Were home again! Our time away at Shelley Point was truly special. It was wonderful to relax, spend time chatting together and with the children, to play games and to see Nikki walking and enjoying her children on the beach again. When we were there in March this year, she was not able to walk on the beach at all or even downstairs because of the immense pain and lack of flexibility in her joints. She walked and fished in the rock pools with Dan and took a zillion photos of the kids and the lighthouse, just like the real Nix.
The children collected so many beautiful shells on the beach and on one or two of the cooler days, I sat with them and we made "shell art" which turned out amazingly well. They plan to sell some of their masterpieces at their school's micro mini fair tomorrow - Industrious little people!
Nikki has a CT scan scheduled for tomorrow and her regular 3 weekly Chemotherapy session on Thursday. Please join us in praying and beleiving for a great report from the scan. May the doctors and medical staff be amazed, we pray.
We will let you know the results as soon as we hear more...
(It took me so long to log on to blogger this evening that I have run out of time to write any more news but hope to upload some Shelley Point pics as soon as Nix has downloaded them - sadly, I left my camera at home so dont have any of my own to add :-(. Thanks to my Pete for uploading the last post for me while we were away - he is gifted in patience!!)
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Blog Update
We are all enjoying a wonderful week of sun, braais, family, friends and super-relaxation at Shelley Point. Leen and Mies have so kindly given Nix and the family use of their beach house again and they invited us to join them (yay for us!). The Webber family joined us last weekend and now my mom and dad are with us. The weather has been fantastic as always and the children have been playing non-stop on the beach or in the pool. Daniel’s efforts were rewarded with the discovery of an octopus in the rock pool earlier today. I’m sure that his love affair with the rock pool in front of this house will cement a lifelong love of the ocean in him.
Since my last post, we have been busy celebrating birthdays. First, Nix and Shelley hosted a party for Georgia, Pauline’s little girl. I have uploaded a photo of Pauline, Nix and Shelley with Georgia and Rebecca sitting on Buzz below (Nix sporting her new look! My mom bought the wig for her which is gorgeous. She felt a little awkward about it at first, but agrees that it helps her children feel less awkward and have to answer fewer questions from their peers, so it is worth it).
I also included a pic of the design she did for Georgia’s
party invite below – just because it is so “Nix”. 2 of
Georgia’s favourite things are the Pony and the Chicken at my mom’s house, hence the “Pony and Chicken” party theme. (The picture of the chicken sitting on the pony is a real pic – taken when our cousin Gen came to visit – she and Nikki have the same effect on animals – they are able to make them do the most unbelievable things and they always get so much enjoyment out of it!)
Last week was Sydney’s 4th birthday. She had her “Hello Kitty” party, which she has been dreaming about for the whole year. My heart melted when she said, “Mommy, thank you so much for making such a lovely party for me”. Makes it all worthwhile, hey?
Since my last post, we have been busy celebrating birthdays. First, Nix and Shelley hosted a party for Georgia, Pauline’s little girl. I have uploaded a photo of Pauline, Nix and Shelley with Georgia and Rebecca sitting on Buzz below (Nix sporting her new look! My mom bought the wig for her which is gorgeous. She felt a little awkward about it at first, but agrees that it helps her children feel less awkward and have to answer fewer questions from their peers, so it is worth it).
I also included a pic of the design she did for Georgia’s
party invite below – just because it is so “Nix”. 2 of
Georgia’s favourite things are the Pony and the Chicken at my mom’s house, hence the “Pony and Chicken” party theme. (The picture of the chicken sitting on the pony is a real pic – taken when our cousin Gen came to visit – she and Nikki have the same effect on animals – they are able to make them do the most unbelievable things and they always get so much enjoyment out of it!)
Last week was Sydney’s 4th birthday. She had her “Hello Kitty” party, which she has been dreaming about for the whole year. My heart melted when she said, “Mommy, thank you so much for making such a lovely party for me”. Makes it all worthwhile, hey?
