BigFred

Here we are almost through another month…

It’s been 10 months since we started this journey. So far this week things have been relatively quiet. Frederick has been sluggish and tired since Sunday. He didn’t even want to get out and walk in the sun today when I got home from work. I usually press and force him but I didn’t today.

We want to say a great big THANK YOU to Hala Mana’o and the other grass cutting angels, at least I think it was him, and if not, it must have been the anonymous grass cutting angels. Anyway, the grass was cut and I am so thankful. It was looking really rugged. Frederick thought it was the guys we used to pay to cut to grass, but I told them last year not to come back and cut unless we called them. I did not call them and there was not invoice left on the door as they usually do. But if anyone has a “working” lawn mower that they want to get rid of, I’ll take it cause cutting the grass will be good exercise and a good release for this ole caregiver! You know what I mean.

I also want to give the Lord praise for how he continually blesses us and provides for us. I was gonna say somehow, but it’s not so mysterious when we know that he owns the cattle on a thousand hills! And God promises to supply all of our needs according to his riches in Christ Jesus. In that case, we can rest assured that we are covered. Saints there are moments, only moments when I feel overwhelmed and I cry out before the Lord and he never fails to meet me right where I am and I never leave my knees feeling defeated. I am always encouraged and strengthened to go on a little while longer. Only our God can do that!

There was something else I was suppose to write today, but I forget! When I remember, you’ll be the first to know. Until then, thank you to all of you who continue in prayer, believing with us that Frederick will be healed.

Be blessed Saints of the Most High!
Diana & Frederick

I remember now, Frederick said he felt like his voice was coming back on sunday as he sang along with the worship at church. That’s encouraging!

So are you waiting with baited breath…
The oncologist appointment on Wednesday was just as I expected, not much new to say. The tumor has not changed in size. The fluid on the brain has decreased however so that’s always good news. So…the doctor has decided to give Frederick a break for a month on the chemo. This will give us a chance to see if the chemo is helping to keep the tumor from growing or causing any of the other physical problems. As usual when Frederick saw the doctor he brightened right up. I on the other hand had a scowl on my face and started in asking questions of the doctor. Poor guy. We were one of the last of his patients that day and he was visibly tired, but I really felt helpless. At one point he even asked me to not answer any more questions just let Frederick answer. I told him I couldn’t because Frederick might not give the right answer since he doesn’t always remember stuff. Never the less, they enjoyed their time together.

The day before, Frederick had gone to see his new general practitioner. She gave him a physical and we found out that Frederick’s blood pressure was up and his cholesterol was up. So we got some more new medicines added to the mix.

After two days of doctors appointments, we had 3 new medicines that Frederick had to take. One was an antibiotic because Frederick had a little congestion in his chest. The one good thing last week was that Frederick’s INR (blood coagulation rate), was perfect (if there is such a thing). They want him to be between 2.0 and 3.0 and he was at 2.5 so that was great. Unfortunately since he added some new meds we go back to having the INR checked weekly.

Otherwise, Frederick is doing okay. He’s rigged up some music equipment in the living room and he’s been playing his guitar and making music. He’s played more in the past week than he has since he’s been sick. He’s written some new music and now he’s bugging me nicely to get some lyrics written. We’re still tracking for doing special music at our church in May. Yahoo! As soon as I figure out how to add music to this blog, I’ll give you some music samples.

Please pray for us in regard to sleeping. Frederick has gotten back into a pattern of not sleeping at night so that means I don’t sleep at night. Then he sleeps during the day. I can’t sleep in the light even if I had a chance, so I’m sometimes a walking zombie. I must admit it also makes me grumpy.

Sunday at church our worship team sang a new song by Johnathan Butler, Come and Let Us Sing. This song was a real encouragment to me. Basically I feel like it was telling me to keep my focus on him (God), not my circumstances. He’s worthy to be praised no matter what we’re going through. Also someone shared how she had been praying for some friends and had not see any results. I don’t know what period of time passed, but the Lord did move in the couples situation and the person sharing talked about how God was telling her that our responsibility is to pray. Even when we don’t see anything going on, because he (God) is always working. We don’t see the seed being nurtured underground, but we see the fruit and trees and etc., that blossom in due season. That’s my interpretation. And this crazy weather reminds me of a song that says “I’m working even in the rain, so hold on, I’m working even in the rain”.

So hold on my brothers and sisters, cause he’s working even in the rain!
Love ya’ll
Diana and Frederick

It’s been an uneventful week, Praise God! Frederick did have a fall last night but it was in slow motion and he didn’t hurt himself. He was just walking and his legs gave out. As usual, Ericka was the first to get to her Dad. She just seems to have a radar now and any time he coughs, she’s on alert. I appreciate that, and at the same time, I wish she didn’t have to go through that at her age. She’s not complaining though!

Since his last chemo in March, Frederick had a follow-up MRI on Friday. Wednesday of next week he’ll go in to the oncologist to find out what the results were. I’m prepared to get a little crazy because I just don’t see anything happening. Yes, I know that God is still working even when we can’t see it and that’s what keeps me encouraged, however about now, I do need a little something to get me to the next level. We are of course thankful that at least the tumor is not growing. I’m sure you all heard that Kathi Goertzen had to go back under the knife for a third surgery. Her tumor keeps coming back. I sent her an email to ask for the names of her doctors. Maybe we can get another set of eyes looking at Frederick’s case and come up with some new and different treatment. Whatever the case, we will not stop hoping and believing in our God! He is able, more than able is what the song says and whether he choses to do it now down here or later up there, we will not stop trusting Him!

I just wanted to give a shout out to the women of ECBF and those who attended Women’s Fellowship last Friday. You have blessed me so much in this journey. I am holding my tongue and my attitude has improved. It’s not where it should be but it’s better than it used to be!

Praise God! We look forward to going to church tomorrow and fellowshipping with the family of God.

Be Blessed!
Diana