The story of Aaron and Suzanne began as all such stories do, with a meeting. Both up-and-comers in their respective businesses, their paths crossed at an Impact Leadership Network gathering in 2006. It was love at first sight. Not only that, we are blessed to say that as their relationship grew our families also fell in love. (for engagement pictures go to www.droze.com/blog/ (Wedding pictures will come later from Droze who by the way is a personal friend of Aaron from college days in Orlando).

When I was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2007, Suzanne and her parents, David and Lisa, were right there for us. Then when Aaron also was diagnosed with kidney cancer in February of 2008, our families grew even closer. At that point, we admit that we were asking God, “What’s going on here? … Why is this happening?” Really, we had three choices: 1) to try to fix the situation which Leo as a “fixer” would try and do; 2) get really angry with God and turn our backs on Him; or 3) give it totally over to God and completely trust Him.

We chose Door Number Three, and we thank God every day that we did, because He showed up in a big way; and on Saturday, March 28, we watched Suzanne walk down the isle to unite with Aaron. Praise God! And praise God not only because today Aaron and I are cancer survivors, but because through all of that He nurtured the love relationship between Aaron and Suzanne so that it would grow even deeper; he nurtured the love relationship between our families so that it is hard to imagine we could be any closer; He nurtured the love relationship between us and thousands of prayer partners around the world who followed our family story on this blog and lifted all of us up to the Lord; and, most important, God nurtured the love relationship, the trust relationship between us and Him. Even though it had to be born of pain and anxiety, that deeper trust relationship that Aaron and Suzanne and both our families now have with God is a priceless gift that we all can carry through the remainder of our lives and into eternity.

Lord,we want to thank you for growing our faith in You even through pain and for seeing Aaron and Suzanne through to their wedding day; and I pray that love for You and each other will always fill their hearts and guide their lives. Amen.

The wedding plans are getting finalized as to where, what and when.  Aaron and Suzanne will be getting married at the end of March 2009.  They are both so excited and so in love.  They are getting ready to take Prep for Marriage through our church.  We are so proud of them for refraining from living together and going about things God’s way.  They are also fixing up a townhouse that they plan on moving in to together.  It’s fun to be thinking wedding one minute, paint colors and flooring the next!

Please continue to pray for my health and that I will remain cancer free.  It is because of those continued prayers that I remain doing so well.   I will continue to try and update now and then.  I pray that all who read this is doing well.

Blessings,

Candy

I began to search myself to see if I was angry at him for allowing me to go through all that I did.  Yet, I did not find that at all.  If anything, I am so thankful to Him for bringing me through and my son as well!  I praise His name for all that He has done.  So what was the deal?

I don’t know what to tell you other than it was a dry dead place.  The day that I heard that my friend Char’s cancer had returned, well that’s the day I started to speak to Him again.  As I ponder all of this I can only think that He wanted me to remember what it felt like not to have the daily chat with Him.  

Suddenly on that day I seemed to see people in a new light.  One in which is very surreal.  I feel as if I am observing them and see into their lonely lost souls.  Does that make any sense to anyone?  Gosh, I said what does that mean?  Suddenly I feel compelled to stop and just say hello.  My busy life running here and there has suddenly taken on a new appeal and a new purpose.  There are so many lost people out there.  As our world continues to spin faster and faster and more out of control I am feeling a need to just be an encouragement with something as simple as a smile or a hello.

There have been numerous days that complete strangers smile at me and say hello.  I began to wonder if I had a tattoo on my forehead that says “Friend”.  Last Friday as I was walking in the park I felt physically propelled to go over and say hello to an elderly gentleman who was sipping coffee watching the ducks. As I approached him and said hello, how are you today, he turned and wouldn’t you know it, he had a Boston Red Sox shirt on.  Leave it to God to give me the thing to talk about when I was asking myself if I was losing my mind!  As we got chatting he told me that he graduated from Boston College and he had even heard of the junior college that I attended there that has been closed for years. 

Wow, as I drove away I thought what an insight.  What a praise report.  That our God taught me something through my “dry spell”.  How it truly feels to be alone.  Truly alone – like down in the very heart and soul of your being.  

I probably have not explained myself well.  Hopefully I did enough so that some of you that read this (in fact it will probably only happen if you bump into this site again).  Many of you have gone on your way giving up that I would ever post again for which I do not blame you.

