Grateful for Help Received

Making the foundation stronger...

Today I was able to do some work to our fold-up trailer. I painted the frame which was starting to rust.
Yesterday was a day in which a project that had been weighing heavily on my mind was done. One of the foundation walls of the barn the girls keep their horses in was starting to collapse and leaning in badly. Many thanks to Dan Hendrikson and Nathan Kleefman of Highbury Pools who came with a steel i-beam and an excavator and straightened the wall. Next week Tuesday my brother-in-law Rick Fintelman is coming and we will finish the project by putting in gravel and a drainage tile.

Project  complete!

We received news today of an appointment with two oncology doctors, one for radiation and one for chemo. Although we still do not have any further prognosis, it is good to have a time set for the appointment.

A Good Sunday

We will miss Dad greatly!

It was an emotional day on Saturday. Rather a lot of mixed emotions. It is always hard to let go of our earthly relationships even when we know dad had a long, good life. We do have many, many good memories of him. Pastor Ralph had a very Christ-centered message and shared many encouraging passages from scripture, not only for yesterday but for the uncertain days ahead. The condolences and promises for prayers for me and my family was so encouraging.
At this time we are still waiting to hear about the results of my surgery and the program for chemo and radiation. We know that all we can do is wait patiently and pray that God will give the doctors wisdom and help us to trust him with the future.
Today I was able to go to both church services. It was good to worship and fellowship together.

Joanne and I took a nice Sunday afternoon walk through our woods, a tradition we've had for as long as I can remember. We have lived here most of our married life---twenty-four years! The memories and the dreams are so many but now with God's help we'll have to take it one day at a time.

Sunday afternoon walks with the Family 

and often the animals too.

Life Continues...

I am sleeping fairly well at night and am able to get up in the morning.We were up early to get the trailer ready for a rental. I am thankful that Joanne is able to manage the rental of our trailer. I did some reading and had some tires repaired at the tire shop for my tractor and lawnmower. I am very thankful that Ryan was able to install the wheels so that I did not have to do it. It is never a good time for things to break down, but at a time like this, it is most frustrating. We went to town on a minor errand after supper and found out that the starter had broken down on one of the cars the boys were driving. I do think that I find it easier to get discouraged at this time. I find it difficult to know how much I can do.

Sad Day

This morning after a prolonged illness my father passed away. He was 89 and had been in very poor health for the past months. I was glad that my brother, Steve and sisters, Hennie and Evelyn could be with my mom these last few nights. We will have visitation at the Lockhart Funeral Home 109 Montreal st Mitchellt. on Friday evening July 23 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm where the funeral service will be held on Saturday at 11:00 a.m.

I am glad that my father is now over his suffering and in glory with his Lord and Saviour. He will be greatly missed.

One of many Vandenbrink gatherings

I have felt tired the last two days and am anxiously waiting to find out what the prognosis will be. It has taken some time to realize what is really happening. It seems strange to me that I may not be able to continue doing the things that I have always done like repairing things and keeping up place where we live. I have to trust that even if I am not able to do certain things, they will be done by others when needed. My children are very capable and I am very blessed to have them.

Quiet at Home

I am home today after having been discharged yesterday from the hospital, and I am glad to be home. I slept well but am experiencing a fair bit of swelling in my face. I am also getting some clicking in my head , which is apparently not too unusual for this type of an operation. I slept fairly well last night , and have a good nurse to do my medications and keep me company, and now I can catch up on some reading and some sleep. I even slept through a tremendous thunderstorm last night.

Home on Sunday

We're really thankful that Gary can be home again.
He is feeling tired but glad to be home. He also has more swelling today which was expected. I think you'll be seeing Gary with a hat on for the next little while. For now he does not dare take his armband off!
The kitten, he got for Father's Day from his animal-crazy daughters, is happy to see him too and quite content sleeping on his lap.

Gary loves cats!

