Justin's Story 8

Hi All

 

The other piece of good news from yesterday was that the results of bone marrow biopsy had been received and it was clear. This means that the disease has not started moving too far around the body!!

 

Thank you Lord!

 

Love

 

Denis, Cilla, Kim, Dean and Nicky

Justin's Story 7

Hi All

 

Justin had his chemo yesterday which went well although they finished very late. He eventually got home after 6 but was in good spirits! As we talked through the experience he told us how his mind was in gear and awake and trying to see ahead, but his body is just not getting going! He said he felt like an old man (like me!!).

 

Jenny tells me today that they both slept well last night. Justin eventually woke after 9 this morning!  Great, and no sweats! So he has had a really good rest.

 

He is taking medication for nausea and this seems to be working. The only side effect at this time is that he is quite tired.

 

Thanks again to all those who have been praying for him.  Please continue to pray that God will bring about complete healing in his body with minimal side effects. 

 

Please also still remember to stay away if you have colds or flu or other viruses!!

 

Love

 

Denis, Cilla, Kim, Dean and Nicky

Justin's Story 6

Hi All

 

Justin had his op yesterday at about 11am and then, after recovery, they did a final x-ray check of his chest to see how the port had been connected.  This proved to be perfect.  He was looking quite bright after the anesthetic and was very cheerful and positive last night. 

 

Chemo has been scheduled for this morning and by lunch time he should be on his way home.  Dr Mike du Toit has been a great support in explaining the process and putting their minds at ease.

 

We were able to visit him in the Haematology wing of Constantiaberg clinic.  This wing is different to the Oncology wing and has been set up for the specific treatment of people with blood diseases like Leukemia and Hodgkins Lymphoma.  We were very impressed with the level of knowledge, the standard of care and the specialized staff. 

 

While he was there he was introduced to a 19 yr old survivor from Jhb whose parents had started treatment in Jhb, had been to the USA for “expertise”, where they had been told that the best treatment available for this disease was back in Constantiaberg in CT, so they have now moved down here! 

 

As you may all know, chemo reduces the natural resistance of the body to fight infections.  It is therefore vital, that for the next 6 months, he doesn’t come into contract with anyone who has colds/flu etc.  Please be sensitive, and stay away if you have any hint of a virus of any sort.  A phone call/sms will be gratefully accepted in this case (even in the hospital we were not allowed to kiss him hello)!

 

His next chemo session will be in 2 weeks time.

 

Thanks again to all those who have been praying for him.  Please continue to pray that God will bring about complete healing in his body with minimal side effects. 

 

James 5:13  And those who have reason to be thankful should continually be singing praises to the Lord. 

 

Love

 

Denis, Cilla, Kim, Dean and Nicky

Justin's Story 5

Hi All

 

Today is the day the Lord has made!

 

Justin has gone in to hospital early this morning for the first operation to fit the port. This will happen sometime between 8:30 and 9:30.

 

We pray for the doctors and medical staff who will operate and care for him.

 

Tomorrow he starts with his first session of chemo. Please continue to pray.

 

Also join us at my home at 6:30 this evening if you can.

 

Love

 

Denis, Cilla, Kim, Dean and Nicky

 

PS  You can find all these Updates on our blog at www.marshclan.co.za and you can leave your comments as well!!

 

 

PS  We thank God for His protection for John H and peace for him today

Justin's Story 4

Hi All

 

Justin had a good weekend and is not feeling too bad. He continues with a niggly little cough and tight chest that is constantly there, but we believe that once treatment of the chemo has start and the lymph nodes start to get smaller this will cause less irritation.

 

He plans to work on Monday and Tuesday this week and on Wednesday he will go into Constantiaberg Clinic to have a port fitted. This allows easy taking of blood samples and also prevents the chemo from hardening the veins. He will stay in over night and on Thursday morning they will start the first chemo session. It is planned that this will happen every 14 days for 2 months, then they will review the progress, make whatever changes are needed and then continue for approximately another 4 months.

