Looking Back over 2018

Well, its been some time since I have updated my Blog. I guess quite a lot of things have happened this year. Since my Stem Cell Transplant in February 2018, being off from work until May. I needed the time to recover and get over the effects of the treatment. Unfortunately the stem cell transplant proved to be unsuccessful, and so I have been back on treatment since June. It has been a hard six months as far that is concerned. I have also been back at work, so it has been particularly busy.

I have been contemplating many things over this period of time, my spiritual life, family life and work life. And will need to get to the stage where I will need to make some big decisions. One of the things that I did do in hospital, was to start a list of things that I would like to achieve and resolve. I'm blessed that some of these things have happened. So as part of my update, would rather share 'life' with you. Pictures also say a 1000 words. Blessings...

During my Stem Cell Transplant in Hospital

April 2018 - Gariep Dam 

2018 Birthday Weekend in the Cape, spending time on Chlo's Ukulele

August 2018 - Girls Birthday Month, Enjoying Lunch

August 2018 - Yvette and I - Birthday Month

Nix and I, Cycling at the Red Barn ;-)

Nix and I, Cycling on Langezandt Beach to the De Mond Reserve

September 2018 - Gentleman's Ride - Great Fun!!

Chloe and I, Lunch in Soweto, just before Guns and Roses Concert

Chloe and I - Guns and Rose Concert

Guitar and Music Show 2018 - Playing a Duisenberg Guitar - Amazing!

Another Duisenberg Axe - Great Tone!

Playing a Custom Shop Relic Tele - most probably one of the best sounding 

Playing a Mayer Relic Strat - Amazing - R150k (not cheap) ;-)

Spending time at Langezandt after SCT

Taking the Dogs for walkies on the Beach ;-)

Jamming at home on my self build Les Paul - Great Times!!

Support me for DGR 2018

This year I am taking part in The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride to raise funds and awareness for mens health and prostate cancer on behalf of the Movember Foundation.

Prostate cancer affects more men than any other cancer, taking the lives of close to 307,000 men each year. A number surpassed by 500,000 men dying from suicide. That's 807,000 men every year. This is a number that must change.

Please reach out to give what you can and show your support.

Please go to https://www.gentlemansride.com/fundraiser/CharlMarais235733 to donate.

Revealed to Be Healed March 15, 2018

Read: Psalm 25:1–11 Bible in a Year: Deuteronomy 26–27; Mark 14:27–53 Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths.—Psalm 25:4 As a boy, I watched my father plow fields that had never been cultivated. On the first pass the plowshare would turn up large rocks that he hauled away. Then, he would plow the field again, and then again, to further break up the soil. With each pass the plow turned up other, smaller rocks that he cast aside. The process continued, requiring many passes through the field. Growth in grace can look like a similar process. When we first become believers, some "big" sins may be exposed. We confess them to God and accept His forgiveness. But as the years pass by, and as God's Word passes through us and sinks into our innermost being, the Holy Spirit brings other sins to the surface. Sins of the spirit once thought to be mere peccadilloes—small, seemingly unimportant offenses—are revealed as ugly, ruinous attitudes and actions. Sins like pride, self-pity, complaining, pettiness, prejudice, spite, self-serving indulgence. God reveals each sin so He can cast it aside. He reveals to heal. When harmful hidden attitudes come to the surface, we can pray as the psalmist David did, "For the sake of your name, Lord, forgive my iniquity, though it is great" (Psalm 25:11). Humbling exposure, though painful, is good for the soul. It's one of the ways in which He "instructs sinners in his ways." He "guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way" (vv. 8-9). —David H. Roper Thank You, Lord, that You remember us according to Your love. Instruct us and guide us. Teach us to live as those who have been forgiven much. Jesus takes us as we are and makes us what we should be. INSIGHT: God's desire to cleanse us of our sins should be matched by our desire for that cleansing. In Psalm 139 David reflects, "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (vv. 23-24). His prayer expresses a longing for the cleansing and restoration that can only come from God. John echoes that invitation in 1 John 1:9: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." And Jesus Himself stands ready to help. John wrote, "My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One" (1 John 2:1). What a great promise! Is unconfessed sin hindering your relationship with the Father? He stands ready to forgive! Bill Crowder Share your thoughts on today's devotional on Facebook or odb.org.

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Getting Time

Nice to be getting time to play my guitar and getting into learning the drums...I have started a new band, called - MMI - Me [lead guitar], Myself [bass] and I [drums] - we really rock ;-)

Also see the "Joe Satriani" new look hair style ;-)

Playing my home made "Les Paul"

Getting into the groove...

