Good News

Well my doctor visit went pretty good. I was thinking he would give me a 'Yes the cancer is all gone' or a 'no, it's not gone yet' answer, but I didn't get either. It is good news, he says the cancer was not seen on the ct scan and that there is some 'residue'? left. I guess thats from the damage that the chemo/cancer had done, by killing everything. So no more chemo, from now on, it's check ups every 3 months or so, just to make sure nothing is growing back. 5 years of check ups, and if they all pass and nothing comes back, than I will officially be cancer free at 27 years old. I am very thankful for all the support, but I think I will be stopping the blog soon. I know there are a bunch of you, who check this often, so I just wanted to let you know, that I appreciate the support, and if you have any questions or anything just give me an email or a call. vanderwel10@hotmail.com or 604 556 6191. I might put up a couple more posts just to let you know I'm doing. Thanks again and God Bless.

Recovery

Hey everyone! I'm a little sad now, as the Falcons hockey team just lost the 3rd game of a best of 3 series. So that hockey is done for this year. But now comes spring hockey and roller hockey. I plan on playing roller hockey in a month and try fit in some spring ice hockey.

I've been feeling great the last few days. I think because it has been so long, since I have felt good, it feels like an extra boost of energy. I have lot's on the go. Projects to finish, exersize to do, friend's cars to fix. No sleeping in till lunch any more. I'm getting up earlier, doing more in the day and just in general feeling 182%. I am looking for part time work, so if you know of someone or a company looking to hire, please let me know. I'm looking for something not to physical for now, just so I can get back into the working groove. I am also working out of my shop. For those of you who don't know, I started up an automotive shop last summer right before I was diagnosed. I do mechanical and some body work. My shop is called Top Gun Automotive. my number is 604 556 6191. This is kind of like free advertising. :) So tell your friends, neighbours, family etc... I'd really like to start making some money and getting back into a regular schedule.

Well, other than that.... I will find out this coming monday (the 15th) what the results from my CT scan are. I'm praying that it is all gone, and I will post the results on here, that day, so you know how it went. Again, I thank you for all your support. I really appreciate being in your thoughts and prayers. It meant a lot to me, and I never knew the power of friends and family could help me out so much. I have learned a lot in the last few months and those are the things, I will never take for granted anymore. Friends, Family, Health, and the Lord. God has brought me to this point in my life, and I am so thankful He surrounded me with amazing people. Thank you.

Finished

Well, here we are. After what seemed to be, never ending rounds of treatment, I finally finished my last one. I'm feeling good right now with no bad side effects. I have a ct scan in 2 weeks, so the doctors can see if the cancer is indeed completely gone or not. And if it is indeed gone, then I start to recover and regain my strength and everything else I lost with the treatments. I plan to start skating more and getting back on the ice. Obviously that will include excersizing and getting back into shape. Hopefully I get my energy level back up soon, so I can start waking up early in the morning and do more work during the day. It will take some time, but I'm planning on making a quick recovery so that i can get a job, start playing hockey, and enjoy being young and healthy again. Things I will never ever take for granted again. I thank the Lord that He has brought me this far. I have had awesome family, friends and even people I barely knew, support and help me through this whole process. I can't thank you all enough. This was a life changing experience and I'm so glad I had people like you, who came along for the ride. I think I will still post a couple more times, to let you know how I'm recovering and how the test results come in. Until then, take care, enjoy the sun and Go Canada Go!

Round 11

And were almost there. I have 1 treatment left to go. I'm excited and look forward to getting this last one out of the way. It has been a long road and it looks like I may be almost done. I know there will still be weeks of rehibilitation and gaining my weight back, but these days that just may seem like fun. After my last treatment, I will have a cat scan to see if indeed all the cancer is gone. That is news, that would sound like music to my ears. It will still be a few weeks or months before I can work and do the things I used to. But every week, I inch closer to being normal again and getting back to the things I enjoyed, like hockey and working on cars. Watching my hockey team has been fun this year but, in no way do I want to get used to watching from the stands. I'm feeling pretty good now, and trying to get more done in the day. Looking forward to my next post, after my last treatment. Thanks to everyone who still looks up this page once in a while. I appreciate you walking along with me in this journey, fighting cancer. I see light at the end of the tunnel.

Round 10

Bonjour everyone. Thats about the extent of my French. I`m feeling very good today. I finally had a solid night sleep and I`m alive and ready to do.... well anything. I have a bit of a cold but I`m getting over that. The past round of chemo was not as pleasant as the previous chemo`s were, and I spent a lot of time in bed again not feeling well, and very tired. This week seems to be off to a good start so I hope it continues. Only 2 treatments left!! It finally seems like were getting somewhere. I am very ambitious now and have lot`s of plans for when I am healthy and able to get back to work. I have a truck and car to finish rebuilding, a mechanic course I am taking that I still have to finish and a few other little side projects, so I have lot`s to look forward to when I am able and done treatment. After the 2 treatments are finished, I have to go through more tests, so that the doctors can see if I am actually clear of the cancer. Then I will have to go through some sort of rehab, physio to rebuild my weak and fragile body. I am excited to get going with life again, and with the Lord`s blessing, I may be able to get back into a regular routine and not have to take pills and needles any more. The Lord has blessed me thus far and I am so very thankful that I can rely and put my trust and hope in Him. For without the Lord, I would have no hope. He is my everything, and through all this hardship, He has made my faith stronger than ever before. Praise the Lord

Round 9

Wow, what a night. Last night the Falcons hockey team put together a team building 'gathering' at the Schutte's cabin. It was an eventful night and i'm sure all the guys had fun. As for me, I've been feeling good this past week. I have spent a lot of time in bed though. I'm tired a lot and usually the best part of my days are in the evening. Were getting close to the finish line. With less than 1 month till the my last treatment, I'm finally starting to see light at the end of the tunnel. It has been a long process for me, my family, and friends. But everyone has stood beside me so well, and I'm grateful to all of you who have helped or supported me in one way or another. I know a lot of people have been praying for me and that has been very encouraging and I realize I'm not battling this disease by myself. The visits, phone calls, gifts, fundraiser, and gatherings, have all been much appreciated. I know I'm not out of the woods yet, but im excited and optimistic to start rehabing and getting back to the normal cancer free me. Lord willing, there are no more complications and I can get back to the regular things in life, that I do not take for granted anymore. It's my birthday today and I'm praying that 22 will be a better year for me than 21. Until next time...

Round 8

Hi, as I'm writing this, I am about to go to chemo again in an hour, which means I will be going through round 9. I apologize for those who check this on a routine basis. I have not kept my word and I've left you hanging for a while now. I will update it quicker from now on. This past 2 weeks have been probably the best 2 weeks since I started treatment. The chemo still had it's impact and I was tired and a little groggy for a short week, but after that I felt good. As some of you may have heard, I even strapped on the skates this past saturday night. But since my legs have had little excersize and i have numbness and some pain, I could only skate around in warm up, and I played 2 very short shifts with the Falcons. Had a teamate opened his eyes and look for me, I would have had a goal :P I'm just making him feel bad. The rest of the game I sat on the bench with my teamates, fully dressed and enjoying every moment of that atmosphere again. I look forward to playing hockey full time tremendously. Well I must go, and I will report back to you much sooner this time.
Martin #10