Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Not happy
We are in Chicago on the plane for New York.
Appointment with Dr O'Reiley at 2 PM tomorrow
Raymond Dueck
352.235.4688
check out www.LifeLightMinistries.com
Monday, October 29, 2007
Renee Update 4
to New York tomorrow
If you know of an apartment or furnishings available near 67 and 1st
please let us know
--
Raymond and Martha Dueck
email ReneeDueck@gmail.com
Keep up to date by reading Renee's blog at http://reneedueck.blogspot.com/
http://daddydueck.blogspot.com/
Raymond 204-782-2112
See our pictures at http://www.dueckpics.blogspot.com/
We live in E St Paul MB Canada R2E 0L2 and attend Eastview Community Church
See Renee's hospital at www.mskcc.org/
Visit us at www.Duecks.com/
Support our favorite charity www.TheLifeLight.com/
If you prefer not getting our emails please reply with REMOVE in the subject
line. Thanks.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Hello to the family
I believe in it with all my heart. I did not want to answer you all and be flippant as Job's friends were to him as he lamented about the state of his life. I see they only worsened Job's pain and I want to support you in love and in encouragement and in prayer. You are an amazing family and I thank God that you have the connections to get your daughter the extra care.
I came across this verse in the book of Jeremiah as I was doing my devotions the other day and I felt led to send it to you.
Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
And whose hope is the Lord.
For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters,
Which spreads out its roots by the river,
And will not fear when the heat comes;
But it's leaf will be green,
And will not be anxious in the year of drought,
Nor will cease from yielding fruit."
(Jeremiah 17:7-8)
I do not have the answers as to why but I do know that our suffering is not in vain, and I look with the focus of eternity so as to notlose my hope. We will continue to uphold you and your family in prayer.
May His grace indeed be sufficient for you and may you allow yourselves to be weak. He alone has the power over life and death, He alone. Do not fear the heat, and let not your hearts be troubled or dismayed for the Lord our God is with you. He will uphold you with His righteous right hand,
All my love,
Laurie
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Trauma of the Heart
Devastating
Leukemia
Relapse
Why
Vancouver General Hospital
10/26/07 We met with Dr Hogge today and she assured us that New York is the way to go for Renee. They are the only ones that can help with this. They need to work Renee up to prepare for the transplant. No one anywhere has ever done a difficult transplant like this. It is important that the right initial chemo-therapy is initiated to prevent organ damage.
This is a really difficult circumstance. She said she had consulted with other key doctors in Vancouver and they were all agreed. Everybody is rooting for Renee.
This is a special circumstance and if we start something in Vancouver we might be sorry later. The doctors in New York know her. Dr Hogge reiterated that she and her colleagues would help the best they can at each step.
Dr O?Reilley has 30 years experience and he is the best there is.
?Renee are you willing to go to New York??, Dr Hogge asked. Renee finds it very difficult to leave her friends in Vancouver and fly all across the continent for what she knows will be an extremely difficult time.
Her counts are low - platelets 60 and Neutrophils are at 0.5. That means Renee should wear mask on the plane and in public.
Dr Hogge said she will write a letter to Ministry of Health Monday morning. There should be no problem getting the health care costs covered. Of course, the travel and living costs are not covered.
It really would be for the best to go to NYC as soon as possible.
She stressed that we need to be careful about fever. Renee might need a platelets transfusion. She has an appointment on Saturday for further blood counts and a possible infusion.
By Monday evening we should be home in Winnipeg. By Tuesday they want to see Renee in New York.
It is difficult to express the aguish and distress this causes all of us. We want to trust that the Almighty knows what?s going on, and that many of His People are interceding for all of our family.
He said: My grace is sufficient for you. Is it?
Thank you for your prayers.
Raymond & Martha, Justin, Renee, Alayna, Kara
For more information on this journey check out our blog
During our stay in New York in 2005 Martha took a lot of good pictures. One of them ended up on the cover of The Living LifeLight.
