Slaying the Beast - An Update

Not much new to report this week other than steady as she goes! Much of the slow improvement that I described last week continued this week. Slow going...

The last two weeks have been quite challenging, both from a family perspective and from a work perspective. First the family challenge! I will let my son-in-law Ben describe the chilling experience.

“San Jacinto Peak. This was taken just prior to one of the toughest nights of our lives. We started this hike at about 10:00 in the morning on Sunday. We were super underprepared but made it to the peak just fine. We started our descent at about noon and quickly got completely lost. By 3:00 in the afternoon, we knew that we were running out of daylight and weren't going to be able to get off the mountain on our own. We had few warm clothes and were wearing running shoes with our ankles exposed. We were without fire, food and many other hiking necessities.

We scrambled to a place where we had service and called the ranger station. Shortly later the ranger station sent guys out to where they thought we were, however, those guys turned around fairly quickly as they cramped up and were not well enough prepared for avalanche terrain.

The ranger station then called search and rescue at 8:00 in the evening. By that time, both to get out of the wind and believing that it would be easier for a heli-rescue, Leanne and I had scrambled up an icy peak using sticks as ice picks.

From that location, we again had service. We phoned 911 and they traced our location for search and rescue. However, our call pinged off two cell towers and left them with two sets of coordinates on the mountain. The search and rescue also had us read off our compass coordinates from the compass app.

Search and rescue began their search at 10:00 in the evening at the earliest. They began by searching another peak, the first that our call pinged. It took them over three hours to get up there. Once that spot was eliminated, they used the second ping and the compass coordinates to better determine our location, which was about a three hour hike away from the first ping.

As Leanne and I waited, we started to get pretty cold. We knew that we needed to keep moving for warmth. We stomped, danced, jogged, paced and snuggled in the dark for a couple hours.

We kept in contact with a dispatcher and a ranger about once an hour. We were told numerous times that we were getting rescued in the next hour. It was disappointing each time no one arrived but we tried to remain hopeful. However, our sense of urgency was increasing dramatically with every hour as we knew that a wet storm was in the forecast and without rain coats we would get much much colder.

At about 5:00 on Monday morning we heard the yells of the rescue team. The rain was just starting. By this time, we had been on the mountain for 19 hours and lost for about 17 hours.

Kevin, Cameron and Wayne were great. They got us set up with warm clothes, a hot beverage, and snowshoes for the descent. After about 15 minutes, they led us out the backside of the mountain. It took us seven hours to navigate to the town of Idyllwild where a truck was waiting to drive us back to our car. By this time, we had been on the mountain for 26 hours.

We have come out of this experience with no physical injuries, much to the surprise of the rescue team (they expected at least one of us to be hypothermic.) Stupidity and under preparedness got us into this bad situation. We've definitely learned our lesson.

Some things that the rescue team said saved our lives were: the compass app coordinates; our fitness levels and ability to keep moving for 13 hours after a day of hiking; cell service; and that we were able to get out of the wind by scrambling up the peak.”

And a Godly miracle!!

Loretta and I received a phone call on Sunday, shortly after midnight, from Ben’s parents with the distressing news that Leanne and Ben were lost on a mountain and search and rescue had been engaged.  This started the longest night of our lives, as we waited until 6:30 AM before hearing that the search and rescue team had found them and they were in good shape. Amen! But the journey continued as now they had to be rescued off of the mountain, which we expected would be another 3 - 5 hours.  We started to become quite nervous again when that window came and went and we hadn’t heard anything more about the rescue mission.  So back to the desperate phone calls to try to get an update. Finally, at about 2:30 PM we heard that they were off of the mountain and were being driven back to their car. The more we talk to them and to the rescue folks, the more convinced we are that their escape from the mountain is an epic miracle and we are so thankful! But they are still grounded!

Now the work related challenge!  I received official confirmation last week that I have been approved for an Extended Disability Leave (EDL) through our insurance plan. While this type of plan is definitely a blessing as it provides some additional financial stability and ongoing access to things like Dental and Pension plans, it was yet another reminder of the new normal for our life in the next months. Like so many things - a blessing but yet still difficult.

