Quick Update...

Mom had her biopsy this morning (long story, short-the biopsy/brushing of the tumor was never done...it kinda all slipped through the paperwork and no one noticed until now)...biopsy went well, and on Tuesday, March 1st (Lauren's 27th birthday!), Mom and Dad will meet again at Howard to go over results and the schedule for chemo and radiation. How could would it be for the tumor to be benign after all of this!? Anyhoo...As I said, the procedure went well, however Mom reacted very strongly to coming out of the sedation-nurses said that they haven't seen someone react so horribly in awhile before...lots of vomiting, weakness, etc. She is finally home now, and resting-hopefully resting enough to get the grossness out of her body.

So prayers right now:
-That Mom's biopsy gives all the rest of the info they need to proceed with the chemo and radiation-to "get this party started"!
-That Mom continues to recover today from her horrible reaction to the sedation!
-Courage for Mom for dealing with all the new doctors and medical procedures and surroundings-she's scared to death of hospitals and things like this, so it's been very hard for her (if you see her in person, try not to talk too much about the medical stuff, or the surgery,etc...just tell her how pretty she is! = ) )


*A Request*
-Mom and Dad have really been loving all the encouragement, but if you could limit it to just letters and notes, facebook messages, comments on here, even email, it would be appreciated right now. They're getting a little overwhelmed with the phone calls, and even though Mom is starting to let the answering machine do its job for awhile, she is exhausted at the end of the day, and there isn't much energy to talk on the phone. Her cards and notes remain faithfully at her side though, so she can pull them out and read them whenever she she needs a lift!

Hurry Up and Wait...

Today was a frustrating day for all involved. Perhaps it had to do with the fact that even though Mom has been feeling great these past couple of days, the reality and seriousness of cancer began to sink in, as the doctor at Howard County went over facts and figures and treatment plans. Perhaps it was because our normally well behaved and happy child is going through teething which turns him into a little monster...or perhaps because my pain levels have risen today, even though I too have been feeling much better with the physical therapy or that I failed that stupid glucose test by 3 lousy points, and therefore have to take a three hour test for what my doctor says is "probably nothing". Yeah, can you tell that we're all a little frustrated right now?
Back to Mom...she had a long scan today, where they put stickers on her body that will help line her up for each radiation treatment (they'll stay in place through the next couple of months). They also have to schedule an official biopsy, since Carroll only did a "brushing" of the tumor. March 1st, Mom will head in to Howard to go over the plan once more (with the biopsy done by then) and hopefully, HOPEFULLY, they can start the radiation and chemo. It's been frustrating for her-just lots and lots of meetings, but still waiting for actions to be taken. So yeah...just a lot of hurry up...and wait. I think it's also been stressful because it is now becoming more of a reality that she might not be there for the birth of Cameron (ironic if we're both in the hospital at the same time). She is so upset over this prospect, as well as not being there for Collin's first birthday...I told her that it's more important that she's there for all his other birthday too, but I understand-she loves being a Grammy, and that little boy means the world to her.
Sorry this post is a little down right now...it's been a frustrating day for all...but we know God is good, and that He is at work every day.

Prayer requests today:
-That the biopsy can be scheduled very soon (and maybe some help with a ride or childcare)
-That Mom's strength and energy will continue through everything
-That Collin experiences less pain and discomfort during the teething process
-That my back pain continues to lesson (especially when I have to carry him)
-That I pass my 3 hour glucose tolerance test
-That my third trimester goes well (and no bed rest!)
-That somehow Mom's surgery might not interfere with Collin's birthday, or Cam's birth (or if it does, that she has peace about it)

The Goodness of God....

I just got off the phone with Mom, as they are making their way back home from Hopkins. There were definitely some God moments today as the doctors went over the next steps in battling the cancer monster.

They were seen right away, even a few minutes early-which is pretty awesome considering the size and scope of Johns Hopkins! Mom and Dad knew going in after talking to one of the nurses, that the chances of radiation being done close to home were small, mostly because they needed a particular doctor to oversee it, and it needed to be done in a very specific manner. The doctor began going over the plan for chemo and radiation-Chemo will be done every day Mon-Fri for 5 weeks, but through pill form!! This can be done at home, and it is the kind that does not cause hair loss, and maybe some nausea (which Mom already has medication for now!) The radiation will be 15 minutes, Mon-Friday, for 5 weeks as well. Here's God moment number 1! A women doctor "just happened" to be at Hopkins that day-she specializes in pancreatic cancer as well, and is used to working with Hopkins. EXCEPT-she works at Howard County General Hospital-which is much, much closer and easier to get to then Hopkins! Because she happened to be there today, she was able to meet Mom, and get all the info...tomorrow Mom will call and they'll start getting her all set up to start radiation in the next week or so!! How cool is that!?

