turn for the worse.
We praise God for this marvelous news and we thank Him that our plans to visit three sons in Manitoba and Ontario can go ahead. We hope to complete our residential move at the end of this week and to be ready to holiday on Tuesday of next week. We hope to be gone for a little more than four weeks and to spend at least a week at each of our three sons.
We have much reason to thank God for these developments and we also appreciate very much the interest shown by so many brothers and sisters in the Lord. We thank you for your prayers. We are convinced that the Lord continues to hear them and to bless them.
Each day we praise God from Whom all blessings flow.
Pieter de Boer
Once again we may report good news.
Today we visited with our cancer specialist and he told us that the cancer had not spread since the scan in December. As a matter of fact there is no cancer visible in the lung/chest area and the cancer in the kidney has neither grown or diminished (with a 25% margin for error either way), and the cancer in the pelvic area has diminished while the pelvic bone is healing. Considering it has been four months since the previous scan we are very grateful for this news. As you might imagine four months of chemo pills with the attendant side effects sometimes makes us think that things have taken a turn for the worse.
We praise God for this marvelous news and we thank Him that our plans to visit three sons in Manitoba and Ontario can go ahead. We hope to complete our residential move at the end of this week and to be ready to holiday on Tuesday of next week. We hope to be gone for a little more than four weeks and to spend at least a week at each of our three sons.
We have much reason to thank God for these developments and we also appreciate very much the interest shown by so many brothers and sisters in the Lord. We thank you for your prayers. We are convinced that the Lord continues to hear them and to bless them.
Each day we praise God from Whom all blessings flow.
Pieter de Boer
Saturday, April 9, 2011
April 9, 2011
April 9, 2011
Greetings:
It is time for an update. In actual fact, though, there is really nothing new to tell. But that, in itself, is something to rejoice about.
It is good to reflect on the blessings of God even when, or especially when, there is nothing dramatic going on. The Lord allows things to go in a 'normal' way. We have fallen into a routine with a six week cycle of chemo treatment which has kept the cancer at bay. Our heavenly Father has altered what we humans thought to be a certain decline to physical death some four months ago and grants us to live mainly a normal life each day again.
By doing so He has focussed our thoughts on many things we surely knew but hardly stressed as much as we do now. We have learned to depend on divine control over our lives on a daily basis. We have been reminded that man may plan but God will decide. We have been relieved of the stress of directing our lives by looking to Him for guidance on a daily basis. We remain responsible for our behaviour and activities in what we do but do not have to fret about what will happen. We have learned that God decides that and His ways are higher than our ways. We try to enjoy the blessings of each day trusting that what tomorrow will bring will be something we can deal with tomorrow.
While we can say that nothing is really new, we really do try to recognize that God's blessings are new every day. In that sense we rejoice each day again that we are allowed to follow the routines we have set for ourselves and to enjoy them without much interruption. At the same time we are also thinking about the possibility that we might be allowed to travel next month to visit our children and grandchildren in Manitoba and Ontario. That would certainly be a wonderful blessing.
We continue to have good contact by phone and/or skyp but a face to face visit for a week at each address would certainly be an even greater experience. A final decision about such a trip will not be made until my visit to the cancer clinic on the 27th and we find out more about the state of my health.
In the meantime we were blessed in being able to have sold our house and arrangements have been made for us to live in a basement suite with our daughter and son in law and their five children. There are many reasons for us to look forward to that arrangement. The reduction in living area will be dramatic and will take some getting used to but it will reduce the amount of area to look after and eliminate the stair travel and divided living we presently experience with three floors. All the moving is scheduled for the end of April and so will be done before we would leave on our holiday.
As far as we know we will continue on the same chemo treatment that we have been subject to for the last 36 weeks. We have not been able to hear about any long-range plans for our treatment from the doctor. This fits in with the doctor's frequent expression of surprise at my condition and also with our dependance on the Lord and our desire to live one day at a time by His grace.
We pray that the Lord will continue to bless the medications we receive and that He will also continue to provide us with faith and trust in Him for each new day and for how the future will unfold.
Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!
