Update November 2019
Sam completed his Red Seal Certification exam last week and is now a full fledged carpenter. It didn't take him long to find a job. He's heading to the Yukon tomorrow to help build a Recreation Centre in Whitehorse.
Sam continues to do well. He has done carpentry work in many, many locations but the most beautiful was in Jervis Inlet near Princess Louisa Inlet for all of last year and summers. He helped to build a gorgeous 12,000 square foot log home right on the water.
He continues to 'live life full'. We are blessed that he is healthy, strong and now a full fledged professional! Karly also passed her International Nursing exam. So we are blessed.
Gerry
May 2017
A quick update. Sam's doing well in his second year of his apprenticeship for becoming a carpenter. He has stuck with one truck now for 18 months. That's something we all appreciate after he bought, fixed up, and sold 11 different vehicles since he was 16 years old. Our most recent refurbishing was a 13'4" Boston Whaler Sport which Sam picked up in Williams Lake a year ago. Through the winter, we 'gutted' that boat until there was nothing left but the hull. The past 3 months we have rebuilt it. We learned how to rivet, install rub rail, wire electronics, mount lights, build custom benches, remove the motor, get the new motor installed, fix the trailer wiring, paint the hull, re-epoxy a million holes and install switches. What a project. Sam is amazing. Anyway, we took her out on sea trials last Sunday and she runs beautifully. The new motor makes it ride like a little sports car on the water. We hope to have many wonderful hours on the water with our little boat.
Karly is doing great in Victoria. Morgan (her husband) is almost finished his teacher training and Karly is starting 3rd year in nursing at U Vic this fall.
Kate is working in the ER at Abbotsford Regional Hospital and taking courses to become a ER nurse specialist. She's busy but doing great.
Debbie has a challenging class of Kindergarteners and is looking forward to the summer which is just around the corner. God is good to our family and through the challenges, His faithfulness becomes more and more evident each day.
Gerry
Feb 2017 Update
Well, it is several years later and perhaps I should update this blog more often... although I doubt anyone still reads it...
Anyway, Sam is doing well. He is in his second year of Carpentry Apprenticeship and works for StattonRock Construction in Abbotsford, BC. Last summer he volunteered at Rock Ridge Canyon, a Young Life Property in Princeton BC. He was able to use all his experience driving boats at the lake and was the lead boat driver for Rock Ridge. He loved it and met some extraordinary people there.
Sam's new hobbies include 4x4 off-roading, bow hunting and building furniture. He is a busy guy. Karly got married last summer and lives in Victoria. Kate moved back from Fort Nelson and is working as an RN at the Abbotsford Regional Hospital in their E.R.
Debbie is still teaching full time kindergarten and I am still the secondary principal at ACS. Things are going well. God is good.
G
Abbotsford Fire Academy Graduation, May 2014
Sam applied to participate in the Secondary School Abbotsford Fire Fighter's Academy and went through an extensive interview process. He participated in the six week program and at the graduation ceremony he received the top award for the academy - the Fire Chief Award. He loved this training and this program. Since he was 4 years old and his mom put on a 'firefighter birthday party' for Sam he has always wanted to be a firefighter. He is excited about finishing grade 12 next year at Abbotsford Christian School and then moving on to trade school and eventually joining the fire department. He's planning to spend the summer as a camp counsellor on Quadra Island at Camp Homewood this summer. His yard maintenance business is thriving. Busy times!
SAM and ACS Place Second at BC Boys Volleyball Provincial Championship
Sam got honorable mention as an all star setter. The team went in as #10 seed and finished second. An incredible run.
Checkup September 2013
It has been a long time since we updated this site. Sam had a checkup in September and all is well with his tests and checkup. One sad part is that Sam's oncologist, Dr. Bond, passed away in the summer from lymphoma. Our whole family took this news hard because we all feel that Dr. Bond saved Sam's life. He was there from the first day of treatment until the last. It was tough news.
Kate continues to struggle with her diagnosis of MS but is doing well in school. www.monsterhiding.blogspot.ca
Karly hopes to start nursing school this fall. www.mymountainodyssey.blogspot.ca
Debbie is working full time in Kindergarten and Ger is loving his work as the secondary principal at ACS. www.abbotsfordchristian.com And that is our update for now.
The End Arrived
It seemed so long ago that we were sleeping on the floor at BCCH and looking at a long and arduous journey of 1277 days of chemotherapy for Sam. There were no gaurantees that it would work. No gaurantees that we would make it to the end. The only thing we knew for sure was that God would be with us on this journey. He was with us on this journey.
Yesterday Sam and I went to BCCH for the last procedure - he had his VAD removed by surgery. It was quite a day. We went to chapel at ACS and then drove to Children's Hospital. The Uys were there for us again. It seems like everytime we need them, our good friends are there for us. They met us at the hospital because they had a few hours between flights on their way to Hawaii. We laughed together and shared stories. It was such a great thing to see them at the hospital before Sam's final procedure.
The Surgeon, Dr. Blair, came in and said, "I know what you're going to ask and I have to tell you right now that the answer is NO!" Sam said, "Oh, so I can't play volleyball today with my team at the tournament in Coquitlam?"
The doctor replied, "Uh, well actuallyl that's fine. If you want to play, you can play. I was talking about what most kids ask which is - can I keep the VAD to show my friends. We don't let kids keep them anymore because it is deemed as a bio-hazard. You can play volleyball if you want to but I don't think you'll be feeling up to it for a few days."
Sam had his surgery at 3pm. He woke up in recovery and I was by his bedside. His first words that he mumbled so I could just barely hear him were, "Can I play volleyball now?"
His second words were, "Do you have food?"
90 minutes later we walked out of the hospital, grabbed a bite to eat and by 9:00pm he was playing volleyball with his team - spiking and bumping and jump serving with his team. Sam is a tenacious boy!
So, we're done. The removal of his VAD is the final procedure. No more chemo through his chest. Usuallyl the wait to get a VAD removed is 6 months. Sam waited 2 weeks. Dr. Lucy pulled some strings and got him in early!
Thank you for all your prayers and support. This was quite a journey.
You can check out the video below and some more pictures of Sam's Conquered A.L.L. party.
God is faithful.
Gerry and Debbie
Yesterday Sam and I went to BCCH for the last procedure - he had his VAD removed by surgery. It was quite a day. We went to chapel at ACS and then drove to Children's Hospital. The Uys were there for us again. It seems like everytime we need them, our good friends are there for us. They met us at the hospital because they had a few hours between flights on their way to Hawaii. We laughed together and shared stories. It was such a great thing to see them at the hospital before Sam's final procedure.
The Surgeon, Dr. Blair, came in and said, "I know what you're going to ask and I have to tell you right now that the answer is NO!" Sam said, "Oh, so I can't play volleyball today with my team at the tournament in Coquitlam?"
The doctor replied, "Uh, well actuallyl that's fine. If you want to play, you can play. I was talking about what most kids ask which is - can I keep the VAD to show my friends. We don't let kids keep them anymore because it is deemed as a bio-hazard. You can play volleyball if you want to but I don't think you'll be feeling up to it for a few days."
Sam had his surgery at 3pm. He woke up in recovery and I was by his bedside. His first words that he mumbled so I could just barely hear him were, "Can I play volleyball now?"
His second words were, "Do you have food?"
90 minutes later we walked out of the hospital, grabbed a bite to eat and by 9:00pm he was playing volleyball with his team - spiking and bumping and jump serving with his team. Sam is a tenacious boy!
So, we're done. The removal of his VAD is the final procedure. No more chemo through his chest. Usuallyl the wait to get a VAD removed is 6 months. Sam waited 2 weeks. Dr. Lucy pulled some strings and got him in early!
Thank you for all your prayers and support. This was quite a journey.
You can check out the video below and some more pictures of Sam's Conquered A.L.L. party.
God is faithful.
Gerry and Debbie
Almost There...
Well here is a quick update...
We moved to Abbotsford at the end of July and we've had all of one day of rain. We don't know WHAT everybody complains about down here... it never rains - blue blazers everyday! The move was great, Karly got a week of counseling at Camp Firwood which thrilled her to no end and Sam got to Waterski at Albert Dyck Lake (15 min from our house) and ski the course on Tues, Thurs and Sunday nights. It has been a great transition to Abbotsford.
On the second day of the staff prep week (August 29th) Ger took himself to the emergency and later had a ruptured appendix removed. The timing was really quite inconvenient. But the staff at ACS has been super gracious and everything at school seems to be going along, even without Ger there. He's hoping to get back to work on Friday but it has been a slow and painful recovery.
The first week of school for Sam and Karly went great and they are both trying out for volleyball teams and both don't know if they're good enough for the quality of ball. That's a first. But its good too. They have both made some great friends.
Sam's final treatment day of Chemotherapy, after 3 and a half long years, is September 17th. We're planning a party on that day that is for sure. It is also Uncle Mel's birthday so it will be a double celebration.
God is good and has been faithful to us all these years. We continue to pray that all this treatment is Sam's cure and his true conquering of A.L.L.
Thanks for your prayers.
The Goertzens
We moved to Abbotsford at the end of July and we've had all of one day of rain. We don't know WHAT everybody complains about down here... it never rains - blue blazers everyday! The move was great, Karly got a week of counseling at Camp Firwood which thrilled her to no end and Sam got to Waterski at Albert Dyck Lake (15 min from our house) and ski the course on Tues, Thurs and Sunday nights. It has been a great transition to Abbotsford.
On the second day of the staff prep week (August 29th) Ger took himself to the emergency and later had a ruptured appendix removed. The timing was really quite inconvenient. But the staff at ACS has been super gracious and everything at school seems to be going along, even without Ger there. He's hoping to get back to work on Friday but it has been a slow and painful recovery.
The first week of school for Sam and Karly went great and they are both trying out for volleyball teams and both don't know if they're good enough for the quality of ball. That's a first. But its good too. They have both made some great friends.
Sam's final treatment day of Chemotherapy, after 3 and a half long years, is September 17th. We're planning a party on that day that is for sure. It is also Uncle Mel's birthday so it will be a double celebration.
God is good and has been faithful to us all these years. We continue to pray that all this treatment is Sam's cure and his true conquering of A.L.L.
Thanks for your prayers.
The Goertzens
We're Moving
Well it is official. We're moving! Our house sold on the weekend (all subjects removed) and we bought a house in Abbotsford. So, now it is just a matter of finishing up at school (all of us) and packing up our stuff and moving on. We'll be leaving near the end of July and settling in during August.
Sam's last LP that we will have to fly down for is on May 30. He plays in a big BC Basketball Tournament for the regional team on the weekend before his LP. Hopefully it all goes well.
Everybody is excited about the coming change in our lives. It is hard to believe this chapter is over. And, September 17, 2011, is nearly here. We're all looking forward to that day (Sam's Last Day of Chemo).
Thanks for your prayers.
Gerry
Sam's last LP that we will have to fly down for is on May 30. He plays in a big BC Basketball Tournament for the regional team on the weekend before his LP. Hopefully it all goes well.
Everybody is excited about the coming change in our lives. It is hard to believe this chapter is over. And, September 17, 2011, is nearly here. We're all looking forward to that day (Sam's Last Day of Chemo).
Thanks for your prayers.
Gerry
March 8, 2011
Update
It has been the coldest and snowiest winter we have ever experienced in Prince George. There is so much snow that you can not see out our front windows anymore. Sam is doing great. He had an LP on Friday at BCCH (Spinal Injection) and it went very, very well. Only 193 days of chemotherapy to go now so the end is in sight.
BIG NEWS
Ger accepted a position as Secondary School Principal at Abbotsford Christian School for the coming year. It is hard to believe our time at Cedars is over... but it is. It has been a wonderful 20 years of serving in so many great places with great people. We're going to miss it so much even though we are excited about the prospects of this change. We are going to Abbotsford on Friday to see if we can find a house. The ACS admin and staff have been exceptional to us and have made us feel so welcome.
Karly is playing basketball in the provinical tournament in Fernie this week. Today they won their first game (she scored 25 of their 74 points) and we're all anticipating a great tournament by her phenomenal team.
Kate is doing great in year one in the nursing program. She's looking forward to a summer job and also plans to stay in PG next year while the rest of us move to Abbotsford.
Sam's A.L.L. has been a big mountain to climb but we can see the top now and it is looking mighty beautiful. God has been faithful.
Thanks for your prayers.
The Goertzens
It has been the coldest and snowiest winter we have ever experienced in Prince George. There is so much snow that you can not see out our front windows anymore. Sam is doing great. He had an LP on Friday at BCCH (Spinal Injection) and it went very, very well. Only 193 days of chemotherapy to go now so the end is in sight.
BIG NEWS
Ger accepted a position as Secondary School Principal at Abbotsford Christian School for the coming year. It is hard to believe our time at Cedars is over... but it is. It has been a wonderful 20 years of serving in so many great places with great people. We're going to miss it so much even though we are excited about the prospects of this change. We are going to Abbotsford on Friday to see if we can find a house. The ACS admin and staff have been exceptional to us and have made us feel so welcome.
Karly is playing basketball in the provinical tournament in Fernie this week. Today they won their first game (she scored 25 of their 74 points) and we're all anticipating a great tournament by her phenomenal team.
Kate is doing great in year one in the nursing program. She's looking forward to a summer job and also plans to stay in PG next year while the rest of us move to Abbotsford.
Sam's A.L.L. has been a big mountain to climb but we can see the top now and it is looking mighty beautiful. God has been faithful.
Thanks for your prayers.
The Goertzens
Update Fall 2010 - October 30, 2010
Sam is continuing to do very, very well through his treatment. 321 days of chemotherapy to go!! We had a great summer and the fall was beautiful in Prince George. He stripped out his oil pan plug on his RM 125 dirt bike but with some help, he re-drilled and tapped out the threads, replacing it with a new fitting. Then he JB welded it back together by himself. He missed a bit of the fall season of riding but he learned a lot about fixing bikes. Sam and I have had many wonderful hours riding together on our dirt bikes.
This past weekend Sam's Junior B (grade 10) volleyball team came 5th in a tournament in Prince George. Sam was chosen as an all-star for this tournament (top 10 players) and received a big trophy. It was his second trophy (last year he received all star at the district grade 8 bball tournament) so he was mighty excited to be honoured with this recognition.
Debbie is back in her kindergarten classroom this year and is loving the return to the classroom. Her 25 students keep her mighty busy 2 days a week. She also was part of the planning team for NLBC's 160 person Women's Retreat this fall. We have had our plates full in Sept and Oct.
Katelyn has started her first year of Nursing at UNBC. She has enjoyed the change in pace and environment as she switched high school to an independent college student. The fall was also very busy with trips (Karly visited camp friends in Seattle) to SALTS, principal's conferences, Thanksgiving in Vancouver and volleyball tournaments in northern BC. Everyone is healthy and doing well.
Karly had an incredible experience at Camp this summer. She joined a Christian Leadership Class on Tuesday evenings and is looking forward to a missions trip to Mexico in the spring.
Thank you all for your continued prayers for Sam. His treatment is a marathon, not a sprint, and so far we are running it well. It is amazing that the finish line is just starting to come into view now for our family. We continue to pray that this rigorous treatment plan will be Sam's cure from ALL. Conquering ALL is a difficult journey. We are always reminded of God's faithfulness to us through this experience. He has never left our side, not for one moment, as we have walked this road.
Love from the Goertzens...
Ger
Sam is continuing to do very, very well through his treatment. 321 days of chemotherapy to go!! We had a great summer and the fall was beautiful in Prince George. He stripped out his oil pan plug on his RM 125 dirt bike but with some help, he re-drilled and tapped out the threads, replacing it with a new fitting. Then he JB welded it back together by himself. He missed a bit of the fall season of riding but he learned a lot about fixing bikes. Sam and I have had many wonderful hours riding together on our dirt bikes.
This past weekend Sam's Junior B (grade 10) volleyball team came 5th in a tournament in Prince George. Sam was chosen as an all-star for this tournament (top 10 players) and received a big trophy. It was his second trophy (last year he received all star at the district grade 8 bball tournament) so he was mighty excited to be honoured with this recognition.
Debbie is back in her kindergarten classroom this year and is loving the return to the classroom. Her 25 students keep her mighty busy 2 days a week. She also was part of the planning team for NLBC's 160 person Women's Retreat this fall. We have had our plates full in Sept and Oct.
Katelyn has started her first year of Nursing at UNBC. She has enjoyed the change in pace and environment as she switched high school to an independent college student. The fall was also very busy with trips (Karly visited camp friends in Seattle) to SALTS, principal's conferences, Thanksgiving in Vancouver and volleyball tournaments in northern BC. Everyone is healthy and doing well.
Karly had an incredible experience at Camp this summer. She joined a Christian Leadership Class on Tuesday evenings and is looking forward to a missions trip to Mexico in the spring.
Thank you all for your continued prayers for Sam. His treatment is a marathon, not a sprint, and so far we are running it well. It is amazing that the finish line is just starting to come into view now for our family. We continue to pray that this rigorous treatment plan will be Sam's cure from ALL. Conquering ALL is a difficult journey. We are always reminded of God's faithfulness to us through this experience. He has never left our side, not for one moment, as we have walked this road.
