12/27/09

Made it to church Christmas eve and enjoyed the Candle Light services in addiditon to the message. Christmas day Kathy finished her cooking and the poweer went out for 16 hours. We spent most of the day at her Mom's as planned and through an extra Quilt on the bed when we came home. It appears my radiation effects are starting to show up. Face is somewhat more swollen and red and I have more of a headache today which could be the lack of sleep from last night and the weather fronts. Yesterday started pretty energetic with a trip to Dick's to spend the giftcards and Lunch at Panera's. I was cleaning up the yard when surprise surprise Konrads pulled in. It was so good to see them as even as I was running low. The kids and Konrad and I want for 1 hour walk in sunshine at the Arboretum. Later I rested while listening to their banter. Best Present ever. They had made plans to stay in a Hotel around the corner. This was helpful as I was up most of the night and finally took a pill so Kathy and I could sleep. This morning I had crawled back to bed when they returned for another couple hours before heading back. Boy am I loved. I also got a nice reminder from Almut and Papi via a Bonhoeffer poem how much we are loved and cared for by our heavenly Father and Jesus who makes this whole season possible. I guess its time to rely on more meds to make it through the next weeks. Kathy is turning 50 on Wednesday please call her and wish her well, my plans for her are somewhat meager. We spoke about postponing but I hate that. She made a nice dinner tonight and a smoothy to finish things off. Jurgen

12/24/09

Merry Christmas everybody Kathy and I wish a blessed Christmas. This week is going ok as far as the treatments are going. The first minor irretationa are showing up and I am more tired but its been a good week. I will go shortly for todays treatments which are my 6th radiation and 2nd chemo. Due to the holiday I will have tomorrow off, which means I ahve to make it up at the end. I started talking to a nice old Lady "annie " who has her 3rd bout with Cancer. She is refusing chemo and is almost done with radiation. She told me yesterday that her house is being foreclosed on and she will have to move at the 1st of the year. If you will keep her in your prayers. She is 86 and feels that she has had a good life. Hopefulluy I will have enough energy to make it to Church tonight. Last week both treatments took 6 hours and I was exhausted. I know this is short but I have to get ready and it all takes a bit longer. Thanks again for all yuor support and prayers. I am amble to eat more solid food such as pasta with cream sauce. A friend who has not spoken to me for 3.5 years stopped by on Tuesday and it was good to see him. Merry Christmas. Jurgen

12/19/09

Well its been several days. After a rocky start on Wednesday when I was not able to do my first radiation treatment due to my claustophobia it went better on Thrursday with the help of new medication. I also had my first chemo on Thursday with a mild allergic reaction to one of the drugs which was handled while I was there and I was able to finish. Altogether it made for a long 6 hour day. Dinner was at Chuck and Lorries very nice I was able to eat all of it. Friday the radiation went well and Kathy and I were out in less than an hour. Last night we went to Suba's for Dinner and then to a nice Christmas Concert. We had planned to meet my brother half way in PA but due to the Winter Storm was cancelled this am. They are getting worse weather than we are and we already have snow. God continues to see us through the little quirks such as having the reaction in the hospital not while being home. No nausea to report which was great. Due to Wednesay not working out my end day is now 1/29/10 counting on getting all the on-going treatments done on time. The support with cards and foosd continues to pour in and is awesome. Tuesday a bunch of guys came over for Dinner while Kathy had a night out with the girls. It was fun. Its snowing outside and I will head out with Rustler for our first snow walk for this season. Jurgen

12/14/09

Another low energy day but Kathy and I had a nice walk with milder temps and the sun even peaked through. Got things planned for the weekend. We are planning to meet Konrads in PA on Sunday. Kathy and I will spend the night in the hotel and they are planning to get there in the am. In the afternoon we all head back. Today the treatment plans came together. Radiation will start on Wednesday daily for 30 sessions and chemo will start on Thursday for 7 sessions weekly. Last day should be 1/28/10. Then the real healing can begin. YEAH. I covet your prayers and am looking forward how He is showing up. Yesterday Papi called its awesome to knkow all the people praying and rooting for me. I know I am not alone in this. In a real fashion my friend Lois Ann is going through this also with her chemo starting beginning in January. Today I finished reading the book "Tuesdays with Morrie". Its about Morrie who has Lou Gehrig's disease or ALG and chronicles his final months. Easy Read but challenging subject matter at times. I knnow we all will die some day but being faced with one owns mortality is a challenge even with the assurance that He loves me and cares for me to the point that he knows how many hairs I am going to lose in the next several weeks. May I be found worthy and He be glorified. I am looking forward to tomorow evening as the guys are coming over for an evening of food and fellowship. I am gratefull for His love and the support we have. Jurgen

