BigFred

8 am Saturday. Nothing makes this day different from the others except perhaps I may have a little rest and energy today. I was awake around 4:30 fell back to sleep untill 5:30, prayed and then washed up and read some of the newspaper. Diana and Ericka are strirring getting ready to go to the hairdressor. I’ll eat some breskfast before they go, eithr oatmel or cold ceral wih a peach yogart, then I’ll swallow about 10 to 15 medications for various things dealing wth my cancer. I’ll watch a little news on CNN or MSNBC, and think about playing some music. Maybe I’ll watch one of my 200 plus movies. Who knows? That’s basically how my days start.

Later I’ll make some phone calls to family and friends and try to get some rehearsal time for music in with Diana and Ericka. Ericka is having to help us out since my voice hasn’t come back yet.

I’ve begun to read Proverbs as my devotion. Good stuff, I’m also thinking of joining a cancer group of some sort so I can get some outside support. I plan on going to a cancer breakfast Sept 6th in hopes of meeting new people, and maybe connecting with other surviors, networking ya know.

Well have a blessed weekend.

In Christ,

Frederick

What a beautiful day. Today I’m getting ready to go to physical therapy. I’ve been doing pretty good with that. It takes quite bit out of me, but makes me stronger.

I’m kind of reflecting on what I’m unable to do now a days. I’m doing better than some in my situation, but it’s an adjustment. I still haven’t driven. It wil be a while until I can do that. My balance needs to get much better. It’ll come in time. I Diana and I need to get some rehearsal time in so we can begin to write some new music nd get ready to sing at church.

Diana and I had a quite wedding anniversity on the 27th. We might go to dinner Saturday, but that’s about it. We exchanged cards and a box of candy. Just what we need. 15 years is just begining.

Have a blessed weekend.

Love in Christ

FRederick

Hello again gang! I’ve been having a lot of fun lately playing guitar with the praise team and at home. I’m still a little rusty but having fun just the same. Thanks for all your prayers and sweet thoughts they’ve really pulled me and the family through.

Tomorrow, Aug 27th, Diana and me celebrate 15 years of blissful marriage. How did she do it? Must be the Lord. I guess we’ll go to dinner this weekend to celebate. Ericka will be at my brothers house Saturday night. A good time to go dancing, if I only knew how. I’m really gratefull for the wife the Lord picked for me. When I say I don’t know what I’d do without Diana, I really mean it. I can’t see anyone else doing for me all that she does. I can be difficult sometimes, even when trying to do what I think is helping, and she still finds the love to push through with me. What a blessing when you’re under the covering of the Lord.

Ericka starts back to school in a week. She’ll be in the 8th grade. She’s growing so fast. We’re really proud of her, she works really hard at her school work. She’s a good student, better than average. She went out this year and did all of her own school shoping. Thanks to those of you who took her out shopping.

This year has been a real learning experince. I may have to go in for another surgery (I hope not) but either way I’m slowly learning that with God and your prayers and support, I can do this. All praise to Christ Jesus. Thank you Lord for the journey.

Frederick

The rain is back. Hope ya’ll are doing well. I’ve been busy trying to make some music during my days and chillin’ at night. Diana and I have to get ready for special music in Sept. Not sure what we’re gonna sing yet but I’m sure it will be up lifting. I’ve been playing every Sunday with the praise team lately and that’s been fun. Still takes a lot out of me but it’s so much fun.

I’ve been doing some writing about drug and alcohol recovery. Getting thoughts down to put together later. I’m drawing on my own experience from being addicted as well 17 years of recovery. It’ll be interesting to see how it turns out.

So my hands are full as far as things to do. My brother took me to see the latest Batman movie and my friend Thomas took me to see Mirriors which wasn’t very good. It was nice to get out though. I might make it a point to get to a movie once a month.

It’s real ……..

In Christ Jesus

Frederick

Nice hot summer day, today. Just come in from seeing the latest Batman movie with my little brother. It was alright, a lot of action. The Joker was a real trip, played his part well. My brother and I had a good time, went to lunch after at Red Robin. I’m stuffed.

