Dan’s Victory

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Summer of 2008

Daniel Grauer’s Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, June 4th at 2pm at The Church at Lakewood, 7912 Lakewood Drive West, Tacoma, WA

From: his daughter, Dawn Grauer Hooks

Daniel Grauer has gone to be with his Lord and Saviour, Christ Jesus. May 27th, 2011.  He is no longer in pain and no longer fighting multiple myeloma.  We will miss him tremendously.

He was admitted to the hospital last week.  He had an infection, Streptococcus Pneumoniae.  He was transferred to ICU and the infection was treated with antibiotics.  Because his body had no immune system, the infection caused a multi-organ shutdown and his heart, kidneys, and lungs suffered.  Many of his loved ones sat at his bedside for days.   We were with him when he left his broken body to go to heaven – his wife, his son (Ryan), me (daughter, Dawn), his brothers (Dave, Dick, and Randy), his brother-in-law, father-in-law, mother-in-law, sister-in-law…

We are grieving our loss…  But we know it is his gain.

Haven’t put anything on this blog for a few months I see! It’s time to update. Have had pretty good days most of the time, but the belching gas had continued to be a problem. Sometime worse than others. I had a third chemo added to my regiment, so since February I have had dexamethasone pills every Tuesday, Revlimid every day for three weeks and then a week off, and an infusion of Velcade every Friday unless my blood counts were down. And that only happened once – just a couple weeks ago – so then ad to do a blood transfusion (a five hour deal). Then last Monday I was in the hospital for about 4-6 hours because my temperature jumped and i was told to call in and go in whenever it gets over 101 degrees. It was 101.6 and then went up to 101.9, so Jane took me in at about 4 a.m.! Had all kinds of tests run – can’t remember what they all were – but they didn’t find any reason why it should have jumped up. (My usual temperature is 97.6.) My doctor then released me. Jane was told by a nurse that I was going to be given an antibiotic by infusion and then a prescription of an antibiotic, because Dr. McCroskey said it may have been an as yet undetectable virus which could cause pneumonia. I know that the previous two days I was extremely exhausted, as I had been the previous two times I did have pneumonia! My temperature was back to normal that day, but the next evening started going up again over 100. Jane called our church prayer group. The temperature dropped again. Thank you, Lord!
I had a bone marrow biopsy taken the next day, which had been previously scheduled and also saw my doctor. The biopsy was the easiest one I have had — a very good doctor! I get a local instead of “going under” which, for me, is much easier with no upsetness afterward.
Today the results came back. A little less than a year ago was the last bone marrow biopsy [June 2010] and only 6% of the plasma cells had multiple myeloma in them – so almost gone. This biopsy showed that 50% of the plasma cells had multiple myeloma. So even though I have been taking all that chemo, the cancer has again grown a lot. I think this is the highest number I have had since the first year (2005) when I found out I had multiple myeloma.
My doctor is again working with Dr. Bensinger from Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. It looks like (if I qualify) I may be in a research trial that they are now starting. Actually there a two different ones that have had good result with few side effects. One involves the use of arfilzomib, and the other pomalidomide. I have no idea what these are, but having now used the most updated drugs used today and that not working, if I am okayed I expect to get into one of these programs. I won’t know that for 3 weeks or so, so pray that God’s will is done. It would be great to get rid of this cancer and have Dan’s Victory – which will only finally come through the power of God and your prayers to Him!
I will try to keep you undated.
Have a beautiful day! God loves you. Jesus died for you and rose again to free you. So serve Him, love Him, and spread the Good News!
Dan

November 3, 2010 – Wednesday

God is GREAT even when things seem to be going a bit sideways. He is always faithful.

For almost two weeks I have had to battle a “cold” that just seemed to be getting a little better than got worse again. So for about a week and a half I have had to sleep in the living room on one of our couches that both ends pull out like a chair that has a foot rest and the back lays back some. If I don’t I keep Jane awake coughing and blowing my nose, which is hard to sleep through. Also if I lay down flat I cough a lot more, so bed is out of the question; living room is a good choice!

Then came my doctor appointment yesterday! My blood counts are still doing okay; my white blood counts were up much more than they have been and were in the normal range! So this “cold” could have been much worse, I am thinking, if they hadn’t been up. The doctor also put me on an antibiotic, and that is helping also, already. Also the doctor said the multiple myeloma count is going down more too! WOW! I could tell he had been getting frustrated with the lack of downward movement, and was real pleased with these results. My doctor had me get a chest x-ray after leaving his office, just to be sure there was no pneumonia – as apparently it is easier to get pneumonia once you have had it and I have had it twice a couple years ago. Good to make that check! Haven’t heard anything yet and it is Wednesday – so am expecting that it turned out good. But I suppose I should call to find out for sure.

