Our Journey...

Please join us in praising the Living GOD!!!

2012-01-21T07:22:00.057-06:00

Today it is 3 months since the Dr told us that without chemo, Fred only had 3 months to live!

We are traveling home from our work trip in Texas. The photo was taken Friday around 2pm before we headed out. Fred and Reuben are standing on the deck with Daniel, the man whose house we worked on. We had a great week and Fred is feeling great!

We glorify GOD that HE is above ALL! HIS WORD is TRUTH and beyond a shadow of a doubt, we can TRUST HIM!!! ...with EVERYTHING! Praise the LORD!

In a desire to exalt HIS great name, I would encourage you to tell at least one person today of GOD's Faithfulness and Sovereignty, in your own life, or share our experience.

May HIS name be PRAISED!

At Last...SNOW! :)

2012-01-13T23:48:00.000-06:00

Blanketed in snow :)

I love to see it snow and so far this winter we hadn't had much accumulation, you know....enough to make a snow man! ;)

Well, yesterday it started snowing around 8AM and kept up all day! So today I slipped out to the "house" and took a picture of it, all lovely in white.

However, I must confess, earlier in the morning I was having second thoughts about my love of snow as I scooped off the front entrance to my office building!! Oh well, it didn't take too long and I was warmed by the thought that in a few short hours we would be headed to warmer weather!

A little after one o'clock this afternoon we drove off with another couple in a truck, hauling a trailer, for Bastrop, TX! Fred has continued to feel good and we are looking forward to working together with our son, Reuben, and several others from Forrest on a work team in the "sunny south." Just ten hours to travel yet tomorrow! ;)

We continue to give GOD the glory for the miracle of the moments!

No News is Good News!

2011-12-17T19:02:00.000-06:00

Things have been busy in the last 3 weeks since I posted!

Thankfully, Fred continues to feel well and there have been times when asked how he's feeling he says, "Great!" PTL!! He continues to work at the farm and was working fairly frequently at the "house" in the early part of the month until he accomplished the tasks he needed to complete before winter set in.

Here's evidence of the Lords mercy and goodness as he blessed us with fantastic weather to complete the project of filling in the hole.

First came the footing and the wall

Next the gravel

Packing it in

And then the dirt for our back yard!

One last project to accomplish before spring is the removal of a rather large Chinese Elm from the front yard. So for all of you men that didn't get in on the previous work days.....start your chain saws!! :)

(actually not quite yet!... we will most likely start this project in the new year)

Thanks so much for your love, support, and prayers....we are truly in awe of the power of your prayers in keeping us in HIS comfort and peace! To God be the glory!

May God bless each of you with an amazingly, blessed Christmas!

THANKSGIVING!

2011-11-26T20:52:00.004-06:00

We continue to be amazed by GOD's goodness in our lives!!! Another year has passed and we had the privilege of gathering as a family at Thanksgiving! So many scriptures have been pouring into our lives, for which we are deeply thankful! HE continues to assure us HE knows right where we are and our job is to simply stay the course...and with a course filled with HIS exceedingly abundant peace, why would we choose to go anywhere else??? :) Hope you all had a beautiful day of Thanksgiving with your families!

Many Hands Make Light Work! :)

2011-11-09T16:47:00.000-06:00

So excited to share some pics of our work day on Saturday! We had about 53 of our dear family and friends show up (that's 106 hands! ;) and did things ever fly! :) By 3pm (4 hours later) the job was done and we were elated!

Fred is doing real well with the new protocol. The first week he took smaller doses so his body could adjust and this week he's up to full doses, which is causing some serious detoxing which results in tiredness. So...he's taking it easy and letting his body rest instead of trying to push and keep working full days.

So here's the pics!

Let's start with the backhoe operator! Love this guy! XO

Loading out the old foundation

Our truck drivers! XOXO

Pickin up....

breakin up....

loadin up...

and loadin up some more!

Then there were the tree trimmers, grinders, brush haulers and brush whackers.....

Let's see, I think we started with 20, but the final count was closer to 22!

I'll vouch for them, they really did help load that trailer....plus a few more!

And a handy fella that generally cleaned up around there... :)

So we don't want to forget about the walnuts.....

