August 08, 2007
My Healing, The Video
Posted by chasyrdrmz at 03:53 PM | Comments (1)
August 02, 2007
FULLY RECOVERED! San Diego, CA 7/07
Posted by chasyrdrmz at 01:34 PM | Comments (0)
June 18, 2007
Confounding 2
To this day, I have not shed ONE tear about having cancer (my wife just cried for the first time this week). When I was praying about this recently, God revealed to me that the reason I have not cried is that I knew, the day I was prayed for in December, that I was healed, and that the treatments were nothing but God's classroom to teach and build character in me.
Posted by chasyrdrmz at 08:52 AM | Comments (0)
Confounding 1
1 Corinthians 1:27
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
There are SO many miracles to share! Things that Jesus did in me that confound the wisdom of the natural in this world. I'll start blogging God's beautiful details as I think of them:
1. On the day the doctor declared me cancer-free, I weighed 210 pounds. This is 22 pounds HEAVIER than I was when I began 4 rounds of chemotherapy (188 pounds). While most people don't eat and waste away, my body grew.
Posted by chasyrdrmz at 08:46 AM | Comments (0)
June 17, 2007
TESTIFY! / HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!
I got to testify God's healing in front of church today!... it was magical... There is no greater joy than seeing God get the fame! I know I need to sit down and write some more details about the final medical results and the past few weeks, but to be honest, I am just enjoying life and getting on with the things that God has given me to do!
I'd like to give a HUGE shout out to my Heavenly Father, from Whom ALL blessings flow!... a shout out to my Spiritual Father- Pastor Rick, who has laid down his life so I could follow him as he follows Christ... to my Earthly Father, who raised me to love and fear God. I love and thank you all.
Happy Father's Day!
JB
Posted by chasyrdrmz at 09:09 PM | Comments (0)
June 13, 2007
BROWSA, BROWSA, BROWSA!!!
My eyebrows are growing back like crazy! My Pastor prayed for me the other day and it was like God sprung them up from nowhere, almost instantly!!! WOW. I was out of town for less than 48 hours and when I got back, my wife was like- "You look TOTALLY different!!!"
Posted by chasyrdrmz at 02:13 PM | Comments (0)
June 08, 2007
Peace
City of Hope, Gardens. 30 Minutes Before Meeting With Oncologist For Final Results. In Perfect Peace. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." - Isaiah 26:3
Posted by chasyrdrmz at 06:16 PM | Comments (0)
June 07, 2007
CANCER FREE!
I'm officially Cancer-Free! God is real and He is good, ALL the time. Again and again, He shows His faithfulness and power!!!
More soon!
JB
Posted by chasyrdrmz at 05:16 PM | Comments (0)
June 04, 2007
SCANNED
Had my CT Scan today...
It was an amazing feeling, walking up to City of Hope today- because I no longer felt like a patient. I felt like someone who had already been walked through (Psalm 23) their sickness and that this was just a formality. It was really hot and muggy and there was also this sense of thankfulness for the way God had moved us out of (living in)that area and closer to the beach where the air is always clean and moving. It's all kind of hard to explain, but it was just one of those times where all of the trials of the past 3-4 years come together and you can see and feel where God has brought you. Overwhelming thankfulness wells up inside you and you can't help but just smile and drink in the moment. Jen and I kind of ate the day up! Oh, and I got a chance to tell the lab technician about God!:) Wow, I am so thankful that I have a Pastor who has taught me how to act like a man and plow my way through these things, knowing that God is truly going to be there for me. I would be nowhere without this Man of God!
Also- I had my first CT Scan 2 years ago and it was HORRIBLE... I was so clausterphobic that they had to put a washcloth over my face when I slid through the machine (so I couldn't see). God has grown me so much in 2 years (under the leadership of my Pastor) that today when I came out of the machine, the nurse thanked me for being such a good patient and told me that I was a breath of fresh air! She said that most patients fight the entire process. When we learn that our lives are truly NOT our own and that Jesus bought us with a price, many things that seemed so very difficult before, melt away.