Am stilling having trouble with the belching gas pain – but I never know when it is going to be worse other times. Haven’t figured that out yet – but I do know walking to fast will do it (and “too fast” varies) and I do now if I lean over at the hips to get something I had better not do it, I had better bend my knees and pick what ever it is up or do whatever I was going to do bending knees and not the back. Seems to cause pressure on my intestinal tract/stomach, which brings on this “gas” situation.

I know that you who read this have been faithfully praying, and Jane and I have been much more in our prayers that God rid me of the multiple myeloma, and that it leave my body in Jesus name not to come back again! Thank you for your constant prayers!

Jesus is such a wonderful Savior and has died and risen again for our sin and for our sickness – the blood and the bread showing us the purpose of His shedding his blood and taking the horrible beating, so much so he couldn’t be recognized (See that predicted in Isaiah!) – for your forgiveness of sin and your

Biscuits and Life

When I was a kid, my mom liked to make breakfast food for dinner every now and then. And I remember one night in particular when she had made breakfast after a long, hard day at work.
On that evening so long ago, my mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage and extremely burned biscuits in front of my dad. I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed! Yet all my dad did was reach for his biscuit, smile at my mom and ask me how my day was at school. I don’t remember what I told him that night, but I do remember watching him smear butter and jelly on that biscuit and eat every bite!? ?When I got up from the table that evening, I remember hearing my mom apologize to my dad for burning the biscuits. And I’ll never forget what he said: “Honey, I love burned biscuits.”? ?Later that night, I went to kiss Daddy good night and I asked him if he really liked his biscuits burned. He wrapped me in his arms and said, “Your Momma put in a hard day at work today and she’s real tired. And besides – a little burnt biscuit never hurt anyone!”? ?Life is full of imperfect things…..and imperfect people. I’m not the best at hardly anything, and I forget birthdays and anniversaries just like everyone else.  But what I’ve learned over the years is that learning to accept each others faults – and choosing to celebrate each others differences – is one of the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship.? ?And that’s my prayer for you today. That you will learn to take the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of your life and lay them at the feet of God.  Because in the end, He’s the only One who will be able to give you a relationship where a burnt biscuit isn’t a deal-breaker!? ?We could extend this to any relationship. In fact, understanding is the base of any relationship, be it a husband-wife or parent-child or friendship!
“Don’t put the key to your happiness in someone else’s pocket – keep it in your own.”

Oct. 26, 2010 – Tuesday

A few sides steps recently. Have a bad cold right now – but temperature okay! Boxes of tissue are very helpful!

Last time I saw the doctor was Oct 7. He wants to see me now once a month – that is big step. Blood counts down just a little, and have blood draws weekly so they know where I stand in the mean time. Since I started the Revlimid it seems the gas situation has gotten worse and I have to be very careful what I do and how fast I do it — even walking! But that’s okay – it is an opportunity to listen closely to the Holy Spirit, so before it happens I know to stop whatever I was doing or at least slow it down. There have been a couple times I pushed anyway – always a mistake – and I ended up throwing up. Not fun – but once it is up I feel better, if I stand in one place for 5 -10 minutes. I am learning more patients!

My back hurts off and on, and am not always sure what has caused it. Sometimes it is because I haven’t done my back exercises and other times I have done too much activity.

Always have more to do outdoors – can’t do it all at once and I am finding I don’t have to finish what I started until sometime later – a day – a week – or even later. That is a change for me!

It sure has been raining here the last week or so, and is suppose to keep raining a while. In the mountains it has started to snow already. Skiers are happy about that! It does mess up an fishing for salmon, but then it hasn’t been good this spring according to my oldest brother.

So that is my update!

God bless and keep you!

Dan

TIME FOR GOD

God, when I received this e-mail, I thought….

I don’t have time for this… And, this is really inappropriate during work.

Then, I realized that this kind of thinking is…. Exactly, what has caused a lot of the problems in our world today.

We try to keep God in church on Sunday morning….

Maybe, Sunday night….

And, the unlikely event of a midweek service.

We do like to have Him around during sickness….

And, of course, at funerals.

However, we don’t have time, or room, for Him during work or play…

Because… That’s the part of our lives we think… We can, and should, handle on our own.

May God forgive me for ever thinking…
That… There is a time or place where..
HE is not to be FIRST in my life.

We should always have time to remember all HE has done for us.

I’m sure You aren’t ashamed of Jesus because of what He has done for you.

Ashamed of Jesus doesn’t necessarily mean you are ashamed of Him as some claim in emails.
I expect that would also be because you know this verse in the Bible:
Jesus said, ‘If you are ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of you before my Father.’

