Pathways

Sunday lunch at Napa Italian restaurant with Ernie, Olive, Ryan, Olive's brother Renan and wife, Susan.

About 2 years ago, a year before Ernie's diagnosis, we had become involved in a Catholic prayer group called Pathways (a part of the oldest Catholic Community - LIGAYA NG PANGINOON). We had not been much involved in the first few months, and were frequently absent during weekly Monday prayer meetings. But slowly by slowly, the spirit of "community" with our brothers and sisters began to seep into our hearts and minds through some kind of "osmosis". We had found ourselves growing in intimacy with our LORD JESUS CHRIST and reading scriptures more.

When the shocking diagnosis came in June 2010 - ten month ago, Ernie and I found so much peace and strength from our LORD through Pathways. Without question, HE was preparing us to have strong faith and trust in HIM. The LORD knew very tough times were coming up ahead and he drew us closer to HIM knowing that we would draw calm and comfort from this family.

Recently Ernie was asked to tell how the LORD has touched his life during Pathway's sharing nite, a task Ernie relished preparing for and eventually performing with so much humour and gusto! People laughed at his cute jokes instead of feeling sad with a heart wrenching cancer story. And yet, he managed to thank and praise GOD for many things good in his life!

After the meeting, people came up and congratulated him...amazed with his healing and his spirit! I beamed at him in the sides while people hovered around him to shake his hand...ever so proud of my wonderful hubby!

Some great scriptural passages shared that night that touched me and may be your strength too in tough times :

"You turned my nailing into dancing, you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!" Psalm 30:11-12 and......

"The LORD is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalms 27:1 and...

"May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word" Thesalonians 2 :16-17.

Olive

Dancing in the Rain

Dr Charity was close to ecstatic when she saw Ernie's Ct scan and Mri results! Extremely happy and proud of what looks like very good response to treatment. She studied the report in detail and interpreted to us that the MRI results show a "normal" bone study- not just regression and called it a "miracle"! Of course we are THRILLED... but we also understand the reality of cancer...that it is a formidable enemy, tricky, trechearous.

As we were chatting with Dr Charity, she talked briefly about her other patient -Angelo Castro-Abs Cbn TV icon of The News Tonight, who at the time we were visiting was already dying. (He passed on the next day) He had been diagnosed 4 years ago for squamous lung carcinoma (caused by smoking). His bone marrow had been destroyed by repeated vicoius chemo administered to stop his tumors from advancing. His own wife June Keithly is currently her patient too-breast cancer with mets to the brain.

We must stay vigilant with diet/supplementation and lifestyle changes... radical changes. We must study more on immune system building strategies beacuse GOD made our bodies strong enough to conquer disease, any disease. Thank GOD too that he blessed Ernie with such a great positive and upbeat attitude. People say that attitude alone already wins half of the battle. But most of all our most powerful weapon is PRAYER POWER!

Ernie is now on another 3 more months of oral chemo (Iressa), very much less toxic than intrevenous chemo. Ernie had 3 months of Iressa and showed spectacular results - all liver, white blood. etc etc normal. With GOD's loving grace, we pray his lungs will be normal in our next evaluation in July. Everything at home is normal and happy, our small little family of 7 (if we count 4 cute
dachshunds as members) are closer than ever! We lift up all our burden to HIM, whose load is light.

My business mentor and friend Jim Dornan - said, and I truly believe in my heart - "it's not about waiting for the storm to pass...it's about learning to dance in the rain".

Thanks so much for your love and prayers!

Here are some photos from our recent overnight getaway in Nature Spa, Tagaytay. It's a lovely place a safe distance from the rush and pollution of the city. Check it out!

Waking up to a cool morning and an al fresco breakfast

You can while away the time playing chess or relaxing at Nature Spa

Here we are enjoying Batangas hot chocolate. It's bitter and good!

Suman, mango, and hot chocolate. Perfect!