White Christmas @ the Blue Hole

We experienced a white Christmas in Bosque County as did many other counties in Texas. This picture was made Christmas day at one of our favorite places on the ranch.

Praying that you all enjoyed a blessed Christmas with your family and friends. Asking that you pray for us as we leave for M.D. Anderson for Mike's follow-up tests. We will covet your prayers and report to you what we find out. We should know something by New Year's Eve.

Grateful for another Christmas together,

Jan and Mike

Wishing you a Happy New Year and to Mack Brown and the Texas Longhorns...another National Championship!!!

Home

Mike ate everything they served him at the hospital Thursday night and Friday through lunch. The doctors released him and we came home Friday afternoon. He has been doing fine since he got out. He said it is a lot easier to get into a hospital than it is to get out of one.

He walked into the house, teared up and kept saying "It's so good to be home!"

He has a renewed appreciation for food, family, home and freedom.

We will return to M.D. Anderson and our team of doctors there after Christmas with all of the ex-rays and C.T. Scans from his 8 day stay in the local hospitals. Not sure what they may find when they compare films with the ones they will make and his old ones. Until then we will thank the Lord for answering all our prayers.

Sorry for not making sure you knew he had been released. We walked into a family gathering at my sisters house on Saturday and several people were shocked to see him. It is hard to keep a large family of relatives and friends informed.

We went to the Big 12 Championship game Saturday night and it was quite a treat. Longhorn football seemed to be just what the doctor ordered. However, I thought I might have to take him back to the hospital after that heart stopping finish. I'm sure I would have if Texas had lost

the game.

We continue to Praise God for He is Sovereign and in control of all things when we do understand what's going on in our lives and when we don't have a clue what He's doing.

Isaiah 55:8-9

Thanks to all of you for the prayers, visits, cards, calls, gifts and standing with us.

Enjoying each day,

Jan

Pray for good eating results tonight

After consulting with the Dr.s at MDA, they feel Dad is ok, they want him to eat tonight, see how he does, then if he does fine, let him go home tomorrow!!!!!! Yeah! Praise the Lord. Please pray he is able to eat well tonight and has no problems.

Thanks, JJ

Please Keep praying!!

We are asking you to pray for divine counsel from MD Anderson Dr.s today, as Dr. Bismar is calling them to seek their advice on what to do.

After a day of testing yesterday, and much waiting, then another xray today, and speaking with the radiologist this morning, then Dr. Bismar this afternoon, we have found out there is something abnormal showing up on the CAT scan, something in the lungs. Bismar is not sure what to do with this, and wants to consult with MDA to see how this might compare to other scans they have done in the past down there.

Please pray for a quick response from the dr.s at MDA, please pray for wisdom beyond their years and training, that can only come from the Holy Spirit. We want to know what to do, what is going to be best for Dad, if he should stay or go.

Pray also for stamina for Mom and Dad as they must endure this.

Thank you,

JJ

Failed Test

The results this morning were not what we wanted to hear. The scan showed the leak was still there. I called Dr. Bismar (the Dr. who found his cancer originally) this morning to inform him of the weekend events and ask what we should do next. Dr. Hickey (trauma surgeon) talked with him and they decided to transfer Mike to Hugeley Hosp. so Dr. Bismar can monitor his care. They will continue to approach this conservatively. More time will be needed for the body to repair itself. Actually, God is the One Who heals His creation, so I guess we are just waiting on Him. A pic line will be put in place for TPM feedings. They may also do a scope. Hopefully, he can avoid major surgery. Either way, Dr. Bismar will be taking over at Hugeley and he may be able to go home with the pic line.

He's discouraged that he didn't pass his test.

Pray that next time he passes and no surgery will be needed.

Waiting on Him,

The Janszen Family

Happy Thanksgiving

We were looking forward to an extending time with family for the long holiday weekend. Everyone arrived Wednesday evening for Thanksgiving to stay through a family wedding on Saturday.

What started off as a wonderful Thanksgiving with all our family spending several days together, turned into a trauma shortly after a delicious Turkey dinner. Mike was experiencing severe abdominal pain so bad that he needed to go to the emergency room. Ray, our son-in-law, drove him to Cleburne (THR Hospital). Mike passed out (momentarily) with the pain on the way in and was nauseated to the point of volatile wrenching and vomiting.

