Browsing Tag

Treatment

Health Journey Life Update

Another Week Over

Posted on May 6, 2016

Another week of treatments is in the books! Don’t get me wrong, I am grateful for my treatments – it’s just nice to be done.

It’s hard to believe that there have been nearly 38 weeks that have passed by since the diagnosis. That’s a lot of treatments! That’s a lot of sitting. That’s a lot of money!

But it sure has been worth it!

People ask me nearly everyday – how are you doing? My answer – today is a good day! Now obviously that’s not the case all the time, but for the most part – I would say I am doing very well. Each day I give thanks for the decision we made to head in this direction with my treatment protocol. I honestly feel like this nightmare has come to an end. Don’t ask me why – I just sense it. I am not saying I am healed (although it would be very nice to make that announcement) – I just feel like we have turned a corner the past three weeks.

Maybe it’s the way I have been feeling lately? Or maybe, just maybe – things are working? Whatever the reasons are – I will take it. Lately I haven’t been consumed with my thoughts. I have found myself thinking more about other things and people lately than myself and the situation we are faced with. To me – that’s progress.

It’s healing!

It’s a relief!

It’s a miracle!

To think more about living than dying is such a relief! I am not saying I won’t have any more bad days – I am just thankful for the past couple of months to be behind us now. As a family we were face with a lot the past couple of months – we bent, but we didn’t break! It is God’s grace carrying us through this valley of the shadow of death – oh yeah, and not to mention – all the amazing people who have leaned into our life at this time.

Thanks for loving us well!

Now get outside and enjoy! Have a great day!




Blog Family Life My Story Update

Thank You

Posted on April 30, 2016

Sometimes these two words just don’t seem to be enough when trying to convey your heart on a specific matter.

Often, our words are inadequate to describe how we feel about a particular person or thing.

Over the past 9 months, our family has been loved, supported, and cared for by so many people. Our families, friends, acquaintances, our kid’s school, church family, and even complete strangers have gone out of there way to help us during this time. It has been overwhelming and quite humbling to experience such generosity!

From the new back to school clothes in September, to the numerous gift cards we have received – they are all greatly appreciated! All the cards, phone calls, and text messages we have received have helped profoundly with remaining positive during this time.

You just never know when your words may bring healing into someone’s life.

It is stressful enough having to deal with cancer, let alone everything else that happens on a daily basis. Paying bills, finances, working, getting the kids to and from school, appointments, enemas, treatments, watching our kids, and everything else that happens can be somewhat taxing. It is obvious to me that wouldn’t be able to do what we are doing even if we didn’t have the support from so many people!

So, THANK YOU!

Love,

the Sabourin’s




Journey Life Update

de·pres·sion

Posted on April 29, 2016

dəˈpreSH(ə)n/
noun
1. 
feelings of severe despondency and dejection.”self-doubt creeps in and that swiftly turns to depression. 

Have you ever been there?

Depressed.
Alone.
Isolated.
Hopeless.

I can remember a time in my life when I actually thought I was untouchable. There was no way a guy like me would ever struggle with depression or be diagnosed with cancer. It was just not possible… or so I thought.

It’s hard to admit our weaknesses. We don’t want people to see us for who we really are:
Broken (but not in a bad way.
Messy.
Needy.
Scared.
Lonely.

Jamie has struggled in the past with depression. She talks very candidly about it, and how God has brought healing to her life. Does depression try and wrap it’s coils around her every once and a while? You’re darn right it does! But she keeps fighting! We have had many interesting, and difficult conversations on this topic throughout our marriage. In the past it was a topic I struggled to identify with as depression wasn’t something I had experienced before.

That all changed recently…

I don’t know the exact date when it started, but it was like wearing a 250 pound soaking wet wool blanket everyday. It was horrible. I had absolutely no motivation, and my outlook on life had become pretty bleak. Depression had moved into my life.

One hour would be long enough – let alone having to live with depression for a month or two. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like if it was a life long battle. My heart goes out to those who constantly and consistently battle depression. No one should have to ‘do life’ alone, but that’s what depression does – it separates and isolates.

Talking about it was the last thing I wanted to do.

Thankfully it didn’t last long. I didn’t have to take any medicine for it, or didn’t see a doctor about it. There is absolutely nothing wrong with seeking out help. For me, it was like someone had removed the soaking wet, wool blanket from me. It feels like I can finally stand up straight. I am motivated to get back into the swing of things, and my outlook began to change. My heart is full of vision again!

It’s only been a few weeks now since I started feeling better, but I am SO thankful for His grace & mercy!










Blog Journey

The Results Are In

Posted on August 11, 2015

The elevator was taking too long so I rushed up the three flights of stairs. My heart beating fast not because of the trek up the three flights, but because I am nervous. I take my seat in the waiting room. I’m shaking inside. Stop it! Everything is going to be fine! I keep looking up at the clock. It’s moving too slow. I try and settle my thoughts by reciting Scripture. You can’t make this stuff up… I just received a timely Facebook message as I am writing this from a dear friend. She writes, “Yea, though you Walk thru the Valley of the SHADOW of death…YOU WILL FEAR NO, NO, NO, NO, EVIL OR HAVE DREAD….FOR HE SAYS, I AM WITH YOU, I AM FOR YOU, I WILL NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, LEAVE YOU OR FORSAKE YOU..MY ROD AND MY STAFF WILL COMFORT YOU AND GUIDE YOU…WE WERE PRAYING FOR YOU THIS MORNING, AND I PRAYED THIS LITTLE SENTENCE…THAT YOU’VE NOT BEEN HANDED A DEATH SENTENCE..YOU’VE ALREADY BEEN GIVEN A LIFE SENTENCE IN HIM…..CAN’T KILL A DEAD MAN WHO’S ALIVE IN CHRIST….PSALM 23 IS SO BEAUTIFULLY SPOKEN AGAIN IN THE MESSAGE AND THE VOICE TRANSLATIONS….IT GRABS YOUR HEART AND INFUSES IT WITH STRENGTH AND COURAGE….LOVE FROM US. Thanks Margit! So encouraging. My heart returns to its normal pattern. I feel at peace now. My thoughts aren’t racing any longer as I am focused on the One who walks with me. He calms the storms, He heals the sick. He gives sight to the blind. He knows me by name. He close to the broken hearted and He does so much more!

After an hour of waiting to see the doctor, my name was finally called. Mr. Sabourin, Dr. Jangra will see you now. I didn’t know what to expect. I knew that my results were in but I had no idea what they were going to be. Dr. Jangra opened the office door and sat down next to me. We exchanged some small talk and then we got down to business. He shared the results of my MRI and CT Scan. They weren’t the results I was hoping for. The tumour in my colon is quite large and there is nothing they can do right now because they discovered spots on my lungs and liver. I couldn’t believe it. Really? This isn’t happening I thought. He continued to share more findings and I started asking all the questions that came to my mind. I spent about 30 minutes in his office and left in shock. There are a lot of unanswered questions until I see the doctors at the cancer clinic in 10 days but I am determining to remain hopeful and positive through this. I have no idea what the outcome will be, but as I have stated numerous times, I choose trust Him through this.