Here is a photo taken TODAY at the Mentoring Ladies lunch. We had to come dressed up as something beginning with an M. Great minds think alike! We hadn't consulted with each other beforehand but, of course, arrived wearing the same glasses (Yay for 3D movies!). I was supposed to be (stretch the imagination now...) the lady from Murder she wrote (okay, not much time to organise the outfit!). Nix came as a Miracle in Progress! She had the words written onto the glasses! (Thanks so much for the photo Joan x)Saturday, November 7, 2009
Miracle in Progress
Here is a photo taken TODAY at the Mentoring Ladies lunch. We had to come dressed up as something beginning with an M. Great minds think alike! We hadn't consulted with each other beforehand but, of course, arrived wearing the same glasses (Yay for 3D movies!). I was supposed to be (stretch the imagination now...) the lady from Murder she wrote (okay, not much time to organise the outfit!). Nix came as a Miracle in Progress! She had the words written onto the glasses! (Thanks so much for the photo Joan x)
Celebrating Life and Friendship
It's Saturday again, and it's bucketing down with rain! (I'm a poet!) Crazy weather!!
The latest news on Nix is that she was exhausted and spent most of yesterday in bed following her blood transfusion on Thursday. But it was a busy week with the tests on Tuesday, Chemo on Wednesday and a blood transfusion on Thursday and she wasn't able to rest as she usually does during the day this week so it could be a reason for the exhaustion.
The transfusion went well (it took ages - she was only home after 8 on Thursday evening). It must be a really strange feeling having someone else's blood flowing into your body. But she decided rather than being "freaked out" about it, she would make friends with it and "embrace" the situation and her new body fluids! So she decided that it must have come from a very special person and she was honoured to share this with them. And, in Nikki style, she took the opportunity to make a new friend, even though she has no idea who they are!
I saw her today and she is looking and feeling much better. She has a lovely pink colour in her face again since the transfusion and I must say she just gets prettier and prettier the further she walks down this road (note to self: put a recent pic on the blog!)
We have precious family friends, Lindsay and Mary Mitchell, living in Spain. We were so blessed by this poem which Mary was inspired to write for Nix. Enjoy...
Nikki's Battle - Mary Mitchell
You´re truly blessed, you know how much
For you're loved and treasured in that such
Your family and friends pray every day
And truly believe you're here to stay
Your sister Eve the best to be had
Writes her Blog news so Friends dont feel sad
It keeps us informed of all family news
So we can all pray that you'll not lose
This battle of yours is shared by all
The prayers that are said for you, are tall
They all are heard by God above
He knows how much you are loved
This illness can only make you strong
Trust in God as he's never wrong
Faith and love, it's there to share
With those of us, who are in God's care
Love and be loved it is the best
You ask why is it me, is it a test
God only knows, why and what for
In Him we trust and pray some more.
We have been truly overwhelmed by the love and friendship shown by so many people the world over. We have been carried by your prayers. We know and have felt God's love shown through all of you and continue to thank God for each one of you as we realise that these friendships are the most precious gifts in life.
Ecclesiastes 4:9:
"Two are better than one,
because they have a good reward for their labour.
If they fall down,
they can help each other up.
But pity those who fall
and have no one to help them up!
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm,
But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."
The latest news on Nix is that she was exhausted and spent most of yesterday in bed following her blood transfusion on Thursday. But it was a busy week with the tests on Tuesday, Chemo on Wednesday and a blood transfusion on Thursday and she wasn't able to rest as she usually does during the day this week so it could be a reason for the exhaustion.
The transfusion went well (it took ages - she was only home after 8 on Thursday evening). It must be a really strange feeling having someone else's blood flowing into your body. But she decided rather than being "freaked out" about it, she would make friends with it and "embrace" the situation and her new body fluids! So she decided that it must have come from a very special person and she was honoured to share this with them. And, in Nikki style, she took the opportunity to make a new friend, even though she has no idea who they are!
I saw her today and she is looking and feeling much better. She has a lovely pink colour in her face again since the transfusion and I must say she just gets prettier and prettier the further she walks down this road (note to self: put a recent pic on the blog!)
We have precious family friends, Lindsay and Mary Mitchell, living in Spain. We were so blessed by this poem which Mary was inspired to write for Nix. Enjoy...
