Hi All: Just a quick post regarding Sam's visit today with Dr. Celin. I'm happy to report that the good doctor feels that Sam looks well and the physical exam did not reveal any issues.
We are coming up to a year since the treatments ended and that prompted the decision to schedule another PET/CT Scan for sometime in September. Dr. Celin said that the likelihood of these cancers returning are greatest in the first two years with the majority occurring in the first year, so getting a clean PET/CT will make us all feel better.
Sam did gain a few pounds and according to their scale his weight is now 155 pounds. And, considering his challenges with certain foods, that's a positive sign.
If you are praying for us, we would ask that you continue to pray that Sam would remain in remission.
God Bless.
Maddy
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
Blog Boycott
What, no post since June 13th? Have we boycotted our own blog? No, just gathering thoughts and trying to resume a more normal lifestyle.
We have been reflecting on the past year and have some thoughts to share with you on the past year’s experiences.
Reflections of – the way life used to be.
In my very first post on August 5, 2008 entitled: Why Blog, I wrote:
“It is our hope that this blog will allow us to share information and our prayer needs regarding Sam's cancer battle with all who share this journey with us. It is my hope that I will be able to communicate Sam’s progress, what God is doing in our lives and how we see Him work all of this out for our good.
My inspiration for the title of our blog comes from a message I heard at our church, North Park Church, on July 13th by Pastor Bill Meyer, entitled Kingdom Power is Mysterious and Awesome Mark 4:26-34 (http://www.northparkepc.org/).
In that message Pastor Meyer references the Apostle Paul's letter to the Romans chapter 5: 1-5....(Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.)
Sam and I are standing because of God's grace and mercy.”
Question - Have the "tribulations" we experienced over the last year caused us to persevere, build character, and give us hope that does not disappoint? Absolutely! And, there is no question that we have felt the love of God in our hearts.
After the shock of learning that Sam had cancer and coping with the concept that this has actually happened in our lives – there’s the 35 radiation treatments and 3 rounds of chemo; a feeding tube for 7 months; one hospital stay and several trips to the E.R.; drugs so powerful they made Sam talk incoherently in his sleep not to mention constant nausea and a 41 pound weight drop, managing taking multiple medications several times a day through a feeding tube because he couldn’t swallow; radiation burns and other various doctor tortures, we feel blessed that Sam is in remission and able to have some semblance of a “normal” life. Just getting through the past year alive is a victory.
We do believe that God has worked many things together for our good and we can attest that:
•We are definitely grateful that Sam is alive and in remission.
•We have grown closer as a couple and in our relationship with God.
•We have a new appreciation for living life daily to the fullest.
•We have learned to cast all our cares on God and not worry so much about the small stuff.
•We understand more fully that life is fragile and can be taken from us at any moment.
•We felt the love of our children and our family through their care and concern for us.
•Our prayer life and understanding the benefits of prayer have grown by leaps and bounds.
•We have felt the love of others through all the get-well wishes and prayers offered on our behalf and are grateful for a special “NPC youth leader” and a wonderful neighbor who put legs to their lips by volunteering to help Maddy with some yard tasks that were bigger than she could handle.
•We saw God’s provision financially and were emotionally sustained by His grace through uncertain times.
•We developed relationships and can empathize with others who are ill and for their loved ones who are struggling with all the things that come with illness and loss.
The list could go on and on, so if you are interested in our perspective of thriving in uncertain times, check back as I hope to share more in the upcoming weeks.
Thanks for caring. We couldn't have made it this far without all of your love and prayers.
Maddy and Sam
We have been reflecting on the past year and have some thoughts to share with you on the past year’s experiences.
Reflections of – the way life used to be.
In my very first post on August 5, 2008 entitled: Why Blog, I wrote:
“It is our hope that this blog will allow us to share information and our prayer needs regarding Sam's cancer battle with all who share this journey with us. It is my hope that I will be able to communicate Sam’s progress, what God is doing in our lives and how we see Him work all of this out for our good.
My inspiration for the title of our blog comes from a message I heard at our church, North Park Church, on July 13th by Pastor Bill Meyer, entitled Kingdom Power is Mysterious and Awesome Mark 4:26-34 (http://www.northparkepc.org/).
In that message Pastor Meyer references the Apostle Paul's letter to the Romans chapter 5: 1-5....(Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.)
Sam and I are standing because of God's grace and mercy.”
Question - Have the "tribulations" we experienced over the last year caused us to persevere, build character, and give us hope that does not disappoint? Absolutely! And, there is no question that we have felt the love of God in our hearts.
After the shock of learning that Sam had cancer and coping with the concept that this has actually happened in our lives – there’s the 35 radiation treatments and 3 rounds of chemo; a feeding tube for 7 months; one hospital stay and several trips to the E.R.; drugs so powerful they made Sam talk incoherently in his sleep not to mention constant nausea and a 41 pound weight drop, managing taking multiple medications several times a day through a feeding tube because he couldn’t swallow; radiation burns and other various doctor tortures, we feel blessed that Sam is in remission and able to have some semblance of a “normal” life. Just getting through the past year alive is a victory.
We do believe that God has worked many things together for our good and we can attest that:
•We are definitely grateful that Sam is alive and in remission.
•We have grown closer as a couple and in our relationship with God.
•We have a new appreciation for living life daily to the fullest.
•We have learned to cast all our cares on God and not worry so much about the small stuff.
•We understand more fully that life is fragile and can be taken from us at any moment.
•We felt the love of our children and our family through their care and concern for us.
•Our prayer life and understanding the benefits of prayer have grown by leaps and bounds.
•We have felt the love of others through all the get-well wishes and prayers offered on our behalf and are grateful for a special “NPC youth leader” and a wonderful neighbor who put legs to their lips by volunteering to help Maddy with some yard tasks that were bigger than she could handle.
•We saw God’s provision financially and were emotionally sustained by His grace through uncertain times.
•We developed relationships and can empathize with others who are ill and for their loved ones who are struggling with all the things that come with illness and loss.
The list could go on and on, so if you are interested in our perspective of thriving in uncertain times, check back as I hope to share more in the upcoming weeks.
Thanks for caring. We couldn't have made it this far without all of your love and prayers.
Maddy and Sam
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
