Thank you

As a family, we would like to express our heartfelt thanks for all the ways we have been supported during Dad's illness and since his passing on to glory.  The prayers & encouraging Bible passages, cards & messages, baking & meals, visits & phonecalls, your presence at the memorial service -- all of it has demonstrated an outpouring of love -- so much more than we could have imagined.  We have truly been blessed by the communion of saints and have felt God's hand holding us up. 

Live Feed

If you are unable to attend the memorial service for Dad yet would like to watch, it will be available on live feed via the church website on March 15 at 1:30 p.m..  Log in to http://www.langleycanrc.org/ and click on Live Video. 

Memorial Service

The memorial service for Dad is scheduled to be held at Langley Canadian Reformed Church on Thursday, March 15 at 1:30 p.m.

The church address is 21804 52 Avenue in Langley.

(Dad's body will be laid to rest prior to the service.)

Eternal Rest

With loved ones by his side, Dad was taken out of this world and carried home to His Father in heaven.  We love you!

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.  My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. "  - John 14:1-3

How Long O Lord?

It wasn't even two weeks ago that a doctor faced my dad and said "months" with regards to the question "how long?".  He didn't claim to know and he preempted his response saying that none of us knows how long we have.  Yet God knows.  And though our hearts may cry out to God, "How long, O Lord, until Dad is relieved of all earthly suffering?" we know that even in these final days God's perfect plan for Dad's life is being carried out.

"The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever -- do not abandon the work of Your hands."  -- Psalm 138:8

Surrounded By Love

The last few days have been very difficult as we have watched Dad's health rapidly decline.  We are patiently waiting to have Dad moved to hospice and we covet your prayers that it may happen soon for the sake of Dad's comfort as well as Mom's.

I titled today's post "Surrounded By Love" because we know with certainty that Dad knows with certainty that he is surrounded by love.  The love of his wife, his children (and grandchildren as we share with him their messages for beloved Grandpa/Papa), and his siblings and close friends.  And by God's grace Michelle will be at Dad's bedside Thursday morning to shower him with more love.  Extended family as well as his church family also wish to show love to him -- we just ask you at this time that if you plan to visit, please stay only for 5 minutes. 

Most importantly, Dad knows that God's love encompasses all and he rests firm in the knowledge that his life is held securely in God's Hand.  "Going home" has a much greater meaning now.

“Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders.”  - Deuteronomy 33:12

A Long Overdue Update

First of all, sorry to have been so long in updating this blog.  I know many of you check back often to see how Dad is doing and it makes everyone wonder when nothing new is posted.

Dad began radiation on his lung on February 14 and received the last treatment on February 20.  That same week the radiation oncologist confirmed a large mass on Dad's leg pressing up against the bone, finally explaining the pain he has been feeling for so long.  So on the third day of radiation, they began the first of five treatments on Dad's leg to shrink the mass and he received the last treatment on February 22.

Dad was very thankful when the radiation treatments were completed, as the daily drives into Abbotsford were becoming very tiring.  Thankfully, Dad suffered little side effects of the treatment.  In fact, the treatments seemed to have the desired effect as later in the week Dad was getting up and walking with no pain.  Maybe the fact that his oldest grandchild, Philip, arrived the day before the treatments were done was enough to give Dad an extra boost of renewed energy! 

Philip, on a university reading break, decided to leave Carman, MB for a quick visit to his grandpa.  We all had a few wonderful days while he was here -- the sun was shining, Dad played a few games of crib with Philip, and we all got together for a family potluck. 

This week has been a little more difficult, however.  On Tuesday we met with a chemothery doctor and it was decided that Dad will not be receiving any chemotherapy treatments.  “ 'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,' declares the LORD.  As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."  -- Isaiah 55:8&9

And that brings us to today, where we find ourselves visiting Dad at his hospital bedside again.  At home yesterday evening he had great difficulty breathing (he described it as like an elephant sitting on his chest!) and was ambulanced to the Langley Memorial.  He was given oxygen immediately when the paramedics arrived at the house and that brought immediate relief.  However, the doctors do wish to determine what caused the sudden lack of breath and excelerated heartrate.  At this time we have no definite answers.  Dad is not in much pain but he is patiently waiting for the doctors to tell him he can go back home where he is much more comfortable.

We continue to feel supported by so many people -- almost everyday a new card or two comes in the mail for Dad & Mom with words of encouragement and support and words of God's grace and love.  What a comfort it is knowing that when our hearts are heavy, so many people are lifting us up in prayer.  How great our God is!


"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life."  -- Psalm 143:8 

 

And Treatment Begins...

Dad has gone from waiting and waiting to appointments galore!  This past week had him out on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and next week is booked solid as well.  We met with a radiation oncologist at the Abbotsford Cancer Cancer on Wednesday and he advised that Dad receive radiation to his lung at this time.  Upon consideration, Dad agreed to this course of treatment and is already scheduled to recieve 5 radiation treatments beginning on Tuesday, February 14.  Certainly not the way one would choose to spend Valentine's Day but Dad & Mom will make the best of it.  It all feels very overwhelming right now with so many appointments, some days with more than one.  Please pray that the treatments have the desired results and that Dad experiences little side affects.

A Little Progress

We've been hearing from many people who are checking in regularly but not seeing any new updates and assuming correctly that little was happening.  We are happy to say that after being home for two weeks, Dad finally has a couple of important appointments set up to happen within the next 10 days.  Though the days at home have been long, Dad is feeling okay for the most part and he continues to wait on the Lord, for we know that all things happen in His time.  Your prayers, cards, emails, messages and short visits continue to encourage him and all of us.  Thank you.

