We had booked physicals in the spring/summer of 2011 because we were turning 50 and it had been a few years since we had a physical. I had left the doctor's office with a clean bill of health, just the blood work to do the next week. Have never had a problem with cholesterol, and with my excellent blood pressure I had given the blood tests no thought at all. In the last 2 years my work had completely changed. No more pigs on the farm, working on the road in sales, new stresses in life. My mother had fought the battle with melanoma, and the Lord had called her to Himself on Aug. 24 '11. We had just finished making an apartment in our house for Andrea and her son Derek, with the help of Chuck and Julie. Tired? Who isn't tired, especially at 50?
On Wednesday the doctor's office calls again, white blood cell count still elevated, can Richard come in Friday afternoon to see the doctor. Barb and I discuss how thorough our doctor is....I maintain that he must want some more tests. I go alone, it's not going to be a big deal. You have leukemia. Not I am looking at the possibility, but leukemia. Cancer. The doctor expects CML, a type of leukemia that has had tremendous improvements in treatment the last 10-12 years. We talk some more. More tests next week to help with typing and staging then off to Cancer Clinic in London. My Christian doctor shakes my hand as I leave his office and says "Sterkte" (translation - "strength"), I respond with "yes, by grace".
Now I have to go home and share this news with Barb. There is no easy way to do that.... We cry together, we make our first plans on how we are going to handle this. Andrea and Karen come home. We cry and pray together. Later we go to Jeremy and Sarah, we call Dave and Bethany knowing they had plans that took them away for the weekend. Saturday we talk to my Dad, then Clarence and Irene. Then off to St. Catharines to Mike and Rachel. Everyone wants to come home on Sunday to spend the day together as we begin this stage of our lives. We had a wonderful day on Sunday - good talking, sharing, worshiping, enjoying these good gifts from our Heavenly Father's hand. When we came home from church in the afternoon Dave and I plop into chairs in the living room. Dave starts; Dad we were talking on the way home from church that we would like to have a family picture.... as a marker as we begin this journey. Part of me yells No Way, no "last" family picture needed!! The rest of me knows that we need this as a mile post, a starting block, as we go together into this new unknown. A picture that we can't help but see God's goodness and blessings to us!
On Monday we go to visit Barb's parents in Chatham to break the news. Running out of emotional capital I send an email to our brothers and sisters. This gave them the chance to rebound from the hit, and call or email when the time was right for them. This did work well.
February 27, 2012 - Family Email
Dear brothers and sisters,
Last week I was diagnosed with leukemia. I am undergoing tests to determine the type that I have, and the stage of the disease. This will determine treatments required etc.
I had planned on waiting to tell you until a definitive typing was complete, but I wanted to make sure you heard it from us.
It is hard news to receive but I am feeling good. It was picked up through a routine physical we booked a year ago because of turning 50. Our family was able to spend a wonderful day together, nice to have as we begin this journey. We go forward trusting in our God who has continually proven Himself faithful to all His promises and character. Please uphold our family before Him.
Please keep this within the family until we have full diagnosis.
Thanks,
Richard and Barb
3 comments:
Mr Vanderdeen...
I am very impressed by the blog already and hope that it is a good outlet for thoughts, emotions and experiences. I am glad for a way to know what to pray for you and for your family (who are kinda like our family in a small way). Wishing you indeed "sterkte" and much endurance as you continue on this journey
What a good idea to start a blog. I'll definitely be following it. You have been in my prayers often in these past couple months...
Rebekah Fluit
I am a long-time friend of your daughter in-law, Rachel. I heard about your illness awhile back, partly from her and partly from my in-laws who live in Strathroy (Peter and Carol Speelman). We have been praying for you and your family since we heard the news and continue to pray that God gives you much strength and comfort in the next few months as you battle this disease. Thank you for sharing your story via this blog.
Rachel Speelman
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