When faced with hard transitions and physical mountains to climb,
sometimes it's easier to enjoy a little humor on the incline.
Grandma Van Dyken did just that when she unexpectedly started to loose her hair due to the intense chemotherapy treatments she is under going every Friday afternoon. It came as a complete shock to us when she was diagnosed with cancer in her liver, both lungs and the lymph nodes.
Gigi is 87 years old, stubborn as dutch can be, independent and self sufficient on her own, but also human battling her emotions. Nothing breaks me more then to see my Grandma tear up as I shaved her fine hair into clumps on the floor. She was given two free wigs from the Cancer Center, but with her hair being so thin the wig in place looked foreign, abnormal and uncomfortable. Wearing a scarf looks natural for Grandma and allows her to have more options in matching her outfit for the day. Currently, Gigi is getting a shot every Monday and Wednesday to boost her immune system in order to get her chemotherapy treatment on Fridays. She will get a port
surgically put in place so she doesn't have to get poked every other day! Huge relief!
I believe the biggest struggle of all with Grandma is to get her to not do everything on her own. Forcing her to let others drive her to the doctors, mow her lawn or accept a gift towards gas is challenging for her to accept.
I would do it all in a heartbeat just to spend more time with Gigi and
cherish the moments left on this earth.
Please pray for Gigi to find energy, strength and purpose as she faces harsh treatments. Pray that her worries of finances will be dismissed with peace and trust that God will provide in all ways.
{ Granddaughters and Gigi }
Grandma Haak continues to get her chemotherapy treatments on Friday as well. A normal tumor marker range is anywhere from 0-35. Grandma Haak's tumor markers began in the 1000 range and now is 37 after her debulking surgery and a couple rounds of treatments! Praise God!
It is a blessing for Grandma to not experience very many side affects too. One lost lunch is nothing compared to the laundry list of other symptoms caused by chemotherapy. She is currently half way through her treatments and is feeling relatively good. Recently, we celebrated Grandma's 80th birthday with cake and family which is always a blessing to see all their faces in one small room.
We know Grandma Haak is doing well when her and Great Aunt Fanny can do their weekly shopping to Bellingham! Got to get the best deals on jam and chips...
Please pray that Grandma Haak remains upbeat during the final treatments and her tumor markers continue to fall into the normal range.
{ Addison helping pass the time during Grandma Haak's treatments. }
Dad is doing great as well! His melanoma was given a stage 0 making it a non-treatment cancer with follow-ups throughout the year. Trust me when I tell you I'll be looking at Dad's head every haircut from now on! His biggest challenge is old age, the stubborn trait passed down from Gigi and the arthritis pain in his ankles.
When Dad was down at the UW for surgery 8 years ago, the doctors came across a blood platelet disorder which he now watches with lab work regularly making sure his platelet counts are in a normal range. The kids keep my Dad going as they have learned his soft spots for spoiling his grandchildren. Game over Dad! I can't remember very many times when Dad said no because he's just that...A big ol' soft teddy bear!
Dad and Mom have a tropical trip planned soon which will be a nice break to the run-around of treatment schedules and work for everyone else. When you are always giving to others, you need a break to refill, do nothing and relax in the warm beauty of creation.
Please pray for both Mom and Dad as they support their mother's and daughter through treatments. Pray that they will find rest when needed and joy in the busy schedules.
My Hero (my sister Traci) is now a few weeks into the new clinical trail she was approved for with her doctor in Portland. It's an extensive three chemotherapy pills a day pill regimen and weekly lab draws as well as scans periodically too. So far, the biggest compliant is fatigue, but after 8 years of being on some form of chemotherapy I would imagine you'll always feel tired! Traci has a gift of not letting that keep her down for too long. Thankfully, she got the local lab office to coordinate with the Portland offices so she can still come home for a weeks time. Her last tumor marker results showed that they had come down by 8 points which gave reason to celebrate! The new treatment plan is working! Traci's biggest hurdle is her heart which is showing signs of extreme strain. Please pray that God would touch her heart and sustain it through the remainder of the trail, her fatigue would not consume her and her faith would continue to be the true hero in her journey.
{ Oldie from Seaside..but a favorite for sure. }
So, there you have it.
The journey for all our family members is very different and yet similar.
We know that God promises us defeat over our physical battles as it
states in Revelation 21:4,
"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
We will never have the answers to why one family battles so much cancer, why good things happen to good people or why some suffer more death than others. Loss is a part of life. It's how we deal with these challenges and obstacles that speaks of our faith and the foundation we have in Christ. The only thing that makes it easier is knowing that my family will be standing whole in Heaven because of their hope in
eternity and acceptance of salvation.
Thank you for your support and prayers for ALL of our family!
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