Greetings:
It is time for an update. In actual fact, though, there is really nothing new to tell. But that, in itself, is something to rejoice about.
It is good to reflect on the blessings of God even when, or especially when, there is nothing dramatic going on. The Lord allows things to go in a 'normal' way. We have fallen into a routine with a six week cycle of chemo treatment which has kept the cancer at bay. Our heavenly Father has altered what we humans thought to be a certain decline to physical death some four months ago and grants us to live mainly a normal life each day again.
By doing so He has focussed our thoughts on many things we surely knew but hardly stressed as much as we do now. We have learned to depend on divine control over our lives on a daily basis. We have been reminded that man may plan but God will decide. We have been relieved of the stress of directing our lives by looking to Him for guidance on a daily basis. We remain responsible for our behaviour and activities in what we do but do not have to fret about what will happen. We have learned that God decides that and His ways are higher than our ways. We try to enjoy the blessings of each day trusting that what tomorrow will bring will be something we can deal with tomorrow.
While we can say that nothing is really new, we really do try to recognize that God's blessings are new every day. In that sense we rejoice each day again that we are allowed to follow the routines we have set for ourselves and to enjoy them without much interruption. At the same time we are also thinking about the possibility that we might be allowed to travel next month to visit our children and grandchildren in Manitoba and Ontario. That would certainly be a wonderful blessing.
We continue to have good contact by phone and/or skyp but a face to face visit for a week at each address would certainly be an even greater experience. A final decision about such a trip will not be made until my visit to the cancer clinic on the 27th and we find out more about the state of my health.
In the meantime we were blessed in being able to have sold our house and arrangements have been made for us to live in a basement suite with our daughter and son in law and their five children. There are many reasons for us to look forward to that arrangement. The reduction in living area will be dramatic and will take some getting used to but it will reduce the amount of area to look after and eliminate the stair travel and divided living we presently experience with three floors. All the moving is scheduled for the end of April and so will be done before we would leave on our holiday.
As far as we know we will continue on the same chemo treatment that we have been subject to for the last 36 weeks. We have not been able to hear about any long-range plans for our treatment from the doctor. This fits in with the doctor's frequent expression of surprise at my condition and also with our dependance on the Lord and our desire to live one day at a time by His grace.
We pray that the Lord will continue to bless the medications we receive and that He will also continue to provide us with faith and trust in Him for each new day and for how the future will unfold.
Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!
Thursday, March 17, 2011
March 10, 2011
March 10, 2011
Time is moving along fast. I just noticed that it is already four weeks since my previous blog. My practice has been to provide an update every three weeks or so. Well, better late than not at all.
Six days ago we attended the memorial service of Helen Aikema. It was sad to note that one of our fellow cancer sufferers had lost the battle and had to leave her family behind. But at the same time we could express and realize that she was also victorious - in her Saviour, Jesus Christ. Her faith and confidence in Him has been and will be a great confidence and comfort for her husband and family. We were also pleased to see so many gathered together to join the family in memory of their wife, mother, grandmother and friend, while at the same time expressing thankfulness to God for limiting her suffering and taking her unto Himself into everlasting joy.
Over the past weeks I have been reading the book, Heaven, by Randy Alcorn. In it he writes about the fact that so many Christians appear to have a limited and even depressing understanding about heaven. At the same time he opens Scripture to reveal the many times and ways the Bible speaks about our long-term destination. It reminds me of the fact that our earthly stay is so short in comparison to the eternal bliss that awaits us who have the Spirit of God in our hearts.
This book has opened my eyes to much of what is revealed in the Bible about heaven but that I have never really understood or even looked at. I am thankful for the fact that I have been made aware of this book as it increases the desire to be with God and to experience the many things He has prepared for us on the New Earth.
In the meantime He continues to provide me with time here with family and friends - a wonderful blessing. It means that I still have things to do. My heavenly Father still has a task for me in this lifetime. I am thankful for that and hope to perform exactly those things He has prepared for me to do. I can say that often I am confronted by comments of others that show me that I do indeed still have things to do and that they are effective in one way or another. I am grateful for those comments and the assurance they give me.