Not ashamed?
and
Yes, I do Love God.
He has done marvelous things for me!

HE is my source of existence and Savior.
He keeps me functioning each and every day.
Without Him, I will be nothing.
But, with Christ, HE
strengthens me. (Phil 4:13)

This is the simplest test.

Easy vs. Hard

Why is it so hard to tell the truth but yet so easy to tell a lie?

Why are we so sleepy in church but right when the sermon is over we suddenly wake up?

Why is it so easy to delete a Godly e-mail, but yet some will forward all the nasty ones?

Of all the free gifts we may receive Jesus is the very best one….

Yet prayer is one of the best as there are no costs, but wonderful answers…
God is good all the time and all the time God is good.

Why is it so simple for some to trash God and then wonder why the world’s going to hell?

Why is it that some can say ‘I believe in God’ but still follow Satan (who, by the way, also ‘believes’ in God)?

Why can some send a thousand jokes through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when starting to send messages regarding the Lord, some think twice about sharing?

Maybe it is because when they go to forward this message, they haven’t asked God: “Who needs this?”

I know you aren’t more concerned what others think of you than what God thinks of me.

So is there anyone this could help? Then ask God if you should copy, and paste it on your email of facebook and send it. That is then between you and God and not a threat of “being ashamed of Jesus” as the original author of this email which I received said and I changed; as I believe that just because you don’t send it doesn’t mean you are ashamed of Jesus, but that He told you to whom to send this!

Dan

Sept 27, 2010, Monday

Yes! Twice in September I have added to this blog!

Did very good with a two week vacation! No problems and felt good pretty much all the time!

Saw the doctor a couple days after we got back. We had some good results. My back has little or no pain much of the time – unless I am not careful, bend over too much, push myself too much. Also the belching gas had much improved but seems now to have come back more when I do anything “fast” even for a very short time. Doctor has put me on a medication that he believes will help. My blood counts have improved. White blood cells are up to 5.5 – that is in the normal range! Red blood counts are up again – but still low – 3.10. My platelets are doing GREAT – although not yet in the normal range they did jump from 88 to 132. I don’t know when they have been up that high. The low normal is 150 – so I’m getting there! Thank you, Lord! Feeling pretty good, just have to be sure I don’t push myself too much and do things in a slow manner. I can see God’s healing taking place!

Trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding!

Dan

Breakfast at McDonald’s,

I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12, 3) and have recently completed my college degree. The last class I had to take was Sociology.

The teacher was absolutely inspiring with the qualities that I wish every human being had been graced
with. Her last project of the term was called, ‘Smile.’ The class was asked to go out and smile at three people and document their reactions.

I am a very friendly person and always smile at everyone and say hello anyway. So, I thought this would be a piece of
cake, Literally.

Soon after we were assigned the project, my husband, youngest son, and I went out to McDonald’s one crisp
March morning. It was just our way of sharing special playtime with our son. We were standing in line, waiting to be served, when all of a sudden everyone around us began to back away, and then even my husband did.

I did not move an inch…. An overwhelming feeling of panic welled up inside of me as I turned to see why they had
moved. As I turned around I smelled a horrible ‘dirty body’ smell, and there standing behind me were two poor homeless
men. As I looked down at the short gentleman, close to me, he was ‘smiling’ His beautiful sky blue eyes were full of God’s Light as he searched for acceptance..

He said, ‘Good day’ as he counted the few coins he had been clutching.

The second man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend. I realized the second man was mentally challenged and the blue-eyed gentleman was his salvation. I held my tears as I stood there with them.

The young lady at the counter asked him what they wanted.

He said, ‘Coffee is all Miss’ because that was all they could afford.. (If they wanted to sit in the restaurant and warm up, they had to buy something. He just wanted to be warm).

Then I really felt it – the compulsion was so great I almost reached out and embraced the little man with the blue eyes.
That is when I noticed all eyes in the restaurant were set on me, judging my every action. I smiled and asked the young lady behind the counter to give me two more breakfast meals on a separate tray.

I then walked around the corner to the table that the men had chosen as a resting spot. I put the tray on the table and laid my hand on the blue-eyed gentleman’s cold hand.

He looked up at me, with tears in his eyes, and said, ‘Thank you.’

I leaned over, began to pat his hand and said, ‘I did not do this for you… God is here working through me to give you hope.’

I started to cry as I walked away to join my husband and son.. When I sat down my husband smiled at me and said, ‘That is why God gave you to me, Honey, to give me hope…’

We held hands for a moment and at that time, we knew that only because of the Grace that we had been given were we able to give. We are not church goers, but we are believers..

That day showed me the pure Light of God’s sweet love.

