Monday, June 3, 2013
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
My Journey is on a new course
It is so amazing that God knows what we need and when we need it more than we do.
On April 16th I took my little Ember (cat) to the vets because she had not been eating for a couple of weeks. The vet was so impressed and what good health she was in, and the dentist also, that they did not draw blood which is what I really wanted. The not eating continued and I tried one cat food after the other to include baby food (chicken). I could get her to eat a bite but that was all. Then I realized that she was not drinking that much water either. I found a vet near where I live, Planned Pethood Plus, and I took her there on May 13th. My vet, Dr. Ivan Ivanov, was wonderful. He took the time to get to know Ember and her history of idiosyncrasies, she is a very different little cat. She had lost 2 lbs and weighed only 8.6 lbs. He checked her over, drew blood, gave her fluids and said that would call me in an hour with the results of the blood work. He determined that it was not liver failure but thought it could possibly be pancreatic. When he called he told me that she was in renal failure and that we could work with this. I took her back in the next day and learned how to give her the infusions of fluids. She will be on them the rest of her life, every third day. She did start eating and drinking water immediately after the first infusion. However, the problems came when it was time for me to do it. Between the two of us we became so upset that I could not infuse her - she would squirm and the needle came out. There was more fluid all over the room than there was in her. I tried several times and finally called some friends and they came over and we got it done but she was so stressed out. I decided that I would just take her back to the vets to let them infuse her. It works out so much better. They are only a couple of miles from the apartment.
This is where God comes in once again. He knew that I could not deal with a job of that many hours and take care of Ember also. As far as the job that I need desperately - I will continue looking for something where I can work from home.
When God closes one door I shall pray in the hallway until He opens another door.
Monday, April 22, 2013
On this trail called life, all of us are following someone’s directions. None of us are really blazing our own trail. We all follow a path that’s been laid out for us by someone claiming to know the way. The question is: whose directions are you following? What path are you on?
~Completely Committed Follower
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Short Trip to Kansas City
I finally made it to Kansas City. Rumor has it that the third time is a charm. Rebecca and Bill were going on a 3 week vacation to Chorpus Christie and Bill was in Kansas City on some other business. Rebecca wanted to meet him there and continue on their vacation.
I had been watching the long range weather forecast to make sure the weather was going to be okay - all showed good weather so we took off after lunch/staff meeting on Thursday afternoon on the February 14th. By the time we all finished having lunch for Rebecca's birthday, it was snowing - hard! We did finally drive out of it and it was a beautiful day. We did not get away until two o'clock so we stopped in Hays KS and stayed overnight. On Friday we arrived in Kansas City around the lunch hour so we had lunch before I dropped her off by the Country Club Plaza where Bill was staying. Three weeks is a long time not to see Rebecca.
Since Kansas City has changed so much in the 17 years that I have been gone, Bill loaned me his GPS - it was a life saver. They both have GPS on their phones so they did not need it.
When I got to Betty's house (my cousin) we just talked and talked for the rest of the day. Lisa and Darin, Reagan and Roman, stopped by to say "hi" - Betty's daughter's family. So long since I have seen them.
Sister Johanna was going to come down from Omaha on Friday afternoon but at the last minute found out that she had a meeting Saturday morning that she had to attend. She did not get there until Saturday afternoon and had to leave Monday morning but at least I got to spend some time with her since I did not go to Omaha this year for Christmas.
SaturdayBetty and I went to Shalom's house. I met Kevin for the first time and of course Callie. She made up with me right away. She is so much fun. Brooke and Felicity have met me before but I don't think they remembered me. I have not seen them for many years. My niece Cheyyenne, who is 16 now, was coming up from Oklahoma just to meet me - for the first time. Cheyyenne did not get to Kansas City until late so we will meet for breakfast. She is so pretty. I must say I have gorgeous nieces. Valetta had to work and was not able to come up. Hopefully, I can see her next time. Yes, I plan on there being a next time.