Nikki's Battle - Mary Mitchell
You´re truly blessed, you know how much
For you're loved and treasured in that such
Your family and friends pray every day
And truly believe you're here to stay
Your sister Eve the best to be had
Writes her Blog news so Friends dont feel sad
It keeps us informed of all family news
So we can all pray that you'll not lose
This battle of yours is shared by all
The prayers that are said for you, are tall
They all are heard by God above
He knows how much you are loved
This illness can only make you strong
Trust in God as he's never wrong
Faith and love, it's there to share
With those of us, who are in God's care
Love and be loved it is the best
You ask why is it me, is it a test
God only knows, why and what for
In Him we trust and pray some more.
We have been truly overwhelmed by the love and friendship shown by so many people the world over. We have been carried by your prayers. We know and have felt God's love shown through all of you and continue to thank God for each one of you as we realise that these friendships are the most precious gifts in life.
Ecclesiastes 4:9:
"Two are better than one,
because they have a good reward for their labour.
If they fall down,
they can help each other up.
But pity those who fall
and have no one to help them up!
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm,
But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Good News!
Nikki went in for her CT scan yesterday to determine the current status of the cancer areas in her body. She met with the Oncologist today to discuss the results and there is good news. It seems that all the areas of cancer in her body are shrinking!!! PRAISE GOD!!!
She marched in to her 4th session of Chemo in high spirits and feeling strong. It was a great opportunity for her to sit with her good friend Lori who is visiting from Australia and to catch up on all her news.
Tomorrow Nix will be going in for a blood transfusion. The doctor has recommended it in order to boost her red blood cells and to help with her anaemia. So she will spend most of the day in hospital tomorrow (I think she will be in the Day Unit if anyone is wanting to pop in).
This evening, my precious dad has written something for the blog. So here are his thoughts:
Nikki had her 4th round of Chemo today as well as a medical re-assessment by Oncology, and the results show that all the areas of cancer have reduced. Praise the Lord for a good report!
When Adrian and Nikki brought us the news of the Doctor's report of the cancer during August, I felt the spirit leap inside of me and I immediately recalled the word of the Lord "Who's report will you believe?"
Ever since I have made a conscious decision to believe the report of the Lord and I have based my prayer directive on this confession. "In spite of the fact that the medical report says they cannot cure Nikki, we choose to believe in our creator God who says: "For I WILL restore health to you and HEAL your wounds says the Lord” - Jeremiah 30:17
Truly I can say with the prophet Habbakuk: “The Lord is my strength… (my invincible army), He makes me to walk, (not to stand still in terror, but to walk) & make (spiritual) progress upon my high places… (of suffering, trouble and responsibility) - Habbakuk 3:19
God is taking us all through a whole new walk in Him. I have come to learn that in everything He needs to become the very centre of our lives & focus. It is not about our agenda but about His agenda. As Job said "Yea, yet He slay me, yet will I praise Him".
God is Sovereign, God is Awesome and God is to be trusted & relied upon in all circumstances. We thank God and continue to trust Him for a complete restoration of health for Nikki.
She marched in to her 4th session of Chemo in high spirits and feeling strong. It was a great opportunity for her to sit with her good friend Lori who is visiting from Australia and to catch up on all her news.
Tomorrow Nix will be going in for a blood transfusion. The doctor has recommended it in order to boost her red blood cells and to help with her anaemia. So she will spend most of the day in hospital tomorrow (I think she will be in the Day Unit if anyone is wanting to pop in).
This evening, my precious dad has written something for the blog. So here are his thoughts:
Nikki had her 4th round of Chemo today as well as a medical re-assessment by Oncology, and the results show that all the areas of cancer have reduced. Praise the Lord for a good report!
When Adrian and Nikki brought us the news of the Doctor's report of the cancer during August, I felt the spirit leap inside of me and I immediately recalled the word of the Lord "Who's report will you believe?"
Ever since I have made a conscious decision to believe the report of the Lord and I have based my prayer directive on this confession. "In spite of the fact that the medical report says they cannot cure Nikki, we choose to believe in our creator God who says: "For I WILL restore health to you and HEAL your wounds says the Lord” - Jeremiah 30:17
Truly I can say with the prophet Habbakuk: “The Lord is my strength… (my invincible army), He makes me to walk, (not to stand still in terror, but to walk) & make (spiritual) progress upon my high places… (of suffering, trouble and responsibility) - Habbakuk 3:19
God is taking us all through a whole new walk in Him. I have come to learn that in everything He needs to become the very centre of our lives & focus. It is not about our agenda but about His agenda. As Job said "Yea, yet He slay me, yet will I praise Him".