Physically I am doing wonderful.  I work out six days a week and try to eat as healthy as I can.  I continue to see my ongologist, Dr. Schwartz every 4 to 6 weeks for bloodwork.  A new scan should be coming up shortly.  He is very pleased with my progress but I know that he is still being cautious for which I am grateful.  My urologist did a scope about 4 weeks ago and he said that I looked so good that he didn’t want to see me for 8 months!  He said about 20% get cancer back in their bladders.  I’m happy to report that I am currently in the 80%.

Aaron is doing wonderful.  You’d never know he had a kidney removed.  He got engaged to Suzanne Craddock on July 31 and they are currently planning their wedding for the Spring of 09.  

We have so much to be thankful for.  We continue to ask you to pray for us when thoughts of us pass through your mind as perhaps they do from time to time.  God is good and I continue to be amazed at His love and faithfulness even when I am not.

Blessings and love,

Candy

Well, it’s been over a month since I’ve written in my blog.  That is because I have not stopped living life and loving every moment! 

I have been doing a lot of reflecting and let’s face it, just plain enjoying life “after chemo”. 

It has been an emotional ride since my brother was diagnosed back in 2004 with cancer and given three months to live – that is when I truly thanked God every day and I mean every day I thanked him for my health.  My brother exceeded their expectations and lived for almost one year.  It was a hard year as my mother was declining in her own health and memory.  He died, September 2004.  She went into a nursing home and  died August 2007.  I was diagnosed with cancer in October 2007.  My son Aaron was diagnosed with cancer in March 2008. 

So when people ask if I look at life differently.  I can honestly say no, I still appreciate every day that God gives me and for the life and family that He has blessed me with.   What I do understand more fully today, is how God has a plan for me while I am here.  In other words, He’s not done with me yet!

Aaron is back to work and doing wonderfully.  He looks and feels like he’s never had surgery.  He continues to enjoy life with his girlfriend Suzanne.  He’s recently decided to take up kite surfing.  Oh to be young! 

Please continue to pray as I meet with my oncologist next week for more blood work.  We will also discuss at that time when I will have another scan done to make sure that the cancer has not found another home in my body.  I will more than likely be having a scan every few months for a while in order to make sure that I am clear.  This is a great precaution and one that is customary after chemo.

In the meantime Leo and I have planned a vacation to the islands  and we will be heading there in a few weeks.

Isaiah 58:8 (Contemporary English Version)

Then your light will shine like the dawning sun, and you will quickly be healed.  Your honesty will protect you as you advance, and the glory of the Lord will defend you from behind.

Thank you for the continued prayer.  I promise that I will update again after our vacation.

Love to all,

Candy

This past Monday I met with my oncologist, Dr. Schwartz to have my blood levels checked and to go over my CAT scans that I had done the previous Friday.

He told me that the scans are clear of any cancer!  I can’t tell you how elated I was to hear that bit of news.  He also said that my blood levels are back to normal except for my white blood cells which are a little low but he said that was to be expected. 

I will see him again in two weeks to have my blood levels checked, and in two months I will have a PET scan.  He is keeping a close watch on me which gives me great comfort.

There was a small lesion found in my right kidney which he did not seem concerned about, but he wants my urologist to do an ultra sound and evaluation on it nonetheless.  I have an appointment this coming Tuesday morning to see Dr. Borland.

I am praying that this is just a small cyst and nothing to be concerned about.  Regardless, I am asking you to keep praying for me.  I have come so far this past year.  Yes, it will be a year May 19^th, 2007 that this whole journey of mine started.

I am feeling like my old self again.  I have my energy back and I am up and at it by 6:00 AM and I go like crazy until 9:30 or 10:00 PM.  This week the two hour naps ceased and I cannot express how good that feels.

Aaron is doing wonderful as well.  He had his staples removed last week and is now able to drive.  He has let his beard grow, and he looks like a different guy.  I’ll have to take a picture and post it on here for you to see as I can’t imagine him keeping it for long. 

We are praising God for all He’s done for us during our health trials.  As we reflect back over this past year we are so thankful.  I continue to thank God for all of you.  You have truly blessed us and helped us along the way with your love and support.  You are all a shining example of the following:

Mark 12:28 The Greatest Commandment

 28One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

 29“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.^[e] 30Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’^[f] 31The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’^[g]There is no commandment greater than these.”

Standing in Victory,

Candy and her family

I haven’t written an update in a while due to my involvement with my son Aaron and his operation.  He came home after his surgery to our house so that I could help him out with fixing his meals.  He was released on Friday, April 11^th.