We racked up piles of leaves and walnuts......

and more walnuts.....

A whole truck load of walnuts!!!! I'm sure glad we had help!

Then of course we had lunch! Thanks to the kind neighbor who opened his home to us!

So just a brief overview of the day. We appreciate so much all the support we have been shown. We continue to stay in our peace and continue in an unreasoning trust by HIS grace!
Love you all!

Living Life...

2011-11-03T22:26:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the delay in posting! We decided early this week that we needed to get in a work day at the "house" so we've been busy planning our strategy for Saturday. We'll be grinding out stumps, picking up walnuts...didn't make a dent in them the other day :O as well as mowing, and tearing out all the old brick basement walls and hauling it away!

Fred's been filling his days with office work at the farm, as well as running for parts. At Dr. appt. Monday they took all 32 staples out and Dr. said he could lift as much as 30# but not to overdo! So we decided we better ask for a little help! ;)

Thanks so much for all the messages in support of our faith and hope!
We continue....living life and thanking GOD!

Our Little Boat of HOPE and Answered Prayer

2011-11-01T10:58:00.000-05:00

A little over a week ago, the Friday before we left the hospital, we were visited by an Oncologist whose job was to give us the pathology report. He told us what he knew about the cancer that was still in Fred’s abdomen and he told us what he would do to treat it and what we could expect from that treatment. It was a message without HOPE. As we went to sleep that night, having committed ourselves to the GOD of the Universe, our FATHER, we were at peace. In the early morning hours Fred awoke and turned to the WORD and GOD opened the scripture to 2Kings 19:6-37, then he called to me and I read it also…GOD had built us a little boat of HOPE, and tucked us inside, and WE purposed in our hearts to stay right there! We are not filled with fear, because the same LORD who Hezekiah served is our LORD too. This is what the doctor said. What is in the abdomen is the same type of cancer that was on Fred’s neck two years. It’s a poorly differentiated small cell cancer. There is no cure, only treatment. That treatment is chemo, and because this type of cancer is aggressive, chemo will have a positive effect on killing it, but it won’t get it all and it will only work once. He said his median life expectancy is 3 months without their chemo and 9 months with their chemo.

And then the LORD opened HIS WORD to 2Kings 19:6-37….

This post has been really hard to put out there because we have HIS amazing peace abiding in our hearts. It’s been hard to write it all out, the prognosis wants to keep coming up and smacking us in the face, but we are looking with anticipation of the miracle our LORD has the power to perform.

We have been waiting for the LORD to tell us what to do next. Last Saturday night we got our answer. HE has been very clear to us and has directed us in another way. We will begin incorporating a new protocol within the week. We feel this new protocol has great potential, but it’s just our little part, it’s that little something we can be doing while HE does HIS will…and we are good with whatever comes!

So now I would just ask you to step in FAITH into our little boat of HOPE, with a prayer to GOD that HIS will would be done and that we would have the grace to accept it. I think soon our little boat of HOPE will become a ship of FAITH as GOD grows it to hold us all. And no matter how big the waves, we will all feel safe in HIS presence.

I asked Fred to share a closing thought, and this is what he said… “All I want to say is that there’s nothing like HOPE! You can’t put a value on HOPE, it’s just amazing! We praise GOD for JESUS!”

IN STRONG HOPE, Fred & Brenda

Weight Gain!!!

2011-10-29T12:54:00.001-05:00

Exciting news!!! Fred has gained 5 lbs!!!

Today, one week and 3 days after surgery, he spent a couple hours at the farm in the office....I think! ;)

It's another beautiful, crisp, autumn day! We plan to spend some time in town at the "house."
Actually the "house" looks like this...

We have a little walnut grove on our property, so picking up walnuts and soaking in the oxygen is what's on tap for this afternoon! :) Well...I'm planning to pick up walnuts... Fred might need to be the site manager! :)

Praising the LORD for each step forward!!!

New Day...New Hope

2011-10-28T10:33:00.000-05:00

Thanks for the extra prayers and support through your comments, emails and text messages!

