This is not about “preaching to you guys,” though if you’re like me, it surely wouldn’t hurt you, but this is only intended to possibly awaken a few that, yes, there is a far greater power than ourselves. It truly is the power of our Lord, and the many blessings he provides, for not just a few, but for all. You only have to ask…he’ll walk right beside you!

This is so true in regards to Deb, her cancer, and I. We not only profess he truly blesses us, but without his love and guidance, we honestly don’t know where we’d be at this point IN our lives. To say that he smiles on us daily is probably one of the most understated remarks that you’ll ever hear come out of my mouth.

God IS great!

To be honest, we weren’t going to post today, but kinda kick back some and relax. We’ve both been working most evenings, until about dark. Deb had pulled a muscle in her chest and that took a toll on her. For a couple weeks it was obvious she was in pain.

She first pulled it busting a couple water hoses that I’d tightened down pretty good, then reinjured it mopping, a few days later.

She’s tough as a piece of lighter knot, and it concerned me with the obvious pain that she was dealing with. Now though, she’s back to about 90% and getting better daily. This is good, cause man, she’s sure got a lot of work to get caught up on that I’d laid out for her! LOL!

Most know that Deb was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer. Terminal…no cure. She was given 8-9 months without treatment, possibly 4-5 years with chemo and radiation, IF, they could get it into remission. This was, AT BEST, and there was about a 40% chance of this taking place. Long story short, again, NO CURE.

Anyway, this has now been 13 months ago. Deb took one chemo, and then opted for alternative treatment. Since then, God has walked beside her daily. She looks great, she feels great, and she’s doing great.

For the naysayers that don’t believe in our Lord…you may want to reconsider, that’s all. You may come to realize that you’ve been missing out on an awful lot of good and that the little things are just that…the little things.

This past year, in regards to Deb and I, have been the happiest, hands down that we’ve experienced since being partners. All our other time together, good as they’ve been, aren’t even close!

In our previous post, I said my Mom and Dad came down and had lunch with us. Getting Dad to come down is kinda like fishin. You just have to use the right bait. His favorite just happens to be food in general, but especially, Granny Margaret’s meatloaf.

My point to this is that my Dad is one of those guys that doesn’t jerk your chain too often. He tells you how it is…whether you like it or not. He doesn’t sugar coat it, nor does he stretch the truth. It is, what it is, with Dad.

When he and Mom found out that Deb had decided to not do chemo anymore, I know they didn’t like this decision, but no matter, it WAS DEB’S decision, not mine, not our children’s, just Deb’s!

Plus, to step outside the medical world in a diagnosis such as Deb’s, is not something that’s done too often. They never voiced their opinion, but kept their true feelings close to the hip.

I do believe that they, and some others, thought that by Deb deciding upon alternatives as her treatment, they felt that she’d probably just signed her death sentence…in their eyes.

I think what they were missing though, is that in all reality, Deb’s diagnosis WAS a death sentence, and in reality, our Doctor’s, the first two anyway, informed us this WAS the case. The cancer she had…would kill her.

Yesterday though, we witnessed a BIG change in Dad’s attitude.

You see, Deb’s doing great, and since her decision to do alternative treatment, our lives have changed. Our eating habits changed first off, and we eat much more nutritiously now than ever. We started juicing, 20 to 25 fresh fruits and vegetables each morning, and now have added one more juice in our daily routine.

Beets, carrots, and apples. This we drink around 2-3 o’clock in the afternoon. The juicing we do is to try and keep Deb’s immune system strong, and so far, it’s done just that. Simply put…we have come to feel so strongly over this, that we honestly feel more should start.

Juicing and diet are a couple things we do, and feel very strongly about both, but Deb does 3-4 other things as well. If you’re interested, please contact us.

Here’s an old video of Deb showing some of our juice products. This was done back in Sept. of 2011.

During lunch yesterday, Dad asked question after question…what do we juice, how do we juice, what type of juicer, on, and on. Honestly, he was beginning to see the light in regards to, you know what, it’s obvious this has helped these two. I’m intrigued and want to know more.

This continued all through lunch and almost until they left for home.

First off, we’d not seen Mom and Dad since Deb’s cookout back at the end of January. They’ve been bust, we’ve been busy, again, where does the time go? So it’d been about 90 days.

Most know that since we started our juicing regime, not only has Deb done outstanding, but I’ve lost 50 pounds! Literally, it has been a blessing to us both.

