What a year!

Livin' it up during infusion -- December 19, 2012

Guess what?

A year ago today, Harv had his colonoscopy.  It was not a good day.

Guess what else?

A year ago tomorrow, Dr. Whitt told us Harv had cancer. That wasn't a fun day either.

And you know what?

A year ago on Friday we found out it was stage 4. It was a kinda scary day (a lot kinda scary).

And, for the rest of 2011, we were filled with uncertainty, fear, chaos, trying to plan for the unknown...

But guess what?

For all of 2012, we have been encouraged and loved and filled with HOPE.

Part of that reason is because Dr. Lin was an encouragement -- by simply proceeding with an optimism that made us a little less fearful.

Part of the reason is because Dr. Pietro removed the ugliness from Harv's colon.

Part of the reason is because we have been surrounded by people who have loved us, and prayed for us, and helped us.

And, part of the reason, is because God has given Harv's body a wonderful response to the chemo and has given his body the ability to respond with few side effects....

And, all of those things have made our lives much richer and fuller... and HOPEFUL.

We met with Dr. Lin this morning and the plan is for Harv to come back in 3 weeks for a PET/CT scan which will be followed (probably the next day) by some more chemo (but no Avastin). And, in the meantime, a consultation with the surgeon will be scheduled so we can plan the liver surgery. Dr. Lin says that the surgery is a big deal. He and Dr. Park (the surgeon) will discuss the details of how/what will take place -- and what is best for Harv's situation.  The decision of whether to kind of burn (something called Radio Frequency Ablation (Definition here) ) the smaller tumor or cut it out has not been made. But, they'll do what they can do to get rid of that smaller one and cut out the remaining yucky section.

And, so... Harv's upstairs killin' some more cancer...and I'm down here giving thanks for an amazing support group (which includes family, friends, doctors, nurses, aides, classmates, co-workers, counselors, & nice people everywhere) who have helped us not only survive this year, but who have made it a year full of blessings beyond our imagination.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a 2013 full of peace, love, joy and HOPE.

We love you.