I was reminded last week of what a gift my work with the Teaching for Transformation (TFT) program has been to me, especially as a couple of key TFT leaders (sister Gayle and great friend Darryl deBoer) spent 5 days visiting TFT schools in the central US.  Many of the school leaders and teachers took some time to fire me encouraging emails and promises for continued prayers.  This was fantastic!  It was very difficult to be removed from the conversations and planning work that were so much a part of my work but also encouraging to hear about the continued passion for the work. I am appreciative of the fine work that continues in my absence.

My next scheduled appointment with the Cross is on February 28 with Dr. Easaw, who will oversee the next round of chemotherapy, which we expect to start in early March, maybe after my birthday on the 2nd!  We will plan the next blog update for after the meeting with Dr. Easaw. Please continue to storm the gates with prayers that the beast will be slain!!!

- Doug

Slaying the Beast

Another update!

Major breakthrough this week!  After swallowing nearly 3,000 pills over the last 3 months, I have finally nailed the technique so no more choking or gagging!  You guessed it - another slow news week!

It has now been over 2 weeks since the final round 1 treatments and we are starting to experience some improvements in side effects.  The 3 primary side effects are nausea, fatigue, and sketchy short-term memory.  The nausea seems to be slowly improving as I haven't used any medication for it in over a week.  My energy levels seem to be rising as well, as more daily exercise and household tasks are getting done.

Short-term memory - a little progress but still quite frustrating! But it can be part of an effective exercise program as I can walk across the house or downstairs to get something, only to forget the intent of my journey!  Upon retracing my steps I am often reminded of the purpose and set off again!  A blessing?????

Another significant improvement has been an increased level of confidence in my immune system, which has led to increased socializing and visiting.

My next scheduled appointment with the Cross is on February 28 with Dr. Easaw, who will oversee the next round of Chemotherapy, which we expect to start in early March, maybe after my birthday on the 2nd!

We continue to experience your love and care in so many ways and are thankful! Interestingly, I began writing this post on Valentine's Day and was struck by how much we have felt deep love and care in the last months, both from God and from His servants! We are thankful for this and express that thanks on a daily basis.

As mentioned in an earlier post, we are sharing our alternative treatments in the hope and prayer that they may benefit others who come up against the beast.  This diligent work carried out by our kids has been a most beautiful gift of love!  We are so thankful both for their work and also the clear hand of God in preparing the work for them, as they were guided to many of these areas well in advance of my diagnosis. God’s hand is so clear!

Thanks to Erin and Derek for summarizing the alternative treatments.

Erin Hollingsworth - youngest daughter, married to Matthew

Since the initial diagnosis, our family has decided not to take any of this lying down. So after many of us doing multiple hours of research, we came up with a number of “alternative” ways to kill this cancer and prevent it from coming back.

Seeing a naturopath

My Dad starting seeing Grant at Healthworks Nutrition in Sherwood Park after his sister-in-law, Arlene, suggested him. He has been SO informative and helpful. He looks at my Dad’s blood through a blood cell analysis and makes suggestions on supplements through the information he finds out there. My Dad continues to go to Grant every two weeks and every time we find out more valuable information! Here’s a link to tell you more about the blood cell analysis done at Healthworks: http://healthworksnutrition.ca/live-cell-analysis/

Doug:  “Grant is the one behind most of the pills!  But I still really appreciate his support and help.  Fascinating stuff!”

Using essential oils

I can’t quite decide which of these last two alternatives I’m more excited about. The information we find out from Grant is SO amazing but I’ve been using essential oils for a couple of years now and am a believer in how they work, so this one is also very exciting to me! We were told to use Frankincense essential oil (FEL) by my sister’s sister-in-law’s friend who had a grandpa who used it during his cancer treatment. My Dad doesn’t just use any FEL though - he uses the Indian frankincense called Boswellia Serrata. My Mom rubs the FEL (diluted with coconut oil) on his big toe every night before bed. Why the big toe? Grant told us that would be the best place as it is the reflexology point for the brain. Also, the feet are always the best places for using essential oils. The University of Leicester in the UK has done extensive research on this topic and has found positive results. They say that FEL can help the cancer cells that are unresponsive to radiation be eradicated. While talking to Grant about FEL, he also suggested we use Rose essential oil (REL) for its healing benefits. He used words like “high frequency” in relation to REL (getting the blood to be more active) and we just took his advice and ordered some online (VERY hard to find 100% pure rose oil in stores).