Sunday - a very busy day! We left early in the morning and got back late at night! Betty, Johanna and I went to church. Then we went to have breakfast with Shalom and her girls and to meet Cheyyenne.
Then went to see my nephew Christopher Crofford and his family. I finally got to meet Kimberly who is an absolute delight and so good for him. He makes a wonderful daddy to his one year old daughter Hannah. She is so precious and so photogenic. It was so good to see his mom, Tammy. It has been a very long time since I have seen her. She is fighting a battle with cervical cancer and I pray for her daily that she is winning.
Then we headed for Kansas to see my uncle Larry and Johanna Schwed. We met at Houlihan's and had a wonderful dinner. Uncle Larry is 94 years old and sharp as a tack.
Monday
Betty and I went to Independence to meet with Melissa, Jillian and Stevi. My first meeting with Stevi - she is now three years old and Jillian is five.
Tuesday
Had to cut my trip short because of the snow storm coming into Kansas City so I left a day early. I was supposed to meet with Connie in Salina to have lunch but since I had to change my date of departure she was not able to meet me because of a doctors appointment.
Once on the road I heard nothing but bad weather report from every direction. It was a beautiful day otherwise. I made it to Goodland KS and decided to stay overnight there. When I left the next morning I turned onto the wong highway and did not realize it until I got to Limon. It might have saved my life in one way - there was zero visability and there was not much traffic and no big trucks. When I got to Limon I stopped to relax for a minute and that is when I found out that I was not on I-70. When I left Limon it started lifting and it was clear sailing on into Denver. I stopped and had breakfast and went on home. I was there by 10:30. I did not sleep very well the night before worrying about the weather so I took a short nap and when I got up it was snowing and I could not even see the lake a couple of blocks over.
All-in-all it was a fast trip but I got to see all my nieces (that were in town) and my nephew. And that was really my intent when I left. The time I spent with each of them was so short but I would not trade it for the world. I love them all so much and miss each and every one of them.
Save the dateJuly 13, 2013 - my 70th birthday party here in Denver. Everyone is invited. I am going to try and make special arrangement with LaQuinta (for those coming in from out of town) over by the church so that everyone can stay in the same place. Please come and share my joy! More information to follow.
I had been watching the long range weather forecast to make sure the weather was going to be okay - all showed good weather so we took off after lunch/staff meeting on Thursday afternoon on the February 14th. By the time we all finished having lunch for Rebecca's birthday, it was snowing - hard! We did finally drive out of it and it was a beautiful day. We did not get away until two o'clock so we stopped in Hays KS and stayed overnight. On Friday we arrived in Kansas City around the lunch hour so we had lunch before I dropped her off by the Country Club Plaza where Bill was staying. Three weeks is a long time not to see Rebecca.
Since Kansas City has changed so much in the 17 years that I have been gone, Bill loaned me his GPS - it was a life saver. They both have GPS on their phones so they did not need it.
When I got to Betty's house (my cousin) we just talked and talked for the rest of the day. Lisa and Darin, Reagan and Roman, stopped by to say "hi" - Betty's daughter's family. So long since I have seen them.
 |
| Betty, Sister Johanna |
 |
| Me, Shalom, Cheyyenne, Callie, Felicity, Brooke |
SaturdayBetty and I went to Shalom's house. I met Kevin for the first time and of course Callie. She made up with me right away. She is so much fun. Brooke and Felicity have met me before but I don't think they remembered me. I have not seen them for many years. My niece Cheyyenne, who is 16 now, was coming up from Oklahoma just to meet me - for the first time. Cheyyenne did not get to Kansas City until late so we will meet for breakfast. She is so pretty. I must say I have gorgeous nieces. Valetta had to work and was not able to come up. Hopefully, I can see her next time. Yes, I plan on there being a next time.
Sunday - a very busy day! We left early in the morning and got back late at night! Betty, Johanna and I went to church. Then we went to have breakfast with Shalom and her girls and to meet Cheyyenne.
 |
| Me, Christopher, Kimberly, Hannah |
 |
| Johanna, Me, uncle Larry |
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| Melissa, Jillian, me, Stevi |
Betty and I went to Independence to meet with Melissa, Jillian and Stevi. My first meeting with Stevi - she is now three years old and Jillian is five.