God is Sovereign, God is Awesome and God is to be trusted & relied upon in all circumstances. We thank God and continue to trust Him for a complete restoration of health for Nikki.
Monday, November 2, 2009
By His wounds we are healed
Nikki and Adrian returned yesterday evening from a lovely weekend away with the family. Just, as always, a bit too short!
Please join us in prayer as we go into this week. Pray that God's love and peace would continue to surround Nikki and her family as she goes for her tests on Tuesday. We continue to believe God that the doctors would be amazed as they study the results of the tests. We continue to thank God for what He has done for us, because is it "by His wounds we are healed" - Isaiah 53:5.
I received the following excerpt from a friend this week which has been a wonderful encouragement:
GARDEN OF FOUNTAINS
Behold, My hand is upon thee to bless thee and to accomplish My good purpose. For this hour I have prepared thy heart and in My kindness I will not let thee fail.
Only relinquish all things into My hands; for I can work freely only as ye release Me by complete committal – both of thyself and others. Even as was written of old: ‘Commit they way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass’. (Psa. 37:5) I will be thy sustaining strength; and My peace shall garrison thy mind. Only trust ME – that all I do is done in love.
For adversities must of necessity come. They are a part of the pattern of life’s pilgrimage for every individual; and who can escape them? But I say unto thee, that for those who walk in Me, for those who are encircled by the intercessory prayers of My children, I shall make of the suffering, yea, I shall make of the trials a steppingstone to future blessing. (2 Cor. 4:17, Living Letters)
My arms are around thee, and never have I loved thee more! I will make thee like A GARDEN OF FOUNTAINS whose streams are fed by the mountain springs.
And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones; and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. (Isa. 58.11)
Please join us in prayer as we go into this week. Pray that God's love and peace would continue to surround Nikki and her family as she goes for her tests on Tuesday. We continue to believe God that the doctors would be amazed as they study the results of the tests. We continue to thank God for what He has done for us, because is it "by His wounds we are healed" - Isaiah 53:5.
I received the following excerpt from a friend this week which has been a wonderful encouragement:
GARDEN OF FOUNTAINS
Behold, My hand is upon thee to bless thee and to accomplish My good purpose. For this hour I have prepared thy heart and in My kindness I will not let thee fail.
Only relinquish all things into My hands; for I can work freely only as ye release Me by complete committal – both of thyself and others. Even as was written of old: ‘Commit they way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass’. (Psa. 37:5) I will be thy sustaining strength; and My peace shall garrison thy mind. Only trust ME – that all I do is done in love.
For adversities must of necessity come. They are a part of the pattern of life’s pilgrimage for every individual; and who can escape them? But I say unto thee, that for those who walk in Me, for those who are encircled by the intercessory prayers of My children, I shall make of the suffering, yea, I shall make of the trials a steppingstone to future blessing. (2 Cor. 4:17, Living Letters)
My arms are around thee, and never have I loved thee more! I will make thee like A GARDEN OF FOUNTAINS whose streams are fed by the mountain springs.
And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones; and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. (Isa. 58.11)
Friday, October 30, 2009
A Weekend Away
The whole Boyd family (including Wayne and Heather and baby Cole who are in Cape Town for a visit) have gone away together for the weekend. It's always fun to get away but I am sure it will be therapy for all of them to be together again, enjoying a good dose of family time away from the pressures of home.
Nix has struggled with fevers this week and has had her usual dose of pain - worst in the mornings, but pretty consistent throughout the day. Her new quote is "I do (hurt) if I do and I do if I dont, so I do!" So if you see her around it's not because she's feeling fantastic, it's because she is "embracing" whatever is coming her way and "doing" in spite of it. She is such a soldier!
Next week, Nikki goes for her tests to see how effective the Chemo has been. The doctor has scheduled another dose of Chemo for this Wednesday regardless of the outcome of the tests.
So, with a hectic week ahead of them, we really pray for a blessed and fun time away for them this weekend and that God would continue His healing work in Nikki's body. We are believing for a good report when the test results come back - may the doctors be amazed!
Nix has struggled with fevers this week and has had her usual dose of pain - worst in the mornings, but pretty consistent throughout the day. Her new quote is "I do (hurt) if I do and I do if I dont, so I do!" So if you see her around it's not because she's feeling fantastic, it's because she is "embracing" whatever is coming her way and "doing" in spite of it. She is such a soldier!
Next week, Nikki goes for her tests to see how effective the Chemo has been. The doctor has scheduled another dose of Chemo for this Wednesday regardless of the outcome of the tests.
