Dear Friends and family,
I was so blessed by all of you subscribing and joining me on my adventure.
But oh the pressure now to keep it interesting.
On the May 20th I started chemo with what they call an induction, like an introduction if you will. A 3 hr IV drip with a take home doggie bag – electronic pump for 48 hrs. The night before I was a bit trepidacious. Almost a 180 degrees from feeling like Superman in faith and emotion to kind of a mouse. Still no fear, just kind of second guessing the choices of treatment with some anxiety of the side effects. “Charge !”, then, “this may not be very fun, is this necessary ?”. I have been bombarded with so many suggestions and alternatives from very caring friends with all the best intentions, and with suggestions that I am sure have been effective. But the one thing I have learned in my journey of faith is to follow the Peace which I believe is the leading of the spirit of God, aka Holy Spirit. I have had clarity and Peace for the cup and path before me, also realizing how amazingly blessed I am to: a) have insurance, b) have access to UCLA Med Center, and c) it is all 15 minutes from my house. I realized the trepidation “mouse” emotion was very normal and real, all that to say, I am just like everyone else and that’s ok. Actually quite comforting.
I keep on going back to the story of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, for those of you who are familiar with that. The way I see it is that he wrestled with great trepidation filled with many deep emotions including the emotion of fear and concern, (great pain and humiliation was about to come).
He asked his Father if there was another way. But because of all the preparation including trails and suffering that he had gone thru prior in his life, it gave him the faith he was not alone and for the joy reward of what the outcome would bring, he could choose obedience, get up from his knees and face, and say, not my will but yours. I wonder though if he second guessed his decision at all after the first blow. I don’t think he did, I don’t think he wanted to run back to the garden to try re-negotiating. Hmmmm ?
I am also enormously thankful for the amazing organization I work for, my co-workers, supervisor and Andy our President who recently assured me that I am very guarded and a protected employee at the Mission. They have all given me tremendous grace, compassion and prayer. I highly encourage all of you to check out the video about the incredible transformation of one of the recent graduates from our men’s program. Make sure you have tissues close by. URM Andy’s story: Dad Does Extreme Makeover for his family (click)
Friday May 23rd, after the chemo treatment, Maria and I rented a convertible and were off driving to Napa. She started driving because I felt like dog poop. A long time good friend of mine hooked me up with a whole food nutritional program called Reliv (click). Several years ago Rob got a rare bacteria in South America and no doctors could figure out what it was. He lost almost 80 lbs and it appeared he was done. He started taking these Reliv shakes and I, as many of his friends and family saw how God used these products to save his life and restore his health. He is now one of there #1 reps. After stopping for lunch and forcing myself to have a little soup I took a Reliv shake not thinking much about it. An hour later we stopped at a mission and walked around. After we left we took the top down, cranked up some salsa music and I noticed I felt 180 degrees better, WOW. I was sold and have been taking 4-6 shakes a day and despite great fatigue at the end of the day, they have been making a world of difference. After a few days of the shakes I did realize that my body was detoxing which is no pleasure cruise, (happy to explain – maybe next time), so vitally important especially right now and great to do before they bring out the big guns of treatment. Rob since then spent 2 1/2 hours with me at Whole Foods to help me revamp my diet, my head was spinning at first. That night I cooked some tofu for the first time in my entire life and it was actually good. Old dogs can learn new tricks.
Napa was beyond great, so much divine favor and appointments from the car upgrade, to great tables, last minute entrance through the exit of an amazing romantic castle, Castle Aromosa. We were told about some cool castle secrets that really work and made a perfect romantic setting and experience. We spent a lot of time driving over the rivers and through the woods taking pictures, and visiting vineyards. One of my best friends, Chris Bells and his lovely bride Sylvia got married on his porch high off the ground on a hillside with huge redwoods in the backdrop. It was awesome to experience this with them with Maria by my side. I was honored to give the toast and wrote an original, actually I converted his 50th b-day poem, to a “Habby Wedding Day to Ju”. It had a bit of a Latin accent flare thing as we had many adventures in foreign lands south of our boarders. It couldn’t of been a better weekend.
On June 2nd I started taking my oral Chemo pills after watching the DVD explaining all of the possible side effects. Again there was a bit of trepidation taking place, “oh man, that too, uhh“. Later that day at work at a spontaneous Bell Ringing Ceremony (we all gather each time we get a donation over a certain $ amount and ring this bell we have to celebrate, thank God for the much needed resources, and pray for the donor). I had the privilege of praying and Andy asked if I would share with the staff of my situation and had everyone pray over me. I was so greatly moved and was able to face the next days events with total Peace and the usual Joviality.
On June 3rd I had a 3 hour chemo IV treatment and later that afternoon my first radiation treatment. My buddy Bryan who is an attorney was kind enough to take the day off, once again, and run me around and hang out with me, he was great company. The radiation guy said I would glow in the dark for 24 hours, which would be very cool, but I think he must of been kidding. The only bad thing thus far about the radiation is that the whole process only last about 15 minutes, which I asked them if I gave them more quarters if they would let me on the table longer, I found it very relaxing. It was a very taxing day to say the least but the side effects were very settle. I am seeing that with the chemo treatments that it is the 2nd day where nausea and the yucks set in. Both the radiation and chemo treatments have accumulative reactions, meaning that it may take a few weeks to experience the real fun stuff, (pray for God’s mercy there), and with side effects for 2 weeks after the treatments end. The chemo pills I am taking 5 days a week for 5 weeks which is the same as the radiation treatments. Thank God for a temporary handicap placket that’s give me free parking in Westwood. The next chemo treatment is the 17th. Trying to keep my schedule as clear as possible.
We had a huge weekend last weekend, June 14th, as it was Duke’s skate park birthday party, (big teenager – 13) and then a fun evening at a dinner theater called Medival Times, followed by a Italian Ice experience at Joe’s, (Maria’s Brother’s famous Ice Cream Shop). Father’s day was perfect, a day on the water relaxing on Ernesto’s 50’ boat “My Way”. Somehow, God gave me the strength.
On June 16th I noticed my radiation taking effect with greater fatigue and nausea. Ugg. Then the 3 hr chemo treatment on the 17th. Very Ugg. I had only lost 8 lbs which the Dr. was extremely pleased, 20 lbs would of been the norm. I have had a great appetite but have noticed my esophagus getting inflamed due to the radiation; therefore it has been uncomfortable swallowing. But as of today, no appetite and a bit of a gag reflex going on. Crackers are my friend and I now have a greater compassion for pregnant mothers.
I am half way there with treatments, 2 ½ weeks to go, the last radiation treatment is July 8th. I then get about a 5 week break which will include another series of test and scans to see what’s happening with that bad boy and anticipate having surgery mid August.
Please take a look at the website as it now have some stuff to look at including links to various interviews and lots of pictures, (see slide shows). And if you have a minute, take a look at an interview I did about 8 months ago for a really cool site called Wave Generation. (I do want to make a clarification to the article, my title is development Officer and I am not the Director of Development.)
http://wavegeneration.com/interviews/richard.html
Thanks so much for reading and for your prayers, they certainly availath much.
Remember God is so Good.
Richard Felipe