Below is an update from Ron & Cheryl Taylor as they are working with Team in Training. You can visit their page and more of their updates at: http://www.active.com/donate/tntsvmb/2TaylorsTraining

Good Afternoon All!!!

It has been three weeks since announcing mine and Cheryl’s involvement with Team in Training. As together we share in our support of Scott in his present battle with cancer, you may enjoy hearing about our progress in training and raising funds.

Cheryl actually hasn’t been involved in the physical training as she has been in India for two weeks now with our church mission team. She returns late on the 29th and I am sure will be ready “in spirit” to begin conditioning her body for the coming challenge.

Though not here physically, prior to leaving Cheryl completed the lion’s share of our effort to date toward raising funds in assisting those struggling with cancer. I am happy to report that we are now at $1300, toward our combined goal of $5000. So thanks to you, and those outside our MH community, who have come alongside this effort financially!

As for Scott, he has had his good days and his bad days … with the “good days” defined more like our bad days. Though I have always and currently heartedly appreciate his humor and spirit to look forward in hope. He can best fill you in on the current state of affairs through his blog at http://www.halverson-family.com/, I encourage you check it out if not already.

Training has been good, though not from the standpoint of preparing mind, body and spirit for such an event. Its real value is in the process that tenderizes my heart toward those who suffer as I haven’t. Through the many miles of swimming, biking and running I have much time to think – in between the groans and aches. Part of that time is spent in gratitude for life as God has graced me with in blessings and the awesome people that I am privileged to know. Another part is spent removing clutter from my mind and heart – the tensions, cares and worries present at the time. A final part of time is spent realizing how important we are to each other and how we need each other – both for our strengths and in our weaknesses.

One recent thought has been that currently Scott is in need – weakened in mind, body and spirit through cancer. He had no choice in the matter, the attack came to him. All of us, in a second, would remove this if possible … but we can’t. We come along side in many ways – chores, errands, transportation, meals, visits, to name a few – and especially in prayer. Our efforts, while not bringing complete healing, do deliver strength to impact his weakness. Our efforts are essential. Though Scott had no choice in being diagnosed with cancer he has chosen how to face it. He is choosing the high road of trust – in God and in us! And as one who supports Scott, I stand with his choice by choosing how I will fight for and with him. As he struggles through the minutes and hours of pain in his day (not his choice), I choose to give my all (and often with pain) in whatever workout I am currently in, remembering him and praying for him as my honoree for this cause. Scott won’t see or be aware of many of our efforts on his behalf, though he knows something is going on, because he is receiving strength from where he knows not at times – it is just there (like Paul in Philippians 1:19). Another picture of God’s wonderful mystery — and provision.

Though TNT has not seen ultimate victory … they are seeing many individual battles won along the way. Like that of an honoree, with cancer now in remission, who joined the team in a recent workout to thank (very heartfelt) and acknowledge to us that TNT’s efforts made a difference in her behalf.

I am grateful that our training for this upcoming Wildflower event coincides with Scott’s treatment. I am grateful I can offer my current strength in mind, body and spirit to assist Scott in his weakened state. I can walk “along the way” with him. He has done so for me in the past.

Last thing, a recent encouragement came to me from Scripture (how about that) giving me strength, out of Lamentations 3:19 – 23 –

I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and gall.
I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me.
Yet this I call to mind and therefore I hope:
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning, great is your faithfulness.

Till the next time.

Ron

It’s been such a mixed bag of emotions and symptoms these last days, hard to know where to begin.

My energy has on the one hand been steady – but at only about a 10% or so level. My cell counts etc continue to be at a low ebb because of my body’s reaction to Chemo. I know I should be overjoyed not to nauseated – and that is a big plus – but my energy is just so low it has been very discouraging. Each day I get up and hope to have lot of energy and get things done but the energy just isn’t there – I’m needing 2 or 3 naps and find the mind is slow. It’s just hard to put into words but it gets so discouraging day after day to feel like there is not enough in the tank. So there have been a lot of tears these last few days, mourning the loss of feeling like a capable contributing member of the globe.

Loss of appetite continues. I have a few favorite foods that Lynne has been preparing for me but not much tastes good (with the surprising exception – first time in my life – of white wine). But my weight holds steady and that is a plus.

There have been today some really nice things. The email from Ron Taylor (soon to post separately) was overwhelming personally in its depth of care and expressing what the body of Christ is doing for me. And I’ve received a couple of especially affirming and powerful e mails from others.

By the way, I did get to do a bit of gardening today, and also napped in the low 70s’ sun, listening to the birds whirring and singing.

Tomorrow AM I plan to join Mount Hermon’s Direct Report Group (DRG) meeting from 9-Noon. I would love your prayers for good sleep tonight and that I could make a contribution in that meeting. Pray also for me to learn to be patient and let my body heal at the pace it is supposed to.

Thanks for being there with us in this journey. At times it feels long and arduous. I can hardly wait to turn the calendar page to March.

Much love,

Scott & Lynne

Yesterday was a long day (8 AM – 2:30 PM) blood transfusion. My heoglobin was really low – mono level. So I had some blood put in me and hopefully that increases my energy. My weight is down a few pounds again as I’ve only been hungry for ice water – and white wine! – and not much else. The blood was from Oakland so hopefully adds to my upcoming basketball set of new man skills!

