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News Item: Letter from Elder van der Vlis to his ward members
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| Letter from Elder van der Vlis to his ward members | 05 Nov 2010 |
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Wassenaar, Wednesday nov 3rd, 2010 Dear brothers and sisters, After all those beautiful cards from you finally a note from me. The last months have been very trying for me, but than again I do have a serious illness. There was a heavy chemo needed for this illness to respond upon. This chemo hit me hard and left it’s marks ( weight loss, tiredness, bad physical condition and least of all a bald head) . After the chemo I had to get back my strength, on which the moment followed when the doctors could see if the chemo had been successful in destroying the bad cells. You probably already heard that, sadly enough, this was not the case. Which was quite a blow to me and my family. The last 3 weeks I was allowed to recover at home. It was wonderful to be back home again after 7 weeks of being in a small hospital room. At home I was spoiled with lots of love, attention and lovely food. The first days were physically tiring but every day my strength improved. I could do more and more and could be out of the bed the whole day now. Today (Wednesday) I had a wonderful walk with Christine through the dunes. Because my resistance to infections is very low, the doctors advised me not to go to places with a lot of people. That was the reason why you didn’t see me in church. The doctors pointed out that there was a chance that another chemo might work. Because it isn’t sure that it will, I – together with my family- had to deeply ponder about whether or not to decide for such another heavy chemo. I finally chose to do take the chance and today I was called by the hospital and I will be admitted tomorrow for another shot at it. Needless to say that the next month will be a very exciting month. The most important reason to write you is to thank you for the many cards I have received from you (as a group of individually) during my illness. The whole wall opposite of my bed was covered with greeting cards: get well cards, sweet cards and funny cards, to much to describe. It was wonderful to receive these at difficult moments, it made me feel I was not fighting my own. You can’t imagine the impact these cards had. Thank you ever so much for that. During my illness it has been great to know that God and his son Jesus Christ love us. To know that there is a life after this one, where loved ones are ready to welcome us. I honestly hope they will wait with that for a while and that they will allow me some more time with my loved ones here on earth. I have been able to receive various blessings so far during my illness and an anointing of the Priesthood. This evening I received another one through my beloved son Daniel. It is fantastic to experience the strength which comes from this. Another important reason to write you is that a lot of brothers and sisters told me they’d put my name and those of my family members on the prayer rolls of their temples. That you fasted for me and prayed for me. How wonderful to experience such support. Thank you ever so much for that! Even though I have directed my energy mainly in getting better, you members regularly crossed my thoughts. I miss you and hope to meet with you in good health not to long from now. Warm greetings, Robert Jan van der Vlis Send by: Daniel van der Vlis ( dsvandervlis@hotmail.com ) Robert Jan will be staying at the Leiden University Hospital next to the train station This will be his address: R.J. van der Vlis afd. Haematologie LUMC Postbus 9600 2300 RC Leiden Nederland home address, familie van der Vlis Strandwal 101 2241 SJ Wassenaar Nederland |
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| Chad Emmett | Send Email |
