December 27th. Then and Now.

December 27, 2012.  Jon is told by his urologist that his yearly scan shows spots on his lungs and looks like testicular cancer has metastasized to his lungs.  Surgery, lung biopsy, standard round of chemo, then high dose with stem cell transplant and finally thoracic surgery to remove remaining spots…FAST FORWARD.

December 27, 2013.  We walked into Disney's Magic Kingdom as a family with Jon completely healthy and cancer free.  What a great moment!

I'm going to let the pictures tell the story but the kids and the parents had an amazing time!  Disney is truly the "happiest place on earth."  I'm sorry if you do not share in that belief, ha:o)

BTW, it's also the first time Jon and I have been on vacation alone, especially DisneyWorld.  It actually went great, the kids (in particular the twins) have come ALONG way and we can finally vaca as a family of 5, YEA!!

Entering the Magic Kingdom!

These are ponies that the kids got to meet the day before at Ft. Wilderness.  They were so excited to see them in the parade!

These kids love each other so much and I truly believe this past year has brought them closer together!

 We certainly had our moments like when the twins would refuse to keep walking and just plop down.

It was definitely a little more tricky like when we rode Dumbo and Jon can't ride the round and round rides so I was alone.  It was fun though!:o)

 The Strebe's are GODSTRONG!

and so is

GOOFY

MINNIE and

DONALD!

THANK YOU and MERRY CHRISTMAS

Dear GODSTRONG supporters,

You guys are the best supporters in the world!  You have been amazing throughout our journey.  We want to write one big thank you note because as of now I think we have written about 5 of them and we have  hundreds to write.  My goal is to write you all thank you notes, but that could take a year or years!

We are blessed!  I cannot even begin to tell you the amount of people that have prayed for Jon and our family.  It has been a huge amount!  We want to say thank you for interceding on our behalf.  Your prayers were felt and it definitely gave Jon a huge boost knowing how many people were supporting and praying for him!

If you...bought a GODSTRONG shirt, mailed a card, sent a package, sent a gift card, gave money, sent an encouraging text/email/FB message, called us, made a meal, took care of our yard, put Christmas lights on our house, got our mail, cleaned our house, signed the blanket, tweeted on our behalf, told a friend Jon's story, gave us tickets to a play, museum, etc in Indy, came and visited us, prayed with us and/or for us, ran an errand for us, babysat for us--even at the very last minute, gave Donna a day at the spa, had a playdate with us even when we were perfect strangers, opened your home for us to stay, gave us buddy passes at the last minute, picked us up and dropped us and family off at the airport, took care of our bills and paperwork, drove the sports car to keep it running while we were gone, checked on our home, gave my kids extra love and hugs, allowed Jon to speak and share his story, gave him the BEST medical care, if you are our doctor and responded to freak out text and emails ASAP, let us borrow your thule, rounded up high chairs and rocking chairs to use in Indy, made the dream of being at Cameron Indoor Stadium a reality, sent Duke gear to Jon, upgraded us to first class, donated a sick day, filled our cubbard, gave us tickets to the Pacers, made a video, welcomed us to CBS-Indianapolis, put your life on hold to spend 3 months being "Mandy the nanny", helped us move in and out of the Indy apartment, took a week or 2 to stay with us in Indy, made the GODSTRONG blanket, took Donna on a lunch date in Indy to feel "normal" for 2 hours, helped us pack and unpack in Bluffton, attempted an enema, took out Jon's stitches, substituted, donated sky miles, donated a children's book,  gave us a hotel room with your points, expedited a path report/slides or medical records, or whatever you did to minister to us we want to say …  THANK YOU! 

We are overwhelmed naming off all the things that you all have done for us(and know we are missing some)!  It's outrageous!  We don't deserve it.  You have gone way above and beyond.  I cannot tell you enough how we will forever be changed and we will minister to people in a whole new way because of the way you ministered to us.   We had over 1,000 hits on our blog the day Jon had surgery.  Knowing there were that many people and more praying was such a huge encouragement.  And then to be able to  share the great news on the blog after that was joyous! We are so humbly grateful for all of you!