Dr. Donna Hogge joined the medical staff at Vancouver General Hospital in 1984 and became the Director of the Cell Separator Unit in 1987. She became an Attending Staff on the Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program in 1996 and this has become her exclusive clinical practice.
Dr. Hogge continues to supervise a laboratory at the Terry Fox Laboratory and is especially interested in the behaviour of AML cells and translating this into novel transplant and non-transplant therapies.
http://www.leukemiabmtprogram.com/
Vancouver General Hospital 6th floor 855W 12th
From Our Daily Bread: Hope in God?it?s the only solution for the deep traumas of the heart. ?Bill Crowder
No one is hopeless whose hope is in God.
In Psalm 119:71, David wrote, "It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes." And Hebrews 12:11 says that chastening "yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness."
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Diagnosis
Dear Friends:
Renee's doctor in Vancouver confirmed today that Renee's leukemia has returned and treatment will be needed. We are booked to fly 1st thing in the morning and stay till treatment questions are dealt with. The questions include: Should treatment start in Vancouver ASAP or should she go to New York right away?
Later the question of bone marrow transplant may have to be dealt with. That can only be done in New York, and we trust that BC Health will stand by her again.
Monique has been and continues to be a wonderful friend and cousin at Renee's side in Vancouver. We are thankful for her care and help. We are grateful that Renee is feeling reasonably well at this time.
Again, your prayers are appreciated and many of you have already sent us your support. Thank you
--
Raymond and Martha Dueck
Martha 204-771-7559
Renee email ReneeDueck@gmail.com
Keep up to date by reading Renee's blog at http://reneedueck.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=747310337
See our pictures at http://www.dueckpics.blogspot.com/
We live in E St Paul MB Canada R2E 0L2 and attend Eastview Community Church
Visit us at http://www.duecks.com/
Support our favorite charity http://www.thelifelight.com/
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Renee - health update
production. She got a summer job that grew into a more or less full
time job as Production Assistant on a number of TV shows and movies.
In the last few months she developed a persistant cough and in a
recent blood test her counts were low. She had a bone marrow tap
today so the doctor could try to figure out what was going on. She
has an appointment at the clinic tomorrow to get preliminary results.
Needless to say, she is quite worried about the situation. She would
appreciate your prayers on her behalf, that God would give her and her
family the peace and calm that only God can give, and that if it be
possible her test results be good.
Thank you for your prayers.
--
Raymond and Martha Dueck
Renee email ReneeDueck@gmail.com
Keep up to date by reading Renee's blog at http://reneedueck.blogspot.com/
See our pictures at http://www.dueckpics.blogspot.com/
We live in E St Paul MB Canada R2E 0L2 and attend Eastview Community Church
See Renee's hospital at www.mskcc.org/
Visit us at www.Duecks.com/
Support our favorite charity www.TheLifeLight.com
Monday, September 24, 2007
My Friend Dennis Kroeker
DENNIS KROEKER 1948-2007It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Dennis Kroeker on Saturday, March 17, 2007, while serving his Lord and Savior in Nicaragua. We are comforted to know that he is in paradise. He will however, be greatly missed by his wife Janice of 35 years; his sons Nathan (Genevieve) and Merle (Lorna) and his daughter Karla (Harri) Leinonen, and his beloved grandchildren, Nico, Teya, Mia, Brynn, Tyrone and Blake.
Dennis is also survived by his mother Elizabeth Kroeker, and eight brothers and sisters: Rosalind (Irvin) Dueck, Laura (AI) Friesen, Irma Kroeker, Dave (Agnes) Kroeker, Elda (John) Enns, Ray (Luella) Kroeker, Clarice (Roger) Plett and Vern (Anne) Kroeker, and numerous nieces and nephews. Dennis was predeceased by his father, a brother in infancy and two grandchildren, also in infancy.
