Sunday, May 5, 2013

Expect the Unexpected

That has to be our mantra now...we have no choice.  Very few things in this journey of ours has been what we thought it would be.

On top of everything else, Buddy now has pneumonia, because the chemo has left him immuno-compromised.  We were supposed to have the last chemo shot today to finish our 1st cycle, but couldn't because of the fever.  Tomorrow, they will probably do a bronchoscopy to check his lungs and clean it up (I'm sure the doctor had used better terms for this, but I forget).  Hopefully, nothing else comes up after this so he can be discharged right away.

In Buddy's words, "Cancer is a B*T*H!" We now need to expect the road to be very bumpy, so that we can be thankful for the smooth patches and not get blind-sided by the rough ones too much.

But we have to continue to count our blessings...that we are being given the chance to fight at all, is blessing in itself.  And thank you to all who are fighting with us...there is no way we can do this without you.

Ria


15 comments:

  1. Keep strong and hang on Ria and Buddy! Praying that buddy gets rid of this pneumonia soon. God bless you all always ! - pot

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  2. Dear Buddy,
    Just wanted you to know that I am thinking about you and storming heaven with my prayers. You have always been such a great friend to my brother, John! May the incredible strength of your beautiful family, your loyal friends and your deep faith sustain you in this trying time.
    Jeanne Vonhof

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  3. Ria ~ I'm sure it's been great having the kids with you, and your family visiting as well. You never need to apologize for delays in updates. What's important is what you are focusing on, your husband and children. I realize you also value the people who are storming heaven with prayers for all of you, and so I'd imagine these comments bring you all hope as well. No one likes going through very difficult times in their lives, especially the battle Buddy is facing. However, knowing just how many people are thinking of all of you, praying for Buddy and your family, and love you is invaluable. I must admit I check at least daily, and at times twice a day, praying there is good news. The reality is, whether there's an update or not that day, I think of Buddy and your family often. It's o.k. if you're weary at times, remember the poem Footprints in the Sand? Here's a short version: "When you saw only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you." I continue to pray diligently as a Prayer Warrior for Buddy and your family. Remember to take care of you too, as you care for those you love so deeply. With faith, hope, and love to you all, Christine Tuite-Staib

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  4. You are indeed remember always in our prayers specially Armando (Buddy). I pray that God will sustain you all with His unlimited grace of faith & strength to fight this kind of illness and to be rest assured that God knows what He is allowing to happen. I pray that God will continue to reveal His plan and purpose in spite of physical difficulties for Armando and emotional and psychological stress to the family. May God provide you always His great wisdom and direct you all to the right people and right procedure. We do know that eventually we will all end life here on earth, but that's one thing we are never sure how God will end it. If we are in Christ, there's no fear of anything because we know that whatever happens, we are always in victory even in bed of sickness and even in death. We are indeed victorious in Christ =).

    James 5:14-15 ... "Is anyone among you sick?
    Let them call the elders of the church to pray
    over them and anoint them with oil in the name
    of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will
    make them well; the Lord will raise them up.
    If they have sinned, they will be forgiven."

    1John 5:14-15 ... "This is the confidence
    we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything
    according to his will, he hears us. And if
    we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we
    know that we have what we asked of him.


    John 11:25-26 .... JESUS said, "I am the resurrection and the LIFE.
    Anyone who believes in me will LIVE even though they die."

    We are victorious in CHRIST JESUS =).


    With you in prayers,
    AgnesBB

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  5. The House of FishMay 6, 2013 at 2:10 AM

    Hi Armando, this is Beth, former GS team member stationed near your office who'd always sing :-)
    Just want you to know that you are in my prayers and i claim by now, through God's grace, that you will restore your health.
    It is so wonderful seeing you smiling inspite of this difficult time. Keep the faith and stay strong. You have a wonderful family supporting you and friends and acquiantances who never forget to storm the heavens for your healing. God bless.

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  6. Thanks for the updates Ria! I can just imagine how hard it is to keep up. Don't worry about us. We are all praying and thinking about you even when we don't hear new news. Here's a simple verse that has helped me through tough times - "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." Romans 12:12

    Sahrie

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  7. praying for Buddy's complete healing..

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  8. Hi Ria & Buddy,

    I am so sorry to hear about Buddy's illness and am also praying for his speedy recovery. Your family is in my thoughts and I'm sending lots of healthy vibes your way.
    Kristin (Brierton) Dennewill

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  9. Dear Ria and Buddy, expect the unexpected indeed. But expect with the downs there will be ups. And with prayer and faith, there will be miracles. My mom-in-law had a long fight with cancer. Twenty years ago, she was given six months to live. But she beat it. It came back after 10 years, she beat it again. Five years later, that b*t*h came again and she beat it again. I recall that she always prayed to Padre Pio. She has a statue of Padre Pio which Toym made and she has this cloth blessed by the followers of Padre Pio which she draped around her body. My MIL actually lived way longer than expected :-). Buddy is stronger and younger than my MIL. His can beat this. I will continue to pray for Padre Pio's healing hands to touch Buddy and to give you and your family strength.

    Hugs,
    Lee

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  10. Dear Ria and Buddy,

    I am an old college roommate of Armando's, and heard about his illness from one of our other roommates.

    Buddy, I have a lot of fond memories of living with you, Eric and Ken my Sophomore (your Junior) year at Notre Dame. You were a pleasure to live with (though in retrospect, I kind of doubt I was -- among other things, sorry for all the loud Fine Young Cannibals music :-) ). I was lucky to get to live with you that year, and to know you afterwards. I regret I haven't done a better job of keeping in touch over the years.

    When you get better, I think we should try talking Eric and Ken into going back to ND for a mini-reunion. Until then, you will be in my thoughts and prayers. Stay strong, and get well soon!

    Yours,

    Alex Halow, Morrissey Hall, ND Class of 1991

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  11. keep fighting.. keep fighting. the b*t*h will go down! *hugs*

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  12. Dearest Armando & Ria,

    We're so sad and unhappily to hear about you've sick which we never think ever, since you're a so optimistic , healthy and a good leader in our sense. Please keep fighting against the bad, as you always to encourage us to confront the worse before. Your whole team is here, in Shanghai, to giving you a truely, heartfully wishes and blessing everyday for you to getting well very soon. Remember, you're not alone.

    We're loving you!!!!!


    Yours

    Minnie Zhang & Team


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  13. Wish him get better soonest!!!!!!!

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  14. Hi Armando,

    We've been praying for you all the time! And you are not alone for we are here with you! Though we are far away, you're always in our hearts. We believe that you will show up in SZ office and be full of energy soon!

    Greeting from Tracy in Shenzhen

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  15. always praying for you. hugs to you Ria, Buddy and kids. we are all praying here.

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