Here’s a couple of videos of this past Saturday’s Community FUNDay hosted by Elhart.
We made some great memories together. Thank you to all who took time out of their schedules to drop by.
Author Archive
6
Oct
Community FUNDay Videos
22
Sep
Now we live
Five tumors were “zapped” today.
The comprehensive MRI today picked up remaining tumor tissue that didn’t show in the last scan. We’re so thankful that these additional tumors could get the Gamma Knife as well. Lindy is resting and doing quite well considering what just happened.
Due to inbound nasty weather, we are flying back home late this afternoon. it’s amazing that we’re able to leave so soon. We’ll have to wait a couple of months to know if this worked, but at least it’s done. Now we live.
22
Sep
Underway
For all those that are praying for Lindy today, we thank you. Her surgery is underway. They called up to me and said it was going to take longer than previously thought. Not sure what that means, but will not speculate until I hear more.
10
Sep
Good news and news
I’m typing on dusty’s blackberry so this will be short and sweet.
Good news: 4 of the 6 tumors are no longer visible. Praise God for good news.
Two tumors remain. 1 very small and may go away as the radiation continues to work. Time will tell. Overall the neurosurgeons were impressed with my response to radiation. The second tumor is bleeding slightly. They suggest having Gamma Knife Surgery on the tumor. Details to come.
8
Sep
Mayo Marvel
We arrived safely at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota yesterday evening. Due to the high winds, we were not able to fly as originally planned. Instead, we had a nine hour road trip here. We had a good time watching the country side and reflecting on life. By the way, where are all the cows in Wisconsin? Lindy napped (even with me driving), so I must have been well-behaved. For those that have rode with me, you’ll understand how big this is.
Lindy is in getting a MRI as I write this post. We’ve been here about 10 hours getting several tests ran and meeting with medical professionals. Mayo runs a tight ship. This MRI will tell us how well Lindy’s brain received the radiation and if the tumors have shrunk at all. This is pivotal to next steps determining treatment. Please pray the tumors have shrunk or are gone completely. We hold out hope for a miracle.
Tomorrow we meet with a famous Neurological Oncologist (they were booked six months out yet still got us in to see them). Amazing how God opens doors. Depending on the results of the MRI, there may be special clinical trials that she may qualify for. We have a summary meeting late in the day with Dr. Goetz, her Oncologist to discuss possible next steps.
The gravity of this situation is sinking in for us. Seeing all the sick people here is scary. It’s too real. Gravely ill people from all over the world coming together here for one thing: HOPE. We were greeted by a man vomiting all over himself and the lobby when we arrived. This is where we are. Here.
Tonight will be difficult. It’s hard to wait until tomorrow afternoon for MRI results. Satan has a way of putting doubt in your head. He plants anxiety and ignites fear. There’s too may ‘what-ifs’ that pop into your head when you wait for these test results.
We will post more information as soon as we can. We love you all and thank you for supporting us in so many ways. We are so blessed.
17
Aug
A Very Memorable School Shopping Experience!
Our 6 year old daughter Brooklyn, Lindy, and Grandma Loie aka “Bees” went school shopping last tonight in style, thanks to our friends at Lily’s Limos. Check out the video below for a short glimpse into the experience they had in the stretch Hummer Limo.
Thank you Steve and Julie from Lily’s Limos for making this year’s shopping trip extra memorable! It was a special time together they will not forget.
We had a blast. It was the best shopping experience and one we will always remember. Thanks for the great memories Steve and Julie!
1
Aug
So tired
Thank you for all the wonderful visits the past few days. All of the tests and meetings have caught up with me and made me very tired. Looking forward to an afternoon nap today, so we will not being seeing visitors for a few hours. God Bless.
27
Jun
See You Later Mom
I said see you later to my Mom this week on Fathers Day. She passed away after a ravaging battle with Parkinsons disease. She was only 69.
About a month ago, we were given word that she had only a few more days to live. My Dad could no longer care for her, so we moved my Mom into the Holland Hospice House; her final earthly home. There was walked with her during her final days (which turned out to be several weeks). We talked, we laughed, we showered kisses and we cried. I whispered sweet things into ears and held her frail hands. Each day was overwhelmingly difficult, yet it same vane was a gift as we were able to say goodbye over and over again.
Right after she drew her last breath Sunday night, a vertical rainbow appeared over the Hospice House. As I drove over there to be with my Dad and family, I saw this rainbow for only a few seconds. I was exhausted and dismissed this as an anomaly since it was not raining. When I arrived, I heard that my siblings also saw this rainbow. The staff tending to my Mom also witnessed it – a short vertical rainbow as my Mom rose to the arms of Jesus.
Some may call the vertical rainbow a coincidence. Others, like me, believe that it was a sign of Gods promise to His believers; a sign that He fulfills his promise for all eternity.
Thats why I can faithfully say see you later Mom. I know that one day Ill be in her loving arms once again.
7
Jun
The Good. The Bad. The Ugly.
The Good
Things have been going well with my health lately. My energy is back to normal and I feel like a regular mom with three little kids. My range of motion on my right side has improved and with continued physical therapy I hope it gets back to the way it was. I am anxiously anticipating surgery on August 24 at the University of Chicago. Foobs here I come!
Another good thing is that Samantha was seen by Early On last week Thursday and they are done following her! Diane from Early On has been following her since she was born to make sure she meets/exceeds her milestones and to watch for signs from her birth trauma – developmental delays, cerebral palsy, etc. She has been on point this entire time and continues to be our little miracle.
Brooklyn just completed Kindergarten and is looking forward to summer despite missing all her kindergarten friends.
The Bad
Dusty’s mom has been at Hospice House for over a week now. She is dying. It’s an awful process to watch someone go through. She is so weak and weighs only 70 pounds. Please pray for her, Dale (Dusty’s dad) and the family. Pray that she’ll have peace and be comfortable.
The Ugly
Ugly…I don’t know what’s ugly, but I felt like it goes with the good and the bad so I had to include it. If I had to pick something ugly I would say my hair. It confuses me. It challenges me. It makes me laugh. I don’t know what to do with it. It’s super curly and thick. It’s high maintenance. I haven’t had a hair cut in over a year and I can start to see the beginning signs of a mullet forming so I think a little trim in the back might help (I’m coming Jenny!).
It was a year ago on June 3 that I had my first chemo treatment. I don’t ever want to experience a summer like the summer of 2009 again. I’ll never be the same because of it – physically, emotionally and mentally. As I like to say – it is what it is. I’m glad it’s over and I’m looking forward to this summer.
I’ll see you around…
31
May
Getting Away, May 2010
We took a short vacation up to the Michigan Upper Peninsula two weeks ago. It was the first time we were actually able to get away in two years. Brooklyn went with us, so it was nice to have some one-on-one time with her. She’s gone through a lot the last few years. She’s becoming such a little lady.
We are anticipating the first reconstructive surgery at the University of Chicago Hospital, scheduled for the end of August. This Memorial Day weekend marks the one year anniversary of the cancer diagnosis-it’s hard to believe it’s only been a year. In many ways it feels like it’s been five.
Tahquamenon Falls State Park
Making a Wish in St. Ignace (Straits State Park)
Mackinac Island
Hanging out at the Cabin
Taking a walk with Dad
Ver Beek Blog
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