Just think... the results of the miracle are already sitting in some computer:)
JB
Posted by chasyrdrmz at 10:04 PM | Comments (0)
The War Is Over...
CT Scan: Today at 1pm.
Blood Tests and Doctor Appt for Results: Thursday.
THE WAR IS OVER!
JB
Posted by chasyrdrmz at 10:39 AM | Comments (0)
May 30, 2007
A Glorious Return
I'm still in a daze from our return to our family at True Worship this past Sunday. What an amazing, victorious day. It is still kind of a blur to me- all the hugs- all the love- the celebration of the end of this season. God is amazing and there is NO better place to be than in His Presence. I've experienced a majority of the things that this world has to offer and it all pales in comparison to the act of corporately worshipping God! It's what we were MADE and CREATED to do! If I could worship God as a full-time job, I'd do it in a second!:)
The funny thing is that my body is completely sore this week! For those of you who have not experienced worship in the Presence of God, there is a power there that cannot be described. I have been instantly healed of a variety of colds, fevers and pains in my body- just by showing up at worship. Sunday was no exception. I had not had much energy during last week, but the moment the sanctuary doors opened, I felt SO incredibly strong. I was jumping around and dancing like crazy! In fact, I had to hold myself back a few times. Needless to say, once I left that "place" I kind of crashed and my muscles have felt the impact.
I love my True Worship Family and cannot wait to be back at full strength so I can serve with all my might!
I AM HEALED AND WHOLE, BECAUSE OF JESUS!
jb
Posted by chasyrdrmz at 02:54 PM | Comments (0)
May 25, 2007
Brothers
Got to head out to Westlake Village (where I grew up) and have dinner with some of the guys yesterday (Todd, Nate,Jay and Alrien). There was something euphoric about just sitting around a table and listening to what God was doing in all of their lives. All I can say is that I have some amazing, life-long friends. I don't get to see them much, but when I do it's like we had hung out every day. It also blows me away to see how God will bring men together and make them of one spirit... you could really tell that cancer was not an experience that JB walked through, but that each man had shared in it and was changed by the experience. It's truly breathtaking to see what God will do in the lives who are submitted to Him. We are all on our journey, but we are all knitted together in Christ. It's something that cannot be duplicated in the World. It was an absolutely precious day of celebration for me. I laughed like I had not laughed in 3 months. I'm truly expectant for what church will be like this weekend. I tear up just to think about it. I can't say it enough... I am blessed.
Posted by chasyrdrmz at 05:01 PM | Comments (0)
May 23, 2007
Learning to Rest
Psalm 46:10
"Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth."
Psalm 23:1-2
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters."
Sometimes it is quite the challenge to rest- to be still. There are seasons that God wants us to stop and just BE with Him... To rest and be refreshed and recover and heal... To know that we have no power in ourselves, but, that ALL things come from Him.
I'm not going to lie, I've been squirming through the past few days. God is making me rest and I'm ready to go out and DO. Wrestling with God at it's greatest. Here's an example- My Office. I decided that I needed to move everything around in it. Logistically, I need my printers to be close by, as business is picking up and I'm needing to manage time and resources better. So, this involved a LOT of heavy lifting, etc. Being a son of my Pastor, I have learned from him that when it's time to do something, you drop everything and get it done. So, I grabbed Jen and we went to work, moving desks, printers, chairs, paperwork, etc. But, about 3/4 of the way through, my body was telling me that the day was over. Time to chill. Let your body continue to heal. Don't RUN out your healing, WALK it out:) I could just hear God saying- "I'm MAKING you lie down in Green Pastures. I am in control of your office, your business, your life. I am your Healer, your Provider, your Father. I am ALL you need. In MY timing, not YOURS. Now Rest."
I'm getting it. I'm learning to rest and be at peace with it. I'm learning to enjoy this Season of Rest- as much as I enjoy the seasons of work, of achievement or of travel. I am exactly where My Father God wants me to be.
Slow and Steady Towards The Mark,
JB
Posted by chasyrdrmz at 11:17 AM | Comments (0)
May 21, 2007
Final Hurdles
Well, Friday and Saturday, I really pushed myself...
