"Hail the heaven-born Prince of peace!

Hail the Son of righteousness!

Life and light to all He brings,

Risen with healing in His wings." (Charles Wesley)

What powerful words!

Christmas is come and gone and tomorrow morning, the Holloways are off to the spectacular Cederberg, where we will be camping for 2 weeks. 2010 is nearly done and, this morning, I was reflecting on the kindness of the Lord for all the special times spent together in 2010 and for this Christmas. It was such a precious time with our families, with memories to cherish forever. I am so tuly thankful for these times. This scripture echoes my thoughts and feelings so nicely,

"I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord, the deeds for which He is to be praised, according to all the Lord has done for us - yes, the many good things He has done for the house of Israel, according to His compassion and many kindnesses" Isaiah 63:7

So, the next blog update will most likely be in 2011, from a revitalised, refreshed me :-) There is something in that mountain water, I tell you. I think everybody could do with a dose of it! Until then, keep believing in the One who brings life and light and who has risen with healing in His wings!

I love Christmas time! Especially the excitement of the children who are busy decorating their treehouse at Afton with their home and school-made decorations, play acting "Mary and Joseph" stories, looking out everywhere for Christmas trees and lights, singing their version of "Joy to the World"... Mostly, because we are on holiday and we get to spend so much time playing and being together.

It's been 3 weeks since my operation and I am making a slow but steady recovery. Still battling to see properly out of my left eye and my face is still partially paralyzed on the left side but every day is a little closer to "normal". Pete bought me a funky little netbook so I am enjoying updating the blog from the comfort of my bed! Yay - what a man!

Nix (there is not a "normal" word to describe her!) is doing well being her vibrant self. She went for her regular dose of chemo last week where her oncologist told her that the medical aid have stopped the funding for her regular breast chemo (Hercepton) after seeing the results of her last liver CT. She has been taking regular 3 weekly infusions of this chemo since she was diagnosed in August 2009. This is obviously not great news but the Doc is going to try to motivate for Nikki to go on to an alternative chemo to target the cancer at the source in the breast tissue. The alternative will most likely be an oral chemo. She will also continue with the regular infusions of Zometa (for bone strengthening) and the other oral chemo that she has recently started to target the sites in the liver. Initially, the Hercepton worked really well and managed to clear the breast and liver really nicely. But because of the pain in Nikki's joints as a result of her over active immune system, Doctors suggested she try another type of chemotherapy (Mabthera) which is given in 6 monthly doses and shuts down a part of the immune system. This was a trial (there is no other documented case of dual treatment with this drug together with Hercepton - in fact, I am not sure if there is any other documented case of Nikki's condition!) and, although the Mabthera seemed to have worked well to ease the pain in Nikki's joints significantly, the general feeling is that her own over active immune system was actually working really well together with the Hercepton initially to keep the cancer at bay. By shutting down the immune system with the Mabthera, it caused the cancer to spread significantly.

Nikki continues to say that this news doesn't scare her. In fact, the disease doesn't scare her one bit. Her faith is not in the medicine anyway. She refuses to feel sorry for herself (which I think is the most amazing thing as she spends a lot of time alone and in pain and has plenty opportunity). If she feels sore, she o-c-c-a-s-i-o-n-a-l-l-y allows herself a minute or two to cry (because she is human) and then decides to get up and carry on with life. A good cry can sometimes make you feel much better but self pity or worrying about things won't help or change the situation at all. We can choose our attitude in all things and Nikki has chosen to keep a good attitude and to keep her eyes on the Lord- trusting Him in all things. It is just the most amazing lesson to us all.

Thank you once again for your faithful love, friendship, support and prayers over the past year. We once again ask that you would continue to carry us all in your prayers and continue to believe our God for a miracle of complete healing and restoration for our lovely Nix.

Over the festive season remember... Jesus was born to bring "peace on the earth and goodwill to men" and Christmas time is often exactly the opposite - chaos and greed and more... I pray that you may know the incredible blessing of His love and peace at this special time, of the hope that we have in Him, and may you be blessed beyond measure in your families and relationships.

