A little Low

Went for a blood test and saw the doc today. My white blood cells have come up, although my platelets are low and have come down. I have go a platelet infusion tomorrow. Haven't really felt good today, I suppose there will be ups and downs. Over all I'm getting there, I think it's going to take time.

Getting There!

Great to be home, I must say each day I feel a little better, I guess it's a slow process to recovery. I can't believe how the Chemo effects your body, and how long it takes to work out of my system. It seems my hair has stopped growing, not sure how long it will take before it starts up again. Slowly but surely...

I see the doctor tomorrow, will also get an update on my blood levels....

Home Sweet Home!

I'm finally home, no longer stuck in a air conditioned room. Nice to breath the fresh air! Being stuck in a single room for 3 weeks has really affected my strength, getting up and down the stairs is like going to gym. I'm sure I will regain my strength quite quickly, although I can still feel the effects of the treatment on my body. I guess it will take time, at least I'm on the road to recovery!

I wanted to thank you guys for all the support, the sms's, whtazapp's, emails, calls, skype's and visits! It really got me though what could have been a very depressing three weeks. Thanks for your encouragement and prayers...I really appreciate it!


Rom 8-38 - For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

A visit from the Girls

Homeward Bound

Today my drip came out, hipee!! The doctor has said that I can go home tomorrow, very good news! I have been given a diet to follow, as I can't eat all foods yet. I'll also have to hang low for the following month, at the risk of being exposed to infection, as by resistance levels will still be very low. Can't believe its been 3 weeks!

Still Here

My blood counts are still coming up slowly, I received more platelets last night, feeling a lot better today. Doctors will be coming past for their ward visit, and so will hear what the latest results are? Not sure when I'll go home, but I guess it will be soon.

In the mean time "busy, busy....so much to do...." ;-)

Slowly but surely

Late yesterday I received platelets to help my blood count, my levels are marginally up today, so thats good. The doctors expect these levels to increase day by day. It's bit of a waiting game....Hopefully I will be able to go home later this week.

Thanks for all the prayer and support, really appreciate it! Blessings...

2 weeks and counting

Today I have been in hospital for 2 weeks, it's gone quick, but on the other hand also feels like a life time. My blood levels are closely monitored, with my levels still decreasing. In transplant terms of days is on day 9, the doctors expect to see an increase in levels from day 11-14. So it looks like I'm here for a couple of more days, I pray my levels miraculously jump to the right levels. Thanks for your prayers and support....

Aye Aye its Friday

Well Friday has finally come, this week has really been bit of a blur....I'm feeling better, progressively every day..so I'm getting there. All is good, thanks for you prayer and support, I hope I'm set free next week some time..will have to see how my blood counts are doing (still too early to comment on these it seems)
Today is a raining cold day in Pretoria, I'm busy looking out onto misty golf course...nice day for tea and scones...

Back on Track

Just an update on my progress..yesterday was a bad day for me, but can really testify how your prayers pulled me through. Feeling better today, hope to have a good nights rest. The Lord is Good! Thanks for all the support.

See you Through the Window

The Lord is Gracious, Compassionate and full of Mercy!

The Lord pressed on my heart, that song we used to sing, the "Lord is Gracious and Compassionate and Slow to Anger and and Rich in Love". As far the east is from the west, that's how far He has removed our transgressions from us!

There are some amazing scriptures:

Isaiah 30:18

 And therefore the Lord [earnestly] waits [expecting, looking, and longing] to be gracious to you; and therefore He lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you and show loving- kindness to you. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are all those who [earnestly] wait for Him, who expect and look and long for Him [for His victory, His favor, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship]!

11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great are His mercy and loving- kindness toward those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father loves and pities his children, so the Lord loves and pities those who fear Him [with reverence, worship, and awe].
14 For He knows our frame, He [earnestly] remembers and imprints [on His heart] that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are as grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
16 For the wind passes over it and it is gone, and its place shall know it no more.
17 But the mercy and loving- kindness of the Lord are from everlasting to everlasting upon those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him, and His righteousness is to children’s children—

Psalm 145

8.The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and abounding in mercy and loving- kindness. 9 The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works [the entirety of things created]. 10 All Your works shall praise You, O Lord, and Your loving ones shall bless You [affectionately and gratefully shall Your saints confess and praise You]!

11 They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom and talk of Your power,

12 To make known to the sons of men God’s mighty deeds and the glorious majesty of His kingdom.

13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures throughout all generations.

14 The Lord upholds all those [of His own] who are falling and raises up all those who are bowed down.

15 The eyes of all wait for You [looking, watching, and expecting] and You give them their food in due season.

16 You open Your hand and satisfy every living thing with favor.

17 The Lord is [rigidly] righteous in all His ways and gracious and merciful in all His works.

18 The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him sincerely and in truth.

19 He will fulfill the desires of those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him; He also will hear their cry and will save them. 20 The Lord preserves all those who love Him, but all the wicked will He destroy. 21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord; and let all flesh bless (affectionately and gratefully praise) His holy name forever and ever.

Video - Lord is Gracious and Compassionate....(click) 

Keeping in Contact

I can't receive visitors under 16, so Chloé and I have been Skyping each other.

 

Also Chloé send Love from a friends birthday party.