Tuesday
Had to cut my trip short because of the snow storm coming into Kansas City so I left a day early. I was supposed to meet with Connie in Salina to have lunch but since I had to change my date of departure she was not able to meet me because of a doctors appointment.
Once on the road I heard nothing but bad weather report from every direction. It was a beautiful day otherwise. I made it to Goodland KS and decided to stay overnight there. When I left the next morning I turned onto the wong highway and did not realize it until I got to Limon. It might have saved my life in one way - there was zero visability and there was not much traffic and no big trucks. When I got to Limon I stopped to relax for a minute and that is when I found out that I was not on I-70. When I left Limon it started lifting and it was clear sailing on into Denver. I stopped and had breakfast and went on home. I was there by 10:30. I did not sleep very well the night before worrying about the weather so I took a short nap and when I got up it was snowing and I could not even see the lake a couple of blocks over.
All-in-all it was a fast trip but I got to see all my nieces (that were in town) and my nephew. And that was really my intent when I left. The time I spent with each of them was so short but I would not trade it for the world. I love them all so much and miss each and every one of them.
Save the dateJuly 13, 2013 - my 70th birthday party here in Denver. Everyone is invited. I am going to try and make special arrangement with LaQuinta (for those coming in from out of town) over by the church so that everyone can stay in the same place. Please come and share my joy! More information to follow.
"A joy that is shared is a joy made double." ~Anonymous
Friday, February 1, 2013
A NYC Taxi driver wrote:
This amazing story was originally posted on Facebook. It is a touching lesson on being patient - you HAVE to read it, it'll change how you think.
'Would you carry my bag out to the car?' she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.
She kept thanking me for my kindness. 'It's nothing', I told her.. 'I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother to be treated. 'Oh, you're such a good boy, she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address and then asked, 'Could you drive through downtown?' 'It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly. 'Oh, I don't mind,' she said. 'I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice.
I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. 'I don't have any family left,' she continued in a soft voice..'The doctor says I don't have very long.' I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.
'What route would you like me to take?' I asked. For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator. We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl. Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.
As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, 'I'm tired.Let's go now'. We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico. Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her. I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.
'How much do I owe you?' She asked, reaching into her purse. 'Nothing,' I said, 'You have to make a living,' she answered. 'There are other passengers,' I responded.
Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly. 'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,' she said. 'Thank you.' I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life.
I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?
On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life.
I arrived at the address and honked the horn. After waiting a few minutes I honked again. Since this was going to be my last ride of my shift I thought about just driving away, but instead I put the car in park and walked up to the door and knocked.. 'Just a minute', answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.
After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940's movie.
By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets. There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.'Would you carry my bag out to the car?' she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.
She kept thanking me for my kindness. 'It's nothing', I told her.. 'I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother to be treated. 'Oh, you're such a good boy, she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address and then asked, 'Could you drive through downtown?' 'It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly. 'Oh, I don't mind,' she said. 'I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice.
I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. 'I don't have any family left,' she continued in a soft voice..'The doctor says I don't have very long.' I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.
'What route would you like me to take?' I asked. For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator. We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl. Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.
As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, 'I'm tired.Let's go now'. We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico. Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her. I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.
'How much do I owe you?' She asked, reaching into her purse. 'Nothing,' I said, 'You have to make a living,' she answered. 'There are other passengers,' I responded.
Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly. 'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,' she said. 'Thank you.' I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life.
I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?
On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life.
We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments.
But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped
in what others may consider a small one..'
Friday, December 14, 2012
Christmas Letter 2012
Once again I am going to depend on electronics to deliver my Christmas Letter 2012. After all, what do we have all of these fancy gadgets for anyway? Some of you do not use the computer so I printed my letter just for you!