Nikki has been meeting regularly with 2 lovely ladies, Virginia and Elsha, who have a healing ministry and who are totally committed to seeing her healed and whole. They have been a huge blessing to her. Last Thursday Nix and Queenie went to a life group meeting with them. They prayed for my mom’s arm and it was healed! It is about 90% better. Just some muscle memory issues to work on now then it will be 100% better!!! Just in time to dice with the rocks at Shelley Point again! Don’t worry, wisdom is keeping her well away this time around! On a funny note: My dad said to my mom to tell her humerus this is no longer a joke!
Our church has started a regular day of fasting and prayer every Tuesday on behalf of Nix (with prayer meetings at 7 am and 7 pm at the VCC building – open to anyone who wants to join). It has been such a blessing to her and so wonderful to see how many wonderful friends are committed to seeing her healed. Thank you all.
My soul was so encouraged by the following scripture this week: Psalm 73
“Yet I am always with you, you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Hair today, gone tomorrow (round 2)
I find myself in a place where I am so aware of my need for God every moment of every day and I feel so blessed and rich because I know Him and can feel Him carrying me through my ups and downs as I walk beside my lovely Nix.
I cried buckets today. Not because Nix is sad – never does she seem to camp long enough with self pity to cry over herself or her circumstances. But, this week she began to lose her hair again (Her reply to the assault is, “So what!”). The doctors have warned that this time the hair loss, as a result of the high doses of radiation she received on her brain, will most likely be permanent. So, I feel like I’m mourning the loss of her hair on her behalf. It just seems so cruel that on top of everything else, she be stripped of her hair. To many of us, just this one obstacle would be more than we could handle. To Nikki, it’s just a tiny pebble at the foot of the mountain that she has to face daily.
I suppose it is also a bit of a reality check for me. For some time now, she has seemed her normal self again, with the high doses of cortisone numbing the pain in her body, her hair growing back so thick and strong and her energy levels (boosted by the steroids) urging her to make the most of every opportunity, we have been able to carry on, living for today, probably in a bit of denial – which is actually great for coping on a daily basis.
I share this not because my faith is moved but because I want to be authentic and I want you to know where we are all at as a family. My soul is firmly anchored in God and I still have the peace and assurance that He is in control of everything, as do Nikki and the others. He is not rattled by our emotions. He continues to be the same faithful Father. Again, I am so aware of Philippians 3:8 –
“What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ – the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.”
And of this little quote (not sure whose it is):
“Only one life, it will soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last”
I cried buckets today. Not because Nix is sad – never does she seem to camp long enough with self pity to cry over herself or her circumstances. But, this week she began to lose her hair again (Her reply to the assault is, “So what!”). The doctors have warned that this time the hair loss, as a result of the high doses of radiation she received on her brain, will most likely be permanent. So, I feel like I’m mourning the loss of her hair on her behalf. It just seems so cruel that on top of everything else, she be stripped of her hair. To many of us, just this one obstacle would be more than we could handle. To Nikki, it’s just a tiny pebble at the foot of the mountain that she has to face daily.
I suppose it is also a bit of a reality check for me. For some time now, she has seemed her normal self again, with the high doses of cortisone numbing the pain in her body, her hair growing back so thick and strong and her energy levels (boosted by the steroids) urging her to make the most of every opportunity, we have been able to carry on, living for today, probably in a bit of denial – which is actually great for coping on a daily basis.
I share this not because my faith is moved but because I want to be authentic and I want you to know where we are all at as a family. My soul is firmly anchored in God and I still have the peace and assurance that He is in control of everything, as do Nikki and the others. He is not rattled by our emotions. He continues to be the same faithful Father. Again, I am so aware of Philippians 3:8 –
“What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ – the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.”
And of this little quote (not sure whose it is):
“Only one life, it will soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last”
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Living the High Life...
Nikki has certainly been celebrating life since being back on Cortisone. The steroids have helped to relieve her joint pain so much and she has been moving around so much more easily - she is almost back to the point (joint-wise) that she was at a few years ago before she became ill.
