The Latest News

Hey All,

Well, today was CAT scan day... They had the machine wasn't working in their city so they had to head to a smaller centre East of them for the scan. As they were walking in the door after the scan the Doctor called said "Rick, get to the hospital now." So they got ready and got a neighbour to drive them down (that was about 4pm) to the hospital. Apparently the CAT scan showed blood clots in the lower quardrant of his lungs. They sat at the hospital for 4ish hours and dad got a needle in his stomach, which is something that he is going to need daily for a while so they home care nurse will be frequenting the house again for awhile.

Dad's not in pain or anything but still feeling tired.

so you can be praying that this is all works out quickly... pray also for peace and rest for mom and dad! And well for whatever else you feel lead to pray!

Thanks!
Amy for the fam.

another update

Talked to mom again tonight and the update is...
No Chemo treatment tomorrow for a few reasons.
1. the doctor wants to make sure that the reconnect is all good which means another CAT scan in the next week or so.
2. Dad's lost another 5lbs in the last 2 weeks so the dosage of the next treatment needs to be less.
So, yeah no chemo treatment and they are waiting for a call from the doctor in the next few days to set up an appointment for the CAT scan.

So yeah please pray that they can figure out what's up and why he's feeling so horrible.
I think that's it.
Amy for the crew

Just Quick

Hello All,
I talked to mom tonight and she said that dad is going for blood tests tomorrow to see if everything is okay for the chemo treatment (re-attach bottle) for Wednesday. So you can pray that everything in the blood test come back okay.
That's all for tonight!
Amy - for us!

July 19, 2007 at 04:05 PM EDT

Hello Friends. Last night dad had to be taken to the emergency room because of an elevated temperature. They have run a few tests, and put him on antibiotics "just in case", and sent him home. It had sounded like they were going to keep him over night but I guess they felt he was able to go home. Please be in prayer that this is just a chemo side affect and not something else to go on. Thank you to all who visit and call, it really helps to keep mom and dad's spirit's up. Thank you so much for all the small ways that you are "Jesus with skin on" for our family. Blessings, Joy

Hard Days

So it's the middle of the night (well not wuite middle i guess but most of you Ontarioians will be sound asleep) where many of you are but I'm still up so I thought that I would update everyone.

Dad's had a very rough last few days/week, not sleeping, feeling all around miserable and mom and dad are both getting discouraged. It's been rough!

But good news, thanks again to those who've been praying, today the hospital called and dad's hemoglobian and blood count is WAY down... Now, let me clarify, yes I do know that is actually bad new but the good thing is its treatable and it's probably why he's been feeling so horrible. So they started him on some treatments (that are really expensive but covered by their health coverage... its kinda like God had things all fiugred out when dad started working at 16). So he'll have 3 more treatments with the medicine that should bring everything to a better level. And those three treatments can be done at home by the nurse that comes in to check on him!

Thanks again so much for your prayers.

I guess the next thing that we could all be praying about is their regular August camping trip... pray that dad will feel well enough to go and that the doctor will say it's alright even encourage them to go and pick up the treatments again when they get back. I just think that it would be so good for them to just get away and be normal... do their normal traditional camping with friends and family!!!!

So yeah... I'm not sure whatelse to tell you... thanks for your words of encouragement, visits and phone calls. Though Dad has been sleeping lots the doctor today told him that he needs to make sure that he is up and about so if you're in the area feel free to stop by and get dad out in the yard or for a walk or something! The doctor also gave him a list of foods that he should be eating more of... the only thing mom told me was popcorn but I know that he loves a good Harvey's burger. It may be easy to bribe or i mean convince him to join you for one and well there's always The Globe and Swiss Chalet! I should find out more of the list and then you who are around those parts may be able to drag him out more!

Oh and mom has really appreciated those who have invited her out for breakfast and coffee and stopped by to visit! Since dad's been sleeping lots lately, its good for her not to just sit around and worry!

Okay I'm going to go now... It's geting late here even and I only have 4 sleeps until our VBS which we're planning for 100 kids! May not hear from me for a bit!

Hey and if you like you can send a pray up for me and my staff for VBS!
Good night, (though it's more like good morning)
Amy for the clan