I do have one small confession to make.  At the beginning of this journey I was so good about writing down every little gift we got.  As our time neared to an end at the end of October and we were exhausted and overwhelmed and were STILL receiving tons of stuff everyday, I stopped writing things down.  UHHH!  So, of course now my memory has failed me and Jon has chemo brain.  If you sent a package, card, gift, etc and want to know if we received it, will you PLEASE send me a message!  Email me, text me, FB me, whatever.  I promise I will respond!  Also, we did have our Indy mail forwarded to our home so if you sent a card at the end, we got it in Bluffton!

We also want to wish all of you a Merry Christmas as you celebrate the birth of Jesus!  We are not only celebrating the birth of Jesus this year but the rebirth of Jon's life.  As we celebrate the Christmas season when Jesus sent his One and Only Son to rescue us from our sinful nature, we as a family are celebrating Jon's life as the stem cell transplant rescued him--remember without that he would not be alive.  Also, you will have to stay tuned on a subsequent blog for the story of how God has now given Jon yet another chance at life because when he was born a preemie he was given a 30% chance to live.  Jon will write a blog post soon:o)

I will leave you with a funny story.  We were having our prayer time 2 nights ago with Jon.  We have added some people to our nightly prayer.  We have been praying for a little baby named Nash who was born early and his lungs kept collapsing.  So this is the conversation we had the other night right before prayer time.

Momma:  "Guys!  I have great news to tell you.  Nash is doing so good he was able to come home from the hospital."

Luke:  "Momma, that's great.  So he can breathe now?"

Momma:  "Yes!"

Luke:  "That's great, Momma.  We don't have to pray for him anymore!!"

Momma:  "Great, that's probably what everyone said when they found out Jon was clean and clear of cancer."

Luke:  "No!  We still have to pray for daddy and his "doodles"  (power port)

We then told the kids Jon will be getting his power port out right after Christmas and so when we prayed Emma Kate prayed for his "Christmas doodles."

Also, we always end our prayer time with all hands in the middle saying, "Strebe's stick together like glue.  1…2…3, the Strebe's are GODSTRONG!"  And now in honor of the lovely ladies below, we then say "SHHHH, the ladies are downstairs."  The kids bust out laughing and start screaming!  We do this in honor of our lovely ladies downstairs!

Blessings to the greatest supporters in the world!

The Strebe's are…

GODSTRONG!

I'll leave you with some pictures!

 Took a field trip to the Bluffton Fire Department.  We had the BEST time.  Firefighter Joel was awesome and spent so much time with us!  The kids had a blast!  And we learned a ton.  And to top it off, at the end they got a call so we got to see them jump in the truck and rush off with sirens and lights!  It was really cool!

 We like to take our lunch boxes to the park and have lunch!

Ryan's new underwear that he is still trying to warm up to.  He is still liking his diapers too much!

Our Thanksgiving

Sorry I left you all hanging.  We DID make it home for Thanksgiving and it was wonderful!  We celebrated with Jon's parents and my mom. We had a very yummy dinner but most of all we were all rejoicing that Jon was with us celebrating wonderful news.

With my mom staying here, we were able to get all of our Christmas up which was great.  Jon's favorite time of year is Christmas so it's been nice to be able to sit and enjoy the Christmas tree and decorations every night.

Jon is doing fabulous.  He went back to work this past week 1/2 days.  He feels really good.  He has also had basketball games this week at night that he is the Athletic Rep for so he has been quite busy.  I also have volunteered him to coach Luke's 4-5 yr old basketball team, so that adds yet one more thing to his already busy schedule.  Next week he will teach full time so pray that he will have extra strength.  He will also start refereeing after the beginning of the year.  I think he is amazing.  I can't believe he had thoracic surgery 2 weeks ago, had 8 cuts, and is acting like nothing ever happened.  He has a full beard, lots of eyebrows, and his hair looks normal.  Its amazing how quickly he started looking like the Jon we knew a year ago.  The day we flew back home from Indy this last time was exactly, to the day, 11 months after Jon was diagnosed with testicular cancer--lung metastasis.