As I mentioned before, Friday was the last day of her radiation program. As usual, she has made such good friends with all of the staff in the radiation unit, she will probably miss her daily trek out to Pinelands to catch up on their latest news. She designed and printed personalised labels on to mugs for each of the staff in the unit to thank them for their amazing care during her time there.
This weekend was very special for us. We had Samantha McKay (was Legg) our lifelong friend (who is more like a sister to us) come and visit from Joburg. It was an adventure down memory lane as we relived some of our loveliest (and more embarrasing) memories from the past.
We lived it up on Saturday - starting with cuppucino at a gorgeous little coffee shop in Chelsea, Wynberg, followed by a stroll along the Greenpoint promenade after which our moms joined us for High Tea at the Mount Nelson! All of our senses were indulged - from the plush sofas to the loveliest live piano music and, of course, the f-o-o-d. As hard as we tried, we were simply incapable of sampling one of everything on offer, but we certainly gave it our best shot!! More fun and laughter as we remembered our childhood and our funnier & scarier moments with our ponies and horses. Here are some pics of us at "The Nellie":
We spent the rest of the evening together at the Boyd's home and then Sam and Sandra joined us again for our traditional family lunch this afternoon at Afton before Sam had flew back to her sweet family in Joburg (sniff, sniff...). It is so good to be around people who know you and whom you know and understand you so well - it's so easy, even though we live far apart - we just pick up where we left off before and it's always so good. Thank you Sammy - you will never know how much it meant to Nix to have you here. Thank you, thank you....xxx
Our friend, Werner Stadler (Natural Photography), has uploaded some of the images of our family photo shoot to his Facebook page. If anyone wants to have a look there, the link is: http://www.facebook.com/#!/album.php?aid=242618&id=597178893
As I mentioned before, Friday was the last day of her radiation program. As usual, she has made such good friends with all of the staff in the radiation unit, she will probably miss her daily trek out to Pinelands to catch up on their latest news. She designed and printed personalised labels on to mugs for each of the staff in the unit to thank them for their amazing care during her time there.
This weekend was very special for us. We had Samantha McKay (was Legg) our lifelong friend (who is more like a sister to us) come and visit from Joburg. It was an adventure down memory lane as we relived some of our loveliest (and more embarrasing) memories from the past.
We lived it up on Saturday - starting with cuppucino at a gorgeous little coffee shop in Chelsea, Wynberg, followed by a stroll along the Greenpoint promenade after which our moms joined us for High Tea at the Mount Nelson! All of our senses were indulged - from the plush sofas to the loveliest live piano music and, of course, the f-o-o-d. As hard as we tried, we were simply incapable of sampling one of everything on offer, but we certainly gave it our best shot!! More fun and laughter as we remembered our childhood and our funnier & scarier moments with our ponies and horses. Here are some pics of us at "The Nellie":
We spent the rest of the evening together at the Boyd's home and then Sam and Sandra joined us again for our traditional family lunch this afternoon at Afton before Sam had flew back to her sweet family in Joburg (sniff, sniff...). It is so good to be around people who know you and whom you know and understand you so well - it's so easy, even though we live far apart - we just pick up where we left off before and it's always so good. Thank you Sammy - you will never know how much it meant to Nix to have you here. Thank you, thank you....xxxOur friend, Werner Stadler (Natural Photography), has uploaded some of the images of our family photo shoot to his Facebook page. If anyone wants to have a look there, the link is: http://www.facebook.com/#!/album.php?aid=242618&id=597178893
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Last Week of Radiation
Nikki has completed the first of 2 weeks of intensive radiation on her brain. This coming week is the last of the radiation after which she will have reached the maximum lifetime dosage for radiation on her brain. SO, please join with us in praying that every ounce and milligram of cancerous tissue is obliterated in her brain with this last week of radiation. Also, please continue to agree that she will keep her hair which is looking so gorgeous and thick - it has grown back completely differently to the hair she had b.c. (before chemotherapy!) which was straight and fine. It is thick and has a slight curl to it and suits her beautifully.
