Monday, October 10, 2011
Balloon Ride
Over the weekend we enjoyed a balloon ride with Jay Grube. The ride was Zach's birthday present from his parents and my gift to Zach was being brave enough to go with him.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Cancer Update-from Zach
I had a CT scan last Tuesday (August 23rd). It showed that the cancer had not grown any over the last 2 months. This is a blessing because this type of chemo only works in 30% of people. We’re not sure how long it will last, but we’ll take every day that we can get – and try to use it for His glory. Thanks again for the love and prayers.
P.S. Head over to the Cancer Redemption Project web site to check out the exciting progress and to see pictures of the campus.
P.S. Head over to the Cancer Redemption Project web site to check out the exciting progress and to see pictures of the campus.
Old Time Photos
We had these taken during our vacation with the Pfister Family in Gatlinburg, TN in early July.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Zion's Birthday
Zion Michael Bertsch
Age 4
Height:37 1/2 inches tall
Weight: 34 pounds
Favorite Color: Orange
Favorite Stuffed Animal: Doggy
Other things he likes:
-Dad's Scary Story and Bible Story at Bedtime
-Dressing up like a Cowboy
-His $1 weed wacker he got at a garage sale this week
-Playing in his Sandbox
-Singing with Mom and Moriah
-Watching Children's DVDs
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Pictures from Aunt Beth
Aunt Beth had a photo session with Moriah while Zach and I were in Texas in May. Here are a few of the favorites, including one with Zion.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
The Battle Continues
"Our whole goal is not to live (life) out perfectly, but to live it out struggling, live it out battling, and in the end, to just succeed in not letting the Enemy tear this family apart." Mary Beth Chapman (quoted in Thriving Family, Summer 2011, p. 45)
On the way to Indianapolis Zach read me a document that he is preparing to share this weekend with a group of young men and their fathers. The short document, a summary of a presentation Zach and I watched by Paul Washer, challenges men (and women too) to be active in the battle against Satan. "We were made to fight, to strive, to work and to conquer...We are to give our lives to advance a kingdom."
Zach's battle against cancer started a year ago this month, but his battle against Satan began when he surrendered his life to Christ. It is easy for us to think that life is good when things are going smoothly, when our prayers are answered in the way we want, and when we aren't facing any great trials. I often have to remind myself that as Christians we should expect trials because Satan wants to distract us from furthering God's kingdom. He wants us to run away and hide when bad things come our way. He wants us to turn our backs on our God and loose our focus on the eternal. At good life is not an easy life. A good life is a life lived for Christ as we face sorrows, joys, trails, and victories.
Zach had a CT Scan this morning and the results showed that Zach's Cancer has grown some since the last scan. As a result Zach's doctor recommended that He start the second line of Cancer drugs. This is hard to accept since there are just two well established Colon Cancer Chemotherapy combinations. We had hoped that Zach would be on the first line of chemotherapy for well over a year. When this second round of chemo stops working Zach may either go back to the first line to see if it might work again or start a clinic trial of less established chemotherapy drugs.
Zach's battle with Cancer continues and with it comes dealing with pain, the side effects of the chemo treatments, and the fatigue. The struggle to stay positive, keep hope, and focus on the eternal also continues. Satan wants to distract our family from being shining lights for Christ, and from seeking ways to further His Kingdom. We continue to move forward held up on the prayers many have said on our behalf. We remain thankful for the glimpses God has given us of this Cancer being used for good and our prayer is that others can continue to be touched by the work God is doing in our lives.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
On the way to Indianapolis Zach read me a document that he is preparing to share this weekend with a group of young men and their fathers. The short document, a summary of a presentation Zach and I watched by Paul Washer, challenges men (and women too) to be active in the battle against Satan. "We were made to fight, to strive, to work and to conquer...We are to give our lives to advance a kingdom."
Zach's battle against cancer started a year ago this month, but his battle against Satan began when he surrendered his life to Christ. It is easy for us to think that life is good when things are going smoothly, when our prayers are answered in the way we want, and when we aren't facing any great trials. I often have to remind myself that as Christians we should expect trials because Satan wants to distract us from furthering God's kingdom. He wants us to run away and hide when bad things come our way. He wants us to turn our backs on our God and loose our focus on the eternal. At good life is not an easy life. A good life is a life lived for Christ as we face sorrows, joys, trails, and victories.
