Comment Help

Comment Help

By Mark VanTassel

Mom told me that the comment section is a stumbling block for some. Here are a couple of basic tips to help you get started:

At the bottom of each post, you will find a little tool bar that looks like this:

Click on the word "comments."

If you are already logged in to a Google account, you will see this:

Simply type your comment in the white work space, then click the "Publish" button.

If you are not logged in to a Google account, Blogger will prompt you to select a profile. It is easy to miss and looks like this:

Click the little black arrow next to "Select profile..."

You should see this:

If you have an account with any of these services, you can use that account to make comments here. If nothing on this list looks familiar, choose "Google Account" and then click the "Publish" button again.

This will take you to the Google Sign In screen. The part we care about looks like this:

This red "SIGN UP" button is in the upper right corner of the screen.

If you already have an account, you simply need to log in. Type your email address and password in the appropriate fields and click "Sign in."

If you don't have a Google account yet, click the "SIGN UP" button and follow the directions.

Once you complete this step, you can post comments here with very little hassle.

For further assistance, Google has online helps located here:

Google's Blogger Help

Walking in the Rain

Walking in the Rain

Walking through the pine trees on our little graveled lane this morning, we saw 5 deer run across in front of us.  We see their tracks every day, but have not seen them for some time.  Last year’s fawns are nearly adult size now.

We walk three times per day for at least 20 minutes, two of those times were in the rain today.  A cancer diagnosis makes one think more seriously about the need to actually DO those things we all know we should. : )   Another one we are actually doing very faithfully;  NO sugar of any kind other than is naturally occurring in fruit, and a little stevia.  Amazing how quickly priorities can be reset when the need is so urgent.

I want to share the name of an excellent book we are reading, which I think I have already mentioned; Outsmarting Cancer by Tanya Harter Pierce.  She also has a website which has a great deal of information;  outsmartyourcancer.com.  Information there could help save the life of someone else struggling with these same issues; quality of life and death.

Leland is doing well, we had a great day yesterday.  Nice weather, a new fan arrived for the greenhouse, Chuck and Del came over to help us out and Chuck installed the the fan  with Leland assisting.  Then both of them worked in the garden getting it ready to plant.  Thank you so much! 

Leland has been tired today, probably overextended himself yesterday, but overall is feeling mostly well, no cancer pain, and in good spirits.

Our thanks today to Del and Chuck for helping us yesterday, to Kathy and Dan for taking our garbage to the dump, and to Pat for the yummy frozen cherries-great dessert, easy and healthy! And last but not least to the God of Heaven for imparting His strength when we are  weak.

Good Signs

Todd, Tina, and I spent this last weekend with Mom and Dad. Tina was a doll and did lots of weeding, planting seeds in the greenhouse, and helping in the kitchen. Todd and I raked up pine needles, mowed the grass, and helped with some cleaning. We all enjoyed walks together and came away encouraged by some good signs.

Dad is having no more pain caused by the cancer (awesome!), and although he his energy is sapped by the healing process, he felt well enough to go to town with Mom yesterday. He is resting quite a bit each day, but is keeping up with his walking. He has lost a few pounds due partially to nausea (an expected result of the detox regime he is on) but mostly to the change in his diet. His color is improving and he is in good spirits.

After working hard on Sunday morning and afternoon, we all enjoyed some cranberry juice on the porch in the sun. All you can really do is live one day at a time, and that was a good day.

May the good signs continue…

Cherilyn

Tired Today

Leland has been on the new protocol since Wednesday night. He has very little energy, and feels a little sick part of the time, but we are going for his walks three times per day faithfully, and he is eating well.  So all in all, a blessing as he is not having cancer pain.  We can deal with tired! It means his body is working to heal, and the new "cancer kicker" is working. 

Sometimes I almost think we will wake up from this, and it will have been a bad dream, but no, it is very real.    How do people do this without God in their lives, without being able to trust Him to work all things out for them?  I could not do it without knowing God.  The pitbull of anxiety, dread and fear shakes one's soul to the uttermost;  grief creeps in unbidden and uncontrolled.  Then  the sunshine of God's presence spreads it's rays over the darkness and peace takes the place of grief, anxiety, fear and projection into a dark future.  What a wonderful gift! Jesus, The Prince of Peace, Prince of inner peace.