Before they left Dad talked with us about this one more time. He told us that he was amazed with us both. He stated that it was obvious the time, effort and research we’d done was without a doubt producing results for us…good results, amazing results!

He said that me for example, I’d taken off this weight and looked and seemed to feel so good, energized even.

But Deb, this is where he has become awestruck in all this. He told Debbie yesterday that she was truly amazing and such an inspiration to him. She looked good, and he couldn’t believe how obviously good she felt as well.

He told her that to have the courage to step outside of the medical spectrum like she had, with the diagnosis THAT SHE HAD, was a thing that only one in a million people would do. He congratulated her on her courage to do so, and that obviously it is producing results.

He then added that to read and research as we had, and devise our own way to meet this head-on was so commendable on her part as well.

He finished by telling Deb yesterday that he was truly, standing there, literally…looking at a miracle sitting there in front of him! He could not believe it. “How long has it been,” he asked. We told him May 1, would be 13 months. He just shook his head. Amazing was all he could say.

What a truly compassionate testimony Dad left us with yesterday. It was so inspiring to us both. Again, he’s a man that calls it as he sees it, and we knew that what’d he’d told us…was from his heart!
It was such an inspiration for Deb as well for this to have come from him.

I gotta say, the regime she’s been going through in regards to her alternatives is time consuming. It lasts from the time she gets up, to almost noon daily. Day in…day out. I know it has to get old, but, she hits it every day! She’s a trooper.

BUT, when she hears things like what Dad had to say, or, she goes to the Doctor for her blood tests, and they come back PERFECT once again, this does make it a little easier on her. It gives her the desire to keep moving, and not look back! All the hard work…is worthwhile!

So, in closing Deb would like me to share just a couple other things.

# 1- Trust in God…he WILL show you the right path!

#2- Do what’s in your heart in regards to your own fight or treatment. It is YOUR decision…not anyone elses!

#3- Stay positive. This is very important. If others create negativity around you, ask them to stay away. You don’t need it.

#4- You WILL find a support group, your husband or other family members, and friends. There are times you need this.

#5- No matter what treatment you decide upon…you have to BELIEVE this is the best route for you to take! You have to BELIEVE that it is the key to your success! In all your heart, you have to KNOW this is your intended path, and is what will WIN your battle for you! BELIEVE!

God has a plan for us all. To this there is no question. Do we know his plan? No, we don’t, but we DO know there IS a plan!

I have no doubt that God, is walking with Deb, and it’s obvious he smiles on her daily! We both know that no matter what treatment we’d have chosen, without HIS blessing, it would all be for naught!

Also let me quickly say this…

To all our friends out there that have voiced their concerns, sent us your best wishes, and put Deb in your prayers…thank you all so much! You guys have been outstanding support for us, and we can’t express enough our love and appreciation of you guys for doing so!

Have a great day, and God Bless! As always, Deb says to keep a smile on your face, and one in your heart!

Dub and Deb

As you know, Deb took one chemo treatment, then, opted for alternative treatment. SO, when we hear that her blood tests are again perfect, boy, does that make us feel good. Through these tests, we don’t know how much ground we’re gaining yet, BUT, it lets us know that we sure ain’t losing ground either.

By her blood count tests coming back so well each time, this lets us know that as of right now her body is functioning as it should…

We were going to have a scan done to check her cancer out on Nov. 2, but Deb decided against it. Actually her reasoning for postponing this was a good idea I thought too, after she told me her reasoning behind this decision.

First and foremost, is the simple fact that I’ve resigned myself to…it IS her decision, and her decision only. This is how it’s been since finding out about her cancer. We talk and discuss things periodically, BUT, the final say is Deb’s, and hers alone. To me, this is how it ought to be…no interference.

Secondly, she is finally gotten to the point that the alternative treatments we’re using, and there are several of them, she’s gotten to the point she’s taking all of them now full strength. A couple you have to build yourself up to get to the full recommended dosage, and now she’s been doing them all full strength for a couple months.

So, Deb decided that she’d rather stay on her alternatives for another couple months or so, then, have the scan done at that point. If she would have taken the scan back on the second, she would have had to have gotten off all her alternatives for a few days, so, she decided she’d rather keep her routine as it is rather than stop, and get a scan right yet.