Love from the Goertzens...
Ger
Update Summer 2010
Someone said, "You should update your blog! We don't know how Sam is doing!" And, I guess we thought everyone had stopped looking at our blog since last summer, but anyway, here is an update :)
Sam is doing great. He has 379 days of chemotherapy to go!! On September 17, 2011 he will be finished his treatment for ALL. It is also his uncle's birthday so we are looking forward to the party on that day!! (Uncle Mel)
We had a great summer. Sam waterskiied, wakeboarded, dirtbiked, fished, swam, played croquet and disc golf and 'hung out' with his parents and grandparents and uncle/aunts and cousins for the whole summer. It was a fantastic time.
Karly went to Camp Firwood with 4 of her cousins as a Counselor in Training (CIT) from June 18 to September 4th (TODAY!!). We can't wait to see her and hear all the stories.
Kate was at NLBC all summer in PG as a cabin leader. She will be attending Nursing School this fall at UNBC.
So, that's about it. We're all doing well. God is good, all the time.
Ger
Sam is doing great. He has 379 days of chemotherapy to go!! On September 17, 2011 he will be finished his treatment for ALL. It is also his uncle's birthday so we are looking forward to the party on that day!! (Uncle Mel)
We had a great summer. Sam waterskiied, wakeboarded, dirtbiked, fished, swam, played croquet and disc golf and 'hung out' with his parents and grandparents and uncle/aunts and cousins for the whole summer. It was a fantastic time.
Karly went to Camp Firwood with 4 of her cousins as a Counselor in Training (CIT) from June 18 to September 4th (TODAY!!). We can't wait to see her and hear all the stories.
Kate was at NLBC all summer in PG as a cabin leader. She will be attending Nursing School this fall at UNBC.
So, that's about it. We're all doing well. God is good, all the time.
Ger
Last Entry
Well, you probably noticed that we've not been keeping up with the blog. I think we're all done with it. Back to a private life.
Sam's LP on July 23 at BCCH went well with Dr. Lucy. Kate and Karly are at NLBC. We are amazed at what God has done through this amazing whirlwind of a year. We are amazed at His faithfulness and grace.
Thanks for all the prayers, support, encouragement. It has meant so much to have walked this journey with our friends and family helping us along.
From all of us...
Thanks
Sam's LP on July 23 at BCCH went well with Dr. Lucy. Kate and Karly are at NLBC. We are amazed at what God has done through this amazing whirlwind of a year. We are amazed at His faithfulness and grace.
Thanks for all the prayers, support, encouragement. It has meant so much to have walked this journey with our friends and family helping us along.
From all of us...
Thanks
June 2, 2009
June has come. This has been a hard week. On Friday Sam had one of the worst LP spinal injections so far at BCCH. He was restless and flinching and uncomfortable throughout the procedure and although he can't remember any of it, his mom wasn't so fortunate. It was a difficult time. But they made it back to Prince George and Sam doesn't seem any worse off from the experience.
While they were gone, both Karly and Kate had a chance to go dirtbiking with me through the hills behind our house. It was really great fun to spend this unique time with them. Both girls can now ride Sam's bike with the clutch and change gears.
On Saturday we got the news that Mr. Whyte, whom we have been praying for since January, passed away. It was difficult news to hear that cancer (lymphoma) took him to heaven so quickly. He was just diagnosed in January and he was only 39 years old. It is very hard. We have spent time praying as a family for their family during these difficult months. The funeral is on Thursday. As much as we know that heaven is a wonderful place, it is so very difficult to fathom the loss. It makes our fight against Sam's A.L.L. so much more evident when we see another young man lose his battle with cancer. It again reminds us to treasure every moment of every day with the ones we love and make the most of every minute. So many things that look so big to us are really so small in comparison to contemplating such great loss. God is faithful in all things and his grace is sufficient for all things. That is a truth we hold to...
Gerry
While they were gone, both Karly and Kate had a chance to go dirtbiking with me through the hills behind our house. It was really great fun to spend this unique time with them. Both girls can now ride Sam's bike with the clutch and change gears.
On Saturday we got the news that Mr. Whyte, whom we have been praying for since January, passed away. It was difficult news to hear that cancer (lymphoma) took him to heaven so quickly. He was just diagnosed in January and he was only 39 years old. It is very hard. We have spent time praying as a family for their family during these difficult months. The funeral is on Thursday. As much as we know that heaven is a wonderful place, it is so very difficult to fathom the loss. It makes our fight against Sam's A.L.L. so much more evident when we see another young man lose his battle with cancer. It again reminds us to treasure every moment of every day with the ones we love and make the most of every minute. So many things that look so big to us are really so small in comparison to contemplating such great loss. God is faithful in all things and his grace is sufficient for all things. That is a truth we hold to...
Gerry
May 28, 2009
It has been a crazy busy month of May. Sam and I took off for the long weekend in May to travel to Vernon with our dirt bikes and ride through the mountains around Kalamalka lake. It was a fanastic weekend. We were able to ride almost the whole distance to Oyama under the power lines. We rounded one corner, high up in the mountains and Sam encountered a Cougar. I was behind him, removing a log from the road so by the time I came up to Sam, he was already turned around and ready to head home. His eyes were as wide as saucers.
The next day we traveled the road again with Nathan and Carson and their buddies from Kelowna (Michael and James). It was really great fun. The weather was spectacular. Sam even went swimming with Nathan and Carson. Swimming to their swim dock was a little bit crazy because the water was incredibly cold - but they did it. Sam even went wakeboarding with a wetsuit on.
On Friday night he woke up with a fever and we had to go into the Vernon hospital to check it out. They were great. They whisked him into an isolation room, got a nurse who could access his VAD and hooked him up to an IV right away. It was 2am in the morning so it wasn't the most pleasant experience but they were really great to us. They gave him a round of anti-biotics and by 6am we were out of the hospital heading back to the cabin. Walking into the hospital, Sam was very upset at the thought that he may have to spend the whole weekend in the hospital but in the end, he got better and we didn't miss anything. I was pretty tired though because as usual, he got the hostpital bed and I got the hard chair beside the bed.
This week was the athletic awards night at our school. It was a great success to see all the athletes recognized for their effort this year. Kate received MVP of the basketball team and also Athlete of the Year for the school. It was a great evening.
Sam and Debbie are in Vancouver at BCCH this week for Sam's treatment of Spinal Injections. As much as we're living our lives as normally as we can as a family, these trips to the hospital always bring back the reality of Sam's serious illness. He has great hopes that all this treatment has cured him of his leukemia. It is a long, long waiting period for us to find out whether he is cured.
Kate organized a bottle drive for another family in our school. Their family is going through a tough time because their father has Lymphoma and there isn't much more the doctors can do for him. He is in his 30s and they have three boys. Kate organized a bottle drive for all the families in our school to bring bottles last Friday. Bottles and Bucks for the Whytes! She helped to raise over $12,000 for the family so that they could landscape their yard this spring (which is presently just dirt). It was a great way for the community to rally around this family.
Thank you for your prayers. Everyone here is looking forward to the summer.
Gerry
The next day we traveled the road again with Nathan and Carson and their buddies from Kelowna (Michael and James). It was really great fun. The weather was spectacular. Sam even went swimming with Nathan and Carson. Swimming to their swim dock was a little bit crazy because the water was incredibly cold - but they did it. Sam even went wakeboarding with a wetsuit on.
On Friday night he woke up with a fever and we had to go into the Vernon hospital to check it out. They were great. They whisked him into an isolation room, got a nurse who could access his VAD and hooked him up to an IV right away. It was 2am in the morning so it wasn't the most pleasant experience but they were really great to us. They gave him a round of anti-biotics and by 6am we were out of the hospital heading back to the cabin. Walking into the hospital, Sam was very upset at the thought that he may have to spend the whole weekend in the hospital but in the end, he got better and we didn't miss anything. I was pretty tired though because as usual, he got the hostpital bed and I got the hard chair beside the bed.
This week was the athletic awards night at our school. It was a great success to see all the athletes recognized for their effort this year. Kate received MVP of the basketball team and also Athlete of the Year for the school. It was a great evening.
Sam and Debbie are in Vancouver at BCCH this week for Sam's treatment of Spinal Injections. As much as we're living our lives as normally as we can as a family, these trips to the hospital always bring back the reality of Sam's serious illness. He has great hopes that all this treatment has cured him of his leukemia. It is a long, long waiting period for us to find out whether he is cured.
Kate organized a bottle drive for another family in our school. Their family is going through a tough time because their father has Lymphoma and there isn't much more the doctors can do for him. He is in his 30s and they have three boys. Kate organized a bottle drive for all the families in our school to bring bottles last Friday. Bottles and Bucks for the Whytes! She helped to raise over $12,000 for the family so that they could landscape their yard this spring (which is presently just dirt). It was a great way for the community to rally around this family.
Thank you for your prayers. Everyone here is looking forward to the summer.
Gerry
May 14, 2009
This has been a day of much reflection as we mark the first year anniversary of Sam's diagnosis. I was pretty teary today as I pondered what was happening 365 days ago: taking Sam into PGRH emergency, thinking it was perhaps appendicitis, receiving the unfathomable news that he had cancer, and flying on a jet that very night to BC Children's Hospital. Those first few weeks were so frightening and overwhelming. It's been a huge journey for us all and we have been blessed to have so many loving people join us on our path.
God has amazed and awed us with His constant presence, answers to specific prayers, faithfulness and endless love. We are so thankful that Sam responded so positively to his treatments. We do not take this forgranted as we have heard of other children for whom this has not been the case.
This week too, has been difficult as news of my cousin, Greg, and two of my former kindergarten students dad, Jim, have been battling very aggressive cancers that have spread quickly. It is so very hard. When speaking with Vicki, Jim's wife, she has always asked that we pray for strength.
Mighty God, give these two families strength to continue to stand in faith, believing in your words, promises, and ways. Thank you that you will never leave them alone for one minute of the day or night, because you never sleep. Please watch over them with love, wisdom and courage especially when they grow weary and discouraged. May you gently whisper words of comfort and surround them with your compassion and share in their tears. You are the Lord of our storms and the God of hope. Please provide for them in abundant and miraculous ways. Amen
Debbie
God has amazed and awed us with His constant presence, answers to specific prayers, faithfulness and endless love. We are so thankful that Sam responded so positively to his treatments. We do not take this forgranted as we have heard of other children for whom this has not been the case.
This week too, has been difficult as news of my cousin, Greg, and two of my former kindergarten students dad, Jim, have been battling very aggressive cancers that have spread quickly. It is so very hard. When speaking with Vicki, Jim's wife, she has always asked that we pray for strength.
Mighty God, give these two families strength to continue to stand in faith, believing in your words, promises, and ways. Thank you that you will never leave them alone for one minute of the day or night, because you never sleep. Please watch over them with love, wisdom and courage especially when they grow weary and discouraged. May you gently whisper words of comfort and surround them with your compassion and share in their tears. You are the Lord of our storms and the God of hope. Please provide for them in abundant and miraculous ways. Amen
Debbie
May 5, 2009
Happy 45th Birthday to Phil - Ger's twin brother... - hard to believe we're all that old! This was a very busy week as Sam and Debbie went to Vancouver to BCCH for another spinal injection and the start of another round of 84 days of treatment. Round one is over. Eleven more to go! Sam will go through 12 eighty four day treatment cycles. Dr. Bond switched Sam to 75% of his original dosage after his blood work numbers stabilized at 50% the past month and a half. We hope that his body will be able to tolerate this increase. We'll probably bring him in to do some blood work in two weeks to see how he's doing.
Debbie couldn't believe how gorgeous Vancouver looked. Green grass, people cutting their green grass, the smell of freshly cut green grass, flowering shrubs, cherry blossoms in full bloom, tulips everywhere, and sunny warm weather. Sam was out with Bob, Nathan and Carson, riding around in their 68 oldsmomile convertible. They accidentally were caught up in the downtown "Canucks just won the first game of the playoffs hoopla!" Sam had a blast! On Friday afternoon Sam, Debbie and Donna enjoyed a gorgeous hike around Lynn Canyon and crossing the suspension bridge and later joined the Hollier family for a barbque feast. On Saturday, Debbie, Donna and Lina had a girls day out, while Sam spent the day with his Grandpa Doerksen. They arrived home Sunday morning in time for church.
The weather in PG has been awesome. It is funny how the memories of a year ago come flooding back as the weather changes and Debbie and Sam traveled back to BCCH and the girls and I were alone again in PG. I said to Katelyn, "Doesn't this remind you of last year when it was just the three of us for two months?" Kate said, "Actually that kinda sucked!" And actually she was kinda right. It was a very hard time for our family. There was so much stress being apart, having Sam so sick, trying to find a safe place to live, traveling back and forth, looking after the high school and trying to figure out how our summer plans would take shape and what was in store for Sam for the next year. It's been a crazy year, but we have all done very well considering. We have so much to be grateful for.
Debbie couldn't believe how gorgeous Vancouver looked. Green grass, people cutting their green grass, the smell of freshly cut green grass, flowering shrubs, cherry blossoms in full bloom, tulips everywhere, and sunny warm weather. Sam was out with Bob, Nathan and Carson, riding around in their 68 oldsmomile convertible. They accidentally were caught up in the downtown "Canucks just won the first game of the playoffs hoopla!" Sam had a blast! On Friday afternoon Sam, Debbie and Donna enjoyed a gorgeous hike around Lynn Canyon and crossing the suspension bridge and later joined the Hollier family for a barbque feast. On Saturday, Debbie, Donna and Lina had a girls day out, while Sam spent the day with his Grandpa Doerksen. They arrived home Sunday morning in time for church.
The weather in PG has been awesome. It is funny how the memories of a year ago come flooding back as the weather changes and Debbie and Sam traveled back to BCCH and the girls and I were alone again in PG. I said to Katelyn, "Doesn't this remind you of last year when it was just the three of us for two months?" Kate said, "Actually that kinda sucked!" And actually she was kinda right. It was a very hard time for our family. There was so much stress being apart, having Sam so sick, trying to find a safe place to live, traveling back and forth, looking after the high school and trying to figure out how our summer plans would take shape and what was in store for Sam for the next year. It's been a crazy year, but we have all done very well considering. We have so much to be grateful for.
April 29, 2009
Sam is doing great, feeling normal, and enjoying being outside everyday. He is doing well in school, loves playing road hockey at recess and lunch, gets his homework done quickly after school so he can spend the rest of the afternoon and evening outside. He's been playing basketball, biking, scootering, dirt biking, throwing around the football and frisbee, and hanging out with kids in the neighborhood. I cannot tell you or express how much it means to me to see him so healthy, happy and active...some days it actually makes me teary and I have a little cry of gratitude and thankfulness to God for healing him.
Sam had his blood work done yesterday and this afternoon we head down to Vancouver for treatments tomorrow at Children's Hospital. We have lots to discuss with Dr. Bond now that Sam's counts have stabilized. Sam is only at the 50% recommended dosage for maintenance, so we are wondering what happens now. We are so grateful for the opportunity we have to meet with the specialists each month at Children's. It is very reassuring and extremely helpful.
We are all enjoying our spring weather, happy to have the snow gone at last, and dreaming of summer holidays.
Blelssings on your day,
Debbie
Sam had his blood work done yesterday and this afternoon we head down to Vancouver for treatments tomorrow at Children's Hospital. We have lots to discuss with Dr. Bond now that Sam's counts have stabilized. Sam is only at the 50% recommended dosage for maintenance, so we are wondering what happens now. We are so grateful for the opportunity we have to meet with the specialists each month at Children's. It is very reassuring and extremely helpful.
We are all enjoying our spring weather, happy to have the snow gone at last, and dreaming of summer holidays.
Blelssings on your day,
Debbie
April 13, 2009
The Goertzen's had a great Easter weekend! We had time to hang out, visit and feast with family and friends, get some things done around the house, and do some special activities.
The kids were busy attending a few Christian concerts, visiting and having sleepovers with friends, getting homework done, and having some down time. Sam has been wishing the snow away so he can get his dirt bike out. This weekend he found a patch on the other side of our fence, along the road to ride on. Although we've had warmer weather this past week, we still have quite a bit of snow left.
Sunday we had an amazing Easter celebration service at church. It really is unfathonable all that Christ sacrificed and endured for us.
It's hard to believe that Sam was healthy, feeling great, and showed no signs of leukemia growing in his body at this time last year. We sure have experienced God's personal involvement and presence in our lives. He has been our strength, refuge, and hope in times of trouble. This Easter had special significance for us.
He has risen! He is risen indeed!
Debbie
The kids were busy attending a few Christian concerts, visiting and having sleepovers with friends, getting homework done, and having some down time. Sam has been wishing the snow away so he can get his dirt bike out. This weekend he found a patch on the other side of our fence, along the road to ride on. Although we've had warmer weather this past week, we still have quite a bit of snow left.
Sunday we had an amazing Easter celebration service at church. It really is unfathonable all that Christ sacrificed and endured for us.
