Treatment has Started

Mom started her new treatment this Monday.  She receives the medication by injection for seven days (Monday to Friday of this week and Monday and Tuesday of next week).  Blood work will be done next Tuesday, with Mom being monitored closely for the next few weeks.  After one month has passed, another round of injections will begin.

Mom is handling the treatments well, other than feeling exhausted.  She has been told that this is a side effect of the medication.

We are thankful that, even during these hard times, Mom and Dad are able to enjoy special moments with family and friends and have experienced many blessings.  Mom and Dad just found out that they will be grandparents again - Matt and Jen are expecting their second child!    

Please pray for blessing on the treatment, strength for Mom and continued peace for Mom and Dad.  


The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.
Exodus 14:14

  

A New Treatment Plan

Mom’s appointment with her doctor on Thursday was more hopeful than expected.  Her best chance of a cure remains to get into remission and then to proceed with a stem cell transplant as soon as possible. 

Mom has the following treatment options available:

1.  Begin trials (not ideal, lots of paperwork, not proven effective yet);

2.  Begin full strength chemotherapy next week (this is the last time that Mom would be able to receive high dose chemotherapy and it carries significant risks);  or

3.  To start taking a drug used for MyloDysplastic Syndrome (MDS), a pre-leukemia condition.  Sometimes this drug will reduce the blast cells down to 5-6%, or even 0%.  Mom will be closely monitored while on this drug, so that if it is not effective, she can start the full strength chemotherapy instead.  Mom will be able to start this drug on Monday, August 24, 2015.

We are thankful to God that He has upheld Mom and Dad, especially during the past few difficult weeks, and that they could continue to testify of their hope in Him.  Considering all of the chemotherapy that Mom has endured so far, we stand amazed that tests have shown that her organs are very healthy.  In this regard, the doctors continue to say that Mom is different from their typical cancer patients, so they are hopeful that this new drug could be effective.

Please pray for continued peace and strength for Mom and Dad and for blessing on the treatment.

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.”

Ephesians 6:10

The Stem Cell Transplant Has Been Cancelled

Late last week, Mom received the discouraging news that the blast (leukemia) cells are now at eleven percent and therefore, the stem cell transplant was cancelled because it simply would not help.

Mom has an appointment later this week to discuss what treatment options are available.  At this time, Mom continues to look well and feel strong (she was even going on amusement park rides with her grandchildren last week!)

We were thankful that Mom and Dad were able to celebrate their 39th anniversary on August 6, 2015 and that the whole family was able to come together for this occasion.  We are grateful for the example that Mom and Dad have shown us of a loving marriage with God at the centre.

Mom and Dad with their "Family Tree Anniversary Cake" made by Nancy.

Mom and Dad, their 7 seven children, 14 grandchildren and Grandpa Schoeman

Please pray for the following:

that God will grant healing mercies for Mom;
that more effective treatment options will be available;
that Mom and Dad will continue to be strengthened spiritually and physically; and
that God will provide them with peace and grace during this great trial.

The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

James 5:16b