Ready to face another day! Plan to spend some time outside in the sun soaking up the brilliant yellow color bouncing off the golden trees in our yard! :)

Waiting

2011-10-27T15:57:00.000-05:00

Our days are passed by doing daily stuff, following our protocol at home, and waiting....this part can kind of get to the mind!
Please pray that we can submit to the waiting.
Actually, we must be in the right place because the enemy has ramped it up a notch!
Covet your prayers!

Day 5 - HOME!!!!

2011-10-24T12:20:00.000-05:00

Day 4 - FOOD!!!

2011-10-23T11:25:00.001-05:00

Another gift!!!

Dr. came in and said Fred's bowel was awake enough and he could order anything he wanted!!! But just to go slow on the quantity, stop when his body tells him it's full!!! Soooooo here he is... he just finished placing his order...an egg omelet and hot chocolate!

If all goes through without difficulty, he will soon be heading home!!! Possibly as soon as tomorrow!!! :) We are VERY HAPPY and THANKFUL!!! GOD IS SO GOOD! Thanks for continuing with us in prayer for his healing and recovery!

Special Blessing on the LORD'S DAY

2011-10-23T07:49:00.000-05:00

Praise the LORD!!! HE has blessed us again with the evidence that HE has healed Fred's intestinal blockage. Not only are all liquids going in without difficulty....but as of this morning... things are moving out as well!!! :)

Please join us in thanking and praising GOD for this very special blessing on this VERY special day...HIS day! We look forward to a day of WORSHIP!

Day 3

2011-10-22T22:24:00.000-05:00

The Dr. came in and...he said the NG tube could be clamped for 6-8 hours and Fred could start on clear liquids!!! So we ordered up some chicken broth to start off his day, then took to the halls to do a couple laps. Was up in the chair for the next 6 hours. At 2:30 the nurse came in to see how much residual fluids were left in the stomach, then went to call the Dr. At about 3PM the NG tube came out!!! Fred was very relieved!

The rest of the day has been spent sampling little amounts of clear liquids so he doesn't overdo it. Thankfully he has not had any nausea and his bowel sounds are getting stronger, which means his digestive tract is "waking up" as the Dr says.

Praising GOD for HIS peace and love that surrounds us! So thankful for all the love and prayers that bring us these blessings!

p.s. last night the aide came in & said "I have something for you." I said, "For Fred?" and she said, "No, for you!" It was a bed!!! Soooo I'm looking forward to my second night in a bed! ;)

Day 2

2011-10-21T23:04:00.000-05:00

We started the day off by doing 3 laps around the halls before nine o'clock!!! When he got back he thought he'd try a couple hours in the chair. Well, that turned into 5 hours! He really tolerated things well today!

Dr. has said as soon as there is indication that things are starting to move in the colon, he will get to have the NG removed and begin clear liquids. So prayers for this would be appreciated. He also mentioned that belching was a good indicator that things were starting to move in the right direction. Fred hadn't done any yet but within the next half hour, he belched twice. Amazing the things that delight us! And by the end of the day the count was 3 that I heard!

Dr. Wieland came in and removed the dressing and the site looks real good. The incision is only 6 inches long, all nicely stapled back together.

It was a delight to have our grandchildren pay us a visit! As well as the others who offered encouragement!
Well I think that's it for today.

Day 1

2011-10-20T23:02:00.000-05:00

Today, after "dangling" (as the nurses call it) he got up and walked 2 laps around the hall! The surgeon came in and told us that the portion of small bowel that was removed was only 6 inches! Because it was so tightly concentrated in that small area, that was all that needed to be removed. The other area of tumor growth is not something that can simply be cut out. So our focus needs to stay on getting Fred healed so he is strong enough to fight! He worked on that by taking another walk before bed, doing one lap around the hall. :)

Post-Op Updates

2011-10-20T12:25:00.000-05:00

Fred had a good night of rest. His pain is being managed very well by the medication. His lungs are clear, his color is good, and he still has an NG tube. He was left on O2 from surgery according to Dr. Wieland's orders to help keep his body oxygenated which aids in the healing process.

Dr. says recovery takes 4-5 days in the hospital and 3-6 weeks at home. My goal is to give an update at the end of each hospital day. So that's all for now until this evening. And for those of you who know me real well, "the end of the day" isn't until midnight! ;) ....but I'll do my best to get it in before that!

It's Done!

