1 year ago today ....

... Justin was diagnosed with Hodgkins. WOW! 1 year ago!! we feel so grateful to be on this side of the year and that Justin is looking great and feeling so good. I guess you could call this his "cancerversary" ... yet another reason to celebrate (we seem to find many reasons to celebrate and I think that's what life's about! celebrating these special moments)
Justin is feeling strong, we continue to eat healthily and we are walking approx. 4km each morning (when we don't feel like it, the dogs get us moving because they don't like to miss out on their walk!)
We are in the process of signing up to be cancer buddies, to get together and support others that are facing the same diagnosis. We are very excited to be able to share and encourage others that are facing this challenge and to walk alongside them.
We feel blessed, grateful and VERY VERY thankful.

port-less!!!

How Awesome! Justin is now port-less. His portacath was removed under general anaesthetic on Monday afternoon. The op was quick and the moment he was wheeled out of theatre, he was ready to get going and drive home.
This is one more step in the journey and we feel so grateful that we are at this stage. May God use this all for His glory.
His last scan-22 dec- was clear which means he goes back in 6 months time for another one. So it's a good break from doctors & needles and all that goes along with it.
So we are excited for 2009 and we can't wait to see what God has in store for us. Being the kind of person that likes to plan things, this past year has completely changed that idea and I have changed that way of thinking. We know God holds our future and that makes it ALL the more exciting!
and lastly, to my sweet husband ....I am SO incredibly proud of you and the way in which you handled what happened to you last year. I saw you go through it all, unable to help ease your physical pain. You never complained or asked 'why me' even though it would have been ok to do so. You never gave up on your passions, ideas and dreams. You are an example to me and I love you so!

Christmas Wishes 2008

Hi to all our friends and family,

 

Just a quick update! Justin is doing well! He is strong and healthy and recovering from his months of chemo and treatment. He goes for a follow up scan next week sometime – this is the 1^st follow-up (3 month scan) and sometime in January he will have his chemo port removed. Please continue to pray for his continued health and continue to give thanks to God for his healing!

 

2008 in brief: it’s been a great year as well as the hardest year for both of us. The year started with a business trip in January to Europe as well as a bit of travelling - skiing in Austria and a desert safari in Dubai. Justin was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma on 13 Feb and went through 6 months of chemo ending on 31 July. He had 6 bad days, 9 good days, 6 bad days and so on for 6 months with the effects of chemotherapy taking its toll. He received the great news of a clear PET scan on 15 September. We then went celebrating and had an amazing holiday in the USA for 5 weeks including an amazing Caribbean cruise!

 

We are SO grateful for our amazing friends and family who have given us continuous support and have been through this year alongside us. We are grateful that the business has continued to run and be productive especially in tough economic times. We are so grateful for the many friends that have been placed beside us, many who are struggling with the same disease and we have been able to encourage each other.

 

We have learnt to love life, appreciate the small moments, appreciate each other more and value our health. We are so grateful for Justin’s healing and we Praise God and give ALL the glory to Him. We don’t know why these things happen in life, but with all things, we do not see the BIG picture and we just need to trust and know that God holds our future in His hands.

 

"Looking back you will see that every step was planned. Leave all to Me. Each stone in the mosaic fits into the perfect pattern, designed by the Master Artist. It is all so wonderful! But the colours are of Heaven's hues, so that your eyes could not bear to gaze on the whole, until you are beyond the veil. So, stone by stone, you see, and trust the pattern to the Designer."

 

Wishing you a wonderful Christmas season and a fantastic 2009!

 

All our love Justin and Jenny

 

Remission Update

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Wooohooooooo  - All Glory, praise and honour to God for my healing -

I Saw Dr Du Toit at 11.30am yesterday and he gave us the great news, that I am in REMISSION. No sign of any cancer in my body. Only some scar tissue left behind. Sort of like when you have a sore and it heals, leaving a scar behind. This will go after time. What Awesome news

He has told me to keep my immune system up – sleep, healthy eating and exercise will do the trick (all of which we are doing, as a lifestyle already)

He then said that it was all good to go on holiday – yippee, so we leave in 2 weeks, the 29^th for the States.

We want to Thank, Dr Du Toit and all the staff at the Constantia berg Sunflower Ward, for all the Love and care that they showed us during the past 7 months of treatment.

To each one of our Prayer warriors, loyal sms’s and the regular emailer’s, we would like to Thank you for all your encouraging words, support & prayers over this difficult time for us.

And to our wonderful family, for loving us the way we are, even though we have made some radical lifestyle changes – green drinks and all

We really appreciate and could not do it without your support. It really does make a difference. Please continue to pray for my health – that my immune system will keep strong at all times, so that there will be no chance of relapse at all. I will be going for an X Ray in December for a check up, then have my port removed, and after that, every 6 months I’ll have to go for a check up scan. I’ll have to do this for the next 5 years.

