Prayers for our friend

[Lindsey]

Scott's best friend, his best man at our wedding, could use some prayers. He has cancer, and has had cancer for years. It is a sort of skin cancer which is completely treatable and he has been getting treatments and he was beating it. It wasn't a scary thing because he was winning and he always had been winning against it. It was just a drag because he always had to do these treatments and because of that he couldn't take a full course load at school or anything. He normally feels great and is always in great spirits.

Anyways, he has had this cough since last year but whenever he brought it up to his doctor, his doctor said it was all in his head. He just found out last week it was NOT all in his head, and he has lymphoma. He is currently in the hospital having tests run, and will be starting chemotherapy soon. We are all really worried. He is trying to stay positive but is obviously not happy about having to live in a hospital for now and not being able to enroll in classes this fall again.

He is the nicest guy ever and doesn't deserve anything like this. So pleasae say a little prayer for him and his family. His name is Tim.

[Blueyes]

I'm so sorry, Lindsey. What devastating news for you all.

[2tiredmom]

Praying for your friend. Cancer is a scary disease.

[Janet]

So sorry your friend has to go through this. That Dr. should have not brushed it off when first told of the cost.

[judy]

I will be praying for him Linds!

[DianaB]

I'm so sorry, Lindsey, to hear this about your friend. I'll be praying.

[Lindsey]

Thank you all for your prayers and good thoughts for him! He has started chemo, and was released from the hospital yesterday. Scott visited him on Saturday (I stayed away because of my cold) and he is so upbeat and positive. One of his options is a bone marrow transplant, which he is hoping ends up happening. The doctors have told him that if he does get a transplant, it will probably get rid of BOTH of his cancers, and by Christmas he could be cancer-free for the first time in years.

[Janet]

Then that's exactly what I'll pray for...the transplant and for him to be cancer free by Christmas!

[DianaB]

I'll be praying too!!

[Lindsey]

Tim has gotten a bacterial infection and is back in the hospital for a few days. His immune system is a bit compromised because of the chemo so I'm hoping he can kick this infection soon.

[DianaB]

We have a friend that had a bone marrow transplant years ago. He was in and out of hospitals for so long. Every thing was a scare. He had it done and had to be so careful afterwards around people and being out since his immune system wasn't what it needed to be. He did finally get better but his health has never been the same. He tires more easily and is sick more......but he's able to enjoy life......just not like before he was sick. He is an awesome guy.....always trying to do more than he ought to.

[Janet]

Hoping your friend Tim will soon recover and feel good again.

[Lindsey]

I just wanted to update... Tim was sent to Seattle just after Christmas. He went through a lot of testing and they decided to give him two stem cell transplants. In the first, he was given his own stem cells, and that one was just completed. I believe he will be getting another transplant from a donor. He has a blog so everyone has been keeping up to date and he is still staying pretty positive. His mom is there with him, so he's been a little annoyed being a 30 year old man living with his mother, but his girlfriend is going to visit shortly :)

Since Seattle was the best of the best cancer center he could have gone to, everything medical-related is being covered by the government, thank goodness. His travel and living expenses for himself and his mom are being covered by a provincial charity. They do a yearly telethon where they raise millions and many other fundraisers. Their telethon was actually the weekend we left for Africa, so we were able to donate, and we also found out they are holding a steak night fundraiser for just Tim next month so we bought tickets for that too. A good portion of the tickets have been bought by Tim's friends and family so it's great he has such a huge support group!

[DianaB]

I'm glad to hear that Tim is getting the best help available!! He's in good hands! I'll still be praying for him. Keep us posted on how he's doing!