Proud of my man

Tonight I just need to take some time to brag on my man. He is absolutely proving that some things improve with age!! Please indulge me if I get a little sappy and sweet!

Thirteen-and-a-half years ago, in May 1996, Dick was diagnosed with Lymphoma after several months of tests to determine the cause of the excrutiating pain he had in his hip. Since then he's had a recurrence three times, in November 2003, October 2006, and September 2008. Each time he went through 4 to 6 rounds of chemo, but missed very few days of work. We knew he was a real trooper and a tough cookie.

Since the latest recurrence he is now on "maintenance chemo", receiving four rounds of chemo every six months for two years, in hopes of at least delaying a future recurrence.

In September 2008 he also lost his job, which came as a complete, devastating shock to both of us. What does a man getting close to 60 years old do in such a depressing job market? Many of you walked or read through the resulting journey with us, which led us here to State College and Dick's job as a master tech at Pep Boys, and my giving up my exhausting, long-time job as music teacher in exchange for a job as nanny for our beloved grandson.

Dick moved up here to start his job July 1st, and I stayed in our Lititz home to take care of many responsibilities until August 22. Being alone day after day and night after night created an environment that was ripe for worry and anxiety. There were many heavy things on my heart. Some of them pertained to Dick and our future. How would he do at his new job? What if, at his age, he couldn't handle the hard work and fast pace? And what about the maintenance treatments he would need in September? He would have to find a new oncologist. How would he tell his new employer that he needed chemo? Would they fire him if they knew? And with his new insurance ready to kick in Oct. 1st, could all the chemo treatments be done by September 30 while we still had COBRA and he had already met 100% of his deductible and coinsurance? How would he handle chemo and a full time job? He'd been only partially employed during the past two rounds of chemo, with more down time. He hadn't had chemo while working full time since 2006, when he was 3 years younger.

Never in my life have I had so many things that I could not do anything about. The worries about Dick were only a few of them. It drove me to the Lord and to His Word. The most powerful verse came to me at my most desperate time on July 20th. "The Lord will fight for you. You need only to be still." Exodus 14:14. I hung on to that promise over and over and over again as I had to let go of things I could not control.

Now let me brag. Dick, at age 59 1/2, is an absolute machine. He works hard, goes in early, stays late, goes in on his days off sometimes, has gained tremendous respect from coworkers and management, cares about the customers and how he does their work, has breezed through four chemo treatments and a pet scan in September, AND has lost FIFTEEN pounds since July 1st. He feels great and he loves his job. The other night he said, "I'm even amazing myself." Needless to say, we aren't complaining when he just sits in front of the TV and relaxes when he's home. He deserves it. And God has been very, very good to us in bringing us here. He did indeed fight for me.

The other night I said I would try to get some pictures of Austin. This boy is deciding it's time to go places and do things. I'm afraid the days of a placid baby, content to stay in one place are about over. He is starting to show a tricky sense of humor, but also a little temper when we have to take things out of his hand that he doesn't want to give up. He's had a couple of bumps too. Yes, the fun is only beginning!