Our birthdays

Bob and I celebrated our birthdays in beautiful Victoria--at a lovely timeshare right on the inner harbour. From inside our suite, it looked as though we were on a cruise ship docked in the harbour!! The sun even shone both days!!

Remember that old Beatles' song "When I'm Sixty-four"? I've been humming that a lot this week and asking Bob the question "Will you still need me, feed me, etc when I'm 64?" And he has assured me that he will!! And you can be sure that he continues to have all of my love and devotion now that he's 69!!

This was the view from our balcony and suite.

Even the ferry ride home was sunny!! We feel so blessed to live in such a beautiful part of the world.

Thank you for praying for KIM this past week. Last weekend was quite stressful for both Kim and Tim. Kim was hospitalized for three days while she was closely examined and her heart monitored. The excessive pounding of her heart turned out to be the major concern, more than the small blood clot. Thankfully there wasn't any damage done to her heart, but the danger of permanent damage is high if there aren't some changes made in her treatment protocol.

Kim is now taking a blood thinner and will wear a holter monitor after her next chemo treatment. This is a portable device that monitors heart activity. She'll be seeing her oncologist on Tuesday to discuss all of this.

Through this experience, Tim and Kim have felt pretty clear direction not to submit herself to radiation following the chemo. This was one of the good things that came out of the crisis.

Thanks for your continued prayer for them. Both Kim and Tim are very tired and no doubt the children are struggling somewhat. Bob and I are planning to fly to Regina to visit them the third week of April and are presently arranging for him to get dialysis there.

Both JIM and BOB are doing fairly well. However, whenever they experience pain or discomfort in their bodies, the first thought is whether there is more cancer activity going on. This definitely keeps us leaning on the Lord and He faithfully provides peace, hope, medical help, and the assurance of His loving plans and care.

More on Kim

Just want to share the latest on KIM. After updating the blog last evening, Kim experienced an alarming pounding in her heart and chest. She's had this frequently following chemo but was assured that it was normal. Well, it REALLY was bad in the night and she could hardly move in the morning. Tim took her to Emergency and they did a lot of tests on her and everything seemed fine, but they decided to do an ultrasound and found a small blood clot in one of her lungs. They've put her on a blood thinner and will keep her in the hospital for a few days. She's doing fine now, but it's SO great that they decided to go the extra mile and give her an ultrasound!! Thank the Lord.

Thanks so much for praying!! And thank the Lord for His peace and the absolute assurance that He is in control for their good and our good too and His glory. So, we can proceed to get ready to go over to Victoria tomorrow without major anxiety. Wish we were heading for Regina, but maybe in a month or so.

Tim and Kim

We had a good chat with TIM and KIM on the phone this evening. Her "recovery" from chemo this week hasn't been as "nasty" as her last time, although she is very tired and unable to do much. They had an appointment with a radiologist this morning and have been given the choice of whether Kim will have radiation when the chemo is finished in five weeks.

Originally they were told that she wouldn't need radiation so this was a surprise. Apparently her condition and good prognosis hasn't changed, but because she's so young and strong, they're wondering whether it might be a good idea, increasing her already good chances at a full cure.

There are pros and cons to either choice. They really need wisdom to know what to do, so would appreciate prayer in that regard.

BOB and I are taking a two-day holiday Sunday through Tuesday to celebrate both of our birthdays--in Victoria. It will be so good to get away together, as travel is pretty minimal with Bob's dialysis. We are so full of thanks to God for His goodness and faithfulness to us this past year. Pictures will be posted next week!! But in the meantime, here are two pictures taken from our patio last Sunday in a space of two hours!!

Great news!!

We have wonderful news regarding my brother JIM. Yesterday he received the results of the CT scan he had on Monday and it was CLEAR—meaning no sign of a tumor or cancer activity!! We are SO relieved and thankful to the Lord. He will likely have a CT scan every few months to keep a close watch on his status.

He drove out to Palm Springs yesterday to work on his income tax at our folks’—a tedious task that will be lightened considerably by this good report!!

KIM had her fourth chemo treatment this morning and Super Auntie Barb has moved back into their home for a few days to help take care of the kids while Kim rests. She’s anticipating that the next week to ten days will be difficult, so your continued prayers are much appreciated.

And BOB and I are doing well and enjoyed a few walks in the sunshine this week. Here’s a picture of Bob when we walked on the promenade and pier in White Rock on Tuesday. For those of you who aren’t familiar with our lovely coastal city, the famed “white rock” can be seen in the distance just to the left of Bob.

