BigFred

I was told that I needed to update the blog so here’s the latest…Frederick had his INR checked yesterday and it was 1.7 which is too low (blood too thick).  We’re not sure why but the pharmacist was not too concerned since Frederick has been eating well.  He has become obsessed with pastachio’s and we thought that might have been the reason but couldn’t find any information online to that effect.  Otherwise, things are going well.  The last round of chemo ended on last Saturday.  In 30 days we see the oncologist again.  We don’t expect to get another MRI at that time, but you just never know.  We do expect that Frederick will have continued to gain some weight.  Anybody whose talked to him lately knows that if you ask him if he wants anything, he’ll ask you to bring him some food.  It’s a good thing for me cause then I don’t have to cook!    We are working on a plan to go to the Rainier Health & Fitness gym to start rebuilding Frederick’s muscles.  

Frederick has been getting down to the basement at least once a week for the past few weeks to work on music so that’s encouraging.  He says if he doesn’t sing in May, he will try to have a track ready and he’ll try to be ready to play guitar.  We are not sure why his voice always sounds like he’s sick now but we’re praying that it gets back to normal soon.

As always, we are so thankful for the prayers and support of our family and so many friends.  And everyone says if you need anything, please call but I don’t feel like we’re in need of anything really.  Maybe just for people to make an effort to come by and visit with Frederick.  That would be my biggest request.  I know he gets tired just sitting in the house all week.  I have been trying to take him out to  the grocery store more and get him walking.   His brother Michael took him to Barnes & Nobles a week or so ago and I know he was so happy, even though he was tired afterwards, it was a good outing for him.  When the weather gets warmer we can start his regular walking routine again too. 

I didn’t think I had much to say but I guess I did.

Take care

Love

Frederick, Diana & Ericka

Just a few words to update since last week.  Time seems to be flying by so fast that I forget when we posted last.  The Lord continues to bless us even when we don’t see where it could be possible. 

Now that Frederick is not working, but not eligible for medicare yet, we had to obtain individual medical insurance.  The process seemed easy enough, but of course there were a few snags.  So we could not get Frederick’s chemo medicine until yesterday.  We were shocked to say the least when we found out our new plan didn’t pay nearly as much as our old one for the medicine.  Praise God for the blessings of the saints, without which we would not have been able to get the medicine at all.  We are now looking into some organizations that offer assistance to insured individuals to help with the cost of prescription drugs.  One of the things that make it so expensive is that it cannot be replaced with a generic drug right now so it is considered a “brand”.  Therefore you pay more for it.  I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, the insurance companies and the pharmaceutical companies have cornered the market and are making out like bandits!  Okay, I’ll get off that soapbox because I know that we serve a God who is able to breakdown every barrier, every wall that would keep us from receiving his blessings.  Please continue to pray for our finances.  

Guess what, a wonderful gentleman who graduated from Frederick’s program at New Vision is going to do some work for us at the house at no cost to us.  Painting and stuff like that including redoing the fireplace and stripping the paneling off the living room walls!  Praise God!  This is the same gentleman who gave Frederick a big screen TV for Father’s Day, it was used, but it still works great and we can’t complain.  Anyway, after the work is done, we are again considering whether we need to sell the house and try to get something smaller.  Another prayer request.

Finally, last night was a rough night for Frederick.  It was the first night of chemo and he spent most of it (there’s no nice way to say it) vomiting!  He felt bad about me having to be up helping him, but I didn’t mind.  I told him that hopefully it just means the chemo is working like it’s suppose to.  So we were both tired this morning, but I can’t begin to compare how I feel to what he must be going through.  Sometimes I feel inadequate for this situation because there is nothing I can do to help Frederick, but I know that he is in God’s hands.  I just need to have faith.

I am trying to live in Nehemiah 8:9-10 for a while…  I am thankful for trials and I’m grateful for tears, but I will not grieve for the joy of the Lord is my strength…

Thank you so much for all of your love and prayers and support in every way, especially the dinners.  Please pray specifically for us when you remember us, and we know you remember us because we are blessed and comforted by you and by God every day.

Love

Diana & Frederick and Baby E too!

Thank you to everyone for all your love and support.

Frederick

It’s been a good day. Frederick had his MRI without incident and we actually got in to see the doctor early. Frederick has gained some weight and is up to 225 lbs. He was only 210 lbs at this last appointment about a month ago. The oncologist was really positive telling us that the tumor had reduced and seemed to be moving away from the brain stem some, but the radiologist was not quite as enthusiastic. They say there was not a significant change. We are very grateful for a reduction from 2.3cm to 2.1cm. God is still on the throne and he’s still in charge of our situation. And we can say the tumor is not getting any bigger. Frederick will undergo another round of chemo (temodar) for 5 days and see the oncologist in another 30 days. We have much to praise God for.

Additionally, Frederick though he has had a few incidents of falling is in good spirits and says ” I know I will be healed”.

Thank you all for your prayers and we ask you not to stop until God does the complete work. By His stripes Frederick is healed and we await the full manifestation of the healing.

WE (Frederick and I) are on the schedule to sing special music at our church in May. Lord willing WE will do it.

For we are confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in Frederick will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Phil 1:6NASB

Love ya’ll
Diana & Frederick

Praise God for his many blessings!

This has been a good week. Frederick is eating a lot! He is still having his mobility issues, but we believe that will get better as well. He is going in to get another MRI and see the oncologist on Monday afternoon. We want to hear that the tumor is gone or has significantly shrunk. Please believe with us! We don’t go back for an INR (blood coagulation) test until the 18th.

We look forward to going to church tomorrow to worship with the body and we pray for a special spiritual unity where God reigns supreme and miracles are performed! We know it is possible because God has been doing miracles for us through our crisis.

I am still working from home and going into the office every day and feeling a little frantic as some major events will be coming up on my job. Please pray for peace and energy so that I don’t feel too overwhelmed! When I get tired, I feel overwhelmed so I guess you can pray that I can get enough rest and that God will bless my work and make it all go well.

Thank God for you and your prayers and for putting up with my ramblings during this time.

We’d love to get more comments back so we know who’s reading…

Love
Diana & Frederick

Can you believe we’re into 2008 already. I feel like I totally missed a half of 2007 starting in June. But you already know that story.

It has been a quiet week, which means it has been a good week. Frederick’s INR was at 2.4 on Friday which was very good. He is suppose to be between 2 and 3 and for the last two weeks it has been almost right in the middle. Yeah! We attribute this to the many prayers going up on his behalf. Because of those prayers, he has been eating very well and has not had any nausea problems. He is scheduled to go in for his 30 day after chemo check up on 1/14/08.

Recently, Frederick has been feeling numbness in his toes. We’ll have to get that checked out. That’s a specific prayer item. We have been told that it may just be a result of the chemo. Nevertheless, we are praying that it stops and/or is quickly diagnosed.

We look forward to going to church tomorrow to praise and worship with the body of Christ!

Take care,
Diana