My feelings on this were that simply…it’s your call, you do what you feel in your heart you should do, and that’s good enough for me. I’ll never buck her in these decisions, and honestly, I really have no right to buck her! I’m part of her support team, and that’s what I’ll continue to be. Support her in any and all decisions that she makes in this regard.

As we’re seeing already, I think the decisions that she’s made all have been jam up. She looks good, she feels good, and boy is she motivated. She is an inspiration to me and our family. She doesn’t acknowledge the words of, “you can’t, or just the word no, period!” She is…a go-getter!

Actually, I couldn’t be any prouder of her than I am now. She took the chemo, saw how it took her down, then stopped and re-evaluated her treatment choices. After considering her options, she decided on going with alternatives.

Let me stop here for a minute or two, and go back a month or so…

We had a reader comment a little while back, actually I believe it was the last time I discussed Deb’s personal progress with you guys. I had made a video showing Deb out picking peas, and how well she was doing. In reality, while I was filming her, she had no idea I was doing so.

But, as I watched her, I decided to film her because of how well she was doing, and again I’m so proud of the way she has grabbed this stuff by the horns, and locked up with it. Once more, I personally am so inspired by her work ethic number one, and number two, by her progress to date.

Anyway, the reader commented, and I don’t remember the exact wording, but it was basically “bustin my chops,” stating that I shouldn’t talk so badly about chemo, and that I may be causing people to go another route with their own treatment in regards to cancer.

I gotta tell you guys that this comment did “light me up,” upon reading this. Well, Deb and I went back and reread everything we’ve talked about in regards to Deb’s fight with cancer. In NO place period, has Deb or myself told anyone…don’t do chemo! NOT ONE TIME!

We knew we hadn’t, but to make sure, we decided to check it out, and sure enough, neither one of us have made such a remark. NEVER!

WHAT WE HAVE SAID is this…chemo was not right for Deb, this much we did say, but nowhere have we even attempted to tell people NOT TO DO CHEMO! First off…why would we make such a statement?? Really, why would we??

We don’t know FOR SURE yet, that the decisions we have made WILL cure Deb’s cancer, although we believe it will…100% believe it!

This one point is something that Deb and I do feel is very, very important, and may very well be the MOST important…believing in your treatment 100%, no matter if it be chemo, alternatives, or if you decide to do absolutely nothing at all! BUT, you have to believe that the decision you just made is 100% right!

Also, our story of our fight with cancer is not anyone else’s…it is Deb’s story of decisions Deb has made, no one else’s. I can’t possibly tell you not to do chemo, and we haven’t, because I haven’t even told my own wife what decision I feel is best for her, much less anyone else. I’ve only told Deb that the decisions she makes, are the decisions she feels are best for her. Decisions she has to feel right about IN HER OWN HEART, and if she does, then go with them, then know, and believe, that they’ll work.

If you look back at any article we’ve done, we’ve told everyone this is how we feel. We can’t tell anyone what treatment to choose…we can’t. BUT, we have said do only what you feel in your own heart what is right for you, and that’s ALL we’ve ever said in this regard.

That’s all I have to say about that…besides once again, Deb’s decision IS Deb’s decision, AND her decision was based on quality of life…her quality of life!

So, in closing let’s just reiterate once more….do what you feel you need to do. This is your decision and nobody else’s.

This is a terrible disease, and I wish I could wave a wand and clear up any and everybody involved in their own fight with this, but sadly, I can’t.

To those of you with cancer, please know that you too are in our prayers, and we realize Deb’s in yours as well. Thank you all for your wonderful support Deb’s been shown, and for all your prayers on her behalf. You all are great, and we can’t express in words our heartfelt appreciation of your doing so! Thank you again, one and all!

You guys have a terrific day, and God Bless you and yours. As Deb always says, “Keep a smile on your face, and one in your heart!

Dub and Deb

Once I saw she was serious, I asked for her to wait until tomorrow and I’d help her. She told me she’d rather go ahead and get them, and then I suggested very strongly…okay, but don’t miss any! LOL!

That heifer grabbed 3 buckets, piled in the gator, and off she went. It was kinda funny once she got to the pea patch. The dern cows have been eating the pea hulls, and had already gotten the black-eyed pea bushes we’d pulled up and fed them.

With this being the case, when they saw the gator, then saw it headed to the garden, their first thought…FOOD! They went runnin over to the garden, and you ought to have seen ole Deb trying to open the gate, tote her buckets in, then get the gate shut back, all in the midst of some hungry cows, or at least they thought they were hungry, anyway.