ME again

Hello All! - It's me again
... (if you think this picture is funny, you should see the original - it's even better - it's got Daniels head where the writing is)
I wanted to update the blog to let you know about Eve's op that she was going in for the following day, but she beat me to it, being as on-the-ball as she is. So I'll give you all an update now... (10 days into recovery)
She's doing okay, but trying to do too much in my opinion - shopping, ballet recitals for her girls..etc. and It's only because we all are comfortable in knowing that Eve is a really gorgeous gal, that I will let you in on this next bit... that there's probably a good reason her doctor advised her 'not to be in the public eye' for about 3 weeks (not that I'm one to worry much about looks, or what people think) but she does look VERY different to her normal self - and somewhat (to put it mildly) strange, especially when she laughs and smiles - as she always does. She blinks with the one eye only and her mouth does something really special when she smiles! I've advised her (mostly for the sake of the children at school - who won't understand her situation) to wear her sunglasses and try not to seem happy, as she looks much more normal like this, but when she fetches her little Megs from school, there she goes... smiling from ear to... shoulder!? she can't help being her genuine, gorgeous self, so we'll go easy on her. She has seen her doctor since the op, and he is happy that the nerve is still functioning well. So the paralysis is only temporary - YAY for pretty Evie!!
She is still feeling nauseous, so please pray for her that that will ease-up.

News from my side:
Firstly, Thank you to Eve, for being so faithful and consistent with regular updates to the blog. Quite an undertaking, given the busy life she leads (including looking after my sweet kids very often).
Secondly, Thank you to everyone who has blessed us through the Alabaster Fund - it is REALLY HARD accepting money from people, and Adrian and I still feel very awkward, but want you to know that we appreciate so much all the contributions various people have made, you have given so generously, and we hope you are immensely BLESSED in return.

Now, news on me: I'm doing okay... to try to make it as clear as mud (at the same time not boring you with all the details) I will try my best to fill you in: In short, i am currently on 4 different Chemotherapy drugs. I am still going for chemo every 3 weeks, where I receive 2 different 'ongoing meds' they have me on, one to hold back the cancer (Hercepton) and one for bone strengthening (with anti-cancer properties -zometa). The 3rd Chemo I recently started on is an oral one, to control the recent events in the ol' Liver - but it's making me feel rather yuk and (shudder) nAuSEouS. I have almost completed 3 cycles and have 3 more cycles to go. It's been great to bring down some of that BEAUTIFUL Cortisone weight, but boy, it can really make you feel bad. I'm also really tired most of the time, so that's been rather boring. The 4th Chemo that I'm on is for the Arthritis, and it's only administered every 6 months. Since this is possibly the drug which, because it shuts down part of your immune system, could be the reason the cancer flared since I took it in May - I am hesitating at the thought of taking it again. I went to see my Rheumatologist yesterday, and he agreed that now would not be the best time to take it (although i am due the next dose, and my joints have really benefited from it) he suggested (now that I was eventually was off cortisone after being on it for over 2 and a half years) that I start with the cortisone again, just to help the (now jolly sore) joints again.
SO IN SHORT, I've started on a lowish dose of Cortisone, so now at least I have an appetite again, but when i see the food - Bllaaaahhh (shudder) - yip, the nausea is still there... a rather strange combination - never a dull moment, hey?

This post is getting a bit long - so I'll sign off for now, but will try post another story soon, with exciting news about the sweet kiddies! Cute little things - SO excited it's holidays, and CANT believe my little Hannah is FINISHED grade1! - What an awesome opportunity to witness the whole year of my little special Hannah's first year of big school - it has been such a privilege to watch her grow and develop in so many areas - I always thought i'd be in denial and be an emotional wreck to see my little one trot off to big school, but I now see through different eyes. What an awesome priveledge - every little milestone is an honour to witness, especially when they are so excited about them - no need to be sad that they are growing up.. it's a joy to just be part of them growing up!

Thank you to ALL of you for your support, it really speaks volumes to see how much people love and care for each other

Nikki

10 Wedding Anniversary

Today is Adrian and Nikki's 10th wedding Anniversary! A special day to celebrate and that is what they are doing tonight. Nix has had a fairly good week, although she's feeling a bit sore again in her joints these days. She spent yesterday taking photographs for the SA Riding for the Disabled Christmas Party and felt it today in her joints. She spent most of today resting so that she could enjoy a nice dinner out with her hubby tonight. She has enjoyed having me be the patient for a change this week and made the most of spoiling me with flowers and treats!

Just an update on me: I am back home again. All went very well with the operation and the doctor is very happy with everything. As expected, the left half of my face is temporarily paralysed and expressionless so it looks so strange when I smile. The right side of my face looks normal while the other side looks deadpan and expressionless. This is due to the extensive work they did on the facial nerve and muscle. I will be like this for the next few weeks most likely. There is a significant amount of swelling in my face now a few days after the op. I am not able to close my left eye so it gets quite dry and blurry and I have trouble seeing properly so the 20 novels I had stacked up to read in my "off time" are still lying untouched! SO - the only thing to do is to lie down and sl-e-e-e-p. There is really nothing like this for resting, so I am making the most of it! Here is a photo of my beautiful new look: (taken the day after the op - I have swollen up a lot more since then - in fact my nose and teeth are well right of the centre line right now! eek).