I returned to college, on the last evening of class, with this story in hand. I turned in ‘my project’ and the instructor read it.
Then she looked up at me and said, ‘Can I share this?’

I slowly nodded as she got the attention of the class. She began to read and that is when I knew that we as humanbeings and being part of God share this need to heal people=and to be healed.

In my own way I had touched the people at McDonald’s,my son, the instructor, and every soul that shared theclassroom on the last night I spent as a colleges tudent.

I graduated with one of the biggest lessons I would ever
learn:

UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE.

Sept. 11, 2010 – Saturday

Time to catch up again.

All seems to be going well. Cancer has not grown – has stayed the same. Did start Revlimid again which caused a lot of skin problems in the past (burn from the inside out), but although some of the blood tests have gone down a little, my doctor wants to make sure the multiple myeloma doesn’t start growing again. So I have been on this for, I guess, about 3-4 weeks now. It took 8 days and I started getting a rash on my arms, chest, shoulders, and back, but initially it didn’t itch. Then it did start itching for about 3 days. But then came Tuesday when I take dexamethasone and another medication to help me not be too intense and be able to sleep. One or both of these apparently made the rash go away. Of course, every day I take the Revlimid and it seems to take about four days and the rash starts again and some itch and then on Tuesday with dexamethasone it goes away. Seems to be a pattern that I can easily deal with. The expectation is that the Revlimid will help get rid of the cancer cells. In the past they have added another chemo by infusion and so I am expecting that at some point they will start that up again.

But all seems to be going pretty well. Have some back pain occasionally, but have been doing the fitness center stuff again as well as exercises in the morning and evening for my back and being careful what I pick up and how I pick it up. That all has helped alleviate with the back pain. As well, each month I have the infusion of zometa to build bone.

Enjoying Jane being home now full-time, as she has now retired from teaching.

The summer weather has not been very summery, and so the garden has been sloooooooooooooow growing. Have had a lot of leaf lettuce and been able to give a lot away.

Still trying to clean up all the lawn and flower beds, and other projects. Can’t do it all at once, but am making progress.

Take care, love God, show kindness to others, smile,

Dan

LOVE PEOPLE AND USE THINGS – NOT LOVE THINGS AND USE PEOPLE.
Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart

August 9, 2010 – Wednesday

I did it again – haven’t kept you up-to-date. Sorry! So this will be kind of long and somewhat detailed.

THERE HAVE BEEN SOME UPS AND DOWNS, BUT NOTHING I WOULD CONSIDER TOO SERIOUS – JANE WOULD MAYBE. TODAY I SAW THE DOCTOR AND MY RED, WHITE, AND PLATELETS COUNTS ARE ALL UP MORE THAN THEY HAVE FOR A VERY LONG TIME. I AM STILL NOT GOING TO BE PUT ON ANY CHEMO EXCEPT THE DEXAMETHASONE (A STEROID)) WHICH I HAD BEEN ON, THEN TAKEN OFF AFTER THE APRIL TRIP TO THE HOSPITAL, THEN PUT BACK ON JULY 6. I HAVE DONE FINE WITH IT. I HAVE NOT YET BEEN PUT BACK ON REVLIMID OR HAD VELCADE INFUSIONS SINCE THE APRIL HOSPITAL VISIT.
I HAD A COUPLE CHANGES IN MEDICATION FROM DAPSON TO BACTIM. ALSO I HAD STARTED TAKING TWICE AS MUCH VALTREX SINCE JULY 14. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD MUCH LESS PROBLEMS WITH THE HURTING BELCHING GAS AND CAN NOW WALK PRETTY MUCH AT A NORMAL PACE. THAT SURE IS NICE! THANK YOU, LORD JESUS!

ALTHOUGH OCCASIONALLY I HAVE FELT KIND OF FATIGUED, I FOUND OUT THAT I MAY JUST NEED A NAP, OR I MAY HAVE A JUMP IN TEMPERATURE. THE JUMP IN TEMPERATURE HAPPENED AGAIN JULY 7. JANE AND I WERE ABLE TO GO BRIEFLY TO HER BROTHER’S LAKESIDE CABIN, BUT MY TEMPERATURE JUMPED AGAIN.WHEN WE RETURNED – THIS TIME WHEN IT GOT TO 101 DEGREES JANE CALLED THE DOCTOR’S OFFICE AND THEY TRANSFERRED TO THE HOSPITAL AND WE WERE TOLD TO COME IN. I HAVE THERE FROM THE NIGHT OF JULY 7 AND GOT OUT JULY 9. THIS TIME IS WAS “ALPHA HEMOLYTIC STREPTOCOCCI” BACTERIA. SO I WAS INITIALLY HAD INFUSION OF SOMETHING TO KNOCK IT OUT AS WELL AS GIVEN FLUIDS FROM A BAG (I WAS DEHYDRATED – GUESS I HAVE TO DRINK MORE WATER. ACTUALLY I FELT PRETTY GOOD THE DAY AFTER I WAS PUT IN THE HOSPITAL, BUT THEN THEIR AIR CONDITIONING GOT TO ME AND THE DAY I LEFT I STARTED HAVING CONGESTION IN MY SINUSES ETC. – WHICH HAS HAPPENED TO ME FOR YEARS FROM AIR CONDITIONING! BUT I GOT TO GO HOME ANYWAY! YES!
I WAS PUT ON A PRESCRIPTION IN PILL FORM FOR A WEEK OR SO TO BE SURE THE BACTERIAL INFECTION WAS GONE – WHICH WORKED WELL.