The Transplant - The Big Day

Well yesterday was the big day! I had my stem cell transplant. Using my own stem cells, harvested 2 weeks ago. All went very well. They sedated me for the procedure, so I was kind of awake during the procedure, but after awhile I crashed! Slept the whole afternoon. Also had a good nights sleep.

The stem cells where administered by an IV, they had to get them transplanted in a certain time, there where two bags that they have to administer. Most amazing how you can see the small cells in the pipe of the drip line. Towards the end it was difficult to get the last bit in, as some of the fluid was quite thick.

So now the count down begins, yesterday being day 0, they now expect the stems cells to grow and take within the next 10-14 days. The effects of the chemo, also takes a couple of days to kick in. I really pray the Lord will get me through the next stage.

Being in one room all the time is challenging, I try and get into a routine. So up with a wash, make my bed, cleanup a little, do some breathing exercises, do some stretches and weights for my arms, try and get my heart rate up a little. Oh... the other thing I have put on 5 kg, I think mostly water, I'm constantly on a drip, up to know I was getting 2l a day, which adds up. I see the drip rate has been reduced, so hopefully this will come down. My hair is still falling out, I think we will be saving it today. Not sure when it will start growing again. It think I'll have to get a nice "beanie".

Thanks for all the prayers and support, I really believe that I have already been healed, and this is really a formality. Through Christ and the cross we have full access to the Completed Work of Christ, which includes salvation, healing and all the blessings and inheritances He has for us! Shalom!

Ready for Action, before the Transplant

Yvette, always there to support me!

And so it begins

There you can see the stem cell bag that gets re-infused

"Uit soos n' Kers"

Dr T, supporting and checking up on me

Precious clean stem cells

Assisting nurse helping getting the cells into the drip

The Big Day!

Well today I get my stem cell transplant, they are planning it for 2pm today, apparently I will have to take oxygen for the procedure. I pray that I won't have any side effects. They apparently preserve the stem cells in a chemical that smells like garlic, so I don't think that will be nice...

The doctors say that once I have received my stem cells, I have to be in hospital for 14 days. The effects of chemo kick in on day 5, apparently one feels very tired, etc.

Blessings!

So it Starts...

My new room is much better the previous one, I have a view over the golf course. And for the first time saw a "midget", playing golf. The room is comfortable, I had been spending my time with emails etc. There is always some action, nurses, cleaning staff, etc. coming in and our of the room. I have got used to the drip in my arm, it was quite uncomfortable, but is much better.
The nurses need to take my vitals every 2 hours, through the night this is quite disturbing, so you don't really sleep through. I guess its like having a baby, although not half as demanding.

In the mornings I try to get into a routine, getup, get cleaned up, dress, then go to the office (check emails etc.) Then I try and do some exercises, there are some small weights int the room, try and do as much as I can, jog on the spot, etc...try get my heart rate up a little.

The last remnants of hair on head are falling out, so I'm thinking of shaving it off...will see. The chemo that I get in hospital also lets your hear fall out, so why fight the inevitable. I always wanted to shave my legs for cycling, perhaps this is an opportunity to do so......   ;-)

I started with my first chemo yesterday, and I start my next chemo session in an hours time. I have to suck ice doing the chemo, apparently this freezes the capillaries in your mouth, and stops the chemo from getting there. Normally the chemo effects you mouth quite badly, this seems to work very well.

So far I'm feeling pretty good! Thanks for your continued prayers and throughs...here as some pics of my room's view...

New Room

I was able to move to a new room, with the view of the golf course. It was great seeing the sunset, where previously I looked into a court yard. Here are some pics of my old room. The new room is very much the same in layout.

And so it begins - The Transplant

Well, this afternoon I checked into hospital, (ward 20 at Pretoria East).

The room is nice, although did not get a room with a view, but a courtyard, I have been promised a room with a view, as soon as one becomes available. Nurses did all the pre-checks, my vitals are great. They didn't waste time putting me onto a drip. So now I'm typing with one hand, kinda like sms'ing.

So this is my new home for 3 weeks, I think I brought enough videos, books, to keep me busy, also brought mt guitar, although, didn't think about how I was going to play with a dripping my arm.

Tomorrow I start Chemo Treatment, and so it all begins. I will post some pics of the room.

Also my Skype address Cfm.skype
Call me, if u see me online....

This last week was fantastic, I must say I tried to pack in as much as I can, Prayers from friends, Jesus Culture concert, etc., the Lord has really been stirring my heart. I just want to live for Him.
When I get a chance, I'll blog on some of these..

Blessings! Thanks so much for your prayers!

East London

Nice to have Hendrik and Olivia visiting from East London, we went to the Jesus Culture Conference together.

Jesus Culture Conference

The Jesus Culture conference at Rhema was really amazing! Many people where healed, and the worship was great! I really couldn't believe that there where so many passionate worshipers out there! After the Saturday morning session, we hit the streets, and went to a shopping centre and prayed for people, Wow what an experience! The Lord really is good!

Samantha & David

It was great meeting up with Samantha and David. We have so much in common with them, its quite scary! Our children are in the same school, they now live on the house that I grew up in Irene, we have both done the the Sani2C and cycle, David and I are being treated for Cancer, and we both know and server the Lord! It was so good to finally get together and connect on many different levels. 

David is in the throws extensive treatment, I pray the Lords blessings and healing for him!

Hang in there David, your nearly there!