Thank you all for your continued prayers, everyone! Today I started my 4th cycle of chemo, it is out-patient this time (amen), and it is even better than I thought. I thought I was going to be there for 8hrs, like all day; but instead I’m only there for approx. 3hrs, which is just awesome (compared to my last time I did this chemo, 5 day in-patient). The nurses and staff are great, and we already met a lady named “Danny” who is fighting through lung cancer right now (I sat next to her today while getting “chemoed”); please remember her in prayer too (she is a nice lady in her 50’s, probably, and her sister Linda was there to encourage her — they were both very upbeat, although I don’t think they are probably believers, if anything “American believers,” i.e. a casual belief in God). I know you all are, but please continue to pray that this chemo is not in vain, and that it just destroys the cancer cells in my body; also pray the side effects are non-existent. I am really encouraged by today, it makes me think that the next four cycles after this (2 of which will be this out-patient kind) are going to be really doable; I’m just hoping this thing shrinks enough that they don’t need to take my kidney once we get to surgery . . . please pray in that direction too.
We are just continuing to rest in the Lord, trusting that He is hearing your prayers, and expecting Him to continue to do great and mighty things through this (not just in our lives, but in the lives of many). Love all of you guys, and thank you so much for all of your prayer and other support, it really does mean everything! When people tell me that they’re praying for me (and us), it is hard for me not to cry (I feel totally humbled and I am totally appreciative and amazed by the fact that people are indeed praying for me and us as a family . . . you guys Rock, the Lord really Rocks 😉 ).
Love,
Bobby
February 1, 2010 at 5:57 pm
Looking pretty good! 😀
You all were on my heart today. Will remember Danny.
Can’t believe I used to think I had nothing to pray about…
February 1, 2010 at 6:07 pm
Thank you, Heather.
The pic was taken at Christmas, I was just losing my hair then; I’m a little more “clean” now 🙂 .
Thanks for remembering, Danny (she has lung cancer in both lungs + lupus + Waggoners’ disease). The lung cancer is the most serious.
Yeah, the Lord is good at giving us reasons to pray; then the issue is just doing it! 🙂
February 1, 2010 at 8:29 pm
Bobby, you were in my prayers all day. God was so good today just giving me scripture. Romans 8:37-39 We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us…
He also had a patient come in today while I was in the office alone, if I had not had a file on him already and made an appointment for him to come back tomorrow I would have thought God had sent me an angel. He was so soft spoken and Pauls word just coming out of him as though he memorized anything Paul has ever written. I was so encourage in Gods love and faithfulness toward you. I know God is going to see you through this and what a day of celebration that will be. We have so much already to celebrate though, I don’t want to imply that I am not thankful already for what God is doing.
I will remember to pray for Danny. I told you you would meet some people for you to share the love of Christ with and I am sure God will give you both more opportunities. You and Angela both are his ambassadors.
I love you all,
Lois Mom Nana Hugs and Kisses to you all.
February 1, 2010 at 8:49 pm
Are you doing your outpatient treatments on the hill? I work up there.
February 1, 2010 at 8:50 pm
…and He is our Rock!!!
You look great, Bobby! So glad for the many ways of encouragement you’ve received (3 hrs vs. 8), etc.
Praying Always for All and Everything!
Love You!
February 1, 2010 at 9:01 pm
Lois,
Thank you, I’m glad the Lord has been encouraging you too; it encourages me to know that. It’s neat how he ministers through His people, in ways they probably don’t even realize. Can’t wait until we can have that celebration; but I’m with you, already thanking the Lord for His healing hand! Love you!
Nathan,
My out-patient is down the hill at the clinic (the 7th floor). My in-patient is on the hill in the Kohler buliding (sp?) 13th floor, which I will be doing again in 2 weeks, Lord willing. Where do you work there?
Sally,
Amen, He is our Rock, indeed! I know, it’s amazing how the Lord in the midst of this provides times of refreshment like today (it was a great surprise to find out it’s not going to be 8 full hrs).