2011-10-19T16:15:00.000-05:00

The surgery started a little later than what was scheduled, but was done quicker than what we expected! The blessing is that Fred's small bowel is now repaired. The blockage has been removed and the Dr. stated it was a very straight forward operation. He could see exactly what needed to be done... and did it. The blockage was due to a cancer that was growing inside his small bowel and pinching off the passage. He also found another area of tumor growth so he did a biopsy of both. We are extremely thankful that the blockage was small, could be removed, and that we can anticipate a full recovery of his digestive tract. The other area we will deal with later.

We are praising GOD for his tender mercy and faithfulness...

Thank you all for your support in prayers and love....we continue to feel an amazing peace as HE covers us with HIS love through each of you.

Thanks!

2011-10-19T09:20:00.000-05:00

Some of you said you were having difficulty leaving comments on the blog, so I've tried to check everything and it appears that it should work...we'll see.

We just want to thank each and everyone of you who have offered your support of love and prayers! The many emails and text messages have been so encouraging! Please forgive me if I haven't answered yours yet, I'll try to keep up as best I can.

Sounds like the surgery has been bumped up to 10AM. I'll post as soon as I can after we get the results, it will probably be mid to late afternoon.

Resting in HIS peace

Fred & Brenda

SURGERY

2011-10-18T19:40:00.000-05:00

We have seen both the GI Dr. and the Surgeon today and they both agree that exploratory surgery is the next step, to which Fred and I have agreed also... he can't go on living like he has the past couple weeks. We are very blessed to have Dr's we feel very comfortable with and trust...leaving all the rest to GOD!

We continue to look to HIM with unreasoning trust....

Good Results on Friday...but We're Back in the Hospital

2011-10-17T20:44:00.000-05:00

Our hearts are so thankful that the colonoscopy on Friday concluded there was nothing wrong in the colon but, after the weekend, we're back in.
Fred got sick again late this morning so after a phone call to the Dr.'s office we came down for an appointment which led to his being admitted to St. Jo.
An NG tube is soon to be put in for suctioning the stomach contents and help relieve the pressure. Last week after this was done it relieved his pain fairly quickly, so we hope for the same results!
We plead for prayer! And thanks so much for all the support we have been shown! We feel HIS love through each kind deed and word of encouragement! GOD is good!

It's Time to Blog...

2011-10-13T20:03:00.001-05:00

Fishing at our pond in July

2011 has been a year of changes!

The first change came when Reuben asked me to inquire of a friend of ours whether she would be interested in selling her house in Strawn. Long story short she was, and at the end of June he moved out into his own place. But prior to that, the Lord brought about an opportunity in May for Fred & I to purchase a piece of property in the little Village of Forrest! The first weekend of June Reuben was baptized and then the 16th a delightful change came when we welcomed Kyson into Seth & Renee's little family. We started "day"dreaming about house plans, but not too much until Caleb came around in August with his engagement to Shannon! We thought we would start in earnest preparing the ground to build in the spring, after the wedding, but Sunday night Fred got sick and it was apparent we needed to see the Dr.

Monday, October 10th he was admitted to St. Joseph's for a small bowel obstruction. After starting the fluids to flush his system, the pain returned. With no change during the night, an NG tube was put in place at 6AM Tuesday morning, the pain subsided fairly soon and then we waited... and PTL things started moving @ 4:25 that evening. The next 24 hrs kept showing improvements, the NG tube was removed around 11AM and at 4:30 the doc came in and said we could be discharged but that we needed to schedule a colonoscopy for Friday. So with great delight we were headed out of the hospital parking lot about 6PM. We had a good night and today has been free of pain. He's started his flush again in prep for the colonoscopy which is scheduled for 12:30 tomorrow.

A Year Later

2010-12-22T20:37:00.002-06:00

Praising the LORD for the privilege of posting our family picture in completeness a year after we headed to Mexico for Fred's cancer treatments! Giving glory to HIS name that Reuben has confessed his need of JESUS! Other exciting news....Sophie's to become a big sister in June! =)

2nd Check-Up = Good Report!

2010-06-04T14:22:00.000-05:00

We have been to Mexico and back. Just got the results from the bloodwork this week, no active cancer! We are very thankful and continue to live in the moment, thanking the Lord for each one! We are blessed!