Day 26

Well...It's been a week since I was released from hospital, and I must say its really nice to be at home. I went for blood tests on Thursday, and my white blood count had dropped. I then received additional platelets and injections to stimulate on white blood cells. I see the doctor on Wednesday again, and trust that my levels are doing better.

Now is the long slow wait for my body and immune system to recover. I went for a short walk yesterday, and realised how much of a hammering my body has taken. But I will get there. At the moment, I'm "kaalkop", I think it will still take a long time for my hair to grow...

I'm enjoying my time at home, as it gives me a chance to catchup, I have started reading "Killing Kryptonite" by John Bevere...very good book!

Selah,

Day 20 - Home Sweet Home - Now the recovery Begins

So glad to be be home!

My last blood tests on Monday, hit all the right levels for me to go home. I must say looking back over the last 3 weeks, its been quite a ride...from high dose chemo...receiving back my stem cells (which where harvested 6 years ago, which is a miracle in itself)...to fainting in the bathroom one evening, and also having a fever. All the highs and the lows, I finally made it home..

Being in hospital, I was monitored every 3 hours, and so one really does not have time for rest. I was also permanently connected to a drip and machine, which constantly hampers your movement.

Now the recovery begins, it's as if you have been beaten up inside your body, and so its going to take 2-3 months to heal internally, even for my hair to start growing. So the healing process begin...

I'm so gratefully for all the support from friends and family during the time, helping me through this. Especially Yvette, my Love, who has been such a pillar of strength!!

Getting There - Day 16

After feeling good from my last post on the 11th,

I came down with fever, and really did'n feel well at all this past week. But I'm back on my feet, my Dr. is happy with my progress, my white blood cells have increased by 100%, all moving in the right direction.

I'm definitely still going to be in hospital this weekend (more time in the room with a view ;-)

I guess time to get going on my reading,

Blessings...

The LORD Is My Light and My Salvation

A great and glorious morning!!

"morgen, goeiemôre, God morgen, buongiorno, buenos días, bore da" ;-)

I was blessed to receive Psalms 27 as God's word for the day. Some of the verses of this scripture blew me away, a great reminder of how good God is.

The Lord is the stronghold of my life, he is my anchor, and what I hold onto, knowing this, who shall I be afraid of? I don't need to have fear or anxiety about anything, because I know He is my stronghold. This ties into Mathew 6, where the birds of the air don't sow nor reap, because our heavenly father provides and keeps them. How blessed are we that are able to sow, in God's provision there is so much to be reaped, speaking to every aspect of our lives.

That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of life, that I may be in His presence all the days of my life.

He will hide me in His shelter, and he will conceal me under his tent, and is presence all the days of my life,

Selah,

Psalms 27

The LORD Is My Light and My Salvation
Of David.

(1) The LORD is my light and my salvation;

whom shall I fear?

The LORD is the stronghold of my life;

of whom shall I be afraid?

(4) One thing have I asked of the LORD,

that will I seek after:

that I may dwell in the house of the LORD

all the days of my life,

to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD

and to inquire in his temple.

 (5) For he will hide me in his shelter

in the day of trouble;

he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;

he will lift me high upon a rock.

(11) Teach me your way, O LORD,

and lead me on a level path

because of my enemies.

(14) Wait for the LORD;

be strong, and let your heart take courage;

wait for the LORD!

More Senic Views and Funnies

I had a good day today...When I woke up, was wondering how I was going to get through it all. 

On the health front, all my vitals are great, I only had to receive some platelets today, I'm really trusting for a speedy recovery, and hope to be home by next week end....have a nice braai or something like that. 

I spend most of the day, going through all my photographs of the last couple of years, I must say we had some memorable times as a family. Also spend time looking at the years calendar for holidays etc. 

This evening sunset was amazing

Me and My Room....

Todays funny photo, is of  my cuz - Pierre, who came and visited - Thanks Pierre!!!

Scenic Views and Sparrows

Its been a while since my last blog...its been tough going, and did'n really have the strength to correspond. Although today has been a much better day for me, feeling less nauseous, and feeling more like myself.

This evening, as I look out my ward window, I have this amazing view of the Moreletta Park, with hundreds of sparrows cruising the sky, skimming the lake below. I'm reminded how great our God is, that he created this world. 

Waking up this morning at 7am, I was not sure how I would get through another day between these 4 walls, as it turned out, it was a busy day. Thanks to all the phone calls and messages received from my friends, their encouragements, and support. I also really appreciate the visits today, especially Yvette's dedicated visit, she really is foundation and support to me! 

So if you come and visit, you are allowed the funny photo, to be shared on my blog. Thanks Deon for the visit! 

