Dan’s Victory

Thursday, July 30, 2009

What happened to Wednesday? I missed Wednesday - it is Thursday! Jane had to remind me what we did yesterday. Dawn and the grandgirls left about 9 a.m. and we spent the remainder of the day packing all of the stuff we brought up here to Seattle in suitcases and boxes etc. We are anxious to get home! Can you tell? I felt pretty good all day as my left shoulder seems to be getting just a little better, and I am learning how to use my right shoulder without hurting it. I did get a headache again, but today the doctor said that happens to people whose immune system is low when there is a lot of pollution in the air - which there is right now.

Today, Thursday, was quite an informative day. After next week I will be going back to the oncologist I have had since 2005 in Puyallup. The doctors here said I need to have him send me to an orthopedist as my right shoulder has damage etc. that needs to have a speciality look at and determine what to do - yet with the knowledge I have just gone through 2 stem cell transplants, so my system may not be able to take any surgery right now. It is in the Lord Jesus’ hands!

Also found out that there is more evidence that Dick’s stem cells (actually called T-cell) are being reduced in number right now, so they are upping one of my medicines to help his T-cells and slow down mine (which are actually my twin brother - Dave’s) T-cells. Apparently my brothers are doing some fighting and Dave’s has been in my system not only a month before Dick’s but also Dave’s were put in my in June of 2006. My T-cells don’t actually exist any more. So they are slowing Dave’s down so Dick’s can take dominance and will then fight the multiple myeloma. They said the multiple myeloma cells are not spreading right now, but are getting more abundant in my lower back - pelvic area. One of the MRI’s determined that, so they have also decided to put me, as of tomorrow on Velcade without steroids, and a milder dose than I had the two times it was used before: Feb - April in 2006 and a couple months before I came to SCCA for treatment.  Jane’s comment after we left the doctor was “that was sure a lot of bad news.” I told her I didn’t think it was particularly bad news, just news of what is happening. God is in control and we knew this could take up to a year or more and they had already been talking about using Velcade. So it was no real surprise.

We had our car packed with almost everything we brought up here that was still here thinking we would leave right after the appointments. That didn’t work, but that is okay. They wanted to start the first dose of Velcade tomorrow and take another blood draw before taking it, so they could compare that sample to others they will be taking later. It is a drip that takes about 45 minutes, which, I think they said, would be given twice a month. Oh, also next week after we return from our family reunion they will be taking out the Hickman catheter, since my oncologist in Puyallup uses the port - so I don’t need both and I already have the port. Then I won’t have the two tubes sticking out of my chest!

I know I can trust God. He is good and He loves me. The same applies to you!

DAN

Jer. 16 :19 O Lord, my strength and my fortress, my refuge in time of distress…
:17  But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. :14 Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Day started good, got not so good, got better, then way too hot. No appointments today but was awake and up at 6:45 a.m. Had a good breakfast, but then things turned. I found a couple days ago I couldn’t eat eggs, but we were sure I could do the egg substitute which is just egg white. Not good even on french toast: within a half hour gas and the runs. I learned my lesson, but as a result I couldn’t go with Jane, Dawn, Danica and Hannah to Children’s Museum. I did other stuff here and took a nap, and made my own lunch. When they returned I was feeling much better and had a great time with Danica and Hannah. Then the heat, even with the small air conditioner we have, it got very hot in the apartment - but not as hot as outside. High 90’s is not fun! Both the heat and air conditioner gave me a headache, so had to take Tylenol Hope it cools down pretty good tonight. We are thinking about going someplace cooler for tomorrow after Dawn and the girls leave in the morning - I don’t want to be in the 100+ tomorrow. I am confident the Lord will direct us to the right place.