Try this: put your hand over the right side of the pic and everything looks "normal". Then compare that to the other side - freaky!

The doc says that the tumour was bigger than he thought (about 2cm diameter) and it was attached to the muscle and the facial nerve was being pushed aside and growing around it. He said it was very good that we did the op now rather than waiting - the bigger it gets the more difficult the op. The tumour was tested and found to be benign - so that's good news. Now just patiently waiting for it all to heal. Thank you so much for all your prayers and good wishes and to our Father, the Master Physician for faithfully watching over the whole operation.

Nikki has had a good week. (Our cousin Genevieve arrived from Australia this week to visit for 6 weeks - that always does wonders for the spirit!) Nikki had her regular 3-weekly dose of chemo last Thursday. She has been struggling with an irritating infection in her toenail for the last little while. Her oncologist recommended she had the GP cut it out so, on Friday, she went hobbling off to the GP to have a little "op" on her toenail which went well other than the awful experience of having a long needle jabbed directly into the infected nail bed (not dissimilar to torture I imagine).

On Tuesday, my dad's brother, Robin, came to visit from Worcester and we spent the most wonderful afternoon walking on the land where my dad and Uncle Robin grew up as little boys. Most of the old 15 hectare farm is now public open space. They were like 2 little boys walking around and finding the old well, the river, orchards and foundations of the many buildings that stood there in their time. They even managed to find their old tree house. Because the trees have grown a bit in 50 years, the tree house was much higher up than it used to be. Daniel still managed to get to it though but nobody else was quite as brave!

Nix has spent some good time with Gen this week and today, we spent the day with the extended family (on my mom's side) at Afton Grove, where all the 2nd cousins got to play together and the 1st cousins, aunts and uncles got to catch up. Lots of food, lots of chatting and (as always) LOTS of laughing!

Tomorrow is fisherman Dan's 6th birthday and the ONLY thing he wants to do for his birthday is go fishing (no party or fuss), so that is what he is doing. They will be heading out to the trout farm in Du Toit's Kloof for the day. Then coming home for pressies and cake at Afton in the afternoon. Yay!

This Tuesday, I will be going in for an operation myself (YIPPEE!!! ...Not). I have a benign tumour in my parotid (salivary) gland on the side of my face which I need to have removed. I found the tumour more than a year ago (the same week that Nix was diagnosed with cancer) and decided to follow a period of natural detox before going for surgery. I have been through the whole detox process and am now at the point where I feel it would be best to remove it (if God doesn't first! I'm still believing for that - first prize!). The op is a fairly intricate procedure as they will have to "peel" the tumour off the very delicate facial nerve. Soooo - I would really be thankful for your prayers in this regard. I will be in hospital for 1 or 2 nights and home to recover afterwards. Because I am not sick and the cut is on my face, I will be able to be quite mobile and return to "normal" life fairly soon and I should recover fairly quickly. I thank God that He is my peace and that I have Him and therefore have peace in all these things. He promises to be present in my life, to strengthen me, help me, hold and protect me. What more do I need than Him?

Psalm 145: 18 "The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth."

Hi All

Just a quick update - life has been so busy lately (end of year madness) and I have not had a minute to sit down and update the blog in about 2 weeks!

Nikki has been doing well, although she's been experiencing lots of headaches lately. She feels quite nauseous on the new oral chemotherapy. Being the funny person she is - she remarked the other day..."Oh guess what, I forgot to tell you the great news about this new drug....Hair loss is not a side effect!" Wonderful! - now that radiation has done away with her shiny locks, she happens to find herself on a drug that has no hair loss as one of it's main selling features!

Through the generosity of some of our wonderful friends in the Valley, Nikki has started horseriding again (her dream) at SARDA (the South African Riding for the Disabled Association) after much negotiation with her doctors. She seems to be fine apart from her ankle joints taking a bit of strain. She was walking around on their most "bomb proof" horse last Thursday and almost managed to fall off when something fell over in the corner of the field and the horse spooked. She zoned in on the neck strap and hung on with all her might. All she could think was "You CAN NOT fall". The bones in her neck are so brittle and weakened now after all the chemo into the bone that falling could have very serious consequences. But it just goes to show that it doesn't matter how "bomb proof" a horse is, it is still another animal with a mind, will and emotion all of it's own!

We celebrate both Adrian and our Mom's birthdays in the coming week (both on Thursday) and Daniel's at the end of the month. Then, Nikki and Adrian's 10th wedding anniversary is coming up on the 3rd December. Daniel, Megan and Sydney are doing their annual Nativity Play on Saturday morning which they have been practicing hard for and which they are so excited about. So it's go, go, go.