Doug:  “I actually get a daily full foot massage from Loretta with the oils.  My feet have never been more pristine!  A beautiful daily gift!  Thanks Loretta!”

Drinking wheatgrass shots

I can’t even remember how I stumbled across the use of wheatgrass with cancer but my Dad jumped right on board! Growing your own wheatgrass takes A LOT of space - especially when you need to drink it every day. So after looking into a couple options, and thinking that my parents probably didn’t want to take up a whole room in the basement dedicated to growing the stuff, I found a company that flash freezes and ships their wheatgrass straight to your door. This is the company we order from: https://www.dynamicgreens.com/en-ca/

It’s amazing to have this frozen wheatgrass shipped right to your door in an insulated box! My Dad often adds the frozen wheatgrass to his green smoothies as an easy way to get the greens in. Also, this wheatgrass tastes MUCH better than what you’ve probably heard wheatgrass tastes like. Here’s a real-life example of how wheatgrass helped a terminal cancer patient: http://naturalsociety.com/wheatgrass-cure-74-year-olds-stomach-cancer/

Doug: “Still tastes terrible!”

Derek Boonstra - married to eldest daughter, Tara

Ketogenic Diet

One of the most significant lifestyle changes Doug has made since his cancer diagnosis is the ketogenic diet, which he has been strictly following since December 11, 2016. The ketogenic diet is a high fat, moderate protein, and low carb diet.   Ideally, Doug should be getting 80% of his calories from fat, 15% from protein, and 5% from carbohydrates.  To put the difficulty of this diet into perspective, if you have a basal metabolic rate (BMR) of 2,000 calories, you should only be consuming 100 calories of carbs.  At 4 calories per gram of carbs, this is only 25g of carbs per day!  Do you like bananas?  Too bad!  One banana has 27g of carbs!

The reason the ketogenic diet is important for Doug is because it is capable of starving cancer cells.  The cells in our bodies (including cancer cells) derive their energy primarily from sugar (i.e. glucose).  However, cancer cells can ONLY derive energy from glucose, while all other cells can adapt to derive energy from ketones.  The ketogenic diet puts your body into a state of nutritional ketosis, where your body begins producing ketones as an energy source, rather than glucose.

We are able to monitor Doug’s ketosis level using urine test strips, which we found to be somewhat inaccurate.  We now use a blood glucose meter with ketone test strips to make sure Doug is on track.  He’s getting used to having his finger stabbed multiple times a week.

Another difficult part of this diet is that there are no cheat days allowed. Slipping out of ketosis could put Doug at risk of refueling the cancer cells with the glucose they need.

My favourite resource for all things ketogenic diet related has been Dr. Dominic D’Agostino, who’s been a guest on the Tim Ferris podcast three times.  The links are included below for anyone that dares brave all 6+ hours of podcasts:

http://tim.blog/2015/11/03/dominic-dagostino/

http://tim.blog/2016/07/06/dom-dagostino-part-2/

http://tim.blog/2016/09/25/dom-dagostino-on-disease-prevention-cancer-and-living-longer/

A few weeks after Doug had been doing the ketogenic diet, a member of our community, John Vander Vinne, reached out to us to recommend the ketogenic diet.  John has had multiple brain tumours, and is currently on the ketogenic diet and has seen his tumours shrink.  We were so thankful to hear from John as he filled us with hope, and we really appreciated the advice and tips he offered.

Doug:  “This has been a wonderful addition to the treatment regimen!”

Intermittent Fasting, Autophagy

Not only has Doug drastically changed WHAT he eats, he has completely overhauled WHEN he eats.  While the ketogenic diet will put you into a state of nutritional ketosis, it is possible to enter into ketosis through intermittent fasting (think of your body using up its fat storage if it isn't getting sufficient energy).  They are different forms of ketosis, and they complement each other well when allowed to synergize.

Intermittent fasting also has very positive side effects when done during chemotherapy.  According to Dr. Dominic D’Agostino, “being in a state of fasting ketosis can sensitize the tumour to the damaging effects of the chemo and enhance your healthy cells resistance against the toxic effects of the chemo therapeutic agent."