I am presently in the first of two weeks off the chemo pill. It means that my body is busy restoring itself to better health after twenty eight days of the chemo pill. Even though the side effects of the chemo have been ameliorated by other medicine and a new pair of helpful shoes [with soles that allow me to walk on my arches rather than my heels and toes], these side effects still exist and do deteriorate the body. Each time of rest the body must restore itself from the painful feet, dryness of mouth, eyes, etc. Even though their is no nausea and reflux the body is still experiencing the effects of the chemo that would normally cause these things to happen; and thus it must be restored again as well. One can only wonder how long the body will continue to restore. Also that is in the hands of our heavenly Father.
We are grateful for the reduction in dosage of chemo to reduce the side effects some. At the same time we pray that remaining dosage continues to have the desired effects. As it looks now we will not get a good read on that until after the next chemo session of six weeks; meaning that we hope to have results of the next CT Scan in about seven weeks, around the end of April.
We continue to enjoy each day as a gift from God. As the body restores from the chemo we are able to lead a normal life until about midway the third week of chemo again. We pray that the Lord will give us the strength and wisdom we need to do the work He still has in store for us. We also pray for all of you to look to Him for your strength and purpose.
Praise Him from Whom all blessings flow.
Pieter de Boer
Time is moving along fast. I just noticed that it is already four weeks since my previous blog. My practice has been to provide an update every three weeks or so. Well, better late than not at all.
Six days ago we attended the memorial service of Helen Aikema. It was sad to note that one of our fellow cancer sufferers had lost the battle and had to leave her family behind. But at the same time we could express and realize that she was also victorious - in her Saviour, Jesus Christ. Her faith and confidence in Him has been and will be a great confidence and comfort for her husband and family. We were also pleased to see so many gathered together to join the family in memory of their wife, mother, grandmother and friend, while at the same time expressing thankfulness to God for limiting her suffering and taking her unto Himself into everlasting joy.
Over the past weeks I have been reading the book, Heaven, by Randy Alcorn. In it he writes about the fact that so many Christians appear to have a limited and even depressing understanding about heaven. At the same time he opens Scripture to reveal the many times and ways the Bible speaks about our long-term destination. It reminds me of the fact that our earthly stay is so short in comparison to the eternal bliss that awaits us who have the Spirit of God in our hearts.
This book has opened my eyes to much of what is revealed in the Bible about heaven but that I have never really understood or even looked at. I am thankful for the fact that I have been made aware of this book as it increases the desire to be with God and to experience the many things He has prepared for us on the New Earth.
In the meantime He continues to provide me with time here with family and friends - a wonderful blessing. It means that I still have things to do. My heavenly Father still has a task for me in this lifetime. I am thankful for that and hope to perform exactly those things He has prepared for me to do. I can say that often I am confronted by comments of others that show me that I do indeed still have things to do and that they are effective in one way or another. I am grateful for those comments and the assurance they give me.
I am presently in the first of two weeks off the chemo pill. It means that my body is busy restoring itself to better health after twenty eight days of the chemo pill. Even though the side effects of the chemo have been ameliorated by other medicine and a new pair of helpful shoes [with soles that allow me to walk on my arches rather than my heels and toes], these side effects still exist and do deteriorate the body. Each time of rest the body must restore itself from the painful feet, dryness of mouth, eyes, etc. Even though their is no nausea and reflux the body is still experiencing the effects of the chemo that would normally cause these things to happen; and thus it must be restored again as well. One can only wonder how long the body will continue to restore. Also that is in the hands of our heavenly Father.
We are grateful for the reduction in dosage of chemo to reduce the side effects some. At the same time we pray that remaining dosage continues to have the desired effects. As it looks now we will not get a good read on that until after the next chemo session of six weeks; meaning that we hope to have results of the next CT Scan in about seven weeks, around the end of April.
We continue to enjoy each day as a gift from God. As the body restores from the chemo we are able to lead a normal life until about midway the third week of chemo again. We pray that the Lord will give us the strength and wisdom we need to do the work He still has in store for us. We also pray for all of you to look to Him for your strength and purpose.
Praise Him from Whom all blessings flow.
