What's the news Doc?

After his surgery on Monday in February we were anxious to here the report from the pathologist. Again, I will spare my time in re-typing the news and post the e-mail we sent out.

Just as my dearest Christian mentors from my youth told us, "It is by God's mercies that we are blessed to even have the best treatment and the best doctors to take care of us."

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Yesterday we visited our doctor with the update of the pathology, blood, CT scan, and treatment report. We give praise and thanks for a remarkable report.

The pathology reported that the stage is Seminoma. This is the best stage for TC, 95% of the cancer is Seminoma and is highly cureable down to a "T". Again, Dr. Case went over the blood work and scan with us...not sign of spreading, and no other cancer markers on the blood work.

Now what do we do with what we know? Here is where our minds were spinning. Thank goodness for our questions being written down and a recording.

1. We can do nothing and watch.

There is an 80% that he is cured with just the surgery, This would mean there are no microscopic cells anywhere. We won't know this until down the road for many years. This would entail for the first year, every 3 months of ct scans and blood work. This proceeds and is lessen through the years.

2. Radiation treatment

He would receive treatment (not sure of the amount until we meet with the radiologist on March 7th at our consultation) only targeted in a small area for a precautionary of any microscopic cells that may be there.

3. Chemo treatment

same as above but with chemo treatment. We plan on meeting with a specialist in this area as well for a consultation.

What have we decided????

Well we left not knowing yet....Why? Each one of our above choices depends on our choice of our future family plans. Radiation and Chemo have a great impact on natural fertility for a few years. We found he had TC because we were wanting a family and had been unsuccessful for several months. Thank you to a simple checkup on Chris' part. Talk about devastaing news then and no faced with 3 unknown paths. Now you really have to plan out your life and family. All at the same time keeping Chris' health on excellent terms and mostly in the will of God. He is the master planner.

At this time, while we are still looking at our options, we planned our next CT scan, blood work appt. in 3 months

Here is where we ask for prayers. Specifically for wisdom in God's will for us. As King Solomon asked God for wisdom to rule, we ask for wisodm in our future family planning and treatment route. We know God will provide and lead us just as he did with Solomon, "God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand of the seashore." I Kings 4:29

We know God is bigger than any of this. He is smarter than our research. He is the all knowing. He is wiser in medicine than our fabulous doctors, He is the mighty physcian. He is our creator. He is our God.

If he wants us to bear children naturally within the next 3 months He will, and He will beat the odds we are faced agaisnt in this waiting time. If we conceive with the help of science he will make it known.

We are asking for patience and a peace that surpasses all understanding in the midst of our climb up to the summit.

Chris amazes me with his confidence, words of wisdom he speaks to me, his arms of comfort, and his internal fire to keep going. I know there are times he faces weariness too.

yes, I too, as the supporter, have shown weakness, I have had meltdowns, "I just can't be strong right now",or " I can't do this anymore." Then I hear, "God won't give you more than you can handle." Letting that soak in my mind helped me to realize He has has that much faith in Chris and I to handle all of this....I need to have the same in him!

It is okay to cry, it okay to be weak and turn it all over.

II Corinthians 4:17 and Habakkuk 3:19....
"Learn to trust Me when things go "wrong." Disruptions to your routine highlight your dependence on Me. Trusting acceptance of trials brings blessings that far outweigh them all. Walk hand in hand with Me through this day. I have lovingly planned every inch of the way. Trust does not falter when the path becomes rocky and steep. Breathe deep draughts of My Presence, and hold tightly to My hand. Together we can make it!"

In Him,

Chris and Danielle

_____________________________________Waiting for the RESULTS!______________________________

Since then it has been about 3 weeks. We met with the Radiologist and have done several amounts of research and talking to some of our doctor friends that are in residency to get their prospective on treatment.

The radiologist gave us a complete break down of the procedure's short term affects and possible, but not likely, long term effects. A total of 17 treatments. This number is exceptionally low compared the dose and amount of other cancers that are treated. TC has been basically cured by this standard treatment and stage Chris had. Receiving treatment would take the percent to a 1% of the TC from returning vs. 20%.

Chris and I feel we will do treatment, but when God places it on our hearts that it is time to proceed. This may sound crazy to the medical profession, but when we returned from the radiologist we began to baby plan, treatment timing, and trying to play "God" this was not comforting at all. Stress and restlessness took over our every thought and resentment resided in our heart for what we were going through.

We both can stand firm in the continuation of wanting to fervently seek God's will for us. More of him and less of us. More of us waiting and listening than planning and asking.

That's it friends... This is where we lie on this 22nd day of March.

p.sThe race isn't over, we may seem as if we got in under control, but we don't always. I will admit this journey hasn't been the easiest, or the most clear, straight and narrow path. I fell last week in my trust. Then I realized the race isn't over at mile marker 10 (half marathon speaking) and there is no turning back with 3 miles left. Where would I go to get to the finish line? "Get up with the support of your running buddies, the water, the goo, the fans cheering you, and the best fan is at the end ready to embrace you. Don't be afraid to ask for prayers as you fight through the pain staking half-marathon." To my life group buddy who is praying for me this week...I can sense the prayers moving in my life yet again, and it feels right, perfect, and it feels good to be home again.