The Most Powerful Words (A daughter’s point of view)

First, I’d like to thank all of you for reading this blog about my Dad and supporting him in whatever way you are.

Personally, the last 3 weeks have been a mixture of emotions. At 31, you just don’t expect your healthy, 66 year-old Dad to have invasive prostate cancer. I’ve been sad that he’s sick, scared that we will lose him, angry that someone who is truly a good person is dealing with this, and in denial that it’s all that serious.

One thing that has been quite remarkable through all of this is the support we have received from those around us. We’ve had many thoughtful calls, the sweetest emails, offers to help, and lots of hugs and how-are-you-doings. Having recently been through a personal loss myself and now this, I have been reflecting on what’s really helpful and what’s not. When a friend falls on tough times, many people struggle to know what to say or do, if anything. So I have constructed my own helpful hints on how to be supportive to someone struggling with sickness or grief. I’m not a counselor, so feel free to take this advice with a dash of salt.

  What’s Helpful:

1.      Saying “I’m sorry you’re going through this” is possibly one of the most powerful things you can do. If you want someone to know you care and you notice, there’s no need for fluff, just say it. Even if you feel cheesy, I guarantee the person will be grateful you tried.

2.      Offering to help is always a good idea.  What’s even better is offering to do something specific. Offer to cook a particular meal or weed someone’s garden. When a person is dealing with a crisis, they don’t have the mental space to dole out this task to that person and that task to this person. They just need help without having to make any more decisions.

3.      Validating someone’s feelings about their experience helps them feel loved. If someone who is suffering opens up to you about their thoughts and feelings, phrases like “That sounds really hard” are helpful to make the person feel heard. It’s tempting to try and help the person feel better by looking on the “bright side”, but sometimes people just need to vent.

What’s Not:

1.      Getting your feelings hurt if the person doesn’t return your call or email.  Someone going through a tough time is most likely overwhelmed on several different levels. They will most certainly appreciate any messages you leave, but may not have time to return them all.

2.      Not saying anything. It can be tempting to think, “I won’t say anything about their sickness because I don’t want to remind them of it and make them feel bad.” I promise you the person has not forgotten about their sickness or situation, and ignoring it may be hurtful. It’s always a good idea to just say, “I’m thinking about you, and hope you’re doing well.”

3.      Offering too much unsolicited advice. When someone is wrapped up in a crisis or illness, chances are they are already seeking lots of advice, doing a lot of reading, and looking over endless research. If you have a piece of information you think may help, jot it down in a short, simple email, and then let the person deal with it as they can. It can be very overwhelming to get 100 different suggestions from 500 different people.

I hope these tips might help if you’re wondering what’s best to do or say. But I must end with this: the massive majority of our friends and family have been supportive with flying colors! Thank you everyone for your love and prayers.

So here’s to health! Love you Dad.

Cherilyn

What's the Big Deal??

What’s the Big Deal??

We are still researching and gathering information. Outsmarting Cancer is one book we are reading, loaned to us by a friend who also has cancer himself.   Very good information there.  Also one called Knockout, by Suzanne Somers, as well as various other DVDs , websites and books.  As we read and study, our decision not to take the standard medical treatment is validated over and over again. 

Leland will be starting another anti-cancer substance, formulated by a chemist who worked on it for nearly 60 years.   It has been proven in laboratory mice and test tubes to kill cancer cells by lowering the energy charges in the cells, which does not harm normal cells, but destroys cancer cells. It has also been used with great success on thousands of cancer patients. He took his first dose last night. 

We are watching a DVD by Dr. Lorraine Day at present, and garnering information there as well.  We are working diligently on making sure we implement the 8 laws of health with excellent nutrition, exercise, fresh air,  sunlight when possible, water, rest, trust in divine power, an attitude of gratitude-all we can do to cooperate with the natural laws of healing God has placed within our bodies to complement the “Cancer Kickers.” 