Pieter de Boer
Monday, February 14, 2011
February 14, 2011
Greetings to one and all:
It is Valentine's Day. A day when lovers express their affection and appreciation for one another. How appropriate for another blog report on my health.
Let me start by expressing my love for God. He has made me and always upholds me even when dangers assail. He has blessed and protected me all my life and in a very special way has publicly shown His love and care for me by allowing cancer to enter my body but by also giving me extended enjoyment of life when prevailing wisdom indicated that I would not see this year.
He sent me the love of my life as a marriage partner. Rita has been a blessing and a guide throughout our married life and a wonderful support and care giver once cancer was discovered. I love her a lot and appreciate her love and help more than words can describe.
I love our family, five children and their spouses and now sixteen grandchildren, eight of each. What a wonderful blessing and joy.
This past weekend, after efforts by two of our children, one of my dreams came true. I was asked to sing the national anthem at a professional ice hockey game. I sang at the beginning of the last two home games for the Trinity Western Spartan hockey team at the new Langley Events Center. It was a wonderful experience. The fact that it was a Trinity game enhanced the experience. The team was very encouraging and appreciative. I was gifted a team jersey with all the players' signature, a cap and a Bible. What a wonderful way for them to witness of their faith.
Today is the beginning of the second week of my fifth chemo pill regimen. The last two/three weeks have been a great experience as I felt completely healthy and able to enjoy life to the full extent. I am aware that the side effects of the chemo pill will start to appear in a few days or a week from now, but the rest has done me good and gives me the courage to go forward with the treatment. According to the doctor at the Cancer Clinic I will also have a sixth chemo regimen before a scan is done again to see how the recent treatments have affected the remaining cancer. So that will be towards the middle or end of April.
Rita and I have decided to make that the time to think about going out of town for a holiday. If the next two chemo experiences do not get worse than before and the scan continues to show healing we will think about a trip to our out of town children.
We continue to appreciate the prayers of so many. We enjoy the communion of saints, the preaching of the Word of God every Lord's Day, the worship services and the many blessings the Lord sends our way each day. I remain thankful for the work I am allowed to do in church life.
We continue to pray for others who suffer and encourage them all to look to God for His help in every circumstance of life.
Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow
Pieter de Boer
It is Valentine's Day. A day when lovers express their affection and appreciation for one another. How appropriate for another blog report on my health.
Let me start by expressing my love for God. He has made me and always upholds me even when dangers assail. He has blessed and protected me all my life and in a very special way has publicly shown His love and care for me by allowing cancer to enter my body but by also giving me extended enjoyment of life when prevailing wisdom indicated that I would not see this year.
He sent me the love of my life as a marriage partner. Rita has been a blessing and a guide throughout our married life and a wonderful support and care giver once cancer was discovered. I love her a lot and appreciate her love and help more than words can describe.
I love our family, five children and their spouses and now sixteen grandchildren, eight of each. What a wonderful blessing and joy.
This past weekend, after efforts by two of our children, one of my dreams came true. I was asked to sing the national anthem at a professional ice hockey game. I sang at the beginning of the last two home games for the Trinity Western Spartan hockey team at the new Langley Events Center. It was a wonderful experience. The fact that it was a Trinity game enhanced the experience. The team was very encouraging and appreciative. I was gifted a team jersey with all the players' signature, a cap and a Bible. What a wonderful way for them to witness of their faith.
Today is the beginning of the second week of my fifth chemo pill regimen. The last two/three weeks have been a great experience as I felt completely healthy and able to enjoy life to the full extent. I am aware that the side effects of the chemo pill will start to appear in a few days or a week from now, but the rest has done me good and gives me the courage to go forward with the treatment. According to the doctor at the Cancer Clinic I will also have a sixth chemo regimen before a scan is done again to see how the recent treatments have affected the remaining cancer. So that will be towards the middle or end of April.
Rita and I have decided to make that the time to think about going out of town for a holiday. If the next two chemo experiences do not get worse than before and the scan continues to show healing we will think about a trip to our out of town children.
We continue to appreciate the prayers of so many. We enjoy the communion of saints, the preaching of the Word of God every Lord's Day, the worship services and the many blessings the Lord sends our way each day. I remain thankful for the work I am allowed to do in church life.