Mountain Moving Faith

A small congregation in the foothills of the Great Smokies built a new sanctuary on a piece of land willed to them by a church member. Ten days before the new church was to open, the local building inspector informed the pastor that the parking lot was inadequate for the size of the building. Until the church doubled the size of the parking lot, they would not be able to use the new sanctuary. Unfortunately, the church with its undersized parking lot had used every inch of their land except for the mountain against which it had been built. In order to build more parking spaces, they would have to move the mountain out of the back yard. Undaunted, the pastor announced the next Sunday morning that he would meet that evening with all members who had “mountain moving faith.” They would hold a prayer session asking God to remove the mountain from the back yard and to somehow provide enough money to have it paved and painted before the scheduled opening dedication service the following week. At the appointed time, 24 of  the congregation’s 300 members assembled for prayer. They prayed for nearly three hours. At ten o’clock the pastor said the final “Amen”. “We’ll open next Sunday as scheduled,” he assured everyone. “God has never let us down before, and I believe He will be faithful this time too.” The next morning as he was working in his study there came a loud knock at his door. When he called “come in”, a rough looking construction foreman appeared, removing his hard hat as he entered. “Excuse me, Reverend.  I’m from Acme Construction Company over in the next county. We’re building a huge new shopping mall over there and we need some fill dirt. Would you be willing to sell us a chunk of that mountain behind the church? We’ll pay you for the dirt we remove and pave all the exposed area free of charge, if we can have it right away. We can’t do anything else until we get the dirt in and allow it to settle properly.” The little church was dedicated the next Sunday as originally planned and there were far more members with “mountain moving faith” on opening Sunday than there had been the previous week! Would you have shown up for that prayer meeting? Some people say faith comes from miracles. But others know:
MIRACLES COME FROM FAITH!

FAITH IN THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY BECAUSE OF THE SALVATION JESUS HAS GIVEN US!

Monday, July 27, 2009

Not such a good night sleep last night - shoulder mostly the cause. Had to be at the clinic at 8 a.m. so started walking at 7:30 a.m. Forgot to pay attention to my list of what I was to do. I was suppose to start with an MRI of my chest, then a different MRI of my full body, a blood draw, a nutrition clinic, a nasal wash test. But I have always had the blood draw first so without thinking I did it, then the two MRI’s, the nasal wash, and finally (on time) the nutrition clinic. So actually I was done early. Jane came only to the nutrition clinic so we walked back to the apartment together. I took a short nap, Dawn and the two grandgirls arrive, so after lunch I took another nap. Then we did a treat with the girls - streetcar, monorail, Seattle Center Science Building … whatever it is called. During that time I started feeling kind of yucky: headache, eyes hurt, out of breath very easily. I felt better after we ate dinner there - I think I had allowed myself to dehydrate and then air conditioning can get to me too. The rides back (monorail and streetcar) and the last 4-5 blocks walking helped. It was some uphill and I wanted to push Hannah’s stroller. That didn’t work even 20 yards and I had to ask Dawn to take over. Again I ran out of breath and fatigued really fast so had to go extra slow - not a walk even, but a very leisurely (slow) stroll! That got me to feeling better. I know the one drug that is suppressing Dick’s stem cells is being reduced, so I was told I will have these kind of days when the drug is reduced. Yet, God is good!

Ps 34:4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. 5 Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. 6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. 8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. 9 Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. 10 The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. 15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry; 17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. 18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

In Jesus Christ we are righteous so we take His righteousness as we give our lives to Him. Have a wonderful day listening to the Lord and following His schedule for the day.

DAN

Sunday, July 26,2009

What a wonderful day: TCAL and Home! Slept good, good service at church, great time at home - just being there - in the country, quietness, meals on our patio, a beautiful kitchen (thanks John and Andy and Shawn), a beautifully stained house (thanks John), a beautifully mowed lawn and yard (thanks Scott and others), great garden produce (thanks Denise). Completed netting off the blueberries. We drove - well I drove - at 7 pm. A wonderful traffic time! August 7 we will get to stay at home! What a day of rejoicing that will be. Of course it does not compare even slightly to Jesus return!!! God is good in good times and in hard times.