Leland is doing fairly well, is tired as he is expected to be from one of the “Cancer Kickers” he is taking, but otherwise feels OK.  Cancer takes over one’s life, actually it has taken our our lives, as it takes nearly all our time to deal with all the changes the diagnosis has brought to our household.  We so appreciate those who have stepped in and given us a hand with things!  Although we do not usually use eggs, it is one of the foods allowed with the new protocol, and we have been given free range vegetarian fed eggs by friends, which is very helpful.  Another friend drove to Yakima CostCo for us yesterday to get the organic produce we needed.  Such love, thank you Diane, Joan, Bob and John.  Thank you too, Del and Chuck for all the communications you have done for us.

I need to make it clear for those who have not yet grasped this, Leland’s cancer is NOT the  low-grade slow growing kind that men can live with for many years and go on with a normal life which is not impacted by the disease.  His is  high-grade poorly differentiated, meaning the cells are poorly organized, have  completely lost normal structure and function, are very aggressive and have already invaded surrounding structures.  Someone commented to me they were wondering what the big deal with Leland is,  men live with this all the time for years and years and keep right on working so I thought perhaps a little education is in order. The comment was not made unkindly, but was simply uninformed.   In addition, that is the reason why most of the therapies which have been suggested are not appropriate for him.   Nothing however,  is outside God’s ability to heal.

A Better Day

Yesterday was a good day! Sunny, warm enough to be outside and for Leland to sunbathe out on the front deck, enhancing his vitamin D. He is feeling a little better, more energetic in the mornings, and did not need to take even one Ibuprophen for pain yesterday or so far today! Color is better too. As we walked down our quiet country lane under pine trees in the morning mist, we were very thankful he is feeling well enough to be  walking 3 times every day,  making his own juice, and helping with a few light household chores. 

I had decided the garden was just not going to happen this year, but two wonderful friends came out with a nice teenage boy, brought their garden tractor with a tiller on the back and a scoop on the front, and moved a huge amount of horse manure onto the garden. Must be superior stuff, as it came the Lipizon Horse Farm. : )  They also weeded, reshaped beds, and generally got work done that would have taken me a month to do on my own. We will have an organic garden again this year after all-thank you, Mike and Joan, Nick too!

We continue to have peace and hope for the future and really do appreciate all the prayers, cards, and notes of encouragement from our dear  family and friends. Blessings on each of you this day.

A Good Day

Yesterday after church and dinner, we had an Anointing Service for Leland and 3 others, all dear friends two of whom are struggling with cancer also, and the other with multiple health problems.

There are scarcely words to describe the love, simple sincerety and intense faith expressed there on behalf of these four who are suffering with problems even modern medicine cannot solve.  Our Pastor led out, and all the elders and most of their wives were there also.  It is very special when one of those elders and his wife happen to be Leland's sister and brother-in-law, with whom we are very close.  But we felt close to every single person there, all of them dear friends.  The Spirit of God was very near and we know beyond a shadow of doubt that God has taken all these prayers on our behalf as well as the the other three and will do the very best for each one according to His divine knowlege and love for each one.  There were tears, and many hugs, and such a tide of love from everyone all day yesterday, we are humbled; we have always appreciated our family and friends, but now in this circumstance even more so.

On another note, Leland is still calm, filled with faith, and grateful for yesterday's service.  He is faithful following his protocol, and has been making the fresh juice while I prepare our food.  He is smiling, humorous at times, resting when he needs to; patient and uncomplaining.  A very good patient.

One piece of good news, Dr. D told us upon reviewing Leland's  latest blood work, that two of the numbers there give him even more hope for recovery. We of course were glad to hear that-we will take every piece of good news! Knowing that God is in control though is the best news ever, and we cherish that above all.

A Second Opinion

Friday, April 13, 2012

Today started out like the others recently, juicing, our time together with God, breakfast, dishes, walk.  I walked further than Leland felt like doing, so was alone for awhile.  Feeling fragile myself today, very much needing strength only God can give.    Leland  is not feeling well, having pain and fatigue. We expected the fatigue from one of the supplements he is taking, hopefully a sign it is kicking in doing what it needs to do.  

Our Urologist called just as I returned home with an additional report from a well respected doctor who is  the chief of the Urology and Cancer departments at a major university in the east.  Dr. N. reviewed Leland’s records at the request of a friend who is the friend of our son-in-law’s brother-in-law's parents.   It is amazing how many people cancer touches, and how wonderfully helpful and gracious so many people are-even those who do not know us!  But I digress.  The report was the same, metastatic Cancer to the lymph, probably the bones; the only appropriate therapy is hormonal, which would only slow the cancer down, but not cure it.  When more bad news is received on top of bad news already delivered, it has curiously little effect. 

