It's been a frustrating few weeks with technology - our ADSL line has been giving us grief so, once again, I have not been able to update the blog for a while.
Nikki is due to go for her next course of Chemo on Thursday this week. She usually goes on a Wednesday but not this week because of the public holiday. We're so glad it worked out that way as our special friends, Rod, Val and Natalie are visiting from the USA and will be in Cape Town on Wednesday so we will all get together to see them then. Val's humour is always like medicine to us and we look forward to a good dose of laughter therapy!!
Our most recent news is that Nikki met with her Rheumatologist about a week and a half ago and he was very concerned about the development of the arthritis in her feet. He sent her for x rays as he was convinced there was permanent damage in the joints. But he phoned Nikki last week with the results of the tests and said that the x rays showed absolutely no permanent damage in the joints, which was very surprising to him. Praise our God!!
Other than that, Nikki continues to struggle with pain, inflammationa nd stiffness in her joints daily. Usually mornings are worst so she has continued to rest in the morning and seems to be better on most days in the afternoon.
She has had very few side effects from the chemotherapy other than hair loss and hot flushes, but her greatest struggle (physically) is with the arthritis which is relentless, so please continue to pray into this area. We continue to stand firm and beleive our God for her complete healing. As always, thank you for standing with us. Here is a photo of Nix at Daniel's 5th bithday party.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Friday, December 4, 2009
Clay therapy
We've had some trouble with our home internet connection this week - so apologies for the lack of updates and info over the last few days.
On Monday a group of us went through to the Clay Cafe in Hout Bay where we spent the morning chatting over coffee while painting our chosen clay items. It really was such an enjoyable morning and made us realise how important it is to take time out every now and then just to get away and have some fun together. Because this walk with Nix is so intense, it really was therapy! Thank you so much Loren for organising it. Below is a pic of us with our creations, which still need to be fired when the true colours will develop. So they look rather uninspiring in this pic (maybe I should include an "after pic" when they are done!). In this photo are: Nikki, Tania, Loren, Eve and Natalie
Yesterday was Nikki & Adrian's 9th wedding anniversary and they went out to dinner to celebrate. Adrian spoiled Nix with a beautiful eternity ring which she absolutely loves!
Nikki has been feeling better the last few days, apart from some nausea following the rich food last night at the Food Barn (she has been following a very strict diet of mostly raw veg, fruit, nuts and grilled fish or chicken over the past few months but decided to abandon that ship last night - with good reason) She said that the food was so delicious, it was worth it!
Nikki met with her rheumatologist again today and after her consultation, he sent her for more x-rays. She was pretty exhausted after the afternoon at the hospital so I still need to chat to her to get the news on the appointment and the latest news from Dr G.
Other than that, the week has flown past in a haze of year end functions and school activities. The end of the year is in full view now!
This scripture is just beautiful. It is only God who can give us true hope, joy and peace and it is amazing to be able to tap into those gifts and experience His hope, joy and peace on a daily basis:
Romans 15:13
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
On Monday a group of us went through to the Clay Cafe in Hout Bay where we spent the morning chatting over coffee while painting our chosen clay items. It really was such an enjoyable morning and made us realise how important it is to take time out every now and then just to get away and have some fun together. Because this walk with Nix is so intense, it really was therapy! Thank you so much Loren for organising it. Below is a pic of us with our creations, which still need to be fired when the true colours will develop. So they look rather uninspiring in this pic (maybe I should include an "after pic" when they are done!). In this photo are: Nikki, Tania, Loren, Eve and Natalie
Yesterday was Nikki & Adrian's 9th wedding anniversary and they went out to dinner to celebrate. Adrian spoiled Nix with a beautiful eternity ring which she absolutely loves!
Nikki has been feeling better the last few days, apart from some nausea following the rich food last night at the Food Barn (she has been following a very strict diet of mostly raw veg, fruit, nuts and grilled fish or chicken over the past few months but decided to abandon that ship last night - with good reason) She said that the food was so delicious, it was worth it!
Nikki met with her rheumatologist again today and after her consultation, he sent her for more x-rays. She was pretty exhausted after the afternoon at the hospital so I still need to chat to her to get the news on the appointment and the latest news from Dr G.
Other than that, the week has flown past in a haze of year end functions and school activities. The end of the year is in full view now!
This scripture is just beautiful. It is only God who can give us true hope, joy and peace and it is amazing to be able to tap into those gifts and experience His hope, joy and peace on a daily basis:
Romans 15:13
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Super-Dan Day!
Oh what fun it is to be a child!! It was Daniel's 5th birthday and his Superman (Super-Dan) party today. As has become the tradition, we all congregated at Afton Grove to celebrate the latest important birthday in our lives. Precious Daniel is rather taken with Superman and Nikki did an unbelievable job with the party. The children feasted and then hunted for treasure using crypic codes from outer space and the main attraction - pièce de résistance - was the birthday cake, a chocolate dome covered with Smarties and Astros which Daniel had to smash open with a hammer in order to reveal the cake and "sweet treasures" inside. It was a great success and we all feel like we had a good dose of fun and sugar today!