Lastly, intermittent fasting causes your body to undergo a process called autophagy, which literally means “eating oneself”.   Autophagy is our body’s way of cleaning house.  When we refrain from putting more food in our bodies, we give our body a chance to effectively use up what’s already inside and cleanse any unwanted cells or toxins.  This can occur after only 12 hours of fasting.  The longer the fast is, the more effective the autophagy.  Doug has been aiming for an 18 hour fast every day.

The 2016 Nobel prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Yoshinori Ohsumi of Japan for his work with autophagy.  While the benefits of fasting aren’t anything new, the acknowledgement of it by the Nobel group has brought autophagy forward into the spotlight, and will hopefully help bring it to mainstream medicine with some further research.

Doug:  “The Ketogenic Diet has made the 18 hour fast quite painless as I don’t experience the energy rushes or lags associated with carb/sugar diets.  But I do miss pasta and donuts! and wine! and bourbon!!”

Rebounder (Lymphasizing)
It is also very important for Doug to remain active, or at the very least, mobile.  He has been going for late night walks with Loretta, when the weather permits.  However, there have been some very cold stretches (Doug doesn’t have as much body fat to keep him nice and warm anymore), and it is often very slippery, so the walks haven’t been a daily activity.

I thought it would be good for Doug to get into the habit of using a rebounder (mini trampoline) for 15-20 minutes a day.  It is a very low impact, safe exercise, and will be particularly beneficial on days where chemo symptoms may be taking their toll, and energy levels may not permit more strenuous activities. Using a rebounder is one of the most effective methods of kicking your lymphatic system into gear, which is responsible for cleansing the body of unwanted toxins.  Similar to autophagy, lymphasizing will help clear the body of residual toxins from chemotherapy as well as dying cancer cells.  It also helps strengthen healthy cells in their fight against cancer cells. There are so many benefits of using a rebounder, some of which are nicely summarized in this link:

http://stephencabral.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/33-Ways-the-Body-Responds-to-Rebound-Exercise-5.pdf

Turmeric

Doug has quite a few new staples in his diet that are known to be cancer fighting foods or beneficial for brain health specifically.  Some of these include spinach, garlic, broccoli, and walnuts which Doug eats multiple times per week.  One item that Doug has been taking EVERY day, and has probably secured me a position as least favourite son-in-law, is turmeric.  Doug has been mixing 1 tablespoon of turmeric into water for a pretty nasty, pre-dinner “turmeric shot.”  Through all our research we found that turmeric was one of the most commonly recommended cancer fighting foods, with so many other benefits.  This article highlights the many different ways turmeric is beneficial, especially in battling cancer:

http://www.turmericforhealth.com/turmeric-benefits/turmeric-for-cancer

Doug:  “Yikes!  The daily “shot” isn’t any fun at all but I still love Derek!  He is also a turmeric shooter as well!”

There you have it!  We hope to update you again next week! Slay the beast!

- Doug

P.S. Tara here.  We have also been having weekly family meetings after Sunday dinner since my Dad’s diagnosis, as suggested here:

www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-journey/living-with-cancer/coping-within-a-family/?region=on

We’ll discuss the schedule for the upcoming week, chat about how best to meet the needs of family members for that specific week, and end the meeting with each person listing “two flowers and a weed”.  It has been so great to have a time set aside for us to talk as an entire family.  And it has been especially wonderful to see how many flowers there are each week.  We are surrounded by blessings.

"Fake News"

Not exactly sure what fake news is anymore but I get the feeling that this post, while not fake in facts, is going to disappoint (as most of my posts likely do!) as there isn’t a whole lot to report on!

It has now been 10 days since the bell was rung and it is has been a real gift not to travel to the Cross for radiation and not to have swallow those nasty chemical-tasting chemo pills every day (my inner voice, “Hey Bad Ass, you sure you should be taking this crap?”).

While we were warned that the after-effects would last another 2 weeks, I have been disappointed at the slow progress I am experiencing.  The 3 primary side effects are nausea, fatigue, and sketchy short-term memory.  The nausea seems to be slowly improving but is now being linked a bit more to motion, as I experienced by nearly vomiting during an Optometrist checkup last week as he ran me through the typical eye exams.  The good news is that my eyes are basically the same as 3 years ago, which means they escaped any radiation damage!  My energy levels seem to be rising as I painted a bathroom last Saturday!  I also find time most days to hop around on the rebounder for some exercise and a strong lymph system workout!  Short term memory - little progress, maybe worse!  But they have said that can take up to 6 months!  Patience!!