It has been quite an 11 months.  It has been emotionally draining for both of us.  It was been physically draining for Jon.  Ironically, Jon is feeling re-energized and full of life.  I am blah and extremely exhausted.  I currently sleep more than the kids.  I go to sleep soon after the kids go to bed and some mornings I sleep until 8:30 or 9 depending on Jon's schedule.  I hope I go back to normal quickly:o).  This is a lot of the reason the blog hasn't been updated.

Before I let you go, I just wanted to add something to my funny story about my rings getting stuck on my finger.  This is from Jon's point of view.  He claims that this is what he remembers from the event.  He remembers 2 "garden hoses" (chest tubes) stuck up into his ribs.  He said he would lay in the bed and watch the nurses by pass him, straight to my chair I was sitting in beside the window.  According to Jon, the nurses were getting their cousins, brothers cousins, their brothers' cousins' brother, etc for help.  Calling the ER, and never remembering that Jon was the actual patient.  Jon said for a while he was wondering who the patient was with all the attention my finger was getting.  He cracks me up!

Jon will go back to Indianapolis January 8th for a follow up with the thoracic surgeon, chest x-ray, blood work, and a follow up with his oncologist.  He will also get his power port taken out that week in Atlanta, and see his urologist!  Wow, I'm tired thinking about that week.  We are choosing to enjoy this time of year and the good news.  But please continue to pray for us.  We will definitely have "scanxiety" as January 8th gets closer.  Please also pray for Jon's body.  It has been through a lot this past 11 months.  His body has been filled with lots of toxins.  He has had 2 surgeries, a lung biopsy, and a port placement.  There are consequences on your body to taking this many toxic drugs.   Jon has lost a lot of his hearing.  He has ringing in his ear constantly.   He has neuropathy in his feet (he NEVER complains about it).  Please pray that God will protect his body from long term side effects from chemo such as heart problems, secondary cancers, kidney problems, the list goes on.  Although these side effects are more rare, Jon has had high doses of chemotherapy and we don't want to be naive.  I want you to join with us in praying specifically for Jon's body to be protected from these potential complications.  We will be forever changed because of this 11 months.  I am reminded everyday to give Jon up to the Lord and trust Him with his future.  I have no control and this is good for me!

Philippians 4:13  "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Ephesians 6:10 "Finally be strong in the Lord and in His Mighty Power."

Psalm 46:1  "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble."

The Strebe's are…

GODSTRONG!!

 This is Luke's "epi pen" that he carries with him everywhere he goes.   Most of you know he has a severe tree nut allergy (he went into anaphylactic shock at 2 1/2 yrs. old after eating a cashew).  He loves pretending all the time!

The kids are very into picnics these days.  They now all have a lunchbox and we pack them up and head to the park, tennis courts, beach, etc to have our lunch.

This is Ryan's new Thomas the train underwear.  He loved it when we bought it but then told me he isn't going to wear it!  We are working on warming up to the idea of potty training.  Fun times.

Heading Home!

Wahoo!  We are heading home today--busiest travel day of the year.  Jon has a final check up in the clinic with the surgeon in the morning and our flight from Indy leaves out at 4:25PM.  Pray the weather will not delay or more importantly cancel our flight.  We are READY to be home with our kiddos.  We have been away from them for 8 days!

Jon is doing great.  He is still a little sore (cut in 8 places)!!  He had 2 chest tubes (those incisions even look pretty big).  He is also still very tired, but is anxious to get home and get back to "normal."  It will take about 6-8 weeks for him to have NO limitations but for 2 weeks cannot lift more than 15 pounds.  And then a gradual increase from there.  But he will go back to work pretty quickly so for all of you co-workers, like it or not, he is coming back for good:o).  He canNOT wait to live his normal life which includes P90X, teaching everyday, Athletic Director duties, and refereeing.  Oh, and did I mention that he has 3 small kids and a wife.  This man is on the go and this past year has cramped his style.