The following Monday I went to Dr. Schwartz to have my blood levels checked only to discover that they were so low that he immediately admitted me in the hospital – again.  My platelets had dropped to an all time low of 12,000 (100,000 is the normal low).  Also my hemoglobin was at such a dangerous low that he said that I could hemorrhage internally.  Fun huh?  Little did he know that in the morning I had clippers and was out cutting my rose bushes!  Talk about God’s angels surrounding us and protecting us.

However, when he said hemorrhage, I’ll admit I was a little scared with that statement.  So into the hospital I went and what a beautiful view I got of the intercoastal.  It’s amazing through this all how God throws beautiful things at you just to remind you that He’s with you all the way!  I have truly fallen in love with Good Sam and would recommend it (if anyone has to go to a hospital).  Every nurse I was graced with turned out to either go to Christ Fellowship or was a Christian.  Again God surrounds us with His children.

I received a pint of platelets and three pints of red blood cells.  It started at approximately 3:00 PM and did not end until 3:00 AM.  I had the blessing of three great friends that came that evening.  They brought me my new fun food a Steak and Shake burger with malt.  (Yes, I’ve graduated from the grilled cheese sandwich).  We shared a lot of love and laughs.  I slept like a baby at peace that night. 

At 7:30 AM Dr. Schwartz paid me a visit.  He said that chemo had to be stopped as my body just couldn’t handle it anymore.  I stood amazed as it was only days ago that Leo and I both felt that God was letting us know that I had enough chemo.  Now here was Dr. Schwartz confirming what had already been revealed to us. We are now working on getting my blood levels back and my strength back as well.   

This past Monday I went for another blood checkup with Dr. Schwartz.  I had to have another platelet transfusion the next day as an outpatient at Good Sam.  I also have to give myself Neupogen shots for this week to build up the white blood cells.

I see him again tomorrow and pray that my blood level continue to improve. My next step will be a PT scan to determine if there are any cancer cells present.   

Reflections…..

That morning that I spent in the hospital I sat up on the side of my bed sipping coffee and watching the sun rise over the water.  Tears flowed as I reflected God’s grace and great love for me.  I started to think about all the changes in our lives over the past fifteen years. It all started on that weekend retreat that I crossed the bridge of reconciliation between the ways of the world and a personal relationship with God.  It was that weekend that I asked Jesus Christ into my heart and declared Him as my Lord and Savior. It was that weekend that I came to understand the love that God has for me.   That God would send His sinless son Jesus Christ to die a criminal death on the cross to pay the wages of sin, for me personally and all who declare Him Lord of their life.

It has been since that weekend that I continually experience the amazing grace and love of my God.  He has given me strength and a peace that I did not know I had or that I could find within the depths of my soul as I face each day this past year coping with this journey of cancer.

It was fifteen years ago that this transformation started in my life.  I can say that there is no way to describe the height, width or depth of the significance of this personal relationship with God.  A God that is so big that He has created the universe placed every star in the sky and knows them by name.  A God that cares about the smallest of details that He even provides the food and shelter for the birds, a God that even takes care of the littlest detail of providing me a hospital room with a magnificent water view to enjoy His creation of the sun rising this morning.

At some point every person reaches a moment in their life and asks themselves, “What on earth, have I been put on earth for”?  Well if you do not know the answer to that question, then let me share with you that God longs to have a personal relationship with you.  You have been uniquely created by God with specific gifts that He has chosen to give to you.  This is not by accident nor has he given these gifts for your own personal indulgence, but given to fulfill the purpose He has planned for each of us. 

As Leo says, God does not need to be chasing us around to say, you can have an abundant life that I have prepared for you today and all of eternity or you can remain lost on the face of the earth, chasing the successes of the world that will mean nothing on your expiration date.  Have you ever seen a moving truck or U-Haul at a funeral?  So it is your choice.  DEAL !  or  NO DEAL !   .

So, if you are feeling the nudge from the one who created you in your mother’s womb, the one who loves you unconditionally, don’t waste anymore time ignoring it.   Seek Him now He’s waiting for you today, only He knows what tomorrow will bring.

Truly a transformed life and standing in Victory!

Candy

Today was Aaron’s day under the knife and everything pre- surgery has gone perfectly well.  The pre-certification from the insurance co with Dr. Wiita went through without a glitch.  Pre-op procedure went flawless; pre-arranging two units of his his-high octane blood has been donated by him and delivered to the OR as planned.

The actual check-in and surgery time was moved up by one hour, (makes for less time of anticipation) that was good because I do not think he slept an hour last night.  Our close friends and family joined us for the wait.

