Disappointing News

Body: The news from the doctor today was not what we had hoped. I feel badly not being able to give some encouraging news to you. So many of you have emailed, texted, called and commented on the fact that you are praying for me and my family. I'm truly grateful and deeply blessed.

However, the PET scan revealed that the cancer has spread and is no longer confined to the lymph system but has become a systemic issue. Some of you who have spent time with me recently know that I have had some upper back and neck pain. I had thought this was from working out at the gym too aggressively too early. But it is because the cancer is pressing against the spinal column. As the doctor showed us the PET scan, it lit up like a Christmas tree...and that is NOT a good thing.

He sent me down immediately for an MRI so next steps could be planned. The immediate concern is the spinal cord, so radiation is being scheduled to begin tomorrow! I received a call from the doctor this evening as I was coming home and I will be in his office at 10:00 am tomorrow. This will probably be just 10 radiation treatments.

Meanwhile, I'll be starting on some new meds and my doctor will be giving a new type of chemo in the near future to try to address the many other places where the cancer is active.

I won't try to be coy or cute or brave, this was hard news for our family and we are working it through before the Lord this evening. Thanks for praying for us.

Spirit: Over the last several days I wondered what I would share with you on the blog tonight and what has just hit me is this: I'd like to share a "patchwork quilt." A patchwork quilt often has great significance because each of the patches either represents something special or is taken from a fabric which has special meaning. So here is the patchwork quilt I share with you this evening. I know it will keep us all "warm" in His grace:

"Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. I say to myself, 'The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.' The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord." Lamentations 3:21-26

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want..." Psalm 23:1

A friend reminded me of a message my dad preached a number of times from Genesis 22 where Abraham is asked to sacrifice Isaac but at the last moment God provides a substitute. And Abraham learns another name for God, "The Lord Will Provide." Genesis 22:14

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:29-31

"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far..." Philippians 1:21-23

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39

There will probably be a number of updates over the next few days, so I may just add a few more "patches" to the quilt with each update. This quilt could get pretty big, pretty fast!! Thanks for praying and caring.