Hope you’re doing well, tell everyone at Toyota we’re doing good! Can’t wait to get back. Thank you for the continued prayers!
Love you too!
February 1, 2010 at 9:20 pm
I work for IT group (field technical services). Most of what I do involves fixing/installing computers in OHSU’s hospitals and clinics, so I am very familiar with CHH 7th floor and Kohler 13.
February 1, 2010 at 10:34 pm
Hi everyone…as I read this I am brought to tears. You are all so precious. This whole ordeal has been surreal, still can’t believe it is happening. Seems my emotions go in cycles…I do “good” for awhile (feel positive, strong etc), but almost inevitably I have a rough patch. I think right now is a rough patch. Just feeling overwhelmed by all this. Overwhelmed not just in a bad way, but also in a good way. Overwhelmed by the weight of this whole thing and overwhelmed by all your love, support and prayers. Also overwhelmed by God…by HIS presence in this. I just can’t put into words my thankfulness to you all and to Jesus Christ for being so faithful, gentle and gracious thru this all. Please continue to pray!!!!
Blessings in Christ,
Angela
February 1, 2010 at 10:52 pm
Angela,
Will be praying the Lord continues to hold you close.
February 1, 2010 at 11:24 pm
Angela, I love you and Dad and I never forget to pray for you and Bobby. You both have been amazing through all of this. What a testimony to Him your family is.
I’m so glad for both you and Bobby that the treatments this week are only three hours instead of the eight we thought. You both needed that.
I love you sweetie,
Mom
February 2, 2010 at 12:43 am
Still prayin guys
February 2, 2010 at 2:32 am
Dude!!! You look HOT!!! In the “Christian hetero” kind of way! Glad to hear you are doing so well. We love you man.
February 2, 2010 at 12:55 pm
Nathan,
Maybe see you around then, you could always stop by when I’m on the hill — could be akward since we’ve never really met, but would could remedy that 🙂 .
Gav,
Thank you, hope all is well.
Dan,
Thanks, I was trying for that certain look, it looks like it worked 😉 hehe. Love you guys too! Thanks for the prayers, your babe is coming soon, bet you guys are excited!
February 3, 2010 at 3:49 pm
Bobby,
I’m cheering you on and praying as before. On this end, I’m just back from a month-long trip. Let me know if/when you’re up to another coffee!
Ron
February 4, 2010 at 6:57 am
Hi Bobby. Thank you for the complimentary nickname. Always a cheerleader! I was so thrilled to hear about the 3-hr. vs. all-day chemo drip. Yea!!!
”In his heart, a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.”
(Proverbs 16:9). God has definitely been walking hand in hand with you through each step of this adventure. We will continue to pray for God’s complete healing. Take care, my friend.
February 5, 2010 at 10:29 pm
Ron,
Good to hear from you! They’ve compressed my chemo cycle to 2 weeks instead of 3; which is good as far as the length of the whole process, but not good in re. to feeling totally “up” before my next cycles start (usually start feeling really up right when I’m starting the next cycle). Let me see how I’m feeling this upcoming week, or sometime down the road and we could set something up — I would really like to meet again (I enjoyed the last visit).
Linda,
Yeah, chemo was still chemo this time, but the 3hrs was a pleasent surpise!
Love the scripture, thank you! We appreciate the prayers, it means everything to me/us (really, I love to hear that people are praying, I know that the Lord hears these prayers, and I know He loves to have His people constantly beseeching Him — so I’m glad I can be used as a prompt for that 🙂 ).
February 5, 2010 at 10:30 pm
I noticed you stopped in at your other site tonight.
You feeling okay this round?
February 5, 2010 at 10:31 pm
Looks like you answered while I was asking
🙂
February 5, 2010 at 10:33 pm
Hi Heather,
Yeah, today was the last day of chemo . . . phew! I’m feeling okay, just tired and a bit weak (but pretty normal, and feeling realively well, considering). I know the Lord is working through the prayers of you guys, in re. to the chemo and how its “working” and how I’m feeling through the process (physically). I’m going to post, maybe tomorrow, on this last chemo experience, and provide some more prayer requests — so stay tuned!