It's hard to believe that Sam was healthy, feeling great, and showed no signs of leukemia growing in his body at this time last year. We sure have experienced God's personal involvement and presence in our lives. He has been our strength, refuge, and hope in times of trouble. This Easter had special significance for us.
He has risen! He is risen indeed!
Debbie
April 9, 2009
Time to Celebrate the Risen Lord!
Today in our school chapels (elementary and high school) we had a band visiting from Abottsford, that lead us to the cross and the empty tomb of Jesus. It was a great way to start celebrating our Easter weekend.
We are home for the long weekend with a variety of activities to do and time to just relax as a family.
There is no new update with Sam. He is still on half dose medications until his numbers increase and stabilize. We received news this past week that we are losing our primary nurse Monica, at BC Children's Hospital. The oncology day clinic has had to reorganize and she has accepted a new job on the oncology ward in the hospital in a leadership position. We are excited for her new role, but sad to see her go. She has been with us since May 15, 2008, when we were first admitted to BC Childlren's Hospital. We have been given a new primary nurse whom we will meet when we go down at the end of April. With a three and a half year treatment we were bound to see some changes along the way...
He is risen. He is risen indeed.
Today in our school chapels (elementary and high school) we had a band visiting from Abottsford, that lead us to the cross and the empty tomb of Jesus. It was a great way to start celebrating our Easter weekend.
We are home for the long weekend with a variety of activities to do and time to just relax as a family.
There is no new update with Sam. He is still on half dose medications until his numbers increase and stabilize. We received news this past week that we are losing our primary nurse Monica, at BC Children's Hospital. The oncology day clinic has had to reorganize and she has accepted a new job on the oncology ward in the hospital in a leadership position. We are excited for her new role, but sad to see her go. She has been with us since May 15, 2008, when we were first admitted to BC Childlren's Hospital. We have been given a new primary nurse whom we will meet when we go down at the end of April. With a three and a half year treatment we were bound to see some changes along the way...
He is risen. He is risen indeed.
April 5, 2009
This past Thursday and Friday, Sam had a check up with his pediatrician and a chemo treatment. On Friday night we got his blood count results and they are the best they have been in over 6 weeeks! We are very thankful for this. Sam will stay on a decreased dose of oral chemo medications until Dr. Bond, from Children's Hospial, tells us otherwise.
Katelyn, Sam and I did not catch Ger and Karly's bronchitis. Thank you for your prayers regarding that. Ger and Karly are feeling much better but the cough and tiredness keeps lingering.
Sam has been waiting all winter to go snowboarding on Purden Mountain (just an hour east of Prince Goerge). After his increased numbers with his bloodwork on Friday, we gave him the go ahead. He was very excited to join his freind, Landon and thier family, for a great day of "spring skiing." There was plenty of snow, sun, and powder to be enjoyed on the mountain. Unfortunately there is still a lot of snow and powder also in Prince Goerge. Everyone is anxiously awaiting for the snow to melt and spring to arrive in full bloom!
Sam and I will be in Vancouver at the end of the month for another check up and spinal tap...we know we'll get some springier weather then.
Hope you have a great week, Debbie
Katelyn, Sam and I did not catch Ger and Karly's bronchitis. Thank you for your prayers regarding that. Ger and Karly are feeling much better but the cough and tiredness keeps lingering.
Sam has been waiting all winter to go snowboarding on Purden Mountain (just an hour east of Prince Goerge). After his increased numbers with his bloodwork on Friday, we gave him the go ahead. He was very excited to join his freind, Landon and thier family, for a great day of "spring skiing." There was plenty of snow, sun, and powder to be enjoyed on the mountain. Unfortunately there is still a lot of snow and powder also in Prince Goerge. Everyone is anxiously awaiting for the snow to melt and spring to arrive in full bloom!
Sam and I will be in Vancouver at the end of the month for another check up and spinal tap...we know we'll get some springier weather then.
Hope you have a great week, Debbie
March 30, 2009
Bronchitis Alert
Last week Karly came down with the same symptoms as Ger. It began with sore throats, feeling exhausted, achiness, and then the horrible cough begins, and stays for weeks. Ger has been on 2 sets of antibiotics and is going back to the doctor today again. Karly, will be joining him as well as hers seems to be taking a bad turn. The evenings, nights and early mornings seem to be the worst for their coughs.
As you can imagine we are very concerned about Sam catching this. The last blood work Sam had done revealed that his ANC (immunity) counts were still quite low, and not where they should be yet, making him more vulnerable than the rest of us. We are doing what we can at home to keep him protected, but we can't control everything. We are praying that Ger and Karly will heal soon and that Sam will be protected from catching this "bug." It has been amazing that Sam has been spared from infections and lengthy hospital stays for the past 10 months and we would love to keep that perfect record.
The past week the temperatures have been warmer, the snow has been melting, and we have chipped off all the ice on the drive way. Sam has been out playing basketball on his own, with his dad, friends and the little neighborhood kids. Today, however looks very much like winter with huge flakes falling fast and furious. Hopefully the temperature will quickly rise and turn it to rain instead. We want spring to come AND STAY! I was hoping to get the bikes down from the garage racks today...I don't think so.
Have a great day,
Debbie
Last week Karly came down with the same symptoms as Ger. It began with sore throats, feeling exhausted, achiness, and then the horrible cough begins, and stays for weeks. Ger has been on 2 sets of antibiotics and is going back to the doctor today again. Karly, will be joining him as well as hers seems to be taking a bad turn. The evenings, nights and early mornings seem to be the worst for their coughs.
As you can imagine we are very concerned about Sam catching this. The last blood work Sam had done revealed that his ANC (immunity) counts were still quite low, and not where they should be yet, making him more vulnerable than the rest of us. We are doing what we can at home to keep him protected, but we can't control everything. We are praying that Ger and Karly will heal soon and that Sam will be protected from catching this "bug." It has been amazing that Sam has been spared from infections and lengthy hospital stays for the past 10 months and we would love to keep that perfect record.
The past week the temperatures have been warmer, the snow has been melting, and we have chipped off all the ice on the drive way. Sam has been out playing basketball on his own, with his dad, friends and the little neighborhood kids. Today, however looks very much like winter with huge flakes falling fast and furious. Hopefully the temperature will quickly rise and turn it to rain instead. We want spring to come AND STAY! I was hoping to get the bikes down from the garage racks today...I don't think so.
Have a great day,
Debbie
March 23, 2009
It's a very quiet morning with everyone back at school. I wasn't sure Ger was going to make it back today as he got sick the first day of spring break vacation...bronchitis. He's on his second batch of antibiotics...hopefully these ones will work.
Sam had his LP in Vancouver last week and it went very well. His hemoglobin and platelets numbers are climbing which is great, but his ANC counts (neutrophils) are still too low. He has been off all his medications for 3 weeks to give his blood time to rebuild and recover. He is now back on his oral chemo medications at half the dose he was given originally. We are praying that his numbers will completely recover and be in the appropriate target range.
While we were in Vancouver, we stayed with Ger's parents and had a great visit. We were able to see Ger's brothers family and visit with them before they all leave to live in North Korea for three months. We also saw my dad and he is very pleased with the positive results with his balance and walking after his back surgery last month. It was great to see our friends Kristin, Bryce and Kendra who moved to Abbotsford last year as well.
The snow has slowly started melting as the temperatures creep above zero. There is still a ton of snow and it will be awhile before we see grass again. After being in Vancouver we want spring here too!
May the son brighten your spirit and the God of all blessings fill your heart with joy!
Debbie
Sam had his LP in Vancouver last week and it went very well. His hemoglobin and platelets numbers are climbing which is great, but his ANC counts (neutrophils) are still too low. He has been off all his medications for 3 weeks to give his blood time to rebuild and recover. He is now back on his oral chemo medications at half the dose he was given originally. We are praying that his numbers will completely recover and be in the appropriate target range.
While we were in Vancouver, we stayed with Ger's parents and had a great visit. We were able to see Ger's brothers family and visit with them before they all leave to live in North Korea for three months. We also saw my dad and he is very pleased with the positive results with his balance and walking after his back surgery last month. It was great to see our friends Kristin, Bryce and Kendra who moved to Abbotsford last year as well.
The snow has slowly started melting as the temperatures creep above zero. There is still a ton of snow and it will be awhile before we see grass again. After being in Vancouver we want spring here too!
May the son brighten your spirit and the God of all blessings fill your heart with joy!
Debbie
March 4, 2009
Sam went to the hospital today to get a Vincristine chemo treatment. He responded well without incident...always a good thing. We are happy to report that his hemoglobin and platelet counts have already improved since Monday, but his ANC or neutrophil counts are down significantly. He will not be returning to school this week with his immunity so low.
I called our primary nurse, Monica, at BC Children's and Dr. Bond has started him again on one steroid, but nothing else. We will have his counts done again on Monday and wait and see what the results are and await instructions on how to proceed once Dr. Bond has looked over the results.
Sam is feeling well, in good spirits, and has started his spring break earlier than expected!
Kate and Karly's team played Abbotsford Christian School at Provincials today and won...65-40. They have a tough game tomorrow as they face Kamloops Christian School.
We all wish we were there, cheering them on!
Time for sleep,
Debbie
I called our primary nurse, Monica, at BC Children's and Dr. Bond has started him again on one steroid, but nothing else. We will have his counts done again on Monday and wait and see what the results are and await instructions on how to proceed once Dr. Bond has looked over the results.
Sam is feeling well, in good spirits, and has started his spring break earlier than expected!
Kate and Karly's team played Abbotsford Christian School at Provincials today and won...65-40. They have a tough game tomorrow as they face Kamloops Christian School.
We all wish we were there, cheering them on!
Time for sleep,
Debbie
Good News
Divine Day
We have great news! Sam had his counts done yesterday and his numbers are moving up! Thank you for the prayers you sent heavenward on Sam's behalf. We are so incredibly relieved because it means the dosage of the new medications were too high for his body and not the luekemia coming back.
This day feels brighter, more hopeful and full of opportunities to be grateful and fatithful.
I have been very thankful to be back subbing a couple days a week at school...another answer to prayer!
The girls basketball team left today for their provincial tournament...wish we could have gone with them! Everyone seemed pretty excited on the bus this morning.
Sam has chemo treatment tomorrow here at our hospital and then another spinal tap during spring break in Vancouver on the 18th.
Blessings on your day,
Debbie
We have great news! Sam had his counts done yesterday and his numbers are moving up! Thank you for the prayers you sent heavenward on Sam's behalf. We are so incredibly relieved because it means the dosage of the new medications were too high for his body and not the luekemia coming back.
This day feels brighter, more hopeful and full of opportunities to be grateful and fatithful.
I have been very thankful to be back subbing a couple days a week at school...another answer to prayer!
The girls basketball team left today for their provincial tournament...wish we could have gone with them! Everyone seemed pretty excited on the bus this morning.
Sam has chemo treatment tomorrow here at our hospital and then another spinal tap during spring break in Vancouver on the 18th.
Blessings on your day,
Debbie
March 3
Sam had his blood tested yesterday and we were so relieved to see his numbers went up - marginally, but they did go up. This is a huge relief to us because it means that he is on the mend and it probably was the dosage of drugs at the beginning of Maintenance which caused this drop. It also means that if all goes well on Wednesday's treatment he should be healthy during spring break. Thank you for your prayers. God is good and we are grateful for his mercy upon us.
This morning Karly and Kate left for Keremeos with the Sr. Girls basketball team for the provincial tournament which begins tomorrow. Apparently you can watch the action on the tournament website. We're hoping that it all works tomorrow for their first game at 2:45.
http://www.girlsabasketball.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5&Itemid=20
Thanks for your prayers.
Gerry
This morning Karly and Kate left for Keremeos with the Sr. Girls basketball team for the provincial tournament which begins tomorrow. Apparently you can watch the action on the tournament website. We're hoping that it all works tomorrow for their first game at 2:45.
http://www.girlsabasketball.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5&Itemid=20
Thanks for your prayers.
Gerry
March 2, 2009
Sam has hit a speed bump in his Maintenace Phase. After his first 2 weeks we had his blood work tested and the results were not as anticipated. His hemoglobin and platelets were very low. Dr. Bond had him stop all medicatioins, including his antibiotics for one week with another blood test to follow. Last Friday Sam was tested again and his counts have not improved.
We will get his blood tested again this week. Monica at BCCH said not to worry so that's what we're trying to do. "Do not be anxious about anything but with prayer and petition make your requests known to God..."
Will you pray with us that Sam's counts go back up and we can resume his treatments on schedule? Kate and Karly and the team head down to the okanagon for the provincial tournament this week. Unfortunately we won't be able to go to watch them play but the tournament website has live streaming of the games so hopefully that is up and running by their first game.
Have a great day.
We will get his blood tested again this week. Monica at BCCH said not to worry so that's what we're trying to do. "Do not be anxious about anything but with prayer and petition make your requests known to God..."
Will you pray with us that Sam's counts go back up and we can resume his treatments on schedule? Kate and Karly and the team head down to the okanagon for the provincial tournament this week. Unfortunately we won't be able to go to watch them play but the tournament website has live streaming of the games so hopefully that is up and running by their first game.
Have a great day.
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The 2009 Zone Tournament for the North Central District is over. Cedars went into the tournament the top seed and finished in the final with a VICTORY! The girls played fantastic and beat a tough Fraser Lake team by an 11 point margin. The game was tied at half and only a few point spread going into the fourth quarter.
Katelyn received MVP of the tournament and scored a career high of 26 points in the final including two three point shots. Karly received Honorable Mention at the awards ceremony and had a fantastic Semi-Final game with 16 points against a fast breaking team from Bella Coola.
The banquet was a huge success and the girls did a super job of their lip sync during the banquet program (soon to be on You Tube and this blog). Overall the tournament committee and Mr. Costly, Mrs. Gaunt, Mrs. Goertzen did a fabulous job of making this tournament a success.
Now the girls are off to provincials March 3-6.
We will get Sam's blood work done today to see how he is recovering from his low counts last week when the doctors stopped all medication. We'll see how he's doing - we're hoping that this is just a small bump in the road and nothing more.
Thanks for all your support.
Gerry
Feb 18
My mom and dad arrived today to watch Kate and Karly play basketball at the zone tournament. Tonight we met a few parents and players at the gym and decorated the whole place with a pirate theme. The place looks spectacular. We spent 3 hours there setting it all up. Kate and Karly helped a ton.
Tomorrow is the first game of the tournament. If they win three in a row they come first place. We'll keep you posted on the results.
Sam went to the hospital today for blood tests. His blood work showed that he is very low on all areas. He may need a blood transfusion if it doesn't improve in the next few days.
He has to stop taking his meds for the next few days to let his body recover. Pray that his body will recover from this first round of Maintenance drugs. Yesterday in basketball practice he did very well but you could tell that he could hardly make it up the floor. His hemoglobin is really, really low. Its amazing he can walk around at all with such little oxygen in his system.
We're at UNBC for the next three days.
Go Eagles go!
Tomorrow is the first game of the tournament. If they win three in a row they come first place. We'll keep you posted on the results.
Sam went to the hospital today for blood tests. His blood work showed that he is very low on all areas. He may need a blood transfusion if it doesn't improve in the next few days.
He has to stop taking his meds for the next few days to let his body recover. Pray that his body will recover from this first round of Maintenance drugs. Yesterday in basketball practice he did very well but you could tell that he could hardly make it up the floor. His hemoglobin is really, really low. Its amazing he can walk around at all with such little oxygen in his system.
We're at UNBC for the next three days.
Go Eagles go!
February 12, 2009
Maintenance Is Here!
Last week Sam and I went to Vancouver to begin the long awaited Maintenance Phase. He had a spinal puncture with chemo and later a dose of vincristine. He had some new side effects from the drug that sedates him, but fortunately he did not remember any of it. Ger's mom and dad were there with us, and later my sister joined us as well. Unusual visiting circumstances but so wonderful to have them with us.
Sam enjoyed time spent with his cousins Murphy and Zoe, and a night out with his buddy Carson to celebrate his first day of Maintenance.
We are so thankful to have completed the most difficult and challenging part of Sam's treatment. It's hard to believe its only been 8 months...seems like much longer. We have experienced many lows and highs, but God has navigated us through it all, as He has promised to do. We have been so pleasantly surprised by the amazing presence and love of God, family, friends, acquaintances, and strangers who have touched our lives.
I made a trip to the pharmacy to pick up the oral chemotherapy pills Sam now has to take daily for the next 3 years. I'm thankful that Sam has no trouble swallowing pills because he has alot. The number of pills he takes changes each day along with the kind of pills he needs. (18 pills is the most he has to take in one day). It takes me awhile to figure it all out and place his weekly allotments in his pill dividers for am and pm. Then it has to be double checked by someone else to make sure I've got it right. We also have to glove up when handling the pills so nothing can be absorbed into our bodies.
