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March 31, 2007
Seriously?
Seriously? Is THIS what a guy, half way through chemo is supposed to look like? Is it normal that my appetite is SO huge these days? Is it normal, that I am jumping up and down, running around, talking to Todd on the IM and in my "sports stance" (as Jen says), during the game? To God be the Glory, great things He is doing!!! I'm excited and raring to go for Round 3 on Monday! I can't wait to see what people I'm on assignment to meet this next week! Blessed, JB
Posted by chasyrdrmz at 08:56 PM | Comments (0)
March 29, 2007
The Full Cancer Story 2007 Part 1
So, here are all the details of the healing story, the second time around. If you are just joining the Miracle Journey, you can read about the first time God healed me from cancer in 2005 on the right hand column. Just click the link and there are all the entries.
Thanksgiving weekend, 2006. I had been trying to get into City of Hope for a follow-up CT Scan for a few months. Jen and I had trial after trial- messed up appointments, prescriptions not sent to us, getting stuck in the "phone tree" trying to get ahold of someone who could get in touch with our doctor, etc. Long story short, we were not able to get an appointment.
It was Saturday and I went to pick up the sweet Audi convertable that I am leasing for my new Real Estate and Mortgage company. I started feeling massive pressure in my lower stomach and kidneys. It would not go away. I had been exercising and running during this time, so, part of me thought that it was a muscle strain, but it would not go away. After 8-10 hours of pain, my amazing wife literally forced me to go to the emergency room. This was around midnight.
I have always hated hospitals. This is something that God has literally taken me through- step by step. Amazing. We went to Little Company of Mary Hospital, just down the street from us. Long story short, Jen and I were there for over 8 hours. They gave me morphene for pain, made me sit around for 6 hours and then gave me a CT scan at about 6am after Jen went out to ask them what was going on. Then, the doctor came in and told me that tests were inconclusive (later found to be totally inaccurate) and sent me home.
As days went by, my stomach pain went away, but I would have pain in my lower back/kidney on the right side of my body. We made an appointment with the same hospital to see a doctor, hoping to get care from a place that is close to home. The doctor looked at my CT Scan and also did blood markers (blood tests) to see if anything was out of whack. He then became the second doctor to misdiagnose me. He calmly said that I had a lymph node infection that would go away in a few days. He said not to worry. A few days went by and the pain would come and go. So, I kept exercising and asking God for direction.
Four days later, the doctor called me. He calmly told me that he had blood results and that almost all of them were normal. What worried him was that my HCG level was an 870. This is the level that shows women if they are pregnant or not and also shows cancer patients if the disease is still affecting their bodies. So, I immediately called City of Hope and demanded to speak with my doctor. I told the people on the phone that it was an emergency and that my cancer had returned and that seemed to eventually get me through to the doctor. When my doctor heard that the HCG was 870, he promptly told me on the phone that the cancer was back and penciled me in for around 10 days from that point.
To Be Continued...
Posted by chasyrdrmz at 03:05 PM | Comments (0)
March 27, 2007
Feeling Miraculous!
Today starts my second week off after my second round of chemo. It's amazing to see what God does when we truly stand on His Word and claim our healing in Jesus! Other than a lack of hair, I am sitting at my desk today, working and living like nothing ever happened! That, my friends, is REAL. That, my friends, is the true Power of God. That, my friends, is another miracle.
1 Peter 2:9 says: "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;"
There are a lot of people who would probably characterize me as peculiar. Maybe they know me as too intense or the guy who talks about Jesus too much or the guy who is always at church. You see, the thing is- my life has been nothing but a string of miracles. When I was 3 years old, God called me out of darkness and into His marvellous light (the biggest miracle of all!). For 32 years, God has walked me through situation after situation that there seemed no way out of- many that should have killed or ruined me- financially, emotionally, physically... He walked me through (Psalm 23- "yay, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for thou art with me"). This is why I am peculiar. This is why I can't stop talking about my Jesus. This is why I'm always trying to point out Truth in the things of this world- the "God moments" if you will. Because it's real. Because I shouldn't be standing here today. I should be six feet under. But, you see- my purpose hasn't been fufiled yet- and that is to bring Glory and fame to Jesus. I will continue to act as a fool for Jesus, until it's time to breathe my last breath. What a true privledge it is to be alive and live for Him.