A delivery came during his hospital stay!  It was his GODSTRONG blanket that went all over the country!  He was super excited.  Here is a video and a picture.  My phone ran out of memory so the video shut off but at least you can see a clip of when he saw the blanket.  How awesome that many, many people were praying for Jon on the day of his surgery and praying for continual healing in his body.  GOD ANSWERS PRAYER!  It's amazing!  I'm sure Jon will write a thank you soon!

So many people have reached out to us during this time and one thing Jon and I have made a commitment to is giving back!  Jon got out of the hospital on Sunday and Monday he went to the BMT unit to encourage and minister to 3 of the 4 testicular patients that IU has currently getting the same treatment Jon got (by the way that is a lot at one time).  This is a picture of Mark and his girlfriend Candice.  They are 23 and fresh out of college and dealing with some pretty heavy stuff.  I am asking you to pray for Mark (and Candice and his parents).  Also, please pray for Rob and Josh.  We got to meet all 3 of them and they are all great guys!  Please pray for them as they are all in the middle of getting high dose with stem cell transplant. We enjoyed telling our story of our journey and encouraging them. 

I'll leave you with a funny story.  When Jon went in to surgery he had to take his wedding ring off.  I was worried it would fall off my finger, so I took my wedding rings off, put his band on and then mine on top so his would stay on my finger.  I forgot it was even there by the end of the stressful day.  I stayed at the hospital the first night after Jon's surgery.  I woke up in the morning and my finger was very swollen.  I could not for the life of me get my rings off.  So i began doing all the tricks to get it off, lotion, ice to get the swelling down, vasoline, etc.  The situation was getting worse.  The finger was swelling even more.  There was no hope.  But the funny part was all the nurses were getting involved in the action.  They were coming in and out of the room, not to help Jon but to help me.  They were trying every trick they had heard about from the ER.  NO Luck.   They were even going to extremes to call down to the ER to get me a ring cutter.  We were all wondering who the patient was.  At this point, Jon is completely rolling his eyes wondering how I always get myself into these messes.  He calls me his beautiful disaster.  The ER sent the ring cutter up to the room.  I held it in my hand but just couldn't bring myself to use it.  So with the urging of Jon's mom, we decided to give it the rest of the day to see if the swelling would go down and sure enough that night I somehow worked and worked and got it off!!  Always some sort of drama to tell about.  

Happy Thanksgiving to all and 

We are thankful to be…

GODSTRONG!!

Glorious update on Jon

Dr. Einhorn stopped by this morning and the best pathologist here at IU looked through what was taken out of Jon's lungs and found NOTHING but necrotic material (scar tissue).  We are just OVERJOYED.  11 months--first good news we have heard!

Jon got one chest tube taken out yesterday.  He will have his epidural taken out today.  And the 2nd and final chest tube taken out tomorrow.  Should be discharged from the hospital tomorrow (Sunday).  He is feeling awesome, just a little tired I think from the pain medicines.  He walked this morning and said he felt really great!  Also, when we asked Dr. Einhorn about the 2 remaining spots, he said we are leaving them alone because "there is no way they are anything but scar tissue."  Love his confidence!  Also Jon will NOT have to be on 3 months of oral chemo.  The great news just keeps coming!

So we will be in Indianapolis until next week, we will come back here (IU) for a follow up from surgery next month and then in January for another chest x-ray and blood work and an exam.

Again, please continue to pray for Jon's recovery.  It is weird to have had surgery on both lungs at the same time.  Also, please pray that there is not one bit of cancer remaining!  When you live this life as a cancer patient or the spouse/family of a cancer patient you feel like you live from scan to scan.  Because we have already been through this starting 7 years ago, we know the stress that lies ahead especially the first year of scans.  So please pray that we will continue to trust in God and not let fears creep in.

For now…

The Strebe's continue to be…

GODSTRONG!

PRAYERS ARE BEING ANSWERED! KEEP THEM UP!

We received such great news!  I just spoke with the doctor.

They got all 3 spots with the scope.  PRELIMINARY frozen results show ONLY SCAR TISSUE!!!  There are those 2 spots remaining that are embedded.  They left them alone.  Please pray for wisdom for the doctors as Jon continues his journey through this process.  It is far from over but God is SOO GOOD!!

