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