A really difficult conversation...

          After several phone calls today we were finally able to get an appointment this afternoon to see the oncologist. I really wanted to talk to him today and get the results of the PT scan before I go see my surgeon tomorrow morning. After just a few minutes of waiting for the doctor he came in with a somber attitude and sat down beside us. He began to explain that he had just got off the phone with the radiologist who read the PT scan and the news was not good. He told me the cancer is definitely back but this time it is in two areas of my abdomen. It is in the area where the lymph nodes were removed during the surgery and also in the lining of my abdomen. This time the cancer is not in a tumor form like the last time but now it is numerous cells spread out in the two areas. He called this "seeding" which really means that the cells are planted within the tissue and multiplying.

          As you can imagine, we were set back a bit by the news but then the questions started flying. I asked what the course of treatment would be and he explained that there are no real options for treatment. Surgery is out because there isn't a tumor or mass to be removed, the only chemo drug that works on my type of cancer has already been used but it didn't work, and I've already gone through radiation so that is not expected to work either. The best he could offer is the possibility of applying for a clinical trial but he will have to do some research to see if there are any going on right now. When I asked what the next symptoms will be he told us that my abdomen will begin to swell with fluid and the cancer may spread to other organs such as the lungs or even the brain. I asked the next question fully expecting the doctor to tell me that "no one knows" so his answer really shocked me. I asked how long should we expect all this to happen and he told me "weeks, maybe months". I'm not sure I was fully prepared to hear that answer and surely thought I had more time than that but, I shouldn't be too surprised by the answer since I know the cancer is moving very quickly.

          So there you have it... You know everything we know and the news really isn't very good. Obviously, we are going to need a little bit of time to process all of this as a family so we'll keep you all posted along the way. For now, we are all doing well and don't have any immediate needs. The best thing anyone can do for us right now is to continue to pray for the family and for God's will to be done. Even though we don't understand why this is going on and don't necessarily agree with it, we are steadfast in our understanding that God is sovereign and He will be glorified through our lives. My prayer is that we, as a family, will stand as one to get through this no matter how difficult things get.

          There are so many of you who have joined with us on this journey and we hear about new "members" who are joining us in prayer quite often. We just want to stop and thank all of you for your faithful prayers and words of encouragement. We are truly held up by all of you and I will literally be carried to the finish line by the knowledge that you are all there.

Thank you all,

Russ and Robyn