Again – where has this week gone? I have tried 3 times this week to sit down and write this blog but have been called away for some or other reason and simply have not had a chance till now. It’s a gorgeous sunny Cape Town morning and we are taking it slow. Pete is out cycling and I have been baking biscuits with the girls who got new cookie cutters last week and haven’t had a chance to use them yet.
It has been a good week. Nikki has had a much better time following her last dose of Chemo. Mornings have been the most difficult for her and she has had a lot of pain and has had a fever most mornings this last week - but she has the taken time to rest in the mornings and has felt much better in the afternoons and evenings.
Sylvia (one of the staff at the guest house) told us that God was moving powerfully in a series of meetings they were holding in Ocean View this last week. She invited us to come on Wednesday evening. So, the original family went through together, Dad, Mom, Nix and Eve (fun – don’t get to do that much any more! In fact it’s a mind bend to work out when last we did!) To say we were blessed is an understatement.
Then, in true Nikki humour, we had a bowl movement party yesterday at Afton – to say thank you to the many wonderful and generous people who have helped us all out with meals and kids and lifts over the last little while. And (hence the name of the party) to return some of the 48569823 dishes Nikki had stacked up at home! Her home was beginning to look a bit like Boardmans crockery department. It was a beautiful afternoon and the kiddies played while we got to catch up with friends which was therapy for Nix who is such a sociable person and sometimes feels like she is in solitary confinement with the amount of rest she needs.
Adrian has gone away for a few days so Nikki and the kids are spending the weekend at Afton Grove. The children are so excited to be sleeping in one of the guest rooms. It’s like they are on holiday!
This scripture has really ministered to us over the last few days and speaks to us of God's incredible character. He is the reason we stand, our hope and the one we are holding on to with all our might in these days:
Lamentations 3: 19 - 24
I remember my affliction and my wandering, the biterness and the gall. I well remember them and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning, great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion, therefore I will wait for him".
We continue to beleive for a miracle of complete healing for precious Nix.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Happy Days
Where has the time gone? The weekend is almost over! (and Christmas catalogues have started to arrive in the post box which is incredibly frightening!!)
We spent this afternoon at my folk's home (which the children think is heaven on earth!) with the Boyd family and my parents, as we do most Sundays. The Webber family and sweet Ainslie joined us today too which was lovely.
Nikki is doing much better after her last dose of Chemo and hasnt struggled as much as she did with the previous rounds. It is answered prayer. Thank you Lord! So she and Adrian and the children have been able to enjoy some special family time together over the last few days. Moments to cherish.
Hannah is also back to her bubbly, joyful little self again and will be returning to school tomorrow much to her delight.
We thank God for his grace on Nikki and the family and pray that she will continue to feel strong going into the week ahead. Although her spirit remains strong, it so much easier to handle life when you are not feeling sick and sore!
We spent this afternoon at my folk's home (which the children think is heaven on earth!) with the Boyd family and my parents, as we do most Sundays. The Webber family and sweet Ainslie joined us today too which was lovely.
Nikki is doing much better after her last dose of Chemo and hasnt struggled as much as she did with the previous rounds. It is answered prayer. Thank you Lord! So she and Adrian and the children have been able to enjoy some special family time together over the last few days. Moments to cherish.
Hannah is also back to her bubbly, joyful little self again and will be returning to school tomorrow much to her delight.
We thank God for his grace on Nikki and the family and pray that she will continue to feel strong going into the week ahead. Although her spirit remains strong, it so much easier to handle life when you are not feeling sick and sore!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Chemo No 3
Nix had her third round of Chemo today - it was nothing short of a miracle that she was able to have the Chemo as her system has been so hammered by the bronchitis and fevers she was struggling with last week. In spite of this, she got the green light with the doctors after her blood tests.
All went well today - this time they started with an anti-histamine for hors d'oevres. They tempered the treatment a bit by giving her saline drips in between the Chemos (after her severe reaction last time, they weren't taking any chances). Nix handled the treatment very well today and just sounded a bit tired when I chatted to her this evening. The antihistamine has her feeling very drowsy. May she be blessed with sweet sleep tonight!