The Hopkins doctor is very very optimistic regarding the whole thing....he said the tumor is like "sticky cheese" and the chemo and radiation will be used to "harden it" so it's much easier to remove during the surgery. After the first round of chemo/radiation, we wait 4 weeks...if everything did its job correctly, then within a week (around April), Mom will head to surgery. She will spend about 10 days in the hospital, and within 3 weeks at home, start to feel like herself. We might still even be able to go to the beach end of July!

All in all, a good day today! Mom's scabs are starting to heal from all the itching, her energy is starting to return (which of course will diminish once radiation starts) and she might even be able to work part time (which takes a burden off of Dad!) So for now, we've had a lot of prayers answered, and are going into this battle with our heads held high and full of promise!

Prayers Today:

-That Mom will be able to start the radiation very soon!

-That she will be able to work part time

-That the chemo and radiation will begin to harden this tumor!

It's Good That We're Talking Operations....

So said the nurse today when she called my mom. I failed to talk about the other thing that might have been an issue on the CT scan-probably because it was just one more thing that could have been bad. Mom had "haziness" in her stomach, and Hopkins knew that there was a possibility that the cancer was in her stomach as well. We were praying hard that it wasn't, because, well, it was a death sentence. However, Mom received that call we were waiting for, the "Hey, all is clear, and we'll be able to operate!" WOOHOOOOOO...that means that even more so, Mom has a chance-a very good chance, of beating this cancer! She will begin will several days of Chemo a week, and Radiation every day, 5 days a week. We are waiting for that schedule, and Mom and Dad will be headed to Hopkins to talk about the order of things. The GOOD news is that the chemo can be done here in Carroll County...we are waiting and hoping that radiation can be done as well, so she doesn't have to be taken downtown every day. After the first round of everything, another CT will be performed, and if the tumor has shrunk, then the operation will begin. If not, on to round 2. So great news today-plus, at this moment, Mom is able to watch Collin during the day sometimes, like when I have a PT appointment, or a work thing I have to do-or if it's a bad day for me (moving around-wise). God's timing is perfect-we just keep believing in this.
As for the wedding, everything was perfect. The details came together, Mom was gorgeous (As many of you saw on Facebook), I was able to walk/sit/stand through the entire day (a miracle!) and Lauren and Justin came together in perfect and holy matrimony. They are so in love and on fire for God-it's a pretty awesome combination! I'm going to include two pictures-one is of Mom and I right before the big moment, and one, of course, of Lauren and Justin. I might be biased, but Lauren was one of the most beautiful brides I have ever seen =)
and I couldn't resist, because he's the cutest boy in the world....Today's prayer requests:
-Prayer that a place for radiation can be found close by (the specializes in what Mom needs)
-Continued prayer for Mom's sleep at night
-Continued prayer for the itching (which is finally subsiding!!)
-Prayer for the transition from full to empty house again, but blessings on Lauren and Justin as they are back in Hawaii
-Continued prayer for my pain

PS. Mom's been loving the comments! If you leave one, could you leave your name as well, so we know who is blessing us?

Trying to Trust...

As Lauren's wedding day approaches, things are starting to really get crazy. I don't mean the "pre-wedding craziness" that always occurs before the big day...nope, I'm talking about bonifide Satan attacks...

In just the past days alone, it's been made abundantly clear that someone doesn't want Lauren and Justin to be married, let alone the family to be there. Mom's days have slowly been getting better with the itching, but the night continues to be horrendous, and little sleep occurs. My beautiful and amazing mother is most worried about how she will look at the wedding, even though the photographer has been quick to explain the wonders of digital photography and photo enhancement. Whether Mom believes it or not, she is going to look amazing on Saturday, because even though the outer part might be a bit battered, the inside of her-the fighting spirit and the joy she contains, will shine through.

I'm also fighting my own battles trying to get to this wedding in one piece. I was sent to the Family Birth Place at Carroll for extreme pain, and came away with the words "compressed disk" and "sciatic nerve" issues, as well as a prescription to start physical therapy. The pain is debilitating at times, and prohibits even the simple act of walking. So what does my mother do? She watches my son for two days, even allowing him to spend the night. These are the types of parents I have...in the midst of everything going on, they are still taking care of me.

Justin's health is also becoming an issue as he battles some sort of illness, wrong flowers were delivered, the friend who was helping with linens from her work was let go, and the list goes on and on, including rain/wintery mix for Saturday.

