12/19/11 - Believe Big

Well, it's been a few weeks, but things continue to improve daily.  Each day is better than the last and I continue to build back my strength after they beat me down with the chemo and radiation.  I still feel blessed that my side effects weren't as bad as they could have been. So right now I am trying to get as much strength rebuilt as I can, knowing that there is a possibility of them knocking me down again with starting soon.

I feel like I am acting more like myself again, which is such a huge answered prayer.  I know this because I am starting to have trouble sitting still for long and feel I need to constantly be working on something.  For those who have been on chemo or seen the side effects, its crazy how that junk will just straight up mess you up. It has definitely made me think hard about how I might proceed with additional chemo in the future if presented with a recommendation/option to undergo more infusion. So thankfully Christmas is right around the corner and Megs has plenty of small projects to keep my mind focused and busy and feel as though I am accomplishing something each day as I continues to build strength back. Additionally, my "quirkiness" with food is getting so much better these days also.  There are only a handful of foods that are still really tough for me to think about eating - based on what I ate that first chemo day.  Though I seem to be at a stable weight right now (almost 30lbs less than when this all started) my appetite is back but I can't eat as much as much as I used to, which is not a bad thing. We continue to get more comfortable daily with the new diet, and our bodies have definitely gotten used to it, so much so that we pulled out a pre-made meal out of the freezer the other night, one that Megs had made long before this all started, and WOW, what it did to us. It's not like it was bad, cause we wouldn't have attempted to eat it in the first place, but with the dairy, salt and other ingredients we have weaned ourselves off of, it just tore us up that night. We both just sat there and felt like crap for the rest of the evening. The crazy thing is, the next day I was craving a big pile of veggies. Definitely hasn't taken our body's long to adjust and I know that has been a big part of the healing process.

Taylor continues to adjust to having daddy around more now and has stopped the mean comments that she was throwing out at me the first month or two.  She has also adjusted to some of the new food concoctions we throw at her. I say some, because she see us eating something like a "green smoothie" or salad dressing we made and will want some, but you can tell a two year olds palette just isn't quite what ours is by the faces she makes, hysterical. But she's been a trooper through all this and prays daily for God to fight those boo-boos in daddy's body!

So as we continue to wait patiently and lean on God for peace until we hear results this Friday, December 23.  Whatever the outcome next week, we are looking forward to celebrating Christmas here in Maryland and then heading to Ohio to enjoy some time surrounded by family and friends.

Since there isn't much more to report today, other than to ask for your continued prayers (see the end of this post for a specific prayer request for this week), I thought this might be a good opportunity to share a great organization geared at taking the fear out of a cancer diagnosis - Believe Big. It's a great resource for those who have been just diagnosed or for someone who wants to help someone out and allows you to control cancer and not let cancer control you.  www.believebig.org  I know a lot of people have passed our blog out to others, especially those going through cancer, and we feel this organization is another great resource to help in their journeys.

The Cancer Compadres: Kat, Jas & Terri

Knowing how much one cancer has changed our focus on life, the second cancer allowed us to refine it that much more.  Megan and I had been searching for a organization that aligned with our passion and beliefs and one that we could get involved and put or energy behind, and we found all that in BelieveBig.  We highly recommend that you visit their webpage and pass this out to anyone going through or who has gone through cancer.  I feel with all the research I have done, you can access a lot of great information quickly and easily.

Jimmy & Ivelisse - Founders of BelieveBig

We had heard of BelieveBig, through our friend and partner in cancer Kat who has been friends with the organization founders long before anyone was diagnosed with cancer.  Its amazing how God's plan works out at times.  Over a month ago we attended BelieveBig's kickoff party and first ever fundraiser.  What an honor and how exciting to be part of this organization.  We included a couple photos from that special night.  We have also posted a permanent link on our blog in the resource area as a quick access point if anyone would like to refer to it in the future.

From Left to Right: Dan (Kat's friend), Kat, Dr. Hinderberger (Jas & Kat's Natropath), Jas & Meg

Additionally, we'll make sure we let you all know what we hear this week and we continue to thank you all for your prayers, encouragement and support!

For this week, we would like to ask for your help in praying the specific prayer below for Meg & I called the No Fear Prayer, a resource via Believe Big.  We have a big week ahead of us and feel that this will help tremendously!  Thank you!

JASON & MEGAN WILL HAVE NO FEAR PRAYER

Jason & Megan will be strong and courageous. They will not be terrified; they will not be discouraged. For you, my Lord, are with them wherever they go. (Joshua 1:9)  No one will be able to stand up against them all the days of their life. As you were with Moses – and Joshua – I know you are with them. You will never fail Jason & Megan and you will never leave them. Never. (Joshua 1:5) They will meditate on your Word and will follow you alone. (Joshua 1:8)

You have chosen Jason and have not rejected him. So he will not fear for you are with him. Jason and Megan will not be dismayed, for you are their God. You will strengthen Jason and Megan and help them; you will uphold them with your righteous right hand….For you are the Lord, my God, who takes hold of their right hand and says “Do not be afraid; I will help you.” (Isaiah 41:9-13)

We praise you because Jason is fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14) For you created Jason and formed him.  Jason and Megan will not be afraid for you have redeemed Jason. You have called Jason by name and he is yours. When Jason passes through the waters, you will be with him; and when Jason passes through the rivers, they will not sweep over him. When Jason walks through the fire, he will not be burned; the flames will not set him ablaze. For you are the Lord their God, the Holy One of Israel, their Savior. (Isaiah 43:1-3)

Jason and Megan will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day. (Psalm 91:5) And even though Jason walks through the valley of the shadow of death, he will fear no evil, for you are with him. Your rod and your staff, they comfort Jason and Megan. (Psalm 23:4) For God did not give Jason and Megan a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-control. (2 Timothy 1:7) And Jason and Megan are more than a conqueror through him who loved them. For Jason and Megan are convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate them from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus their Lord. (Romans 8:36-39)


God Bless & With Much Love,
Jas & Meg