MY SON, MARK, CAME FROM TAIWAN TO VISIT FOR TWO WEEKS. WE WERE ABLE TO GO FISHING ON A STREAM NORTH OF PACKWOOD AND STAY IN A CABIN THERE FOR A FEW DAYS – AND GO FISHING! WE ALL HAD A GOOD TIME. JANE ENJOYS THE TIME AT THE CABIN WHILE MARK AND I FISHED. MARK CAUGHT HIS LIMIT BOTH DAYS – I DID THE SECOND DAY. LOTS OF FUN!

MARK HAD BEEN TOLD OF A CHURCH IN REDDING, CALIFORNAI THAT HAS A VERY STRONG HEALING MINISTRY – BETHEL CHURCH. HE HAD ASKED IF IT WAS POSSIBLE FOR US TO GO THERE (FOR MY SAKE) WELL BEFORE HE CAME FROM TAIWAN. SO ON A FRIDAY MORNING THE THREE OF US WENT TO REDDING; ENJOYED A WONDERFUL WORSHIP SERVICE ON FRIDAY EVENING; WENT TO THEIR PRAYER GATHERING ( A TIME OF WAITING IN A ROOM WITH A WORSHIP BAND PLAYING, SOME OF THEIR CHURCH MEMBERS PRAYING AND ENCOURAGING WHILE WE WAITED TO GO TO ANOTHER ROOM WHERE TWO WITH HEALING MINISTRY PRAYED FOR EACH PERSON. IN THE WAITING ROOM THERE WERE WELL OVER 50 – 70 PEOPLE THAT CAME FOR PRAYER. SO I WAS PRAYED FOR AND GIVEN A COUPLE WORDS OF KNOWLEDGE OR PICTURE VISIONS, WHICH WERE VERY HELPFUL. ONE HAD TO DO WITH “HOPE’ AND ANOTHER WITH CONCERNING MY CHARACTER – TRUST IN THE LORD ETC. THEY DID NOT KNOW ME, BUT IT WAS ACCURATE WORDS. GOD DIDN’T IMMEDIATELY HEAL ME, BUT TODAY THINGS ARE LOOKING UP AND DOING MUCH BETTER.

ANYWAY WE AGAIN WERE IN OUR CAR AIR CONDITIONING ON THE 10 HOUR DRIVE THERE, IN THE HOTEL WHERE WE STAYED OVER NIGHT AND IN CHURCH FRIDAY EVENING AND SATURDAY MORNING AND ON THE 10 HOUR DRIVE HOME. AGAIN IT AFFECTED ME AND I HAVE BEEN CONGESTED SINCE THEN. THE LORD KNOWS ALL ABOUT THAT, AND SO WE HAVE NEVER HAD AIR CONDITIONING IN OUR HOME AND IT NEVER GETS HOT WITH ALL THE TALL FIR TREES AROUND OUR HOUSE AND OUR NEW WINDOWS.

THEN WE WERE ABLE TO GO TO OUR YEARLY  FAMILY BEACH CAMPING REUNION AT CAPE DISAPPOINTMENT, WASHINGTON (SOUTH OF LONG BEACH, WASHINGTON. MARK WAS ABLE TO DO REAL WELL – AS HE USUALLY DOES – FISHING OFF THE ROCKS AT THE NORTH END OF THAT STATE PARK BEACH AND GOT ENOUGH FOR ALL OF US TO EAT POGIES (OCEAN PERCH) FOR ONE DINNER, AND GIVE SOME TO EACH OF MY BROTHERS FAMILIES TO TAKE HOME. HE SURE ENJOYED THAT!