Last night I got to participate in a good by dinner for long time colleague Bob Russell and did enjoy a good meal. Bob is taking a job on the other side of the hill. It was good to be on the invite list and I have learned much from Bob’s wisdom and insight over the years. He is a dear colleague and will be missed immensely.

This morning I went to get the newpaper and there was a large in and out chocolate milk shake courtesy of Stephanie (nee) Van Cleave sitting on our front porch! Steph, don’t know how long it’d had been there, but the shake is now is our freezer where it will make a nice treat later today. THANK YOU!!!!!!

Much love to you all – more later,

Scott

It’s early afternoon on Monday, and Scott’s asleep-which is very good. We just got back from the oncologist’s office before noon, where we learned that Scott is very anemic, as I expected from his energy level. I’ll be taking him in to the Outpatient Oncology Center near Dominican Hospital tomorrow at 9am to get 2 units (pints) of blood transfused. He’ll feel much stronger within a day or two, and I’d rather do this on a scheduled outpatient basis than as an emergency on a weekend.

Besides being very tired this weekend, he had no vomiting and almost no nausea – his best response to the chemo so far. Another victory he forgot to mention was that on Saturday, in the midst of all the rain, Scott, Becky, and I were able to get over the hill to a movie theater in Cupertino to see the U23D movie he’s been wanting so badly to have the energy and strength to see. Mission accomplished ( in spite of a few concerns from his nurse)!

Thanks so much for all of your prayers. I know I keep repeating this, but they are so uplifting and strengthening when our own strength is spent. We all long so much for things to just be “normal,” but that won’t be the case for some time to come. Scott is very sick and tired of being sick and tired, and not being able to do the things he’d like to do. So when he is able to get out for a movie, or a walk (however brief!) along West Cliff Dr., they are huge victories and accomplishments.

I love Isaiah 40:29-31 – “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall: but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” I can hang on to these verses and keep going.

With love, the Halversons 

Well, not much to say today, but that’s not a bad thing. 2 days after my 3rd round of Chemo and I still haven’t thrown up. My sleep is all messed up – you know how one usually starts the night sleeping in longer spells, followed by shorter spells? For the last two nights running, I’ve been sleeping like 1 hour, 2 hours, 1 hour, 2 hours, etc. Finally was exhausted late morning today and slept until around Noon. So that type of sleeping pattern messes up the day. But at least I’m not throwing up and nauseated!

Becky and I went today to the Mount Hemon fitness center. It was fun to be there with her. I did about 20-30 minutes on the legs and that has left me worn out for the day. But over time this routine is what I need to do to get my strength back.

Tomorrow is a doctor check up day, probably with some sort of white / red booster we’re guessing. I’m also having some sort of nightime bathroom problem with which we hope to get some help.

That’s about it – nothing dramatic here today! We’d covet your prayers for good sleep.

Some of you have asked about Daniel and Becky. The biggest deal for them right now is that they’re just processing a lot still; Dad almost died; Dad faints from time to time; Dad is weak; lots of visitors; Mom has her hands full. I think in many ways they just want time and space to be themselves and process this in their own ways.

Oh yeah – almost forgot to mention that I’ve put back 10 pounds in the last week! It’s great to lose 38 pounds but it gets scary when one thinks about where it will end. To gain 10 back is a gift.

Thanks for all you’ve done and are doing for us.

Scott, Lynne and Kids

Well, it’s been another quiet week at Lake Wobegon…and it’s been a quiet several days on the blog site. I know many of you have been worried. Sorry for the delay – my gas tank has been completely empty.

Last Friday, I started feeling really lousy again. Much of it is posted in my desperate blog prayer requests, but essentially nausea and exhaustion hit again full force. The nausea is just so darned overwhelming – wow do I get that now – and I was so disabled with being doubled over, fuzzy brain and exhaustion.

Monday we saw the Doctor. He didn’t have immediate answers, but noticed my red cell count was lower than it should be. A booster shot and I finally feel like the corner was turned early today, and I got to enjoy many good things.

Note for my good friend Arlyss Lilley: started taking Magaise today. Maybe I’ll catch up to you and be on / have taken all the same meds you have. I have quite the war chest of meds going right now.

The whole thing of cancer / chemo is such a chess match to figure out. For next chemo (this Friday), I’m getting some pre-chemo nausea treatment, and the red cell booster will be given Monday (earliest availability). So we’ll see how that goes. I have two big things I’m hoping for to get to do next week that you could pray for:

1. Dinner with some close friends on Tuesday (Nausea / weakness has been really bad the Tuesday after Chemo)
2. Friday: a 9-Noon meeting with senior Mount Hermon staff. Boy have I been wanting to get back to these meetings and my cohorts..

OK, got to nonetheless do some cool stuff today.