Greetings from Gary

Yesterday we had a quiet day. Gary came out of the observation unit about noon and is now in a private room (#105 on 7th floor).
He told me he had quite a morning as he was to go for another CT scan but they left him out in the hall for quite some time because for some reason he no longer had a name band. No ID, no test. He said he was taken out of his room just as his breakfast was being brought in and he was starving!! Later he said to me, "I told you I needed my cell phone, I could have called for help."
His appetite remains very good.
It was Gary's idea to share this picture. He is getting up on his own and is not experiencing too much pain.
Joanne

Encouragement from Visiting with Dad

Dear family and friends,

Though the events of today have been hard in many ways we can take hope in the fact that my dad made it safely through surgery. I went in with my mom to see my dad and he recognized and greeted us both. My dad was in good humor and cracked several jokes while I was there. He was ravenously hungry and asking for food and water. I don't know how he did it, but later he even convinced a nurse to let him have a Tim Horton's coffee and a donut!

Together with my family, we want to express our deep gratitude for the continued flow of emails, phone calls, and prayers on our behalf. It is wonderful that we can be part of such a supportive Christian community.

Sincerely,

Mike Vandenbrink

Operation on Friday

Dear Family and Friends,

Diane Postma, who is with Joanne, just called to say Gary's operation ended at around 2 p.m. The surgeons took all they could of the tumor and say that Gary has an aggressive form of cancer and that the prognosis from here does not look good. Further treatments will be determined in 7-10 days.

This is clearly not the news that we, along with the Vandenbrink family, were praying and hoping for. We do know that our heavenly Father is the source of comfort and that He also controls all things. Let us continue to storm the throne room of our gracious God that He would yet have mercy on Gary, Joanne, and the children and grant Gary healing. Our all powerful God, the creator and designer of our bodies, the Great Physician, is able to heal even what man deems impossible. More importantly, pray that God would continue to pour grace into the lives of Gary, Joanne, and children as they continue to travel down this difficult road together (we along with them).

Psalm 46

1  God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
2  Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3  Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah
4  There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
5  God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
6  The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted.
7  The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
8  Come, behold the works of the LORD, Who has made desolations in the earth.
9  He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire.
10  Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!
11  The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

Day Before Surgery

It is hard to believe that it's now already the day before the surgery.
A week disappears so quickly! (Sort of like our lives.)






My nieces Emily and Michelle Schuit are visiting this afternoon, as well as her fiance Jeff and my nephew Daniel.
Emily is getting married on Saturday!
Sorry, Em, but I do not think I will be able to attend.

Visits Continue

On Sunday morning I was too tired to go to the first church service, not being able to sleep all night doesn't help. I did make it to the second service and enjoyed being with our church family.
Thanks to everyone for your words of comfort and concern. There has been so much response and love expressed, It is overwhelming.
We visited my mom and dad Vandenbrink. My dad is not doing so well. He is 89 yrs. old and our family is taking care of them 24/7. Steve and Karen were also there.
Frank and Adriana (Joanne's brother) dropped in on Sun. night. We had a good visit too.
A friend(Heather DeWitt) vacationing in Nova Scotia also called to let us know they were thinking of us.

Monday
Sister Hennie and Rick dropped in and stayed for supper. They were impressed with Christine's wonderful cooking.

Tues.
I slept till almost noon as usual. I'm letting Joanne sleep through the night as I wander around on and off.
Mom and Dad Pennings came today at about 3:30 pm. It's a blessing that they are both very healthy and able to visit.
Joanne and Jim Schreuders came to share time with us as Joanne also went through an experience like this. They were also very helpful. Praying with family and friends is very meaningful.

Wed
I was up a little earlier today ( at 9:00, which is a lot earlier then lately, because lately I have not slept very well at night-but have a hard time getting up in the morning).
I had a nice visit from my sister Mary and had lunch with my good friend Greg Kenyon.
Joanne's brother Ron Pennings also dropped in this afternoon, as well as Darlene Evans from work. Mom & Dad Pennings visited yesterday as well.