It has been a gift to have Loretta’s routine of February return a bit toward normal as she is spending more time at the office.  It is easy each day to gauge her success by how she enters the back door.  It is great to see someone who loves her work so much!

Here is my challenge and prayer request for this week.  As the new normal sets in for a few weeks I pray that I don’t fall into what Pascal labels a “Gethsemane Sleep”, referring to what the Apostles did when Jesus asked them to watch with Him.  He warns against inattention, drowsiness, and complacency in prayer and in our spiritual lives. Please pray that I may be strong in prayer and faith during this treatment break.  Please pray that I am hearing what God is saying to me.  And I will pray that you, too, hear God’s voice!

Senegalese proverb - “The opportunity which God sends does not wake up the person who is sleeping.”

- Doug

The Bell of Hope

Clang!  Clang!  Clang!

I never anticipated that the clang of a cow bell would ever sound so victorious!  Yesterday marked the end of round one of my treatments and, in keeping with the fine tradition of the Cross Cancer Institute, I happily rang the “Hope Bell” to mark the joyous occasion.  What a nice gift to share it with our “Breakfast Club” buddies who we have met in Unit One of the Cross over the last weeks.  We also had a very pleasant surprise last Friday when we found out that round one of chemo was also ending yesterday.  This was exciting to hear as the chemo drugs were beginning to wreak a bit more havoc on my system. With this being said, my side effects during radiation and the chemo were still relatively minor compared to so many others and we are so thankful for this answer to our prayers!

It was encouraging to hear from so many of you yesterday who reported hearing the bell all around Edmonton and from as far away as Vancouver. Thanks to everyone who paused for a minute to offer a prayer of thanksgiving. Thanks also to so many of you who prayed for a peaceful sleep on Sunday night, prior to the meetings and final treatment - our prayers were answered!

The day was very busy as we had to meet with a number of members of the treatment team.  First we met with Wanda, our clinical study nurse, for my exit interview, which includes quality of life questions and mental acuity tests, referenced back to my entry baseline. I passed!

Following that we met with Dr. Amanie, my radiation doctor, who indicated that things went very well with the radiation. We also had the opportunity to pepper him with questions about long-term side effects and recovery from the radiation. I discovered that I may have a built-in excuse about my short-term memory challenges from anywhere between 2 to 6 months - not sure who was more discouraged, Loretta or me!

We then snuck in my final blood test before heading off to the last radiation session!  The day was capped off by us delivering some Long-Term Disability paperwork to my doctors.  All within 90 minutes!  Kudos to the fine folks who work at the Cross - what a gift to have such caring experts so close to home and to have this whole process free of charge.

It was a blessing to not go to the Cross today and have what may be a “normal” weekly rhythm, whatever that is!  My new “normal” will now focus on rebuilding the body, soul, and  mind over the next month in preparation for round two of chemo which will start in early March.

Loretta’s new normal will now focus on spending more time at the office during tax season so she feels like she is on top of things and then come home to finely crafted dinners (apparently she feels that the culinary part of my brain has been positively affected!).

We also pray that a sense of everyday living returns for our kids, who have in many ways put their lives on hold for the past weeks.  They have made the past ten weeks tolerable, and in many ways, quite beautiful.  What a great gift to know that you are so deeply loved by so many!  Now that’s a bouquet of flowers.  Take a minute now to identify some people in your life who you deeply love that need to hear that from you today - and tell them!

Loretta and I have struggled with jealousy as so many other lives just seem to have gone on, back to normal!  I took the truck out for a quick spin today (just out of the garage, to park at the front) - what a fine feeling to do something as simple as that!  We hope soon to take off some of the immune system restrictions for public places so we aren’t as housebound - what a delight it will be to again go out for dinner!  What a masterpiece the brain is, yet I had never thought anything about all the incredible things it does.

As I reflect on this “normal” I realize how so much of my life has not focused on gratitude but on greed.  I just read this section from Space for God by Don Postema this morning (p. 53):

“Not much in our society stimulates us to such appreciation. … If we listen to all these voices, we won’t feel much gratitude. ... Greed grabs.  Gratitude receives. That’s why, in our society, gratitude seems like a radical reaction to life. Gratitude takes nothing for granted.”