Looks like we’re blogging about the same time of night 🙂 .
February 5, 2010 at 10:33 pm
Yep, don’t they call this “IMing” 😉 ?
February 6, 2010 at 1:53 pm
Bobby, we’re looking forward to your next post. Are you going to share with us an updated picture of your “clean head”? I bet you look pretty darn cool.
I noticed a current comment from your cousin, Cindy (Cynthia… “The Miracle of My Sarcoma” post). Larry and I will add Cindy to our prayer list as well.
You take care of yourself, get strong before your next chemo treatment and know that we are all behind you and your family 110%. You are such a blessing to all of us, and through God’s grace, perhaps you can have that celebration party soon!!!
February 6, 2010 at 2:25 pm
Bobby, hope you are having a good day and you get a chance to get a little of this unseasonal sunshine.
One more cycle down, another step closer to being done with this.
Love you,
Lois
February 6, 2010 at 6:41 pm
“Yep, don’t they call this “IMing” 😉 ”
Hehehe 😀
February 8, 2010 at 4:41 am
Hi Bobby!
I too am encouraged by your strength in the Lord. I believe this blogging stuff has been good for me. To have brothers and sisters in the Lord who really care about who the Lord is, and developing a Trinitarian relationship with Him then refract that light out into His church and the world.
In these past 5 or 6 months the Lord has lit up my study and prayer life.
I want to reach out and share the gift of life I’ve been given. My family in I will sponsor a little in Haiti through Compassion Int’l. We can’t right away, because they don’t even know at this time who survived the quake, and where the survivors are (many may have travelled outside of the quake zone).
So as I think about my daughter and two little granddaughters sleeping safely in the next room, I tear up and pray for the little girl, whose identity only God knows, who we will sponsor in the near future. I can not grasp the depth of emotion I suddenly feel for people all over the world known only by the Lord. Lord please give those emotions feet and hands.
Anyhow Bobby, if this is the Lord’s doing, please know that you share in the inspiration of where the Lord has me.
The Lord continue to bless you.
Your grateful brother
February 8, 2010 at 4:43 am
Oops! “A little in Haiti” should read “a little girl in Haiti”. Now if you re-read it it will make sense.
February 12, 2010 at 5:20 am
You still okay, Bobby?
February 12, 2010 at 5:49 am
Hey Bobby!
Me Too! You are conspicuous in your absence.
Is everything all right?
Your going to get us praying in overdrive.
February 12, 2010 at 1:42 pm
I hope I’m not overstepping my bounds here, but your inquiries, Heather and Duane, hit my heart…I am Bobby’s aunt.
He was admitted to the hospital a couple days ago. Had a fever, no appetite, was dehydrated, light headed, winded, etc. Pretty much down and out. They’ve rehydrated him, given him a couple units of blood and he’s doing much, much better! Angela (wife) said (on FB) he’s even got his appetite back! PTL!
So, he’s just not been able to get on here, but I had to let you know some of what’s been happening. Still, stay on those knees – you and others are so Faithful and so Appreciated!!!!! 🙂
February 12, 2010 at 2:02 pm
Thansk Aunt Sally!
Consider it done!
Duane
February 12, 2010 at 2:27 pm
Thank you, Sally.
Will continue praying as well.
February 13, 2010 at 7:07 pm
HI everyone, I am so sorry that we(I) didnot update you all that read Bobby’s blog. On Wednesday he was admitted to the hosp due to being anemic, dehyrated, having a fever and just being wiped out. I have never seen him so weak. Long story short, they hydrated him, gave him 4 units of blood, and gave him anitbiotics. He’s doing much better…not exactly doing jumping jacks, but feeling better nonetheless. He came home today as all his “counts” were up. He’s tired, but resting at home will do a “world of difference”. Thanks for all your prayers! They are deeply appreciated. He goes back in on tuesday for 48 hrs of inpatient chemo, so pray that goes smoothly and that he never has to be admitted between chemos again! Blessings to all!
Angela (Bobby’s wifey)