In 42 years of knowing this man, ( 1 year dating and 41 years married), I never once heard this guy ask for any pain medicine, but this day he was asking for everything. He was given morphine, then phenergen and asking for something else for the pain. Finally after the second round of morphine he begin to ease up. The doctor on call transferred him to ER at Harris downtown Fort Worth so that they would have a thorasic surgeon available in case he needed surgery. The trauma surgeon at Harris ER ordered more tests. He sent him to the trauma ICU for the night because he also had a run in with a bull Thursday morning and had a pretty good bump on the head. The next morning they did more tests and saw a small tear in his esophagus at the site of his cancer surgery. This has been the main source of concern since he came into Harris Thursday night. They decided to keep him in the trauma ICU so they could keep a close watch on him.

Mike has had no more pain since his first episode ended in the Cleburne Hospital.

What the speculation is now is that he tore the esophagus site with his wrenching and vomiting. It is a small tear but the waiting game has begun. They are keeping him for observation until more tests can be run to see if it repairs itself. If not, then surgery may be necessary.

He will have a contrast swallow test Monday morning to evaluate the area.

He asked for a pass to leave the hospital so he could be at the ranch for his nephew's wedding but no deal.

He is hungry and thirsty (IV fluids only) and ready to get out of this place.

He was the only patient doing laps in the trauma ICU, so they finally decided to let him go to the main floor.

Please pray that the tear will be repaired by the time they do the test on Monday. If it is, then they will start him on a soft liquid diet, possibly sending him home Tuesday.

He is sad to have missed out on the family and fun.

Pray also for him to see God's purpose in all of this. We know that God is Sovereign.

Romans 8:28

Thank you all again for praying.

We truly hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your families.

Bless you dear ones,

Jan

Happy Birthday!!!

Blowing out the candles.

"Happy Birthday to You........"

Dad, Sue, and their Mom (Doris Janszen)

Mom has taken over the blog entries, which has been awesome, but I just had to add these pictures from last week. We celebrated Dad and his twin sister's birthdays last Sunday, and I thought these pictures were so cute of them. Praise God for another year with Dad.

In Him, JJ

Ulcer is improving

Mike needed another dilation because his food was starting to get stuck some. His last one was on August 13th. He had it done at Hugeley on Tuesday, Nov. 3rd and Dr. Bismar was really pleased to find that the ulcer is improving. He was also glad to find that Mike has gained several pounds. He dilated his esophagus from a 15 to an 18. He said keep doing what we're doing and we'll see what M.D. Anderson says at the end of December when we go back for all the tests.

The requests we asked of all our prayer team.... the Lord is answering....and we are seeing it.

Mike was hungry all the way home. We were so thrilled and thankful for answered prayer that we wanted to celebrate. We went down to the limestone creek for a picnic and Bible study when we got back to the ranch. The weather was great, the sunset was beautiful, the worship was priceless! " O Magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt His name together." Psalm 34:3

Thank you again to all of you faithful prayer partners.

Our love and gratitude,

Jan and Mike

Improving....

It seems that we are seeing some improvement. Mike was beginning to have food getting stuck again around the first week of September and we called to schedule an appointment for the procedure to be done in Houston by Dr. Stroehlein (as Dr. Bismar recommended). We had a delay of about a week. Then we had another delay with the scheduling people because we asked about putting a stint in. But in the mean time, (God's timing again) Mike began eating and swallowing better without food continuing to get stuck. When the physician's office called us back, Mike didn't seem to need a dilation as much as he had the 2 weeks before. They also told us that they don't put stints in except in extreme cases. So we will wait and see but we are encouraged. No weight gain as yet, but no more loss either. M.D. Anderson will schedule us to go back at the end of December to do a PET Scan and an EGD with biopsy. If he needs dilation at that time they will do it while they are in there.

We have no idea what is going on with the ulcerated place.

Pray for continued healing of the ulcer, his weight gain, and praise God with us for the successful swallowing. We are so very thankful.

Also, on the last blog post, someone left a comment. The name was Tammie and her husband Marc had survived Esph. Cancer for 11 years or more. I tried to contact you on your e-mail, but I couldn't get it to go through. If you see this, please leave me a better way of communication, I would love to talk with you. Your comments were encouraging.