Postema then challenges us, using John Calvin’s words, to be daily “overwhelmed with such great and copious effusions of God’s beneficence...and surrounded, whithersoever you turn your eyes, by such numerous and amazing miracles of God’s hand, that [you] never lack matter for praise and thanksgiving.”  In 21st century terms - “Live with an attitude of gratitude.” Postema suggests that if we live this way we will “awaken to the fact that your life is a gift.”

I am, I hope, learning this lesson.  It is very hard...

So what’s next for the blog?  Our next post will list all the treatment stuff that we have tried along with the conventional cancer treatments with the hope and prayer that others who walk this journey will benefit from our research. I will also attempt to provide a brief weekly update.

In the interim, we invite you join us in “stormin’ the gates of heaven”.  

- Doug

Weekly Update from Doug

Words of “wisdom” from the Nooter: “3/4 of the way there – time to pre-order a burger and beer for the 19^th hole.  All the best for the home stretch!”  Ed Noot, longtime friend and golf fanatic!  See the blog post from December 10, 2016, for more background on the Nooter.

As of today we are officially 75% of the way through the radiation treatments, with just five sessions left.  We are also 50% through this chemotherapy session.  I am very thankful that the side effects have been very manageable, with some nausea and fatigue in the last week.  We did have a bit of a setback this week as I developed some facial soft tissue edema, which led to an extra doctor visit, but it seems to be under control now.  I went from Lizard Man to Dinosaur Man for a few days.  

My forehead is also becoming quite red from the radiation so I have a rather bizarre looking tan!  When I complained that it was itchy, Tara reminded me to be thankful that it wasn’t my prostate! 

My short term memory is also taking a hit.  I am now being reminded, lovingly of course, by Loretta and the kids - “Text me when you turn the stove off after making breakfast” or “Did you take your pills?” (about 50/day).  I also need a daily list to keep on task.  I was invited by a number of seniors, “Welcome to the club!".  What’s next … Depends?

In fact, this whole treatment process is quite humbling. I am suddenly reliant on others for so many things.  I now hop into the passenger seat rather than the driver’s seat, need to ask others for help with basic home related tasks, and have a scheduled nap time! 

I had my weekly check in with the Clinical Study Nurse and was pleased to hear that all of my important blood counts are still quite strong!  I am so thankful that I was granted admission into the 4-week program rather than the typical 6-week program – 75% completed sounds so much better than 50% completed!  I'm not sure my forehead could handle three more weeks of radiation either!

The Cross has a neat tradition of ringing the "Hope Bell" after one's last treatment. For me, this will be Monday at about 10:30 MDT.  If you are free at that time, listen carefully for three bell rings and ask that God continue to work in my body to bring healing, both during the ongoing treatment and well into the future! 

Monday will also be the final consult with my chief radiologist, who will provide an update on the treatment to date.  I am anticipating that it will be a bit of a challenge to rest peacefully on the weekend and sleep well on Sunday. Please pray for this as well.

Our entire family would like to express our deep thanks for your ongoing and faithful support and prayers.  This support is expressed in so many fantastic ways: the neighbour who often texts on Monday asking which day she may bring supper over; my Mom who provides a wonderful Ribfest every Thursday night (as restaurants are deemed to be too dangerous for my immune system at this point); the folks who fire off weekly texts asking how things are going; and on and on!  We thank God every evening for how you have blessed us and cared for us!  We experience God through you in so many ways!  Storm the gates!!

- Doug

P.S. We have updated the blog to allow you to subscribe to the blog so that you'll receive an email when we add a new post.  You can find the "Follow by Email" option on the right-hand side of the blog when you're viewing either the blog on a desktop or the web version on your phone.

Flowers and more flowers: An update from Doug

In the spirit of thankfulness that Erin so beautifully described in her last post, I thought it wise to provide an update about last week’s treatments.

This past Friday saw us almost half way through radiation, as nine of 20 sessions have been completed.  We are so thankful that our prayers were answered when I was “randomly chosen” for the four week (five days a week) clinical study instead of the typical six week treatment plan.  A daily “chemo-cocktail” is also part of the treatment routine and I need to take it for the full six weeks (seven days a week).  