Dr. Bond told us that Sam was now able to step back into his "normal" life. He said Sam could now do anything he did before he had cancer, if he was feeling good. Sam was psyched to hear those words and has taken them to heart. He's out and about in public places, went to church on Sunday (the first time in months), is back at school, and is playing on the grade 6/7 school basketball team that Ger coaches. We are both very happy to leave home schooling behind and he is loving being back in his class with his friends. It was a bit of shock to have everything change so quickly. We still all need to be very diligent with hand washing, avoiding close contact with sick people, and watching for fevers. Those will have to be treated immediately at the hospital.
While we were in Vancouver last week I was able to visit my dad in the hospital after his back surgery. It was great to see visit and spend time with him for 2 days. Today he is being released and is going home. My brother, Dennis, flew in from Calgary to stay and help my dad out for the next week or so. My dad and his surgeon are very pleased with the results of the surgery and he has noticed huge changes with his walking and balance already. We are thankful for those answered prayers and continue to pray for his recovery and healing.
It's been a celebratory week. Sam began Maintenance, all of them did very well on their report cards and final exams, and Katelyn received a very special surprise last night while watching the Senior Girls AAA Basketball City Finals. During the final awards ceremony they announced the top 10 senior girls basketball players in the city and they announced Katelyn's name! She felt very honored. Had I known she was getting this award I would have gone to the game! As it was, everyone else in the family went, but me.
Thanks for taking the time to catch up on our news and rejoice with us. We have good things to dwell on and treasure each day, along with much to be grateful for.
Debbie
Last week Sam and I went to Vancouver to begin the long awaited Maintenance Phase. He had a spinal puncture with chemo and later a dose of vincristine. He had some new side effects from the drug that sedates him, but fortunately he did not remember any of it. Ger's mom and dad were there with us, and later my sister joined us as well. Unusual visiting circumstances but so wonderful to have them with us.
Sam enjoyed time spent with his cousins Murphy and Zoe, and a night out with his buddy Carson to celebrate his first day of Maintenance.
We are so thankful to have completed the most difficult and challenging part of Sam's treatment. It's hard to believe its only been 8 months...seems like much longer. We have experienced many lows and highs, but God has navigated us through it all, as He has promised to do. We have been so pleasantly surprised by the amazing presence and love of God, family, friends, acquaintances, and strangers who have touched our lives.
I made a trip to the pharmacy to pick up the oral chemotherapy pills Sam now has to take daily for the next 3 years. I'm thankful that Sam has no trouble swallowing pills because he has alot. The number of pills he takes changes each day along with the kind of pills he needs. (18 pills is the most he has to take in one day). It takes me awhile to figure it all out and place his weekly allotments in his pill dividers for am and pm. Then it has to be double checked by someone else to make sure I've got it right. We also have to glove up when handling the pills so nothing can be absorbed into our bodies.
Dr. Bond told us that Sam was now able to step back into his "normal" life. He said Sam could now do anything he did before he had cancer, if he was feeling good. Sam was psyched to hear those words and has taken them to heart. He's out and about in public places, went to church on Sunday (the first time in months), is back at school, and is playing on the grade 6/7 school basketball team that Ger coaches. We are both very happy to leave home schooling behind and he is loving being back in his class with his friends. It was a bit of shock to have everything change so quickly. We still all need to be very diligent with hand washing, avoiding close contact with sick people, and watching for fevers. Those will have to be treated immediately at the hospital.
While we were in Vancouver last week I was able to visit my dad in the hospital after his back surgery. It was great to see visit and spend time with him for 2 days. Today he is being released and is going home. My brother, Dennis, flew in from Calgary to stay and help my dad out for the next week or so. My dad and his surgeon are very pleased with the results of the surgery and he has noticed huge changes with his walking and balance already. We are thankful for those answered prayers and continue to pray for his recovery and healing.
It's been a celebratory week. Sam began Maintenance, all of them did very well on their report cards and final exams, and Katelyn received a very special surprise last night while watching the Senior Girls AAA Basketball City Finals. During the final awards ceremony they announced the top 10 senior girls basketball players in the city and they announced Katelyn's name! She felt very honored. Had I known she was getting this award I would have gone to the game! As it was, everyone else in the family went, but me.
Thanks for taking the time to catch up on our news and rejoice with us. We have good things to dwell on and treasure each day, along with much to be grateful for.
Debbie
Feb. 4, 2009
Sam had his counts done yesterday and they are just barely good enough to begin Maintenance. The two of us will head down to Vancouver tomorrow and be at Children's Hospital early Friday morning.
The timing of this trip is great. My dad had major back surgery last Friday and is in Vancouver General Hospital, quite close to Children's. We will be able to see him a couple times while we are there. We are thankful for the positive outcome of his surgery as the risk of complications were rather high.
Sam was not psyched to hear that his counts were up. He has been feeling so good for the past two weeks, enjoying some outdoor activities, and not missing the chemo treatments and the side effects. With his low counts, since before Christmas, he has not been able to be out and about in public places or with groups of people...that has been hard. He knows he has to go on with the medications, procedures, and protocol to fight the leukemia, but its not easy.
We know that God controls the outcome of Sam's prognosis, for the short and long term. We are comforted, knowing His Spirit intercedes for us when we feel confused, sad or overwhelmed. And yet at the same time we feel relieved in knowing
that God is working and doing what He deems best for Sam and our family... daily opportunities for us to trust, obey, learn, and remain faithful to our God. I am reading a book that studies the verse, Romans 8:28...it has been awesome for me...thanks Rosie!
Ger is feeling much better this week. The two ear procedures last week really wiped him out.
That's about it for now,
Enjoy your day,
Debbie
The timing of this trip is great. My dad had major back surgery last Friday and is in Vancouver General Hospital, quite close to Children's. We will be able to see him a couple times while we are there. We are thankful for the positive outcome of his surgery as the risk of complications were rather high.
Sam was not psyched to hear that his counts were up. He has been feeling so good for the past two weeks, enjoying some outdoor activities, and not missing the chemo treatments and the side effects. With his low counts, since before Christmas, he has not been able to be out and about in public places or with groups of people...that has been hard. He knows he has to go on with the medications, procedures, and protocol to fight the leukemia, but its not easy.
We know that God controls the outcome of Sam's prognosis, for the short and long term. We are comforted, knowing His Spirit intercedes for us when we feel confused, sad or overwhelmed. And yet at the same time we feel relieved in knowing
that God is working and doing what He deems best for Sam and our family... daily opportunities for us to trust, obey, learn, and remain faithful to our God. I am reading a book that studies the verse, Romans 8:28...it has been awesome for me...thanks Rosie!
Ger is feeling much better this week. The two ear procedures last week really wiped him out.
That's about it for now,
Enjoy your day,
Debbie
January 31, 2009
Good morning! Sam and I are alone this weekend as Debbie and the girls went to Valemount for a basketball tournament. Last night they won 87 - 29 and they will play two games today and head home this afternoon (4 hour drive). Debbie was getting a little tired of being at home for the past few snowy weeks and this was a great chance to get away and enjoy Kate and Karly 'on the road'.
The junior B team, which I am coaching, goes to the district tournament next weekend while Kate and Karly travel to Williams Lake for the Senior Girls' Seeding Tournament. Then on February 19-21 there is a 12 team zone tournament here in Prince George at UNBC which our school is hosting. The top two teams from this tournament will go on to the Provincial Tournament in Keremeos on March 5-7. High school athletics is a big part of our family life!
We had a big snowfall again this week and the trampoline frame in the backyard is almost completely covered now. That's a lot of snow! Sam is in a waiting period right now for his blood counts to improve so that he can start the next and last phase of his chemotherapy treatment. Maintenance will begin as soon as his ANC increases to .75 or better. This week it was still at a dangerously low 0.2. We were very careful to keep him away from sick people during the last two weeks and so far he has been healthy. He even went snowboarding twice in the evenings at the local city hill.
We are all looking forward to spring now. The other day Sam said, "If I cover my eyes with my hand so that all I can see is sky and trees when I look out the window I can imagine that it is summer and +25 degrees outside and we're going outside to ride bikes again..." I've done the same thing myself.
I went to the doctor 2 weeks ago about a sore on the inside of my ear lobe that didn't seem to be going away. They did a biopsy and it came back positive for Basal Cell Carcinoma - skin cancer. That was a bit of a discouraging day.
This is the most common form of skin cancer (more than 80,000 Canadians each year) and is 100% treatable. They simply remove the damaged tissue and it doesn't come back or spread. You probably know people who have already had this - the more people I talked to this week, the more people said, "Oh I know 'so and so' who had that too". Two thirds of these cases are caused by sun damage to the skin. So I guess all those summers of tree planting are catching up to me now...
I went back to the doctor last Monday and he took more of my ear lobe off which was rather painful actually. I mostly thought of all that Sam had endured over the past 8 months and it put my short amount of discomfort into perspective.
Someone asked me at work last week, "How much more burden can you guys carry as a family anyway?" I thought about that for a couple of days and then read this again in Matthew 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
We mostly hear in North America, prayers asking God to take away our burdens from us. But the rest of the world's Christians, and especially in the third world perhaps, their prayers are mostly asking God to make their backs stronger to carry the burden which they must bear. Jesus said he'd give us rest if we would come to him when we are weary and burdened. He keeps carrying these burdens for our family and he gives us the grace and strength to carry the portion we must bear.
Have a great weekend. Pray for safety on the roads... winter is a dangerous time in the North...
Ger
The junior B team, which I am coaching, goes to the district tournament next weekend while Kate and Karly travel to Williams Lake for the Senior Girls' Seeding Tournament. Then on February 19-21 there is a 12 team zone tournament here in Prince George at UNBC which our school is hosting. The top two teams from this tournament will go on to the Provincial Tournament in Keremeos on March 5-7. High school athletics is a big part of our family life!
We had a big snowfall again this week and the trampoline frame in the backyard is almost completely covered now. That's a lot of snow! Sam is in a waiting period right now for his blood counts to improve so that he can start the next and last phase of his chemotherapy treatment. Maintenance will begin as soon as his ANC increases to .75 or better. This week it was still at a dangerously low 0.2. We were very careful to keep him away from sick people during the last two weeks and so far he has been healthy. He even went snowboarding twice in the evenings at the local city hill.
We are all looking forward to spring now. The other day Sam said, "If I cover my eyes with my hand so that all I can see is sky and trees when I look out the window I can imagine that it is summer and +25 degrees outside and we're going outside to ride bikes again..." I've done the same thing myself.
I went to the doctor 2 weeks ago about a sore on the inside of my ear lobe that didn't seem to be going away. They did a biopsy and it came back positive for Basal Cell Carcinoma - skin cancer. That was a bit of a discouraging day.
This is the most common form of skin cancer (more than 80,000 Canadians each year) and is 100% treatable. They simply remove the damaged tissue and it doesn't come back or spread. You probably know people who have already had this - the more people I talked to this week, the more people said, "Oh I know 'so and so' who had that too". Two thirds of these cases are caused by sun damage to the skin. So I guess all those summers of tree planting are catching up to me now...
I went back to the doctor last Monday and he took more of my ear lobe off which was rather painful actually. I mostly thought of all that Sam had endured over the past 8 months and it put my short amount of discomfort into perspective.
Someone asked me at work last week, "How much more burden can you guys carry as a family anyway?" I thought about that for a couple of days and then read this again in Matthew 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
We mostly hear in North America, prayers asking God to take away our burdens from us. But the rest of the world's Christians, and especially in the third world perhaps, their prayers are mostly asking God to make their backs stronger to carry the burden which they must bear. Jesus said he'd give us rest if we would come to him when we are weary and burdened. He keeps carrying these burdens for our family and he gives us the grace and strength to carry the portion we must bear.
Have a great weekend. Pray for safety on the roads... winter is a dangerous time in the North...
Ger
January 21, 2009
Celebrating Sam!
That's the theme for today's blog. Sam is 12 today and yesterday he completed his last treatment in his remission induction phase. This has been a very intense and difficult 8 months for us but we are so thankful for Sam's positive response to the chemo therapy treatments...what an incredible answer to many prayers.
Sam will begin the second stage of treatment which is called maintenance as soon as his blood counts are high enough. Right now they are very low. Hopefully in a week or two they will be up and he can begin his first treatment in maintenance. The goal of this phase is to destroy cancerous cells which may still be present in his body. This stage will last until September 17, 2011 for Sam.
Some elders, pastors and their wives from our church came a few nights ago to pray over Sam and with our family. It was a meaningful time for us and we very much have appreciated our church family and the great encouragement and support they have shown to us.
As Sam heads into Maintenance we know that God continues to be in control of all the details surrounding his health. We are praying for complete elimination of all the cancer cells, no long term effects from the chemo drugs, and no possibility of relapse. We look forward a time when leukemia no longer interferes with his health, his daily activities, his present situation and future plans. May God continue to show mercy.
Thanks for walking through, what seems like a very long 8 months, with us. You have blessed us and given us hope during some of our saddest, darkest, and hardest days. We have cherished the times we can be together to talk, cry, pray, laugh, play, and share normal times together. We are grateful for your prayers and the practical ways many of you have helped us. You have warmed our hearts and been an incredible part of Sam's recovery and journey.
Today is a day to acknowledge all that God has done in Sam's life and celebrate 12 wonderful years we've been able to share with him. May God grant us many more years together as a family.
Have a wonderful day...we intend to!
Love Debbie
That's the theme for today's blog. Sam is 12 today and yesterday he completed his last treatment in his remission induction phase. This has been a very intense and difficult 8 months for us but we are so thankful for Sam's positive response to the chemo therapy treatments...what an incredible answer to many prayers.
Sam will begin the second stage of treatment which is called maintenance as soon as his blood counts are high enough. Right now they are very low. Hopefully in a week or two they will be up and he can begin his first treatment in maintenance. The goal of this phase is to destroy cancerous cells which may still be present in his body. This stage will last until September 17, 2011 for Sam.
Some elders, pastors and their wives from our church came a few nights ago to pray over Sam and with our family. It was a meaningful time for us and we very much have appreciated our church family and the great encouragement and support they have shown to us.
As Sam heads into Maintenance we know that God continues to be in control of all the details surrounding his health. We are praying for complete elimination of all the cancer cells, no long term effects from the chemo drugs, and no possibility of relapse. We look forward a time when leukemia no longer interferes with his health, his daily activities, his present situation and future plans. May God continue to show mercy.
Thanks for walking through, what seems like a very long 8 months, with us. You have blessed us and given us hope during some of our saddest, darkest, and hardest days. We have cherished the times we can be together to talk, cry, pray, laugh, play, and share normal times together. We are grateful for your prayers and the practical ways many of you have helped us. You have warmed our hearts and been an incredible part of Sam's recovery and journey.
Today is a day to acknowledge all that God has done in Sam's life and celebrate 12 wonderful years we've been able to share with him. May God grant us many more years together as a family.
Have a wonderful day...we intend to!
Love Debbie
January 13, 2009
Today it was very evident that Sam's counts were low. He had a hard time getting out of bed, wouldn't eat, nauseated, no energy, and felt exhausted. It's definitely time for a blood transfusion.
We arrived at the hospital at nine this morning, Christine accessed his VAD, started him on saline and we waited for his blood to arrive. After the first transfusion you could see a visible difference in his coloring and was able to sit up, but he still needed another unit of blood. It takes about 3 hours to finish one bag. He slept all morning and later watched a movie. We arrived home about 4:15 and he had something to eat. What an incredible difference in him since this morning! We sure appreciate the many people who volunteer to donate blood. It is a tremendous gift and miraculous to see how it can transform someones life in just a few hours. I need to make blood donation a regular part of my schedule too.
Time to make dinner...just thought I`d let you know that Sam is doing much better after 2 very long days. He`s been in hospital for day treatments 6 out of the last 9 days. He has one week to recuperate before his next treatment...a little break will do him good.
Enjoy your evening,
Debbie
We arrived at the hospital at nine this morning, Christine accessed his VAD, started him on saline and we waited for his blood to arrive. After the first transfusion you could see a visible difference in his coloring and was able to sit up, but he still needed another unit of blood. It takes about 3 hours to finish one bag. He slept all morning and later watched a movie. We arrived home about 4:15 and he had something to eat. What an incredible difference in him since this morning! We sure appreciate the many people who volunteer to donate blood. It is a tremendous gift and miraculous to see how it can transform someones life in just a few hours. I need to make blood donation a regular part of my schedule too.
Time to make dinner...just thought I`d let you know that Sam is doing much better after 2 very long days. He`s been in hospital for day treatments 6 out of the last 9 days. He has one week to recuperate before his next treatment...a little break will do him good.
Enjoy your evening,
Debbie
January 12, 2009
Sunday morning Sam woke up without a headache...thank you Lord! He was feeling a lot better and he convinced Ger to take him to the in-town ski hill. He met up with some friends and boarded for a few hours on a beautiful afternoon. He came home, ate dinner and watched some old movies of Ger 's growing up days. Sam thinks they're hilarious!
This morning before leaving the hospital I put Emla on Sam's VAD site to numb it. When we arrived Christine accessed his VAD, took some blood samples, gave him some liquid ondansetron (anti nausea medicine) and then hung his Vincristine treatment. When that was finished Christine numbed 3 sites on his legs and he received his last (we hope) PEG intramuscular injections. He dislikes these immensely. He slept half the day, tried to eat, but his stomach was not interested in that at all. At the end of the day we watched a movie together.