I do apologize to all of you who keep checking the blog to find out what is going on. I'm sorry it has been over a month, but the delay this time has given us time to see a turn in the swallowing, which makes us think the scar tissue has slowed down or quit developing. This may not be much but it is significant to us. If our Awesome God knows the number of hairs on our head (Matthew 10:30), then we are sure He knows the millimeters of Mike's esophagus and we believe He has added some to it. Thank You, LORD, for the small things like a millimeter or two, which really are Big things to some people. :)

Thank you all for caring and praying for us.

Much love,

Jan, for the family

Continuing the journey

Mike has had two dilations since the last post. The one on July 16th didn't help much but the last one on August 13th seemed to make things better. He hadn't closed down and they were able to dilate him from a 15 to an 18. Much better than a 10 to a 14 as before. The good news is that he hasn't had any food get stuck since the Aug. 13th procedure. The concern (from Dr. Bismar) is that he isn't seeing any improvement in the ulcerated places. These were caused from the radiation. He has been on meds for the acid reflux for months. So Dr. Bismar is suggesting that he be tested for H-pylori bacteria. He can treat that. He also wants Mike to return to M.D. Anderson for the next dilation so Dr. Stroehlein can see what is going on. Pray that this ulcerated area heals.

An interesting thing happened during this last procedure. Dr. Bismar called me into the room so I could see what he was seeing. After Mike was taken to recovery we talked about all of the above and I asked him about an article that was emailed to me. It disturbed me when I read it. It was written by the head of the Esophageal Cancer program at M.D. Anderson. The point of the article was to explain all about this cancer and tell how they have made progress in the life expectancy now to 3 yrs. I read that and thought well, we have just finished 1 yr. and fear hit me. Does this mean this is the best they can do? Do we have 2 yrs. left? My doctor ( a Suni Muslim) looked at me and reminded me that I had professed to him last year that we were believers and that our faith was in Jesus Christ. He also reminded me of the truth that I already knew. He said, "only God knows the number of our days, it could be today or years from now". Don't put your trust in an article. Mike has done remarkably well. Better than I (Dr. Bismar) even thought her would do. " I knew all that. It was moving to be reminded by this Muslim doctor. I started grinning on the inside. I sort of felt like Daniel might have felt hearing Nebuchadnezzar proclaim truth.

Mike also reminded me not to look at the normal ..... that he isn't " normal". Can I get a witness, those of us that know him well...?

Anyway, God is the God of the impossible and the abnormal.

Mike also reminded me that even if he knew his time was short that he wouldn't change a thing that he is doing right now. He loves getting up every morning and spending time with the Lord. He loves leading the Band of Brothers ministry, teaching bible study and working on the ranch, taking care of God's creation.... ( Mowing and weedeating anything that grows)

Pray for continued healing, the ulcer the scar tissue, his weight gain, strength and stamina.

Pray that I won't fall into a pit of fear and that the Lord will send His messengers to remind me of the truth when I need it.

Now, I need to find some tracts for our doctor. Pray for him.

Our continued thanks for your prayers,

Jan and Mike

July 9th Latest M.D. Anderson results

Praise the Lord for all His Goodness .....even to those who don't deserve it...especially to those who don't deserve it!!!!

I (Jan, the technically challenged one) am attempting to update you who are interested and praying for us continually.  J.J. has been busy and many of you are calling so this is what we found out.  

Mike had a PET scan and an EGD with biopsy done.  The specialist at MD Anderson we went to see back in May, Dr. Stroehlein, did the procedure.  Mike's esophagus had closed because of scar tissue to smaller than 9 mm (this is why his food keeps getting stuck) and the Dr. dilated it to a 14.

The results of the biopsy and the PET scan were good.  NO CANCER!

The Oncologist said he doesn't need to return until 6 months for another PET scan.

Dr. Stroehlein said he doesn't need another biopsy done in his esophagus for a year.

But he also said that Mike needed to continue having his esophagus dilated until the scar tissue quits forming.

We are scheduled to have another one done Thursday, July 16th by Dr. Bismar at Hugeley here.

This will be #6 dilation. That may sound like a lot, but the record at MDA cancer center for dilations from this same surgery is 22.  So we have a way to go :) Hopefully, he won't reach that. Mike says that he worries about all these procedures making him lose his memory, so I'm telling the doctors to just strap him down and run that instrument in there.  He has always had a high pain tolerance. 