The year was probably a little uneventful but the main thing is that my health is so good (Cancer wise). Now of course the rest of me is falling apart but so far nothing I can not deal with.
Early in the year, March to be exact, I decided to get healthier only to find out that does not always work to my advantage. Blew out my right knee walking around Sloan's Lake. It is approximately 3 miles around the lake give or take a few feet. The knee of course has not been the same since and hurts most of the time. I have learned to live with the pain from osteoarthritis in my lumbar spine. I did have to quit the job at Little Sister of the Poor right after the first of the year....it was doing more bad things than good things to my health. Just not worth it. I do still volunteer at the church but no longer at Frances Heights where I live. Okay enough about my health. I have it way better than many people I know.
Planned a trip to Kansas City by way of Omaha in the spring but that fell through. I made it to Omaha and back home but not to Kansas City. Then I planned another trip to Kansas City with a friend from church. She was going to a conference so I was going to ride along. Those plans, once again, fell through. I will get there someday, hopefully sooner than later.
I had many friends die this year that I am sure you read on my blog. I do not post on it a whole lot anymore because my health is so good. I started the blog as a journal to follow my cancer to the end. Well, what can I say other than the "Cancer is not Active". Thank you Lord!
I did have to give up my Grand Prix this fall. I had it for a little over 11 years and I just was not trusting it anymore. I did get a new Mazda 3 and I love it. (Cash donations accepted!) I leased instead of buying because the payments were much, much lower. I was broke before I got it and I am still broke...Story of my life but I couldn't be happier.
The week before Thanksgiving I joined TOPS. I needed the accountability of losing weight. I was doing pretty good until I stopped walking. I did not gain any back but I just could not lose anymore. Now I am on the right track again.
SAVE THE DATE: July 13, 2013
God has blessed me beyond my wildest dreams. In July it will be 5 years since I was diagnosed with terminal cancer, I was 65 years old. In July of 2013 I will be 70 years old and I am going to have a Birthday Party to celebrate. I have reserved the fellowship hall at the church building for July 13, 2013 to celebrate. Marcus and Natalie are going to cater the dinner and decorate the hall, Laurie will be helping with the center pieces, Anita is going to cook and Rebecca is going to bake a professional cake. The plans are in the works. For my 2013 blessing I would like for as many of you as possible to be here to celebrate with me. An invitation will go out a little later. I just wanted to put the date out there so if you are planning a long weekend or will be driving through Colorado at that time you could stop by. Those of you that live in Denver I will expect to be there.
 |
| This is not Ember and this is not my tree! |
Early in the year, March to be exact, I decided to get healthier only to find out that does not always work to my advantage. Blew out my right knee walking around Sloan's Lake. It is approximately 3 miles around the lake give or take a few feet. The knee of course has not been the same since and hurts most of the time. I have learned to live with the pain from osteoarthritis in my lumbar spine. I did have to quit the job at Little Sister of the Poor right after the first of the year....it was doing more bad things than good things to my health. Just not worth it. I do still volunteer at the church but no longer at Frances Heights where I live. Okay enough about my health. I have it way better than many people I know.
Planned a trip to Kansas City by way of Omaha in the spring but that fell through. I made it to Omaha and back home but not to Kansas City. Then I planned another trip to Kansas City with a friend from church. She was going to a conference so I was going to ride along. Those plans, once again, fell through. I will get there someday, hopefully sooner than later.
I did do an overnight to the mountains with Rebecca in the fall and it was an absolutely beautiful time of the year despite the little bit of snow we encountered. Actually, that is what helped it to be such a beautiful trip.
I had many friends die this year that I am sure you read on my blog. I do not post on it a whole lot anymore because my health is so good. I started the blog as a journal to follow my cancer to the end. Well, what can I say other than the "Cancer is not Active". Thank you Lord!
I did have to give up my Grand Prix this fall. I had it for a little over 11 years and I just was not trusting it anymore. I did get a new Mazda 3 and I love it. (Cash donations accepted!) I leased instead of buying because the payments were much, much lower. I was broke before I got it and I am still broke...Story of my life but I couldn't be happier.