“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”  Psalm 27:14

Update from Michelle

Though there is not anything new to share, I thought I would take the opportunity to send out a short update.  I (Michelle) have been so blessed to be able to celebrate Dad's birthday with him, and spend a few days visiting here with Dad and Mom and the rest of the family.   It's so nice that Dad was home though some days have been tiring for him.  He is doing quite well, but still waiting for an appointment for the PET scan, and so proceed with the tests and move forward.  It is not easy to be far away but as I plan to head home to Carman today, I am so thankful to leave Dad and Mom knowing they have the capable and loving care and support of my brothers and sisters here.  It is heartwarming for me to also see all the encouragement they are receiving from family and friends.  Please continue to keep us all in your prayers.

Three Score and Ten

Happy birthday to Dad!

Today the Lord has blessed Dad with 70 years and we are so very thankful to be able to celebrate this milestone with him.  The (local) grandkids are looking forward to sharing some cake with Grandpa/Papa this afternoon and can't wait to see Auntie Michelle who flew in from Carman MB yesterday especially for the occassion.

"This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."

Home Sweet Home

Dad came home yesterday evening.  And while we are all very thankful that he is out of the hospital, his homecoming is shadowed by the news of lung cancer confirmed.  New answers mean more questions and we hope that the PET scan he now waits for will give us more answers.  Dad feels secure in the Lord's hands, knowing He has a perfect plan for him.  Though the road already feels long, we know that Dad has much more of it to travel and we are determined to travel it with him.  And Dad is preparing himself for this and is going to fight this battle "with all the strength the Lord gives me."  So, please, when you pray, pray for strength for him. 

Your visits are welcome again -- but a phonecall to the house beforehand would be very much appreciated. 

We continue to feel love and support from so many people -- you are a blessing to us all.  Thank you for your prayers, comments, emails, phonecalls and cards.

"I can do everything through him who gives me strength."  Philippians 4:13
 

Dad kindly requests to receive no visitors to the hospital at this time.  Thank you for your understanding.

Crib anyone?

Today Dad had his second broncocospy. While he was warned that he may have a sore throat and be rather sleepy following the procedure Dad came out feeling pretty good. No sore throat, not that sleepy...in fact he figured I (Yvonne, that is) should drop by with the crib board for a game or two. Dad was feeling a little emotional this evening and is very eager to return home though we don't know yet when that will be.  None of us would be any different after all the poking, prodding and discomforts of a hospital.

 

On another note, for the past two days Dad has had very little pain in his leg and we are very thankful for this change. 

In the interm we sincerely thank you all for the words, prayers, cards and offers of support for our family. God in His divine will has placed this in our lives and we will continue to let Him lead us.

Transfer

After a relatively good day, Dad got transferred this evening to Surrey Memorial Hospital (Rm 317 South). He now awaits the broncoscopy, though we have not been told yet when that is scheduled for. Yesterday he had a bone scan done and we are waiting for the results of that test. So, yes, there is still more waiting, but we are moving forward. We have been thankful for all the encouraging comments, emails, and phone calls received. We especially are thankful for the all the prayers offered on Dad's behalf. How great our God is -- Dad is where he needs to be right now and his spirits are up. I smile as I type this entry because we really saw much of our "old" dad today again!

Faith.  Family.  Feelings.  When we talked about starting a blog to keep family and friends updated on Dad's health, we realized we'd need a title.  So this is what we came up and here's why. 

Dad lives a life of faith, faith in His heavenly Father and in Jesus Christ his Savior.  He has taught us to live lives of faith, and his faith is what is sustaining him and us all right now. 

If we had to summarize Dad with one word, that word would be "family".  His family is and always has been priority in his life.  He makes each one of us feel included, special and most of all loved.

The third "f" wasn't so easy to come up with -- we thought of "frappacinos", but Dad prefers his coffee hot.  "Fiction" came to mind since he does enjoy reading. "Fishing" and "flying" have never been any of Dad's hobbies and "finicky" he is not.  So when we considered the purpose of this blog, we agreed that though it is a place for us to share what procedures and such Dad is going through, it will also be an opportunity for us (and you too, if you so choose) to express some of our feelings as we go through this journey with our dad.

As you may be aware, Dad went into the hospital on Friday, January 6.  He has been enduring pain in his right leg since mid-November and has had no relief despite various medications and treatment.  Since Friday he has been through a number of tests and still awaits more.  The news is not good.  We have been told by the specialist that it is highly suspect to be lung cancer and it seems to have already spread, which would explain the pain in his leg.  The most recent test came back as non-diagnostic.  Unfortunately, that means another test.  As it stands now, we are waiting for him to be transferred to Surrey Memorial Hospital where a thoracic surgeon will perform a bronoscopy to ultrasound and biopsy his lungs.  If the procedure proves to be diagnostic, we will be told conclusively what subtype of cancer it is and what stage its at.  We don't know when this will happen -- could be as early as tomorrow or as late as next week.  We pray that it will happen sooner than later, of course.  In the meantime he will be getting a bone scan done today and we hope to get results from that fairly quickly.

It has been a lot of information to take in.  Dad is accepting of the news but is heartbroken as we all are.  He knows his life is firmly in God's hands.  With all the tests he has had and pain meds he's been given he has been very tired and sometimes confused.  He doesn't love being in the hospital but you won't hear him complain. 

We are aware of all the prayers family and friends and others are offering up for him and us and we thank you.  Please continue to pray -- that the tests may be done quickly and questions may be answered. 

"The Lord is the stronghold of my life."  Psalm 27:1b