Zach had a CT Scan this morning and the results showed that Zach's Cancer has grown some since the last scan. As a result Zach's doctor recommended that He start the second line of Cancer drugs. This is hard to accept since there are just two well established Colon Cancer Chemotherapy combinations. We had hoped that Zach would be on the first line of chemotherapy for well over a year. When this second round of chemo stops working Zach may either go back to the first line to see if it might work again or start a clinic trial of less established chemotherapy drugs.
Zach's battle with Cancer continues and with it comes dealing with pain, the side effects of the chemo treatments, and the fatigue. The struggle to stay positive, keep hope, and focus on the eternal also continues. Satan wants to distract our family from being shining lights for Christ, and from seeking ways to further His Kingdom. We continue to move forward held up on the prayers many have said on our behalf. We remain thankful for the glimpses God has given us of this Cancer being used for good and our prayer is that others can continue to be touched by the work God is doing in our lives.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Happy Birthday Moriah.
Moriah turned 2 on Sunday May 15th. It is amazing to see how much she has grown and developed in the last year. She is starting to count (not always in the right order), say "ABC" (the rest will come soon enough), and learn songs along with the hand motions. Moriah still takes naps every day (so thankful for this) and doesn't let Zion get away with picking on her. If she says "play" we know that Zion either took her toy or isn't letting her play with what she wants. Moriah really enjoys looking at books and having Daddy read them to her. She loves to play outside and tries to escape out the back door anytime Zion opens it for her. She has two favorite silky blankets, a favorite quilt that my Grandma Rufener gave us at our baby shower, and her talking dog "Violet." She is a great eater and always comes running when she hears the candy cupboard open. She still likes her nuk and we haven't started the battle to take it away yet. Not sure we are ready to tackle potty training either-hoping Jessica will offer since Elly is doing so well (Just kidding Jessica).
A Baby Shower and A Graduation Party
We traveled to Ohio to pick up our kids and to attend Javan and Josie's Baby Shower and Julie's Graduation Party. It was a busy weekend with my family hosting two big events for my sisters and my Aunt Joan serving lunch at church on Sunday (a record weekend for the Greenbank/Rufener family feeding people). Moriah and Zion's favorite part was eating all the candy on the tables at the two parties. My favorite part was relaxing at Josie's house and hanging out with family the whole weekend and Zach really enjoyed playing games with Jason. Both Zach and I are glad to be with our kids again.
Our Trip to Texas
Zach and I traveled to Houston Texas to see a specialist at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center on May 5th. The specialist told us that the treatment Zach is getting in Indianapolis is similar to what she would recommend. She said that once these drugs stop working (we want them to work as long as possible) he might be eligible to become part of a Clinical Trial using newer Chemotherapy drugs. It won't be realistic for him to travel to Houston every other week, but there may be a closer hospital that is offering the same Clinical Trial. Our plan for now is to continue treatment in Indianapolis (Zach received another round of Chemo on Mary 10th).
After Zach's Thursday appointment we shopped at Ikea and ate at the Melting Pot before traveling to Galveston, Texas. In Galveston we visited an Aquarium, went on an Historic Homes Tour (Zach was a good sport and visited all 10 homes with me), walked on the beach, went swimming, and played games. We also visited a school benefit auction where Zach bought a certificate for a local restaurant and a certificate for me to get a manicure and pedicure. I enjoyed some pampering and we both enjoyed barbecued meat and sea food. Our flight back to reality on Monday came way too soon, but we are both thankful for the time together. The kids spent their vacation getting spoiled by their Ohio grandparents, aunts/uncles, and great aunts/uncles.
After Zach's Thursday appointment we shopped at Ikea and ate at the Melting Pot before traveling to Galveston, Texas. In Galveston we visited an Aquarium, went on an Historic Homes Tour (Zach was a good sport and visited all 10 homes with me), walked on the beach, went swimming, and played games. We also visited a school benefit auction where Zach bought a certificate for a local restaurant and a certificate for me to get a manicure and pedicure. I enjoyed some pampering and we both enjoyed barbecued meat and sea food. Our flight back to reality on Monday came way too soon, but we are both thankful for the time together. The kids spent their vacation getting spoiled by their Ohio grandparents, aunts/uncles, and great aunts/uncles.
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