I HAD BEEN FEELING FATIGUED AGAIN SO WENT TO BE AT 7:30 PM ON SUNDAY AND SLEPT THROUGH UNTIL 7 A.M.!!! ON MONDAY. EVENING I STARTED FEELING FATIGUED AGAIN AND THOUGHT MAYBE I SHOULD TAKE MY TEMPERATURE. THIS TIME IT WAS 1JUST OVER 101 DEGREES AND I DIDN’T TELL JANE EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS – BUT DID TELL HER AN HOUR OR SO LATER WHEN IT WAS 100.9 OR SO. BUT AGAIN A GOOD NIGHT SLEEP TOOK CARE OF IF AGAIN AND MY TEMPERATURE WAS BACK TO NORMAL (97.6) THE NEXT MORNING! MY WHITE BLOOD CELLS AT WORK AGAIN!

SAW MY DOCTOR TODAY AND MY BLOOD COUNTS HAVE GONE UP EVEN MORE – DIDN’T GET THE SHEET TO TELL ME THE EXACT NUMBERS. I HAD A COUPLE BLOOD TESTS TO SEE IF A COUPLE OTHER THINGS MIGHT BE CAUSING SOME OF THE LOW COUNTS, BUT THEY HAD ALL TURNED OUT GOOD – I DIDN’T HAVE WHAT THEY THOUGHT MIGHT CAUSE IT. DOCTOR IS HAPPY WITH HOW THINGS ARE GOING NOW. THE MULTIPLE MYELOMA HAS GONE UP JUST A VERY LITTLE  (MONOGLOMAL – M BAND – PROTEIN) MAY 2.8 AND JULY 3.1. ALSO MY DOCTOR IS GOING TO START HAVING ME BE GIVING A MONTHLY A 2 1/2 HOUR INFUSION OF SOMETHING THAT STARTS WITH “GAMOGR..” AND I CAN’T READ THE REST OF MY WRITING – BUT IT IS A NORMAL ANTIBODY SINCE MY BODY PUTS OUT AN ABNORMAL ANTIBODY. SO WE’LL SEE WHAT THAT DOES.

WELL, I CAUGHT YOU UP WITH ALL THAT HAS HAPPENED TO DATE!!!  AND SINCE ALL IS GOING WELL WE WILL DO A LITTLE VACATIONING TO MY BROTHER’S IN LA PINE, OREGON (SOUTH OF BEND, OREGON), AND THEN TO OKLAHOMA CITY TO SPEND TIME WITH OUR YOUNGEST SON AND FAMILY.

GOD WILL TOUCH YOUR LIFE IF YOU ASK HIM TO – HE LOVES YOU VERY MUCH. GIVING HIS SON, JESUS, IS MORE THAN ENOUGH PROOF!

DAN

GOD’S ROSEBUD

It is only a tiny rosebud,

A flower of God’s design;

But I cannot unfold the petals

With these clumsy hands of mine.

The secret of unfolding flowers

Is not known to such as I.

GOD opens this flower so easily,

But in my hands they die.

If I cannot unfold a rosebud,

This flower of God’s design,

Then how can I have the wisdom

To unfold this life of mine?

So I’ll trust in God for leading

Each moment of my day.

I will look to God for guidance ?In each step of the way.

The path that lies before me,

Only my Lord knows.

I’ll trust God to unfold the moments,

Just as He unfolds the rose.

07/12/2010 – Monday

I t has been a very interesting week. Since I blogged last not very much had happened. Things were going well and some of the gas problem had seemed to go away, although I still can’t walk fast without getting that belching gas that can result in throwing up.

This past week on Wednesday Jane and I had been at her brother’s lake home and had a good day as he and his wife were there too. He took us out on his boat to show us the lake. No fishing although I hoped for that the next day. But we decided we needed to go home early. That night about 8 pm I felt very, very fatigued, and got to shaking-shivering. That lasted for almost two hours. In the mean time we took my temperature and steadily it went up (usually I am about 97.7 or so) from 99 to over 101. I also was becoming somewhat confused, and had a headache. We called my oncologist’s office and the call was transferred to the hospital. They told us that I should come in to emergency. (My oncologist had told us the last time this happened not to wait until it reaches 104, but call if it gets to 101.) We arrived there at 10 pm. By then the shakes had stopped, but the temperature – while at the hospital went up to 102.6. While I was in emergency they took my vitals, took a chest  x-ray, and a blood sample. At 3 a.m. I was placed in “my” room on the oncology floor. Although I was awakened by nurses about every hour and they had hooked up fluid, as I was also dehydrated, but I felt really good in the morning and my temperature had returned to 97+. But they needed to find out what had caused it. My doctor came in at 8 a.m. and said the chest x-rays were clear and all was okay with them. They were still waiting for the blood sample results to come in. So I stayed there in the hospital. It was 90 degrees outside and a clear blue sky – not often does that happen in Washington State. Later in the day I was informed that a had a bacterial infection (alpha hemolytic streptococci), and the computer gave the doctor what antibiotic I needed. I spent the rest of the day and all night getting the antibiotic infused as well as more fluid. Boy, does that make a person go to the bathroom a lot – and disrupt one’s sleep. As well, the nurse came in often and the fluid machine beeped often as the infusion bags ran out of what was in them and needed to be replaced. A crummy night of sleep – or little to no sleep! I also woke up with a headache and I was getting stuffed up. That typically happens when I am in air-conditioning too long of a period of time. But my doctor came in and said the antibiotic could be given in pill form (cefpodoxime), so by 10 a.m. I got to go home. Of course, my wife spent much of the day before with me (Thursday visiting with me in the hospital), and came and got me on Thursday. It was great to be home and not have to stay in the hospital. I was still stuffed up that day and still am – this being Monday. Even so I have been able to get some things done in the yard, garden, and flower beds.