As I have said before, all the care and concern and prayers are overwhelming, and I appreciate them very much.
Thank you all for you cares and concern for me and my family.
Gary

Visitors

This Saturday I had what the doctors said was a small seizure so I spent the afternoon at University Hosp. emergency. They put me on a new medication to prevent further seizures.

Rick and Diane Postma came to visit that night and Rick helped me set up this blog. We had a very nice visit.

Bikeride in St. Mary's

I took the opportunity to take a bike ride with David and Michael through the town of St. Marys. It was a lot of fun and I intend to continue to spend quality time with my family as much as I can.

Enjoying the view of  St.Marys off the Grand Trunk Trail Bridge

I Can Only Imagine

Sudden News

At my 25th wedding anniversary I spoke briefly about the things I would like to learn in the next 25 years. I spoke of the desire to trust God more specifically during the times when difficulty comes into our lives. I know that God often teaches this through experience and I should have had some idea of what was coming.


On May 19, I had a fall at work in which I broke my left arm and also had to have stitches in my forehead. These injuries by this time have healed quite nicely, but lately I have been waking up with headaches. My dear concerned wife who also has a background in medical training felt there must be a connection and was eager to have this checked out more carefully. This is how I found myself in London's University hospital on July 6 having a ct scan and some further assessments. One of the chief neurosurgeon residents told us afterward that the scan was not good news, in that it indicated a fairly large brain tumour located on the right frontal lobe of my head. The plan is for surgery on this Friday, July 16, followed by up to 5-6 weeks of rehabilitation and chemo & radiation treatments. Even though this is about the best hospital in Ontario for such a procedure (they are forecasting 99% success rate) it still is a thought that takes a person off balance. Wondering how my family would fare without me is difficult, I have no experience on which to base an operation such as this, and if I were to not make it through the operation The prospect of standing before my creator suddenly brings all kinds of things to mind. I know because of Jesus' saving work on the cross I should have no concerns and trust Him in all things, rejoicing at the prospect of meeting Him. It brought me to mind, again however of the lyrics of the song "I can only imagine " by the group mercy me
Here are the lyrics.

"I Can Only Imagine"

I can only imagine
What it will be like
When I walk
By your side

I can only imagine
What my eyes will see
When your face
Is before me
I can only imagine

[Chorus:]
Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still
Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine

I can only imagine
When that day comes
And I find myself
Standing in the Son

I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever
Forever worship You
I can only imagine

[Chorus]

I can only imagine [x2]


Another song with a similar but a little more positive perspective is sung by a group called Jars of Clay. I appreciate their music very much. All music played in our house is usually of a quite contemporary flavour (our youngest Jessica is now a teenager). Some (a lot) of the contemporary music is hardly worth listening to, but the Jars of Clay have some good messages.
this song is called "all my tears"

When I go, don't cry for me
In my Father's arms I'll be
The wounds this world left on my soul
Will all be healed and I'll be whole.
Sun and moon will be replaced
With the light of Jesus' face
And I will not be ashamed
For my Savior knows my name.

It don't matter where you bury me,
I'll be home and I'll be free.
It don't matter where I lay,
All my tears be washed away.

Gold and silver blind the eye
Temporary riches lie
Come and eat from heaven's store,
Come and drink, and thirst no more

It don't matter where you bury me
I'll be home and I'll be free
It don't matter where I lay
All my tears be washed away

So, weep not for me my friends,
When my time below does end
For my life belongs to Him
Who will raise the dead again.

It don't matter where you bury me,
I'll be home and I'll be free.
It don't matter where I lay,
All my tears be washed away

I had to hold on to the words of the hymn we sang in church choir lately called "In Christ alone."
The lines of this hymn stanza are a good reminder that I cannot expect any good or any start toward my spiritual well-being to come from me. I have to expect my faith, my hope and the beginning and the accomplishment of my salvation from God.

"No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Could ever pluck me from His hand
Til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I stand"

The song "I Can Only Imagine" can be listened to in the next post.
Thank all of you who left me emails of concern and promised prayer. It is hard to overstate how helpful this is. I will try to keep you updated as to what is happening.