God’s Cake

Sometimes we wonder, “What did I do to deserve this?” or “Why did God have to do this to me?” Here is a wonderful explanation! A daughter is telling her Mother how everything is going wrong, she’s failing algebra, her boyfriend broke up with her and her best friend is moving away. Meanwhile, her Mother is baking a cake and asks her daughter if she would like a snack, and the daughter says, “Absolutely Mom, I love your cake” “Here, have some cooking oil,” her Mother offers. “Yuck” says her daughter. “How about a couple raw eggs?” “Gross, Mom!” “Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?” “Mom, those are all yucky!” To which the mother replies: “Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake! God works the same way. Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But God knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good! We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful! God is crazy about you. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning. Whenever you want to talk, He’ll listen. He can live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

What a busy day. Going home, even temporarily, helps that to happen. Did I sleep in this morning! 8:30 a.m. I can tell I am at home. I appreciate God providing the apartment we are in, but I love going home! Was easy sleeping on the spots where the bone marrow biopsy took place; our bed here is softer. Shoulders felt a bit better today. Adjusted and added to, but did not yet complete the additional netting for the blueberries. Determined why the blueberries and raspberries and plants in the front were drying up - not water - I had to adjust the automatic timers and open up the correct hoses. Just after lunch Jane and I were both able to take a little nap - me in my hammock! My twin brother, Dave, and his wife and their daughter and two grandkids were on the way back from Seattle and stopped in for the afternoon and dinner. Dave helped me do some of the netting. This time I didn’t try to do it all by myself! When they were getting in the car to go home to BattleGround, Washington, Jane’s dad and mom showed up. So we visited with them a while. By that time it was after 8:30 p.m. So a good, but busy day. A blessed day; a healing day! I thank you, Jesus.

HERE SOME GOOD THINGS TO REMEMBER!

‘To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did.’   When God takes something from your grasp, He’s not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better.  Concentrate on this sentence… ‘The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.’  Expect something good to happen to you today; something that you have been waiting on God to hear.

DAN

Friday, July 24, 2009
An early day today with little sleep. I was afraid I wouldn’t wake up or the alarm wouldn’t work as I had to get up at 6 a.m. So I was awake often and then each time if I had go, I had to use the 24 hour container in the refrig. But i did get up and shower and walk to the clinic. After the blood draw I had the opportunity to have two bone marrow biopsies - that means they took bone and bone marrow out of the back of my pelvis. it is not the most pleasant thing especially when, on the first one, it had to be redone because the bone was too soft and only a little bone marrow there. I kept a good attitude about it even when it hurt and thank the doc when we were done. She said she had never had anyone thank her for hurting them. I told her this is the only way to find out if my brother’s stem cells are working. I then walked back to the apartment; we packed our stuff on a cart to take to the car; Jane drove to Tacoma; i was a bit tired. Had a good afternoon at home after shopping some at a teacher’s store and a Christian book store. Trying the grill outside and finding the fuel empty we went and got some; the canister didn’t work; got it replaced and had a very late dinner. Oh, also they took a skin biopsy from my shoulder wanting the check to see if the brown spots developing were the little bit of GVHD (graft vs. host disease) that is good to have had. We’ll see! God’s will be done. I KNOW HE CAN BE TRUSTED!
DAN
The Secret

One day, one friend asked another,
“How is it that you are always so happy? You have so much energy, and you never seem to get down.”
With her eyes smiling, she said, “I know the Secret!” “What secret is that?” To which she replied, “I’ll tell you all about it, but you have to promise to share the Secret with others.”
The Secret is this: I have learned there is little I can do in my life that will make me truly happy. I must depend on God to make me happy and to meet my needs. When a need arises in my life, I have to trust God to supply according to HIS riches. I have learned most of the time I don’t need half of what I think I do. He has never let me down. Since I learned that ‘Secret’, I am happy.”
The questioner’s first thought was, “That’s too simple!” But upon reflecting over her own life she recalled how she thought a bigger house would make her happy, but it didn’t! She thought a better paying job would make her happy, but it hadn’t. When did she realize her greatest happiness? Sitting on the floor with her grandchildren, playing games, eating pizza or reading a story.
A simple gift from God.
Now you know it too! We can’t depend on people to make us happy. Only GOD in His infinite wisdom can do that. Trust HIM! And now I pass the Secret on to you! So once you get it, what will you do? ?YOU have to tell someone the Secret, too! That GOD in His wisdom will take care of YOU! But it’s not really a secret…. We just have to believe it and do it.. Really trust God!