And yet. YET. None of this changes the fact that a couple will be united together before God on Saturday. That, while alone they have already accomplished so much in the Kingdom of God, but on Saturday, TOGETHER they will step into the battle, husband and wife. Our God is amazing, and watching Lauren and Justin get married is just another win for our team.

If you are looking for some specific prayer requests right now:

1. That Mom gets some sleep, and that she can enjoy Saturday!

2. That my pain will lessen so I too can be prepared for this weekend, as well as take care of my son.

3. That Justin's health returns to normal.

4. That we can have just ONE day right now, (Saturday), to forget about the crap of the world, and truly enjoy the uniting of this couple!

Love to you all...and Mom has already read and loved every comment!

The Beginning.....

So where do I begin? I'm starting this blog as a way to keep family and friends in the loop of everything that is going on...Mom is exhausted (and a little challenged in the technology area, hee), and I feel like this is one of the ways I can contribute. My hope is that I can ask Dad and Lauren to write a few posts, but for now, you'll mostly be getting my perspective of things. I can't promise an update everyday, but I will definitely try to keep up with the medical stuff.

A little background of everything....and where we are right now!

Steve and I are in the middle of a huge life change right now, as we raise our 8 month son Collin, and prepare for the arrival of his brother, Cameron, this May. I work part time at an after school care program, during which Mom and Dad watch Collin. I've been having some severe pain lately (compressed disk, sciatic stuff), but will be trying to help out with Mom as much as possible!

Lauren will be getting married this Saturday, February 5th, to the love of her life, Justin Pauls. We are so glad to welcome him to our family, however, they will be headed back to Hawaii (where they are missionaries for Youth with a Mission) and we will deeply miss them and the help they have given us!

Dad is still hoping that this will be his last year in teaching, and we're praying that things (such as the loss of Mom's income the rest of this year) won't prohibit his retirement. He's the rock of the family...but let's move on to the soul.

Mom began losing weight this past summer and into the fall. She was quite pleased with the fact that she wasn't even doing anything, and the weight seemed to be melting off (should have been our first clue.) Early December she began to feel different-exhausted, constantly thirsty, and right before Christmas she received the diagnosis-Type 2 Diabetes. Right away, we knew there would be a life change, but many, many people live with the disease, and we were all determined to learn about it and help Mom get on the right path.

As the weeks went on, Mom wasn't feeling any better. She was looking more and more jaundice, the weight continued to fall off, and the itching became out of control. Thoughts were that it could be a lodged gallstone, or the gall bladder, so she underwent a series of tests to determine what was causing her health to decline.

On January 17, 2011, the day of my grandfather's funeral (Mom's Dad), we received the news that there was a mass on her pancreas. Anyone who knows anything about health stuff, knows that a mass is bad, and a mass on the pancreas is very bad. This past Wednesday, Mom and Dad spent the day at Johns Hopkins and received the news that no one wants. It was pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the top deadliest cancers a person can get. It's silent and can just grow and spread without anyone knowing, and it's difficult to diagnose. When someone tells you it's pancreatic cancer, it's either a death sentence, or there's a slim chance of beating it.

Miracle number 1 occurred that day. The tumor, which rests on the head of the pancreas, is operable! In other words, we have a chance of beating this, and keeping Mom around for awhile longer. We are waiting to hear from the Hopkin's team, but it looks like several rounds of chemo and radiation first (to shrink the tumor away from a blood vessel), and then the Whipple surgery (google it). There will be months of recovery, but we are determined that Mom will see her grandbabies grow up!

Mom will see any comment or note you leave her-whether here, or facebook...if you'd like an address, feel free to email me, facebook me, etc. If calls could be limited, that would help a lot, but I promise, when we have a better idea of what is going on, we'll be reaching out for help-meals, rides, childcare, etc.

For now...we just want your prayers. Mom and Dad have received lots of words on trusting in God right now, and I'm also going to include the word my sister received.

We have hope-which sometimes, that's all you can do.

Word from Lauren....

My sister was recently having a bad morning dwelling on everything going on (we each are going through times like this at the moment), and she was in John and came across the story of Lazarus. There is a specific verse in the story, that we are claiming right now. We are rejoicing in the love of our Father, and already are amazed at how many people's lives are being touched right now, through our testimonies. "You make all things work together for my good" (Your Love Never Fails, Jesus Culture)

John 11:4

NIV

When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it."

Message

When Jesus got the message, he said, "This sickness is not fatal. It will become an occasion to show God's glory by glorifying God's Son."

Amen!