Changes Every Day

Sunday, May 20th, a week ago, out on the deck

Hi Family and Friends,

The last note I posted was at the beginning of May for our anniversary. At that time Gary was still getting up everyday and we were still able to go to his doctor appointments.

He was started on his second round of chemo 3 weeks ago. His blood work was good so they had no reason not to continue the treatment.

Gary has been experiencing more headaches again. It is getting harder and harder to get him out of bed as he is experiencing some type of fainting spells when he sits up. The doctor has prescribed anti-seizure drugs thinking these spells might be mini-seizures. When he can get up he uses a walker for support.

Gary is now spending most of his days in a hospital bed that was delivered this past Tuesday afternoon. We need to help him more and more each day. Homecare nurses are coming out each day to help with morning care. Our son Ryan is home from college and has been a great help around the house as well as with Gary's care.

It seems like a lot has happened over this past week. He doesn't read or talk much any more. He seems very comfortable in his new bed and still has an appetite (which has been decreasing over the last few days).

He said he likes visitors and a lot of people talking about his bed does not seem to bother him.

The book Gary has been reading the most (May 13)

Not long ago we asked Gary what texts meant a lot to him. He quoted the following:

Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

Romans 8: 38, "For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

                                                          Thanks from all of us!

We are receiving visitors everyday and lots of prepared meals. We are so grateful as a family for the tremendous support we are getting from family, friends, church, and neighbours.

I know many, many people all over the place are praying for us and we can feel the support of your prayers. 

Most of all I want to thank God for all the provisions and care He is providing. He is also keeping us strong and holding us up as we face new challenges each day. 

We continue to covet your prayers.

Love Joanne and the rest of the family.

Psalm 29:11 “The Lord will give strength to His people, The Lord will bless His people with peace.

                                                  

27th Wedding Anniversary Today

Enjoying the beautiful weather sitting on our back deck

It is hard to believe that when we celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary 2 years ago Gary was well and healthy as far as we knew.  A lot of things have changed since then but God has been gracious.

We are very thankful that we could celebrate our 27th wedding anniversary together today however in a very different way. 

Breakfast in bed has become a daily routine.

     Gary has been very tired and weak for the last five months and things have not changed. Getting up each morning is the most difficult. Most of his days are spent sleeping in bed or on the couch. He has a lot of books on the go but is mostly reading magazine articles. Gary is not going out much except to schedule appointments with doctors.

     At this time we have no idea what the new chemo is doing for him but God does and He knows what is best. God is providing for all of our needs and I know He will continue to do so.

    Thanks to all for your love and prayers, cards, calls, emails. visits, dinners and offers to help in many ways. Please continue to pray for us as we need a special measure of patience and strength for each new day.

Joanne for us all

The family cats have become very attached to Gary (maybe its because he likes to share some of his meals with them)

Gary often tells me how good I'm taking care of him. He especially enjoys his meals served on this special tray :)

 Family update : A before picture of the new pup (beginning of Feb)

Sadie Today--puppies don't stay small for very long!

Disappointing News

Dear Family and Friends,

It’s been three months since the last MRI. Gary has been taking chemo pills for all that time. We were disappointed to hear from the doctor on March 12th that the MRI taken on  March 8th shows that the  tumor is growing back. The chemo he has been on has not been able to shrink the tumor or hold it back and there continues to be some swelling.

Gary will be starting on  a different chemotherapy drug starting on March 26th .  The doctor felt his body needed time to rest before he started on the new therapy. The new drug is to be taken one day every 6 weeks. Apparently this drug  is harder on the blood so Gary will need his blood tested several times during this 6 wk period.

Gary  remains quite weak and tired. His headaches have been minimal. We now are concerned with high blood sugars.

Gary seems upbeat, taking things in stride. We know God will not leave our side. So whatever the future holds for us, we know we are not facing it alone.

Knowing that all of you and many more are praying for us daily also lifts our spirits.

God doesn't change. Not His Word, promises, plans, love, forgiveness or salvation. We will trust in Him. 

We continue to be grateful for your many prayers.

Joanne and Gary

Our First Wedding Feb.18, 2012

MR. AND MRS. DAVID VANDENBRINK!!

Just enough snow fell fresh the morning of the wedding to make everything WHITE and COLD!

We had a wonderful day celebrating David and Leanne's wedding.

Mom's Speech

David came into the world weighing  9.1,

I couldn’t  believe that he was our son,

5 and 6 pounders was all we had had.

We were not expecting such a big lad.

It  took 3 days before he had a name.

Picking his name had become a hard game.

Ryan-- or David-- which would it be?

Well, Dad won out, David Henry it would be.

David was always a determined boy.

Sensible, and kind,  giving us much joy.

He was always ready and eager to help.

Had the right tools ready before anyone yelled.

Got his first job when he was eleven.

Joined the army when he was ten plus seven.

Persuaded his parents to give him permission.

Two years paraded and learned army submission.

At seventeen he also bought his first car.

Add in his pizza job money-- and  he could go far.

Worked in a factory,-- worked with cows,

He is now an electrician as he takes his vows.

David always seemed to know what he wanted 

and didn’t stop trying until he got it.

So once he saw Leanne as a life-time prospect;

He asked for her hand and in no time got it.

Both love the Lord with all their heart.

In marriage there’s no better start.

Reading God’s word and obeying Him.

There’s no doubt you will always win.

We officially welcome you, Leanne,

To this Dutch, Vandenbrink family clan.

Like a daughter and sister from the start,

God blessed us with a talented, sweet  girl--with a big heart. 

Just know you’re both real special.

And blessed to have found each other.

