As I mentioned in the previous post, Nikki went for a brain MRI earlier in the week after her difficult weekend. The results came back today and, after hearing the report and spending a teary afternoon with the family, I asked her what I could post on the blog she just said (typcial)..."Well, the good news is, they've found out what's wrong with my head, but the bad news is, its not very good news :-)"
The short story is that the MRI showed more secondaries (metastasised cancer sites) in the brain. She had so much to say about the neurologist whom she said was fantastic. This is what she wrote in a text this evening - for uploading on the blog:
"What a LOVELY neurologist! Such a special doctor... After reading the radiologist's report on the MRI results from yesterday (which showed more secondaries in the brain) he prayed with us and asked for a miracle. Chatted about how we are ALL facing death every day and none of us know our time, but when we're faced with an eternity with our Father in heaven (in contrast with our very short time here on earth, which seems like "our whole life" but is in fact just a fraction of it)...it makes it so much easier to face death.
All of us have questions, but what I have realised is that one day when we have the chance to ask the questions, the questions will disappear in the light of everything that God is. We will realise that our brains would never have been able to comprehend a fraction of it, but one day we will see clearly, that it was all in HIS PLAN! I loved this saying which I read in a book recently: Everything IS OK in the end. If it's not OK, IT"S NOT THE END!
We're all still holding onto God and now He will be there to walk each day with me. Will just take it one step at a time ...and trust Him."
That's written by one incredible lady! I love my precious sister and honour her for her incredible character, courage and faith in this walk. And her amazing sense of humour which is a gift and never in short-supply.
We thank you for your prayers as we continue to trust God for a miracle of healing in her body.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Long Time No Hear
Apologies for the long silence... It has been a very long while since the last post. Following on from the last news, Nikki decided to go for the 2nd course of Mabthera and (in my opinion) it seems to be working to ease the pain and inflammation in her joints somewhat. She was also on extra steroids and pain killers over the holidays (to be able to enjoy as much time with her children as possible) but she is looking so much better and so healthy these days (she astounded us by walking the entire Fan Walk with Hannah and friends for the semi finals of the World Cup in Cape Town!).
After an MRI to ascertain the progression of the disease in the breast, it was decided to treat the breast with radiation. Nix is now about halfway through a 5 week course of radiation treatment. She travels through to Pinelands for treatment every day (thanks to all the precious friends who have offered lifts, she has a chance to catch up with a different person every day!) She continues on her Chemotherapy treatment and is due for the next dose tomorrow straight after her radiation session. She has also moved to a new Oncologist who specialises in breast cancer & radiation treatment.
Adrian, Nix and the children managed to get away to Wilderness for a break in the first week of the school holidays which was the best therapy for Nix. They spent some time alone at Eagle's Nest and then with the Webbers at Ebb and Flow and had a wonderful time. I have asked her for some photos which I hope to upload soon. They also treated themselves to a new bed after Nikki found that she was so comfortable on the matress in the holiday chalet and decided that their bed definitely wasnt helping her sleep issues. The new bed has helped immensely with this. Thank you so much for all those who have contributed to the Alabaster Fund as it was these contributions that helped them to invest time into their family and their health in this way. We have been so blessed by friends and family who have gone out of their way to support Nikki in so many different ways. A friend living in Ireland, Yvonne D'Arcy, decided to run the Dublin Marathon in order to raise funds for Nikki / The Alabaster Fund. She challenged 2 friends to join her. They had t-shirts printed and did it all in support of Nix - AMAZING! (Yvonne, if you read this, please contact us with your email address / telephone number as our mails are bouncing back from the email address you gave my folks - thank you :-))
Although she has been handling the radiation like a soldier, Nikki came down with the biggest migraine of her life this last weekend. She literally couldnt see or walk and wasnt able to keep any food or drinks down. Eventually, they called the GP in early on Sunday morning. He gave her some injections for pain, nausea and inflammation as well as a sleeping tab. She spent the rest of the day in bed and by the evening started to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Thankfully, she didnt have to be hospitalised and seemed to make quite a remarkable turn around. A lovely testimony - Nikki saw a neurologist on Monday on the GP's recommendation and, without knowing her, he asked her whether she "was reglious or had faith" and she answered "yes" to which he commented that he could see that by her peaceful outlook and joyful demeanour in spite of her circumstances. Our God is our strength, our peace and our joy and we continue to trust Him and hang on to Him through the trial.
Our children (Megan, Sydney, Hannah and Daniel) were asked to model the 2010 bandanas for The Sunflower Fund. We went through to the studio for the shoot yesterday and were so proud of our little gang! They were real professionals. So you can all look out for their little faces on posters in Pick n Pay stores and around about soon.
