BigFred

Nice hot summer day, today. Just come in from seeing the latest Batman movie with my little brother. It was alright, a lot of action. The Joker was a real trip, played his part well. My brother and I had a good time, went to lunch after at Red Robin. I’m stuffed.

I went to see one of my main doctors yesterday. The MRI showed there was no change in the tumor. I still don’t have to do chemo right now which is good. The doc was concerned about my depression of late. Wants me to cheer up. So if any of you have some fun ideas, bungee jumping, sky diving and the like, let me know :). Just kidding.
I’m really not doing too bad, I just need to take advantage of the opprotunities I have now to get things done in writting, jouraling and music. It’s slow coming but it’s comng.

I’m slowly learning how to use my new music gear. Its fun, a lot of it is thinking out simple tasks in order to complete a function. It shouldn’t be long before I’m crankin’ out tunes right here in the living room.

Ya’ll be blessed, give me a shout out by phone or via the blog.

Love you all in Christ Jesus,

Frederick

This month is moving right along. I had a good time in church today. Played a little guitar for praise and worship. It takes a lot out me but it’s fun.

Next week I see my doctor re: chemo and the like. Pray that he’ll have good news. I’ll do an MRI a day or so before my visit with him. That will show if there has been any change, like in the size of the tumor. My doctors have told me I may have to live with the tumor the rest of my life. I don’t know how I feel about that. If I can work back to doing some of the things I did before I was sick, that might not be too bad. Other wise it could be a rough transition. I thank God for my family, imediate and extended, they’ve seen me through this journey so far, and I know ya’ll wil be there for me no matter the outcome.

Diana and I sing special music next month, third Sunday. I have to get busy preparing a song for that service. Pray that we make time to rehearse so we can give God our best.

I’m trying to get back to journaling so I can capture my thoughts during all this. We’ll see how it goes. Maybe I can do it on my laptop becuase my handwritting is really bad.

Have a blessed week, until I write again.

Frederick

The Lord is still in the blessing business. Today some friends of mine, you know who you are, made it possible for me to purchase a portable recording unit that I can set-up in a small space in my livingroom. It should be delivered to the house this Friday. This way I can record up to 24 tracks of music and vocals without braving the basement stairs. I’ve been having more trouble of late with my balance. So I’ve had a few more falls than normal. This unit will cut out a couple of steps in getting busy with the music.

Well I’m used to having Ericka back home now. I missed her a lot when she visited family back East in July. She really sacrfices a lot to help Diana with my care. She helps Fatima, my caregiver, a lot too. She’s a brave little girl.

Some of you may have noticed that my hair has grown back and it’s lookin’ wild. I guess I should figure out what to do with it I’m not sure at this point what type of treatment is ahead for me. I may have to shave my head again before all is said and done.

I think I’m enjoying the heat, kinda muggy though. But I shouldn’t complain.

Please continue to pray for my family and me as we go up and down emotionally wondering what’s next on this journey. I haven’t worried much through all of this so far, but I am concerned about how it’s really affecting our family below the surface.

All God’s blessings to you,

Frederick

I had physical therapy toady and went the longest time so far. Around 25 minutes or so. I’m having more falls lately. Like this morning I fell into the big screeen TV, knocking it off the stand. But we’re both alright.

Some friends of mine have brought me closer to being able to purchase the musical equipment so I can record while I’m upstairs.

Steffen and I are working on a song to accompany the praise team. It’ll be a nice change for the music team. Steffen is a member of my church at ECBF, and plays some nice guitar. It’s great to have someone else to play guitar with. We hope to work in some of the younger musicans in the church so they’ll feel more a part of the worship experience.

Please continue to keep my family and me in prayer as this illness wears on us all from time to time. It gets hard to bare at times. But the Lord always brings us out right on time.

God bless you everyone.

Frederick

Another blessed week. Last week was a great week for me. I was able to get into my physical therapy finishing strong in each outing. I also went to a dinner party for a good friend and former co-worker. That was a lot of fun. So I’ve been doing more normal type stuff.

Our kids are back after short vacations with family. So we have to get used to them being around. I think I missed them more than Diana did.