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Ps 111:7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.
8 They are steadfast for ever and ever, done in faithfulness and uprightness. 9 He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever–holy and awesome is his name.12 O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you.

Today was a good day.  I had the usual morning with early to rise, pump in the fluid, breakfast,  and a walk to SCCA. Being Thursday I had the blood draw, and then had pictures taken of skin, hands, feet etc. so they could compare today to a year from now to see what is happening …. and, of course, it will be good.  My MRI showed a tear in one of the tendons of my right shoulder.  I will probably wait now until I get back home before I check with the family doctor and then see an orthopedist.  I will just be careful until then.  It is slowly feeling better, but still very limited movement. I also had an appointment with the doctor and nurse to go over stuff.  We napped, went to Duke’s Chowder House a few blocks from here, then went to a very close park and watched adults playing in a league - kickball! They really had fun!  So I walked three different times today - just as the doctor recommended.  We relaxed for the remainder of the evening.

I know I can rely on the Lord and He has taken care of me in good and hard times!

DAN

Ps 121:1 I lift up my eyes to the hills–where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. 3 He will not let your foot slip–he who watches over you will not slumber; 4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The LORD watches over you–the LORD is your shade at your right hand; 6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. 7 The LORD will keep you from all harm–he will watch over your life; 8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

What a day today. Got up early to get hydration going and then went back to sleep. That was nice. Went to clinic on my own, as Jane went to Curves and grocery shopping. Continued the tests for leaving SCCA: Dental Exam (went well), Pulmonary Function Test (not quite as good as last time - wish I could have taken it a couple weeks ago), letters copies for insurance (finally), MRI on my shoulder (it hurt pretty bad the whole 30 minutes because of the position it had to be in), and Departure Class (Jane got back to learn from that what I need to do and be careful of at home as I return there). Didn’t start at the clinic until about 10:30 a.m. and was done about 3:30 pm. Was a beautiful day once the clouds went away. Didn’t get the exercise I should have today though. That was my day - glad it is over! Can relax at the apartment now.

The Grocery List

Louise Redden, a poorly dressed lady with a look of defeat on her face, walked into a grocery store.
She approached the owner of the store in a most humble manner and asked if he would let her charge a few groceries. She softly explained that her husband was very ill and unable to work, they had seven children and they needed food. John Longhouse, the grocer scoffed at her and requested that she leave his store at once. Visualizing the family needs, she said, “Please, sir! I will bring you the money just as soon as I can.” John told her he could not give her credit since she did not have a charge account at his store. Standing beside the counter was a customer who overheard the conversation between the two.  The customer walked forward and told the grocer that he would stand good for whatever she needed for her family. The grocer said in a very reluctant voice, “Do you have a grocery list?” Louise replied, “Yes sir.” “O.K.” he said, “put your grocery list on the scales and whatever your grocery list weighs, I will give you that amount in groceries.” Louise, hesitated a moment with a bowed head, then she reached into her purse and took out a piece of paper and scribbled something on it. She then laid the piece of paper on the scale carefully with her head still bowed. The eyes of the grocer and the customer showed amazement when the scales went down and stayed down.  The grocer, staring at the scales, turned slowly to the customer and said begrudgingly, “I can’t believe it.” The customer smiled and the grocer started putting the groceries on the other side of the scales.  The scale did not balance so he continued to put more and more groceries on them until the scales would hold no more. The grocer stood there in utter disgust.  Finally, he grabbed the piece of paper from the scales and looked at it with greater amazement. It was not a grocery list, it was a prayer, which said: “Dear Lord, you know my needs and I am leaving this in your hands.” The grocer gave her the groceries that he had gathered and stood in stunned silence.? ?Louise thanked him and left the store. The other customer handed a fifty-dollar bill to the grocer and said, “It was worth every penny of it.  Only God knows how much a prayer weighs.”

God can work miracles when we pray! Keep praying and believe God!