Sam's blood work counts came back and his hemoglobin counts are very low. So we'll head back to the hospital again tomorrow for most of the day for a blood transfusion. It's a mystery why Sam can do what he does when his counts are so low. Adults with counts higher than his would have passed out and here he is boarding, sledding and going on short walks with Lucy. Amazing! However, when he is not doing these activities he is usually lying down resting, hanging out in the family room, or watching a movie. He can absolutely use the most of what little energy he has to do something active and fun. (This does not include school work). He was like that in the summer too. Go figure! Monica, his primary nurse in Vancouver, tells us that Sam is NOT typical. That's the power of prayer in action and we give God the credit for Sam's positive spirit and tenacity to cope with so much.
Sweet dreams,
Debbie
This morning before leaving the hospital I put Emla on Sam's VAD site to numb it. When we arrived Christine accessed his VAD, took some blood samples, gave him some liquid ondansetron (anti nausea medicine) and then hung his Vincristine treatment. When that was finished Christine numbed 3 sites on his legs and he received his last (we hope) PEG intramuscular injections. He dislikes these immensely. He slept half the day, tried to eat, but his stomach was not interested in that at all. At the end of the day we watched a movie together.
Sam's blood work counts came back and his hemoglobin counts are very low. So we'll head back to the hospital again tomorrow for most of the day for a blood transfusion. It's a mystery why Sam can do what he does when his counts are so low. Adults with counts higher than his would have passed out and here he is boarding, sledding and going on short walks with Lucy. Amazing! However, when he is not doing these activities he is usually lying down resting, hanging out in the family room, or watching a movie. He can absolutely use the most of what little energy he has to do something active and fun. (This does not include school work). He was like that in the summer too. Go figure! Monica, his primary nurse in Vancouver, tells us that Sam is NOT typical. That's the power of prayer in action and we give God the credit for Sam's positive spirit and tenacity to cope with so much.
Sweet dreams,
Debbie
January 10, 2009!
Sam and I are back safely in Prince Goerge...which looks like a winter wonderland. This was the cause of our 4 day delay...too much snow in a very short period of time and strong cross winds which the larger jets could not land in. We are happy to be home.
While Sam and I were gone for the week, Ger, K8 and Karly were busy with school, meetings, coaching, basketball games, practices and shovelling. My nephew, Mike came and picked us up at the airport because the rest of our family was involved in basketball activities. We had a homecoming dinner together and the girls began packing for their tournament in Williams Lake. We had hoped that I could go with them, to cheer them on and spend some time with them, but Sam had a delayed reactiion to the 2 spinal taps he recieved just 7 days apart, along with 5 other chemo injections. (We were at the hospital for 4 consecutive days for treatment in Vancouver). He is suffering with severe headaches. Yesterday, after we said goodbye to the team, I gave him some Advil and he felt better than he had in a week. He asked if I could take him sledding so we drove to the hill and on the way we saw 4 deer eating their lunch. They were in our friends backyard a few houses down munching away at their cedar bushes. We watched from the car and then went to get a closer look on foot...pretty amazing...there was even a baby Bambi. With all the snow in the last week, there was a lot of beautiful white powder on the hill. We trudged up the hill, making a step path, broke a toboganning trail, and had a blast floating down the hill, faster with every run. Sam needed a few rests in between runs, but he was so happy to be outside playing after a long stint of being inside.
Sam was still feeling great a few hours later when he was invited to go snowboarding with his best buddies on our small local hill in town. Ger and I were not prepared to let him go, but he called down to his nurse in Vancouver and she said "If you are feeling up to it, let it rip!" Ger had to go and coach his team, so I stayed home catching up on stuff around the house and to be close by in case Sam needed to be picked up early. We didn't think he'd make more than 3 runs the whole evening, but Sam being Sam, he boarded the whole time they were there, loving every minute of it. He came home tired and very happy. Unfortunately when the advil wore off the head pain was still there and he had a rough night. We can't give him any more Advil and the other pain relief the doctor prescribed doesn't work as well, but it's safer. So he has to remain lying down and sip on coke or coffee. Guess which one he chose? We continue to monitor his temperature, which has been higher than normal the past 2 days, which we were told was because of the pain he is experiencing.
Due to all the chemo therapy and spinals he has received this month, his blood counts will begin to drop rapidly in the next few days. He will become immune supressed (Neutropenic) and he may need a blood transfusiion. On Monday, the poor guy has to go again to the hospital for Vincristine and PEG injections (3 shots in the leg) and have his blood counts checked. It is an all day affair, because the PEG can set off an allergic reaction. Christine, his chemo nurse has to montior him for 5 hours after the injection. Since December 29 he has recieved 26 chemotherapy drugs and his body has been hit hard...that's why they call it "Delayed Intensification." It made my heart very glad to see him enjoying a few hours of fun winter activities.
What has kept us going, especially Sam, this past 6 weeks, is that he is very close to finishing the most challenging and truamatic 8 months of his protocol. It is very difficult for Ger and I to look back at the begining of the blog and a journal we kept and read the day to day things we were forced to experience when Sam was diagnosed. Yet we are also overwhelmed and awed to see how God has cared for Sam and our family in such detailed and intimate ways. Family, friends, classmates, colleagues, church family, acquaintances and strangers have all played significant roles in our lives these past 8 months. We have received so much support and care from so many people.
We will never forget the year 2008 and the difficult family circumstances we have had to endure. At the same time we will never forget God's faithfulness and the goodness of all of you who have touched our lives. May God bless you for the encouragement you have been to us. We know and are completely aware that God has perfect knowledge of what is to happen in each day of each of our lives. We are not exempt from calamity or harm, but we can be assured, convinced and comforted by His desire to be present in our lives, no matter what we experience. God has built up our faith, shaped and remolded our character, walked through the dark times with us and given us joy and reasons to keep celebrating.
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
- Joshua 1:9
While Sam and I were gone for the week, Ger, K8 and Karly were busy with school, meetings, coaching, basketball games, practices and shovelling. My nephew, Mike came and picked us up at the airport because the rest of our family was involved in basketball activities. We had a homecoming dinner together and the girls began packing for their tournament in Williams Lake. We had hoped that I could go with them, to cheer them on and spend some time with them, but Sam had a delayed reactiion to the 2 spinal taps he recieved just 7 days apart, along with 5 other chemo injections. (We were at the hospital for 4 consecutive days for treatment in Vancouver). He is suffering with severe headaches. Yesterday, after we said goodbye to the team, I gave him some Advil and he felt better than he had in a week. He asked if I could take him sledding so we drove to the hill and on the way we saw 4 deer eating their lunch. They were in our friends backyard a few houses down munching away at their cedar bushes. We watched from the car and then went to get a closer look on foot...pretty amazing...there was even a baby Bambi. With all the snow in the last week, there was a lot of beautiful white powder on the hill. We trudged up the hill, making a step path, broke a toboganning trail, and had a blast floating down the hill, faster with every run. Sam needed a few rests in between runs, but he was so happy to be outside playing after a long stint of being inside.
Sam was still feeling great a few hours later when he was invited to go snowboarding with his best buddies on our small local hill in town. Ger and I were not prepared to let him go, but he called down to his nurse in Vancouver and she said "If you are feeling up to it, let it rip!" Ger had to go and coach his team, so I stayed home catching up on stuff around the house and to be close by in case Sam needed to be picked up early. We didn't think he'd make more than 3 runs the whole evening, but Sam being Sam, he boarded the whole time they were there, loving every minute of it. He came home tired and very happy. Unfortunately when the advil wore off the head pain was still there and he had a rough night. We can't give him any more Advil and the other pain relief the doctor prescribed doesn't work as well, but it's safer. So he has to remain lying down and sip on coke or coffee. Guess which one he chose? We continue to monitor his temperature, which has been higher than normal the past 2 days, which we were told was because of the pain he is experiencing.
Due to all the chemo therapy and spinals he has received this month, his blood counts will begin to drop rapidly in the next few days. He will become immune supressed (Neutropenic) and he may need a blood transfusiion. On Monday, the poor guy has to go again to the hospital for Vincristine and PEG injections (3 shots in the leg) and have his blood counts checked. It is an all day affair, because the PEG can set off an allergic reaction. Christine, his chemo nurse has to montior him for 5 hours after the injection. Since December 29 he has recieved 26 chemotherapy drugs and his body has been hit hard...that's why they call it "Delayed Intensification." It made my heart very glad to see him enjoying a few hours of fun winter activities.
What has kept us going, especially Sam, this past 6 weeks, is that he is very close to finishing the most challenging and truamatic 8 months of his protocol. It is very difficult for Ger and I to look back at the begining of the blog and a journal we kept and read the day to day things we were forced to experience when Sam was diagnosed. Yet we are also overwhelmed and awed to see how God has cared for Sam and our family in such detailed and intimate ways. Family, friends, classmates, colleagues, church family, acquaintances and strangers have all played significant roles in our lives these past 8 months. We have received so much support and care from so many people.
We will never forget the year 2008 and the difficult family circumstances we have had to endure. At the same time we will never forget God's faithfulness and the goodness of all of you who have touched our lives. May God bless you for the encouragement you have been to us. We know and are completely aware that God has perfect knowledge of what is to happen in each day of each of our lives. We are not exempt from calamity or harm, but we can be assured, convinced and comforted by His desire to be present in our lives, no matter what we experience. God has built up our faith, shaped and remolded our character, walked through the dark times with us and given us joy and reasons to keep celebrating.
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
- Joshua 1:9
Thursday, January 8th
Finally they made it back. Sam and Debbie went to Vancouver last Sunday for Sam's spinal injection on Monday. Unfortunately when they went to the airport on Monday to fly home after Sam's procedure the airport was a mess and flights weren't leaving because of our weather here. They waited at the airport for 5 hours and on the plane for 2 more hours, then disembarked and went back to Donna's for the night in Burnaby. Tuesday and Wednesday weren't any better because Sam needed to be at the hospital for treatments on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and camping out at the airport, while Sam was feeling extremely poorly, was not an option. Debbie cancelled their treatments here at our hospital and BC Children's continued on with his chemotherapy. They stayed until today and were fortunate to get on the 3:55 flight back to PG after Sam's treatment at the hosptial.
It was a strange week for Debbie down in Vancouver. She thought she was staying overnight and had to stay 5 days. She and Sam were getting kind of tired of the same clothes. Debbie sister is great...she changes her schedule, cancels her plans and goes with Debbie and Sam to the hospital every time they are in Vancouver. Once again they were so well taken care of.
Sam had a tough couple days... nauseated, low energy, getting hot and cold spells, vomiting, and very tired. He has a few days off and then on Monday he'll be at the hospital all day receiving 2 more chemo treatments...what a challenging week for him.
It's great to have them home again! During the Christmas holidays Sam was given some time off so he'd feel well, but now it's back to the schedule. It's going to be a tough few weeks. We are all looking forward to him beginning the Maintenace Phase and completing the toughest 8 months of his 3 1/2 year protocol. (Just a few weeks away!)
Thanks for checking in with us.
Ger
It was a strange week for Debbie down in Vancouver. She thought she was staying overnight and had to stay 5 days. She and Sam were getting kind of tired of the same clothes. Debbie sister is great...she changes her schedule, cancels her plans and goes with Debbie and Sam to the hospital every time they are in Vancouver. Once again they were so well taken care of.
Sam had a tough couple days... nauseated, low energy, getting hot and cold spells, vomiting, and very tired. He has a few days off and then on Monday he'll be at the hospital all day receiving 2 more chemo treatments...what a challenging week for him.
It's great to have them home again! During the Christmas holidays Sam was given some time off so he'd feel well, but now it's back to the schedule. It's going to be a tough few weeks. We are all looking forward to him beginning the Maintenace Phase and completing the toughest 8 months of his 3 1/2 year protocol. (Just a few weeks away!)
Thanks for checking in with us.
Ger
There and Back Again
Sam and I returned home today from BCCH after an eventful weekend. We were able to spend a day with my Mom and Dad and see all the pictures from their trip to Panama. It was great. Then we spent an afternoon/evening at my brother's house and had some fun with all the kids and the new toys. Going to Willingdon Church with my Dad was also a highlight for the weekend.
On Monday we drove on some slippery roads to BCCH and arrived at about 10am. Sam had a very, very busy day. He got 'accessed' and then he got IT Methotrexate (spinal injection) from Dr. Eva who was fantastic, and then he got Aracytarabine(which was the drug that made him so sick last summer - he gets 8 days of this in the next two weeks), and then he had Ondansetron, Cyclophosmamide, and Thioguanine. Then when we got back to my parent's place, he had to take his weekly does of Septra. By the time we got home at 8:30, we were wiped!
Debbie's sister, Donna, came and spent the day with us and it was so nice to visit with her and my dad for the day in our treatment room. By the time we left the hospital there was a sheet of ice in the parking lot after a day of rain and freezing temperatures in the evening. The roads were surpisingly good though on Hwy 1 back to Surrey for the night.
I haven't had a turn of taking Sam to BCCH since the summer time so it was a bit strange for me to be back there. It was a very, very, busy day in Cancerland because so many kids had been given the Christmas week off and now they are all needing to be caught up. I have such distinct and vivid memories of my time at BCCH last May and then all summer. It is strange to go back again after 4 months of letting Debbie take Sam down for his treatments. Sam was a courageous young man again - taking all that medication without one complaint. His overwhelming optimism and courage to conquer this disease is remarkable. He never complains, never asks 'why', never says 'I don't want to go', never cries or whinces when they poke him. He also never stops talking about dirtbikes to anyone who will listen!
We had a great Christmas as a family despite the nagging reminder that we'd have to make the trip down for treatment. Christmas Eve was beautiful and we just spent it together as a family after the girls got back from the Christmas Eve Service. We played games and had fun and ate lots of great food that Debbie spent most of her day preparing. Christmas day was great too at my sister's place where LaDonna and Mel put on an incredible spread for Christmas Dinner. It was a great day.
We were thankful to be together for Christmas, to have Sam feeling well and excited about Christmas, and to share in some fun and unexpected Christmas surprises. Boxing Day was relaxing and later spent with our good friends. While Sam and I were gone the Goertzen women had fun on their own, got together with friends, and did some entertaiing without us.
Debbie picked us up at the airport and we headed straight to the hospital for more chemo. Sam has been very tired today and spent the whole day on the couch. He's glad to be home and have his own bed to sleep in tonight.
We have so much to be thankful for as we reflect back on 2008. We have also been very challenged by different events that have occured this year, but God has been our Rock, Salvation, Helper, Comforter, Refuge, Counselor, Father, and a Giver of many things. He has surrounded us with great families, colleagues, friends, and prayer warriors. We are truly blessed.
Happy New Year
Ger
On Monday we drove on some slippery roads to BCCH and arrived at about 10am. Sam had a very, very busy day. He got 'accessed' and then he got IT Methotrexate (spinal injection) from Dr. Eva who was fantastic, and then he got Aracytarabine(which was the drug that made him so sick last summer - he gets 8 days of this in the next two weeks), and then he had Ondansetron, Cyclophosmamide, and Thioguanine. Then when we got back to my parent's place, he had to take his weekly does of Septra. By the time we got home at 8:30, we were wiped!
Debbie's sister, Donna, came and spent the day with us and it was so nice to visit with her and my dad for the day in our treatment room. By the time we left the hospital there was a sheet of ice in the parking lot after a day of rain and freezing temperatures in the evening. The roads were surpisingly good though on Hwy 1 back to Surrey for the night.
I haven't had a turn of taking Sam to BCCH since the summer time so it was a bit strange for me to be back there. It was a very, very, busy day in Cancerland because so many kids had been given the Christmas week off and now they are all needing to be caught up. I have such distinct and vivid memories of my time at BCCH last May and then all summer. It is strange to go back again after 4 months of letting Debbie take Sam down for his treatments. Sam was a courageous young man again - taking all that medication without one complaint. His overwhelming optimism and courage to conquer this disease is remarkable. He never complains, never asks 'why', never says 'I don't want to go', never cries or whinces when they poke him. He also never stops talking about dirtbikes to anyone who will listen!
We had a great Christmas as a family despite the nagging reminder that we'd have to make the trip down for treatment. Christmas Eve was beautiful and we just spent it together as a family after the girls got back from the Christmas Eve Service. We played games and had fun and ate lots of great food that Debbie spent most of her day preparing. Christmas day was great too at my sister's place where LaDonna and Mel put on an incredible spread for Christmas Dinner. It was a great day.
We were thankful to be together for Christmas, to have Sam feeling well and excited about Christmas, and to share in some fun and unexpected Christmas surprises. Boxing Day was relaxing and later spent with our good friends. While Sam and I were gone the Goertzen women had fun on their own, got together with friends, and did some entertaiing without us.
Debbie picked us up at the airport and we headed straight to the hospital for more chemo. Sam has been very tired today and spent the whole day on the couch. He's glad to be home and have his own bed to sleep in tonight.
