Life is short. I am constantly reminding myself of this fact. For a Christian, this life is also a temporary one, a tiny speck of eternity.
Recently my mother has been diagnosed with stage 3 cancer. She has been told that her cancer is curable, but still, she is finding it a bit overwhelming to be in the patient’s chair this time instead of the caregiver’s. Please pray for her as she goes through several more months of chemotherapy.
As for myself, I am just finishing a 2-month break from chemotherapy. My ostomy wound has once again completely healed and hopefully my fistula has healed as well. I will be starting back on chemo this Friday, Sept. 10.
Before my break, my CEA test revealed that the last batch of chemotherapy is still working which, according to my mother’s oncologist is “amazing.” I get the sense that it is not common for the same chemotherapy drugs to remain effective for this long and that she (the oncologist) was a little surprised that I am still alive. I am thinking that prayer may have had something a lot to do with it.
I had another CT scan last month which, unsurprisingly, showed the cancer was growing again in my lungs and liver. I also had a CEA test which showed levels in the 50s again, confirming this growth. My oncologist thought it would be best to resume treatment very soon.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my break. It was so wonderful to be “off the toilet” for awhile. We were able to get away for a few weeks this summer camping in our little tent trailer. I went canoing for the first time and only crashed a few times.
We also rented a bouncy castle for the girls’ birthdays and hosted a neighbourhood kids’ club in our backyard, run by our church. Both events were a lot of fun for our kids.
Poppy is now 6 months old and getting nice and pudgy. She is working on sitting up on her own and enjoying real food. She is a pretty happy baby as long as no one ever leaves her alone which is not usually a problem now in our household.
We are year-round homeschoolers, taking breaks whenever we need them, so right now when many children are going back to school, we are just picking up where we left off before our last camping trip. Magnolia is 4, Daisy is 6, and Harry will be 9 in November. They would be entering JK, grade 1 and grade 4 respectively.
In their homeschool lessons this week, the kids learned that God has a plan for our lives (Jeremiah 29:11) and “will put beautiful crowns on their heads in place of ashes” and “give them a spirit of praise in place of a spirit of sadness” (Isaiah 61:3 NIRV). With that in mind, we praise Him for all the beautiful things he has allowed us to experience this year, like Poppy’s birth and our summer outdoor adventures.
Pray that God will continue to do amazing things in my life and that my chemotherapy will continue to work. I know one day it will inevitably stop working, but I am at peace with that because I know I will spend eternity with Him. Until then, I’ll continue to enjoy the life He’s given me and do my best to honour Him with it.
Dear John & Leanne,
Thank you for this again authentic and honest update and testimony of God’s goodness and love.
It was such a joy to see your family getaway photos and how your your precious children are growing. I can’t believe Harrison is 9. I remember him so well from Sparks.
Samantha was delighted to be a part of the backyard camp at your home this summer, and often came home with stories to share about her joy in seeing the kids and there fun interactions. Always not a huge kid fan in the past (nervous about the not knowing what they will say or do), this year changed that, especially this summer. Now she says “the kids were so sweet “ or “ the kids said ..,isn’t that adorable “.
I am sorry to hear about your Mom, and pray that treatment works well for her.
I am also sad to hear of how the cancer has come back elsewhere for you. I trust these things into God’s very capable hands. May he sustain you and bring you moments of joy and comfort even in the midst of treatment.
You are a dear family, prayed for often.
Love in Christ,
Deb Avery
John and Leanne
Thanks for sharing so freely of your lives with all of it’s joys and struggles.
So glad your family could have some fun times this summer. You have great kids and little Poppy is so cute and growing so fast.
I am sorry to hear of your Mom’s cancer diagnosis and will pray for her as she goes through treatment.
Prayers continue for you and your family and for God’s healing for John and strength for you both as John faces treatment and you homeschool your kids.
Every Wednesday night the group lifts up your family in prayer as well.
We admire your faith and hope in God who is the source of all our comfort and peace.
In Christ,
Janet Roberts