The typical treatment day has a very specific (annoying) routine that requires me to fast for two hours prior to taking the chemo-cocktail and to take the chemo-cocktail one hour prior to the radiation. There is also compelling research which indicates that fasting increases the effectiveness of the chemo and radiation. As such, the typical day will often see me fasting for up to 18 hours between supper and breakfast.  This may sound challenging but it quickly becomes quite routine!  The bigger challenge is getting my daily food requirements in that short six or seven hour window when I am not fasting. 

We are very thankful that, so far, our prayers are being answered and the side-effects from the treatment plan have been relatively minor. I have some nausea, but my appetite is still quite healthy.  I have also had a slight increase in headaches, though this is to be expected based on what is happening to my brain!  The pain is still being managed by Tylenol. Most days can be enjoyed with family visits and daily tasks, with few side-effects.  Blessings abound!

We also feel very blessed by our proximity to the Cross, especially with the nasty winter that has engulfed Edmonton for the past few months.  On bad days, our round trip to the Cross and home takes about 60 minutes, while fellow patients who we have come to know have daily trips of up to four hours!  What a blessing, especially as my primary driver, Loretta, is still running an accounting business during tax season.   

As another flower, we are grateful that, for our final two weeks, our radiation sessions will start at ten o’clock in the morning. It is nice to get into a routine as far as medication and meals.  This also allows Loretta to have a “normal-ish” morning and deliver me home by eleven o’clock in the morning before heading off to work.  Another blessing!

God also continues to provide “mini-miracles” which are a delightful surprise.  After a terrible night of little or no sleep on Thursday night, I woke up the next morning like all things were normal – no stomach ache, no headache and no radiation session to run off to!  Loretta and I enjoyed a quiet hour or two, reading through the paper and playing some games on the iPad.  

Finally, your regular notes and texts of encouragement continue to be such a blessing.  Please continue to pray that I experience minimal side-effects as I complete this first stage of treatment and for the miracle of the beast to be slain! 

             - Doug

Eucharisteo

Have you ever picked up a new book and flipped straight to the last page? I think that most individuals have an intense desire to know everything. We don't want to wait the 300 pages it takes to get to the conclusion that the author planned. Instead, we just want all the answers, and we want them now! The problem with reading the last page first is that you've just ruined the whole story for yourself. There is no longer suspense and enjoyment in the unfolding of the story - there will be no surprises. 

A few weeks back, our family was discussing just this - how even in a time of so many unknowns, we don't actually want to know the answers to a lot of our questions. The answers would ruin this journey that we are on. Sure, on the dark days, we'd like to be able to see one, five, ten, even twenty years into the future. We'd like to see where God's plan for my Dad is leading him. The problem is, I don't think those answers would satisfy us as we would hope. We might be severely let down - and that knowledge could very well taint every moment we have from now on. Alternatively, we might be filled with joy - but that joy could rob the joy of future milestones and surprises. 

Our family's story at this moment is "like we are holding in our hands some pages torn out of a book" (Epic by John Eldredge). These pages are a fragment of the story. We aren't sure exactly how the previous pages have led us here and we aren't quite sure where these pages will lead us. What we do know is that these pages are scary and sad, yet they are also filled with so many "slow loved filled moments" (a prayer my sister-in-law has prayed for our family). 

These pages that we hold have the power to cause an emotional roller-coaster. Some hours are great - filled with celebrations about the big (and little) things. Some hours are hard - filled with questions, doubts and fears. The silver lining here is that “...the secret to joy is to keep seeking God where we doubt He is.” (One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Life Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp). The great thing about Ann Voskamp's words here is that joy is infectious and it changes your mindset. When you're happy, you reflect on the reason for that joy and give thanks to whatever it is that is causing you so much joy. 

With that I give you a challenge. A challenge to Eucharisteo. Eucharisteo comes from Luke, “And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them … ” (22:19). In Greek, "he gave thanks" actually reads "eucharisteo". Ann Voskamp calls this Eucharisteo "the crux of Christianity: to remember and give thanks." Why does she believe in eucharisteo's pivotal place in Christianity? "Because remembering with thanks is what causes us to trust; to really believe. Re-membering, giving thanks, is what makes us a member again of the body of Christ. Re-membering, giving thanks is what puts us back together again in this hurried, broken, fragmented world."

“Eucharisteo—thanksgiving—always precedes the miracle.” 

One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp

     - Erin