We have so much to be thankful for as we reflect back on 2008. We have also been very challenged by different events that have occured this year, but God has been our Rock, Salvation, Helper, Comforter, Refuge, Counselor, Father, and a Giver of many things. He has surrounded us with great families, colleagues, friends, and prayer warriors. We are truly blessed.
Happy New Year
Ger
2nd Place in Newspaper Contest
My Favourite Christmas
By
Sam Goertzen
Last Christmas I opened up all my presents and was so happy. I got a huge tube of candy that I really liked and I also got tons of chocolates. I also got some clothes and a few toys. When we were all done opening our presents and our stockings, my mom said she had one more thing to give us that was very special. She handed my two sisters and me each a piece of paper rolled up and tied with a ribbon. All three of us kids opened ours at the same time and saw a picture of our cousin’s dog. I said, “Aw that is so sweet you to give us a picture of Lucy, a dog which we all love." Then my mom told us that we were actually getting this dog. My sister Karly, who had been begging for a dog for years, started crying and I was running around the living room like a madman because I was so happy! We got Lucy a few months later when my cousins moved from North Carolina to London, England. They knew they could not bring her along because she would not survive the quarantine. They had secretly asked my parents if we would like to have her and they miraculously said yes!
We got her at the end of March and six weeks later I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. My mom and I had to live in Vancouver for four months while I got treatments. I think that God’s timing for us to get a dog was perfect. Lucy really comforts me when I feel sick, which was pretty much twenty-four-seven there for a few months. Lucy always cuddles with me and often sleeps with me at night. This is our first Christmas with Lucy and it is going to be remembered forever. She is the best dog in the world. No other dog could ever replace her. That is the story of how we got a dog for Christmas and how she has been so special to me and my family.
By
Sam Goertzen
Last Christmas I opened up all my presents and was so happy. I got a huge tube of candy that I really liked and I also got tons of chocolates. I also got some clothes and a few toys. When we were all done opening our presents and our stockings, my mom said she had one more thing to give us that was very special. She handed my two sisters and me each a piece of paper rolled up and tied with a ribbon. All three of us kids opened ours at the same time and saw a picture of our cousin’s dog. I said, “Aw that is so sweet you to give us a picture of Lucy, a dog which we all love." Then my mom told us that we were actually getting this dog. My sister Karly, who had been begging for a dog for years, started crying and I was running around the living room like a madman because I was so happy! We got Lucy a few months later when my cousins moved from North Carolina to London, England. They knew they could not bring her along because she would not survive the quarantine. They had secretly asked my parents if we would like to have her and they miraculously said yes!
We got her at the end of March and six weeks later I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. My mom and I had to live in Vancouver for four months while I got treatments. I think that God’s timing for us to get a dog was perfect. Lucy really comforts me when I feel sick, which was pretty much twenty-four-seven there for a few months. Lucy always cuddles with me and often sleeps with me at night. This is our first Christmas with Lucy and it is going to be remembered forever. She is the best dog in the world. No other dog could ever replace her. That is the story of how we got a dog for Christmas and how she has been so special to me and my family.
December 24, 2008
Christmas Salutations from the cold north. Well, the deed has been done with Sam's willing consent...on Sunday morning, after a week full of shedding, he experienced his first NO HAIR DAY! It really looks a lot better than the patchy, see through look he had been sporting for a week prior. He looks great, but I am like so totally like, biased.
Last Thursday night I saw in our local paper a writing contest entitled, "My Favorite Christmas Memory." As Sam's new home schooling mommy-teacher I thought this would be a great writing assignment for him to do. After some discussion, he wrote it, we edited it, and then Sam emailed it to the Free Press by the Friday deadline. On Tuesday morning while I was making some Christmas cards, he came flying into my room, shouting and whooping it up. He had just received an email that he won second prize! They asked Sam and Lucy to go Free Press Office and get their picture taken. He also received a stocking with some gift certificates and small gifts inside. They even had some special prizes for Lucy and she received a gift certificate as well from a new pet store called Pawsitively Gifted. What a great highlight for Sam...he was pretty psyched!
Katelyn and Karly have had a few basketball and volleyball practices, been hanging out with friends, and enjoying some unscheduled time. Sam loves it that Katelyn, Karly and Ger are home now and he can do stuff with them as well.
We are hoping the airlines will be running back on schedule after Christmas so Sam and Ger can make it to Sam's appointments at Children's Hospital in Vancouver. We know of friends and family who have missed their flights, connections, have had to either cancel their flights completely or are stranded in an airport part way to their destination. The storms on both sides of the country are causing havoc with many Christmas plans and holidays. This is the first time since 1971 that ALL of Canada will enjoy a White Christmas.
Matthew 1:23 "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us." In this advent season we are so thankful for Jesus' birth, his life, death, and his resurrection and how that has impacted our everyday and eternal lives. We have experienced "God with us" in unfathomable ways this past 6 months since Sam's diagnosis. The outpouring of prayers, love, care, support, encouragement, has so profoundly impacted our family. We have learned so much, sought God more desperately, been humbled by family and friends generosity, and have been challenged to be faithful and trusting in ALL circumstances. We are so glad that God has been with us in our past, is present with us now and has promised to be in our future forever! What a fantastic God we have.
May you all have a very blessed Christmas as you celebrate Jesus' Birthday. I wonder if and how heaven celebrates Jesus' life events at special times or if it is an ongoing, ever present worship celebration. I can't wait to find out!
From our family to yours, a very Merry Christmas!
Love from Goertzen Gang
Last Thursday night I saw in our local paper a writing contest entitled, "My Favorite Christmas Memory." As Sam's new home schooling mommy-teacher I thought this would be a great writing assignment for him to do. After some discussion, he wrote it, we edited it, and then Sam emailed it to the Free Press by the Friday deadline. On Tuesday morning while I was making some Christmas cards, he came flying into my room, shouting and whooping it up. He had just received an email that he won second prize! They asked Sam and Lucy to go Free Press Office and get their picture taken. He also received a stocking with some gift certificates and small gifts inside. They even had some special prizes for Lucy and she received a gift certificate as well from a new pet store called Pawsitively Gifted. What a great highlight for Sam...he was pretty psyched!
Katelyn and Karly have had a few basketball and volleyball practices, been hanging out with friends, and enjoying some unscheduled time. Sam loves it that Katelyn, Karly and Ger are home now and he can do stuff with them as well.
We are hoping the airlines will be running back on schedule after Christmas so Sam and Ger can make it to Sam's appointments at Children's Hospital in Vancouver. We know of friends and family who have missed their flights, connections, have had to either cancel their flights completely or are stranded in an airport part way to their destination. The storms on both sides of the country are causing havoc with many Christmas plans and holidays. This is the first time since 1971 that ALL of Canada will enjoy a White Christmas.
Matthew 1:23 "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us." In this advent season we are so thankful for Jesus' birth, his life, death, and his resurrection and how that has impacted our everyday and eternal lives. We have experienced "God with us" in unfathomable ways this past 6 months since Sam's diagnosis. The outpouring of prayers, love, care, support, encouragement, has so profoundly impacted our family. We have learned so much, sought God more desperately, been humbled by family and friends generosity, and have been challenged to be faithful and trusting in ALL circumstances. We are so glad that God has been with us in our past, is present with us now and has promised to be in our future forever! What a fantastic God we have.
May you all have a very blessed Christmas as you celebrate Jesus' Birthday. I wonder if and how heaven celebrates Jesus' life events at special times or if it is an ongoing, ever present worship celebration. I can't wait to find out!
From our family to yours, a very Merry Christmas!
Love from Goertzen Gang
December 18, 2008
PRAYER REQUEST
Today I took Sam to the hospital to get some blood work done. His white blood cell counts are extremely low which means his body cannot fight infection. We are given a list to know what signs we need to watch for in case he gets an infection.
Please pray that Sam will be protected from all the bugs, flu's, colds, etc. that are so prevalent this time of year as well as any internal infection that may be triggered in his body during this time. Sam is not interested in spending 10 days in the hospital receiving antibiotics...which is what would happen if he gets sick.
Several Christmas activities Sam was hoping to attend this week will not happen for him...too much risk while being with groups of kids and adults.
His scalp is shedding like crazy and he is sporting toques and hats in and outside the house! It is really cold here and will be for awhile apparently. What strange timing. You know that song, "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth?" I think Sam's lyrics might be, "All I want for Christmas is my thick, long, hair!"
Today I took Sam to the hospital to get some blood work done. His white blood cell counts are extremely low which means his body cannot fight infection. We are given a list to know what signs we need to watch for in case he gets an infection.
Please pray that Sam will be protected from all the bugs, flu's, colds, etc. that are so prevalent this time of year as well as any internal infection that may be triggered in his body during this time. Sam is not interested in spending 10 days in the hospital receiving antibiotics...which is what would happen if he gets sick.
Several Christmas activities Sam was hoping to attend this week will not happen for him...too much risk while being with groups of kids and adults.
His scalp is shedding like crazy and he is sporting toques and hats in and outside the house! It is really cold here and will be for awhile apparently. What strange timing. You know that song, "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth?" I think Sam's lyrics might be, "All I want for Christmas is my thick, long, hair!"
December 16, 2008
We are thankful, that for the past two days, Sam has been doing much better. His physical pain and discomfort has abated, he is happier, more energetic, and in good spirits. I got all teary yesterday when I heard him laughing so much...it has been awhile since we've heard his laughter and contagious giggles.
Since the first week of Sam's diagnosis (6 months and one day to this date), his doctor and nurses have been telling him on a regular basis that, "This is the week you can expect your hair to fall out." It's become somewhat of a joke with us because he had lost some of it, but not all as was predicted...well until Saturday of this past weekend, that is. Sam was running his fingers through his hair and noticed that there was a lot of hair in his hand. We both did it a few more times and had the same results. That night he very willingly let me shave his hair very short so he wouldn't find it everywhere. It has steadily been coming out since then and we are finding it everywhere.
Sam's looks are very altered. He has little hair and what little is left is very short. His face and torso are very puffy from the steroid he has had to take. He has about 6 weeks left until he reaches the maintenance stage. It is a milestone we have been looking forward to since the beginning of his diagnosis. We know that we have one big push left. The doctors say that Maintenance is a much easier stage than what we've experienced in the first 4 stages. Maintenance is an 84 day cycle of chemotherapy with Spinal Injections every 29 days. He will go through that 84 day cycle, twelve times - for three years. Girls get it a little easier; they only have to endure 2 years of Maintenance. Sam will finish his chemotherapy treatment on September 17, 2011.
One day at a time...
Merry Christmas.
Debbie
Since the first week of Sam's diagnosis (6 months and one day to this date), his doctor and nurses have been telling him on a regular basis that, "This is the week you can expect your hair to fall out." It's become somewhat of a joke with us because he had lost some of it, but not all as was predicted...well until Saturday of this past weekend, that is. Sam was running his fingers through his hair and noticed that there was a lot of hair in his hand. We both did it a few more times and had the same results. That night he very willingly let me shave his hair very short so he wouldn't find it everywhere. It has steadily been coming out since then and we are finding it everywhere.
Sam's looks are very altered. He has little hair and what little is left is very short. His face and torso are very puffy from the steroid he has had to take. He has about 6 weeks left until he reaches the maintenance stage. It is a milestone we have been looking forward to since the beginning of his diagnosis. We know that we have one big push left. The doctors say that Maintenance is a much easier stage than what we've experienced in the first 4 stages. Maintenance is an 84 day cycle of chemotherapy with Spinal Injections every 29 days. He will go through that 84 day cycle, twelve times - for three years. Girls get it a little easier; they only have to endure 2 years of Maintenance. Sam will finish his chemotherapy treatment on September 17, 2011.
One day at a time...
Merry Christmas.
Debbie
December 11, 2008
14 Days Until Christmas! It sure is approaching quickly and it feels very different this year.
Sam has been on dexamethasone for the past 7 days and today, thankfully, is the last dose for a long while. He has not been feeling well all week and yesterday he experienced severe back and leg pain. He had a hard time getting comfortable, couldn't sleep, and was very restless. He was very upset and asking for some pain relief. After checking that he had no fever we decided to give him one dose so he could get to sleep. Today when we went to the hospital for blood work we checked in with nurse Christine and she said that was the right thing to do and said as long as we are not masking a fever. Today he is feeling marginally better.
Sam, beginning tomorrow, has 17 days without any chemo drugs. One week without chemo therapy is part of his protocol, but Dr. Bond has rearranged his schedule for several reasons. The first reason is that Sam would need to receive a spinal tap and 4 consecutive days of chemo which would fall on Dec. 23-27. Dr. Bond wants his kids (patients) to have as good as Christmas as possible, given their unbelievable circumstances. Children coming into the hospital for those special days and having to deal with all the yucky side effects is difficult for everyone. So Dr. Bond did some rearranging with Sam's schedule to make these days better for him. He will begin the next section in his protocol ,if his counts are high enough, on December 29in Vancouver. We are so thankful for the compassion and kindness we receive from Sam's oncology team. We are hoping that Sam will recover from the past few weeks treatments and feel stronger physically, mentally and emotionally. It sure takes a toll on every part of a person's body to go through all this.
Sam is keeping up with his school work, but he misses the social interactions the most. I try to get him out of the house a bit each day. Some days he can do much more than other days. He and Lucy cuddle and nap together much of the day...he loves that little dog! She has been an incredible addition to our family and the timing could not have been better. I remember last Christmas, when our kids received a picture of Lucy in their stocking, and wondered why they got that. That's when Ger told them that sometime in the spring they would be "adopting" their cousin's dog as they prepared to move to England. I have never seen our kids respond with such emotion and excitement...it was very special! How do you top that?
Well I have some cookie dough chilling that is ready to be rolled out, baked and iced. Sam has our dinner menu planned and is dreaming of food day and night once again! He sure knows his way around a kitchen compared to 6 months ago. Thankful for the good things that come out of difficult times.
Bye for now,
Debbie
Sam has been on dexamethasone for the past 7 days and today, thankfully, is the last dose for a long while. He has not been feeling well all week and yesterday he experienced severe back and leg pain. He had a hard time getting comfortable, couldn't sleep, and was very restless. He was very upset and asking for some pain relief. After checking that he had no fever we decided to give him one dose so he could get to sleep. Today when we went to the hospital for blood work we checked in with nurse Christine and she said that was the right thing to do and said as long as we are not masking a fever. Today he is feeling marginally better.
Sam, beginning tomorrow, has 17 days without any chemo drugs. One week without chemo therapy is part of his protocol, but Dr. Bond has rearranged his schedule for several reasons. The first reason is that Sam would need to receive a spinal tap and 4 consecutive days of chemo which would fall on Dec. 23-27. Dr. Bond wants his kids (patients) to have as good as Christmas as possible, given their unbelievable circumstances. Children coming into the hospital for those special days and having to deal with all the yucky side effects is difficult for everyone. So Dr. Bond did some rearranging with Sam's schedule to make these days better for him. He will begin the next section in his protocol ,if his counts are high enough, on December 29in Vancouver. We are so thankful for the compassion and kindness we receive from Sam's oncology team. We are hoping that Sam will recover from the past few weeks treatments and feel stronger physically, mentally and emotionally. It sure takes a toll on every part of a person's body to go through all this.
Sam is keeping up with his school work, but he misses the social interactions the most. I try to get him out of the house a bit each day. Some days he can do much more than other days. He and Lucy cuddle and nap together much of the day...he loves that little dog! She has been an incredible addition to our family and the timing could not have been better. I remember last Christmas, when our kids received a picture of Lucy in their stocking, and wondered why they got that. That's when Ger told them that sometime in the spring they would be "adopting" their cousin's dog as they prepared to move to England. I have never seen our kids respond with such emotion and excitement...it was very special! How do you top that?
Well I have some cookie dough chilling that is ready to be rolled out, baked and iced. Sam has our dinner menu planned and is dreaming of food day and night once again! He sure knows his way around a kitchen compared to 6 months ago. Thankful for the good things that come out of difficult times.
Bye for now,
Debbie
December 6, 2008
Happy Birthday Mom Goertzen! Hope you and Dad had one of your most memorable birthdays cruising through the Panama Canal. So glad you could make the trip and the heart surgery allowed you both to enjoy this special trip with family. We can't wait to hear about your trip and see all your pics.
Just got off our friends blog who just spent a few weeks on the Cook Islands and are now hanging out for a few months in Australia...wow, that sure creates some serious beach paradise envy.
I guess we have our own wonderland happening right now...its just that it's a winter wonderland. For the past day and a half we got about 35 cm of snow with some rain thrown in. Lucy looks hilarious trying to get around in it. She looks like a little miniature reindeer prancing and jumping through the snow that is as tall as she is. She had her first toboggan ride down a hill yesterday and had fun chasing the sled down the hill. She is fast!
