Okay...it's official this time. We are officially two-thirds through radiation therapy. I have 10 treatments left! And, here is the deal. This now correlates with my chemotherapy. I am also two-thirds through the chemo. Therefore, 10 radiation and 2 chemo treatments to go. I say, "Bring it on!"
April 1st will be the final day for both. Believe me that someone might get kicked in the teeth if any April Fools' jokes make an appearance at the cancer center that day. Although, I tend to be a good sport, so I would probably just laugh (and I have never been known to kick anyone in the teeth).
Things have definitely gotten tougher...mouth sores have gotten pretty bad, fatigue has set in, and I have somehow picked up an ear infection. However, God continues to be very good to me. I definitely need my rest, but I still have the will to continue to exercise and eat. Please pray for perseverance and for God to continue to be glorified through this season in a big way.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Rewind...
So, I have a correction to make. I just found out today that the radiation oncologist had planned on a "boost of 3." Therefore, I asked, "What is that?" "Well, that means that you will have three more treatments at the end. Sorry...but we thought that it would be better to tell you this now than at the end of the 6 weeks." God has sustained me amazingly so far, so three more treatments is nothing. However, this means that we need to rewind a bit and we will restart the countdown in a couple of days. So, I have 12 left.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
The Final Countdown...
Yes, that's right...that was an intentional Europe reference (for those that were wondering). I have some great news today. The countdown begins for the rest of my radiation treatments...I HAVE ONLY 10 LEFT!!! Praise the Lord!
I will not pretend and say that it has been easy, but God has certainly taken care of me through this whole journey. My body has felt well enough to be able to continue to exercise and not be too tired. I had heard many more horror stories that I have definitely not had to experience. I am extremely grateful to God for his provision and care. He has certainly sustained me through this whole thing.
Oh, and by the way...I am also halfway through the chemo. I only have three Mondays left.
I will not pretend and say that it has been easy, but God has certainly taken care of me through this whole journey. My body has felt well enough to be able to continue to exercise and not be too tired. I had heard many more horror stories that I have definitely not had to experience. I am extremely grateful to God for his provision and care. He has certainly sustained me through this whole thing.
Oh, and by the way...I am also halfway through the chemo. I only have three Mondays left.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Food Network Torture
Okay, I have probably lost more weight than I am supposed to, but I feel that I have been doing a pretty good job of eating. While it has been difficult to eat stuff because of the sore throat and then the mouth sores, I have still been able to make myself eat malt-o-meal, soups, scrambled eggs, and lots of Ensure shakes. Much of this is thanks to God that I have not hardly suffered from any nausea. I still find myself hungry, with an appetite. The problem is that my appetite is for all the things I cannot eat. That is where Food Network comes in.
Jess keeps trying to tell me to quit watching the Food Network, but I get hungry and can't stop myself. Guy Fieri just keeps showing me all these places I want to go try. Bobby Flay keeps putting flavors together that makes my mouth water (not literally, or course, because the mouth is pretty dry right now). But, I know that if I try anything that I want, it just won't be worth it. However, a man can only do so much soup.
So, we borrowed a blender from my parents. Hopefully, we can mix things up a bit (pun totally intended). My wife just rocks my socks off sometimes. Today she had the great idea of using the Ensure shakes as the base for fruit smoothies. For lunch, I had a Milk Chocolate Ensure shake with banana, milk, peanut butter, and honey. It was definitely a welcome change. I can't wait to try something with a Vanilla Ensure.
If anyone out there has some good smoothie recipes, let me know. My mouth does not do well with citrus or anything acidic, so keep it mild and fairly bland.
Jess keeps trying to tell me to quit watching the Food Network, but I get hungry and can't stop myself. Guy Fieri just keeps showing me all these places I want to go try. Bobby Flay keeps putting flavors together that makes my mouth water (not literally, or course, because the mouth is pretty dry right now). But, I know that if I try anything that I want, it just won't be worth it. However, a man can only do so much soup.
So, we borrowed a blender from my parents. Hopefully, we can mix things up a bit (pun totally intended). My wife just rocks my socks off sometimes. Today she had the great idea of using the Ensure shakes as the base for fruit smoothies. For lunch, I had a Milk Chocolate Ensure shake with banana, milk, peanut butter, and honey. It was definitely a welcome change. I can't wait to try something with a Vanilla Ensure.
If anyone out there has some good smoothie recipes, let me know. My mouth does not do well with citrus or anything acidic, so keep it mild and fairly bland.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Cause for Celebration...
I am officially halfway through the radiation treatments!!! Short one today, but worthy of a posting.
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
B to the 4th Power...
Billy...Blessed Beyond Belief!
Okay, I know that was kind of cheesy, but it helped me have a title that hopefully snagged you. But, the statement is certainly true.
Truth is that things are getting tougher, but not too bad. My body, overall, has been taking things pretty well. I am only tired occasionally and I am still running between 2 and 3 miles every other day. However, my mouth is another story. There have been a number of sores that have sprung up on my tongue, inside my cheeks and lips, and at the entrance of my throat. It is definitely making eating not fun at all and they have started waking me up at night. But, today, as I was receiving another radiation treatment, I began to consider my blessings...and it made all the difference. I just lied there and thought about much of what God has given me, and I found my thoughts focusing on one of the biggest blessings of all...my wife.
The true purpose of this post is to share how thankful I am for my wonderful wife. I cannot imagine a better partner, best friend, supporter, encourager, and helper. She would tell you that none of it is true, but don't listen to her. I can't believe how much she has had to sacrifice through all of this, and she would not even act as though sacrifices were made. She has suffered with me and rejoiced with me. She considers it a welcome challenge to discover what recipes she can make that would be easy for me to eat. She is often preparing three different meals (for me, herself, and Anabell). I don't know how many diapers I have NOT changed, and she has with love. I have an amazing wife.