DAN

Tuesday, July 21, 2009
A much better day today. Praise you, Jesus! After getting up a bit later (6:15 a.m.), some copying of letters I need to send for insurance purposes and getting ready for a 24 hour test, and a little nap, Jane and I took a drive. Yes, I was driving - and did a good job of it too. We drove to Elki Beach and sat on a blanket on the sand. (I was covered, and sun protected with lotion - just in case you were thinking I didn’t do that.) Because of my shoulders it was a real challenge to get up once I was down sitting on the blanket. Never realized how important our shoulders are! Then walked the sidewalk looking at the small town stores. Relaxed in the apartment the rest of the afternoon and evening. A day blessed by the Lord. How can we complain when He is so good? Smile at someone, ask those in the elevator how they are doing today.
You can do it.

Charles Schultz Philosophy
The following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz, the creator of the “Peanuts” comic strip. You don’t have to actually answer the questions. Just read the e-mail straight through, and you’ll get the point.
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2.  Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3.  Name the last five winners of the Miss America.
4.  Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5.  Name the last half dozen Academy Award winner for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade’s worth of World Series winners.??How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners .

Here’s another quiz See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your  journey through school.

2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.

3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.

4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.

5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with .

Easier?

The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care .

So what are we doing to show others we care? Are we individually helping those who are hungry, need clothing, visiting those in jail, in the hospital, alone at home?  Jesus said,”Whatever you have done to one of the least of these my brethren you have done unto me.”

DAN

Monday, July 20, 2009
A little busy today: blood draw, nasal wash, chest x-ray, and kidney doctor, dinner out, relax at home.
I felt a bit tired in the morning since I went to bed last night after exercises and devotions at about 11:30 pm and woke at 5:15 am.  I didn’t go back to sleep because I needed to work on letters to my insurance and a letter to the court system that I can’t serve on jury duty.  Anyway I got a headache with my eyes hurting and the back of my neck too.  This is the third day in a row now that I need to take Tylenol.  Oh, the kidney doctor wrote my SCCA doctors a note asking that I be taken off the hydration because he can’t know for sure how my kidneys are doing since the hydration gives a false reading about the kidneys by lowering the creatinine count without correcting anything in the kidneys.  I feel today like I have taken a step or two sideways instead of forward — I don’t take steps backward! I am very tired and will go to be early tonight.  Pray that I will feel better all day tomorrow. I guess I have to remember the you have to take one base at a time in life. You can’t skip any bases. A friend sent me the following parable dealing with baseball. Be sure to read it because it will make you think about your own life!

DAN

THE LORD’S BASEBALL GAME

Freddy and the Lord stood by to observe a baseball game. The Lord’s team was playing Satan’s team.

The Lord’s team was at bat, the score was tied zero to zero, and it was the bottom of the 9th inning with two outs. They continued to watch as a batter stepped up to the plate named ‘Love.’

Love swung at the first pitch and hit a single, because ‘Love never fails.’

The next batter was named Faith, who also got a single because Faith works with Love.

The next batter up was named Godly Wisdom. Satan wound up and threw the first pitch.

Godly Wisdom looked it over and let it pass: Ball one. Three more pitches and Godly Wisdom walked because he never swings at what Satan throws.

The bases were now loaded. The Lord then turned to Freddy and told him He was now going to bring in His player. Up to the plate stepped Grace. Freddy said, ‘He sure doesn’t look like much!’

Satan’s whole team relaxed when they saw Grace.
Thinking he had won the game, Satan wound up and fired his first pitch. To the shock of everyone, Grace hit the ball harder than anyone had ever seen! But Satan was not worried; his center fielder let very few get by.

He went up for the ball, but it went right through his glove, hit him on t he head and sent him crashing on the ground; the roaring crowds went wild as the ball continued over the fence .. . for a home run!

The Lord’s team won.

The Lord then asked Freddy if he knew why Love, Faith and Godly Wisdom could get on base but couldn’t win the game. Freddy answered that he didn’t know why.

The Lord explained, ‘If your love, faith and wisdom had won the game, you would think you had done it by yourself. Love, Faith and Wisdom will get you on base but only My Grace can get you Home:

‘For by Grace are you saved, it is a gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast.’ Ephesians 2:8-9

Psalm 84:11, ‘For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.’