We appreciate your every prayer and thank you for checking the blog. Sorry we didn't get a post in while in Mexico! Then after we returned home it took a while to make connection with the Doc which is the way it goes sometimes.

We also want to praise the Lord for HIS providence in regards to the insurance company. We would have been covered 100% if we had went with the traditional US treatment, but were told it was highly unlikely that they would cover our expenses in Mexico, even though it was miniscule compared to the cost we would have incurred here. Fred went ahead and sent in the paperwork with a request that they would consider paying on our expenses. This week we received a check from the insurance company that was more generous than what we had hoped for! While it doesn't cover all the expenses, we have been blessed!

Great Report from Mexico!

2010-02-26T08:55:00.001-06:00

We're down in Mexico for a routine check-up, we leave today around 10 AM. Dr. Rubio saw Fred yesterday and reported that he is in complete remission, no live cancer cells in his blood! We are very thankful....to GOD for HIS power and will in our lives to heal Fred.... to Dr. Rubio and his son Jr. for their mission to work with your body to bring about restoration of health....to each one of you for your thoughts, prayers, and support as we walk this path... a journey by faith in HIS perfect love !!!

We will be going home without the central line (yeah!) but with several different injections to be done weekly until we return for our visit in April.

So until further change of events I will leave you with these words of praise from the WORD~
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by CHRIST JESUS throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. Ephesians 3:20,21

BEFORE AND AFTER PHOTO

2010-02-10T23:00:00.000-06:00

Well, I'm finally getting around to posting this pic! Life has been going at a pretty fast pace and thankfully Fred is not having any trouble keeping up! All continues to go well. We are scheduled to return to Mexico for a check-up the 24-26th of this month. I will probably post an update after that visit.
We're living in the moment! ...Thanks for your support!

HOME!

2010-01-14T20:55:00.000-06:00

We arrived home last night around 6:30 pm. It felt soooo good! =)

We've already completed our first day with pills, dressing change, detox bath, central line maintenance, detox cabbage poultice, and to top it all off..... Fred put in a full days work!!! He feels good and is glad to get back to the farm!

We expect the weeks until our return visit to Mexico to pass uneventfully. I will update if there is any change to that.

Again, we thank God for His healing and your prayers! And know that he is abundantly able to bless each one of you for your support!

Plane Tickets Are Bought!

2010-01-07T22:22:00.001-06:00

We are pretty excited to let you all know that we have purchased our plane tickets for HOME! Dr. Rubio evaluated the CT scan and Ultrasound that was done on Fred today and said the tumor is 99% gone! He has Fred scheduled for two more sessions of radiation (Friday & Monday), recuperating on Tuesday and flying home on Wednesday!
Thanking the Lord for His healing and your prayers!

San Diego Weekends

2010-01-05T08:22:00.001-06:00

We so appreciate the generous spirit of our dear friends, the Fulop's. We crossed over the border early Saturday afternoon and were wisked away to Mount Soledad, a high pinnacle that gives a 360 degree view of the surrounding area. Then we traveled down to the beach at La Jolla, taking in the ocean breezes before heading off to Henry's Farmers Market for a few groceries and then to their home for a delicious home cooked meal. We enjoy the time spent with their children too, and appreciate them sharing their hugs, bed & tangerines!

This week Fred should finish with the last session of radiation on Wednesday. He commented today how he noticed the way it takes him down a notch and is thankful that he only gets 10% of a typical dosage. Still not having any hair loss or nausea, and here's the really great news....Dr said today that it's at least 90% dissolved, we can hardly see it!

I took the picture above at the Fulop's last Sunday looking out over the valley below their home. We are so awed my the mighty hand of God as we see the beauty of His creation. Then we think of His care for us and praise Him for the healing He has brought about in Fred's body! Indeed we are fearfully and wonderfully made!

Thanking each one for your continued prayers as he finishes the radiation this week and await the results from the scan/tests the Dr. will do to determine where we go from here.

Happy New Year

2009-12-31T23:25:00.000-06:00

At this point in Fred's treatments the lumps are hardly visible! The low-dose radiation treatments will continue for three more sessions. So far there have not been any lasting side effects from the radiation, no burning, no loss of hair, no nausea, and for this we are so very thankful.