Blessed,
JB
Posted by chasyrdrmz at 05:03 PM | Comments (0)
March 26, 2007
Peace.
Second Round of Chemo. City of Hope Duarte, Ca. March, 2006. Admitted to the Hospital. 4th floor. Isolation Room. On a constant drip of hydration for 5 days. 3+ hours of chemotherapy per day for 5 days. This was the 10 minutes that I wasn't attached to the IV tubes, right after my shower. Cute pants, eh?;)
Posted by chasyrdrmz at 08:01 PM | Comments (0)
Again.
It was two years ago this week that I had surgery to remove cancer from my body the first time. It's incredible to remember the day that God healed me. I'll never forget the moments leading up to the surgery at City of Hope... getting prayed for by Pastor Rick... seeing Pastor Tom, Pastor Darin, Shane, Tony and my parents there... sensing that something amazing was taking place and feeling the Peace of God as I closed my eyes. It's important to look back and remember the things that God has done. He healed me and gave me another chance to live and bring Glory to His Name. He did it once and I'm excited to expeience Him doing it again...
Oh, yeah.
Again.
Again.
Posted by chasyrdrmz at 06:59 PM | Comments (0)
March 25, 2007
Kindred Warriors!
I wanted to share the story of a truly incredible family, who has inspired my family with their courage and faith. Cheree Jones is a girl who goes to my wife's old church in Yakima, WA. She was diagnosed with cancer and went through treatment during the time that I was healed from the disease in 2005. My family constantly read her blog and were encouraged greatly. Earlier this year, Cheree's younger sister was also diagnosed with cancer and is now recieving treatment in Portland. I've been able to get in touch with Cheree and her father DeNard and we are now praying for each other. Go to their site and catch up on the Jones' incredible story. Join me in prayer for them. Thanks!
Posted by chasyrdrmz at 12:46 PM | Comments (0)
March 17, 2007
H O M E !!!
Got home last night around 9pm. There is nothing like sleeping in your own bed! Rocket was SO happy to see us! Praise Jesus, I am feeling MUCH better than after the last round. God's grace is sufficient for me- bank on it! More soon. Love, JB
Posted by chasyrdrmz at 12:31 PM | Comments (0)
March 13, 2007
LOOOOOK, IT'S MY CHIN!
So, yeah- all my hair fell out this week. Uhhhh, what I have of it... may the stuff on top NEVER return! It's 9pm and I just started the hydration part of the chemo. One of the two drugs that I am taking in is REALLY bad for the kidneys (sysplatinum? and something- I'll get the names later). So, theres a 2 1/2 hour hydration drip that starts it off. Then, you take a tiny cup full of pills that help with nausea and vomiting (have worked so far, praise Jesus). Each of the chemo bags last an hour and are followed by a final huge hydration bag. Let's just say that trips to the bano are early and often. Fighting the good fight! JB
Posted by chasyrdrmz at 08:59 PM | Comments (0)
Round 2, Day 2
Today is Round 2 of Chemotherapy. Second day. Due to a scheduling snafoo, I was admitted into the hospital, instead of upstairs in the out patient center. Sleeping in hospitals is not what I consider fun, so, again- God is taking me through a challenging situation to perfect me and create patience in me. I was also not able to get to bed until 11:30 THIS morning. Long story- more later.
PRAISING HIM THROUGH THE STORM.
JB
Posted by chasyrdrmz at 03:46 PM | Comments (0)
March 09, 2007
I'm Back!!!
More coming soon...
Posted by chasyrdrmz at 04:19 PM | Comments (0)