Hannah was diagnosed with Scarlet Fever today so she is in quarantine for the rest of the week but (apart from an all-over rash) is looking and sounding far more chirpy today. Daniel is still bouncing around and hasn't shown any symptoms of fever, neither have mine (said with much hope!).
Well, that concludes the first batch of Nikki's Chemo treatments. In about 3 weeks, she will go back for another whole batch of tests to confim the status of the Cancer and how the treatment has worked for her so far. So please stand with us in prayer at this time. We are trusting God for a miracle in Nikki's body and for a good report when the test results come back.
Please also pray for strength for Nikki as she goes into the week ahead as she always finds the first week after Chemo treatment very challenging.
Rom 8:28
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."
All went well today - this time they started with an anti-histamine for hors d'oevres. They tempered the treatment a bit by giving her saline drips in between the Chemos (after her severe reaction last time, they weren't taking any chances). Nix handled the treatment very well today and just sounded a bit tired when I chatted to her this evening. The antihistamine has her feeling very drowsy. May she be blessed with sweet sleep tonight!
Hannah was diagnosed with Scarlet Fever today so she is in quarantine for the rest of the week but (apart from an all-over rash) is looking and sounding far more chirpy today. Daniel is still bouncing around and hasn't shown any symptoms of fever, neither have mine (said with much hope!).
Well, that concludes the first batch of Nikki's Chemo treatments. In about 3 weeks, she will go back for another whole batch of tests to confim the status of the Cancer and how the treatment has worked for her so far. So please stand with us in prayer at this time. We are trusting God for a miracle in Nikki's body and for a good report when the test results come back.
Please also pray for strength for Nikki as she goes into the week ahead as she always finds the first week after Chemo treatment very challenging.
Rom 8:28
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."
Monday, October 12, 2009
The Peace that Surpasses all Understanding
We had a special time together this evening - I got to sit with Nix and Adrian and play Scrabble and just chat easily without interruptions - Rare these days, and something we haven't done in a long time.
Nikki is soldiering on and still fighting this flu / bronchitis bug. Please continue to pray with us that she when she goes for her blood tests tomorrow, her white blood count will be high enough and that she will be stong enough for her next dose of Chemo scheduled for Wednesday.
Hannah has picked up a vomiting bug and stayed home today with high temperatures. She spent the day in bed with mom and declared about half way through the day that lying in bed all day is "sooooooo boring!"
We are so grateful to know God in this walk. We know more than ever that everything that we need can be found in Him. We have His incredible peace, joy strength and hope which doesn't seem to make sense under the circumstances. When we are weak, then He is strong...
Phillipians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Nikki is soldiering on and still fighting this flu / bronchitis bug. Please continue to pray with us that she when she goes for her blood tests tomorrow, her white blood count will be high enough and that she will be stong enough for her next dose of Chemo scheduled for Wednesday.
Hannah has picked up a vomiting bug and stayed home today with high temperatures. She spent the day in bed with mom and declared about half way through the day that lying in bed all day is "sooooooo boring!"
We are so grateful to know God in this walk. We know more than ever that everything that we need can be found in Him. We have His incredible peace, joy strength and hope which doesn't seem to make sense under the circumstances. When we are weak, then He is strong...
Phillipians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Trying times & glorious gifts
This has been a trying week. Nikki is still battling bronchitis, really sore and inflamed joints and a constant migraine headache. The family have been hard hit this week with Andy (Adrian's dad) being admitted to hospital too - it seems he suffered a seisure as a result of an antibiotic he was on. But we are not moved. We continue to believe our God and she asks that we keep our faith and fight back!
As I write, there are four naked little bodies jumping on the bed next to me. They have been swimming (they have no need of restrictive clothing for this purpose) and are now dry. They are rejoicing in the fact that the weather has warmed up enough for swimming. I thank God for the joy and relief that they bring to us as we walk through this intense emotional time. Their energy is invigorating and their laughter is infectious. They love life and they love each other. They are walking in His grace and protection and couldn't be happier or more blessed. What incredible gifts, we are so thankful!!