Sam did extremely well with his treatments on Thursday. It was the first time he did not need the extended anti nausea medications for 2-3 days after the IV chemo drugs. He's back on an oral chemo drug he had a few weeks ago and we're hoping it does not effect him the way it did before. His spirits, energy, and strength are all okay right now. His red blood cell, neotrophil and platelet counts have dropped significantly, but that is expected at this point in his protocol. He has to go to the hospital weekly to get his blood work done so they can see if he needs a blood or platelet transfusion.
Home schooling is going...now I know why I said I would never do it unless I absolutely had too! Some of the meds Sam is on make him irritable and contrary and then throw in the whole tween-y thing and it makes for an interesting time. We both require more time, effort, and positive attitudes to adjust to our new schooling situation. (How do you like that for a teacher report card comment...have had to use that more than once while writing report cards and now it applies to me!) I think I would like to share this teaching privilege/opportunity with Ger on weekends and during the Christmas break! It will be one of my gifts to him!
With the huge snow fall and dangerous road conditions K8 and Karly's out of town basketball tournament this weekend was cancelled. They were disappointed and don't quite know what to do with this unexpected free weekend! They are, as I write, catching up on their much needed sleep.
That's it for now, have a great weekend.
Debbie
Just got off our friends blog who just spent a few weeks on the Cook Islands and are now hanging out for a few months in Australia...wow, that sure creates some serious beach paradise envy.
I guess we have our own wonderland happening right now...its just that it's a winter wonderland. For the past day and a half we got about 35 cm of snow with some rain thrown in. Lucy looks hilarious trying to get around in it. She looks like a little miniature reindeer prancing and jumping through the snow that is as tall as she is. She had her first toboggan ride down a hill yesterday and had fun chasing the sled down the hill. She is fast!
Sam did extremely well with his treatments on Thursday. It was the first time he did not need the extended anti nausea medications for 2-3 days after the IV chemo drugs. He's back on an oral chemo drug he had a few weeks ago and we're hoping it does not effect him the way it did before. His spirits, energy, and strength are all okay right now. His red blood cell, neotrophil and platelet counts have dropped significantly, but that is expected at this point in his protocol. He has to go to the hospital weekly to get his blood work done so they can see if he needs a blood or platelet transfusion.
Home schooling is going...now I know why I said I would never do it unless I absolutely had too! Some of the meds Sam is on make him irritable and contrary and then throw in the whole tween-y thing and it makes for an interesting time. We both require more time, effort, and positive attitudes to adjust to our new schooling situation. (How do you like that for a teacher report card comment...have had to use that more than once while writing report cards and now it applies to me!) I think I would like to share this teaching privilege/opportunity with Ger on weekends and during the Christmas break! It will be one of my gifts to him!
With the huge snow fall and dangerous road conditions K8 and Karly's out of town basketball tournament this weekend was cancelled. They were disappointed and don't quite know what to do with this unexpected free weekend! They are, as I write, catching up on their much needed sleep.
That's it for now, have a great weekend.
Debbie
December 2, 2008
Sam spent another day at home with his mom. He did some homework and helped his mom with the first batch of christmas cookies. He came by my office after school today to get me to pump up his new basketball which he received yesterday from one of Kate's friends in Ontario. Joel got Sam a signed basketball from the Toronto Raptors, a signed jersey from the Toronto Blue Jays and a huge care package for Kate and a bunch of their camp friends. It was fun to see all the quirky, thoughtful, funny things Joel sent and the notes that went with each item. We had a great laugh at all the stuff and it really made Sam's day.
Today I received an envelope and once again the grace of God is evidenced by the kindness of our friends who know just what we need. It was full of Starbucks cards for the kids. I don't know how it is that when we're feeling a little low, someone comes along to brighten our day. This journey is filled with so many ups and downs. Our friends have sure made the difference in helping us on our way.
This morning I got up early and started up the school bus, did the pre-trip check and got it ready for my big Class 4 Road Test. I've been procrastinating getting my bus licence because I didn't really want to have to drive the school's bus but I finally broke down and did it with another high school teacher. Shane and I have been working on the details of the pre-trip check for about 2 weeks. We put together a checklist and then practiced it together nearly every day. The day after the snow shovel attacked me in the garage I stood up after checking the front wheel and smashed my head into the great big side mirror. I even did it again today when I did my actual test... I can't believe it...
My pre-trip went well (about 42 things you have to memorize and check for the evaluator) and then I went on the road test. I started chatting with the evaluator and told him that we use this bus for YWAM trips with our grade 11s so that they can serve the homeless people in east Vancouver. He said he's been on that trip before with his church. I thought I had a pretty good chance of passing my test!
I only lost demerits for going too slow, if you can believe that. Yesterday when I did my practice test with Jill, she said I was going too fast and so today I overcompensated and went too slow. "What the heck are you going 43km/h for in a 60km/h zone?" David the evaluator asked. "I was trying not the fail this test," I answered. "Well you lose just as many points for going too slow as going too fast!"
This I didn't know!
Anyway, if that's the worst I did - 5 points off for going to slow - I guess I can live with that. Probably the first time in my life I've been penalized for going too slow. Actually that's not true. I went go-karting with my good friend Joel one time and we had to put down a $400 deposit on these high speed go-karts. If you bumped into someone or damaged the go-kart in any way you lost your deposit. Joel went crazy and I drove so slow I was mocked for years! Even at that speed I got nauseated and felt like a sea-sick sailor!
We're in the last really bad phase of Sam's treatment right now which is hard but also good. It means the end of these difficult phases is in sight. Maintenance is long - an 84 day cycle of chemo with three Spinal Injections - and he has to do that 84 day cycle 12 times... but they say it is life as normal for Sam and he won't feel too badly. We're really looking forward to that. I'll never forget seeing that little boy in the BCCH waiting room on his last day of treatment... that day will come for Sam...
Thanks for your prayers.
Ger
Today I received an envelope and once again the grace of God is evidenced by the kindness of our friends who know just what we need. It was full of Starbucks cards for the kids. I don't know how it is that when we're feeling a little low, someone comes along to brighten our day. This journey is filled with so many ups and downs. Our friends have sure made the difference in helping us on our way.
This morning I got up early and started up the school bus, did the pre-trip check and got it ready for my big Class 4 Road Test. I've been procrastinating getting my bus licence because I didn't really want to have to drive the school's bus but I finally broke down and did it with another high school teacher. Shane and I have been working on the details of the pre-trip check for about 2 weeks. We put together a checklist and then practiced it together nearly every day. The day after the snow shovel attacked me in the garage I stood up after checking the front wheel and smashed my head into the great big side mirror. I even did it again today when I did my actual test... I can't believe it...
My pre-trip went well (about 42 things you have to memorize and check for the evaluator) and then I went on the road test. I started chatting with the evaluator and told him that we use this bus for YWAM trips with our grade 11s so that they can serve the homeless people in east Vancouver. He said he's been on that trip before with his church. I thought I had a pretty good chance of passing my test!
I only lost demerits for going too slow, if you can believe that. Yesterday when I did my practice test with Jill, she said I was going too fast and so today I overcompensated and went too slow. "What the heck are you going 43km/h for in a 60km/h zone?" David the evaluator asked. "I was trying not the fail this test," I answered. "Well you lose just as many points for going too slow as going too fast!"
This I didn't know!
Anyway, if that's the worst I did - 5 points off for going to slow - I guess I can live with that. Probably the first time in my life I've been penalized for going too slow. Actually that's not true. I went go-karting with my good friend Joel one time and we had to put down a $400 deposit on these high speed go-karts. If you bumped into someone or damaged the go-kart in any way you lost your deposit. Joel went crazy and I drove so slow I was mocked for years! Even at that speed I got nauseated and felt like a sea-sick sailor!
We're in the last really bad phase of Sam's treatment right now which is hard but also good. It means the end of these difficult phases is in sight. Maintenance is long - an 84 day cycle of chemo with three Spinal Injections - and he has to do that 84 day cycle 12 times... but they say it is life as normal for Sam and he won't feel too badly. We're really looking forward to that. I'll never forget seeing that little boy in the BCCH waiting room on his last day of treatment... that day will come for Sam...
Thanks for your prayers.
Ger
November 30, 2008
Sam is feeling better these past 2 days. He has no nausea and his chills and sweats have decreased, but his skin has become extremely sensitive to touch. He has a week off one of his oral chemo pills which I think causes the chills and heat sweats.
He is not attending school any more as of last week. He needs to rest more and not be exposed to all the colds and flu's that are going around this time of year. It has been a miracle that he has not been hospitalized for fevers and we'd love to keep it that way. He will try and keep up with what his class is working on while studying at home.
Sam is very interested in food once again. He is taking another steroid which keeps his mind on food. Yesterday morning he was up early, peeling, boiling, and frying potatoes for his favorite homemade hash brown breakfast before anyone else was up. This morning, as Ger and I took Lucy for her morning walk, Sam unloaded the dishwasher, made blueberry pancakes (from scratch),set the table, and had everything ready for breakfast when we arrived home. He is always wondering what I have planned for the days meals and often has input into the menu planning and meal preparation.
He thought he would try practicing volleyball with his team on Friday after school, but he was too weak and tired after about 8 minutes. His team played the girls teams on Saturday morning, and he was able to participate in that and enjoy the pizza lunch to celebrate the end of the season. He received the "Most Inspirational Player" Award! Later that evening, as a family, we went to the University of Northern B.C. to watch the provincial finals of Girls AA Volleyball. It was amazing to watch such great high school volleyball.
He continues to have a very positive spirit and I am inspired by his ability to cope so well. He is definitely a product of 100's of answered prayers and is one of God's special miracle children! We are so thankful for God's intervention in Sam's life and the protection, comfort, peace, and faithfulness we have all felt these past 6 1/2 months on this cancer journey.
The Christmas tree is up, the house is decorated and the kids are all dreaming of and have placed their orders for the cookies that have yet to be baked. Ger and I were given tickets to attend and invite some friends to our annual Church Christmas Dessert Concert tonight. We have invited some neighbors and a couple from Cedars. We are really looking forward to it!
How are your Christmas plans shaping up this year? It is an exciting time of year and we love celebrating Jesus birthday and the huge place in has in our lives.
Blessings, Debbie
He is not attending school any more as of last week. He needs to rest more and not be exposed to all the colds and flu's that are going around this time of year. It has been a miracle that he has not been hospitalized for fevers and we'd love to keep it that way. He will try and keep up with what his class is working on while studying at home.
Sam is very interested in food once again. He is taking another steroid which keeps his mind on food. Yesterday morning he was up early, peeling, boiling, and frying potatoes for his favorite homemade hash brown breakfast before anyone else was up. This morning, as Ger and I took Lucy for her morning walk, Sam unloaded the dishwasher, made blueberry pancakes (from scratch),set the table, and had everything ready for breakfast when we arrived home. He is always wondering what I have planned for the days meals and often has input into the menu planning and meal preparation.
He thought he would try practicing volleyball with his team on Friday after school, but he was too weak and tired after about 8 minutes. His team played the girls teams on Saturday morning, and he was able to participate in that and enjoy the pizza lunch to celebrate the end of the season. He received the "Most Inspirational Player" Award! Later that evening, as a family, we went to the University of Northern B.C. to watch the provincial finals of Girls AA Volleyball. It was amazing to watch such great high school volleyball.
He continues to have a very positive spirit and I am inspired by his ability to cope so well. He is definitely a product of 100's of answered prayers and is one of God's special miracle children! We are so thankful for God's intervention in Sam's life and the protection, comfort, peace, and faithfulness we have all felt these past 6 1/2 months on this cancer journey.
The Christmas tree is up, the house is decorated and the kids are all dreaming of and have placed their orders for the cookies that have yet to be baked. Ger and I were given tickets to attend and invite some friends to our annual Church Christmas Dessert Concert tonight. We have invited some neighbors and a couple from Cedars. We are really looking forward to it!
How are your Christmas plans shaping up this year? It is an exciting time of year and we love celebrating Jesus birthday and the huge place in has in our lives.
Blessings, Debbie
November 27,2008
Sam and I were in the hospital for 7 hours today. He received the 3 leg injections and then had to wait 5 hours to see if he would have a reaction. He slept quite abit, watched a movie and some t.v., had a visit from Auntie LaDonna, Uncle Mel dropped off some french fries (which he was craving), and later Uncle Mel came back for a visit and brought Cameron from the Cougars hockey team. After about 5 1/2 hours, and no allergic reaction, he was given 2 more chemo drugs, deaccessed, and then we headed home for supper. He was rather anxious to leave!
He had a good dinner and is now catching up on homework while I'm typing. He's definitely experiencing many similar symptoms from the consolidation stage he went through previously in the summer.
I often joke around with Sam that his chemo drugs are somehow airborne and by osmosis we are affected and experience weird symptoms. Like these for example: Ger forgot a staff social event while I was in Vancouver, I showed up to an appointment today on the right date, at the right time, but was 2 months early, Katelyn and Karly are somewhat distracted, forgetful, and very teen-like (oops, that's because they are!), and we are all more tired than usual. Okay, this is just too funny and timely. Ger just this second walked in the house and I asked him why he drove by Karly in the parking lot at school. She had just called one minute ago and asked why her dad did that. Ger had just dropped off Katelyn to babysit and went to school to pick up Karly, as planned, but when he got there he couldn't remember why he was there. He drove around the parking lot and looked at the new lights they put up around the hockey rink and came back home! He then walked to the garage and came back in and asked Sam and I if he had blood on his forehead. How did that happen, I asked. He bumped a shovel that was not hung up well and it fell and bopped him on the head... See what I mean, it must be the chemo! Anyway, he's on his way to get Karly now and we will continue to blame and use the chemo as our scapegoat of excuses.
He had a good dinner and is now catching up on homework while I'm typing. He's definitely experiencing many similar symptoms from the consolidation stage he went through previously in the summer.
I often joke around with Sam that his chemo drugs are somehow airborne and by osmosis we are affected and experience weird symptoms. Like these for example: Ger forgot a staff social event while I was in Vancouver, I showed up to an appointment today on the right date, at the right time, but was 2 months early, Katelyn and Karly are somewhat distracted, forgetful, and very teen-like (oops, that's because they are!), and we are all more tired than usual. Okay, this is just too funny and timely. Ger just this second walked in the house and I asked him why he drove by Karly in the parking lot at school. She had just called one minute ago and asked why her dad did that. Ger had just dropped off Katelyn to babysit and went to school to pick up Karly, as planned, but when he got there he couldn't remember why he was there. He drove around the parking lot and looked at the new lights they put up around the hockey rink and came back home! He then walked to the garage and came back in and asked Sam and I if he had blood on his forehead. How did that happen, I asked. He bumped a shovel that was not hung up well and it fell and bopped him on the head... See what I mean, it must be the chemo! Anyway, he's on his way to get Karly now and we will continue to blame and use the chemo as our scapegoat of excuses.
November 25, 2008
How things can change in one treatment day. Sam began his "Delayed Intensification" phase last Friday at Children's Hospital in Vancouver. The adverse effects began the next day and have progressed daily since then. He feels, and I quote "yucky!" He's tired, weak, restless, chilled during the day and experiencing night sweats, his muscles and joints are achy, he has trouble staying asleep, and his moods have really changed. Basically he feels lousy. He went to school on Monday, but within an hour and a half he couldn't cope. He spends most of the time moving from his bed to the couches with blankets and pillows in tow. After feeling so well the past two months, this dramatic change has been hard on Sam, Ger and myself. It's hard to see him feeling poorly and we feel so helpless. I don't have to worry about him not eating as one of the new drugs increases his appetite! Fortunately it's not as crazy as the prendisone steroid he had during induction.
Tomorrow we go to the hospital for blood work to check his blood counts. On Thursday Sam will be in the hospital all day having more chemo and the three muscular shots in his legs.
We are enjoying the Christmas decorations and lights and the music that celebrates Jesus' arrival. We are looking forward to watching some of our favorite Christmas movies and doing some of our usual traditions. I hope to get the tree up soon and begin baking some of the kids favorite Christmas cookies. We are happy to be staying home for the holidays and focusing on making this a special Christmas for Sam. We know he has a tough 8 weeks ahead, but we are taking one day at a time. Once he finishes this phase, the worst part of his treatments will be over...the end is in sight. We are definitely marking each day off on his checklist!
We continue to rely on God to help Sam endure, thanking Him constantly for what He daily provides for us all, and moving forward in His strength, love and hope! Thanks for your continued prayers and intercession!
Time to sleep, me thinks!
Sweet dreams, Debbie
Tomorrow we go to the hospital for blood work to check his blood counts. On Thursday Sam will be in the hospital all day having more chemo and the three muscular shots in his legs.
We are enjoying the Christmas decorations and lights and the music that celebrates Jesus' arrival. We are looking forward to watching some of our favorite Christmas movies and doing some of our usual traditions. I hope to get the tree up soon and begin baking some of the kids favorite Christmas cookies. We are happy to be staying home for the holidays and focusing on making this a special Christmas for Sam. We know he has a tough 8 weeks ahead, but we are taking one day at a time. Once he finishes this phase, the worst part of his treatments will be over...the end is in sight. We are definitely marking each day off on his checklist!
We continue to rely on God to help Sam endure, thanking Him constantly for what He daily provides for us all, and moving forward in His strength, love and hope! Thanks for your continued prayers and intercession!
