Thursday, January 1, 2009

Happy New Year!

My experience with the clinical trial drug has been positive thus far. I really haven't had any negative side effects to speak of. I have finished the first phase of the trial, requiring me to spend a full day at Karmanos every other week. Now I am taking the drug orally at home every day, which is much more convenient. I won't find out how well this drug is working against the cancer until I get my next set of scans in early February.

A portion of my strength and energy has returned, but I still struggle to get myself moving in the morning. I thank the Lord that He has taken me to where am I now, compared to where I was just 2 months ago. We pray that the scans will reflect this also.

We went up to Port Huron to spend Christmas with my family. We were fortunate to have everyone there. Morgan and Landon were absolutely joyful when they saw the stack of presents under the tree! I was so glad to be able to spend another Christmas with my family, as this really wasn't expected. We always talk about the true value of Christmas. These past two Christmas seasons have given me a new perspective of celebrating the joy of our Savior's birth.

Happy New Year everyone, we wish all of you the best in 2009!

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a great picture Nate, you all look fabulous. I am glad to hear that the holidays were memorable.

Anonymous said...

Through everything you've been through, you still look great! And your family is as adorable as ever!

Becca Little (aka Becky Lafferty) :-)

Chris said...

Happy New Year to you as well! I am so happy to hear the positive news about the clinical trial!! Always keep hope! As always, you will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Anonymous said...

Nate,
What a great picture and what a great family! You are constantly in our prayers.

Ian’s 12/31/09 MRI was clean - Live Strong, Share Hope, Pray Without Ceasing...

How would we have known in our youth that our faith would be so important to us now?

A blessed new year for you and yours.

As David Bailey would offer - Hallelujah! One More Day...
Mark & Ellen

Caren Hunter said...

A friend of ours from college said her mother worked with Judah Folkman in the 70s and 80s when he was working out the process for your type of treatment. She said her mother said, "if I were in my 30's with cancer, I would track down Judah Folkmans lab, and pursue them like the hounds of hell until they took on my case." She was encouraged to hear about your clinical trial....

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the update, Nate...we continue to pray for you and your family regularly...Yes, I rejoice with you over each Christmas and other milestones you have with your precious family...may God give you many more...we love you lots, Dave and Ruth VR

Anonymous said...

Today at Marge's small group we all shared 4 people or things for which we would be praying in 2009. You were on each and every list. Our focus will be for good results from the February scans. I loved seeing the picture! Thanks for keeping us updated. Joy (and Casey) Stengel

Anonymous said...

Wonderful to hear the good news. We will keep on praying for you. Thanks for the picture. Erik is loosing all his hair too and we are going to shave the rest off tonight. Love and prayers to you. Judy Ellefsen

Anonymous said...

Nate, thank you for sharing the picture of you and your family; the kids are getting so big. We are so pleased to learn of the progress you are making on this new drug. God is good and every day since we first learned of your illnes we ask that He continue to shower you with His blessings and healing power.

Larry and Arlene Burke (Marge's friends)

Anonymous said...

Nate,

Thanks for the recent up-date. Glad to hear that the initial reactions to the experimental program are positive. We will be praying for the tests in February. Dodie and Steve just arrived so we have even more recent news.

Great picture. I have to come up with a picture for my Facebook.

Grandfather Chas

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear of the positive report. We'll keep praying. God speed and huge blessings, Sarah (Newlon) Pearson

Anonymous said...

Heya! GREAT to hear you're doing better!!! Happy New Year for sure - may it continue to improve!!! I saw John and Ben and crew - and was hoping to see YOU!!! Maybe next time you can come with them!!!
Hope so, but until then, keep up the good work.

Charles aka Chuck in Sarasota

Super Weird said...

Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Nate,
Wanted to extend my prayers to you as well. Hope all is going smooth with your recovery. Enjoy those kids maybe we can get together with the softball guys and all the kids this summer to catch up.
Biff

Anonymous said...

Poking my head in to say "Hi"...I may call next time (you've been warned!) You are in my prayers.

Charles aka Chuck in Sarasota

Anonymous said...

Dear Nate and Deb,
Hope you are feeling stronger every day. We missed seeing you during the holidays but pray for you daily.
It is so nice the Marge can visit you frequently since she is retired from teaching. Please keep us informed about your progress.
We love you! John, Rosemary, Rob and Janna

Anonymous said...

Nate,

The clinical trial sounds encouraging.

I look forward to seeing you on the track this year.

Luis

Anonymous said...

Heya! Poking my head in to say hi - still thinking and praying for you!!! Hope all is well - give your valentine a hug from me! Talk to you soon.

Charles aka Chuck from Sarasota

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Anonymous said...

Nate,

Glad you are feeling better. The offer to bring over Millers cheeseburgers, fries and Sprite is still out there when you are ready. Make a list of "around the house things that need to be tended to" and Jimmy and I will see about getting them done.

Bob, Sue and Jenni.

Anonymous said...

Nate,

The offer to bring over Millers Cheeseburgers, Fries and Sprite still stands when you are ready.
Please make a list of "things around the house that need tending to" and Jimmy and I will see about getting them sorted out.

Bob, Sue and Jenni