For anyone who would like to join the weekly prayer meeting at VCC for Nikki, the time has been changed to 5.30 am every Tuesday (so that more people can make it).

Yesterday, in church, Nikki felt she needed to stand up and testify and to encourage the people to trust in God in every situation, no matter what things looked like.

Proverbs 3:5 says:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight"

As she stood up to testify, all the lights and sound in the church went out (due to a general power failure) and blackness surrounded us. There are no windows for natural light in the main auditorium so you can imagine how dark it was. It was such a vivid and graphic picture of what our enemy, Satan, is attempting to do - to drive us into or to keep us in a place of darkness / blackness / depression and fear. He attempts to steal our faith and even our testimony of God's goodness in our lives by keeping us in a place of self pity. Nikki decided that the blackout would not deter her and that she would stand up and testify anyway. She shared frankly about her disease and prognosis and where her faith and trust is. It was powerful. Many people were touched by her testimony and she had the opportunity to pray with them and encourage them after she spoke. What a brave and courageous warrior she is! (Her name means "victory of the people" - apt)

It has been said that God uses times like these to test our faith in Him. How do we respond in times of difficulty - do we run to God or away from Him. Do we blame Him or do we trust Him. Where is our faith? Whom do we trust? What do we really beleive? Nikki and Adrian leave no doubt about what and whom they beleive and this belief has been the key to the grace and peace that has covered them through the last 3 years.

As I mentioned in a previous blog post, a few weekends ago, Nix and Adrian were blessed with a weekend of pampering at the beautiful Bon Cap Wine Estate in Robertson. They were blown away by the kindness and generosity of the people who own and manage the place. I thought that I would include a copy of the latest newsletter sent out from Bon Cap to their clients as they write lots about the sweet Boyds in the post. Nix helped them put together a banner for the newsletter - as she does so well. So here it is...

October 2010

A few weekends ago we were blessed to meet the most amazing family with strength of character and a positive attitude towards life.

They (and I am referring to them as it is not an individual battle but one faced by the entire family) have been on a rollercoaster ride over the past 2 and a half years.

What started as a condition diagnosed as Adult onset Still’s disease (an auto-immune disease and a type of Rheumatoid Arthritis) It turned out a year later that not only did she have the Arthritis condition, but that Nikki had a very rare type of ‘inflammatory’ breast cancer which was in the tissue and not contained in a lump, as cancer would usually present itself. After extensive tests, it was discovered that the cancer had already spread into her lymph, bone and liver - and that it could have been there for anything up to 2 years. Whether this was the cause of the Arthritis or not, remains unclear, all they know is they are fighting 2 different diseases; One that needs immune suppressants to control it effectively, while the other, needs the immune system boosted to fight the cancer effectively. So the Clash of drugs and decisions regarding which ones to take and which ones not to take remains their biggest challenge.

A few weeks before we met her, Nikki started having some unusual symptoms like visual disturbances, `severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, forgetting things and dropping things. So the doctors ordered a brain MRI. It was at this point that they received the next shock: the cancer had spread to her brain, where they found several inoperable tumors. The doctors suggested radiation treatment along with a course of steroids to ease the symptoms – she did both and has now completed the course.

She is determined to fight this awful disease, and is determined to come out stronger. What she tells the doctors is that her mother was healed miraculously of colon cancer when she was 39, and she trusts it will be the same for her - so they’ll have that to leave as a legend for their children… That …with God, they can beat this - and the Cancer doesn’t need to win.
They are very blessed in that they have the full support of friends and family rallying around them to help in any which way they can – and for this they are immensely grateful.

In a small effort of support, Bon Cap invited the family to spend two sun filled days on the farm. After recently discovering cancerous spots on the liver (which was clear at the beginning of the year) we believed that an all expenses covered trip for the family to spend some time with each other, celebrating life, and everything that it is meant to be, might be just what the doctor ordered. Clean country air, scrumptious meals, organic wine, decaffeinated coffee could do any individual some good in this fast paced, stressful world of ours and no one is more deserving then Nikki Boyd and her family.

The family got the chance to celebrate Hannah’s seventh birthday while on Bon cap with a cake, happy birthday sing along by staff, balloons and a hearty Farm styled breakfast to start the day with – fit for any princess - before heading home, cake in tail, to supportive friends, family and sister at home.

To read more on the incredible walk Nikki has been going through please have a look at a blog site which was setup and is regularly updated by her (very special) sister, Eve. Here is the address if you are interested: http://nikkiboyd.blogspot.com

Nikki, you are in our thoughts and prayers. Please come and visit us again soon.

Bon Cap team.