Dr. Wiita, has just come out and told us that all went perfect and all looked perfect around the kidney area.  There was less than two ounces of blood loss so no need to use the special high octane, so a gift to someone in need.  Dr. Wiita feels that the tumor was 100% contained and has sent the kidney for pathology.   It will be later Thursday or Friday that we will get the results of the type of mass.  The results will not change the next steps, because if it was benign we would celebrate and if it is malignant, they will recommend close observation.

So by noon Aaron will be out of recovery and in his room with a view, hopefully to the east to see the sunrise and ocean.  He should be only in here for three days, not the best way to spend a birthday.  BUT, PRAISE GOD that this tumor was discovered so early and it has been eradicated which should insure that our precious son, our gift from God, would be with us for many more birthdays.

I am sure that Aaron is anxious to get this behind him so he can get on with the next phase of his life with a very special and precious young woman Suzanne.  We are very blessed to travel this journey with our family, Suzanne, her family, and our most faithful friend. 

These journeys continue to stretch and grow our faith in our God; we see God’s faithfulness to meet our needs.  We know that He loves us and that he will protect us.  He is so worthy to be honored and to be praised.  

We so are blessed,

The Abdella Family 

Well on Monday I went for my chemo treatment only to be declined again due to my white blood cells not recovering from the previous treatment.  In addition to that my blood platelets and red blood cells were to low. I asked the doctor if “I was still alive?”  He sent me home for a week of rest and recovery. 

On Tuesday morning while having our together time enjoying the view over our little lake and watching the sun breakthrough the clouds, I said to Leo how good I felt.  I haven’t said that in about a year now.  Well wouldn’t you know 10 minutes later I was in the kitchen and suddenly it was like someone punched me in the back over the left lung.  It knocked the wind right out of me.  (No Leo didn’t do it he was in the bathroom).   

I made my way over to the sofa and tried to calm myself and get my breath back.  The pain was unbelievable.  I told Leo to call Dr. Crandall.  We called him and he told me to go right to Good Samaritan emergency room. He felt that we were dealing with a pulmonary embolism; yes, we have been there before, blood clots.  I need not say of the seriousness of that.  

What a wild ride that was.  We managed to go through only one red light (under my urging if you can imagine).  I was ready to tell him to take the sidewalks.  God really protected us the entire way.  He did not have to part the waters, but did a great job parting the traffic at rush hour.  

When we arrived, at the E.R. they were waiting for us, they jumped all over getting this, and that tested.  Dr. Schwartz, my oncologist, arrived shortly after and had a CAT scan and a few other tests done.  I was poked, prodded and admitted.  In the meantime no pain relief as they didn’t want to “mask” the symptoms.   

Leo called the church because he would not be there for pastoral prayer time and general staff meeting.  It was during that time that we believe God took over.  I was lifted up in prayer by our pastoral team, then again by our general church staff.  After that the prayer chains of our prayer warriors around the world were put into action.

Our friend, Pastor Don, was at our side praying, our senior Pastor Tom and his wife Donna were at my bedside, along with close friends.  These are the times that we truly understand and value relationships.   

We soon discovered not only was I still alive but it looked like I was going to remain that way.  The CAT scan came back negative for pulmonary embolism.  This we took as good news, but this news came from a very young nurse who was very matter of fact and not able to answer any questions. However, she was approved to bring pain relief meds. 

Between the pain meds and the positive news we did arrive at a level of comfort.    There was about another hour before I was transported from the E.R. to my room.  We anxiously awaited Dr. Swartz to give us the actual report.  When he arrived his opening words were “your prayers really worked” there was no sign of an embolism and even better no signs of tumors or masses of any kind in the lung area.  

We claim another victory! We believe that God declared Tuesday, March 25th a bad –day for blood clots and just blew them away.  Our God is a might God and worthy to be praised.  He is the great physician and great provider.  

So while I was there I did receive treatment for my extremely low platelet count and white and red blood cell imbalance.  So now, I’m walking around with someone else’s platelets.  Maybe they’re yours? 

Wednesday I was released from the hospital. I am feeling well and ordered to rest this week so that I will be able to receive the next round of chemo that starts on Monday.  This will be the first treatment of hopefully what will be the last round of treatment. If all goes well I will have a double treatment on Monday and then a single treatment over the following three weeks.   

