The Annual Thankful Wall got hung last week. Deborah worked her magic, and she and Daniel and Flori hung it on Wednesday night after small group.
Our hearts were heavy then and I guess I could say they are even heavier now. Our Family is standing in the need of prayer!
On Tuesday, the 20th, (The day before these pictures) I took Daniel to Urgent Care in Milton because of nausea, fever and diarrhea that had hung on for a couple of days. They did a preliminary assessment, ordered a CT scan that revealed that he had two masses on his liver, one of which was 9 cm x 5 cm x 7 cm. (the other was considerably smaller). In the 10 days since we have had another CT scan, an MRI, numerous labs, three doctor visits (two of which were with the oncologist) and he is scheduled for a liver biopsy on Monday. We have asked for a second opinion from university of Pennsylvania, and the local doctors have agreed to facilitate that for us once the Biopsy is back. We are grateful for a baseline CT scan, because when he was in the hospital in July with pneumonia and a tickborne illness as well as a UTI, they did a CT scan with contrast (the same as they did last Tuesday) and it was clear at that point. The doctors feel that it is a probable malignancy, and given the size less than four months later, they feel it is fast growing, and so the prognosis is challenging.
Daniel is a very sick man. I’ve been concerned for a number of months because I kept feeling like something wasn’t right. In addition to this, he is dealing with hip and leg pain that is debilitating (Medical personnel do not believe it’s connected but he does have an MRI scheduled for that). He’s also been so tired over these last weeks, as well as complaining of a tightness just below his rib cage. This man who has been the strongest man I’ve ever known, who never gave up, and never let anything stop him is very different from his usual busy, outgoing self.
But listen, Brothers and Sisters, Friends (and acquaintances), we’re not alone! We have been blessed with adult offspringin’s and in-laws and grandchildren that are stellar. They are supportive and involved. Our siblings and their spouses are people who know what it’s like to suffer loss and they know how to pray. Our Church family has rallied, and are doing everything they can to help. And we have friends and neighbors who have assured us that they are praying for us, people we don’t even know have joined the ranks and are praying, too. These are best gifts, and we appreciate each and every one of them. We love the people who care enough to pray.
We do not know how this will turn out, and I do not like to think of the months ahead. But God has promises to keep, and we choose to trust a God who keeps his promises. This is Life. We are human. We wait, but we choose to trust while we wait, and to give thanks for the splashes of joy in this storm.
So, Yes! It’s appropriate to hang this Thankful Wall. There is living to do, memories to make, and so much for which to be thankful. Come by, sign the wall and say a prayer for This Man I love the Most. It will be a blessing to have you!