To my Dearest Wife – WOW, without your loving support and awesome care, I would not have been able to manage. Thanks for always making me smile & have fun, even through my down days and grumpy times. You are so very special to me – I really appreciate all you are to me. LOVE YOU LOADS xxxxxx

To my Awesome God – Thank you for helping me through the really difficult situations I had to face over the past few months. Without you by my side, there to call on when I needed you most – I definitely would not have made it. You gave me Hope and strength to run the race and win the battle. I Love you and Praise you for all that you have done in Jenny and my life over the past 7 months. What a great journey it has been – Valleys and All. You are Awesome

Be joyful always, pray continually, give Thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus 1 Thess 5:18

 

All our Love Justin & Jenny

Justin Update - August

Yippeeee! No more chemo!

 

Well, it’s been 1 month since the end of Justin’s last chemo! He is feeling great and is needing to start shaving again as his hair is growing fast! August started off with a bang, with us celebrating Justin’s last chemo as well as welcoming our gorgeous little niece Rebecca into the world!

 

We are trying to stay super healthy and have been making healthy eating and exercise a priority. Not always easy when you are busy but we know this is essential as Justin’s body needs to be in optimum nutrition so that his body does the work as there is no more chemo.

He is going for the PET scan on Thursday (11^th) at 9am and we will meet with Dr Du Toit on Monday 15^th at 11:15 for the results. Please pray for us. We are both anxious for this scan as well as the results. We do trust God completely, that His will be done in our lives and that all this will be for His glory alone. This does give us peace even when our bodies still succumb to nervousness.

 

Sunfower day – 23^rd September! You will see in one of our pics, we are sporting our  Sunflower bandanas! We urge everyone to go out and buy a bandana (or a few) from any Pick’n Pay (you will see them hanging above the tills). Proceeds go towards the sunflower foundation and this aids those needing bone marrow transplants. I also urge you to be tested as a bone marrow donor. This is a simple procedure of donating blood to see if you could be a potential match for someone and could save a life. Those diagnosed with leukaemia or far staged lymphoma often need a bone marrow transplant to survive. It is only when you are surrounded by these patients and families do you realise how important it is to them that people get involved and are tested.

 

We thank you all for your continued support and prayers for both of us. Looking back to February when Justin was diagnosed, we never knew what the coming months were going to be like. We thank God for His mercies for they are new every morning! Great is your Faithfulness!! God has taken us by the hand and lead us into every situation and circumstance. We serve an amazing God, one who we can trust completely and hold onto with all we have!

 

In quietness and trust is your strength – Isaiah 30:15

 

All our love

Justin and jenny

 

 

 

The princess we've been waiting for ...

Justin Update - JULY

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Yippppeeeeeee! 1 to go! WOW! Our countdown is drawing near! Justin had number 11 on Thursday and has had a good recovery period this time around. Side effects are becoming more apparent such as lack of feeling in his arms and legs and funny fingernails! This is from the long term effects of the chemicals in the body. Photo’s attached are of us at Constantiaberg Sunflower ward and the last couple of weeks together.

Last treatment date is the 31^st July – then we will see Dr Du Toit around the 20^th August and then Justin will have a PET scan. This specialised scan can only be done in one place in Cape Town and is a full body scan that detects any cancer cell in the body. At this stage Dr Du Toit has said he will wait on the results of the PET to see whether he wants to proceed with further treatment or radiation. Should the PET be clear, then he wants to leave Justin alone! We trust God for His perfect plan for us in these results too!

We are ready to celebrate! We are planning a mid week break away middle of August and then a 4 week holiday sometime around October to relax and have some fun!!!!!! We are also eagerly awaiting the arrival of our niece sometime in August J Going to be an Uncle and an Aunt for the 1^st time!

Looking back to the 13^th Feb which was the day of diagnosis, there have been so many significant changes in both of our lives. We know when treatment ends, we won’t go back to normal life like we had before– we will be living a “new kind of normal”. One marked with completely different eating and lifestyle habits, being grateful for the somewhat insignificant moments and blessings in life and a renewed trust in God. There is no better place to be than in the centre of God’s hand, where He holds every moment, and you let him! Where there is an incredible peace even amidst uncertain times and not knowing what the future holds for us. What a relief to know that God delights in carrying our worries and anxious thoughts and we can confidently leave these all to Him.

We were sad to hear about the passing of Jessica (7 yrs old) 2 weeks ago. We got to know her and her parents during the treatments Justin has had. She was recovering from her 2^nd bone marrow transplant and 3rd relapse with leukaemia when she relapsed for the 4^th time and the doctors sent her home. Please keep her family in your prayers. They are rejoicing that she is dancing with Jesus but such a sad loss for her family (www. Friendsofjessica. com ) We continue to pray for all our other friends we have met in the ward. James (4) and Bea (10) recovering well after treatment for leukaemia) Bilqees, Candice and Craig all receiving treatment for Hodgkin Lymphoma and Nazliya (who was at school with Jenny) is trying to find a bone marrow donor. Please keep them in your prayers.

Once again we say a BIG BIG thank you for all your prayers and loving support – we couldn’t have done this without you! And we love you all!