Don't think they will listen to me, so please pray that he will have peace about the anesthetics and that they will not cause him any memory loss. 

Mike still is trying to gain some weight and deal with the life changing effects of this surgery but he is still with us and we are all thankful for that. 

Sometimes I watch Mike and I think this is the real meaning of the phrase "the perseverance of the saints".  I also think about all of you faithful prayer warriors and that same phrase comes to my mind.  Thank you all for persevering with us in this battle. Your prayers, love, support, cards, calls, food, visits and everything you have done over the last year have been amazing.

Our God has been faithful, His mercies are new every morning, and each morning He gives us is a gift.  And when that day comes that He calls us home, we know we will be with Him for all eternity because our faith is in Christ alone to save us because of God's Amazing Grace, especially to those of us who don't deserve it.

Amen and Amen and Amen, Again.

We love you all,

Jan and Mike

 Phillipians 1:3

 

Back from Branson

We had a great time in Missouri, first at Kanakuk, then at Big Cedar. Mom and Dad came up and met us for the last 5 days of the trip. Dad had two bad days and then 2 good days. The bad days were tough for him, with some choking, acid reflux, and even some shakes and weakness. The good days followed, and he felt a little better, and even felt like getting in the pool with the grandkids.
Even though he felt bad for a few days, we were still able to go see two very special people. While in Branson, we first went by to visit Darnell White. Her and her husband, Spike White, started Kanakuk Kamps. Dad played football with Joe, one of their sons, at SMU, and then came and worked a summer up at Kamp while still in college. We went by and had the best visit with Darnell, and Dad and her shared old kamp stories and memories. That was a real special time for Dad. The next day we went out to Kamp and Dad was able to visit with Joe, something they haven't been able to do for many years.
As I write this, Dad and Mom are on their way home from my house. We just had lunch together and celebrated Father's Day with Dad and Ray. We are so blessed to have Dad with us again this year.
Tomorrow they are heading to Houston for Dad's 3 month check up, scans, and dilation. We are praying for good results. Thank you for praying for him. Hope all of you enjoy your Dads today.
In Him, JJ

Ups and Downs

New family Picture from Easter Weekend

It has been almost a month since I have updated, YIKES! Sorry for that. Even with the new ideas from the Dr., Dad is staying the same. Not improving really. He has good days and bad days. His weight reached an all time low about a week ago, but then has come back up. So, as far as the weight, he isn't really gaining, he is just fluctuating up and down. Some days he is able to go out and work all day on the ranch, and some days he wakes up sick, not feeling good, and spends the day inside resting. He is on a regular schedule of dilation for his esophagus, which is about every six weeks or so. He is trying to continue life as usual when he is able. The men's ministry meeting down at the Ranch, that they have on the last Thursday of every month seems to be going strong.


The second week of June, Mom and Dad will come join me and the babies up in Branson, Mo, while the big kids are at Kanakuk. We will get to enjoy some time with them at Big Cedar Lodge, and then pick the kids up from Kamp and head home. I am looking forward to that, Dad always enjoys going up to Big Cedar, it brings back so many special family memories of all the years our family went there ever summer, while the kids (Jamie, Tully and Joy) were at kamp. A beautiful place, and a special place to us.


I know, those that pray for Dad regularly, are probably wanting a new request, but it remains the same. Gain weight, gain energy, enjoy life today, for we are not sure we have tomorrow.


Thank you again


JJ and all the Janszen kids

Ideas from the Dr.

Mom and Dad came home last night from a long day in Houston. They were able to meet with a GI guy who specializes in weight issues. He had some ideas for Dad and some things they were going to try. They were both encouraged to have a plan, and something to try, instead of just not knowing what to do. We will pray some of these ideas will work and we can get some weight back on Dad. Also, for those that want to know, Joy made it safely to Zambia. Her blogspot address is on the right side of this blog page, if you scroll down below the pictures.
Thank you for caring,
JJ Ford

No change for Dad, but Joy is leaving the country.