We have been the beneficiaries of many prayers over the past several months and we again ask that you remember us over the next month or so as I push through this hopefully final round of chemo. I’m so ready to give my body a rest.  This experience gives me such a wealth of knowledge about cancer and a passion to stand beside the many others who will have to navigate this minefield.   

Aaron is still awaiting his scheduled surgery which falls on Tuesday, April 8^th at 9:00 AM.  We would all appreciate your continued prayers for him as well. 

God’s word says in; Psalm 118 17-20 – The Message Bible 

             I didn’t die. I lived!
            And now I’m telling the world what God did.
            God tested me, he pushed me hard,
             but he didn’t hand me over to Death.
            Swing wide the city gates—the righteous gates!
             I’ll walk right through and thank God!
            This Temple Gate belongs to God,
            so the victors can enter and praise.  

Standing in Victory!

Candy

Aaron now has a new surgeon and a new surgery date.  His insurance company refused to pay for my doctor to do the surgery since he is not on their plan.  So we went to Plan B which God provided.  It ends up that Dr. Wiita will be doing his surgery on Tuesday, April 8^th, two days before Aaron’s 32^nd birthday.  Aaron is saying that this will be the best birthday gift he has ever received.  He can say that because this mass was revealed and could have gone hidden for years and he would have a totally different prognosis.  Currently all the doctors are fairly certain that if it is renal cancer that it is contained and no chemo or treatment will be needed.  We are thanking God for revealing it at such an early stage.

I continue on my chemo treatment.  I have been able to master giving myself the Neupogen shots to boost my white blood cell count.  I’m feeling quite the medical pro but not ready to go into nursing any day soon.  I am praying that if all continues to go well that I may be only having one more month of treatment.  At that stage there is a plan for me to get a scan.  Depending on the result of that scan it will tell the doctor  whether or not I stop or have to continue for another two months. 

Please pray for Aaron’s surgery and in particular that if it is cancer that it is contained and will totally be removed on April 8^th. 

Pray for a no cancer result at the end of my next month of treatment. I leave you with this thought.   

The meaning of Easter – What does it mean to you? The meaning of Easter is Jesus Christ’s victory over death. His resurrection symbolizes the eternal life that is granted to all who believe in Him. The meaning of Easter also symbolizes the complete verification of all that Jesus preached and taught during His three-year ministry. If He had not risen from the dead, if He had merely died and not been resurrected, He would have been considered just another teacher or Rabbi. However, His resurrection changed all that and gave final and irrefutable proof that He was really the Son of God and that He had conquered death once and for all.

May we all reflect God’s great love for us through His son Jesus Christ knowing that through Him if we believe it to be true that we too will have the promise of eternal life. 

Standing in Victory,

Candy and Aaron

Aaron and Mom

Saturday, March 8, 2008

Aaron received his second opinion. The doctor feels that a total (radical) nephrectomy is necessary as it is too risky to do a partial due to the size and position of the mass. Dr. Borland will be doing the surgery on Tuesday, March 25th. He has been told to be prepared for a four to six week recovery time. He has asked you all to pray for him during this time.

Our little six month old dog Tyler has been renamed Tigger. He is such a little sweet heart. He just adores Leo (I call Leo “Big Dog”). He appears to be at peace. I have learned that he came from a home with seventeen other dogs so being the one and only has its benefits. He is still barking at his reflection in the mirrors and even my glass sliding doors. I’ve had to literally cover some of them with paper! I can’t tell you what a joy he has brought into our lives. That he comes at this time which is busy with chemo and fatigue seems somewhat crazy. He sure is a great napping buddy! For a four pound bundle he sure knows how to take up space.

The last two weeks I have not been able to have chemo due to my continued low white blood cells. I am scheduled for Monday for a double chemo and pray that it can take place. On Wednesday a nurse is coming to teach me how to give myself Neupogen shots. That should be exciting and another notch in my belt of new experiences.

I am feeling very good other than tired here and there. I am living my life pretty normal other than trying to stay away from people who are sick. I also try and avoid crowds but that is nothing new.

I have to share a funny story. I was with a friend going to another friend’s home for lunch. My friend was just getting over a cold so in order to ride in her car I put on a surgical mask along with my big black sun glasses. I forgot that I had them on and we stopped at the post office to drop off Aaron’s FED-X box and when my friend got out she left the door open. I was wonder why people were staring at me as they walked by. When we were backing up to pull out I looked in the review mirror and saw my reflection. I looked like a gangster. We laughed till we cried. We could just read the headlines.

“Come to me, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:38

Standing in Victory and pushing forward!

Candy