The week before Thanksgiving I joined TOPS. I needed the accountability of losing weight. I was doing pretty good until I stopped walking. I did not gain any back but I just could not lose anymore. Now I am on the right track again.
SAVE THE DATE: July 13, 2013
Until then we will Celebrate the Birthday of our Savior, Jesus...Afterall,
"He is the Reason for the Season."
May each of you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2013!
Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NIV)
11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.
12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.
13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Spring and Summer 2012
It has been a long time since I have updated my blog. However, it has been a very challenging summer and I am looking forward to a much more pleasant autumn. So far so good as you can see by the pictures I have posted.
Good news first:
I will say that my cancer seems to be in check. It was four and a half years ago that I was diagnosed and in that respect I am feeling very good and thanking God every day for the journey he has sent me on. When you constantly repeat the verse from Jeremiah 29:11, and believe it with all your heart you had better be prepared for your future. "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Over the past year, to year and a half, my friend Anita and I have taught and baptized four women. During this time Anita started going to another church but continued to help me with the teachings. Early this spring God put it on my heart to start a Life Group for new believers. I told my pastor but then I kept putting it off...I did not want to teach alone. At the same time I knew we could not leave these ladies wanting more and not getting it - they were hungry for God's Word. Anita came one Sunday to play with the Worship Team so I told her of my plan. She got so excited about it and said that God was also touching her heart to do something with the women. She has come back to South Denver and we are teaching a Life Group together - it is awesome. Two more members are joining us this next week. Pray that we can accomplish God's work in these women and the journey he has designed for us.
Not so good news of the summer:
The death of six friends - three of them within four days of each other. One of them was the lady that stood with me when I was baptized. She was diagnosed in January and died within 6 months - she was only 54. I currently have two friends in hospice, one is Anita's ex-husband. She and her four children are currently in Arizona with him. I have three more friends, here in the apartment building, that have been diagnosed with Cancer. It never stops.
I started a health regimen of walking around Sloan's Lake (about three miles - give or take a little) when suddenly one day my right knee blew out on me. This happened in May and I had a trip planned for Omaha over Memorial Day. I went but it was not the best time that I have had. I was going to the pool at least three days a week when something happened to the heater and the pool was closed most of the summer - very hard to get back in the habit of going.
I have had two bad falls, one at home and one at the church. Both very stupid but both hurt a lot. I fell into the corner of the wall and hit my right shoulder with full force - right in the crease of my arm...tripped on my pajama leg. The fall at the church was right into the corner of a door...and yes I hit on the right side again and over my mastectomy. And I hit my left knee but only had bruises and it no longer hurts...my shoe caught on the carpet while I was setting up the class room...good thing it was not my right knee again.
Last but not least...fires in Colorado with lots of smoke, lack of moisture and lots of heat. I developed allergies after I moved to Colorado and my little cat, Ember, has allergies also. It has been a time of seeing who can out sneeze the other. I feel so sorry for her - I can take pills to help out but I can't get anything down her...she becomes like and octopus - where do all those legs come from anyhow?
Well, this has been my summer in a nutshell. I know that all of you have had your trials also. I pray for my family and friends daily...not all at the same time of course. The Bible tells us that we should 'pray without ceasing' and that is what I do...so, many times the prayers come flowing while I am looking at Facebook - what a terrific reminder to pray for each of you.
"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:3-6
I will say that my cancer seems to be in check. It was four and a half years ago that I was diagnosed and in that respect I am feeling very good and thanking God every day for the journey he has sent me on. When you constantly repeat the verse from Jeremiah 29:11, and believe it with all your heart you had better be prepared for your future. "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Over the past year, to year and a half, my friend Anita and I have taught and baptized four women. During this time Anita started going to another church but continued to help me with the teachings. Early this spring God put it on my heart to start a Life Group for new believers. I told my pastor but then I kept putting it off...I did not want to teach alone. At the same time I knew we could not leave these ladies wanting more and not getting it - they were hungry for God's Word. Anita came one Sunday to play with the Worship Team so I told her of my plan. She got so excited about it and said that God was also touching her heart to do something with the women. She has come back to South Denver and we are teaching a Life Group together - it is awesome. Two more members are joining us this next week. Pray that we can accomplish God's work in these women and the journey he has designed for us.