May you live a long and healthy life.

That’s filled with love forever.

David and Leanne,

We love you!

A Sensible Story

We always said that David was a sensible boy so here’s the story.


When David was 2 1/2 or 3 years old he often watched his siblings, Michael and Christine, slide down the upstairs banister.  One day I found him at the top of the stairs–contemplating, with his little leg trying to reach over the banister. He was thinking hard.  Then I heard him mumble under his breathe, “Break my neck!” and he was sensible enough not to go down.


As an electrician, David works in high-rise apartment buildings and told Joanne the other day that sometimes he has to climb 25 flights of stairs to get to his work site.

I want you to know David that your mom and I pray for your safety everyday,

so...DON’T BREAK YOUR NECK!

Gary's Wedding Speech

At a time like this it is easy to find numerous poems and sayings from the internet, some of which are actually quite worthwhile. But it is in the word of God that we have the promise that His Word is a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our path, so it is prudent to use it. It would be nice to have the confidence that the patriarchs and the apostles had that whatever blessings they conveyed would come to pass. But since I am not a patriarch or an apostle, the best I can do is refer to scripture that has promises so to speak "built in" although they are conditional promises.

Like for instance Psalm 128:1 " Blessed is every one who fears the LORD, Who walks in His ways.
2  When you eat the labor of your hands, You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.
3  Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine In the very heart of your house, Your children like olive plants All around your table.
4  Behold, thus shall the man be blessed Who fears the LORD.
5  The LORD bless you out of Zion, And may you see the good of Jerusalem All the days of your life.
6  Yes, may you see your children’s children. Peace be upon Israel!"

David and Leanne,
When our kids were little I often thought of buying one of those really sturdy wagons with rubber wheels to pull you in (but for some reason we never did). Possibly the Dutch thing again?  Now I am looking forward to pulling grandchildren down the lane-way in a wagon like that and taking walks in the woods, the Lord willing.

It is our prayer and wish that God will continue to bless you in the field of your work and family but mostly that the Holy Spirit will guide you in your married life.

We love you,
Dad

More Good News

 Lots more things happening at our home...

Hi Family and friends,

Just want to let everyone know that Christine and David Calderwood are now engaged.

Not sure of the date yet, possibly this summer sometime.

We are very happy and excited for them.

Joanne and Gary

 

Another new member of the family :)  

The deal was when Christine got engaged, Jess would get a puppy. Christine will be taking her own dog, Dixie, with her to Goderich. 

Jessica wasted no time in finding one!!

Jessica and Sadie

More parties..... Pennings  Bridal shower held at Diane Postma's home for Leanne

Oma presenting another grandchild-to-be with her painting on a tray

A Quiet Recovery

Happy 55th Birthday  Gary

Dear Family and Friends,

Gary is having a quiet recovery. He had his staples removed Dec.9th and has healed well. He has been taking it easy, getting up late and resting a lot. The only symptoms are a consistent weakness in his legs and low energy.

On Friday Dec.16th Gary had an appointment with his oncologist. He started a new chemotherapy routine that night. He is taking the same drug he took last year but instead of taking high doses for 5 days and resting for 3 weeks he is now taking one quarter of the dose everyday for as long as is necessary to stop the regrowth of the tumor or keep it stable. Hopefully he will tolerate the chemo as well as last year.


Gary has been spending some time each week working on projects in the barn and the garage with Rick Fintelman his brother-in-law. However, his level of energy is not like it was last time after his surgery. With the help of Rick, his brother Steve and his sons they cut up enough firewood for another year. Don't worry, Gary is taking it easy, doing only as much as his energy allows, sleeping in and resting as needed.


We thank God that He brought Gary safely through the surgery and pray He will bless the means of the chemotherapy and grant him another good year ahead of us.

We like to thank you all for your continued prayers, calls, emails, and words and acts of love and care.
Joanne and family

The next MRI is booked for March 8, 2012 until then he will see his oncologist every 4 weeks and continue on daily chemotherapy.

On Christmas Eve / Gary's Birthday we enjoyed time with our immediate family.
On Christmas Day we had a delicious turkey dinner at my brother Ron and Marilyn Pennings' home.
On Dec.29th we had a house full of family and friends to celebrate his 55th birthday.

Michael and Ryan entertained us on Christmas Eve

Relaxing, feet up and reading

We love spending time together as a family

Oma's 80th and Second Surgery

As My Brother in law Rick Postma posted for me a couple of days ago, I had my second surgery Wednesday, November 30, and I am thankful for the way it went.



Surrounded by beautiful young ladies Michelle Schuit, Christine and Jessica

At the start, it was thought that the second surgery would be
-not as successful
-more dangerous
-more complicated.

The surgeon, Dr Steven, saw us the evening before I was discharged and said the surgery went well, being able to take more of the tumor then he thought he was going to be able to. In reality,  it might have the same result as the first surgery.  The first surgery in July 2010 was very helpful, allowing me to have a year in which I could do my work and many other projects I had been wanting to do for years, with energy to spare. I hope that I will have another good year which is in the hands of the Great Surgeon.

I found that having an armband gives a person access to
-porter services in case of needed scans
-food (If you are going to be in the hospital, make sure you have an armband!!)
-recognitions as a person. ( ask me about it some time)


At the Pennings Christmas Dinner with Ryan and Jessica

One thing the surgery has already allowed me to do is to attend this year's addition of the Annual Pennings Christmas Dinner, which focused on Oma Pennings turning 80.


Getting flowers from Dad!

We had a good time playing old-fashioned shuffle board, crocinole,and monopoly.

There was a lot of fun and fellowship all around