She is struggling a bit with the after-effects of the previous round of radiation on the breast. The skin under her arm is literally black - it is so badly burned and it is very, very painful. The medical staff were a bit alarmed when she showed them what it looked like and have given her some dressings and ointment to apply. Please pray that this will heal and clear up quickly.
She is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING... (as we already know) but anyone who has had the privilege of accompanying her to her daily treatments will testify to this story. She has the most positive outlook of any person I know and carries with her the very strength, joy (the bible says "the joy of the Lord is our strength"!), love and peace of God and is a shining light wherever she goes. Here is just one example (one of many): Our wonderful pastor Mark and I drove her through to hospital for treatment on Thursday and when she entered the waiting area for radiation, she cheerfully greeted all the other patients and staff (as she does) and then sat down next to a gentleman whom she had been chatting to the day before. Within moments his wife (who has cancer and is undergoing radiation treatment) was in tears and clinging to Nix from her wheelchair. When I looked at this lady, I saw fear unlike anything I have ever seen in Nikki or my precious friend Sarah who walked the same road a few years ago (both know/knew peace beyond understanding in spite of their circumstances). It was like she was so desperate to know the peace that Nikki knows and was clinging to her as if her life depended on it. As Nikki began to encourage and pray for this fearful lady, I visibly witnessed the fear leave her and the peace of God flood her body as God ministered is incredible love to her through Nikki. It was amazing, miraculous. And I had the privilege of being part of it and seeing it for myself.
I loved this quote which I read in a book recently:
You do not have to sit outside in the dark.
If, however, you want to look at the stars,
you will find that darkness is required.
The stars neither require it nor demand it.
Anne Dillard
She is struggling a bit with the after-effects of the previous round of radiation on the breast. The skin under her arm is literally black - it is so badly burned and it is very, very painful. The medical staff were a bit alarmed when she showed them what it looked like and have given her some dressings and ointment to apply. Please pray that this will heal and clear up quickly.
She is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING... (as we already know) but anyone who has had the privilege of accompanying her to her daily treatments will testify to this story. She has the most positive outlook of any person I know and carries with her the very strength, joy (the bible says "the joy of the Lord is our strength"!), love and peace of God and is a shining light wherever she goes. Here is just one example (one of many): Our wonderful pastor Mark and I drove her through to hospital for treatment on Thursday and when she entered the waiting area for radiation, she cheerfully greeted all the other patients and staff (as she does) and then sat down next to a gentleman whom she had been chatting to the day before. Within moments his wife (who has cancer and is undergoing radiation treatment) was in tears and clinging to Nix from her wheelchair. When I looked at this lady, I saw fear unlike anything I have ever seen in Nikki or my precious friend Sarah who walked the same road a few years ago (both know/knew peace beyond understanding in spite of their circumstances). It was like she was so desperate to know the peace that Nikki knows and was clinging to her as if her life depended on it. As Nikki began to encourage and pray for this fearful lady, I visibly witnessed the fear leave her and the peace of God flood her body as God ministered is incredible love to her through Nikki. It was amazing, miraculous. And I had the privilege of being part of it and seeing it for myself.
I loved this quote which I read in a book recently:
You do not have to sit outside in the dark.
If, however, you want to look at the stars,
you will find that darkness is required.
The stars neither require it nor demand it.
Anne Dillard
Saturday, July 31, 2010
The Next Two Weeks
I finally had a moment this morning to sit down and chat with my sister (My children and I have been a bit sick this week so I stayed away as I didn't want to infect Nix).
She eventually met with her oncologist yesterday. The course of radiation on the breast finished up yesterday and they have measured and made the mask for the next lot of radiation on her brain. They will start this course of radiation treatment on Monday - high dosage for two weeks. Nikki has been told that this radiation will cause her to lose her hair permanently.
Please pray and believe with us that the radiation would target all of the cancer sites in the brain and that, seeing she is such a rare individual, she would prove to be the exception to the rule and keep her hair!