12/12/09

You can tell I am getting more active as I am writing less. Thursday Kathy and I met with the Chemo Folks. The purpose of the chemo is to boost the radiation which will be the primary Trteatment. I will get a lower dose but get it weekly the whole time I am getting radiation. Since we are still not sure what day next week radiation is scheduled to start we went ahead and scheduled all the chemo appointments. It will be every Thursday at 11 am downtown. Then we shared that information with the radiation people and are hoping that they can come close to the same times. Based on a start with radiation on Wednesday I will have my final treatment of both on 1/28/10. Yeah and then the real healing can occur. I know that people will be praying but having both treatments together will give God amble opportunity to do His thing. I met Pastor Greg for a conversation on Friday becuase my mind sometimes goes places I feel not comfortable with. Later that day we met Lois Ann and Mike and picked up the Glass art from last week after dinner at their house and drove around looking at Christmas Lights. It was more of a lazy day for me it seems that I alternate days in regards to energy. Today Duane and I went shopping for some Health supplies and a new Coffee Maker, followed by an hour walk in Sunshine and above freezing temps with Kathy and Rustler. Awesome church service tonight with some testimony about how He provides for our needs, I am counting on it and the Peace he brings. Neighbors brought a huge Gift basket. We are so blessed. Thanks to all Jurgen

12/9/09

Today became more of an action day then yesterday. Yesterday I was lazy and laid around but was able to attend Ad Council at church. Today I cleaned the cars inside only , vaccumed the house , picked up sticks in the yard with Kathy and walked the dog before it became to cold. I was surprised by an agency gift certificate for my favorite store and cards and balloon. Kathy went to Taychi tonight and i was able to write an article for PATMR. In my devotion I was reminded that I have a shepard who looks out for me. Later I read in the journal of Big Lois, She was the mother for alot of us when we were young Christians and I spent uncountable nights on their livingroom floor when I was dating Kathy and kiving in Akron. The journal is such an insight in the godly no nonsense person that she was. HIs body continues to be wonderful with providing rides and food and moral support. THANKS to all. Jurgen

12/6/09

How time flies, The outing with Mike and Loisann was great went shopping at Trader Joe's then Mike and I watched the ladies do some Glass art. Thursday I had met with the Radiologist and had my mask fashioned. Chuck came along for an extra set of ears and more moral support than he can imagine Gods body at work. Friday after the art affair we came back and made an awesome Lunch then it was time for a nap. At night I was taken out by Duane for some Christmas Ale. I am blessed. In the mid of this doubts and frustrations come up its weird this emotional rollercoaster. This writings things out shows me all the blessings so Its mostly for me. Yesterday I was able to go Christmas shopping for Kathy and surprise her. She has been such a trooper please pray for her also. Was able to go to church last night and hear about the hope we have in Christ. Afterwards we went to Keith and Cindy's for a bit. Today sunshine and a nice walk at the Arboretum and a visit from Steve with an great conversation. My Dad called and later I spoke to my Mom. Today is Saint Nicholoas day and I received my presents. Thanks to all Jurgen

12/3/09

Last night I was able to attend man church what a blessing after the challenging news about my odds of the cancer coming back yesterday which was reportedly 50/50 it was a great time fellowshipping and I was able to sleep the best since I have returned home. Today I met with the Radialogist who felt the odds were more like 70% and I had my mask done. This will be used to secure my head to the table during radiation treatments and I had a CAt scan. Radiation will start the week of 12/14 not sure yet what day. Chuck came along what a blessing to know somebody else is listening to what the team is saying. Kathy looked up new games for us to play to keep me foccused. Since she was able to rigg my glasses so I an see better. I drove myself to walk the dog just up the road. Baby steps in reclaiming some of my independence. Thanks for all your prayers and support. Tomorrow Kathy and I ahve a roadtrip planned to meet Loisann and her husband Mike to go to a healthfood store. Jurgen

12/2/09

Boy time is getting away. The weather has been great. Kathy and I have been able to take longer walks with Rustler up to 1 hour and try to retrain him due to some lack of exercise and people stopping by. He needs a refresher. Today was another Dr. appointment. I haad a cat scan to rule out some Kidney issues. I have to go rather frequently which is interefering with sleep. Last night I got a 3 hour nap in. YEAH. The Dr. today feels that Iam healing up fine. I got permission to rig my glasses so I can see better. I will have to do both radiation and Chemo inorder to increase the odds of putting an end to this. I was given 50/50 odds today. Time to get fighting here. Friends are awesome with coming to visit , I have learned to plaay Backgammon and Gin it helps to foccus verus feeling sorry for myself even though I am good at doing this. God continues to be there. As I wig out friends call to check in. Tonight I am meeting with the guys at Church. YEAH. Tomorow Kathy and I are meeting with the Radiologist and will get the plan for that possible start date 12/14. This is earlier thatn I had anticipated but it also means that I will be done earlier. Thanks for everybodies prayers and suport. Jurgen