I have been continuing my reading of Josephs Princes book, on Letting it all Go. He referred to Math 6, that the birds of the air neither sow or reap. The Lord confirmed this scripture with a display of sparrows, as a reminder of this Scripture and word, wanting to concrete and reinforce his Word to me. Really Amazing. 

The Dr's are very happy with my progress, all my vitals are tracking well, it seems that I will receive further treatment tomorrow to simulate the growth of the stems cells. So things can only improve from here on. 

Until tomorrow....Shalom

SCT's and Still Small Voice's

All Done...
Received my Stem Cells today, these where stored in Ice for about 6 years. My prayer is that under God's healing power that they will graft back into my body, giving me a new life in full recovery!

I was reminded today, that God talks to us though His word, and also His still small voice:

1Kings 19:11-13

And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before Jehovah. And, behold, Jehovah passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before Jehovah; but Jehovah was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but Jehovah was not in the earthquake: and after the earthquake a fire; but Jehovah was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entrance of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?

He speaks to us quietly and softly in our spirits and hearts, and into out deepest parts, for the word of the Lord cuts through bone and marrow:

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

My prayer - May we be sensitive to the direction and prompting of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Selah

Live the Let-Go Life - 2

Day 4 in stem cell ward, I woke up this morning thinking what I was going to do. Thank Goodness for uncapped free WIFi (speed to too good ;-. After getting up, taking a shower, having brekkie. I spent some part of the morning downloading music, and checking guitar stuff on the internet.

The Dr. saw me this morning quite early, I'm doing good, Kidney function back to normal, ready to receive my stem cells tomorrow morning. They are also moving my drip to the neck (bit scared, although they say it is better). So tomorrow will be a milestone day, the nurses and staff talk of day 0, and then count from there before I get released from the stem cell unit.

I also had chance to read the next chapter of my book "Live the Letgo-Life" very simple by very inspiring, my notes and throughs on chapter 2 - "Just look at the Birds":

• The story of a christian archaeologist, that discovered a well, that he though had great wealth in it, as it was covered with a large stone and when he dropped a stone into the well, noticed that some object was lying deep in the well. He then used his rope to climb to the bottom of the well, the rope was not long enough, it was very dark, and the archaeologist realised he had not the strength to climb back up. He shouted and screamed for help, to no avail, after much deliberation he accepted his fate and cried out to the Lord, and let go! All to realise that the ground below up was 3" below him. 
• Sometimes we don't want to let go of things in our lives because of fear, and control over our situations, and don't have the faith to trust in the Lord for our healing, provision and the like.
• Matthew 6:25 - Do Not Be Anxious “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 
• Sometimes we think that because if we don't worry, nothing will happen. I don't believe that we should not do anything, but not to worry, or take control, or think that we can control all out comes, we need to learn that the Lord is able to carry our burdens for us, as He did on the cross, we need to learn to let go of our worries. When we are worrying we are saying that "I have got this" and should mean, "God, You've go this"
• Math 5:26, The Lord cares for the birds of the air, who have little worth, yet we have so much more worth, than these. We are worth so much, that God have his Son, to take on the sins of the world on His shoulders. 
• Birds neither sow or reap, as the Lord provides for them. You will only see a bird die of starvation, when captured and caged by a Fowler. The enemy uses stress, worries, anxieties to snare us and trap us, the devil can keep you full of worries and anxieties, and we as believers are then defeated. This is not the life of faith, hope, abundance and victory that the Lord has planned for us?

Ps 91:1-6 

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress,

my God, in whom I trust.”

For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler

and from the deadly pestilence.

He will cover you with his pinions,

and under his wings you will find refuge;

his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

You will not fear the terror of the night,

nor the arrow that flies by day,

nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,

nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.

• The Lord will deliver us from the snare of the Fowler.
• Go Back and Declare: The Lord is your refuse and fortress, to, to abiding under the shadow of His wing, Trusting God, staying in His secret Place.

Jer 29:11-14

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord

So Here is to Day 0!!, tomorrow morning. A new day, a day, for Stem Cells Transplants, a day to Let-Go and Live Life....Amen!

Letting the cares, stresses and anxiety of this world go!

Living the "Let Go Life"

When I had my first Stem Cell Transplant, and when I was first diagnosed, I asked myself, what would I do differently? I know so much has changed in my life over the last 6 years, but not all necessarily for the better. I now have an opportunity to reconsider what I would do differently.

The day before I had to check into the hospital, I quickly went past the book store and grabbed two books to read, the one being "Live the LET-GO Life" and "Killing Kryptonite":

Because I have time on my hands and I feel relatively okay, I thought I would share my thoughts and extracts as I am going through Let-Go Life book.