When she came back in later, I told her the cows looked like a bunch of hungry construction workers trying to get to the “roach coach!” This being the term the construction workers on-site call the sandwich truck.

My reply didn’t humor her in the least, as it became clear to her that I’d been standing up at the house watching those cows just aggravatin the daylights out of her trying to get in the garden. It was obvious to me as soon as the words left me, that I’d just put my WHOLE foot in my mouth!

You’ve all heard the sayin before… “Boy, he’s got a BIG mouth?” Well, it originated by being a description of…moi!

No, no, Judi or Brian, I am NOT from Southern France, BUT…I did use to watch the Muppets! For all you “slow trails” out there, Miss Piggy used to use the word moi, when speaking of herself.
But back to Deb, let’s just say I was getting under her skin.

So, she emptied her three buckets, grabbed a couple more, and went back to finish the Crowders. I didn’t want to tick her off by putting my foot in my mouth again, so as she drove back to the garden I was “hand-signing” to her just as hard as I could. My remarks? D.O.N.’T. M.I.S.S. A.N.Y!

Of course she couldn’t hear me, but as far as I was concerned…I’d gotten in the last word!!! If you can’t “whip em,” men, then you gotta “out-smart em!”

Seriously though, she didn’t have any idea I was videoing her, as I’d said earlier. But you know what? I sat in the swing watching her, and I got to thinking just how fortunate I was to have Deb, and honestly, I am.

You guys know her battle she’s in the midst of, but it’s like it isn’t even happening, at least from her perspective, and from her being this way, I honestly forget about it at times myself. It’s like there’s nothing at all wrong with her.

I also know that so many families are affected by this disease, and that far too many are in the midst of their own struggles with this disease. But you know what? The people that we’ve met, talked to, or communicated with, that are cancer patients as well…we’ve bonded with. We’re literally like a family. We all are concerned for the others, just as much as we are for ourselves! It is simply amazing to Deb and I both!

Everybody looks at things a little differently maybe, but the same common goal is…to beat this stuff! The story I can relate or share is only our own, but even so, I have to say that my Deb is one inspiring individual. She is to me, plus any one else that knows her.

She decided against chemo after the first round. No more she said, and by golly, that was the end of it. It was and is, her decision, and that’s the only way it could, or should be! When she told me that she’d take no more of it, I was proud of her, and her decision. THAT decision…took courage!

The chemo did knock her slap off her feet, and I saw her will to fight, her will to exercise, her will to eat, her will to grab this stuff by the horns and whip it, just disappear. She had NO positivity, and No desire to get any. She could hardly walk, talk sensibly, or just function period. She was…just there.

Believe me, I’m not trying to say this is what everyone should do…go the alternative route, because I’m not. You have to do what YOUR heart tells you to do. That’s all, and Deb’s told her…chemo is done.
Since this decision, she’s regained all her positivity, walks and exercises daily, juices, functions at the top of her game, does her alternatives, then keeps up with any and every household chore, plus, gardens, picks, shells and washes peas, and handles whatever else life can throw her way. To me…she is amazing!

This is what inspired me to take this video of Deb. Truthfully, it is because she is SO inspiring to me, and I wanted to share this with you today. For us…Deb made the right decision, no doubt. The type of treatment she chose gives us such a wonderful quality of life.

I always knew that Deb and I were very close to each other, but since we found out about her problem, this love for each other has been taken to another level. A level of respect…a deep respect for her will as a person, her devotion to the fight that may be equaled, but never surpassed, and her love for me and all our children and grandchildren.

Our whole family is very, very fortunate to have her with us, and she is a shining example of strength to us all! This video was done with me just sharing some of my thoughts about Deb, because again, I’m very inspired by her.

So, you guys take a look, and see for yourselves. She’s doing very well, and if God forbid, we lose the fight (WHICH WE AREN”T!!), we both will still know…we made the right decision for us!

In closing, we would like to EMPHASIZE that this was only Deb’s decision, after much prayer and conversation with God. She knows this decision was made through his guidance. We are only suggesting that you do, ONLY what your OWN heart tells you to do…that’s all!

God Bless every one of you, and our prayers are with you. As always Deb says to keep a smile on your face, and one in your heart!

Dub and Deb