Tomorrow will be an anointing service, following the counsel of the Bible in James 5:

¹³ Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. ¹⁴ Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. ¹⁵ And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up.

We have participated in an anointing service several times, they are profound expressions of faith. But we have never participated from the perspective of the one needing the healing.  It is very apparent there is little that man can do here, but our extremity is God’s opportunity, and we await His answer.  In addition, another dear friend has requested to join us and make this a double anointing for his cancer of a different type which is rearing its ugly head again.  Tomorrow will be a double blessing. 
We so appreciate the many dear friends and family who are lifting us up in prayer and sending notes of encouragement .  What a blessing each of you are to us!

What Do You Say?

We went to town today to buy a nylon paint strainer. What for? We are juicing three times per day, and the juice needs to be free of any fiber or residue, so that it will digest more quickly. And before you ask, no, we do not think we are "killing cancer" with carrot juice! It is for the extra vitamins, minerals and live enzymes which are of extreme importance in Leland's nutritional status.

So we are in the hardware store in our small town buying the nylon paint strainer with which to strain the juice.

We are at the counter to pay for our purchase.  There are about 5 other people nearby, one other behind the counter and 2 or 3 behind us.  The nice friendly young clerk with whom we have struck up an amiable acquaintance over the past few years asks us “Well, how are you folks today?” in a rather booming voice with a big smile.  What does one say? The truth?  A polite lie?   “ We’re  fine thanks, just a little touch of terminal cancer, other than that we’re fine.”   We opted for the generic “Fine thanks” , because in truth, we are fine today, Leland tires more easily, but most of the time feels ok.  And for that we are very grateful. We were just not prepared for that little scenario and laughed about it when we got to the car.

 As we were driving along discussing one more thing, peanuts, that we cannot eat any more, Leland was a little down in the mouth about that as it is one of his favorite foods.  He mentioned something about the inconvenience of doing everything from scratch, and my answer to him was “Nothing is as inconvenient as burying you!”  Well, that put it into perspective for both of us.  Truly, there is little in this life more important than keeping him as healthy as it is possible to do. 

Our courage is good and our faith is strong.  We are full of gratitude to God for the blessings of life each and every day, for the blessings of family and friends who love and care for us, and are storming Heaven’s gates for us.  We feel the strength from on High, and are blessed!

For those of our dear family and friends, if you have e-mailed or left a phone message, it is appreciated.  Please understand we cannot possibly respond to everyone at this time, but each one is read and savored.  Thank you.

The Unexpected Diagnosis

“Hope is listening for the music of the future.  Faith is dancing to it.” We are not yet dancing, but are taking lessons.

 Leland has been diagnosed with high grade invasive adenocarcinoma of the prostate.  Confirmed by biopsy and other tests.

 We have been advised by his  Urologist to begin immediate medical treatments consisting of hormone therapy and radiation. Both of these treatments carry a host of very unpleasant and debilitating side effects with no assurance of any kind of cure,  but perhaps life extension in a seriously weakened state.

Because of the advanced nature and invasion of other tissues most of the other “cures” that seem to work for many others are not applicable to Leland, including surgery and the Loma Linda Proton Beam.  In fact  the Urologist’s first words to us on entering his office were “I have been thinking of this all day, trying to come up with a way to give you some hope, but I am afraid I have no good news.” 

 We have consulted with a Naturopath in whom we have confidence because of previous help he has given us and others we know.  We  have decided we want nothing to do with the false hope and misery inflicted by mainstream cancer treatments.  There has been an improvement of only 5% survival rates since the 1950s, while cardio vascular and pulmonary therapies have improved in the ranges of  59 to 62%.  Five percent in 60 years does not seem like much of an improvement at all.   These statistics may be the reason our Urologist had no answer for my question on  success statistics for the treatments being recommended. 

We will be following the protocol outlined by Dr. D. which will be working with and strengthening Leland’s body and nutritional status, rather than debilitating it. 

How are we coping?  One day at a time, doing what must be done today, trusting in God that He will see us through.  We have peace with the path we have chosen.  It may not be the path others might choose, but it is the right one for us.