We continue to pray for others who suffer and encourage them all to look to God for His help in every circumstance of life.
Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow
Pieter de Boer
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
January 18, 2011
When typing this date it comes to mind that the doctors who diagnosed renal cell cancer at the end of July suggested that the average life expectancy for those with my type of cancer is about five months. As we experience milestone events in the lives of our relatives, such as anniversaries and weddings, we contemplate that when these were scheduled it was doubtful that we would be able to attend. With all this in mind we praise our good God and Father in heaven for the bountiful blessings He has given to us in giving us life beyond expectations.
At the moment I am in the final week of the fourth chemo pill regimen. This coming Monday I hope to commence a two week holiday from this medication. This time around the doctors have reduced the dosage by 25% in order to prevent extremes in the side effects I suffered last time. It appears to have worked even though the side effects are present they are not bothersome to the same extreme as the last time. Humanly speaking we do not want to reduce the dosage too much thereby perhaps reducing the effectiveness while enduring less side effects. At the same time we remember that it is the Lord Who decides about our healing or not. We continue to feel completely in His care, recognizing that He also decides to use men and medicine to further His purpose. We depend on Him and live day by day expecting everything from His good father hand.
Even though we experience side effects during the chemo regimen we do contiue to enjoy life. Our work in the church community can continue and we have enjoyed anniversaries and weddings of relatives in the last month. We also dream of a time when perhaps we can travel to visit our out of town family, something we did not think would happen again some months back.
Being ill and depending on the Lord for each day has also given us more awareness of others who suffer from illness of various types. We continue to monitor and pray for others who suffer from cancer, but there are also so many others who suffer from a variety of maladies. We pray for them all and often have to think about some who suffer much more than we do. We pray that the Lord will also comfort and heal them and that He will be near to their relatives as they see their loved ones suffer and perhaps succumb to their illnesses. At the same time having been so near death we also have experienced that for believers in Jesus Christ death is not the end or a fearful departure into the unknown, but rather the door that leads to eternal life with our Saviour. Although we have been created to love this life, given to us by our Father, we also believe that after this life comes a far better existence without sin and filled with eternal joy.
We urge all those who do not know of this joy to turn to Jesus Christ as He has been revealed in the Holy Bible. He will give you peace even in the face of death.
Pieter de Boer
At the moment I am in the final week of the fourth chemo pill regimen. This coming Monday I hope to commence a two week holiday from this medication. This time around the doctors have reduced the dosage by 25% in order to prevent extremes in the side effects I suffered last time. It appears to have worked even though the side effects are present they are not bothersome to the same extreme as the last time. Humanly speaking we do not want to reduce the dosage too much thereby perhaps reducing the effectiveness while enduring less side effects. At the same time we remember that it is the Lord Who decides about our healing or not. We continue to feel completely in His care, recognizing that He also decides to use men and medicine to further His purpose. We depend on Him and live day by day expecting everything from His good father hand.
Even though we experience side effects during the chemo regimen we do contiue to enjoy life. Our work in the church community can continue and we have enjoyed anniversaries and weddings of relatives in the last month. We also dream of a time when perhaps we can travel to visit our out of town family, something we did not think would happen again some months back.
Being ill and depending on the Lord for each day has also given us more awareness of others who suffer from illness of various types. We continue to monitor and pray for others who suffer from cancer, but there are also so many others who suffer from a variety of maladies. We pray for them all and often have to think about some who suffer much more than we do. We pray that the Lord will also comfort and heal them and that He will be near to their relatives as they see their loved ones suffer and perhaps succumb to their illnesses. At the same time having been so near death we also have experienced that for believers in Jesus Christ death is not the end or a fearful departure into the unknown, but rather the door that leads to eternal life with our Saviour. Although we have been created to love this life, given to us by our Father, we also believe that after this life comes a far better existence without sin and filled with eternal joy.
We urge all those who do not know of this joy to turn to Jesus Christ as He has been revealed in the Holy Bible. He will give you peace even in the face of death.
Pieter de Boer
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)