As one year ends and a new year begins, we certainly are glad to be walking through this life with Jesus beside us each step of the way! We thank each of you for your love and support in prayer and encouragement. Trusting the Lord will bless you! Please continue to be prayerful for all those who are enduring the heartache of separation and all who cry out to the Lord in need. We are so thankful that He hears every prayer and plea!

Praising the LORD!

2009-12-29T10:22:00.005-06:00

Because Fred's cells multiplied rapidly in the lab, he has received 2 doses of the dendritic vaccine. That therapy along with the R/C last week has produced some obvious changes in the tumors already. They are softening and dissolving! For this we praise God that His arm of healing is touching Fred to remove this affliction! He still has some times of feeling queezy not sure exactly what it's from, could be the radiation as he begins his second week of treatments. The detox therapies will continue to rid the body of the necrotic (dead) cells.

Here we are enjoying some "Timmy time" after dinner. We are going to miss this little ray of sunshine! Brian & Marie and Timothy leave Tuesday morning and our prayers go with them for safe travels. We thank God for His healing in Brian's life also!

Friends and Fellowship!

2009-12-28T12:54:00.000-06:00

We didn't have a camera until we crossed back to the U.S. this weekend, it was our first stop. After that our dear friends picked us up and took us to dinner at Souplantation. This was a fantastic buffet! It had a huge salad line, a number of soups and breads and some dessert options too, just didn't go there! ;) We enjoyed spending the evening around the fire with the children. Sunday we felt an immense blessing from the Spirit as we sang songs for those in a nursing/convalescing home, attended morning and afternoon services, and fellowshiped with this precious congregation. We are so thankful for the time we could spend with everyone there.

Here's a picture of Fred & Brian helping set the table for breakfast :)

By the kindness of dear friends who re-arranged their schedule, we were brought back to the border at about 3:30 and crossed without any problems. We had to take a taxi since our ride wasn't there, but this wasn't a problem once Brian could explain where we needed to go.....
God ALWAYS provides!

Prayer & Trust

2009-12-26T09:54:00.000-06:00

Friday Update

The day passed swiftly. Sang a couple Christmas carols around the table after dinner tonight. One of the other patients said how good that made her feel. She's been in a lot of pain and I think it helped divert her mind for a few minutes.
Many needs of prayer! Thanks to each of you for remembering us and all those who are here, all those in need of prayer, and a special prayer for those who are being asked to bear the heartache of separation.

Merry Christmas from Mexico!

2009-12-25T11:25:00.000-06:00

Update for Thursday

Fred finally had a good nights rest. It's amazing how much good that does a body!
It was pretty much a routine day. We enjoyed some time in the sun again this afternoon. When Dr. made his rounds he gave us some good news! Fred is finished with his chemo! We are very thankful!
Since it was Christmas Eve the kitchen made a special dinner for us. We even had dessert! It was carrot cake, but it tasted more like the spice cake we had at our wedding! =) After dinner we were able to listen in on Christmas eve services @ SanDiego. Mexican custom is to celebrate the holiday with gunfire, so there was a lot of friendly fire going on as we went to bed, thankfully we slept well.

As we know, our days are numbered. A dear man here, who quickly became our friend, is feeling the heartache of seperation from his dear wife. Please pray for Pete as he accepts the reality of going home and living, without her by his side.

Wishing you all a very blessed Christmas!

2009-12-24T10:07:00.001-06:00

Wednesday
We decided to make an effort to get the IV fluids in before dinner. The nights have not been as restful for Fred and we hope by getting the fluids in earlier in the evening he won't be up as much at night. We didn't quite meet our goal, but it should be better than it was last night. He was also able to take a nap this afternoon.

The routine is pretty much the same, breakfast, detox IV, detox therapies, low-dose radiation (it is 10% of the dosage typically done in the States), lunch, detox IV, detox poultice, low-dose chemo(10%), dinner, detox bath, and to bed. We did squeeze in some time in the sun by eating lunch on the patio by the pool.
This is his second day of R/C (radiation/chemo) so he feels a little wore down. Dr says Thursday is the last day of R/C for this cycle. He will decide what the next week will hold after the weekend and blood draw at the beginning of the week.