Time to sleep, me thinks!
Sweet dreams, Debbie
Day 1
Sam and Debbie had a good trip to Vancouver. At BCCH, Ladonna came to visit Sam while he was getting his treatment. Sam did very well with his spinal and the two other chemo drugs he received on day one of his final phase before Maintenance. This was the first time he didn't get sick on such a heavy treatment day.
They were able to visit with Debbie's dad on Saturday in Abbotsford and flew back to PG this morning. We went to Lori's baptism party at Nemitz's and celebrated her wonderful day. She gave her testimony in church today and it was very powerful.
We also saw my Auntie Susan and Uncle John who were visiting from Kelowna. It was so nice to see them again. My cousin Kenny died of Leukemia when I was very young. They reminded me today that I was in Prince George for Kenny's funeral. I was so young that I do not remember it. They have supported us and encouraged us during the last few months as they shared some of their experiences with us from that time. So many similar emotions and experiences. They gave Sam a great big hug and encouraged us so much. I was glad that we had a chance to see them today in church.
Basketball starts tomorrow for Kate and Karly. It should be a great season and we're looking forward to seeing them play together for the first time.
57 days. That's how long this treatment phase will last. It will be a very different Christmas for our family as we look at helping and encouraging Sam through this very difficult time.
Thanks for your prayers for our family.
Ger
They were able to visit with Debbie's dad on Saturday in Abbotsford and flew back to PG this morning. We went to Lori's baptism party at Nemitz's and celebrated her wonderful day. She gave her testimony in church today and it was very powerful.
We also saw my Auntie Susan and Uncle John who were visiting from Kelowna. It was so nice to see them again. My cousin Kenny died of Leukemia when I was very young. They reminded me today that I was in Prince George for Kenny's funeral. I was so young that I do not remember it. They have supported us and encouraged us during the last few months as they shared some of their experiences with us from that time. So many similar emotions and experiences. They gave Sam a great big hug and encouraged us so much. I was glad that we had a chance to see them today in church.
Basketball starts tomorrow for Kate and Karly. It should be a great season and we're looking forward to seeing them play together for the first time.
57 days. That's how long this treatment phase will last. It will be a very different Christmas for our family as we look at helping and encouraging Sam through this very difficult time.
Thanks for your prayers for our family.
Ger
Day 0 - Delayed Intensification
Well, Sam and Debbie went to Vancouver today after school. Sam stayed after school for 1/2 hour of his volleyball practice. Just before he left for the airport, his team and his coach, Joel, gathered around him and prayed for him. He is in for a tough 8 weeks and it starts tomorrow. I watched through the window of the gym and started crying again to see his friends gathering around him in prayer as he heads out again for a most difficult journey. I haven't found myself emotional since the summer time when his treatment was so difficult. All the feelings of uncertainty and worry started coming back as I saw him dreading the trip to BCCH as it approached. We trust in Jesus and his love for our family and the grace he extends to us each day. Someone came into my office today and reminded me that 'his grace is sufficient...' On the way home from school he laid his head upon his sister's shoulder and quietly started crying.
Last week his blood counts weren't high enough for him to start the next phase of treatment but this week they were. Tomorrow he gets a spinal injection of Methotrexate, an IV drip of Vincristine and Doxorubicin. He starts a really hard 8 week cycle which will include Ara-C, the drug that really made him sick last summer. He also gets the three leg shots of Asparaginase next week which he finds quite unpleasant. Over the Christmas break he will have two spinal injections - one week apart. He said to me while I was tucking him into bed the other night, "Dad, I figured out my treatment and I get Ara C on Christmas eve and Christmas day... but I think maybe they will postpone it because I don't think they'll be working on those days..."
Debbie continues to be a rock of stability and a woman of deep faith for our family as she takes Sam back to Vancouver. She had all our meals made for us for while she's gone and all the Christmas decorations are up in our house. She is an amazing woman and mom. Lucy got a trim today and we all laughed at her short hair cut! She looks *so* different! Good thing she doesn't know what we're laughing about!
This week Kate and Karly went to Valemount and placed 2nd in the zone tournament (10 teams). They had one last chance to go to provincials by playing in a qualifying game at UNBC yesterday evening against a team from Smithers. They played their hardest but lost the match 3 games to 1. It was a difficult defeat and they found it difficult to be so close and yet miss the chance to go to provincials again. A weekend off from athletics and then Basketball starts up on Monday.
Tonight we had a wonderful AGM (annual general meeting) at our school. It was a pretty short meeting (62 minutes) and all the reports were professional, positive and encouraging about what God is doing in our school. There was a large group of staff who received recognition for their years of service at the school. Our enrolment has maxed out and all our programs in the school are running at capacity. Last summer we built another classroom (5 in the last 15 months), a new basketball court/ice rink, and a renovation/conversion in the computer lab. It is very exciting to work in a place with such a wonderful staff, school board and some truly exceptional students.
Thank you for your prayers and support for our family. We cannot express our thankfulness to God for sending us so many friends who help us in their prayers, encouraging words and practical expressions of love.
Ger
Last week his blood counts weren't high enough for him to start the next phase of treatment but this week they were. Tomorrow he gets a spinal injection of Methotrexate, an IV drip of Vincristine and Doxorubicin. He starts a really hard 8 week cycle which will include Ara-C, the drug that really made him sick last summer. He also gets the three leg shots of Asparaginase next week which he finds quite unpleasant. Over the Christmas break he will have two spinal injections - one week apart. He said to me while I was tucking him into bed the other night, "Dad, I figured out my treatment and I get Ara C on Christmas eve and Christmas day... but I think maybe they will postpone it because I don't think they'll be working on those days..."
Debbie continues to be a rock of stability and a woman of deep faith for our family as she takes Sam back to Vancouver. She had all our meals made for us for while she's gone and all the Christmas decorations are up in our house. She is an amazing woman and mom. Lucy got a trim today and we all laughed at her short hair cut! She looks *so* different! Good thing she doesn't know what we're laughing about!
This week Kate and Karly went to Valemount and placed 2nd in the zone tournament (10 teams). They had one last chance to go to provincials by playing in a qualifying game at UNBC yesterday evening against a team from Smithers. They played their hardest but lost the match 3 games to 1. It was a difficult defeat and they found it difficult to be so close and yet miss the chance to go to provincials again. A weekend off from athletics and then Basketball starts up on Monday.
Tonight we had a wonderful AGM (annual general meeting) at our school. It was a pretty short meeting (62 minutes) and all the reports were professional, positive and encouraging about what God is doing in our school. There was a large group of staff who received recognition for their years of service at the school. Our enrolment has maxed out and all our programs in the school are running at capacity. Last summer we built another classroom (5 in the last 15 months), a new basketball court/ice rink, and a renovation/conversion in the computer lab. It is very exciting to work in a place with such a wonderful staff, school board and some truly exceptional students.
Thank you for your prayers and support for our family. We cannot express our thankfulness to God for sending us so many friends who help us in their prayers, encouraging words and practical expressions of love.
Ger
November 13th
Sam went to the hospital yesterday to get his blood work done. He is very brave now every time he gets poked for blood - he never flinches or even looks away. His ANC needed to be 0.75 for his next phase of treatment to begin. Yesterday it was only at 0.7 so we had to cancel Debbie and Sam's flights and postpone them a week. He won't be starting Delayed Intensification until next week (if his counts are up by then).
Interim Maintenance turned out to be less traumatic for Sam than the other three phases he has completed. The last main phase before Maintenance (2 years 5 months of treatment) is Delayed Intensification. This one is 57 days long and includes a lot of chemotherapy including 4 days a week Aracytarabine (for 2 weeks) PEG Asparaginase leg shots (3), 3 Spinal injections of Methotrexate, IV Vincristine and IV Doxorubicin, and oral methotrexate for nearly the whole duration. The Aracytarabine was our hardest run through the summer while at BCCH. He was very sick from that one and also needed to go to the ER for a fever during that session.
So, we're praying that this last phase, which goes right through Christmas, will go smoothly. This treatment is a marathon of ups and downs, good days and bad. Sam wasn't upset to get a week off before the next round begins.
JP and Marnie head to Australia this week. They left me JP's Yamaha 250 Enduro dirtbike to store/ride for them while they are gone. It needed some work but is running pretty well right now. Sam and I have spent hours riding through the trails behind our house. It has been a highlight of our last week.
Thank you for your prayers and support for our family. Katelyn and Karly travel to Valemount today for the senior girls' zone volleyball tournament. If they place first they will qualify for the provincial tournament.
Have a great weekend.
Ger
Interim Maintenance turned out to be less traumatic for Sam than the other three phases he has completed. The last main phase before Maintenance (2 years 5 months of treatment) is Delayed Intensification. This one is 57 days long and includes a lot of chemotherapy including 4 days a week Aracytarabine (for 2 weeks) PEG Asparaginase leg shots (3), 3 Spinal injections of Methotrexate, IV Vincristine and IV Doxorubicin, and oral methotrexate for nearly the whole duration. The Aracytarabine was our hardest run through the summer while at BCCH. He was very sick from that one and also needed to go to the ER for a fever during that session.
So, we're praying that this last phase, which goes right through Christmas, will go smoothly. This treatment is a marathon of ups and downs, good days and bad. Sam wasn't upset to get a week off before the next round begins.
JP and Marnie head to Australia this week. They left me JP's Yamaha 250 Enduro dirtbike to store/ride for them while they are gone. It needed some work but is running pretty well right now. Sam and I have spent hours riding through the trails behind our house. It has been a highlight of our last week.
Thank you for your prayers and support for our family. Katelyn and Karly travel to Valemount today for the senior girls' zone volleyball tournament. If they place first they will qualify for the provincial tournament.
Have a great weekend.
Ger
November 6 - Thursday
Well it was Debbie's birthday yesterday and we had a nice breakfast and she opened up a couple presents from me and the kids. Karly got her braces off today so she and Debbie spent much of the day at the orthodontist officeand was she ever smiling! Actually she never stopped smiling.
Lucy seems to be all better from whatever was making her feel lousy and we were all glad about that. Sam had his blood work done yesterday and his counts are all quite good - ANC 1.1 / Hbg 101 / Platelets 210 which means the flu shot was a good thing for him to get last week. We all went in to get the flu shot and are hoping that it does some good for us this winter. Sam can't afford to get sick, that's for sure.
Sam was feeling pretty tired in PE the other day and couldn't keep up with all the other kids in the handball game they were playing. He tries so hard and he is very competetive but after we got his blood work numbers we were amazed that he could do any running at all. Healthy numbers for hemoglobin would be twice what he has right now. At 80 you feel really lousy and 70 people pass out. So, the fact that Sam can do PE at all is really a miracle. Going to school this fall has been such a blessing for him.
We watched him play volleyball on his school team the other day. There were several 3 hit plays between Landon, Rylan and Sam and it was so much fun to watch them all play. Kate and Karly's volleyball team is going to the zone tournament next weekend and if they don't place first, their season will be done. If they win the tournament, they will be going on to Provincials. They have been working hard at getting better as a team and are hoping for success at the zone tournament. They have an excellent coach.
Sam will be going to BCCH next week to start another phase of treatment called Delayed Intensification. It could be a pretty rough phase with some new drugs that we haven't seen yet in his treatment. It begins with a Spinal Injection of Methotrexate and then runs for 8 weeks. When he finishes this stage, there is just one more to go - Maintenance. Maintenance runs for 2 years, 5 months with daily chemotherapy and monthly spinal injections with breaks here and there. Maintenance has an 84 day cycle and he will do the cycle 12 times. Its a long haul.
My dad is doing well and seems to be feeling better and better every day. He can't believe how much energy and clear-headedness he has since his operation. We are all glad that God healed him through this surgery last week and we're praying that he stays healthy.
Thanks again for your prayers and thoughts.
Gerry
Lucy seems to be all better from whatever was making her feel lousy and we were all glad about that. Sam had his blood work done yesterday and his counts are all quite good - ANC 1.1 / Hbg 101 / Platelets 210 which means the flu shot was a good thing for him to get last week. We all went in to get the flu shot and are hoping that it does some good for us this winter. Sam can't afford to get sick, that's for sure.
Sam was feeling pretty tired in PE the other day and couldn't keep up with all the other kids in the handball game they were playing. He tries so hard and he is very competetive but after we got his blood work numbers we were amazed that he could do any running at all. Healthy numbers for hemoglobin would be twice what he has right now. At 80 you feel really lousy and 70 people pass out. So, the fact that Sam can do PE at all is really a miracle. Going to school this fall has been such a blessing for him.
We watched him play volleyball on his school team the other day. There were several 3 hit plays between Landon, Rylan and Sam and it was so much fun to watch them all play. Kate and Karly's volleyball team is going to the zone tournament next weekend and if they don't place first, their season will be done. If they win the tournament, they will be going on to Provincials. They have been working hard at getting better as a team and are hoping for success at the zone tournament. They have an excellent coach.
Sam will be going to BCCH next week to start another phase of treatment called Delayed Intensification. It could be a pretty rough phase with some new drugs that we haven't seen yet in his treatment. It begins with a Spinal Injection of Methotrexate and then runs for 8 weeks. When he finishes this stage, there is just one more to go - Maintenance. Maintenance runs for 2 years, 5 months with daily chemotherapy and monthly spinal injections with breaks here and there. Maintenance has an 84 day cycle and he will do the cycle 12 times. Its a long haul.
My dad is doing well and seems to be feeling better and better every day. He can't believe how much energy and clear-headedness he has since his operation. We are all glad that God healed him through this surgery last week and we're praying that he stays healthy.
Thanks again for your prayers and thoughts.
Gerry
October 30, 2008
Sam had a long day in the hospital on Tuesday. For the first time he had anticipatory sickness and we were a few minutes late getting to the hospital, but everyone was more than sympathetic. Rob, one of the hospital pharmacists, who also goes to our church, came by to check in with us. He orders and mixes Sam's doses for chemo. Sam was given the maximum dose of methotrexate, which is rarely done because either the child's body can't tolerate it or their counts are too low. Another miracle from God. We had to stay longer than planned because Sam started reacting to the chemo, so Christine slowed it down and that helped.
Our nurse Christine is a wonderful and a gifted story teller...she keeps us entertained with "life on a farm" stories! Sandra, the child life specialist, helps the day go by faster by providing things for Sam to do in the room. It distracts him when he's playing on the WII, watching a movie or cable t.v. (a treat because we have no reception or cable at home), or putting together models or lego. He studied and I quizzed him for the science test he had to write the next day. After 6 hours he was done, we headed home and he went straight to bed. We have found that if we give the anti naseau medication to him every 8 hours around the clock, for 3-4 days after chemo treatments, he does much better.
Last night our friends, who live a few doors down, couldn't use some tickets they had been given to the Cougars hockey game, so they asked us if we would like to go. Karly had plans, Ger was out of town, so the rest of us went with some friends and we had a GREAT time! Sometimes those spontaneous, very last minute things seem to be just what's needed! A very timely, unexpected treat!
Sam now has a few weeks to let his body recuperate and build his blood counts. He's still attending school, practicing and playing games with his volleyball team, and plans to go trick or treating with his buddy Landon. He is a walking miracle boy! We have much to be thankful for as this is very atypical for this part of a child's protocol. God has been so very gracious and merciful!
Blessings,
Debbie
Our nurse Christine is a wonderful and a gifted story teller...she keeps us entertained with "life on a farm" stories! Sandra, the child life specialist, helps the day go by faster by providing things for Sam to do in the room. It distracts him when he's playing on the WII, watching a movie or cable t.v. (a treat because we have no reception or cable at home), or putting together models or lego. He studied and I quizzed him for the science test he had to write the next day. After 6 hours he was done, we headed home and he went straight to bed. We have found that if we give the anti naseau medication to him every 8 hours around the clock, for 3-4 days after chemo treatments, he does much better.
Last night our friends, who live a few doors down, couldn't use some tickets they had been given to the Cougars hockey game, so they asked us if we would like to go. Karly had plans, Ger was out of town, so the rest of us went with some friends and we had a GREAT time! Sometimes those spontaneous, very last minute things seem to be just what's needed! A very timely, unexpected treat!
Sam now has a few weeks to let his body recuperate and build his blood counts. He's still attending school, practicing and playing games with his volleyball team, and plans to go trick or treating with his buddy Landon. He is a walking miracle boy! We have much to be thankful for as this is very atypical for this part of a child's protocol. God has been so very gracious and merciful!
Blessings,
Debbie
October 28, 2008
Sam had his blood work done after school yesterday. His counts were definitely lower, but good enough for him to have his chemo treatment this morning. This means he will have officially completed the "Interim Maintenance Phase" of his protocol. Yeah, another 56 days done! He has had strength, stamina, energy, and relatively few miserable days during these past two months...that is God answering our prayers...thank you for talking to God about Sam and his health! Sam did not need any blood or platelet transfusions these past two months, which is a first as well. It's so encouraging to us when people remind us that they are praying for Sam and keeping up with his progress...we appreciate it so very much.
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