PRAISE GOD FOR:

Scar tissue (preliminary)
Seven thirty this morning God continues to do a miracle in Jon's life
Surgeon said everything went GREAT!  God was definitely with that team.
Scoping!  Much faster recovery and less pain for Jon!

I am telling you all this and its weird that Jon has no idea this news…LOL

But he is going to be so happy!!  Can't wait to tell him!

Thank you for praying.  We are SO humbly grateful.  DON'T STOP!!  Prayers must continue.   Jon still has a tough road to walk down.   Scans every 2 months, oral chemo, etc.

But for now.

We Stay

GODSTRONG!

Prayer Request-- 5xS AND wear your GODSTRONG shirts tomorrow if you can!

Here are the 5 main prayer request:

Scope
Scar tissue
Surgeon and his team.
Save Jon's life!
Seven-thirty AM

Jon and I met with his oncologist and surgeon (Dr. Kessler) today.  We found out some "new" news.  First of all the GOOD news.  Jon's tumor markers are NORMAL!  YEA!!  Also, Jon evidently has 5 nodules.  1 bigger one on his right, and 4 smaller ones on the left.  The surgeon is 80-90% sure he can get all 3 with the scope (all tomorrow which is new news).  The other 2 are embedded in his lung.  If they find out through the path report the 3 removed are scar tissue they will leave the embedded ones alone.  IF it were to be cancer they would have to remove the lobe of the left lung at a later date.  PLEASE, PLEASE pray that they find scar tissue tomorrow.  We will not know the results until next week.  Also we are a little more anxious since they will be doing surgery on both lungs.  Please continue to pray for protection for Jon.

The surgery is at 7:30AM.  It will last hopefully a couple of hours.

I love how God encourages all of us in little ways.  This was no accident.  Total God thing.  I'm not sure if most of you know that Jon is a high school basketball referee.  His dream one day is to be able to referee on the college level.  One of the questions Jon asked the surgeon today was when he would be able to referee again.  The surgeon asked what level he refereed (I'm sitting there thinking he asked because he wanted to know how hard he actually ran up and down the court).  Well, it was because another one of his patients that was in the room beside us is a Big 10 referee for Men's Basketball!  Not only that, the doctor wanted Jon to go over to his room and meet him.  Dr. Kessler introduced Jon to him and not only that, but the Big 10 referee gave the doctor permission to give Jon his information so Jon could contact him!  We serve such a BIG God that cares about us in EVERY way, even the small ways!

Jon is such a witness-- it's really cool to see.  He makes such an impression on the people he comes in contact with.  Dr. Einhorn and him hugged today and Dr. Einhorn said to Jon, "You are such a good man."  I highly doubt he tells all his patients that.  Also, Jon told Dr. Kessler that a lot of people are praying for him tomorrow and Dr. Kessler looked down, shook his head, looked back at Jon and said I really appreciate that.  I see God using Jon in a Mighty way.  Pray for everyone who comes in contact with Jon and his story!  You are a part of telling his story for the Glory of God.

One last story.  I signed up on the prayer wall for a slot for Luke (and me) and the twins (and me).  I had SO much fun spending an hour with them praying for Jon, reading scripture about Jesus' healings and how we must go before Him and believe He can heal Jon, explaining what the prayer wall was, and making a little gift for Jon with them.  I was thinking the other day about the fact that my goal was to do preschool with Luke this year at home.  Well, that hasn't even come close to happening.  You know, Luke may not can write one letter, know how to hold his pencil, know what sounds the letters make, etc, BUT he is learning more from living our lives and taking time to spend with God in prayer and studying Scripture than he could ever learn doing "school."  And this is what life is all about.  I would not take this time back at all!  I would not change what we are going through.  Because when I take a step back and see what God is doing in our family, and in our kids, I would not want this any other way! This will last for eternity and the kids, Jon and I are gaining more from this than we ever could be doing academics!  I am grateful!

Please remember to order t-shirts if you still want one.  Only 2 days left!

Just click on the link

http://www.bonfirefunds.com/jon-and-donna-strebe

The Strebe's are:

GODSTRONG