1. Bad news first: Didn’t go to the bike race….don’t even know the results as I write. I felt too lousy yesterday afternoon for my RN and I to feel good about it, and the decision was corroborated as I got up this morning.
2. But by late morning I felt OK. So, at 11 AM we went on a small double date – while Lynne did my eBay mailing at the post office, I snuck up to the top floor of the Administration Building and got to see my accounting staff! It was great to give them all hugs – for Robin and Danny, the last time we saw each other it was with tears, not smiles. Also got to see Greg Lindholm…..
3. I’ve been so spacey I don’t think I mentioned Greg on the blog yet. Greg is a Mount Hermon Board member that in past life was a CFO with a Silicon Valley startup company. Greg temporarily resigned his board role and has been doing my job part time. This has been a TREMENDOUS boost to my accounting staff as Greg knows his stuff, and is truly a joy to be with.
4. Bought a chocolate milk shake at Chubbys as a treat. I’m sorry, no one in Santa Cruz County does chocolate milk shakes as well as In-n-Out. If one of you is over the hill sometime you could grab me a large (yes they do large) milk shake from In-n-Out.
5. Late afternoon went to the Mount Hermon Fitness Center for the first time. I now know that much of my weight loss has been muscle weight. It was amazing to put 10 pounds of weight on the quads (don’t forget, the big tumor was in my right femur & quad) and struggle to lift it. I cried quite a bit through this, found some strength in U2’s (should warn you, controversial) prayer/song Wake Up Dead Man. I did about 30 minutes of slow exercises all in all, the first real exercise since my walk to the cross. Walter Pestana happened to come in while we were there and that was great to one of my long time Mount Hermon cowokers! Walt and I have been on staff together since 1992.
6. Was up nearly 2 pounds on the scale today!
7. Had a huge scary looking bill come in yesterday from the Stanford ER. Gave it to Mount Hermon’s insurance broker David Angel…..the bill is zero today. Dave is a hard worker and miracle man.

OK, that’s it for now. Let’s end with a few reminders. ALL of your prayers and posts mean SO much!!!!!!

BUT it’s OK with us if you don’t do a post – don’t feel an obligation. Library readers and lurkers are welcome.

AND we’re not doing a pop quiz at the end so you don’t have to read along every day.

Tomorrow is a 3-6 hour treatment of Rituxan, the drug that tries to trick the cancer cells. Then Friday it’s Chemo #3. If all goes well we’ll have a good post for you by tomorrow night.

Much love,

Scott, Lynne, Daniel and Becky

PS Shaq vs. Kobe right now!

Been another slow, sleepy day. I’ve slept a lot in little 30 minute dosages. But the nausea was down quite a bit and I’ve been able to hold down food. AND the Stanford ER Doc said “lets avoid the E procedure unless we absolutely have to do it”. I was thrilled with that outcome but still need things to work their way out.

We are also believing my white cell / red cell count to be way imbalanced and see the doctor about that tomorrow. If true by Tuesday I should be feeling stronger. Right now it is a challenge to walk from the bedroom to the bathroom and back.

Friends (Ron Taylor, Bill Fernald and Scott Gullick) came over today and chainsawed wood that I had. Because of the stormy conditions here we can be without power for 1 to 4 days, and the fireplace becomes the heat of emergency source so know we’re set with extra wood. Plus it was great to see these guys even for a few groggy minutes.

Church – listened via Podcast to Chuckk Gerwigg’s message from February 9. It was very meaningful given some issues going on in with our church. By the way, it you want to listen to the January 26 message, Lynne and I are interviewed during the last 5 minutes. Go to www.santacruzbible.org, look for the “listen to past messages HERE” icon and click on January 26.

Today would have been the day Lynne and Becky flew out for India. It was hard in one sense for them to stay but their hearts are here. Our kids have been been approved for a South Africa trip, and we are anticipating that many or even most of the India donations may be counted towards Daniel and Becky’s South Africa trip.

Well, as promised, pictures of old baldy. Story of Scott’s life: I THOUGHT I was smiling when the picture was taken….anyway, look it over. My NBA weight is 190 pounds and yesterday I blew by that am an at 184 pounds. Good thing I’ve got the bald head to go with it – I’m ready to make my NBA return as a weak underweight shooting guard with a post up game. Not sure where that lands me but hey I’ve now lost 35+ pounds in 5 weeks….crazy.

Thanks for all your prayers and kind wishes. We continue to draw so much from your comments and prayers.

Gratefully,

Scott & Lynne

This is from Lynne - to thank all of you for praying so faithfully! Another crisis has passed for now. With an adjustment in meds, Scott is feeling much better – just still very weak. Once again, the chemo just knocks out his red and white cells, and weakness is profound. It’s a huge effort for him to get from bed to bathroom and back. We’ll be seeing the oncologist again on Monday, and he’ll probably get another injection to boost his red blood cells. I would expect his energy to return just in time for his next chemo on Friday, the 22 and we’ll start the cycle all over again. But I’ll gladly go through all this again and again if this is what will keep him alive – so for that, I truly am thankful. God bless you all for your love, faithfulness, and prayers!

Pray that I can get an appetite, strength for Lynne, That I can hold down food, have things move “down below”,and that I can avoid an ER Enema trip (the indignity I most want to avoid) tonite or tomorrow.

I need your strength and faith now. 

thanks Scott & Lynne