After an MRI to ascertain the progression of the disease in the breast, it was decided to treat the breast with radiation. Nix is now about halfway through a 5 week course of radiation treatment. She travels through to Pinelands for treatment every day (thanks to all the precious friends who have offered lifts, she has a chance to catch up with a different person every day!) She continues on her Chemotherapy treatment and is due for the next dose tomorrow straight after her radiation session. She has also moved to a new Oncologist who specialises in breast cancer & radiation treatment.
Adrian, Nix and the children managed to get away to Wilderness for a break in the first week of the school holidays which was the best therapy for Nix. They spent some time alone at Eagle's Nest and then with the Webbers at Ebb and Flow and had a wonderful time. I have asked her for some photos which I hope to upload soon. They also treated themselves to a new bed after Nikki found that she was so comfortable on the matress in the holiday chalet and decided that their bed definitely wasnt helping her sleep issues. The new bed has helped immensely with this. Thank you so much for all those who have contributed to the Alabaster Fund as it was these contributions that helped them to invest time into their family and their health in this way. We have been so blessed by friends and family who have gone out of their way to support Nikki in so many different ways. A friend living in Ireland, Yvonne D'Arcy, decided to run the Dublin Marathon in order to raise funds for Nikki / The Alabaster Fund. She challenged 2 friends to join her. They had t-shirts printed and did it all in support of Nix - AMAZING! (Yvonne, if you read this, please contact us with your email address / telephone number as our mails are bouncing back from the email address you gave my folks - thank you :-))
Although she has been handling the radiation like a soldier, Nikki came down with the biggest migraine of her life this last weekend. She literally couldnt see or walk and wasnt able to keep any food or drinks down. Eventually, they called the GP in early on Sunday morning. He gave her some injections for pain, nausea and inflammation as well as a sleeping tab. She spent the rest of the day in bed and by the evening started to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Thankfully, she didnt have to be hospitalised and seemed to make quite a remarkable turn around. A lovely testimony - Nikki saw a neurologist on Monday on the GP's recommendation and, without knowing her, he asked her whether she "was reglious or had faith" and she answered "yes" to which he commented that he could see that by her peaceful outlook and joyful demeanour in spite of her circumstances. Our God is our strength, our peace and our joy and we continue to trust Him and hang on to Him through the trial.
Our children (Megan, Sydney, Hannah and Daniel) were asked to model the 2010 bandanas for The Sunflower Fund. We went through to the studio for the shoot yesterday and were so proud of our little gang! They were real professionals. So you can all look out for their little faces on posters in Pick n Pay stores and around about soon.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Decisions, decisions
Nix has been facing a confusing and difficult time with major decisions to be made again.
She started on the Mabthera (experimental) treatment a few weeks back and is due for her second round this week. She has had to do some tests in the mean time though and found some progression in the disease in her breast - docs are not sure whether this is due to the new treatment or something else but they are currently discussing it amongst each other and making decisions as to the best course of treatment for her. Ultimately, the decision lies in Nikki's hands though. Please can we ask that you pray for wisdom regarding the best route to go re: treament and for peace in the decision she makes.
She continues to be the lovely, lively, upbeat and wonderful person she is in spite of everything that is thrown at her on a daily basis but this walk is not easy and we trust in God for His strength and grace for each new day. We are so grateful for His love.
She started on the Mabthera (experimental) treatment a few weeks back and is due for her second round this week. She has had to do some tests in the mean time though and found some progression in the disease in her breast - docs are not sure whether this is due to the new treatment or something else but they are currently discussing it amongst each other and making decisions as to the best course of treatment for her. Ultimately, the decision lies in Nikki's hands though. Please can we ask that you pray for wisdom regarding the best route to go re: treament and for peace in the decision she makes.
She continues to be the lovely, lively, upbeat and wonderful person she is in spite of everything that is thrown at her on a daily basis but this walk is not easy and we trust in God for His strength and grace for each new day. We are so grateful for His love.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Nikki's Birthday
We celebrated Nikki's birthday in style last weekend at Shelley Point with 10 of her close friends. Most of it was a surprise for her. All she knew is that my mom and I were taking her away for the weekend. It was truly a special time of friendship and fun. We stayed at the most perfect location in the world - The Villa on the Beach (thanks to Leen and Mies for that!) and we hired the Shelley Point Spa for the Saturday morning and were treated like queens! What more could you ask for - a house right on the beachfront, great weather and food, wonderful friends, treats and time together. Therapy! Here are some photos:
The girls in the Spa (minus Queenie). No value can be placed on times like these.