Dad is continuing to be the same. He is heading to Houston for an appointment on Monday, May 4th, to see a Dr. who specializes in weight gain for cancer patients down at MDA. We are praying he can give us some answers and some fresh new ideas to help Dad gain some of the weight he has lost and can't seem to find. Pray for wisdom for the Dr., and direction for Mom and Dad.
Also, our youngest sister, Joy, is heading to Zambia Africa today. She will be there for 3 months, working with Family Legacy, an organization who shares to great news of our Savior with Zambian orphans and aides orphans. I am going to try to attach a link to this blogspot, if I can figure out how to do it. If I am successful, it should be under our pictures on the right hand side of this page. If I am not successful, I will put the address of her blogspot on the next post, so that those that want to follow Joy's journey, will have the opportunity to.
Thank you again, for continuing on in this journey with us,
JJ Ford

Another month down.

I can't believe it has been a month since I last blogged. Dad is doing the same, no changes. He started choking quit abit again, so he went in for another dilation. This does seem to help and the Dr. has him scheduled for another one in a few weeks. In the mean time, no more weight loss or gain. Just staying the same. He is trying to enjoy life, but sometimes finds he is restricted. We were all able to be together at Easter, so that is a blessing. Every day we are able to be together is a blessing. Thank you for continuing to check in on Dad. Your friendship is precious to us.
JJ Ford

Check up at MDA

Dad and Mom had a long day at MDA for Dad's check up appointments. He is still cancer free!!! Hallelujah, but his weight was back down, almost to the lowest it has been. The Dr.s say they are baffled, but they are going to send him to another GI guy down in Houston, who is supposed to be a specialist in long term weight loss problems. They will have to head back down when they get an appointment with him. We are praising God for no return of cancer, but we are crying out to Him for help and answers concerning Dad's weight. Thank you for praying and for checking in on Dad.
In Him, JJ

Good report from the Dr.

Mom got her report back from the Dr. and all is well. He did say it was good that they got the polyps out when then did, but everything came back clear. Hallelujah!! Mom is getting her energy back, but overall feels great.
Dad was back down a few pounds. He has pretty good days, but then will be exhausted others, especially after eating.
Thank you for all those that prayed for Mom, and also thank you for all you marathon prayers, who have continued to pray even though this battle continues to drag on and on for Dad.
I am thankful we have been given these days with Mom and Dad, no matter how many more we get, we are thankful for today.
God bless you today,
JJ and all the Janszen Kids

Mom is doing great!!

Thank you for all your prayers. Mom is doing wonderful, with very little pain. The worst part is when she coughs. She still won't be able to lift anything for awhile, but she really is doing well. Dad is doing good too, and survived the week at home while Mom was in the hospital. I don't have a latest weight gain report on Dad, but they are both on the mend. Yeah!!
In Him, JJ

Mom had surgery

Mom went in yesterday for the colonoscopy, but ended up having major surgery. The Dr. said that he could not remove the polyps with the scope, so he sent her over to the hospital, and praise God, the surgeon was able to operate at 4pm yesterday afternoon. He removed 6 inches of colon, and 6 inches of small intestine (secum) (I think that is correct, but I do know it was 12 inches total). Anyway, he said she should be fine. He did not think it was cancer, but was sending it off to check. She will be in the hospital for the next several days. She is in alot of pain. Dad is doing ok, but tired. She doesn't feel like having visitors yet, but we will see as the pain decreases. Thanks for praying. God is good. I am heading up to the hospital in a few minutes.
In Him, JJ

Still doing good.

This week, Dad had the men's fellowship out at the Ranch on Thursday night. They had a great time, and he didn't lose any weight, which is usually what happens the week he is getting ready for the Band of Brothers. He also had another procedure on Friday to stretch his esophagus out, which went well. They Dr. said that he may not need to come back for another one of these for a few months. They will be heading back to MDA the end of March for another check up, and scan to check for any returning cancer. Mom said he is back up over 150lbs. Yeah!! He came to our house on Tuesday night for our family Valentine's dinner (yes, we were very late). We had a great time of fellowship with Mom, Dad, Joy, and Tully. Dad ate so much, and had to rest afterward, but we were so glad that is tasted good to him, and that we were able to spend some time together.
On a side note, Mom is having a procedure done on Tuesday. She will go in and try to have some polyps (sp?) removed with a scope. They found some last spring, right after they found Dad's cancer, and she has put it off until now, simply because she didn't feel like she had the time with Dad's treatments down at MDA. We are praying that they can do this with the scope, and not have to go in and surgically remove them. Please pray with us over this.
Keep praying for weight gain, and pray for Mom too.
Thank you,
JJ and all the Janszen Kids

Gained some weight!!!

