Blog or facebook - your choice!

After months of putting off the inevitable, I've finally joined the 'facebook' era. Blame Hornsnoggle Ferret - when you have a website, the logical extension is apparently facebook, as this is where most of the 'moderns' connect. So if you find i'm doing fewer blogs, its because I'm devoting that time to keeping up with facebook. You serious blog readers wont be forgotten - I'll continue to give regular updates on my cancer journey, but anything to do with family or 'business', facebook is now the venue.
Another 'chemo' burst on Wed, with the usual after effects slowly kicking in. but with only three more to go, I'm giving it my best shot to finish the full course. Thanks to John for his terrific little book 'Healed from Cancer' showing the remarkable faith journey of a woman who had metastatic liver cancer and was given only weeks to live. Here she is some twenty years later writing about the power of prayer and living out the scriptural promises she reads and claims every day from the bible. Inspiring stuff!
If you've read my book, you'll know my last 'annus horribilis' was 1987, when everthing that could go wrong did. Guess what else happened in in 1987? We won the RWC! And here we are, 24 years later, having another challenging year, and we win the Cup again! Sorry to disappoint you, but I plan to have a much better year in 2015! Carpe Diem, my friends!

2 great results in one week...

Some weeks are tougher than others - the only tough thing about this week has been the waiting! Thankfully, the ABs did the job on Sunday at a game which my bro and I enjoyed as much as any sporting event we've ever been to. Then, after a few very anxious days, the mid term scan results came back today with a really positive outcome - no more new tumors anywhere, and a sizable reduction in the current lymph and lung carcinomas.  FANTASTIC!
All you faithful bloggers, supporters, prayer partners, cafe companions, take a bow - you've proven your faithfulness by sticking beside me for the long haul, and for that I am truly grateful. A real, genuine, bona fide, answer to your prayers, and a wonderful testimony to a Loving God.
Four more to go - no, not four more years (like the Aussies), just four more treatments, and and the end, who knows - more good news, and a final scan showing the cancer has disappeared altogether. Keep the dream alive! Together, we'll make it.

Mid way scan -progress report

Friday is another D-Day, the day of the halfway CT scan. Is the chemo working? Are we making progress? Are the cancerous areas shrinking? Has the spread to the lungs been stopped? Have all the awful side affects over the past 12 weeks been worth it? Will the 'Rena' break up? Will the ABs win their semi? We might not get the answers to all these questions (as much as we would like!) but its good to know Someone knows, and cares, and our future is in His hands. Pray for a miracle (for ALL the above!) and enjoy the week - I know I will be.
Being kept busy with the 'books' and all the learning curves I'm experiencing, plus looking forward  to family calling for the RWC games.
(I havent decided if I'm more nervous about the result of the scan or the AB - Wallaby game on the weekend. All will be revealed - watch this space!)

HALFTIME!

Four down, four to go - I feel like a marathon runner whose reached the halfway point, and is now on the home run - a good feeling! The few days following the 'chemo blast' are not pleasant,but with four great RWCgames in the weekend, I'm sure it will help take my mind of it. Off to the quarters tomorrow night at Eden Park with Glen and Melinda, then the semis next week with brother Lawrence - isnt it nice to have generous family? Hope I can hack the pace.
Had some very good feedback on My Story - might even get a review in the 'Challenge' if I play my cards right.
Received my sample Hornsnoggle Ferret stuffed toy the other day - very cute. Sadly they arrive from China too late for the Christmas trade, even if I place an order immediately, but at least I'll have a couple of the books ready.
Game on - phones off the hook, 4 hours of Rugby Heaven - You'll need to pray doubly hard this week - for my coping with the chemo treatment side affects and for YOUR TEAM to make the semis cut! Go the ABs!

And the Emmy goes to...

It occurred to me that with the great band of supporters and 'prayer buddies' I've got, I've never really thanked those I owe so much to. Thats because it includes pretty well ALL of you, and by naming folk, i'm bound to leave someone out, then I'd feel bad. So if you're reading this, consider yourself THANKED and also blessed - you'll never know how much I appreciate your loyal support, encouragement and prayer - and even the occasional gift basket!
To break my own rules, I just have to single out three people who have been a huge help in putting Hornsnoggle Ferret together, and making the book(s) etc a reality - yes, they will happen. Have faith,. David for his great illustrations, Terry for putting it all together for the printers, and Jean for working on the Hornsnoggle website. All three have had the patience of Job, putting up with constant changes, tweaks, delays, and a guy who squeezes blood out of a stone (me). Without them the project would have never got off the ground, so a big hand for the these three great people. 
No more chemo now rtill next week - fantastic! I fell almost human again! Then, the moment of truth - the mid treatment scan. Now that will be interesting! A miracle would be nice - I'll settle for a huge reduction in the size of the cancer, wherever it is, and no new growths anywhere. Hows that for a specific prayer request?

Counting the days...

I wish I had something exciting to tell you, something that lifts your spirits and makes you shout Hallelujah! I guess the RWC is already filling that need, particularly some of the great games we've been treated to. (just dont mention the Wallabies - we dont want to offend anyone!) Truth is, every time I have the chemo-blast it makes me feel just that much worse. I've been told by good authority thats pretty standard, so I just have to suck it up. Thank heaven for all the supplements I've got, and the boxes of pills to help counteract the worst of the side effects. On the positive side, three treatments down, five to go. Almost halfway there!
The first 'Hornsnoggle Ferret'  book is painfully slow being released - I've learnt the world of publishing is a world where nothing is rushed, everything takes time, so I just have to be patient. Thankfully 'My Story' is finished and due for delivery this week, so at least thats one down. For those who want a copy I'll do a bulk email, so you just have to respond to that. If you DONT get the email, let me know and I'll reserve you a copy.
So to finish on a positive note, ONLY 91 shoppping days to Christmas!
There, that got the adrenalin flowing, didnt it? Stay strong.

Hornsnoggle has arrived!

Forget about the 'chemo journey' for now - I'm sure you've all had your fill of that. Dont worry about the ABs (plenty of time for that in the next few weeks). I'll give you a full report of the Opening Ceremony and first game this Friday, (yes, I'm going, thank you Elgin!). And if anyone is remotely interested in the election in Nov (yawn), put that on the back burner too.
The really BIG news is that Hornsnoggle Ferret has arrived! Hornsnoggle is the 'hero' in my new Childrens book, first one due out very soon, with more to follow. Theres even a stuffed toy and kiddies T shirt coming out to keep Hornsnoggle company. (Thats marketing - speak for adding value and maximising merchandising opportunities). David has done a great job with the illustrations, and a Hornsnoggle website is being developed to inform the world of the latest Childrens phenomena. Move over Dora the Explorer!
Ah well, dreams are free. But Hornsnoggle Ferret has been an ongoing project to keep me active and keep my mind off the you-know-what. Special discounts for book and merchandise bulk orders!
My own 'story' will also be printed next week - written for the family, but if anyone is interested, orders gladly accepetd! Most autobiographies are a real turn-off, so dont worry, I won't take your lack of enthusiasm personally.
Enough self promotion - still six rounds of the chemotherapy to go, things to do, people to support and encourage, family to enjoy, and a wonderful God to thank and praise. Life is good - keep the faith.