Dear family and friends,
Well here we are and it is almost spring officially. It has been more then 3 months since our last update. Jane has done okay for most of this time even though it has been a very cold winter with a lot of extreme cold, which kept us inside for most of it. Chemo was scheduled for December 24 after which we left for the USA right away.
Kevin s family invited us to a Christmas lunch at the Trestle Stop in Hamilton Mi. (his uncle and aunt s restaurant) where we met up with Lisa, their daughter who has been in a very long struggle with cancer, but she is such a trooper. She and her husband are certainly an inspiration for Jane and myself. We were able to go see Marcel and Shelly and their girls while staying at the Hampton Inn in Merrillville In. Then we travelled back on the 28th to Mount Brydges Ontario for the Bloemendal get together. Not all of them could make it, but we are thankful for the time we had with them that could make it.That evening the Sall family and ourselves drove up to the farm.
The work load there was drastically reduced since all the milking goats were picked up on several trailer loads between December 20 and 23. So it was the morning of the 23rd that we milked goats for the last time. What was left on the goat side of things was the dry does and yearling does that were to be picked up at two later dates as part of the deal. This meant a lot less work for the Amish couple, who decided to move out of the farm house at the end of January to live back in their community up the road. That was their choice, as they could have lived there yet for some time.
It was also in January that Jane underwent another CT scan. The week we waited for the results was hard for Jane. The radiologist noted again no progression of the disease. A great relief again.
The oncologist, Dr Aboo, is certainly pleased with Jane s condition.
There is always the daily routine of taking regular medications and then the break thru meds.
Were able to travel for an extended weekend from January 23-28 and make the rounds to all
of our kids families. Levy looked after things just before they were moving out.
When in February, Jane was having unexpected crying spells, the home care nurse and Aboo
recommended an anti depressed medication to be tried for a least 6-8 weeks.
The crying spells soon stopped, so for time being it is going to be part of the daily medicine cocktail.
The second part of the herd was picked up on February 28, so there are about 130 doelings left to be picked up  no later then April 30.
Jane had chemo on March 4 and when Monic was going to drop Christian off at Kevin & Christine for spring break from his school, she jumped on the opportunity to get a ride with them.
It did not take much arm twisting to get Jane to not go back with Monic and just stay till I would be going states-side myself. With Dan (the Amish man with which we still have close contact and who lives a couple miles from the farm) driving his buggy to the farm once a day to  take care off the chores, I was able to join Jane on March 13 at Benjamin s place.
The next day we went to Indiana. The pool and hottub in the hotel was much appreciated by all especially the girls from Marcel and Shelly.
We were there for a birthday party for Brynne and an early party for Maren. It was good to see all Shelly s family again too.
On Monday we drove back to Michigan as Benjamin called to tell us  that our and Monic s old dog, Suki (who spent the last 18 months at Benjamin s place) was on her end. She was put to sleep that afternoon. She had been a great dog to us all. Her legacy includes the litter of thirteen pups including the one still born. It was amazing to see how calmly she cared for them all with only ten nipples.
She raised all twelve till they could be weaned off.
It is great to spend time with all our kids families and I was wandering how Jane felt about going back home on Friday. When I asked her, she said that it would be okay with her to go back Friday. Home is still at the farm.
I am so thankful for every day Jane and I get to spend together. Cannot tell how much I love that girl. The prayers of so many of you are being heard and we cannot thank you enough.
I like winter, but after what we had the last 3 months I am ready for spring. But giving what usually happens around here, we will probably have to wait another 5-6 weeks.
As you probably have picked up on, the relationships with our family and friends are so precious to us. The support from our church family is just awesome too. Many thanks to you all. God is good!!!!
When you read this letter send us a brief note some times at nrdrmr@xplornet.com so we can know who reads our blog.
Greetings from both of us.   Marinus and Jane.