Dennis was born in Morris, Man., but he grew up and spent most of his life farming in the Riverton area with his brothers. His life was always filled with adventures, including many winters spent hauling freight to various northern Manitoba communities. In 2000, Dennis left his career on the farm and moved into the town of Arborg in order to pursue other opportunities.
With a love for agriculture, he thoroughly enjoyed working for Manitoba Crop Insurance as an adjuster, enabling him to interact with farmers throughout Manitoba, as well as serving on the Board of Directors for the Puratone Corporation. In addition, he enjoyed traveling, mission-work, snowmobiling and camping, allowing him to make many precious memories with his family.
Dennis always had a passion for people, whether it was his children and grandchildren, nieces and nephews, neighbors and friends, or the new people he enjoyed getting to know during his last afternoon in Nicaragua, and he always had time for conversation. He will be missed by many.We would like to express our appreciation for the tremendous outpouring of love we have been experiencing during this difficult time. Thank you so much for all the prayers on our behalf.
His Family
Monday, July 16, 2007
Blessings
Quote in a box
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Tuesday in LA
Spent the day at Disneyland and California Adventures. Had bought new shoes and they created a lot of foot pain for me on top of the knee pain. Wish I had rented a wheelchair. That would have got us to the front of the line faster. More pictures
Monday, May 28, 2007
Memorial Day in California
5/29/07 Star wars- slow to get here. Saw the helmet display, spent some time in the fan room and bought a few things.
At 3 o'clock we went to Hollywood. Kara was anxious to see the Kodak theatre. Not quite what she expected. Bought some stuff. Had a bite to eat and went back to watch the History Channel's coverage of the phenomena of the Universe of Star Wars. What a story!
You never outgrow the need for a mentor.
Try not. Do. Or do not.
Padme Amadalla embodies love. Her daughter Lea blossoms to become stronger.
"I love you." "I know." The most romantic line in all literature.
Evil exists. Darth Vader radiates the glamour of evil. Unstoppable. Anakin was gripped by anger and power and that ultimately destroyed him. Impatient. Spoiled teenager. Listens to the wrong mentor just ike Eve in the garden of Eden. Sells his Soul to the devil as in Paradise Lost. Lucifer's pride way is his downfall. Anakin ends up in hell. So much symbolism. He lost his humanity. He paid the price.
We need to watch Star Wars when we get home.
Tomorrow we go to Disney's California Adventure. Wednesday to Universal and Hollywood and Thursday to Knott's Berry farm and the beaches. A bit of shoping on Friday and home by 9 pm
Back to work next week.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Today at Star Wars
5/27/07 were planning to go to the 9 am service at Saddleback but when we saw they have a 6:30 service we decided to go to Star Wars in the morning10:00 am Creating new worlds interviews w the designers and model makers.
11:00 am Fan Fair hall where the fan clubs demonstrate their diorama and model building skills.
Long line up for a Starbucks Coffee. I'm so tired I could go back to the hotel for a good sleep.
1:00 pm One Man Star Wars trilogy. By Charlie Ross, who started it as a one man show off Broadway.
2:30 pm Billy Dee Williams and the Lando diaries. Hosted by Scott Chernoff - Star Wars nerd. Very funny. Debonair.
4:30pm The Force of The Fetts in Concourse Hall with Jiay La'Guya from Australia
Reunion of friends.
the youngest- Daniel Logan from New Zealand now in college. Boba Fett as a child.
Jeremy Bullock the flying adult Boba Fett
Temeura Morrisson Jengo Fett
6:30 pm www.saddleback.com for church. Got there 15 minutes late partly because there were 2 Portola parkway exits.
Rick Warren pastor preached on "Setting Financial Goals"
Tithe 10% save 10% no matter what. He has a dozen billionaire friends. They all follow that principle. Only buy what you need. Wear it out. God wants to be your financial advisor.
Provide for family needs. Not greeds. God expects it. 1 Tim 5:8 Don't live beyond your needs.
