Update Time

Felt I should take time for a little update on Allison. She hasn't been feeling to well the last couple of weeks. The headache pain has increased and she has been facing some extra fatigue. This was not unexpected. We had just hoped and prayed that she wouldn't expereince it too much. They have added some medications and they seemed to be providing some relief. We ask that you continue to lift her up in prayers. Specifically that the pain would be reduced. Also that the radiation does it's job and starts shrinking that tumor!

As for me, I would say I'm about 80% healed with my leg injury. I dont think it's going to bad and just will be patient.

Tyler and Tim each had some medical test this week as well. Tyler has had some back pain from football season that doesn't seem to be healing. We had an appointment with a doctor from Ft. Wayne Orthopedics and Ty had a bone scan yesterday. He goes back Monday for a follow up and reading of the test. Tim has had some continuing stomach issues and had an upper GI friday morning as well.

When it rains......it pours.... oh well. We will manage. We appreciate your prayers!

Trent

More "Excitement" at the Hostetler House

This Saturday became way more eventful than I intended it to be. I managed to flip my tractor over and land it on my left leg. I was pinned for awhile then was able to get my family by phone. They called 911 and rescue was on the way. Cindy hooked onto the tractor with a chain and my truck and pulled enough for me to get out. The EMS was concerned that I had a crushed femur because of the "severely deformed" way that my thigh looked. They decided to airlift me to South Bend Memorial because of their trauma unit. Meanwhile, my daughter over exerted herself while trying to help me and passed out. She was taken to Goshen Hospital treated and released. I then spent my first night in a hospital as a patient. The nurses were great and very helpful. Sunday afternoon I was released and went to Timothy's basketball game. Then finally made it home to rest.

Just like I thanked so many people during Allison's treatment, I need to thank so many people for all the prayers for me during this traumatic time. The encouraging messages on FB and all the prayers were so helpful. Now I need some time for the leg to heal itself and work out the soreness. God is so amazing and I am so thankful for the protection over me. It definitely could have been a lot worse. The thought I my family not having me and the hurt that would have caused them both sends chills to my spine and tears to my eyes.

After all of this I hope that all of us live life to the fullest, accept Christ as your personal savior(if you haven't already) because you never know when your time is up and make sure to love on your family anytime you can!

Trent

More

Treatments completed!

After six long weeks, yesterday, Allison had her last proton radiation treatment at M.P.R.I. The staff, at the clinic, had a little send off for Allison with a cookie cake and some gifts. Allison had a great time and enjoyed the opportunity to thank them personally, one more time. Allison was a busy girl the last couple days crocheting some of her hats and making some necklaces to hand out to the staff. She also gave each of them one of the purple bracelets with Phillipians 4:6-7 that her youth group is selling. (Thanks Axis!)

They have everything packed up from Jason & Kim's house and are ready to head back home. We are so thankful to Jason & Kim for opening up their home and providing the support for Cindy & Allison. You will never know how much you helped us!

Thanks again to everybody that has helped us during this time. There are so many of you that I couldn't begin to thank everybody by name.

As for what's next, we wait for the radiation to do it's thing and start shrinking the tumor. Because of it being a slow growing type it will also be a slow shrinking type. So, it could be a few months untill we see a difference in the tumor size. Until then, we ask you to continue to pray for Allison and that the tumor will shrink as expected. We know there is power in prayer and we know that so many of you have been praying for Allison and we thank you. We place it all in His hands.

May God bless you in everything you do!

Trent

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year from the Hostetler Family! It's hard to believe that 2010 is finally hear. I can honestly say that I am not disappointed that 2009 is over. This year seemed to just be a different one to me. Of course it started out with Allison's tumor, and maybe that has made me just a little more sensitive to things. But there was also too many people I know that lost loved ones, both expected and unexpected. When it comes right down to it, this was a lesson in just how fragile life is. We all say it, but, do we really realize how we take life for granted? But for all the chaos there is one constant thing.....our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He has gotten our family through a lot this year and we give Him all the praise.

We know can truly see the light at the end of the tunnel......Allison has treatments tomorrow and Tuesday then will done and head back to home Wednesday. I cannot wait to get back to a somewhat "normal" schedule and life with my family being under one roof (another thing we take for granted).

Special thanks to our church family and pastors. We appreciate your support so much.


Until next time........


Trent

M.P.R.I.

MPRI(Midwest Proton Radiotherapy Institute) is where Allison and Cindy has been spending a lot of their time . MPRI recently decided to take some new pictures for their website. They asked Allison to be a part of the "photo shoot". I thought it would be nice to share them with all of you a glimpse of the treatment process. Here are photos that are possibly going to be on their new website.

What a fantastic group of people! Their compassion and mission to help people going through tough times is very evident. Allison has nothing but great things to say about all of them. They have been so helpful and caring to both Cindy and Allison during their stay.

Thank you MPRI staff for all of your work. May God bless you!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all of you from the Hostetler Family. What a joy to have my family together for this weekend with the way 2009 has gone for us. It was special for Cindy and I to attend a great Christmas Eve service at our church and praising God for all of His blessings, with our children.

Yesterday we attended the funeral for Cindy's Grandpa Charlie. Grandpa passed away last Tuesday morning. Grandpa Charlie was a neat man and I always felt accepted as one of his own grandsons. I thank him for that. I will always cherish the times that our kids got to spend with their great grandpa Charlie. Not every kids gets to know their great grandparents and mine have been blessed that experience with nearly most of theirs. Thanks grandpa for everything and we look forward to seeing you again in heaven!

This has been one amazing year for our family. Words cannot express our gratitude to all of you. Your prayers, meals, financial support, encouragements and love have meant more to us then you will ever know. Unfortunately, we will never be able to thank everyone personally because of so many have helped us. But know this, you are appreciated!

One scripture that has been running through my mind during this whole process is James 1: 2-3.
²Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. ⁴Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. The whole idea of "joy" during trials sounds crazy when you think of it at first. But, my outlook on this verse changed a lot the last few months. The only reason I can give is that I now lean on Him way more than I did before. This verse is reassuring to me in that I know He is in charge and that this will only strengthen me and my family. Now that doesn't mean I don't mess things up with my attitudes sometimes, but, by His grace I am redeemed and so are you! None of us can earn salvation it is only by God's grace and love for us that we can be called His children. So if you don't have a relationship with Jesus Christ, please receive the greatest gift anybody could ever give you. I know the whole concept of getting something like this for free is way to much to comprehend, but just know that it is. That gift is eternal life with Him in heaven. Do it today!!!!


Allison has treatments Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week. Then a couple next week. So we are in the home stretch! Please continue to keep Allison in your prayers as she starts to wrap up the proton radiation treatments. Specifically that the headache pain not increase more than what it is now. Also safe travel for Cindy, Tyler and Tim as they will be spending the next few days in Bloomington during Christmas break. I'll be home with the dogs and cows and hope to get some projects done at home before they get back.

Thanks again for all of your love during this time and I look forward to sharing with you soon. May God Bless you and Have a Merry Christmas.

Trent