Romans 5:3-5

"We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems or trials, for we know they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disapointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love." Romans 5:3-5



Saturday 23 July 2011

Down on the farm

We took a little holiday to Grandpa and Grandma's farm. 
 Sometimes you just need to get away.....
great view!


Zach and Uncle Bruce


Farmer Jake


Mr. Lew Wall with Olivia
She is riding "Dandy"


Lew and Ruby always make us feel so
welcomed on their Ranch


Olivia loved the kittins


And Gunner too!


Jake mowing the lawn....is that a John Deere?!?


Time to feed the baby calves.....


After a hard days work, nothing tastes better than Mrs. Wall's Iced Tea
out of a glass cowboy boot cup!

Time for an update!

Hi!  Its been a while since we've updated on Zach.  The month of June was kind of a blur.  The month began with Perry and I going to the Hypopara conference in Maryland and ended with Zach and I travelling back for a 10 day hospital stay back at NIH where he began his PTH 1-34 injections. 

Then on July 1st we were blessed by the amazing generosity of our community.  The Canada Day Fundraiser was wonderful.  We are so grateful to everyone who came out and supported us.  The total of money raised is not in yet, however we believe it is close to $60,000!!!!!  Unbelievable.   Its hard to know what to say......Thank you  XOXO

We want to let you know that we did find out some more medical concerns about Zach during our stay in Maryland.

They confirmed that Zach does have kidney stones.  However he also has nefrocalcinosis.  This means he has calcium in the tissues of his kidneys.  How does this effect him?  Kidney stones he will eventually pee out...but not the calcium in his tissue.  Calcium in the tissue will eventually lead to renal insufficiency.

They also confirmed that Zach has Calcium in his brain.  We did not know this but were suspicious of it.  It is in both frontal lobes wherever the white matter and grey matter meet....there is calcium.  This is not good.

They also did a Dexa scan of his bones and it showed that his bones are abnormal.  His bones are too dense.  This all plays into his fatigue.

SO, Zach is now receiving the synthetic replacement (PTH 1-34) which is the hormone his body does not make.  The lack of this hormone all his life (7 at time of diagnosis) has led to these calcification's.  They can not be reversed medically.  The injections he is receiving will slow down the process but not eliminate it.

They also showed us that Zach has no enamel on his teeth because of the lack of PTH in his body.  Also, they could tell that he had hypocalcemic seizures as an infant because his permanent teeth are coming in smaller and misshapen.

We are so thankful for your genuine concern and prayers for our family.  We wish you all a wonderful summer and we will post some of our summer highlights too!  God Bless You!  luv t

Doing Labs at the Stollery
"family support"

Doctor's appointment

Wednesday 13 July 2011

Finally...more pictures!!!
The generous Managers of
Save On Foods

Angels in disguise

Unbelievable friends.....

Thank you to everyone who has supported Zach and our family
in the battle to get him the help he needs. 
God Bless  xo

Monday 11 July 2011

Fundraiser pictures

Zach's cousin Micah making a star for him.
So precious!


Sunday 3 July 2011

Canada Day Fundraiser

July 1st 2011


Generosity
 Is the habit of giving freely without expecting anything in return. It can involve offering time, assets or talents to aid someone in need. Often equated with charity as a virtue, generosity is widely accepted in society as a desirable trait.
No one plans for sickness; however it is a reality of an imperfect world.  When Zach was born we were unwillingly thrust into a world we didn’t know existed, “The World Of Sick Kids”. For many years Perry, myself and our families have carried the weight of this burden both emotionally and financially.  At first you think, he will get better, this hard time will pass.  Then after a couple years you become angry and resentful because you see other families with healthy kids getting on with life. Doing things your family cannot do.  Then eventually you realize that we have no control over the circumstances in life that come our way.  That everything is part of God’s Sovereign plan to draw us close to Him. That the only thing you can control in a crisis is your conduct.
To all of you who came to share in this special day
 There are no words to adequately express our thanks to all of you for coming together and supporting our family.  The compassion, kindness and generosity you have shown to us is overwhelming. The amount of auction items and donations is unbelievable! To all of you that gave items, collected items and helped with all the details of this event...may God Bless you.
 To our friends and family who have stood beside us through thick and thin...we love you.  Your unwavering support has blessed us far more than you will ever know.
Thank you for helping us financially.  It is not an easy thing to accept money from others, it is very humbling.  We are forever grateful for your help as it has taken a huge weight off our shoulders.
To the Myshak and Secord families
 The concern and generosity you’ve shown to our family is staggering.  Earlier I alluded to the fact that one often goes thru life with a preconceived idea of how things are going to play out.  Your family has been through loss, grief, suffering and tragedy.  These trials would most likely fall or consume most people....but not you.  Through your trials God’s grace is evident in your lives.                                                                          
You have displayed an amazing gift by doing what is often the most difficult....giving.  Whether it be of your time, your resources or your heart. From the bottom of our hearts....thank you and God Bless.
To our Living Waters family
We are so thankful for the support and acceptance we have received from our school.  From the teachers and staff to the amazing families and the children who attend there.  We are overwhelmed by your love and generosity.  To everyone who helped organize and run the garage sale...Thank you!!! 
To everyone who purchased a paper star....Thank you!!!  Most of all we want to thank the staff and families at Living Waters Christian Academy for providing a nurturing, safe environment for our Children to learn and grow.
To The Staff at ANIXTER
Thank you to everyone at Anixter who gave so freely to help our family.  Those 50/50 tickets helped get Perry and I to the conference and which helped spiral into this outpouring of support.  As an employer, you have been so understanding and flexible.  Thank you for coming and being a part of this memorable day.

Jessica and Ashley
I never have had to breathe into a paper bag until I met these two!  I know that God placed you in my life at just the right time.  The constant push to get Zach the help he needs is exhausting.  This spring, I was so distraught and tired.  Then you two beautiful ladies stepped into my life and as you put it, “we know what to do!  We are going to help you so you can keep on pushing.” That statement has snowballed into this.
 Your drive and stubbornness combined with your deep compassion is a force to be reckoned with.  There is no doubt in my mind that Caleb S. and Jacob C. learnt this gift of showing concern for others from their mommy’s.   Thank you for all the time and effort you’ve put into this amazing display of generosity.

Friday 1 July 2011

It's going to be a PARTY!!!!

Canada Day Funraiser

Today is the fundraiser that the Myshak and Secord families are putting on for Zach and our family.  The amount of people who've come together to put on this event is amazing.  We are overwhelmed by the support this community has shown to us.  God Bless you!  See you there!  XOXOX

Happy Canada Day!!!

Well, we came back from Maryland on Tuesday and since then had last day of school, field trips and awards nite!  Busy, busy.  Zach and I had a wonderful time at NIH.  He had many tests done and we made some wonderful friends...
Zach's and his New Doctor


Zach having a DEXA scan
This was done to determine his bone density

This is the hospital where the presidents go for checkups!

Zach and Sean


Zach and Sean

These boys became such good buddies.
Noel and Sean both have CGD and are undurgoing treatment which includes chemo and radiation followed by a bone marrow transplant.  Noel is from Calgary.  We miss them.  They and there families have been thru so much.