Use some money to grow your character. Grow Spiritually with Seminars Conferences Fitness memberships.
He bought his first Bible as a teenager. Cost 2 month's allowance. Still have that Bible today. Better to have wisdom and knowledge than to have gold and silver.
Buy some good books.
Use some money to help others. The only safe investment for eternity. 2,000 verses about helping the poor.
Saddleback Church is the most generous church in North America. 1.6 million $ raised in one offering for the tsunami plus $1.7MM for hurricane victims.
Nothing becomes great without sacrifice. Are our greatest days behind us or before us? Start tithing today!
Luke16:9 Give to get some friends into heaven. That is the highest use of your money. There will be people in heaven because of your help.
Only people who don't know God are always worried about money. Circle the words about heaven.
You can pile it up on earth or in heaven. If your treasure is on earth, you get one day further away from it every day.
8:45pm dinner at Memphis Bar B-Q Company. ''We didn't invent Bar-B-Q it just tastes like it"
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Saturday Star Wars
12:00 Wait
Carrie Fisher Autograph
3:30 bite of Pizza
4:00 501st Costume Bounty Hunters
5:00 Wait
6:30 Star Wars in 30 min
7:30 laser tag
8:00 Wait
9:00 Conversation w Carrie Fisher $15 each
10:00 Celebration
Sitting in Line
I'm blogging from my PDAKaralee and I are sitting in line waiting for Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia) to come back from her break. We've been in the line since 12:10 and we'd like to go to the next stage show at 2:30
It does not look like that will happen.
Martha called from Peter & Trudy's cabin. She's out camping on Hecla with the Reimer family this weekend.
Justin went to Lonnie's place so he wouldn't be home alone. He still has a very serious case of the flu he's been battling for 3 weeks.
Renee now has a job at Value Village. Not her first choice but something to keep busy.
Alayna is going to start painting houses soon. She wants to earn her own way thru university. Very independent of her parents. Enslaved by her boyfriend. Pray for her.
Karalee is trying to decide what to do next year. She'd like to go to university to study film production. Her parents would like that to be in a Christian environment. Pray for her.
Business is more than busy and often requires more wisdom than I have.
We did eventually get that wonderful signature after a 3 hr wait. Then it was time to go to a costume making work shop and from there to a play "star wars in 30 minutes" after a 1-1/2 hr wait.
After that it was time to line up for "a conversation with Carrie Fisher". Another 1 hr wait for 1 hr show.
All in all - not a bad day -
What is the moral of the story of Star Wars?
Anikin Skywalker is born of a virgin and has more ''Life" in him than anyone else. He is looked up to as the Promised One.
He thinks he knows more the his teachers. He wants to be recognized as a Jedi (leader) before he is ready. He has nightmares about his wife Padme dying in childbirth. When he starts to listen to the Dark Side he is convinced he can save his wife, if only he turns to the dark side. When he does, he loses everything and becomes the evil Darth Vader, Dark Lord of the Sith. In the end his son Luke demonstrates real love and he turns away from the Dark Side just before he dies.
In short- listen to those who love you and you will avoid the dark side of life.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Star Wars Celebration IV
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Happy Birthday, Renee
Happy Birthday to Renee - today 23Click on the title to read her blog
This picture was taken on the beach in Vancouver in November 2006. More pictures on our PictureBlog
Monday, December 11, 2006
Trip to Thailand (Siam)
Does this look like Thailand?No - we went to Vancouver for a nice visit with Renee, and then headed off to Thailand. We took some 600 pictures and those can be found on our pics blog. There are some detailed descriptions about our experiences in Thailand.
Renee is doing well and enjoying her studies at Capilano College. Check her blog.
In Vacouver there has been an extraordinary amount of snow, and the snow caused us to get to Thailand somewhat later than it should have. We had a good time. Would have loved to stay longer, but we are glad to be home.