I am constantly amazed and humbled by the strength that Nikki shows though this walk. Just this week, I have found a new appreciation for my sister. I managed to develop a pinched nerve while running last weekend and have been walking around with a nagging pain in my lower back and right leg for the last week. It is so debilitating and at times I find that I feel quite irritable just because I feel so drained by the ever-present pain. But whenever I feel my small pain, I am reminded of my beautiful sister who lives in a state of constant inflammation and severe pain and who walks so gracefully through it all. She just blows me away! It has served as a reminder to me to continually lift her up in prayer.
While out for lunch yesterday, I bumped into an artist friend and was so touched by her story. She (along with so many others) has been praying for Nikki, but said that in the past week, as she prayed, she felt led to listen to a song which she knows is special to Nikki and has helped carry her a long way on this journey. As she listened and prayed, she was so inspired that she began to paint - she painted and painted - and produced a number of beautiful works of art (I think she said 5) through the week as she was inspired.
I have included the lyrics of the song below:
"Voice Of Truth" - Casting Crowns
Oh what I would do to have
The kind of faith it takes to climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
To the realm of the unknown - where Jesus is
And He's holding out his hand
But the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again, "Boy, you'll never win! You'll never win"
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
And the voice of truth says "Do not be afraid!"
And the voice of truth says "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
Oh what I would do to have
The kind of strength it takes to stand before a giant
With just a sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors
Shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand
But the giant's calling out my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
Time and time again, "Boy, you'll never win! You'll never win"
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
And the voice of truth says "Do not be afraid!"
And the voice of truth says "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
But the stone was just the right size
To put the giant on the ground
And the waves they don't seem so high
From on top of them looking down
I will soar with the wings of eagles
When I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
Singing over me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
I am constantly amazed and humbled by the strength that Nikki shows though this walk. Just this week, I have found a new appreciation for my sister. I managed to develop a pinched nerve while running last weekend and have been walking around with a nagging pain in my lower back and right leg for the last week. It is so debilitating and at times I find that I feel quite irritable just because I feel so drained by the ever-present pain. But whenever I feel my small pain, I am reminded of my beautiful sister who lives in a state of constant inflammation and severe pain and who walks so gracefully through it all. She just blows me away! It has served as a reminder to me to continually lift her up in prayer.
While out for lunch yesterday, I bumped into an artist friend and was so touched by her story. She (along with so many others) has been praying for Nikki, but said that in the past week, as she prayed, she felt led to listen to a song which she knows is special to Nikki and has helped carry her a long way on this journey. As she listened and prayed, she was so inspired that she began to paint - she painted and painted - and produced a number of beautiful works of art (I think she said 5) through the week as she was inspired.
I have included the lyrics of the song below:
"Voice Of Truth" - Casting Crowns
Oh what I would do to have
The kind of faith it takes to climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
To the realm of the unknown - where Jesus is
And He's holding out his hand
But the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again, "Boy, you'll never win! You'll never win"
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
And the voice of truth says "Do not be afraid!"
And the voice of truth says "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
Oh what I would do to have
The kind of strength it takes to stand before a giant
With just a sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors
Shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand
But the giant's calling out my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
Time and time again, "Boy, you'll never win! You'll never win"
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
And the voice of truth says "Do not be afraid!"
And the voice of truth says "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
But the stone was just the right size
To put the giant on the ground
And the waves they don't seem so high
From on top of them looking down
I will soar with the wings of eagles
When I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
Singing over me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Chemo Day
Today was Nikki's 5th round of chemo and things seem to have gone well with the treatment. They used a larger needle and managed to find a vein easily this time. The chemo was all done by 2.30 pm! This was a record for her as she is usually the last person in the ward. So it was a relief to finish up a little earlier today. She is feeling strong and even managed to do some shopping with Daniel and Hilda this afternoon before heading home. Long may it last!
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Chemo Countdown...
Lovely lazy Sunday again... We spent the afternoon with the family at Afton Grove. The children were so excited to spot the resident Goshawk on her nest in the Bluegum tree near the chicken run (keeping an eye on the prize at all times!) Pops put the telescope up so they could all get a really good look at the bird. They never tire of the fun to be had at Afton and managed to find a new Chameleon too. They have decided to decorate their treehouse for Christmas this year - that will keep them busy for the next while.
Nix has been really battling with sore joints over the last few days and looks quite tired. She has been battling to sleep at night too which is no good for the joints - so it's a vicious cycle sometimes. It has been a long and painful journey and even though she is still unbelievably strong, it can take it's toll on her every now and again. Anything is more challenging when you are sleep-deprived too. Please could we ask you to keep her in your prayers and ask God to bless her with sweet sleep and to restore her energy, especially for the coming week.
Proverbs 3:24
"If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet".
