Bob's feeling quite well these days!

This is Bob's week to have a break from chemo.  He was feeling pretty miserable until Wednesday afternoon and has felt remarkably better since then.  Up to that point he was so fatigued and weak--and even losing his voice.  But we noticed a significant change that afternoon and his voice is back to normal, and even the pain in his lower back has decreased. 

Bob's sister Vi arrived from Edmonton on Thursday afternoon and we've had a wonderful visit.  Then David arrived this morning for four days.  Vi leaves tomorrow and then Tim arrives on Tuesday for a couple of days.  We're SO thankful that Bob's feeling as well as he is.  We're having great conversations--deep and meaningful, and also lots of laughs!! 

Every day is a wonderful gift from God and we are enjoying one another to the full.  Yesterday morning Lois phoned from Uruguay and the three "Roses" had a great chat.  We are so blessed!!

Enjoying being at home!

Bob came home from the hospital two and a half weeks ago and it's WONDERFUL being together again in our own little condo, which we named "Rekindle Inn" when we first moved here almost seven years ago.  Our home really is a peaceful retreat that "rekindles" our bodies and hearts and it's no sacrifice to be "housebound"--especially with one another!!

Bob's had two chemo treatments which have left him very fatigued and a little nauseated, so the bed and recliner are well-used.  When Bob's awake and has a bit more energy we enjoy short walks, going for picnics down to the beach (just ten blocks from our home), sitting on our patio, and reading, talking, eating, and listening to music--and sometimes even making music!!

The day after Bob got home from the hospital, our nephew Bart, from Edmonton, came for three days.  We had such a wonderful time together and decided that we'd really like to have a few days alone with each of our children as well.  Although all of the children and their families are coming to BC this summer, each of our three are coming out for a few days all alone.  David arrives from western NY this coming Saturday for five days and Tim arrives from Regina the day before David leaves and will be with us for three days.  Barbie was here for two weeks in early April and plans to come out for a few days every couple of months.

Bob's sister Vi is also coming this week from Edmonton for three days.  She and David will overlap a day.  We're really looking forward to their visits and are hoping and praying that Bob will feel well enough to enjoy the time together.  He won't be having a chemo treatment this week thankfully.

Bob speaks at last!!!

For over two months, I've been the "voice" keeping everyone informed and updated on Bob's health challenges.  It's time for Bob to "speak" for himself.  Although he doesn't have much energy or interest in sitting at the computer, he sent the following message a week or so ago to the Pacific District Office and Family of Churches and here it is for you to read:

"I suppose you’ve heard through the grapevine that I have cancer. It was Good Friday when the Doctor confirmed that I had an inoperable, advanced cancer mass in my lower abdomen (Urothelial Carcinoma).  It was discovered as they sought answers as to why my kidneys had almost completely shut down.   I will be starting chemotherapy Friday May 13th for about 25 weeks. Since there is no cure for the type of cancer I have, the goal of chemo is to stop the growth of the cancer, and ideally have it become dormant for some time, but there are no promises from the Oncologist.  The human prognosis is not promising, but my life is in God’s hands and He only needs to speak a word for it to be gone, so Carol and I are learning to live a day at a time—paying attention to what God is doing.  We’re also learning to make moment-by-moment choices to affirm that God is thoroughly good, is constantly at work for our good, ensuring that all things work together for our good, and He is completely trustworthy.  You hear stories from others who are experiencing significant difficulty or suffering, and how they wouldn’t change what they’ve learned about God through the experience.  They seem a little surreal when you hear them, but when you experience it yourself it is wonderfully true, as we are finding.  God is helping us to avoid dwelling on the “what if” and “if only” kind of thoughts, and centering on a “what is God going to do with this” mindset.  So what came as sobering news on Good Friday, will end in new life sometime—we just don’t know when.  For now we have everything we need from God’s hand and are grateful."

Getting started!!

A good friend who is much more computer-savvy than we are, helped us create this BLOG.  It will be a much easier way to keep you current with the happenings in our lives.

When we began this "health journey" over two months ago, we had no idea that it would bring such changes in our lives.  Little did we know that an initial email to family and friends asking for your prayers would lead to the need and desire to keep everyone updated many months later.  Hopefully this BLOG will provide an easier way to do that and allow you to log on when and if you choose.

Welcome to Bob and Carol's Blog

We are excited to communicate with you now via this BLOG!  We invite you to visit us often to hear about what's going on in our lives!!