Have you ever backed up in a parking lot and looked both ways and again looked and as you turned your head – while backing up slowly – to look forward to where you were going to be driven — and back into something. I did it! A car behind me and one space to the side was backing up too and neither one saw the other. Both of us had the same damage to the back bumper on the side of the cars! So now we have our car in the garage being fixed. First accident I have been in since we lived in California – over 24 years ago!

Oh, pray for my lower lip to heal before tomorrow – fever blisters – for what I am not sure.

I will be seeing the doctor tomorrow for the regular weekly check-up – and also an infusion of zometa for bone development.

Expect to give you good news the next blog!

Dan

Shoes in church??I showered and shaved………….. I adjusted my tie.
I got there and sat………….. In a pew just in time. ?Bowing my head in prayer……… As I closed my eyes.. ?I saw the shoe of the man next to me….. Touching my own. I sighed. ?With plenty of room on either side…… I thought, ‘Why must ?our soles touch?’ ?It bothered me, his shoe touching mine… But it didn’t bother him much. ?A prayer began: ‘Our Father’…………. I thought, ‘This man with the
shoes, has no pride. They’re dusty, worn, and scratched. Even worse,
there are holes on the side!’ ?’Thank You for blessings,’ the prayer went on. ?The shoe man said…………… A quiet ‘Amen.’ ?I tried to focus on the prayer……. But my thoughts were on his shoes ?again.?Aren’t we supposed to look our best. When walking through that door? ?’Well, this certainly isn’t it,’ I thought, Glancing toward the floor.. ?Then the prayer was ended……….. And the songs of praise began. ?The shoe man was certainly loud….. Sounding proud as he sang. ?His voice lifted the rafters…….. His hands were raised high. ?The Lord could surely hear. The shoe man’s voice from the sky.. ?It was time for the offering…… And what I threw in was steep. ?I watched as the shoe man reached…. Into his pockets so deep. ?I saw what was pulled out………… What the shoe man put in. ?Then I heard a soft ‘clink’ . As when silver hits tin.?The sermon really bored me…………. To tears, and that’s no lie. ?It was the same for the shoe man…. For tears fell from his eyes. ?At the end of the service…… As is the custom here. ?We must greet new visitors, And show them all good cheer. ?But I felt moved somehow………….. And wanted to meet the shoe man. ?So after the closing prayer…….. I reached over and shook his hand.?He was old and his skin was dark…. And his hair was truly a mess. ?But I thanked him for coming……… For being our guest. ?He said, ‘My names’ Charlie……….. I’m glad to meet you, my ?friend.’ There were tears in his eyes…….. But he had a large, wide grin. ?’Let me explain,’ he said………. Wiping tears from his eyes. ?’I've been coming here for months…. And you’re the first to say ‘Hi.” ?’I know that my appearance…………’Is not like all the rest. ?’But I really do try……………..’To always look my best.’ ?’I always clean and polish my shoes..’Before my very long walk. ?’But by the time I get here……….’They’re dirty and dusty, like ?chalk.’ My heart filled with pain………. And I swallowed to hide my tears. ?As he continued to apologize……….. For daring to sit so near ?He said, ‘When I get here…………..’I know I must look a sight. ?’But I thought if I could touch you..’Then maybe our souls might unite.’ I ?was silent for a moment……….. Knowing whatever was said ?Would pale in comparison… I spoke from my heart, not my head. ?’Oh, you’ve touched me,’ I said……’And taught me, in part; ?’That the best of any man…………….’Is what is found in his heart’ ?The rest, I thought,………………… This shoe man will never know. ?Like just how thankful I really am… That his dirty old shoe touched my soul ?You are special to me and you have made a difference in my life. ?I respect you, and truly cherish you. ??Let old friends know you haven’t forgotten them, and tell new friends you never will. ?Remember, everyone needs a friend.. ?Someday you might feel like you have no friends at all. ?Just remember this e-mail and take comfort in knowing that Someone out there cares about you….. And always will.     ?  Live each day as your last, it could be!!!!!