Nix and I looking fairly normal (unusual for us!) :-) Beleive me - we have proof!!
The weekend was followed by Chemotherapy first thing on Monday morning and Nix has been feeling the effects of the late nights on the weekend together with the Chemo this week so has had a rough week. She is such a trooper though, feeling stronger every day.
Hannah has her first violin recital this Friday - everyone is really excited about that. No one more than her though! So sweet...
The girls in the Spa (minus Queenie). No value can be placed on times like these.Nix and I looking fairly normal (unusual for us!) :-) Beleive me - we have proof!!The weekend was followed by Chemotherapy first thing on Monday morning and Nix has been feeling the effects of the late nights on the weekend together with the Chemo this week so has had a rough week. She is such a trooper though, feeling stronger every day.
Hannah has her first violin recital this Friday - everyone is really excited about that. No one more than her though! So sweet...
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Mother's Day
It was a cold, rainy and wet Mother's Day in Cape Town but we had a very special time with our beautiful Moms today. We had Nikki's family, Adrian's folks and our folks over to our house for a "healthy buffet" prepared by Pete and I (putting into practice some of my newly learned skills and recipes - yum!).
Nix has still not been well enough to start with the Mabthera treatment and has had to postpone a few times now. She is booked for tomorrow but thinks that they will most likely not go ahead as she still has not recovered from the flu. The Mabthera apparently shuts down the body's immune response to things like colds and flu so wouldnt be wise to start when you have flu). We'll wait to see what the doctors say in the morning...
Only a week to go to Nikki's 35th birthday on 16th May. I pray she feels better by then. We have some lovely surprises "up our sleeves" for her special day. Should be such fun. If you remember, please send her a message to let her know what she means to you.
In the mean time, keep warm! I am going to tuck up in bed now - only place to be on a wintry evening like this. Bye!
Nix has still not been well enough to start with the Mabthera treatment and has had to postpone a few times now. She is booked for tomorrow but thinks that they will most likely not go ahead as she still has not recovered from the flu. The Mabthera apparently shuts down the body's immune response to things like colds and flu so wouldnt be wise to start when you have flu). We'll wait to see what the doctors say in the morning...
Only a week to go to Nikki's 35th birthday on 16th May. I pray she feels better by then. We have some lovely surprises "up our sleeves" for her special day. Should be such fun. If you remember, please send her a message to let her know what she means to you.
In the mean time, keep warm! I am going to tuck up in bed now - only place to be on a wintry evening like this. Bye!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Nix has had a rough couple of weeks. She was supposed to start on a new Chemotherapy drug (Mabthera) last week Wednesday but suddenly came down with every bug that was flying around, including conjunctivitis. She still has not recovered completely so I am sure she will not be allowed to go ahead with the Mabthera tomorrow as planned. We appreciate all of your prayers in this area. I feel so for her - she has not had a decent night's sleep in who knows how long as she struggles with so much pain, particularly at night. We are praying that when she eventually starts on the Mabthera, it brings some relief to her inflamed joints.
There are so many benefits to serving the Lord, but Psalm 103 lists some goodies...
Psalm 103:2, 3
"Praise the Lord O my soul and forget not all His benefits, who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases..." (check out the rest of the Psalm too - love it!)
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Them Bones and Teeth
More wonderful news! After meeting with her oncologist and maxillo facial surgeon last week regarding possible necrosis in her jaw, they decided Nikki needed another bone scan. She has not had another bone scan since the initial scan done when she was diagnosed in August last year. Nikki's oncologist has been very hesitant to scan the bone again as she said that if her condition had worsened, medical aid would cut their funding immediately. So, Nikki set off tentatively for her bone scan earlier this week. The results came back showing an improvement in all areas of bone affected by the cancer. To top it all off, the area of concern (possible necrosis) in her mouth turned out to be a chip of the tooth that was extracted last year, she managed to wiggle it out yesterday - on the very same day that Hannah lost her first tooth (which she is so excited about!) How good is that?!?!? Praise God!!
We are getting there....I like this quote...
"How poor are they that have not patience! What wound did ever heal but by degrees?" William Shakespeare.
I know our God can do it in an instant, but that's not always the plan, so we are continuing to practice patience. There is a lot of wisdom in that.
I love this too, it sums up my sister in a nutshell...
Proverbs 31:25 - "She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come".
We are getting there....I like this quote...
"How poor are they that have not patience! What wound did ever heal but by degrees?" William Shakespeare.
I know our God can do it in an instant, but that's not always the plan, so we are continuing to practice patience. There is a lot of wisdom in that.
I love this too, it sums up my sister in a nutshell...
Proverbs 31:25 - "She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come".
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