She eventually met with her oncologist yesterday. The course of radiation on the breast finished up yesterday and they have measured and made the mask for the next lot of radiation on her brain. They will start this course of radiation treatment on Monday - high dosage for two weeks. Nikki has been told that this radiation will cause her to lose her hair permanently.
Please pray and believe with us that the radiation would target all of the cancer sites in the brain and that, seeing she is such a rare individual, she would prove to be the exception to the rule and keep her hair!
Thank you all so much for your many calls, emails, SMS'es etc. You are an amazing encouragement to Nikki, Adrian and all the family. Nikki absolutely loves her friends and staying in contact is very important to her, but sometimes it can be a bit difficult for her to reply for a number of reasons.
Psalm 121:
I lift up my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip - he who watches over you will not slumber,
indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you -
the Lord is your shade at your right hand,
the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm -
He will watch over your life,
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
Psalm 121:
I lift up my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip - he who watches over you will not slumber,
indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you -
the Lord is your shade at your right hand,
the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm -
He will watch over your life,
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Days in the Sun
The last few days have been draining but really special too. Nikki's oncologist has been on leave and will only be back tomorrow. She will meet with him to discuss the way forward with her treatment after her regular radiation session in the morning. So we are still no clearer yet on what is to happen from here. Please keep them in your prayers as they meet with the doctors again tomorrow. We pray that God's peace and love would overwhelm them.
Nikki and Adrian took their children with them to her radiation session on Friday and let them watch what was happenning to mommy - they had lots of questions and a nice honest chat time. They then took them up Table Mountain and had a day of fun together. What amazes me is the special grace that God gives the children to handle things like this. It's like they are in a bubble of His protection and, while they are aware of the reality of things, their little hearts are so peaceful, joyful, accepting and trusting.
Today was a beautiful day. Bright and sparkling, windless and warm. Our friends, Werner and Liesl Stadler so kindly offered to take photos of the family. In all of our wanderings together, we have managed to get absolutely NO photographs of the extended "Spengler-clan" all together, all looking in the same direction! So today was the day we set that right. They started early with Nix, Adrian and the kids, and then my parents and our family joined them on the beach. We then moved on to the common to finish up the shoot. We spent the rest of the afternoon braaiing at Afton. Our cousin Greg and his family joined us there for some catch-up time which was lovely.
Nix was amazing - kept going all day through it all (she reckons she might as well make the most of the steroids!). Her headaches and eyesight have been better since the doc gave her more cortisone to reduce the swelling. Added bonus - her joints are so much better too. She is so strong and looks so gorgeous, no-one would think she was battling this enormous battle.
We continue to hope in our God, our strength and our healer. We trust Him and continue to ask him for Nikki's complete healing - that He may be glorified in this.
Nikki and Adrian took their children with them to her radiation session on Friday and let them watch what was happenning to mommy - they had lots of questions and a nice honest chat time. They then took them up Table Mountain and had a day of fun together. What amazes me is the special grace that God gives the children to handle things like this. It's like they are in a bubble of His protection and, while they are aware of the reality of things, their little hearts are so peaceful, joyful, accepting and trusting.
Today was a beautiful day. Bright and sparkling, windless and warm. Our friends, Werner and Liesl Stadler so kindly offered to take photos of the family. In all of our wanderings together, we have managed to get absolutely NO photographs of the extended "Spengler-clan" all together, all looking in the same direction! So today was the day we set that right. They started early with Nix, Adrian and the kids, and then my parents and our family joined them on the beach. We then moved on to the common to finish up the shoot. We spent the rest of the afternoon braaiing at Afton. Our cousin Greg and his family joined us there for some catch-up time which was lovely.
Nix was amazing - kept going all day through it all (she reckons she might as well make the most of the steroids!). Her headaches and eyesight have been better since the doc gave her more cortisone to reduce the swelling. Added bonus - her joints are so much better too. She is so strong and looks so gorgeous, no-one would think she was battling this enormous battle.
We continue to hope in our God, our strength and our healer. We trust Him and continue to ask him for Nikki's complete healing - that He may be glorified in this.
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