When reading the introduction to this book, I realised this is exactly what I need to read, as I live a high stress life style, (as I we all do). My job is high pressured, and factoring my health, business traffic, emails, etc. it is very testing.

Yvette and I have been chatting around what it is to make necessary life style changes.  I'm trusting that the next 3 months that I'm taking off will help me make these decisions and adjustments.

To a large extent, I believe being open, honest and transparent with colleagues, family and work place, friends and the like, is a start to moving the right direction. The Lord intended that we live a wholesome and balance life style, with Him being the centre of it all.

So theses are some of the thoughts that have come through the first chapter of this book:

• Stress is called the "silent killer", and effects our immunity, and can lead to insomnia, depression, bulimia, stomach conditions,  cancer, paralyse us functioning in society, wipe out our energy reserves with no strength to resist temptations, and completely destruct;
• Themes that the book covers - Discover the Power of Letting Go; Tune into the wave length of Peace; Learn richness of His shalom; Know how to Guard your Heart; Step into the rhythm of rest; Find the right tempo for your life; Receive healing when relaxed, Walk in restful increase and Experience the days of heaven;
• We need to pause and step back from the business of life, and listen. Listen to nature, our surroundings, the churning sea, and listen to the every lasting words of the One who loves us. 
• Be refreshed, its out about talking to the Lord in the cool of the evening, and the rising of the sun in the mornings. Its about hearing Him whisper to us. "Be still and know I'm God" - Ps 46:10.
• The "Live the Let Go Life", is to declutter that which is inside of you - your heart, soul, and mind. The Lord will take care of the rest. 
• The answer to our lives is letting them go, and giving them to the One who created the universe. You are acknowledging that you cannot, but He can, stepping aside that His supply can flow into every area of your life. You are making the decision to be still and let Him be God.
• Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you - 1 Peter 5:7. Put your faith in Him to take over. I cannot, but you can, I trust you. I choose to release all my anxiety and stress into your Hands, because I know You love me. 
• Luke 12:25 - And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? Our worries cannot change a situation, in fact it is the opposite it shortens our lives. If we are suffering from the effects of stress, we are not living the abundant life that our Lord Jesus has given us by the work of the cross. He came that we may have life in abundance. In a way we negate the work of the cross and the blessing that the Lord has given us. He wants us to have an overflowing life. I do however also believe that the we as God children will experience trials and temptations, however He he will never leave or foresake us! For the Lord is Good, Neither height nor death or anything will strip us away from His love for us!
• When the Lord died on the cross, He paid for our healing, our provision, our peace, our marriages, children well being. Being anxious undermines and hinders Gods blessing that He provided for on the cross. We are to have faith that Jesus's death on the cross was complete in every aspect, and that we can trust in Him for everything. The minute we take on the burdens of this world, we start to negate His work on the cross. 
• Matthew 6:27 - And who of you by worrying and being anxious can add one unit of measure (cubit) to his stature or to the span of his life?
• 1 Peter 2:24 - He personally bore our sins in His [own] body on the tree [as on an altar and offered Himself on it], that we might die (cease to exist) to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed.
• So lets LET GO of our anxieties, for Jesus's work on the cross was a complete work!

Blessings!

SCT - Day Three - Need Inspiration

Had a great nights sleep, feel much better today. Also had my next round of Chemo that went well, had breakfast, and lunch as already arrived. Doctors are happy with the general progress, my kidney function has improved, my haemoglobin is low, but ok.

I have listened to a talk on cancer that Yvette gave me, very good. To summarise - Nutrition is important, exercise, breathing correctly, low stress, various other treatments, such as Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment. They also noted that Sauna's are also good.

Tom send me this inspirational video on mountain biking, great to watch for my cycling buddies - "The Frozen Road by Ben Page" on Vimeo, try the link below.

https://vimeo.com/benpagefilms/thefrozenroad

Blessings

SCT Day 2

Its hard to believe that day 2 is nearly over..

I had a bit of a restless night this morning, so I woke up tired, my blood pressure was also on the low side. Started the day with a shower, break fast, and work and reading, then a mid morning nap ;-) Great to have Yvette, Chloe and Tom visiting! Thanks ET for the phone call and the encouragement. Also had a surprise magazine delivery from Rod and Charlotte, thanks guys!

Dr TRvW and Me

Dad and Daughter

Dr TRvW Ready for Action ;-)

Today was my first Chemo Day, and so I'm committed, I'll be having further Chemo tomorrow, and receive my stem cells on Monday. So Far so Good! "He is Good"

My World for the next 3 weeks ;-|