To be ... or not to be...

Cheesy title? Maybe. It's been two weeks... an amazing two weeks. What you did to contribute to our family's trip and enable some special memories... well, it's hard to describe. I don't believe the Bible teaches quid pro quo, but I hope you are remembered in trial like our family has been. Over the next week, I will blog on each day with some pictures capturing the special moments. Like the Gospel of John, I won't be able to capture them all, but I want to capture many, and I hope you find it blessing and can celebrate the memories with us.

Update on my medical situation. We met with the Doctor on Monday. I apologize for not writing sooner, but I've had some unfortunate pain the last couple days, but it's getting better.

The update with the doctor is generally good news and rather surprising considering my type of cancer. Thank you for your prayers. The main area of concern for the cancer, the liver, actually showed improvement. That is surprising as I haven't had a treatment in 11 weeks! Really cool! The cancer in my colon showed some growth and one spot outside my intestines showed growth... I mean... [ahem] "progression" as the guys in the white coats say. Not the guys in the white coats that tie in the back... those are for me and my sister.

However, the growth is pretty small... like smaller than the width of a pea... It's great news, as I could have returned to find my cancer has grown back to original state.

So, what's the path forward?

Oh boy... the choices in life we are often forced to make...

So, the doc wants to recommend immunotherapy. Yah, so... we read the warning information. To sum up... immunotherapy offers a very small chance for the extension of life: could be a couple months, but there are some cases that go into full remission. No promises. In exchange for the small chance of benefit, there is a 4-20% chance of a variety of life-altering conditions ranging from fluid build up in the body to permanent blindness...

...Just so you know the predicament this decision creates. It's why I entitled this entry as "to be or not to be." The decision feels like that's what we're deciding.

So, ultimately, I write this blog for a favor.

James 1:5-6 tells us: "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind."

We need wisdom. Will you pray with us to get wisdom? Also, will you pray that we believe and not doubt?

I'm prone to fatalism... if you haven't figured that out yet. It's clear when we approach God, He wants us to ultimately love and trust Him and not worry about whether we're choosing the right door on "Let's Make A Deal." [For those under 35, you can youtube it.]

Therefore, please continue to pray to that beautiful Father of ours that He will continue to show us grace in our decisions and guard us whatever choice we make.

We love you and are very grateful for the love you have shown us.

Please continue to praise God for how He is manifesting Himself in this trial. All we can hope is this trial of ours has compelled all of us to walk more closely with Him now and on into eternity where these trials are a distant memory.