Not so good news of the summer:
The death of six friends - three of them within four days of each other. One of them was the lady that stood with me when I was baptized. She was diagnosed in January and died within 6 months - she was only 54. I currently have two friends in hospice, one is Anita's ex-husband. She and her four children are currently in Arizona with him. I have three more friends, here in the apartment building, that have been diagnosed with Cancer. It never stops.
I started a health regimen of walking around Sloan's Lake (about three miles - give or take a little) when suddenly one day my right knee blew out on me. This happened in May and I had a trip planned for Omaha over Memorial Day. I went but it was not the best time that I have had. I was going to the pool at least three days a week when something happened to the heater and the pool was closed most of the summer - very hard to get back in the habit of going.
I have had two bad falls, one at home and one at the church. Both very stupid but both hurt a lot. I fell into the corner of the wall and hit my right shoulder with full force - right in the crease of my arm...tripped on my pajama leg. The fall at the church was right into the corner of a door...and yes I hit on the right side again and over my mastectomy. And I hit my left knee but only had bruises and it no longer hurts...my shoe caught on the carpet while I was setting up the class room...good thing it was not my right knee again.
Last but not least...fires in Colorado with lots of smoke, lack of moisture and lots of heat. I developed allergies after I moved to Colorado and my little cat, Ember, has allergies also. It has been a time of seeing who can out sneeze the other. I feel so sorry for her - I can take pills to help out but I can't get anything down her...she becomes like and octopus - where do all those legs come from anyhow?
Well, this has been my summer in a nutshell. I know that all of you have had your trials also. I pray for my family and friends daily...not all at the same time of course. The Bible tells us that we should 'pray without ceasing' and that is what I do...so, many times the prayers come flowing while I am looking at Facebook - what a terrific reminder to pray for each of you.
"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:3-6
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Researchers Accidentally Discover Chemo Helps Tumors Grow
Scientists from the Seattle based Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center have stumbled upon a very inconvenient truth.
Chemotherapy is so damaging to the healthy cells surrounding a tumor that it changes their DNA, causing fibroblasts, those cells involved in wound healing and maintaining connective tissue, to produce a molecule called WNT16B that actually encourages prostate tumors to grow and invade neighboring cells.
The researchers also confirmed these findings for breast and ovarian cancer tumors.
The unsettling findings reported by the journal Nature Medicine in August 2012, helps explain why cancer patients sometimes derive little to no benefit from chemo treatments, essentially enduring the worse than death side effects for naught.
Peter Nelson, the study co-author said, “The increase in WNT16B was completely unexpected”.
It also sheds light on why tumors might shrink from an initial round of chemo only to regrow later becoming resistant to further rounds of the devastating treatment. Peter Nelson confirms the eventual resistance tumors develop to chemo adding: “WNT16B, when secreted, would interact with nearby tumour cells and cause them to grow, invade, and importantly, resist subsequent therapy“.
Professor Fran Balkwill, a UK based expert on the tumor microenvironment commented that these findings are in line with other research which has demonstrated that “cancer treatments don’t just affect cancer cells, but can also target cells in and around tumors”.
Researchers seem unfazed by these disquieting results that, though unexpected, did not seem to give them any pause whatsoever in questioning chemo as a valid tumor treatment for the long term.
Instead, they chose to stick their heads further into the sand suggesting that drugs to inhibit the production of WNT16B were in order for “new and improved” chemo treatments.
If one drug doesn’t work, let’s just add another, then another, then another ….
Apparently, “chemo brain” affects cancer researchers too.
~by Sarah, The Healthy Home Economist
~September 22, 2012
Chemotherapy is so damaging to the healthy cells surrounding a tumor that it changes their DNA, causing fibroblasts, those cells involved in wound healing and maintaining connective tissue, to produce a molecule called WNT16B that actually encourages prostate tumors to grow and invade neighboring cells.