The week ahead is another busy one with her next Chemo treatment scheduled for this Wednesday, so please keep her in your prayers ahead of that. She will go for blood tests as usual on Tuesday to determine whether she will be able to go ahead with treatment on Wednesday so we are praying for another good report with the tests so that she can continue without any hiccups or delays.
Daniel's 5th birthday is planned for next Sunday, the 29th, and Nix will be doing a fair amount of party planning and preparation ahead of that (we will help her, but she loves to do it and is so good at it - she always puts her original and unconventional spin on things) so please pray that she will be strong and fit for the party and all that comes with it. We pray that she will be able to really enjoy it with her precious little boy.
Mark 11:24
"Whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them."
This passage of scripture and accompanying study notes (below) have meant so much to me in the past week, and I would like to share them with all of you too:
2 Corinthians 4:7
"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies."
Study Notes: But we - Not only the apostles, but all true believers. Have this treasure - Of divine light, love, glory. In earthen vessels - In frail, feeble, perishing bodies. He proceeds to show, that afflictions, yea, death itself, are so far from hindering the ministration of the Spirit, that they even further it, sharpen the ministers, and increase the fruit. That the excellence of the power, which works these in us, may undeniably appear to be of God.
Nix has been really battling with sore joints over the last few days and looks quite tired. She has been battling to sleep at night too which is no good for the joints - so it's a vicious cycle sometimes. It has been a long and painful journey and even though she is still unbelievably strong, it can take it's toll on her every now and again. Anything is more challenging when you are sleep-deprived too. Please could we ask you to keep her in your prayers and ask God to bless her with sweet sleep and to restore her energy, especially for the coming week.
Proverbs 3:24
"If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet".
The week ahead is another busy one with her next Chemo treatment scheduled for this Wednesday, so please keep her in your prayers ahead of that. She will go for blood tests as usual on Tuesday to determine whether she will be able to go ahead with treatment on Wednesday so we are praying for another good report with the tests so that she can continue without any hiccups or delays.
Daniel's 5th birthday is planned for next Sunday, the 29th, and Nix will be doing a fair amount of party planning and preparation ahead of that (we will help her, but she loves to do it and is so good at it - she always puts her original and unconventional spin on things) so please pray that she will be strong and fit for the party and all that comes with it. We pray that she will be able to really enjoy it with her precious little boy.
Mark 11:24
"Whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them."
This passage of scripture and accompanying study notes (below) have meant so much to me in the past week, and I would like to share them with all of you too:
2 Corinthians 4:7
"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies."
Study Notes: But we - Not only the apostles, but all true believers. Have this treasure - Of divine light, love, glory. In earthen vessels - In frail, feeble, perishing bodies. He proceeds to show, that afflictions, yea, death itself, are so far from hindering the ministration of the Spirit, that they even further it, sharpen the ministers, and increase the fruit. That the excellence of the power, which works these in us, may undeniably appear to be of God.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Good Times
We celebrated Adrian and Queenie's (our mom's nickname) birthdays with breakfast at the Twelve Apostles Hotel this morning - where we indulged on oysters and champagne to start, followed by almost everything under the sun and ending with jellytots and smarties! A good time was had by all and everyone was ready for a fat siesta after all that. This afternoon the grandies got together for present opening and tea at Afton with the Queen (that nickname again!) Here are some photos taken at breakfast. For those who dont know, in the bottom photo are (L-R) Chris, Eve, Sydney (others were at school), Nix, Adrian, Louise (aka Queenie), Hilda and Andy (Adrian's folks). Tuesday, November 17, 2009
2 Special Birthdays
Yikes! I CAN NOT believe it's been 10 days since my last post. Last week went by in a whirlwind - Pete was away and our little Megan took part in her very first concert, a ballet concert where she was a mouse in a Cat and Mouse dance (which lasted about 1 min 15 seconds in total) but to her, she was the world's most important ballerina mouse! She loved every minute but is paying the price now with exhaustion after all the late nights (the life of a starlet!)
Nix has had her ups and downs as always. She has had some very challenging days this last week,but continues to be strong in spirit and in wit. I spent this afternoon with her - wrapping and trying to hide awkwardly shaped presents for Mom and Adrian's birthdays - both tomorrow. (Can you believe it? Adrian's brother shares a birthday with our Dad too...strange...?)
In all of this, we are convinced that "nothing can seperate us from the love of God" (Rom 8:39) which we continue to feel tangibly every day.
Lamentations 3:22
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end, they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Nix has had her ups and downs as always. She has had some very challenging days this last week,but continues to be strong in spirit and in wit. I spent this afternoon with her - wrapping and trying to hide awkwardly shaped presents for Mom and Adrian's birthdays - both tomorrow. (Can you believe it? Adrian's brother shares a birthday with our Dad too...strange...?)
In all of this, we are convinced that "nothing can seperate us from the love of God" (Rom 8:39) which we continue to feel tangibly every day.
Lamentations 3:22
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end, they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
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