Thank you, Jessica, for loving me so well. I am blessed to be able to spend the rest of my life with you. I love you like whoa.
Okay, I know that was kind of cheesy, but it helped me have a title that hopefully snagged you. But, the statement is certainly true.
Truth is that things are getting tougher, but not too bad. My body, overall, has been taking things pretty well. I am only tired occasionally and I am still running between 2 and 3 miles every other day. However, my mouth is another story. There have been a number of sores that have sprung up on my tongue, inside my cheeks and lips, and at the entrance of my throat. It is definitely making eating not fun at all and they have started waking me up at night. But, today, as I was receiving another radiation treatment, I began to consider my blessings...and it made all the difference. I just lied there and thought about much of what God has given me, and I found my thoughts focusing on one of the biggest blessings of all...my wife.
The true purpose of this post is to share how thankful I am for my wonderful wife. I cannot imagine a better partner, best friend, supporter, encourager, and helper. She would tell you that none of it is true, but don't listen to her. I can't believe how much she has had to sacrifice through all of this, and she would not even act as though sacrifices were made. She has suffered with me and rejoiced with me. She considers it a welcome challenge to discover what recipes she can make that would be easy for me to eat. She is often preparing three different meals (for me, herself, and Anabell). I don't know how many diapers I have NOT changed, and she has with love. I have an amazing wife.
Thank you, Jessica, for loving me so well. I am blessed to be able to spend the rest of my life with you. I love you like whoa.
Friday, March 1, 2013
Why Me?
Why me? A question that probably all of us have asked at at least once in our lives. A question for which we have to accept the fact that we might not find an answer. A question that is often not the right question to ask, but we sometimes just can't help ourselves. I am guilty of asking this question through this journey. However, it might not be in the context you think.
Honestly, I have not struggled much with wondering why God allowed me to get cancer. He has given me a "peace that transcends all understanding." His ways are higher than ours, and sometimes we just don't understand why some may experience some horrible situation and others do not. Then, we begin to find ourselves spiraling downward into thinking that someone did not deserve it. Does anyone honestly deserve to get cancer, have their house burn down, or lose a child? We just can't explain sometimes why some things happen. God has given me peace in this. My "why me" is different, but can also find itself in the same downward spiral.
We have been overwhelmed by the way we have been loved through this whole thing. Our family has been their through every step. Our friends have prayed ceaselessly. Our church family has provided so much for us...a place to live, groceries, help for medical bills, a car to get around in, and more. We have seen God's provision and love for us through all of them. We have not taken if for granted and are extremely grateful. But, at times, I sometimes cannot help myself from asking, "Why me?"
I have experienced suffering in a whole new way through our time in Bosnia-Herzegovina. I am not talking about my own personal suffering, but about the suffering we see happening in the lives of the people we encounter every day. When I found out that I had cancer and had surgery, the Bosnians did all they could for us. They loved us well. The truth is that I would not even begin to compare any suffering I have experienced to theirs. So, why do I get to have so many material blessings when so many others who are hurting worse do not?
Do you see the downward spiral here? The truth is that I do not deserve any of what I have received. I am a sinner just like everyone else. But, God has shown me his grace in incredible ways. Hear me say that God has given me peace to receive thankfully what has been given to us. Yet, I have learned something from the times that I ask, "Why me?" I can either take the downward spiral and feel guilty about the love of God we have received, or I can let it move me to action in my life. As I receive God's blessings, may I never stop looking for ways to love others and may I never forget the people God has led me to encounter. No one deserves grace, but God gives it freely and we can all be a part of him giving it to others.
I am thankful for all of you that have loved us so well. We have certainly seen the grace of God in huge ways through your generosity and love. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Honestly, I have not struggled much with wondering why God allowed me to get cancer. He has given me a "peace that transcends all understanding." His ways are higher than ours, and sometimes we just don't understand why some may experience some horrible situation and others do not. Then, we begin to find ourselves spiraling downward into thinking that someone did not deserve it. Does anyone honestly deserve to get cancer, have their house burn down, or lose a child? We just can't explain sometimes why some things happen. God has given me peace in this. My "why me" is different, but can also find itself in the same downward spiral.
We have been overwhelmed by the way we have been loved through this whole thing. Our family has been their through every step. Our friends have prayed ceaselessly. Our church family has provided so much for us...a place to live, groceries, help for medical bills, a car to get around in, and more. We have seen God's provision and love for us through all of them. We have not taken if for granted and are extremely grateful. But, at times, I sometimes cannot help myself from asking, "Why me?"
I have experienced suffering in a whole new way through our time in Bosnia-Herzegovina. I am not talking about my own personal suffering, but about the suffering we see happening in the lives of the people we encounter every day. When I found out that I had cancer and had surgery, the Bosnians did all they could for us. They loved us well. The truth is that I would not even begin to compare any suffering I have experienced to theirs. So, why do I get to have so many material blessings when so many others who are hurting worse do not?
Do you see the downward spiral here? The truth is that I do not deserve any of what I have received. I am a sinner just like everyone else. But, God has shown me his grace in incredible ways. Hear me say that God has given me peace to receive thankfully what has been given to us. Yet, I have learned something from the times that I ask, "Why me?" I can either take the downward spiral and feel guilty about the love of God we have received, or I can let it move me to action in my life. As I receive God's blessings, may I never stop looking for ways to love others and may I never forget the people God has led me to encounter. No one deserves grace, but God gives it freely and we can all be a part of him giving it to others.
I am thankful for all of you that have loved us so well. We have certainly seen the grace of God in huge ways through your generosity and love. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
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