Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Leah is back, Nathan is gone

We are so sorry we haven't updated in a week. Doug was out of town and our computer is still down. We should have it back this Friday. I changed my chemo day to Monday so by the weekend I hope to be feeling better to get in some good family time. ALso this way the 5 younger kids and I can get to night class Bible Study Fellowship on Monday with little problem.
Lots of family news. Leah has been over by Pendleton, OR all summer fighting forest fires. Well she finished up over this past weekend and got settled in her new house with several other girls in Spokane, WA to continue with school at Eastern Washington University. She is a senior going for her Elementary Education Degree. Nathan leaves from the west coast on Friday for Iraq. It will be a 22 hour trip. So pray for Nathan's travels and keep him in your daily prayers as he goes to war. As for myself, I am tired these days. Pray for the effectiveness of the chemo that it would prolong my days. In several weeks the cat scans will be big in this course of treatment. God Bless you all. Thanks for all you do!!!!!

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Nice Break From Chemo

My parents left today to start the long trek back to Phoenix. Pray for safety as they return to AZ. We all had a sweet visit with them. We played lots of board games which I just love, especially when I win. Well, tomorrow (Friday) I get another round of chemo. It has been a nice two week break. The plan right now is to finish this cycle of chemo through the next month and then get another set of CAT SCANS. Be praying for the effectiveness of the chemo to reduce the cancer sites and for my reactions to the chemo, especially the third day after. My weight is maintaining but should be gaining.

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

The JOY of the Lord!

"The JOY of the Lord is your STRENGTH" Nehemiah 8:10

Thank you all dear family, friends and neighbors for all of your love and support in the form of prayers, meals, emails, encouraging words and helping get kids to and fro. It is a busy life but when we stop and abide in Him with all your help, we do gain strength that can only come from Him. Susan has been in Billings, MT visiting uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, etc. She has had an incredible time visiting. Keeping up on her meds and getting adequate sleep has helped to give her a very special time with her parents on this trip. They travel back today. Jack and Mary Carol will stay for a couple more days after that. Nathan left last Friday and made it back to N. Carolina with his unit. I have included a picture of Nathan on this blog so that you can pray for him as well. They will leave for Iraq by end of this month. We still do not have the computer back yet, but the good news is that everything was recovered on the hard drive. So praises for that. Will be back up soon. For now, send emails to me at work doug.vetsch@navy.mil (click on this link to compose an email and send).

Thursday, September 13, 2007

VISITORS

My parents drove up from Arizona and arrived safely Wednesday afternoon. My sister and brother-in-law came over from Red Lodge Montana last night. Such sweet fellowship in the front room last night. This afternoon we will all watch the boys soccer games. Then tonight, we will have a big BBQ as we cherish our last night with Nathan before he flies out to N. Carolina and then to Iraq later this month. Pray for PEACE, JOY and STRENGTH as we all emotionally deal with our good byes to Nathan. Please especially pray for Michelle, Nathan's wife. She has been so strong but it is very hard on her. It has been a blessed visit by Nathan.
P.S. I feel better each day. I have been off this week from Chemo so I rejoice in that. I plan to drive over to Billings MT with my parents to visit extended family and spend more time with Mom and Dad. Pray for me and traveling 500 miles.

Sunday, September 9, 2007

Good Weekend, Again!

We are so sorry for the lack of communication on our part. Our computer crashed on Saturday while we were up at Farragut State Park camping with Nathan and Michelle. Of course, we are sick over the potential loss of our pictures and email info. Please pray there will be complete recovery of the hard drive. We had a great time camping, hiking, bike riding, playing games and doing nothing. That is what is so nice about camping, we can just leave things at home and not get caught up in the hustle bustle.
After seeing Dr. Tezcan, Oncologist, on Thursday, he put me on Amend a potent anti-nausea pill. Take one the day of treatment, then one 2 days following. So far just a wonder drug. Feel "rough" but no nausea. Praise the Lord. Oh, I'm still eating too!!!
My brother Rick and his wife Cheryl departed on Friday back to Phoenix, after a 6 day visit with us. We were so blessed by our time with them. Came with servants hearts and serve they did. Thank you again. During this time of computer uncertainty. You can send emails to Doug's email at work. That email is doug.vetsch@navy.mil . Will let you know when we are back up at home.

Thursday, September 6, 2007

I'm STARVING!!

Thank you all for your prayer concerning my appetite. I was hungry ALL day yesterday and so of course I ATE all day! It was fun. No calorie watching for me. Along with my appetite I also felt pretty normal. YEA!!! This will be cyclical though I''ll bet. This all was possible with the help of all your prayers, support and meals. Enough of me; Doug, Hannah, Nathan, Michelle and my brother Rick did the Hiawatha Trail on their bicycles yesterday. 20.4 miles through railroad tunnels and over trestle bridges. It was a beautiful day for them. We all played Michigan Rummy after dinner and overflowed the hot tub with 10 of us in a 6 person tub. I have another chemo treatment on Friday. So pray that my appetite keeps going through it all. God Bless!
dougvetsch@roadrunner.com

Monday, September 3, 2007

Nathan is Home

Nathan is home for 11 days. Susan was able to go to the airport and personally greet him along with Michelle and the rest of the family. Here is a picture at the airport. Susan is very tired these days due to the pain meds and chemo drugs. So getting to the airport was a lot for her but nothing could have held her back from seeing Nathan. Keep praying for her appetite to return.

Sunday, September 2, 2007

Good Weekend!


(This picture from a recent trip to Glacier NP) Friday night we had a great show of thunder and lightning and Susan just loved it. She watched from outside as a bolt of lightning struck about 1000 feet away. She was sooo excited. Game night was afterward and Susan is so competitive that she still has that drive to win. We have been having a lot of down time and relaxing. Susan can tell she is back on chemo but is coping with it very well. Pray that her appetite improves. Saturday we watched Jason play a great game of soccer. His team won. Mary, Laura and Kayla have been gone camping with friends so it has been quiet around the house. Susan and I went down along the shores of Coeur d'Alene Lake, laid in the grass and watched Les Miserables (the drama) on Susan's portable DVD player. Wonderful movie and what a setting to be with Susan. God provided a nice day! Keep praying that the chemo drugs are attacking the tumors, the pain medicine keeps Susan comfortable and she eats! Thought for the day: "Pain is inevitable, but misery is optional"
"Satisfy us in the morning with Your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days." Psalm 90:14