Friday night, we hung out with a couple from church- after working all day. Saturday, I did an Open House in Upland. Late Saturday afternoon, I laid down to take a nap because my stomach was feeling crampy and generally not good. Suddenly, I had the chills and really wrapped myself up in blankets to stay warm. Jen got home a few hours later and took my temperature. I had a fever. I was at 101.4 degrees... at a place where we needed to take me back into City of Hope (if your temp stays over 100, they admit you back in). I was truly bummed, because I was SO looking forward to returning to church on Sunday. I decided to fight, so, I messaged a few men from church to pray for me and Jen and I started praying in our bedroom. We tried many things to get the temp down- from cold and wet washcloths, to cold juice and water to laying down without a blanket and shivering it out. The temp went down a bit, but was still 100... Jen picked up the phone to call triage at COH, but something told me (God, I'm sure) to just hang out and try to go to sleep. We took the temp one more time and it got to it's highest point at 101.5 and then I/we drifted off to sleep.
When I woke up, the fever had broken!!! I DID stay in bed all day yesterday (Sunday) with stomach and digestive issues, but we did not have to go back to the hospital and for that I praise God. Feeling a bit better today, but still sore and tired. I'm wondering if I ate something bad and did not have the immune system to fight it off- or if I pushed myself too hard? In either instance, it's good to be home.
Still walking out my healing,
JB
Posted by chasyrdrmz at 09:44 AM | Comments (0)
May 17, 2007
Next
June 4th is my CT Scan to verify that the tumor is gone. We will meet with our Oncologist, Dr. Margolin, on June 7th- for blood tests and good news!!!
We are returning to church this Sunday! It brings tears to my eyes just to think about it. Joy, joy, joy. God is good, all the time.
JB
Posted by chasyrdrmz at 06:15 PM | Comments (0)
May 16, 2007
Pain Chart
In the hospital (or any room @ City of Hope) they have pain charts on the wall, with faces and numbers from 1 thru 10. They always ask you to describe your pain, according to the chart. I am a zero today:) This is so they can pump you full of pain meds at any sign of pain. Jen and I thought we'd make our own chart, chemo-head style.
Posted by chasyrdrmz at 02:57 PM | Comments (0)
May 13, 2007
The Road To Life
I saw this photo on my wife's photoblog (http://www.photoblog.com/user/jlbault/) and it made me think of what coming out of chemotherapy is like... You are on this long, ugly and dead road and all of a sudden, you see this beauty of life in the distance and get closer to it with each passing moment. It's actually a photo that Jen took while we were driving up to Mt. Baldy- about 20 minutes from our old home in Upland.
Posted by chasyrdrmz at 11:35 AM | Comments (0)
May 11, 2007
Forward into dreaming and rest...
Today was the "big step" day forward that seems to happen each round. I've gotten through some of the heartburn issues, diarhea (sp?) issues and upset stomach feelings. I was able to sit at my desk at home and work for a bit today- Praise Jesus! I still am getting an upset stomach and having to take Adavan a few times a day to calm it. All in all, a forward day and that is what it's all about... doing the best I can with what God gives me each day.
I think the biggest fight sometimes is the one within myself. I'm wanting to bust out and change the world, create businesses, get back in shape, etc- in one day. I guess that is a guy thing? Wanting to fix everything. But, sometimes God puts you in a place and a season where your main function is to be still and just wait on Him. My Pastor told me last week that sometimes God takes us away so that we can just have time to be with Him and dream. I'm truly going to take advantage of that time. What a gift.