I went to see one of my main doctors yesterday. The MRI showed there was no change in the tumor. I still don’t have to do chemo right now which is good. The doc was concerned about my depression of late. Wants me to cheer up. So if any of you have some fun ideas, bungee jumping, sky diving and the like, let me know :). Just kidding.
I’m really not doing too bad, I just need to take advantage of the opprotunities I have now to get things done in writting, jouraling and music. It’s slow coming but it’s comng.

I’m slowly learning how to use my new music gear. Its fun, a lot of it is thinking out simple tasks in order to complete a function. It shouldn’t be long before I’m crankin’ out tunes right here in the living room.

Ya’ll be blessed, give me a shout out by phone or via the blog.

Love you all in Christ Jesus,

Frederick

This month is moving right along. I had a good time in church today. Played a little guitar for praise and worship. It takes a lot out me but it’s fun.

Next week I see my doctor re: chemo and the like. Pray that he’ll have good news. I’ll do an MRI a day or so before my visit with him. That will show if there has been any change, like in the size of the tumor. My doctors have told me I may have to live with the tumor the rest of my life. I don’t know how I feel about that. If I can work back to doing some of the things I did before I was sick, that might not be too bad. Other wise it could be a rough transition. I thank God for my family, imediate and extended, they’ve seen me through this journey so far, and I know ya’ll wil be there for me no matter the outcome.

Diana and I sing special music next month, third Sunday. I have to get busy preparing a song for that service. Pray that we make time to rehearse so we can give God our best.

I’m trying to get back to journaling so I can capture my thoughts during all this. We’ll see how it goes. Maybe I can do it on my laptop becuase my handwritting is really bad.

Have a blessed week, until I write again.

Frederick

The Lord is still in the blessing business. Today some friends of mine, you know who you are, made it possible for me to purchase a portable recording unit that I can set-up in a small space in my livingroom. It should be delivered to the house this Friday. This way I can record up to 24 tracks of music and vocals without braving the basement stairs. I’ve been having more trouble of late with my balance. So I’ve had a few more falls than normal. This unit will cut out a couple of steps in getting busy with the music.

Well I’m used to having Ericka back home now. I missed her a lot when she visited family back East in July. She really sacrfices a lot to help Diana with my care. She helps Fatima, my caregiver, a lot too. She’s a brave little girl.

Some of you may have noticed that my hair has grown back and it’s lookin’ wild. I guess I should figure out what to do with it I’m not sure at this point what type of treatment is ahead for me. I may have to shave my head again before all is said and done.

I think I’m enjoying the heat, kinda muggy though. But I shouldn’t complain.

Please continue to pray for my family and me as we go up and down emotionally wondering what’s next on this journey. I haven’t worried much through all of this so far, but I am concerned about how it’s really affecting our family below the surface.

All God’s blessings to you,

Frederick

I had physical therapy toady and went the longest time so far. Around 25 minutes or so. I’m having more falls lately. Like this morning I fell into the big screeen TV, knocking it off the stand. But we’re both alright.

Some friends of mine have brought me closer to being able to purchase the musical equipment so I can record while I’m upstairs.

Steffen and I are working on a song to accompany the praise team. It’ll be a nice change for the music team. Steffen is a member of my church at ECBF, and plays some nice guitar. It’s great to have someone else to play guitar with. We hope to work in some of the younger musicans in the church so they’ll feel more a part of the worship experience.

Please continue to keep my family and me in prayer as this illness wears on us all from time to time. It gets hard to bare at times. But the Lord always brings us out right on time.

God bless you everyone.

Frederick

Another blessed week. Last week was a great week for me. I was able to get into my physical therapy finishing strong in each outing. I also went to a dinner party for a good friend and former co-worker. That was a lot of fun. So I’ve been doing more normal type stuff.

Our kids are back after short vacations with family. So we have to get used to them being around. I think I missed them more than Diana did.

Summer is going by pretty fast for me. My spirits are up most of the time. I feel like the Lord is allowing me to learn patience during this journey. I have to take my time in everything I do. At times I want things to happen right now, and find myself having to slow down so I can get the best out the moment.

Recently, I’ve been having trouble with my main music computer. It’s fixed now but I have to re-load and configure everything back to the way it was before it crashed. So my hands are full with getting things back on track. But it keeps me busy. Once that’s ironed out I’ll be back to making merry music.

Church tomorrow, I’m excited about that. Be blessed, I’ll write again soon.

Frederick