So, with a hectic week ahead of them, we really pray for a blessed and fun time away for them this weekend and that God would continue His healing work in Nikki's body. We are believing for a good report when the test results come back - may the doctors be amazed!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
The Good Report
Nikki met with her rheumatologist yesterday and he once again confirmed that she has the most severe case of arthritis he has seen in all his years of practice. It is a confusing and unique situation because she is running 2 different conditions at the same time. On the one hand, a totally over active immune system, which presents as severe arthritis (inflammation, joint pain, fevers, skin rashes and sore throat). On the other hand, cancer. The treatment for this is pushing the white blood cell count down, so ordinarily you would want to boost the immune system to up the help the white blood cell count. But due to the severity of the arthritis, this is dangerous. Nikki's doctor would like her to start again on the drug she was on a couple of months back (it basically shuts down / bypasses the immune system). But she has decided against it for now. Nikki told the doctor that she was believing in God for a miracle of complete healing and restoration in her body. He was very supportive and happy to hear that her faith was strong.
So, again we are faced with a choice: do we believe what we hear in the natural, or do we believe the report of the Lord? We know we serve a supernatural God! Just because we don't see a way doesn't mean that He doesn't have a way. No matter what the medical report says about Nikki's health (and that may be true according to medical science), we have another report and it says, "You will live and not die. God is restoring health unto you." With men it may be impossible, but with God all things are possible. So we choose today to believe the report of the Lord.
In spite of everything, and even when she is in immense pain, Nikki retains her sharp wit and unique sense of humour. I just thought that I should let you all know that as we know that many people are scared to visit or call or see her because they just dont know what they would say to her. She is just the same sweet Nix (with less hair!) and has us laughing and feeling at ease in no time at all. She is a breath of fresh air and a real testimony of character and strength through this trial. And the more hair she loses, the more beautiful she gets!
Jeremiah 49:14 (AMP)
"I have heard a report from the Lord…"
So, again we are faced with a choice: do we believe what we hear in the natural, or do we believe the report of the Lord? We know we serve a supernatural God! Just because we don't see a way doesn't mean that He doesn't have a way. No matter what the medical report says about Nikki's health (and that may be true according to medical science), we have another report and it says, "You will live and not die. God is restoring health unto you." With men it may be impossible, but with God all things are possible. So we choose today to believe the report of the Lord.
In spite of everything, and even when she is in immense pain, Nikki retains her sharp wit and unique sense of humour. I just thought that I should let you all know that as we know that many people are scared to visit or call or see her because they just dont know what they would say to her. She is just the same sweet Nix (with less hair!) and has us laughing and feeling at ease in no time at all. She is a breath of fresh air and a real testimony of character and strength through this trial. And the more hair she loses, the more beautiful she gets!
Jeremiah 49:14 (AMP)
"I have heard a report from the Lord…"
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Gearing up for the new week...
Another weekend has come and gone and it's been a good one. Nikki and the children thoroughly enjoyed being guests at Afton Grove for the weekend - I think the change did them all good. Alain (the guest house Manager) spoiled the kiddies with extra choccies and treats on their pillows each evening - he knows how they work ;-)
We took all the children up to Silvermine Dam for a picnic this afternoon while Nikki rested. Adrian is home safely this evening and we feasted on his catch of Baartman (?spelling?) for dinner - delish!!
Nikki meets with her doctors again tomorrow morning so please pray for wisdom from heaven for them and that they would be in agreement concerning her treatment (the Oncologist and the Rheumatologist seem to have very strong yet differing opinions regarding her treatment and the way forward with her - which leaves her feeling completely confused as you can imagine.)
We continue to walk in His grace and pray for His strength and guidance in the week ahead. Thank you all once again for your faithfulness in prayer. It means so much to us:
James 5:16
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
We took all the children up to Silvermine Dam for a picnic this afternoon while Nikki rested. Adrian is home safely this evening and we feasted on his catch of Baartman (?spelling?) for dinner - delish!!
Nikki meets with her doctors again tomorrow morning so please pray for wisdom from heaven for them and that they would be in agreement concerning her treatment (the Oncologist and the Rheumatologist seem to have very strong yet differing opinions regarding her treatment and the way forward with her - which leaves her feeling completely confused as you can imagine.)
We continue to walk in His grace and pray for His strength and guidance in the week ahead. Thank you all once again for your faithfulness in prayer. It means so much to us:
James 5:16
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
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