06/08/2010 Tuesday

A lot going on as of today!
I’ve been seeing my oncologist every week since I was in the hospital April 15th when my temperature had jumped to 103.4 when it was determined that I had the CMV virus. They then put me on a medication to get rid that virus which did get rid of the virus, but also caused my blood counts to drop. They have been down ever since. And again this week the blood counts are down. My oncologist is trying to determine why they are still down as I am not taking any medication that might cause that. So another week I am not on any chemo except dexamethasone once a week.

Although the counts are below the low range the white blood cell count is higher than it has been for a month. But the red blood cell count is the lowest it has been in over a month. The doctor is going to wait another week to see what happens. Then he could have me get another transfusion, but wants to try a medication spelled “arithropoieton” which helps the kidneys make more red blood cells, but doesn’t help the platelets which also needs to be brought up. (It is the same as it was last week – 44 with the low range being 150).

On Thursday I will be having another bone marrow biopsy. My doctor wants to make sure the multiple myeloma is not continueing to get worse. A biopsy in February had shown 7% multiple myeloma and the biopsy taken in the middle of May in Seattle (Seattle Cancer Care Alliance) for the one year tests showed it was at 14%. He is particularly concerned because I can’t have the chemo therapy I would usually have been taken (every other week Velcade infusion and daily Revlimid) because of the low blood counts which should control or decrease the cancer count.

Also my doctor is sending me to a dermatologist to remove two spots on my head which he is sure are not cancerous, but feels they need to be removed. (They feel like scabs to me that aren’t going away.)

Something new which I had asked my doctor about months ago is a supplement called resveratrol which Denmark researchers have shown to kill the cancer cells of multiple myeloma and triggers the regrowth of new bone (multiple myeloma breaks down bone – like the vertebrae in my back which is still in danger according to the tests at SCCA).

So that is the doctor news as of today!

I am really glad I have an oncologist who tells me the way things are. I know the source of my strength, by attitude, and my hope is in Jesus. God is good and gracious, merciful and mighty! I am in His hands! So although the low blood counts make me feel tired, I still get to work out in the garden and lawn, and look forward to my wife retiring in another week and so have a lot more time with her — which also means we can do a lot together any time we want — like visit our kids and grandkids and do other stuff whenever we want.

God is good and always will be!

Dan

Two Stories!

AIN’T

He was just a little boy,
On a week’s first day.
Wandering home from Bible school,
And dawdling on the way.

He scuffed his shoes into the grass;
He even found a caterpillar.
He found a fluffy milkweed pod,
And blew out all the ‘filler.’

A bird’s nest in a tree overhead,
So wisely placed up so high.
Was just another wonder,
That caught his eager eye.

A neighbor watched his zig zag course,
And hailed him from the lawn;
Asked him where he’d been that day
And what was going on.

‘I’ve been to Bible School ,’
He said and turned a piece of sod..
He picked up a wiggly worm replying,
‘I’ve learned a lot about God.’

‘M’m very fine way,’ the neighbor said,
‘for a boy to spend his time.’
‘If you’ll tell me where God is,
I’ll give you a brand new dime.’

Quick as a flash the answer came!
Nor were his accents faint.
‘I’ll give you a dollar, Mister,
If you can tell me where God ain’t…’

It’s one of those weeks when everybody seems depressed. Rain has been drizzling and pouring for five days straight (too many April showers). Bad news is all over the TV: a slumping economy, a virus going around, too much work for everybody. The convenience store clerk is frowning and distracted. The doctor’s receptionist is irritable. My daughter is impossible. And I long to talk to someone who’s openly, sincerely upbeat.
Some days it really does seem as if someone has thrown a wet blanket over the whole world. Whether its one person’s attitude or some sort of general malaise, times like that are murder to get through.
So how do we get through them? To a certain extent, of course, we need to just grit our teeth and hang on. Chances are the rain will eventually stop, people will get well, the economy will swing the other way, our hormone level will change.
But things don’t always get better. Floods, depressions, wars, and epidemics really happen. Relationships sour. People turn on each other. Institutions fall apart. So I’m wary of depending too much on “the sun will come out tomorrow.” Probably it will. But what if it doesn’t?
I think Jesus had a much more realistic and workable approach “In the world you will have tribulation,” He warned, “but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). If we depend entirely on the world around us to bring us happiness and fulfillment, we’ll be at the mercy of gray days and sour circumstances and the cataclysms of history.