The researchers also confirmed these findings for breast and ovarian cancer tumors.
The unsettling findings reported by the journal Nature Medicine in August 2012, helps explain why cancer patients sometimes derive little to no benefit from chemo treatments, essentially enduring the worse than death side effects for naught.
Peter Nelson, the study co-author said, “The increase in WNT16B was completely unexpected”.
It also sheds light on why tumors might shrink from an initial round of chemo only to regrow later becoming resistant to further rounds of the devastating treatment. Peter Nelson confirms the eventual resistance tumors develop to chemo adding: “WNT16B, when secreted, would interact with nearby tumour cells and cause them to grow, invade, and importantly, resist subsequent therapy“.
Professor Fran Balkwill, a UK based expert on the tumor microenvironment commented that these findings are in line with other research which has demonstrated that “cancer treatments don’t just affect cancer cells, but can also target cells in and around tumors”.
Researchers seem unfazed by these disquieting results that, though unexpected, did not seem to give them any pause whatsoever in questioning chemo as a valid tumor treatment for the long term.
Instead, they chose to stick their heads further into the sand suggesting that drugs to inhibit the production of WNT16B were in order for “new and improved” chemo treatments.
If one drug doesn’t work, let’s just add another, then another, then another ….
Apparently, “chemo brain” affects cancer researchers too.
~by Sarah, The Healthy Home Economist
~September 22, 2012
Sunday, May 13, 2012
The day of the relay, 5-12-12, 6:00 on through to 5-13-12, 7:30 am (Mother’s Day)
I borrowed a large tent from the church and Mike brought his pop-up camper...with a heater. The tent was on the football field and the pop-up was in the parking lot. We were not allowed to anchor the tent with stakes because of the turf on the field. Periodically the wind would pick up and I was not sure it would stand all night.
The rains came...along with the lightening and thunder. They had to clear the field and sent everyone to the auditorium to wait it out for about an hour. I stayed in the pop-up and Laurie and Craig sat in the truck. Not sure how safe any of us were but it seemed that the lightening stopped as soon as every one left the field...we still had to wait. We finally started walking again with sprinkles on and off but it was so cold.
Laurie and Craig only live about a mile from the high school so they went home for a couple of hours and I tried to sleep in the tent on the field. I wasn’t cold but the majority of walkers were high school kids and it was really noisy. After about 45 minutes I went back out walked some more and went up to get some hot tea. I saw that Tim, Andrew and Julianne were walking again and Karen was sitting in the bleachers...I sat there with her for awhile. Then when Julianne did 10 miles and Andrew 13 miles they decided to leave. Tim and Karen said they were going to leave also. Tim probably did 13 miles also because he was keeping up with Andrew (his son-in-law). Stephanie was on the field walking and saw us. Not sure how many miles Mike, Stephanie and Rachel walked. At that time I said that I was ready to leave but I was responsible for the tent and I could not take it down by myself. Tim and Andrew had that tent down in no time. I called Laurie and said the tent is down and we are leaving. Mike was up above closing up the pop-up. Craig and Laurie got back and picked up all of there stuff and we were out of there around 2:30 am. There were other people leaving also.
Since Laurie and Craig live so close to the high school they went back at 5:00 am and all of the tents were down. They were serving the free bagels and hot chocolate and there were no closing ceremonies.
All-in-all it was a very nice event but it was not what I had in mind. I thought it might be a little chili and we could sit around outside and play cards, etc and have snacks. No chance of that.
The team did really good for our first year and raised almost $800. I raised $210 but not all of it got credited to me....that is okay it all goes to the same place.
I had people stopping me all evening while I was walking and thanking me or asking questions. Two high school girls walked up beside me and thanked me and said they wanted to walk a lap with me...then thanked me when we got around.
Steve Heese, my pastor, said that God received the applause...and that is exactly what I was hoping for.
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