Thanking and Trusting

Dr Charity Gorospe, Ernie's oncologist, had just arrived from weeks of a grand birthday celebration in Europe! She is concurrent Head of the Cancer Institute of both St Lukes Medical Center QC and Glocal City- the number one hospital in the Philippines with the same if not better standard than majority of hospitals in the US. She is a dear friend and close associate of Ryan in running Corridor of Hope Cancer Support group- where Ryan serves as President.

Dr Cha, as she is fondly called, carefully scanned the latest CT scan of lungs of Ernie - very thrilled that tumor has not regressed slightly but significantly!! "We can burn the remaining tumors with radiation theraphy and then it is gone. It will take about 40 session..."Dr Cha explains. But we (you and I) all know and think "gone....? until....?". And that's the real battle now, keeping Ernie's immune system so strong months and years after conventional treatment - with nutrients, de-tox therapies, possitive mental attitude and PRAYERS to keep the invader in a deep deep sleep,weakened that it cannot invade new cells or best yet...DEAD!

However, the bone is a different story. CT shows remaining cancer activity in his pubic area - but activity that is also regressing. It shows healing of the bone!!! "We cannot treat the lung and leave the bones..."Dr Cha explains this in detail to us both. "Ernie will have to go on another 3 months of oral chemo and zometa injections (bone building drug), then Pet CT scan in February and then let's evaluate..." Dr Cha says.

Amen! Amen! Thank you LORD for a great healing journey! Thank you for a good doctor with a big heart, wonderful family and friends and community. Thank you for a son who gives both Ernie and I so much joy! Thank you for blessing Ernie with such a great sense of humor.  Thank you for the available resources (though limited Lord) to give Ernie all the best and the househelp that does all the juicing and organic vegetarian cooking w olive oil. Thank you for the very effective Nutrilite supplements. Thank you for being our fortress and our rock! In YOU we trust!

Olive

"Be Brave and Steadfast..."

After 9 months of oral chemo...yet another CT scan ( not the xpensive PET scan because that was just 3 months ago). I can't say I am totally calm and collected when waiting for test results. I look at Ernie and he is a picture of confidence, thank the LORD for a very positive-minded spouse who pulls me up all the time! And he is the patient!

The results came in via e-health (the latest online results file of St Lukes). Holding my breath, my eyes quickly scan the document before me, looking for key words. Ernie is happily doing his gardening downstairs.

"slight regression of the lung lessions"...."stable bone lession...no fracture seen"....."normal liver"...."no new lessions seen...". I feel warmth taking over my cold fingers typing the computer key board. I am cradled by a loving healing GOD...praise HIS almighty name!!!

In cancer vocabulary the words "stable" and "regression" and "no spread"  are words equal to jubilation!!!

What we do next will be revealed at our next visit to Dr Charity in the next few days. She will assess and interpret these results.

Sharing a beautiful bible passage :

             "Be brave and steadfast; have no fear or dread of them, for it is the Lord your God,
               who marches with you, He will never fail you or foresake you."
               Deuteronomy 31 : 6

Olive

2 Days in Breathtaking Anilao, Batangas

The majestic sunset view from our beach house taken by Ryan

By the beach playing with Ola, our dachshund

Someone once said that "Life isn't about how many breaths you take, but rather how many moments you experience that take your breath away."

With two of our beloved members of the family, mother and daughter, Ola and Lyca

Left to right: Ernie, me, Renan's wife Susan, and my brothers, Renan and Edwin. Edwin was visiting from chilly New York. We're posing in front of the second floor of our beach house.

Brought along home-cooked meals including organic veggies, fresh fish, tofu, and other vegetarian food. We have deleted chicken, pork, and beef from our diets.

You Gotta Have a PASSION

A story I can't forget is about an old man in his 90's who seems to get younger and younger each time he visits his doctor for routine checkups. The md is puzzled naturally...and asks what is his secret. "You gotta have a PASSION!" -was the quick reply. In the old man's case it was bonsai! He was sooo passionate about growing and caring for bonsai plants!

When we are happy, our body releases a "happy hormone" that naturally makes us feel good and boosts our immune system. When we are stressed or worried, our system releases toxins into our bloodstream which weakens our immune system and causes the onset of disease.

Seeing Ernie today is GOD's work in progress. He is so excitedly pursuing several things...

Firstly being a lector/commentator for our Sta Rita de Cascia Parish masses. He also screens and trains the young readers for the 9AM Sunday Mass for children's mass - a responsibility he relishes with much delight.

Secondly, he is an officer for the Knights of Columbus and currently on top of preparations for a big fund raising Binggo event here in our Barangay. Part of what he does now is soliciting binggo prizes from many contacts. Funds will go to a worthy social cause. He loves doing it! His energy is amazing!

Thirdly, we are getting trained for some leadership role in the Christian Family Movement, Ernie is working with a team on a template for all parishes to use for Pre-Cana Talks (for couples about to wed). It seems like a lot of work but he is there in the midst of discussions...spot on!

Fourth, we are attending a Ligaya ng Panginoon Community weekend retreat Nov 8-10. This Catholic community will be our next big family and we love being around people who are radically committed to Christian values and have a deeper relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. During times of crises and grave challenges in life, this type of community can be one's rock and comfort.

Does Ernie have PASSION in his life?? Hellooo? ...A resounding YES!

I will consider him fully retired from stressful work, a boss, and cut throat business. Thank and Praise GOD for giving Ernie that ZEST for LIFE. May HE grant Ernie many many more fruitful years serving HIM.

Hans Christian Anderson said - "Every person's life is a fairy tale witten by God's fingers. Fairy tales come true because God has good plans for you..that HE wants to happen in your life"

"I alone know the plans for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for." Jeremiah 29:11

Trusting always in HIS great PLANS! - Olive