Yeah, finally some good news to report. Mom told me yesterday that Dad had come back from a fishing trip with Tully and had gained 4 pounds. We were all worried about him going on this trip, since they were going to be camping out in tents and eating food cooked over an open fire, but praise God, it was just what he needed.
He had a follow up with the GI guy here in Ft. Worth, and will go back in a week to have another dilation done, as a proactive measure, instead of waiting for Dad to start choking again.
I just wanted to let all you prayer worriers know that God has answered yes to a little weight gain!!!
Keep praying.
In Him, JJ

Little has changed.

I have been needing to post for awhile. I have been busy, but did want to give you all an update. Last Thursday at 6:30am Dad called Ray and said that he had been throwing up and choking since 6pm the night before. He hadn't been able to even hold down a drink of water. This was of great concern to all of us, especially Mom. He went in to a GI guy here at Hugley Hospital and he immediately dilated his esophagus out, which gave Dad immediate relief. He then felt good enough to go to the Ft. Worth Stock Show and Rodeo on Friday with all my crew, and then again to Finals on Sunday night. This week he has been doing pretty good, but Mom said that today he had an upset stomach for most of the day, which made him not eat a thing from Breakfast until dinner tonight. He is supposed to go back to the GI Dr. on Thursday for a follow up. We are praying that this digestive thing will improve. He really needs to gain weight, and to do that he needs improvement on the digestion.
Thank you all for being patient with me and my updates.
In Him, JJ Ford

Lost some more weight.

Please pray, Dad has lost about 3 more pounds, and is now under 150. We are discouraged for him, and don't really know what the answer is. He is needing to get dialated again, and also we think we may need to have a GI doctor check out his digestive system to make sure that there is not anything else going on to cause him to not gain weight, and to also have these digestive issues. He knows he needs to gain weight to gain back his strength, to build up his stamina, to help fight infection, etc., but it is just trying to figure out how to do that. Thanks for praying, thanks for loving our family, we love all of you.
In Him, JJ

Home from Colorado.

Mom and Dad are on there way home from Colorado. They really enjoyed themselves and enjoyed having each of the kids up there with them, the first week Me, Ray, and all five of our children were there, along with Joy, then this week, Jamie, Clint, their 2 children, and Tully were there. Sounds crazy, but Mom and Dad said they really enjoyed everyone.
Mom skied herself to death with all the kids wanting her to ski with them, and Dad actually skied the last two days they were there. We were so excited that he felt like doing that. I don't think he had any more choking episodes like he did when we were there, but he will still probably need another visit to MDA for some stretching out of the esophagus. Pray for their safe travel back today, they drove half way yesterday, and will be driving the rest of the way today.
Thank you for reading and praying, JJ

Up in Colorado

We are here in Beaver Creek, Colorado on vacation with Mom and Dad. We are enjoying our time with them and we are so thankful.

Dad has started choking again, and we are asking for prayer concerning this. He may be making another trip to Houston after they get back home for the Dr's to stretch out his esophagus. They told us this might be necessary several more times due to the scar tissue. He has felt ok while we have been up here. Some days he has felt like getting out, and some days he feels pretty drained. Pray for Mom and Dad as they have been a little discouraged with the choking returning so soon and also with how lousy Dad has felt. Dad will have a very difficult time gaining any weight back if he continues to choke and not be able to keep his food down.

This doesn't happen every meal, but it is continuing to happen more often.

Thank you for praying.

We appreciate all of you, JJ and all the Janszen Kids

A New Year

Dad, Mom, and Me. I am never in the picture because I am always taking it!
Dad working on Ruth's (my 10 year old) puzzle she got for Christmas. He couldn't put it down!


Believe it or not, but that is Dad in the Santa suit!!

God bless you all this new year. We look forward to all that God has in store for our family. We are thankful to have Dad this year, and are hopeful that this year will bring improvement to Dad's physical and emotional health. We are praying for weight gain, and for energy. We thank you all for your continued support, your prayers, all your cards and letters you have sent to Mom and Dad, and for your faithfulness to all of us. God bless you all this year.

In Him, JJ