Summer is going by pretty fast for me. My spirits are up most of the time. I feel like the Lord is allowing me to learn patience during this journey. I have to take my time in everything I do. At times I want things to happen right now, and find myself having to slow down so I can get the best out the moment.

Recently, I’ve been having trouble with my main music computer. It’s fixed now but I have to re-load and configure everything back to the way it was before it crashed. So my hands are full with getting things back on track. But it keeps me busy. Once that’s ironed out I’ll be back to making merry music.

Church tomorrow, I’m excited about that. Be blessed, I’ll write again soon.

Frederick

Good evening. Hope that everyone is doing well. I’ve been busy with physical therapy and the like. Slowly getting my strength back.
I’ve had a lot of time to reflect lately and the Lord is putting it on my heart to live my life to the fullest. The quality of life will depend on how I look at what’s in front of me. The way many of you support me helps me be real positive about my situation. Everyday I feel more and more like I’m going to be alright, even if they don’t get all of the tumor out. There are people living with simular cancers 10 years into it now and they are living exciting lives. Why not me?
Steffen just came in, so it’s time for me to play some guitar.

God bless you

Frederick

Hello everyone. Thanks for those who left notes. You’re in our prayers. I’m slowly getting motivated to play my guitar. Real slow! I’ve been doing my physical therapy the past three weeks and all is going well. I’m getting stronger. Diana and I have lived in an empty nest the past two weeks with Jerrold and Ericka out of town. Whatever do we do? That will all change this Sunday as folks come back to town.

The Lord has been working with me to stay in His word. Pray that I get a good study going so I can benefit from His word. Thanks so much for all your prayers along this journey. It’s really helped bring us through.

Stay encouraged and we’ll talk to you soon.

In Christ,

Frederick

Hi gang! Big Fred here. Thought it was time for me to post a message on the blog. Thanks so much for all your support this past year. Yep, it’s been a year since they found the cancer. This time last year I was in the hospital recovering from surgery. The Lord has brought us a long way since then. I feel stronger today, I’ve been off chemo for going on 3 and a half months now as the doctors are trying to see if that will have any affect on the tumor.

I’ve been going into Sewdish medical center for physical therapy the past few weeks and that’s helping me get stronger too. My doctors want me to get more into my music to help in my recovery. They say I should be singing too. I don’t have much of a voice, but I do try to sing along with the praise and worship team at church. That’s fun. I’ve started playing with the praise team too on the guitar. That’s been fun, I’m trying to get my groove back ya know?

So far there are many things I can say the Lord is showing me through all of this. One is just how important individuals are in my life. There are so many of you who have reached out this past year to show your love, that it’s overwhealming at times. But I love it, all the love keeps the fear away. Your prayers and well wishes are holding my family and I up in our time of need. I feel like the cancer has brought us closer to God and the saints. Struggles will do that.

Well that’s all for now, I’ll write again soon. Let me hear from you when you stop by, I can use the encouragement.

All God’s love,

Frederick

Frederick is feeling a little lonely because no one is leaving him any messages on the blog! Please whenever you read the blog leave (Big Fred) Frederick a message. It would sure brighten up his day. He’s been checking it regularly! I hope he doesn’t read this though!

Love ya’ll
Diana

It’s been a quiet week. Frederick has been doing his physical therapy and is doing okay. He is working on building up his strength so we look forward to seeing some results from the physical therapy soon.

Ericka is all packed and ready to go visit my brother in Pennsylvania for 3 weeks. We’ll miss her, but we want her to have every opportunity to visit and know her maternal family. My brother has 2 daughters. A 15 year old and a 3 year old. Ericka will be in heaven. My brother is more excited about Ericka coming to visit than his daughter. He has all kinds of things planned for them to do, including shopping. He’s planned a barbecue too so that the rest of the family can come see their niece, cousin, etc. I’m so glad she’s getting this opportunity since we had to cancel our trip to see Frederick’s father and going to disneyland last year. It’ll mean more work for me with her gone, but it’ll be worth it and she continues to be great through all this. In addition, she ended the school year with a 3.78 GPA of which I’m very happy.

We continue to covet your PUSH (Pray Until Something Happens)!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Diana & Frederick