 

I ask you to continue to pray daily at 6:30pm (remember a reminder in your phone!!), and for all who can come, we will meet on Wednesday at my home to pray again.

 

You can pray specifically for the following needs

1              Gods Peace over their lives

2              Wisdom for the doctors

3              A perfect operation to fit the port

4              Easing of his breathing

5              No bad side effects from the chemo

6              A miracle in his body

 

Justin and Jenny continue to thank all for the extreme support they have had and thank each of you for this. They still need your encouragement and scriptures. SMS them (span>

 

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

 

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Nevertheless you have done well in that you have shared in my distress. And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Jesus Christ. Philippians 4:13,14,19

 

Love

 

Denis, Cilla, Kim, Dean and Nicky

 

Justin's Story 3

Hi All

 

Justin (and Jenny!!) saw the new Oncologist yesterday. They feel much better with this new doctor who explained more or less what stage they were at as there are still no final biopsy results. He has asked for all the biopsy samples to be sent to him so that he can personally see the tissue – a very thorough, wise and knowledgeable doctor. He went on to explain that there would be a 6 month treatment of Chemo every second week. He will do this on a Thursday, so that Fridays can be a rest day and he should be good for work on a Monday again.

 

He has discussed the side effects but says that as Justin is young and healthy, these would probably be less severe and the chances for full remission are very good as there is a lot known about this disease. We pray that he is one of those who fall in the 85% category of full remission.

 

Now that there is a plan, they are able to feel that there is a direction ahead and can re-organize their lives. This has been the really tough part of this challenge in not knowing what was ahead.

 

I ask you to continue to pray daily at 6:30pm (put a reminder in your phone!!), and for all who can come, we will probably meet next Tuesday or Wednesday to pray again.

 

Justin and Jenny are totally bowled over by the extreme support they have had and thank each of you for this.

 

They still need your encouragement and scriptures.

 

Love

 

Denis, Cilla, Kim, Dean and Nicky

Justin's Story 2

Hi All

We are still playing the waiting game. They have drawn all the samples that they need for the biopsies and the cultures are now underway, but – these take time!!

They are expected to get more results tomorrow and have an appointment with an oncologist who is believed to be the expert in Cape Town for Hodgkin Lymphoma.

Yesterday at church he met two people who have the same disease and who are in remission. One lady has been in remission for 11 years and has a son of 4 years who was born after her treatment. This was very encouraging.

As we learn more we will keep you informed.

We continue to pray for a full 7 days at my home on a daily basis at 6:30pm, and for all who cant get there, we ask you to please stop at that time and join us in prayer.


Love

Denis, Cilla, Kim, Dean and Nicky

Justin's Story 1

Hi All

Just a short update to let you know how Justin is doing.

He went to see the doctor on Monday morning as he was coughing, had lost a bit of weight and was having night sweats. These are symptoms of TB and so the doctor sent him for a lung X-ray. This showed abnormality so he was sent to a lung specialist who required CT scan and at the same time wanted a biopsy of a gland that was swollen in his neck.

From the initial culture from the biopsy they are able to tell that he has Hodgkin Lymphoma. We do not know which variation or at what stage he is. He is going to have a bone marrow biopsy today and that will give an indication of what we are dealing with.

He will see the specialist tomorrow and will see an oncologist on Monday.

Both he and Jenny are mentally well at the moment.

We pray for complete removal of this disease from his body. We believe we need to be obedient and will pray every night for the next 7 nights. We meet at my home at 6:30.

If you can’t be there, please stop doing what you are doing at that time, and pray. Start fasting!

We know God has this great plan. We don’t know how we fit in to it, but we trust His promises that he will never test us more than we can handle.

Justin and Jenny need your encouragement and scriptures. SMS them (please don’t call yet) on - or - mail to -

Love

Denis, Cilla, Kim, Dean and Nicky

Eph 3:20 God can do anything, you know--far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.