Bob's new second home!!

Last week BOB was introduced to his new "second home" as he began to get his dialysis treatments at a community clinic just five miles from our home. Here he is all hooked up and relaxing in a lovely recliner instead of a hospital bed!

He goes to Panorama Community Renal Unit three evenings a week--Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Since Valentine's Day was on a Tuesday this year, we had a special dinner the night before. Bob barbecued steak and it was delicious. That was topped off with his all-time favourite dessert pictured below!!

We continue to marvel at God's love and goodness to us and for the gift of one another's love and companionship on life's journey.

KIM is beginning to count the weeks until she will be finished with chemo. Her third chemo (two weeks ago) really took a lot from her, but after nine days, her energy and enjoyment of life slowly returned and this week she even rode her horse!! Her fourth chemo will be next Friday, Feb. 24th, with two more chemo treatments following that. Tim is holding down the fort amazingly well, and with the help of Auntie Barb and the support of friends and church family, they are doing well.

JIM is gaining in strength and is riding his bike almost an hour each day. Getting out in the sunshine on his bicycle is great therapy for both body and spirit. He's trying to eat several small meals throughout the day and is managing to maintain his weight (which is at least 25 pounds under what he used to weigh). Next week he'll have a CT scan and bloodwork, and we're hoping and praying that there won't be any evidence of cancer activity.

We'll update the blog again next Friday, unless there's something special to report sooner. Thanks again for your love, support, and prayers for us.

1000 Gifts

In her book, 1000 Gifts, Ann Voskamp has helped many including Carol and me to cultivate an inner posture of thankfulness. One year ago this month I checked into the Emergency Dept. of the hospital in White Rock, feeling increasingly unwell. That began the saga of the past year that has included many weeks in hospital, needle pokes, surgery and health-care professionals attending to my needs. And today dialysis is a regular part of my week, and chemotherapy is on hold until my bloodwork and body suggest it is needed again. My strength is increasing, renewed each morning, and I am without pain. I believe God has been at work giving me his health for each day, and I feel as though I have 1000 gifts for which to be thankful. Beyond the physical renewal, I'm grateful to have experienced the reality of the presence of Christ in my life. A couple of years ago it was my deep desire to experience this at a new level, and God designed the right "school" for me.

A year of laying low, being dependent on the direction of others, takes a lot, but it also gives a lot. I'm immensely grateful for the many wonderful caregivers in our amazing health-care system: I don't have any complaints. I'm indebted to a host of friends who have expressed their concerns and prayers on my behalf. My amazing wife Carol and my kids and grandchildren have been gifts to the spirit without equal: I'm blessed.

Now the challenge is to "get on with my life." My health is stabilized and improving, and it is time to re-engage. I'm reflecting on and listening for the clues of what that should be. For each day that God gives me I want to be His influence for good in this world.

God is completely trustworthy and good. His best gifts are never withheld but given freely the moment they are needed.

Bob (for your regular 'reporter' Carol).

Back Home

I arrived home late this afternoon after a wonderful nine days with my folks in Palm Springs. Mom is gaining in strength as her ribs heal and the bruises on her face are fading too.

Jim came out to the desert for three days and it was so good to see him again as well. He's gaining in strength--a little more slowly than he'd like though. Here's a picture of the two of us with Mom and Dad and also a very good friend from my high school years!

While Jim was with us, he and I picked over 100 pounds of grapefruit in about 20 minutes from trees in the backyard of a friend's home!! I brought home a suitcase full of grapefruit. Oh, they are SO good!!

Bob just phoned from Edmonton and he sounded amazingly well considering the busy weekend he's had. It's been over a year since he's had this kind of involvement and we were wondering how he would fare. Apparently the workshop went very well and everyone, particularly the lead pastor, was thrilled with what he presented. The board all gathered around Bob and prayed that God would restore his health so that he could continue to use his gifting to enrich churches and help promote board health. He was so encouraged!!! He flies home tomorrow morning and will go for dialysis in the afternoon.

Kim had her third (out of six) chemo treatment yesterday and is again finding that it makes her extremely tired for the first week. Barbie's there to help Tim with the children and friends and their church family are once again bringing a meal every day for a week.

God is GOOD!! Yesterday when I was shopping at Target, I talked to a black lady who was collecting money for a shelter for battered women in the desert. She was a sweetie and in our conversation I shared about the challenges we've faced this past year and the fact that God is good. She gave me a marvelous retort when she said, "Honey, food is good, GOD is GREAT!" I couldn't agree more!!