Justin and Jenny

Joshua 1:9 – “Yes, be bold and strong!  Banish fear and doubt!  For remember, the Lord your God is with you wherever you go”              

Isaiah 41:10 - Fear not, for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up with My right hand.

Jer 17:7-8 – Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.  He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.  It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green.  It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit”

update Justin - June

Hi to all our family and friends.....

 

Sorry about the long silence. We are good J and so happy that Justin has finished his 9^th treatment! So there are only 3 more to go. End treatment date for the 31^st July.

Justin has struggled with nausea a lot the past couple of treatments and we have tried all types of things (like lemon leaves to block the smells while having chemo) to natural nausea tablets (that we were advised against taking as they may interfere with the chemo) he has now been put on a stronger tablet which has seem to help a bit.

 

Justin’s Haematologist, Dr du Toit, increased the dosage of chemo by about 10% the last 2 chemo’s as he wants to see a greater drop in his white blood count. A high white blood count is good so that Justin is able to have chemo without it being dangerous to his immune system but there needs to be a variation between the weeks as this means the chemo is reaching the places furthest away (like the bone marrow)

 

Our general health has been gr8, esp. that many people around us have had flu & colds. Praise God for no infections!

Dr Du Toit said that after end of treatment, Justin will need to wait about 2 months and then have a scan to check on how things have progressed.

We are feeling like the Sunflower ward at Constantiaberg has become like a 2^nd home to us. We are so grateful for the level of professionalism and care that Justin receives. Do you know that it is the only ward in the world that offers their patients to lie down when they are receiving their chemo? All other facilities make their patients sit in chairs. Justin has a mixture of pre-med, quaterzone, steroids, antihistamine and nausea meds via a drip before he starts with the chemo and then sleeps, so he is grateful to be able to lie down! World class facility!

 

We praise and thank God for his “journey mercies” thus far! We have learnt to trust God for the day ahead of us and to leave everything at his feet (although human nature often means we take this back – it’s a habit of daily surrendering our lives to God and His purposes!) We have our hard days and then great days too – so we rejoice in the good and hold on to God even tighter in the not so good ones!

 

Deuteronomy 31.8 says “ the Lord himself goes before you, and is with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged”

 

Thank you for all your continued support and prayers! We appreciate them lots!

 

All our love

Justin and jenny

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The New Edition

So here we are 25 weeks in, now in the 3rd trimester. Our little girl is really starting to get active, kicking left, right and centre. Whenever something nice is eaten there's always action and when dad talks to her she knows it as well. Enjoy the pics!!!

Justin's Update 16

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Justin’s Update 16

Hi to all our friends, family and prayer supporters.

We have really exciting news!!!!!

After the last Chemo (No.5), Justin went for a follow up / progress X Ray. We spoke to Doc Du Toit this past Wednesday and he gave us this feedback…..

The radiology report came back clear (that is – she couldn’t pick up any abnormality in the chest area) Doctor Du Toit said because he knows what he is looking for, he could still see a faint trace of the lymph nodes but these have reduced dramatically. At the start of chemo there were about 5 large nodes(tumors) one on the chest being 64mm by 62mm. This shows how much these have reduced in size. Treatment will continue as per the plan set out by Dr Du Toit ….. 12 treatments in total. This is to make sure everything is thoroughly covered. We are so thankful to our medical team around us BUT give all the glory to our heavenly father who does all the healing! We praise and thank Him for the work He has done and is continually doing in both of our lives. How AWESOME is our God!!!

Justin goes for number 6 this Thursday! The half way mark! Yippee !!!!!!! You can see in one of the photo’s attached, Sister Fatima busy preparing Justin’s port for chemo administration. The sisters are experts at this because it can be quite tricky to get the line in the right place each time. The port is a plastic dome which is inserted under the skin near the collar bone. This has a pipe that connects directly to a main vein in the chest cavity. It is used instead of injecting directly into your arm veins which eventually after a few treatments become hard and damaged.

This weekend we were tourists in our own country with Dean & Nicky. Went on the Cape Town topless bus for a tour of our beautiful Cape and then we went off exploring wine farms for a great lunch! Friday we had a picnic with the family at Groot Constantia to celebrate Helen’s birthday. A very exciting weekend ahead with Tim and Renee’s wedding. We pray that Justin is strong enough to be able to enjoy the whole wedding (as he is supposed to be resting after chemo!) Please pray for his strength.

~ when you accept the fact that sometimes seasons are dry and times are hard and God is in control of both, you will discover a sense of divine refuge, because the hope then is in God and not in yourself ~

"We live by faith, not by sight." - 2 Corinthians 5:7

We will be having a thanksgiving prayer meeting at Denis at 6:15-6:45 pm on Wednesday (7^th)  - slightly earlier as there is the monthly corporate prayer meeting at

We thank you for your continued support and encouragement. We feel surrounded by your prayers. God is teaching us so many new things each day and we are excited at the things He is doing through this situation and season in our lives. Thank you for standing with us. It’s hard to express how grateful we really are!

We love you all

Justin and Jenny