Hardly seems like Christmas is tomorrow! Thankful we had our family Christmas last Tuesday. We decided last year to celebrate it each year on Gabriel's birthday, but this year with the harvest being late it pushed some of the other field work back and we had to move it back a day. Hope you all can share many special moments with your families. They are so precious!

So appreciate your prayers!

Posting in Mexico

2009-12-23T12:44:00.003-06:00

Wow, I started to post this about an hour ago, but have had major issues due to being in Mexico. Everytime I went to the blog, the posts all showed up in English, but the links to login and edit were in Spanish. You would think by trial and error I could have figured it out, but it was one of those moments were I kept hitting a brick wall. So I concluded that for some reason the Lord's time table for this blog post wasn't the same as mine, and that it didn't matter if it was posted in the morning of Illinois time!

Tuesday morning started with a blood draw to begin the vaccine prep. Dr. Rubio explained to us yesterday that Fred would begin his low dose radiation and chemo treatments today to kick start the attack on the cancer. The treatment center for the radiation is off site, so we went there around 10:30 a.m. The actual amount of treatment time was about 30 seconds! It doesn't sound like much time, but around 4:30 this afternoon Fred began to feel a dull pain in his neck and noticed that the site seemed swollen. Dr. explained that this was exactly what was expected to happen and that in a few days the swelling would recede. After supper he received his first bag of chemo. He has not felt any nausea or sickness and later in the evening during his final IV of the day, he said the pain from the tumor site was gone. Besides the poultice applied to his neck to help pull out the toxins, he was also receiving an IV of Mannitol which promotes the excretion of toxic waste.

Oh, and for those of you who know my love for drinking hot water... they have one of those cool dispensers that instantly gives hot water 24/7, how sweet is that? Now Fred doesn't have an excuse to not be drinking hot water! ;) This is one of the tips I've learned in my schooling this year, that hot water is a good lymph stimulator. Since the lymph system is our body's "drains" for taking away toxins, it's a really good idea to keep it flowing! =)

That's the report from yesterday. I'm off to get caught up on my schooling that has fallen behind since the middle of November.
Thanks for caring and praying!

We're here and the action's begun!

2009-12-22T16:52:00.001-06:00

Just as they promised, once we arrive, they would begin Fred's treatments. Yesterday we arrived about 12:30 and went right to the dining room where we enjoyed a lunch that was not so uncommon to have been found on the Leman's table! It included a lettuce salad, black bean soup, and chicken. Then came the tour of the clinic, at the end of which Fred began his detox therapies. He will have a variety of daily detox therapies as a part of his treatment.

We met with Dr. Rubio to discuss Fred's cancer and the protocol/treatment plan. We are very satisfied with Dr. Rubio's apparent knowledge and his approach to work with Fred's body, specifically the immune system, to destroy this cancer. We have great confidence that God can work through Dr. Rubio, as it would be according to His will.

We enjoyed dinner with Brian & Marie and Timothy. Before retiring, Fred received his first detox IV and a nightly detox bath. We were exhausted, so it was easy to climb into bed early!

My goal is to update with posts in the morning, we'll see how it goes. =)
Thanks so much for all the support and prayers that have been posted and those who have come to read and support us in prayer without posting, I've been in both spots! =) Trusting in His power to bless each one of you for your love!

Gabriel's Birthday

2009-12-14T14:22:00.005-06:00

Today would have been Gabriel's sixteenth Birthday.

Who would have guessed that fourteen and a half years after his precious life was taken from our arms, that I would be starting a blog about his Daddy and the journey we face through the enemy's land of cancer. But we don't go in fear, we go in an abundance of peace from God our Father, by whose Grace alone we will walk one step at a time.

So pray for us that~

we will daily feel His Holy Spirit as our Faithful Guide
we don't borrow trouble from tomorrow
we thank Him daily for His will and His perfect love

Whatever the Spirit prompts you to pray, do so in faith that He knows our needs better than we do ourselves.

Lord-willing, we fly out Monday, December 21st. We should arrive in Mexico by early afternoon. From the latest report from Marie Ricketts, they will still be at the clinic...and I'm sooo thankful for this, although I know they are anxious to return home!