8-1-07

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August 1, 2007

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“For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you.”

Isaiah 41:13

Summer is here and some say this is a time to relax and go on a vacation. It seems that between catching up on household chores and projects and taking the boys to various sporting events and camps, there is barely any time to just relax and hang out. I suppose it’s probably that way for most families. However, I am just grateful to be healthy and able to enjoy the beautiful days of summer and be a parent with Michelle.

Below are some photos from when Michelle and I went on our friends’ new boat and cruised the Sound. It’s hard to beat a summer evening on Puget Sound. It has to be one of the most beautiful places in the world.

The boys are busy with camps and other activities. Tanner enjoyed a great time at NBC basketball camp and was away for about a week. Kyler joined the Rogers High School boys’ varsity this summer and showed off his speed, quickness, and knowledge of the game to his new high school coach. CJ is up in Malibu, Canada as I write this. He’s up there for a weeklong Young Life camp. Hoping it will be an amazing experience for him. His knee continues to recover from surgery and we are hopeful he will be able to play pain free shortly.

I continue to train for the Team in Training ride I am doing in September. We collect sponsors for the event and the Leukemia & Lymphoma society uses the funds for research and helping people who are currently fighting the battle. There is a link at the top of the page if you would like to support my ride for a cure. I am grateful I am healthy enough to give something back.

Despite not really having time to take any long vacations as a family, we try to do short day trips once in while and recently my two younger sons and I went to our friends’ ranch where the boys had a great time riding motorcycles and quads.

All the riding I’ve been doing to train for Hawaii has made my arms and shoulders ache pretty badly. Fortunately, a therapist friend recommended me to Chris at the therapy clinic I’ve been going to and he made necessary adjustments to my bike so it fits me perfectly. The combination of therapy and bike fit adjustments have improved my pain considerably.

Medically I continue to be doing very well. I feel strong and healthy. I’ve really elevated my training and continue preparations to return to teaching in the fall. My energy level is just about normal. Occasionally I get tired, but I think it is a pretty normal tired. I am checked every three weeks by my local oncologist and all of my numbers look good. One of the risks I encountered back when I had total body radiation for my transplants was the development of skin cancers. I have had several removed over the past few years, but had a pretty extensive one removed just today. The procedure will leave about a two inch scar on my scalp so I’ll probably stick with the hat for a while. Fortunately, they were able to remove all of the cancer and further treatment won’t be needed. I will just have to monitor my skin closely so the dermatologist can remove anything suspicious before it becomes a problem. Sadly, just a side effect of all the radiation.

I continue to thank all of you for your support and prayers. I am definitely in the good times as far as my health goes and pray it stays that way for a long time. I will do all I can to maintain my health, but I know that the Lord is ultimately in charge of my time here on earth. I will just do my best to make the best of each day I am given.

“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.”

-Henry David Thoreau

Whether it is cancer, or other trials in my life, I sometimes feel like everything is caving in around me. In those times the only one that can pull me up is Jesus. There is a song by the group Seven Places, that really speaks to me and encourages me when I'm struggling. Here are the lyrics to the song:

Landslide by Seven Places

(You can download it on iTunes. At least listen to the 30 second preview.)

I feel crazy, hope is hazy right now but I won't freak out,
I won't freak out at the sound of the.
Landslide inside, fear wants to take my peace of mind.
Won't run, won't hide, I will lift my hands up high.
In my trouble I have doubled my prayers.
Because I need them, I need them like I need the air.
Landslide inside, fear wants to take my peace of mind.
Won't run, won't hide, I will lift my hands up high.

Here's to Name above all names, I
will trust You Jesus I'll be brave.
I will live my life day by day.
Because You're the only Truth, the only Way out of this.
Landslide inside, fear wants to take my peace of mind.
Won't run, won't hide, I will lift my hands up high.
Here's to the Name above all names,
here's to the only one who saves.
I will trust You Jesus I'll be brave.

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Prayer Requests:

•Continued good health for me and my family.

•Healing of my friend Jeff’s shoulder after surgery.

•Healing and comfort for the many people suffering through the battle of cancer, especially Pam Valley. Also comfort to the families and friends close to these people.

•Wisdom for the researchers pursuing a cure for cancer and other horrible diseases.

•Safety and success of the Team in Training ride I am doing in September to raise funds for Leukemia & Lymphoma.

•Healing of my son CJ’s knee so he can play pain free basketball.

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