Posted by chasyrdrmz at 10:43 PM | Comments (0)
May 10, 2007
Ohhhhh, The Buuuuuuuuuuurn:)
Well, the huge side effect of (post) Round 4 has been heartburn... Even the prescription pills they give me for it don't make a dent. Today was truly bad. Somehow, the worse the symptoms/recovery get, the more thankful I become for the simple things... a wife who is by my side constantly, searching for any and every remedy available (today peppermint chewing gum and laying flat on the couch helped)... a church family who is constantly praying for me and encouraging me... knowing that the end is near... amazing friends and family... knowing that this could be so much worse... the list goes on and on. Thank you, Lord that you allow the tough times and the pain. It makes the victory SO much sweeter. I can see the finish line now! Blessed! JB
Posted by chasyrdrmz at 05:44 PM | Comments (0)
May 08, 2007
20 Days, 160 Hours, 4 Weeks
160 hours of treatment are over and we are home. Not feeling too great yesterday or today (physically), but we are SO full of joy. I'm counting my blessings. We both are. Can't wait to see what God has for us next. Even the simple fact that we live in a neighborhood that always has awesome cool breezes brings a LOT of smiles. SO many things to be thankful for.
Love= JB and JEN
Posted by chasyrdrmz at 05:59 PM | Comments (0)
April 25, 2007
Amazing Friends!
Our awesome friends, Todd and Jamie are doing the Relay For Life, to support cancer research, this Saturday. If anyone wants to donate to their cause, here is the link. We LOVE YOU, Todd and Jamie!!! JB and JEN.
https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=192090&supid=172036586
Posted by chasyrdrmz at 01:18 PM | Comments (0)
April 19, 2007
Infusion
Some pics from the 1st Round- in the infusion room...
Posted by chasyrdrmz at 09:31 AM | Comments (0)
April 18, 2007
Another Miraculous Day!!!
Wow. It just keeps getting better...
This week, a cold had moved into my chest and I was wheezing and coughing pretty bad. We called triage and they told me I needed to go back to City of Hope today and have them test blood. The last thing I wanted to do was go back in, but if there is one particular thing my Pastor has taught me- it's how to act like a man. In the past I would have made some excuse to not go in or put things off. I would have sabotaged myself. I knew I needed to be a good steward of my body and the healing that Jesus is doing. Part of this involves doing things that you don't want to do, so you can EXPERIENCE something that God wants to teach you. So, we prayed on the phone (Pastor and I) yesterday for healing and Jen and I drove down and went in today. Long story short, NO temperature, perfect oxygen, good blood pressure and especially CLEAR LUNGS!!! Another miracle! Wow, seriously- if you could hear my breathing at night and the way I cough, you'd be shocked! My white blood cell counts are still low and I still have to closely monitor my temperature and watch for chills, but THEY LET ME GO HOME and THAT is what makes me again say- THANK YOU, JESUS. MY ROCK. MY FORTRESS. MY DELIVERER. IN HIM WILL I TRUST. MY HEALER. MY STRONG TOWER. A VERY PRESENT HELP IN TIME OF NEED. Seriously- in these times where our country is starting to realize that you are never safe and our lives are but a vapor, the ONE TRUE GOD continues to reveal Himself to those who seek Him. Incredible. Love you all. JB
Posted by chasyrdrmz at 08:30 PM | Comments (0)
April 15, 2007
Still Enduring...
Multanoma Falls, Oregon January 2007
I've definitely had some intense side effects this round. I will post more later. Through it all, it's a joy to know that God has a plan and a purpose for each day and each situation that we endure through. We can do all things through Christ. All things. JB
Posted by chasyrdrmz at 12:21 PM | Comments (0)
April 10, 2007
3 Down
Finished with Round 3 and home. More details soon. Just wanted to get an update up. God is good, all the time!
Great to be home!
Love,
JB
Posted by chasyrdrmz at 06:54 PM | Comments (0)
April 02, 2007
Round 3, Delayed
We just got home from City of Hope. After taking my blood, which they do before each round of chemo, the doctor found that my counts are not all the way back up (white blood cells). So, she decided to push my chemo back until Thursday. We will do it from Thursday through Monday. This is awesome news because I can work for three more days. This is incredibly awesome because tomorrow is Jen and my 3rd Wedding Anniversary! Will be cool to be able to take her somewhere other than a sterile chemotherapy room!
Healed and Whole!
JB
Posted by chasyrdrmz at 11:36 AM | Comments (0)
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)