Sunday, October 24, 2010

Sunday, October 24th, 2010

Thank you for you emails and texts about the date of the CT Scan. We just got the itinerary in the mail Friday.

Friday November 5th:

7:40AM- Blood Work

9:50AM-Ct Chest & CT Abdomen/Pelvis

1:00PM- Oncology Visit/Dr. Kim

According to the MRI Nick had last week he does have a lot of fluid build up around his shoulder blade area, both sides, which is probably the reason that area is feeling so uncomfortable to him. We have a 4:45PM appointment tomorrow, Monday, Oct. 25th to drain those areas and hopefully get him some relief.

God is bigger than all of this!!! We lay it ALL at His feet and know He will continue to take care of everything. I feel like we have kind of gotten in the groove of things with the way this effects Nick physically. We see that there will be a few days in a row when Nick is feeling pretty good, and then there are days when he won't (like this morning, mornings seem to be the toughest). We are SO very thankful for the good days and we pray our way through the bad ones.

We rely on God's gift of spiritual peace, He replaces worry with trust and fear with faith. God has control over every aspect of our life. He is the great Healer of body and soul. AMEN!!

Enjoy every moment, don't sweat the small stuff, laugh often, tell the people in your life you love them, mend broken fences, find your joy, and know that your are the apple of HIS eye!!

We love you!!!

The Badidas

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Tuesday, October 19th, 2010

The updates from all of the Nick's test are in. We will start with the good news.... The MRI of his spine continues to show clear of any additional tumors. Huge praise!! Thank you Lord.

The results of his blood work was not what we wanted to hear. His tumor marker levels have elevated from the 20's to the 90's (the highest they have ever been). This is an indication of an additional tumor (s). The next step is more CT Scans of the pelvis, abdoman,liver etc. Then we meet with the oncologist again. As soon as I know when that CT Scan is I will update.

As always we continue to pray expectantly for a miracle. When these obstacles arise, we also pray for God to reveal to us what we need to know, so Nick can recieve the right treatment . So we would ask that you pray for ANY tumors that he may have be revealed in the CT Scan.

Yes, we shed many tears and are dissappointed, but we cannot waiver from His path, His will, His plan for us. Trusting that God's plan for us is one of peace, love, joy and an abundant life. We ask the Lord to keep us in His peace bubble and continue to prepare us for whatever lies ahead.

I have been holding Nicks hand a lot more!!! And a lot tighter!! I just want to protect him, comfort him, relieve his suffering and while I can bring some of that to him, it is only in the arms of our Sovereign Lord that he will find the real comfort and peace that his heart desires. Everyday our Father is bringing us through and giving us strength. We continue to cling and never let go.

We love the song "Never Let Go" and we lift our hands high when we sing these verses:

"And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on, A glorious light beyond all compare, and there will be an end to these troubles, but until that day comes, we'll live to know You here on the earth. Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on, And there will be an end to these troubles But until that day comes ,Still I will praise You, still I will praise."

We are so thankful God has you all holding our hand, as we stand upon His rock together.

The Badidas

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Thursday, October 14th, 2010

We entered the doors of Mayo today hand in hand ready to tackle whatever was thrown our way. I kind of visualized us wearing football pads and helmets. We were dressed in the full armor of God and we were going to conquer the appointments ahead of us!!

I have not updated in a while so I will catch those of you who do not know what has been going on, up to speed.There has been some additional areas of pain in Nicks shoulder blades and just a feeling off overall body aches. We were scheduled for Palliative Care today and were lucky enough to get an appointment with Radiological Oncology(Dr. Snead).

Palliative Care is such a blessing. Dr. Shannon's primary concern is that Nick is comfortable and hopefully through the right medication is able to enjoy some real quality of life. I am so thankful and think it is an answered prayer that the anti-deppresants really seem to be helping Nick from the emotional end. A lot less tears and a lot more smiles!! Dr. Shannon was pleased with Nick's progress. As he left the room he told us to hold each other's hand more and enjoy every second of every day. I want Nick to have as much joy as his heart can hold.

Dr. Snead was concerned with the additional pain and the area it seems to be in. She ordered blood work and a bone x-ray, which we did today and also moved Nick's November 16th MRI
to this Monday. We hope to hear the results of the blood work and xray tomorrow. I will post that update as soon as I hear something.

We were saying today emotionally things are better, now if we can get the physical part to cooperate a bit. But we know it is all in God's way and timing. We have learned not to question, but to pray and submit totally. It seems as though Nick has become more at peace on this journey. He said one thing about being in Heaven is he won't have to wear that brace. A sweet friend told him recently that brace represents his Cross. I thought that was so powerful. I feel like Nick looks at that piece of metal a bit differently now. It really has been a symbol of not just his suffering, but his transformation with the Lord.

So much has been stripped away that we didn't need and not just the worldly, material things. Our hearts have been changed. We want our lives to be a reflection of Christ and all of His goodness. The freedom to live for His approval and what He thinks of us, has become a mission. Yes, we are going to fail, but that's where God's unending forgiveness takes place, and hopefully as His refinement in us continues to take place, we will fail less and less.

We want you to know that this is NOT about us, but ALL about our Heavenly Father and His mercy, love and grace in our lives. For whatever reason, He has chosen us for this battle and we just want to make Him proud. The best decision we ever made is to live our lives for the Lord.

Thankful, grateful, and humbled by your continuous love, support and prayers for our family.

In His Name,

The Badidas

Monday, October 4, 2010

Monday October 4th, 2010

I hope everyone has been able to get out and enjoy some of this wonderful weather.

We will head to Mayo Wednesday for an appointment with the Liver specialist Dr. Rosser. Nick is physically slowing down, I fight back the tears writing this. What is even more sad is that he feels it. We are waiting on a call now from Dr. Shannon's office (Palliative Care) to see if they will increase the pain medication. His back is really bothering him. He says he feels himself slipping. He has some discomfort in the lower part of his shoulder blade (something new). So we will be checking in to that as well. The anti-depressants seem to be helping...that is a huge praise!! Many of you have asked me what you can specifically pray for? Of course we continue to pray for a miracle healing, but right now for Nick I really want to see him have quality of life. We pray for it daily.

God has been working in my life in an incredible and mighty way. Just when I feel like I am sinking in the pit, He rescues me!! Last week was a very challenging week for us. Physically I was not feeling well and that always leads me to excessive mental and emotional fatigue. I always feel guilty expressing any physical ailments after seeing Nick suffer daily.But nevertheless, I was under attack. I was praying for a reprieve. Surprise!!! God sent in some of His mighty troops to lay hands on me and pray, not even knowing my struggles for that week. By Friday morning I was feeling refreshed and renewed.

Praise God for His people and their prayers!! It reminds me to never ignore that tugging from the Holy Spirit. and that not if, but when God places someone on your heart, there is a reason. I am so thankful that my Heavenly Father never ignores my tugging and that I am always on His heart. I don't always know what I have to offer someone that the Lord may put on my heart, but He does. I pray that by my words and actions I can try to encourage and comfort others, just as God has encouraged and comforted me and my family, and that when God calls upon me to fulfill His purpose, that I am obedient and do not ignore His call.

Our family has been so blessed by so many of you who don't ignore His calling to encourage, pray for and love us through this battle. Bless you for your obedience to our amazing Lord.

Ephesians 2:10
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

In the Loving Name of Jesus,

The Badidas