Psalm 18:2
"The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock , in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies."
As I write, there are four naked little bodies jumping on the bed next to me. They have been swimming (they have no need of restrictive clothing for this purpose) and are now dry. They are rejoicing in the fact that the weather has warmed up enough for swimming. I thank God for the joy and relief that they bring to us as we walk through this intense emotional time. Their energy is invigorating and their laughter is infectious. They love life and they love each other. They are walking in His grace and protection and couldn't be happier or more blessed. What incredible gifts, we are so thankful!!
Psalm 18:2
"The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock , in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies."
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
A Comfort in the Chaos
Apologies for the lapse of time between posts. Our modem has been playing up and between that and the chaos of life at the moment, time passes really quickly between them!
Nikki has had another rough week and actually spent last night / early hours of this morning in hospital. The cold she's been battling developed into bronchitis with a high fever over the last few days. Her fever peaked last night and the docs were concerned about possible pneumonia so she had to go in. Her joints have been unbeleivably sore and stiff again - I think her system is generally run down and it is using all the reserves available to fight off this flu. She seems to be feeling a bit better this evening.
Adrian (in an attempt to manage some stress) managed to badly injure the tendons in his ankle while playing a friendly game of squash last night (!!!) and has also been in a lot of pain with that.
Adrian's dad has also been going through a very difficult time with his health and has recently suffered some setbacks. Please could we ask you to keep Andy and Hilda (who are such a support to Nikki and her family) in your prayers too as they weather this storm. May they know the comfort of their creator in the chaos that surrounds them, as we have known Him.
Nahum 1:7
"The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him".
Nikki has had another rough week and actually spent last night / early hours of this morning in hospital. The cold she's been battling developed into bronchitis with a high fever over the last few days. Her fever peaked last night and the docs were concerned about possible pneumonia so she had to go in. Her joints have been unbeleivably sore and stiff again - I think her system is generally run down and it is using all the reserves available to fight off this flu. She seems to be feeling a bit better this evening.
Adrian (in an attempt to manage some stress) managed to badly injure the tendons in his ankle while playing a friendly game of squash last night (!!!) and has also been in a lot of pain with that.
Adrian's dad has also been going through a very difficult time with his health and has recently suffered some setbacks. Please could we ask you to keep Andy and Hilda (who are such a support to Nikki and her family) in your prayers too as they weather this storm. May they know the comfort of their creator in the chaos that surrounds them, as we have known Him.
Nahum 1:7
"The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him".
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Hannah's 6 tomorrow!
It's been a few days since my last posting and Nix hasnt been feeling too well. She's been struggling with a migraine headache, battling to sleep and now has a cold with a rough and hoarse throat. Please keep her in prayer and pray that her immune system stays strong and carries her through this bombardment of Chemo.
Tomorrow is Nikki & Adrian's precious Hannah's 6th birthday. She is super-excited as we are going ice skating at Grand West to celebrate. I can still remember the first time I laid eyes on her - being wheeled through the corridor in an incubator and seeing her tiny little face topped with a mop of dark hair (which is now blonde). Her brand new eyes darted around the room from one person to the next. Amazing! She has been a little social butterfly and loved people from the word go (like her mom!) On Saturday, my mom and Nikki took her to Build-a-Bear to choose / make her birthday present. She is so excited about her gorgeous soft brown bear and managed to find the bear a lovely white and silver ice skating outfit so she can join us tomorrow! Yay!
Tomorrow is Nikki & Adrian's precious Hannah's 6th birthday. She is super-excited as we are going ice skating at Grand West to celebrate. I can still remember the first time I laid eyes on her - being wheeled through the corridor in an incubator and seeing her tiny little face topped with a mop of dark hair (which is now blonde). Her brand new eyes darted around the room from one person to the next. Amazing! She has been a little social butterfly and loved people from the word go (like her mom!) On Saturday, my mom and Nikki took her to Build-a-Bear to choose / make her birthday present. She is so excited about her gorgeous soft brown bear and managed to find the bear a lovely white and silver ice skating outfit so she can join us tomorrow! Yay!
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